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I am Sandra - faithful steward. listener. shepherd. dream believer. hard worker. collects brass bells, boots. Jesus follower. contented. star gazer. homemaker. farmer. prayer warrior. country woman. reader. traveler. writer. homebody. living life large.

Saturday, November 05, 2016

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 ~

14 comments:

  1. Anonymous7:05 PM EDT

    God bless you, sweet friend, on this 5th anniversary of Dave's Homegoing.

    We love the honey crisp apples and have enjoyed many this Autumn. We are just now feeling cooler temps and we are so very dry.

    So very thankful for the gift of Salvation & Eternal Life through Jesus Christ. Thankful for Dave's acceptance of Jesus into his heart and I know that gives you such peace. God bless. xo

    ReplyDelete
  2. honeycrisp apples are the BEST ever!!!!!
    that along with your special crackers
    and good cheddar? perfect meal. but yes,
    perhaps a pint of your favorite
    whatever would be the perfect addition.

    love the building - can see why you
    lust after it as you do.

    belfast, huh? i missed that one.
    going there now. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous7:23 PM EDT

    p.s. would love a few seeds and will be happy to mail you a stamped envelope. click on my name and it should take you to my email. xo

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dear Sandra, I read this post with big interest. It' so necessary to shelter seldom plants. The agriculture destroys a lot of natural living gems. I do not know this plant here in Bavaria.

    Thias "soul" of the cut apple tells really a lot! Thank you for showing!

    Your region and range is wonderful! Prayers fly there. You are a blessing. LOVE PEACE CHRIST EVERLASTING

    Greetings from Dori

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am so sorry for your loss of Dave. You're in my prayers for comfort on this day of remembering especially. {{{Hugs}}}

    I enjoyed the pictures in your post and think that building is great!

    I would be interested in the milkweed seeds, too. Please let me know what I need to do. My email address should show up on my Blogger profile. Thank you.

    Have a wonderfully blessed weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I would love to plant the seeds in my yard. I live in Las Vegas, Nevada would they grow here? Do they need. Lots of. Water? My. Email is Crochetr@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Good morning dear Sandra ~ Yes, peace we have, knowing our husbands are with Jesus/God. That scripture verse is a great one. Right after my dear husband passed from this life to the next, they asked me did I want to bring him back, and I said No! He is already with Jesus, that's where he wanted to be, and I have the paperwork for you not to bring him back. (They told me he would be on breathing and kidney machines if they would have brought him back, that's no life.)It will be 4 years for me next month.

    Anyway, I'm glad you have peace too. You have been and are, an inspiration to me and I thank you for that.

    I love that old farm building, just beautiful! DH would love it too, he loved working with wood, did so since he was a boy. That's a great photo of it.

    What color are your milkweed blooms? I'd love to have some seeds also to see if they will grow down here in my southeast FL tropical gardens.

    I love your header photo and the views of your countryside. So beautiful!

    Have a great week dear Sandra ~ Love & hugs ~ FlowerLady

    ReplyDelete
  8. My empathies friend - these "memorial" days are hard however many years out. I know what you mean about if you didn't have family here you'd live there - that's true for me in many areas - I love the Caribbean (not the hurricanes!) am so at home in the mountains of western New Mexico but not rational at this age and point of my life to try to relocate - moving in with my late in life love has been enough of a challenge in adjustment.
    enjoy your milkweed - I've planted some in our flowerbeds and they seem to be serving their purpose - have had MANY monarchs here in past few weeks and saw 4 caterpillars on the milkweed. Exciting stuff!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Sandra, Blessings to you on this 5th anniversary of your beloved's passing. So happy for you and the peace in your heart knowing he is resting in the arms of our Lord.
    What a lovely post for this day and I always enjoy your photos and especially your header.
    Honey Crisp apples are the best this time of year. Your meal looks divine and a combination I love too.
    Wishing you a blessed Sunday. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  10. You have such lovely views.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Sandy!
    I'm taking your wonderful travel bag to Israel on this Tuesday.
    Thanx again for blessing me with it.

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh Sandra, I do love a honey crisp apple and cheddar. Bless you for spreading the milk weed pod seeds. It's quite interesting how many folks just hate it. Poor monarchs...
    Thinking of you on this anniversary of your dear Dave's passing. Take care. ♥

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your header photo is arrestingly beautiful. Thank-you for preserving some milkweed.

    ReplyDelete

  14. Sandra dear ~ You are such an inspiration....sorry I am just catching
    up and thank you for the reminder of Dave's passing. When I lost my
    Beloved two years ago, I found great comfort and guidance in your blog
    and am happy that you are in peace until you are reunited with Dave in even greater peace and joy. I am in full agreement with you on the trajectory of our Nation's future....Do we even know where we are headed, given the lack of trust we have developed in the communications industry. We have become so morally impoverished that
    what was once alarming has become tolerable, acceptable. The answer
    is what it always was... to throw ourselves before the Lord and implore Him to bring us to repentance, moral restoration, thanksgiving
    praise and peace. Keep your beautiful light shining over Blogland,
    Sandra dear.

    ReplyDelete

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