It's a Good Day to Die

~ blizzard conditions ~

Patrice is hosting Chats on the Farmhouse Porch, number 127; her questions, my answers.

1. Have you been watching the Olympics? No, haven't a clue what's going on in the world but I can tell you what's happening here and in more detail than you, probably, want.

2. Does the grey winter affect your moods? Some but I spend a lot of time outside, no matter the weather, so I'm not as affected as someone who works inside. Also, when I knit, sew or spin I'm either in the sun room with natural light or using OTT lamps. If you're not familiar with OTT lamps, you should be, they make all the difference in your ability to see, no matter the time of year.

3. When was the last time you held a baby? Recently although I have no clue who the baby was nor her parents. If I see a baby in the grocery store and start making goo-goo eyes and the parents don't freak out, I ask if I might pray for their baby. No one has ever turned me down so I take the baby and pray God's blessings on the baby and the parents. Young folks seem to, especially, appreciate the prayer and, yes, other folks stand around and gawk but so what? If they're Christians, they should be joining in prayer and if they aren't Christians, maybe it'll make them think...eternity is a lot closer than any of us know or expect.

4. Do you do a thorough spring cleaning each year? I'm going to this year because the house/farm is going on the market. I'm hoping to hire some help and if you're a praying person, pray I'll find someone to help me do major cleaning.

~  deep ice at the barn door ~

5. Please tell Wendell a bedtime story. ...Once upon a time, there was a farm where there were only three seasons...hot, cold and mud. All the animals lived to be tremendously old and were given only the best hay and mountain water to drink with treats of grain and molasses. There was a unicorn flying over the farm and no animal was ever turned away or denied food, water or shelter. The sheep were rare breed Shetlands from the Shetland Isles, some Romney's from the Romney Marshes of England, one Columbia Suffolk cross who was an Easter lamb and then unwanted and two Merino's who were bottle fed as babies and were absolute terrors! The four alpacas were beautiful, but aloof, creatures who walked proudly among the sheep, heads held high and they always chose the best places to sleep at night. The horses were rare breed, American Curly horses who were gaited, colored and, for the most part related to each other in planned breedings. Tumbleweed, the black mare with white stockings, was a rescue but the rest were all related by either dam or sire. There were dogs, house cats and barn cats and, unfortunately, a skunk and o'possum who lived under the house and a squirrel who lived in the tree. It was a Peaceful Kingdom where there was always time for nose kisses, head rubs, body hugs and, most importantly, love. (Except in the case of the skunk, 'possum and squirrel, they were encouraged, to no avail, to move.)

~ the husband, Sam and Sadie ~

As with all of life, the only constant is change and vast changes came to the farm. The husband died, quite suddenly and unexpectedly, leaving his wife to manage as best she could. For the first year plus, she managed (although she was at a loss as to exactly how she managed!) and farm life ebbed and flowed with the seasons. She tried her hand at raising steers, or neutered bulls, but decided having ten "teenage boys" who weighed one thousand pounds each was an accident waiting to happen. The steers left, the fences were repaired and, again, farm life ebbed and flowed.

~ left, Abigail and young Sam ~

The second summer after the husband died, their beloved Jack Russell, Abigail, who had very ancient bones, just couldn't manage. She was tired and it was time to say good-bye. Just a few weeks later, their beloved Australian Shepherd mix, Grace, who was even older than Abigail, died. For months, things were settled and then, just before Christmas, the woman's other beloved Jack Russell, Sophie, died so now the woman had only Sadie and Sam, three five year old pups.

~ Gracie ~

~ Sophie, Sam, Sadie ~

That winter was hard; it was cold, extremely cold with temperatures twenty degrees below zero and wind chills much lower. Snows were deep, followed by icy rain and more snow, making everything treacherous and dangerous. The woman's sheep were old and had a lot of problems that come with old age.

~ Harry Shetland ~

Harry Shetland was blind and lived in the barn with access to a small lot were he could drink warm water from an electric water bucket and lay in the sun to warm his old bones. Twice a day, the woman would carry Harry and Sophie cracked corn and grain with fresh hay. Sophie Shetland was just as old and her arthritic bones, many days, prevented her from getting to her feet. Carly Shetland, at twenty years the oldest of them all, was allowed to live in the yard where she toddled, eating her molasses and grain mixed with pain meds, drinking warm water and eating alfalfa hay the woman brought to her twice a day.

February was a hard month, full of deep snows, extreme cold, high wind and low temperatures. Harry and Sophie were suffering and the decision was made to release them. The woman and her vet explained to Sophie and Harry, this was their last gift. They had both had wonderful lives, much better lives than a lot of parents give their children (how terribly sad!) and they were to look for Dave when next they opened their eyes. On that same Friday evening, the vet looked at some barn cats and told the woman, "Start bringing them to the office, we'll begin spaying and neutering next week."

That weekend was terrible; the temperatures were horrid, the wind was horrid, the snow and ice made walking difficult and, sometimes, almost impossible. On Saturday, the woman carried (!) Carly into the house and put her in the mud room where she thought Carly would be more comfortable. Carly didn't like being inside so the woman carried (!) her back outside but Carly needed help all weekend, getting to her feet. Even so, her little tail would wag with excitement when the woman would run to her, calling, "Carly, hold on, Girl, I'm coming, I'll help you."

~ home ~

On Monday, it was almost warm, at least, not as tremendously cold as it had been and, at dawn, wonder of wonders, Carly was standing on her feet, calling for breakfast. The woman ran to get Carly's breakfast and pain meds and put them in front of her and Carly's tail began wagging as she started to eat.

When the woman went to the barn Tabby, one of her cats, was crying so the woman picked her up only to see where something had chewed on Tabby with grim results. The woman ran hurried to the house, got a towel and carrier and took them back to the barn. She gently placed Tabby in the carrier and then into the truck; as soon as the vet clinic opened, she took Tabby and left him but later the vet called and said it was too late, Tabby couldn't be saved. The woman buys a lot of cat food in the winter in order to keep the barn cats close to the barn. When the snow is deep, there are a lot of predators (coyotes, foxes) looking for food and during the night, coyotes can be heard all over the valley.  There's no way of knowing what tried to kill Tabby but what is known Tabby had a wonderful life on the farm.

Late Monday afternoon, the rain started and Carly was having trouble staying on her feet. Her fleece would get waterlogged and her poor little arthritic legs couldn't hold her weight so she'd fall over. The woman kept running into the yard, righting Carly but then dark came and it was harder on the woman. She leaned Carly against the porch and left her covered in prayer. At dawn Tuesday morning, the woman ran to see Carly and had to help her to her feet but in the space of thirty minutes, the woman had to right Carly half dozen times and the hard decision was made.

~ Carly Shetland ~

It's a good day to die and tomorrow would be better; even so, the woman chose to do the right thing by her beloved little ewe and made the hard decision. The woman drove the Ranger from the barn to the yard and lifted Carly into the bed which was no mean feat because Carly weighed 65 pounds. The woman then drove the Ranger to the barn lot and struggled to put Carly into the bed of the truck which was horribly difficult. The thick ice underfoot made a hard job dangerous and only a lot of crying and praying got it accomplished. The woman put the dogs in the house and drove to the vet clinic, second time this week and it's only Tuesday.

~ Carly, covered in snow and ice ~

The woman held Carly, both to say good-bye and to prevent her thrashing around. Part of the woman's prayer was, "Good-bye old girl, you've been such a joy and delight to me for so many years. Run to Dave, as soon as you open your eyes, run to Dave, he's waiting on all of us."

~ the woman, Abigail, Sadie and Sam ~

The woman returned home, took Sam and Sadie for a walk and then they all went inside the house. The woman took two aspirin and laid down in the sun room where the sun was warming both room and bones alike. She thought how her life had changed, so dramatically, so suddenly over the past twenty-seven months and wondered what the future would bring. She dozed, drifting in and out of sleep, letting the sun warm her bones and the aspirin diminish her pain. When she awoke, she took the dogs to the barn, gave the kitten her meds and food, locked the front gate and then walked back to the house where she fed the dogs then filled the tub full of hot water and Epsom salts. When the tub was half full, she lowered herself into it and sunk again into a half stupor, waiting for the hot water and salts to work their magic.

Today was a good day to die but tomorrow would be better...much better.

Blessings ~ the husband ~ the animals ~ the life ~

Don't Waste Today

Why do we waste today by worrying about tomorrow? 

Tomorrow never comes; 

it's always and forever...simply today.

"Use your eyes as if tomorrow you would be stricken blind. ... Hear the music of voices, the song of the bird, the mighty strains of an orchestra, as if you would be stricken deaf tomorrow. Touch each object as if tomorrow your tactile sense would fail. Smell the perfume of the flowers, taste with relish each morsel, as if tomorrow you could never smell and taste again. Make the most of every sense; glory in all the facets of pleasure and beauty which the world reveals to you." ~ Helen Keller ~

~ Sam P. Spade, Secret Agent ~

"Finish every day and be done with it.

You have done what you could.

Some blunders and absurdities 

no doubt have crept in;

forget them as soon as you can.

Tomorrow is a new day;

begin it well and serenely

and with too high a spirit

to be cumbered with 

your old nonsense.

This day is all that is

good and fair.

It is too dear,

with its hopes and invitations,

to waste a moment on yesterdays.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

"We should live each day with a gentleness, a vigor, and a keeness of appreciation which are often lost when time stretches before us in the constant panorama of more days and months and years to
come." ~ Helen Keller ~

Spend it wisely,

time is money.

"If everything is under control, you're going too slow." ~ Mario Andretti ~

"No pressure,

no diamonds."

~ Mary Case ~

~ my paca nation ~

"Be not the slave of your own past. Plunge into the sublime seas, dive deep and swim far, so you shall come back with self-respect, with new power, with an advanced experience that shall explain and overlook the old." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

"The largest living land mammal is the absent mind." 

~ Capt Beefheart ~

~ Abigail, my heartbeat ~

"How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of those." ~ George Washington Carver ~

"The beginning is always today." 

~ Mary Shelley ~

~ play like you mean it ~

"A very small percentage of the people in this world will actually experience and live today. So many people will be stuck on another day, another time that traumatized them and caused them to spiritually stutter so they miss out on this day." ~ Steve Maraboli ~

Once the question of why we're here has been settled, we can focus on while we're here. Today, each of us is one step closer to death. Make today count, live like you meant it knowing God's blessings surround you.

If you're looking for the Visa card give away, please click here.

Blessings ~ the gift of today ~ promise ~ hope ~ family ~ companions ~

A Week and More, Second Part

~ PacaRose , left~

Woman plans, God laughs and I'm more than a week late with the second part update. Good news, PacaRose is fine and dandy and I've come to the conclusion he's F.A.T. and has a problem getting to his feet when he lays down with his head uphill. 

~ Carly Shetland, right ~

But, I should start with events leading up to the first paragraph. Every so often, Carly Shetland will become 'cast', meaning she gets turned over and can't right herself. I go to her, speaking softly and in a low voice so she knows I'm coming. Once she hears my voice, she begins bleating, as if telling me she's in a pickle and needs help. 

Fortunately, I don't have to lift her, but can roll her so her feet are on the 'down' side, then she can stand. Carly gets arthritis pain meds in the morning and in the evening which helps her greatly with her mobility, but, even so, there are times when she needs help. 

After getting Carly to her feet, I went to the barn where PacaRose was down and I had to get him up. That meant, I lifted his head and l.o.n.g. neck upright, scooched my feet underneath him and then heaved lifted pushed him to  his feet. Once he got started, he was fine and dandy and begins eating and drinking normally. Fortunately, that was the last day he was down; it's been all good, for him at least, ever since.

~ four paca boys , right~

Next, the farrier came to trim horse feet which was a two and a half hour job. Not all the horses needed trimming but they all needed de-worming and all were de-wormed except HayJ. By the time we dealt with seven horses, I was exhausted and just wanted the farrier to leave so I could crash and get warm but that was not to be. 

The dratted horses escaped into the yard which, as you all well know, wasn't their fault the gate was left open. Totally my fault but that did not ease the forty minutes of pain of getting them back into the barn lot.

On Monday, Donald, Mary's husband, came to fix the barn lights; he figured out the black wire wasn't connected properly and the lights were blown. At any rate, he fixed the wires, replaced the bulbs and it's lovely having dusk to dawn lights in the driveway!

Andy also came on Monday to drag the pastures; he used the harrows to distribute the manure so, over winter, it'll decompose and return to the soil. You can see the lines in the pasture showing where he used the tractor and harrows. He also helped de-worm Hay-J so all the horses are finished being de-wormed; now only the sheep remain.


So far, so good but the story is about to take a downward turn...you are warned.

The dogs, as usual, were with me, every step throughout the day. In the afternoon, Sophie began trembling, shaking and acting like she was freezing so I put her in the Ranger, out of the wind and cold. We came inside at 4:00 so I could feed the dogs their supper and, if anything, she got a little worse. When I put her food in front of her, Gypsy Cat stuck her head in Sophie's dish which was highly unusual. In a hurry, I ran to use the bathroom and Sophie followed me; when she walked into the wall, that's when I knew, for certain, she was blind. I called the vet, told them I was bringing in Sophie, grabbed her up and ran for the car.

Long story short, she might have had a stroke which cause her blindness but we don't really know. I brought her home and, on Tuesday morning, let Sam and Sadie say good-bye. 

Dave and I have always let the remaining dogs say good-bye; it's far gentler to let them know than to let them wonder. 

In years past, Shadow, Zoe, Abbie and Grace were cremated so their ashes were put into the grave first, then Sophie's casket followed. I want to write another post on Sophie but not tonight; tonight is for saying good-bye.








Andy and Donald filled in the grave,  

and I used the tractor's front end loader to pack the earth and finish the job.

This post is being written on Sunday evening, after a day weekend of rain, cold, wind and more troubles. I've been keeping an eye on another old sheep, a weather, who is ancient, probably as old as Carly, and he's in poor condition. I brought him to the barn, where he's been given chicken scratch (easy to eat and digest) and sweet feed with pain meds. He's blind, creaky and confused so, tomorrow, I'm going to ask the vet how best to put him down. He's had a good great life; better than about seventy percent of the humans on this earth and putting him down will be my last gift.

Now you understand why I'm late with the update; it's not just the physical exertion but the emotional toll. Sophie's human Pa had cancer and killed himself and Sophie came to live with me the Sunday after I buried Dave on Wednesday. It's been an emotional roller coaster for all of us...Sadie, Sam and me and between the weather, the work, the tears and all the rest, I am in tatters. 

Dear God. And it's not even winter.

Blessings ~ Abigail ~ Shadow ~ Zoe ~ Grace ~ Sophie ~ Donald ~ Andy ~ Sam ~ Sadie ~ 

Stranger Than Strange

~ the original friends: Shaddie, Grace, Abigail ~

Yesterday morning, Gracie went to join Abbie and Dave. Gracie was much older than Abbie and, frankly, it surprised me when Abbie went first. Gracie had been diagnosed with a possible tumor in her nasal cavity but, with meds, she seemed to be enjoying life. Over the weekend, she seemed to slip downhill, just a tad. On Saturday, I doubled her pain meds and she seemed to rally. On Sunday, doubled meds and she spent the day, with us, her family, on the back porch where she enjoyed the fresh air, sunshine, bird song and watching the cats play. But I we knew it was time. On Monday, I drove Sophie, Sam and Grace to the vet office and we all said good-bye. 
It's been said before; grief is strange. Just when a person thinks I think I'm getting a grip, it flies in my face and, like Yogi Berra said, "It's deju vu all over again."

About 1:30 a.m., the night Abbie died, Jake shows up at the back door. I'd given Jake up for dead; it's been three weeks, perhaps longer, since he'd been here. Then, I heard he was living down the road and wondered why he didn't come 'round any more. Jake is his own dog, he comes and goes at will and Dr. Ann had given him a rabies shot. There's no keeping Jake in the yard, unless it's on a chain and I can't do that. I hate seeing a dog chained! Anyway, Jake comes, stands tall and puts both arms on my shoulders and nuzzles his head in my throat. He loves to give hugs and he's a really good hugger! 
Gracie died yesterday morning, and this morning about 1:30, Jake is at the back door. Again, he comes in, gives me a hug, eats, sleeps in the kitchen and leaves this morning. How is it a dog knows what to do and goes about doing it? Unconditional love...we could all learn something from Jake and the other animals at Thistle Cove Farm.

~ Miss Emma ~

Remember Miss Emma? A few weeks ago I posted she was missing; had gone missing about three weeks and had no idea what had happened to her.

~ Miss Emma tonight ~

A while ago, I came upstairs, sat down at Dave's desk and a cat came to rub against my leg. Absently, I bent down and began rubbing her ears...I only have female cats...and glanced down. It was MISS EMMA!!! She's a lot thinner, but healthy, and starved for affection and attention. Where has she been all this time? It's been more than a month! Let me tell you, it was a trifle spooky when I realized it was Miss Emma! She ate a bit of supper and has been in my lap ever since; she and I can't get enough of each other!

~ part of the current crew ~

Sadie, Gypsy, Sophie and Sam are part of the current compliment of critters on the farm. With Miss Emma returned home, Hattie Cat and Tippy Cat our little family is complete. Or, as complete as it's going to get this side of the veil. 
"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy." Isn't that true in life? Firmly, I believe we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses that we cannot see with earthly eyes...humans and animals alike... God uses His animals to work His will. Remember Balaam's ass and the colt Christ rode into Jerusalem or when the rider "Faithful and True" will ride the white stallion? The Bible abounds with stories of animals interacting with humans; those stories continue today, although, I must admit, I'm as gobsmacked as Balaam when I think about Jake, Miss Emma, etc. There are more things in heaven and earth than I could possibly dream!


Blessings ~ Shaddie ~ Abbie ~ Gracie ~ Miss Emma ~ Sam ~ Gypsy ~ Sophie ~ Sadie ~ Hattie Cat ~ Tippy ~ and all the rest of the crew at Thistle Cove Farm, seen and unseen ~

My Week...Thus Far...Long Post

It's said when cattle, or any other livestock, continue to graze in the pouring rain, the rain is here to stay. Knowing there are those in the USA who would give years off their lives for rain, I hesitate to say this...but, we've had about two inches of rain every day for about two weeks. My teeth are soggy and I think those are mushrooms growing above the window!
Some have read about my week, thus far, but the following is what I sent a friend via e-mail. It covers the high points; frankly, this has been A WEEK and pain has blocked out some of it. Thankfully. I think. Anyway, this post isn't for the weak hearted; while the photos aren't graphic, some of the text is very graphic!
Sunday - 17th wedding anniversary, first without Dave, need I say more?
Monday - fell on large rocks in driveway; sprained left thumb, entire right leg from knee down severely bruised with large bump extending from knee to ankle and have numerous bruises on front of right shoulder where I landed on a large rock. I have NO idea what happened...one moment I was walking, the next I was on the ground with horses side stepping me. Sadie, the Ridgeback, managed to knock into me as she was dodging the horses. The big putz is afraid of the horses! Thankfully, the horses are good about giving me room and only came close to nuzzle and see if I was going to get up. Which I did, after far too few seconds on the ground. I remember the yard gate was open and didn't want the horses going into the yard; they could garrote themselves on the clothes line...ugly! So, I made my way to the house, very unsteadily, and took an 800 mg Ibuprofen and sat on the back porch while I sorted through my assortment of aches, bruises, lumps, etc.
Tuesday - stayed home and took Ibuprofen to stem pain.
Wednesday - had to go to Courthouse to get buy more Certificates of Qualification re. Dave's death and me being heir and Executrix. Of course, being Executrix makes me think of leather and horse whips...I'm twisted thataway and have a dark past that's cleansed by the Blood of the Lamb. Thank God or, as we used to say, PTL -praise the Lord. Anyway, back to the Certificate of Qualification...I bought and paid for several many copies in January but, apparently, that's now not new enough. Say that three or four times very fast! They must be thirty days or newer. And, yes, evidently that would have been too excruciating to have been told three weeks ago when I sent in the originally requested information and paperwork. 
I also went to the library to download books on my Kindle which, turns out, wasn't working. Using the Brand New USB cord, I tried charging the battery but, nope! It's not still not working. I called Amazon and they are sending me, gratis, another brand new USB cord. Those folks at Amazon are wonderful! 
Thursday - went to my GP for a physical because, ahem, it's past time. He's not happy with my blood pressure but he's happy with my cholesterol. I told him fifty percent sounded great to me and he could take those odds to Vegas! So, he tells me the BP has to come down, that's just after he asked me how I was doing in the months since Dave died. 
Note to self...look up oxymoron in dictionary...
Then, back to the Courthouse to get buy MORE Certificates of Qualification. Perhaps I should buy many, many copies...? Yet another "entity" needs an "updated" Certificate signifying I am who I say I am. Gee, do you think it's entirely possible I could have changed my identify since January? NOT! HELLO! I am NOT Jason Bourne!
Back home to find my Beloved Abigail Von Rotten the Jack Russell Terror screaming in pain; her right shoulder is dislocated. I pile Abbie, Gracie and Sophie because she's faster than greased lightening and is out the door before I can catch her...into the car and back to town we go. 
Dr. Lois comes out to the car to meet us!!!!! I pray to God all of you who have beloved companion animals have vets who are as kind and compassionate as Dr. Lois and Dr. Anne! Abbie has quieted, her shoulder has slipped back into place and we all trudge into the examination room. Dr. Lois listens while I explain what's been happening and I tell ask her if "it's time". She nods quietly. I'm afraid this will happen one night at 3:00 a.m. and Abbie will be in such terrible pain and I can't get her to the emergency room, and then, I'll be forced to shoot my own dog and, while I could do it, I'd rather Please Please God, don't ask it of me.
I always pay the extra money for the relaxation shot first. It calms the animal, makes them sleepy and eases their way Home. That's exactly what happened with Abbie. Dr. Lois gave her the relaxation shot while Steven and I held Abbie, then the kill shot, and then...she just slipped away with me whispering in her ear messages to give Dave.
Yes, I firmly believe Abbie, and all our my other beloved companion animals are in heaven. God loved them first, He made them first and we're all made for His glory and pleasure.
If you don't believe this, then you're right as well. Your animals will be in heaven but you won't recognize each other. It's best that way; they won't recognize you and be confused when you don't recognize them. And you, because you lack the faith of a child, will never know. God is kind that way.
Abbie will be cremated and then buried with our other Beloved Friends who have gone ahead. As for me, it was a three night beer. Yes, I do drink beer, wine and, sometimes, a cocktail. These days, I'm not a big drinker but, trust me, last night called for three beers. Abbie was my heart beat for more than sixteen years; it's not the same as Dave going ahead but, believe me, the pain is still raw, especially since it's been less than nine months since Dave went ahead. 
Friday - It's back to town...I swear, I should just get a town job...kidding! Just kidding! smile and as I was going down the driveway, a red fox vixen comes out of my barn and goes up the driveway carrying a kitten. I slam on brakes, she turns and looks at me long enough for me to take her picture.

It's difficult to tell but that small reddish spot between the second and third fence posts to the left of the gate is Mama Fox. Now I know what all the yelping is about; Mama Fox has kits and they are hungry so she's been feeding them kittens. Mother Nature and Father Time take care of us all...eventually and in one way or the other.
Then, I head down the road to a neighbor's house to pick up a table to use in the little town festival tomorrow. Ziggy, their ten month old Great Dane comes BOUNDING to greet meet and I...dumb, dumb, dumb...call out, "Hi Ziggy; whatcha doing Beautiful?" Well. Ziggy goes crazy with joy and begins leaping and running and cavorting around and...this is the "bad" part...crashing into me, over and over and over...Now I've started to yell, "NO ZIGGY, DOWN ZIGGY, OFF ZIGGY" and Ziggy is SO happy because here's a New Human AND she knows MY name! OH THE JOY!!! At Ziggy's last pass at me, and before I dash to the house, I put up my hands to, hopefully, try and keep her from slamming into me and knocking me into the ground and...and... I'm not quite sure what happened next. See Monday's note about falling...
Either I "put" my hand into Ziggy's mouth or Ziggy "puts" her tooth into my hand...either way, I've got a puncture wound in the pad of my right hand. Ziggy is such a puppy, albeit a huge puppy and her first humans got her and then didn't want her because, "Gosh, we had no idea she'd get to be so big!" 
Trust me, you can't think or say anything I've not already thought or said! Some humans simply make you wonder if they're worth their salt!
Anyway, Ashley, good soul that she is, rescued Ziggy and, when Ziggy quietens down a trifle, she's going to be a fabulous dog! She's already a beauty and just needs some more TLC and training. I know this because Sadie is just like her only not quite as big. Perhaps I could start working with them both to give teach them some manners...? 
A half bottle of peroxide later, I'm, almost good as new. It's only when I get to the AAA office they ask, "Why are you so filthy and why is there blood running down your arm?" OOPS! Ziggy clipped me and I missed it. Laura said, "I think Dave is trying to tell you to slow down." I looked at her and said, "That's easy for him to say!" We all laugh.
I'm almost finished and so is my week...are you still with me?
Now, it's late afternoon, I'm exhausted, the dogs need to be let out and fed and I'm headed down the valley when...the dang gas light comes on. I'm almost out of gasoline! So, I turn around, windshield wipers beating time get that reference? and head back to the convenience store and gas tanks. I lift the nozzle and...my freshwater pearl bracelet snags, breaks and pearls roll everywhere! While the gas is going into the tank and the rain is pounding down, I drop to my knees and start gathering up my pearls.
No, as it happens, this is not a good time to recall the Bible verse...pearls before swine!
Did I mention I'm exhausted? Tomorrow is a little town festival and I'm going to sell raffle tickets for a VA Tech fleece throw I made. All money is going to our volunteer fire department but I've already said, if it's raining, I'm not going. 
We've had rain every day for two weeks and you know what?
I'm praying for rain tomorrow!

Blessings ~ humor ~ pearls ~ rain ~ puppies ~ vixens ~ Gracie ~ Sophie ~ Sadie ~ Abigail, my heart beat for more than sixteen years.

I'm on the porch...

~ Abbie, Sam, Sophie ~

"On the first day, God created the dog and said, "Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years."

The dog said, "That's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I'll give you back the other ten?"

And God saw it was good.

On the second day, God created the monkey and said, "Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I'll give you a twenty-year life span."

The monkey said, "Monkey tricks for twenty years? That's a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the dog did?"

And God, again, saw it was good.

On the third day, God created the cow and said, You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family. For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years."

The cow said, "That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. How about twenty and I'll give back the other forty?"

And God agreed it was good.

On the fourth day, God created humans and said, "Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this, I'll give you twenty years." 

But the human said, "Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?"

"Okay," said God, "You asked for it."

So that's why for our first twenty years, we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves. For the next forty years, we slave in the sun to support our family. For the next ten years, we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren. And for the last ten years, we sit on the porch and bark at everyone.

Life has now been explained to you.

There is no need to thank me for this valuable information. I'm doing it as a public service. If you're looking for me, I'm on the porch. Where are you?

Blessings ~ porches ~ PORCHES ~ PoRcHeS ~ porches, use yours well and often! ~ and the person who sent this to me ~ 

An Ordinary Day

~ Super Sadie and Sophie Lauren Butterball ~

For some reason, this photo makes me think of Superman. Remember? He'd stand, arms crossed, as he gazed in the far distance. I tried putting antlers on the dogs...Christmas, doncha know?...and they rebelled. Sadie would run between my legs...I think in embarrassment...and Sam would just shake his head like, "you're taking this just a little too far, Mom." Somehow, he didn't seem to buy the disguise suggestion. 

~ Sam P. Spade, Secret Agent ~

It was crisp today but warm enough to get outside and get some work done. 

The garden still has corn which is given to the horses; such a treat for them! 

Not the best photo of Sophie but she was shaking her head to rid herself of dirt. Sophie, Sam and Abbie spent a couple of hours today digging out mice...Good Dogs...Very Good Dogs! Sadie, of course, supervised as she doesn't like getting wet or cold feet.

~ Abigail Von Rotten The Terror ~

Abbie has old bones; Dave and I found her back in May 1997 and she was an adult when we found her. She's been my heartbeat all these years; where you'd see me, you'd see Abigail and vice versa. She still has a great heart but her body is slowing down and she's all but deaf with vision problems but her nose is still as good as ever. Please God, don't take her too very soon...please.

Today was, just about, an ordinary day. What a blessing and a gift! Yes, I spent a lot of time wrestling with various folks trying to get yet more paperwork accomplished regarding Dave's death. I think I'm making headway but, tell me something...is it just me or would you get riled when someone said, "I'm sorry for your loss. Your husband owned money on his credit card and we can take that money out of your checking account Right Now and it won't cost you anything." 

Well. Duh. What a surprise. It won't cost me anything, eh? Do I look like one of those ejit ninja turtles? I think not. I told the woman I had to go to town, re-arrange some money and would send her a check later today. She said, "in that case, we're going to have to start searching for his estate so we can attach the estate." I said, "What part of I CALLED YOU don't you understand? I'm perfectly willing to pay this bill but I have to make sure I have the money in my checking account. And anyway, I AM THE ESTATE!"  I have sunk to a new low; I am now praying for people like Paul prayed for Alexander. 

I've said I'm going to blog about this madness that has resulted from Dave's, untimely to me, death. There are things you can do now to help you in the event your spouse passes away. Things that will make all the paperwork, banking, legal krap, etc. much, much easier on the one left behind. I'm working on some blog entries now and will, after the first of the year, present them to you. I thought we could all get through Christmas and the Holidays first and then, like going back to school, start on 2 January. 

Wife to Widow: Preparedness Training is the working title; I certainly like...well, you know what I mean...wry smile...the Wife to Widow part...it's at least apropos in my state...and I'm still trying to figure out the secondary part.

Would someone help me with a blog button, please and thank you? I'm giving away what I've learned, via the school of hard knocks, for free and would like to get the word out to as many as possible. Yeah, maybe it is a bit macabre but, believe me, the more information and knowledge you have at hand, the better off you'll be. When you're in a vulnerable situation, sharks are circling like mad and just waiting for you to stumble and fall into the water so they can finish you off. Everyone has their hand out and it's a juggling act, figuring out who gets what first. 

I've learned a difficult time does not have to be a terrible time but you have to be prepared. Or is that a terrible time does not have to be a difficult time...? Whatever, I can help make it easier. We're all in this thing called life together; let's hold hands and help each other along the way.

Blessings ~ sunshine ~ Sam ~ Abbie ~ Sadie ~ Sophie ~ an ordinary day ~

Farm Days

~ Garden Angel ~

Spring means work and a lot of it when you live on a farm. The garden and orchard share a field, about an acre in size, perhaps a bit more or less, and Dave keeps asking, "do you have any room left?" Geeze Louise, do I ever! I keep putting more and more seeds and plants in the ground and the ground seems to swallow everything I throw at it and beg for more! At the kitchen door, which is also our back door, a grapevine angel stands watch over the flower and herb garden. I've put lavender and rosemary into this flower bed in the hopes the house will be enough of a wind break that both will over winter; time will tell.

 ~ Larch behind the Hemlock tree ~

In the front yard the larch and hemlock trees tower over the house. The winds come from the west, roaring down the valley, and, throughout the generations have forced the trees to grow at an angle. A few years ago, the larch confier was in bad shape due to some sort of infestation. We called a tree specialist who told us, "You can't have a larch; they don't grow this far south." Dave said, "okay, will you come take a look anyway?" The guy said "yes" and when he pulled into the driveway his mouth dropped open. Yes, it is a larch, I believe a European variety, and other varieties are well known in Canada, Russia, the Apennines and the Carpathian Mountains. The larch is a conifer and a deciduous tree and loses its leaves in autumn and really is unknown this far south of Canada. After spraying an oily residue on the drip line, the larch is doing much better and is more beautiful than ever.

~ Miss Abigail Von Rotten the Terror ~

It's been a busy, long day and Abbie is plumb tuckered! She keeps up, mostly, and does extremely well for an older gal and has been my heartbeat since April 1998. She was an adult when I adopted her so her exact age is unknown. Last week, I stopped in at the vet's office and met Lucy, a stray that has adopted one of the vets. They tried to give Lucy to me but I told them her heart would be broken if she were separated from her new Mom. Lucy bonded with the vet who saved her from certain death...as well she should have bonded...and there was NO way I would have broken that bond. The vet and I were talking about dogs and how much we loved them; I told the vet, "I want to die the day after I can no longer have a dog." She looked at me in surprise and said, "Me too!" I've always thought God gave us such a marvelous gift when He gave us dogs and I've always pitied Jews and Muslims because they think dogs are unclean.

I've been busy starting seeds -vegs, fruit, flowers, herbs-, weeding beds, cleaning off porches, moving things from the house to the farm office, getting ready for the Farmers' Market, trying to get the garden shed in decent order, etc. I get up with sunrise, have devotions then burn as much daylight as possible, getting work done but by the time I come inside, it's 7 or later. Then there's supper to fix, eat and clean up and, before I'm ready, it's late and way past my bedtime. So, all that to say, blog visiting is sporadic but when you're brought to mind, you're tucked into prayer. I'm sure you'd rather have prayer than a visit anyway, eh? -smile-

Blessings ~ sunshine in the day, rain at night ~ seeds ~ four legged companions ~ trees ~ angels ~

Sweet dreams, all,

Sandra

Road Perils

 ~ tree down ~

For a good part of the way out of the Cove, it's two lane, unmarked, roads. This road, Pounding Mill Road, is marked and, as you can see, driving is hampered by a tree across the road. This is the shortest way home, the next shortest way means turning around...difficult to do on a road this narrow...heading back to Rt. 460 and then turning east to head to Tazewell town and then home or, turning west, and going on a narrower, unmarked, dirt road. It's just as likely, perhaps more so, trees would be across the dirt road as well. Hmmm.

~ mission accomplished! ~

It was easier to get out in the pouring rain and help break up, then move the tree just enough so one lane of traffic was clear. See the oncoming car? The driver wanted to stop, waaaaay back, but I motioned the driver to come closer. As soon as the automobile was close enough for me to talk to the driver, I saw it was a woman and asked, "Do you have a man in that car with you?" She looked startled and said, "nooooo...?" I told her, "well, you'll have to do. We need to move this tree so we can all get to where we're going." Startled is not the adjective I'd use for the look on her face this time -grin- but she jumped out of her car, ready to assist. The two men in the car ahead of me, that woman and myself broke up the tree enough so we could pull it out of one lane of road. As we're readying to break up the tree, one of the men looked at me and said, "So, Cove Gal, how's Dave doing?" I must have looked as startled as the other woman! "Gaining strength but it's slow going and daily", I told him. He laughed and said, "Mr. Harrison is in the car and we'd heard the news." He and Mr. Harrison are the gents who keep our furnace and heating system in working order; it was nice to work alongside folks I know.

 ~ uh oh ~

On the other side of this mountain, this tractor trailer driver found out dispatch doesn't always know best. I felt sorry for him. Cell phone coverage is spotty, at best, and in the short time I was there, his phone connection broke several times. To say he was exasperated is putting it mildly. Eventually, within three hours, a tow truck came and rescued him but he and dispatch were having trouble communicating. The driver asked me, "what's the nearest town?" Now, that's a trick question. Around here, towns are few and far between but we do have plenty of wide spots. I told him, "tell your dispatcher you're about four miles from the Pounding Mill WalMart." The guy looked at me like I'd struck crazy. "Pounding Mill?" But, he told her and her response was about the same. I just grinned and left them to it; I can only offer help, can't make them take it. The truck was, probably, in okay shape; it looked like he'd driven onto the soft shoulder and it gave way. Good thing it was on the ditch side of the road and not the cliff side.

 ~ dear ole Abbie ~

Beloved Abbie, like so many most at Thistle Cove Farm, has some years on her. As a foundling, she came here in 1998 and was full grown then so she's upwards of fourteen years. That's close to 100 in our years and she's beginning to slow, just a tad. I thought she'd had a stroke but, after taking her to a vet who specializes in Jack Russell's, I found Abbie didn't have a stroke but rather vestibular disorder. Nasty stuff that and means she suffers from having her world dizzy and imbalanced. She tells me when she needs to go up or down steps and I have to make sure not to disorient her. The two times I have turned her too quickly, she has to lay on the floor and flip 360 degrees to right her inner ear and restore balance to her world. It's painful to watch and I can only imagine the disorientation inside her little head and body.

She's eating well and moving nicely; was able to chase a rabbit yesterday and in a, fairly, straight line. She's on pain meds, to help her sleep and cope, and on antibiotics as, sometimes, they seem to help. Dr. Peggy, the vet, also suffers from vestibular disorder and was quite sympathetic; she even called this morning at 8 a.m. to see how Abbie is faring.

 ~ Sam, either licking his chops or warming his nose ~

Sam went to the vet also and he has a very nasty ear infection. I've been trying to clear up this ear infection for a very long time; hopefully, we've got the right mix of meds to get the job done this time.

~ double rainbow ~

Can you see the double rainbow? Dolly Parton said, "if you want to see the rainbow, you have to put up with the rain." She's right, you know. For two weeks, or more, it's either rained or snowed each and every day. Lawz! but I am glad to see the rainbows!

Our GP, God bless Dr. Steve!, called after 8 p.m. tonight. He wanted to let us know he'd already received the results of the CT scan Dave had earlier today. The tumor has shrunk a bit more and we'll take it. Yes, Lord, we'd still like that miracle of full recovery please, but, in the meantime, we'll take this small victory and thank you, Lord, thank you so very much.

Here's hoping rainbows for you as well. Rainbows and unexpected gifts.

Blessings ~ rainbows ~ Dr. Steve ~ Dr. Peggy ~ helping hands ~ Dave ~ Sam ~ grace ~

Soli Deo Gloria,
Sandra

Bits and Pieces

~ wild turkey hen ~

 Sometimes, the camera is at hand and God, graciously, allows a moment to be captured. He's given several such moments lately. Above is a turkey hen who was walking and flying from roadside to roadside which made me wonder if she had chicks somewhere. A while back, one fine day, I had to stop, no camera at hand unfortunately, to allow a mother turkey hen and her eight off spring to cross the road. It was a pleasant sight and one I've remembered fondly for years.

~ flying hen ~

 It's not the greatest photo in the world but do you know how difficult it is to capture a turkey in flight? They are fast and not only are able to fly far, they can fly high. She flew to a tree then drifted to the ground and calmly walked into the woods; above, she's the blur mid-center right.

~ Mr and Mrs Deer ~

Coming home from quilting I caught a glimpse of this wild doe and buck.

~ white tailed buck ~

His antlers are in full velvet and will stay that way until rutting season. White tail deer are native to the United States and are also known as Virginia deer; read an interesting story about a white tail buck here.

~ heading home ~

Abbie went with me to quilting, had some snacks and then, on the way home, a snooze. She's gray and grizzled but with a heart still as big as all outdoors. Abbie has been my constant companion for more than thirteen years and was an adult when we found her. Over the years one of her nicknames has been "my heartbeat". And, it's true, we live in tandem.

Jules, over at MoonCat Farm, has gifted me with an award and I'm still shaking my head. You know when you hear something about someone and think, "what a nice thing to say about so and so"? Well, Jules gave me A Blog With Substance award and said, "Sandra, at Thistle Cove Farm, you center us and bring us home." Now, I ask you...is that not one of the nicest things you've ever heard? It's certainly one of the nicest compliments ever given me and, Jules, thank you from the heart! I'm still shaking my head and thinking, "Wow. She likes my blog." Remember Sally Field when accepting her Oscar for Places in the Heart? "...I can't deny the fact that, right now, you really like me!" That's how I feel and have felt since Jules contacted me to tell me of the award.

Jules asked me to sum up my blogging motivation, philosophy and experience in five words. Hmmm, I do hate pop quizes -smile- but, perhaps, calming, connectedness, encourager, blessed and grace sum it up, quite nicely I hope.

She also asked me to pass along this award to five bloggers of substance. Mildred, Misha, Kathy, LindaSue and Paula. All these women are women after God's own heart and that warms my heart. Mildred is a new blog-friend with beautiful photography and a gentle tone while Misha is my next state neighbor who has become a friend. She's the kind of person you'd want for a next door neighbor if you could pick your neighbors. Kathy lives on the other side of the country and is an encourager; the world needs more women like Kathy. LindaSue is in Texas and raises goats and, probably cain in her younger days. I don't really know that but I figure she's such an interesting woman now, surely she has some notches in her belt from earlier days. grin. Paula is also a next state neighbor and I'd love to share a cuppa with her. Paula and Kathy are shepherds so we share that in common in addition to our faith. There are many, many more women I'd love to bestow this award upon but time calls me to a halt.

~ Tim Ivy, Two-Rivers Multi-Media Solutions ~

Before I go, may I interest you in viewing a short video? If you recall, a couple of weeks ago, Tim Ivy  came and shot video and stills here at Thistle Cove Farm. Today, he sent me an e-mail telling me the video was on his website and asked me to take a look. Tim, you've done an incredible job and thank you from my heart.Why, I ask, am I so blessed? Don't get me wrong, I am also extremely grateful but to have Tim capture so beautifully this farm and what I do brings me to tears. The older I get...thank You, God...the more I realize each breath and blessing is from Him and He brings people like Tim into my life for a reason. Thank You, God. Thank You.

Blessings ~ awards ~ videos ~ Jules ~ Mildred ~ Misha ~ Kathy ~ LindaSue ~ Paula ~ Tim ~ and always, God ~

Dei Gratia,
Sandra