Bye-bye April...here's your hat, what's your hurry?

It seems April just got here but considering the events thereof, I'm happy to see her leave. Oh, it started out just fine...April Fool, Easter and full moon...a triple if ever there was one. As to remembering much...it's like the ole feller said when asked about a fairly recent event, "Well, that's a foreign country and the borders are now closed."

Yeah. April.

Now there were good things in April...my birthday for which I was gifted with Medicare. It hardly seems I'm old enough to drive and the government kicks me to the curb, deny's (is that correct?!) me the "privilege" of paying $1,100+ a month for insurance and says, "Uncle will care for you now." Whoa! That's enough to put the fear of God into an atheist! Beloved Sistah had an April birthday as did friends (Marti, Sharon, Chris, Millie, Mary, Mat). If you'd like to know what happened on your birthday, click here; as to what happened on my birthday...not much and that's fine with me.

The Powhatan Fiber Festival was this past Saturday and I had a lovely time! It's been a very long time since I've been to a fiber festival and this little festival was fine, fine, fine. I didn't purchase much (don't need much) but the yellow felted woolen slippers managed to come home with me and will be used as studio footies.

Dyeing 2 Spin's Becky Blake did an indigo dyeing demonstration and won me over. She has home workshops and I've already sent an e-mail stating my desire to enroll.

I've done a lot of dyeing but never indigo and it's fascinating stuff! When the yarn comes out of the jar, it's greenish yellowish but the longer the yarn is exposed to air, the bluer it turns.

Ain't God grand!

So many beautiful

and sweet things.

But the BEST, by far, was the studio...it's closer to being finished! Joe (Cabins and More in Tazewell, VA) did the inside work using R-13 insulation covered with roofing paper which was covered with my rough cut hemlock. He said I should be able to heat it with a candle this winter (grin).

There's enough wood left to do another building...if I build a farm stay cottage, will you come?

The studio isn't nearly finished...I need to vacuum the sawdust and dirt then find a roll of vinyl flooring to put down but I'm closer than I was. In my head, I'm already designing the space...ceiling fans, chandelier, a kitchen cabinet area (with a smallish fridge, microwave, electric kettle...shop at Sandra's!), a hospital bedside potty (brand new at a thrift store) with mosquito netting to make a "room"), a corner cabinet for bits, bobs and beading, a beautiful brown leather sofa (thrift store), areas for spinning wheels, rug looms, small quilt frame, a beautiful wool rug for underfoot, window air conditioner, propane gas fireplace, center table for cutting, piecing, etc., it's going to be glorious!

It's difficult to see but one of the Inkspots is stalking one of the Canada Geese. Inky is just right of mid-center studio and the Canada Geese is ahead, just in front of porch center. I never lack for amusement and since moving here, always take time to stop and enjoy the animals, scenery and simply being here. There's a lot to be said for simply being.

Other happenings in April ~ Thistle Cove Cottage was sold and I'm refocused on Thistle Cove Studio. Yes, it was rather sad but that season of life has past, it's time to move forward.

A lot of time and energy has been gladly given to my Mom; she was T-boned in a car wreck and has fractures on hip, pelvis and a chipped ankle bone. She has a long recovery ahead but she's tough and has already begun physical therapy with an aim toward beating the doctor's prognosis. Maxine, my friend of longest standing, had surgery today to remove a cancerous brain tumor. As soon as she's able, she'll begin chemo and radiation so please keep both women in your prayers. Max and I have known each other for close to 50 years and throughout it all it's been a friendship of mutual respect and unconditional love. When necessary, we agree to disagree and have given each other room to grow. We know things on each other I'm sorry God knows but I'm also deliriously happy God forgives then forgets!

That's my April; it's been chock full and I've reached the end tired but with enough energy to continue. Bless God for the gifts of His strength, patience, love, mercy and grace...always grace.

Ponder this ~ "In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty, In All Things Charity"
~ Rupertus Meldenius ~ (in the past, this quote has been attributed to Augustine of Hippo but it's rightfully Rupertus Meldenius, a Lutheran monk of the 17th century; click here for back story).

Sabbath Keeping...an update...

Thanks to prayer and God's positive response, photos are downloaded and instead of my usual Sabbath Keeping post, I'm doing an update this evening. Not a day goes by I'm not thanking and praising God for this move to Nottoway County! God cannot forget His own for in Isaiah it says, "See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hand." Notice He didn't say your name but YOU. In another part of Isaiah it says, "Do not fear. I have redeemed you. I have called you by name, you are Mine." I don't know about you but that makes me scream for joy! Once, Dave asked me, "Do you think God micromanages your life?" I said, "Absolutely." Dave replied, "I don't think God micromanages my life. God gave me a brain and He expects me to use it." I smiled and said, "You're right, Dave. God doesn't micromanage your life because you haven't asked for His help. Just as I'm right because I do ask for His help and He does give it. God doesn't force Himself, He waits for us to ask."

Another time we were talking about prayer and Dave asked if God hear his prayers. I looked sadly at him and said, "No, I'm sorry to say He doesn't hear your prayer because He cannot hear the prayers of the unsaved. The only prayer God hears from an unsaved person is when that person asks forgiveness of sins and for Jesus to live in his or her heart. But once that prayer is prayed, God will always hear your prayer, no matter how short, how long, how awkward...God hears and He always responds. Maybe not immediately and a lot of times not how we'd like. A lot of times He'll say "No" but He always listens, He always hears. When people who aren't saved (but are "spiritual"...whatever that means...I've asked them but never received a reply) tell me they'll "say a prayer for me", I want to reply, "Better save your breath to cool your soup" but I don't because why hurt their feelings?

We've had SNOW! It's been glorious and a sweet reminder of the way it was at the last farm. The major difference is there's not much wind and chores are so much easier without that nasty wind chill! About four inches of snow were covered with sleet and icy rain which has been rather harsh but hasn't stopped me but perhaps slowed me down a tad.

This morning the water in the horse troughs was frozen solid...I really thought I'd left all that behind! Each paddock has a waterer but I like to give them extra so put in these tubs; the horses would rather have the in place waterer because the water is a lot warmer coming out of the ground. By the time I went back to do evening chores, everything had thawed...last night it was about 24 and today's high was 39.

One of the best farm purchases has been the Hay Hut; it's for round bales of hay and minimizes waste. All the horses are in the same paddock and, thank God, getting along very well; being able to feed them all together makes it easier on me.

Yesterday, Mom, Dad and I went to West End Assembly of God Church to see the 30th Annual Christmas production A FANtastic Christmas. There were all sorts of references to Richmond's Fan District, the time was circa 1960's and Mom did a stellar job of driving in the snow and sleety stuff. I tell you this to not only brag on Mom but to say how wonderful it's been being closer to family so we can do things like this.

No, I'm not unpacked but managed to put my hands on a few decorations (thanks to Beloved Sistah) which please me...God blessed me with almost seventy acres so I doubt I'll run out of greenery any time soon. Pine boughs and holly were cut to stick into the concrete planters and this sweet little lantern with candle welcome folks as they step onto the porch. 

These cute little trees are cut from corrugated tin and decorated with star lights and sit on either side of the sidewalk. Two more concrete planters are stuffed with farm greenery and the red lanterns have lit candles while the electric light is a sweet reminder of the one in Chronicles of Narnia.

Timmy Poore of PJ's Tree and Landscape Service, has done a great job of removing trees around the house, between the house and pond and between the driveway and barn/paddock. While he was in the bucket, he even put in light bulbs on the top of the house. I have some phone videos to load onto Facebook that show him in action along with helpers, Paul and Rick. 

This photo was taken shortly after moving in and before Timmy arrived...the house is blocked from view by one hundred foot tall pine trees and the dam has a few unwanted trees as well. Pine trees have shallow roots and I decided to have them removed before the wind blew them down and possibly into my house. The second photo above shows a clean light of sight from the house deck to the pond and beyond...so much better! 

 

Rick works with Timmy and is owner of Unique Wood Treasures. When I asked Rick if he could put in some clothes line poles for me, using some fence posts I had, he sorta looked at me funny and said, "Sure, no problem." After a while, he pulled up and unloaded these hand made, hand crafted (sorry, they're so beautiful had to say it twice!) beauties of cedar! 

I'm a huge fan of washed clothes hung on a line and it will be sheer pleasure using this clothes line for years to come. Rick...ya done good great and thank you!

Joe Nicholes, Cabins and More, added three bays to my pole shed thus allowing extra under cover storage for farm equipment. Joe and family live in Tazewell and are Mennonites so he doesn't have internet presence; if you're interested in hiring him (highly recommended!), send me an e-mail and I can connect you.

Virginia Blue, out of Roanoke, did a benefit concern and they were fabulous! Yes to blues, also jazz, some zydeco, bit of rock 'n roll...whatever they did, it was fabulous! The concert was held at the Blackstone town square in the center of town...a lovely venue.

I'm learning how to use my Android phone and have photos and video's to upload...when I figure out how but for now I think that's enough of an update. At least, I've been at this for a few hours (so very s.l.o.w. -grin) and I'm ready for a break. So, in closing...God doesn't forget His own. Ever. This I believe with every thing I've got...yes, I remember standing on the last farm's upper pasture, screaming at the sky, "God, have you forgotten you've left me here?!!" but knew full well He had not forgotten me. God has His reasons, His plan for my good and His glory. Always. Life is better and easier to deal with...not easier but easier to deal with...when I remember. 

and my Good News...an early Christmas gift to myself...this morning I joined Blackstone Baptist Church and thank God for leading me to these gracious, kind, Jesus with skin on people!

Ponder this ~ if you're a Christian Believer, God has a plan for your good and His glory. If you're not a Christian Believer, get in touch because I can help you there.

Merry Christmas!