"I am here to serve you."

As we slide toward January's closing, a few photos to give you a glimpse of Heaven on earth. The above is similar to the header photo; the valley view I see daily and it's always fresh and new.

A volunteer among the Jade plant; the amaryllis came from...? I haven't any idea but it's a lovely, unexpected surprise.

Maiden Spring is absolutely roiling; I've not seen it this full in some years. Please note although road signs says "Maiden Springs" there is but one spring, no more. When I pointed this out to a VDOT employee, I was told, "Well, it'll cost to much to change everything so we won't." I have a hunch this error was made due to the VDOT sign that references the fort that was nearby. That sign says, "Maiden Springs Fort..." and thus the error continues. The fort was established by Reese Bowen, an umpty-umpth grandfather of Dave's, and garrisoned in Dunnmore's War in 1774. Dave's mother always told the story of one of her umpty-umpth Grandfather, c. 1750 who, while on a hunting expedition, saw a maiden deer drinking from the spring and thus the name. She always claimed her kin were the first settlers while I always claimed they were the second as the Shawnee were the first...rightfully. We never agreed to disagree...lol.

Whenever I cross the mountain to buy groceries or gasoline, I pass by Maiden Spring, sometimes seeing deer, cattle and, on this day, Canada geese.

Pulling the car to the side of the road, I visited for a while and enjoyed watching them perform their ablutions. 

There were dozens, both sides of the creek, making huge splashes and talking loudly to each other. It was easy to hear them over the roar of the water.

If you're curious as to how the house restoration is going...it's going slowly. Low temps (in the 20's F) and high winds mean the house is cold. Thursday I caved and Eddie and I went to Lowe's where I purchased enough insulation to cover the outside walls.

I'd already purchased two heaters built to heat 1,000 square feet to knock the edge off the cold. Both rooms are about 18x18 feet so knocking the edge off is a very good thing...especially at night while sleeping because the bedroom has no heat save that little heater. The other heater is for the upstairs bathroom which is much less expensive than more frozen pipes.

Now I'm searching for radiators for the bedroom but so many people are going to heat pumps (UGH!) the call for radiators is minimal. I've made inquiries (thanks Ashley!) of two separate folks who might have the old fashioned radiators and might be willing to sell me a couple. Someone else (thanks John!) told me the people who make those outside wood stoves also deal in radiators.

Earlier this week, I spoke with a man who deals in Persian carpets and rugs; we made an appointment for me to take my (ruined) rug to him for evaluation. When that day dawned, it was snowing and sleeting so I called to reschedule. When I apologized for being too timid to drive two hours in inclement weather, his response was, "Please don't apologize. I am here to serve you and we can always reschedule when weather is better."

WOW! "I am here to serve you" has resonated with me ever since that conversation. Have you ever had a stranger tell you, "I am here to serve you"?
Have you ever had a Christian say those words to you? Have you ever said them to anyone? Does the idea of saying them to someone, a stranger, attract or repel you? It's been a clarion call to me and I question how well I'm serving Christ by serving others.

My planner serves me both daily and long term...the calendar pages I use are by Kathy Davis Studios and for each month she has an admonition. For January, it is "Seek Peace"....hmmmm...just can't get away from peace, can I? Nor do I want to get away from peace...lol.

Yes, this month has been "challenging" and the problems, not issues!, continue but, throughout it all, peace has been both blessing and gift. Although there is much to be done to restore house and belongings, I am beginning to slow down. Helpers come and go but I'm here 24/7 and the burden of all that needs to be done is wearing me thin. Laundry has been enormous due to salvaging by washing and drying my quilting materials and supplies instead of simply throwing them away. Throwing something away when it can be saved by some hands-on work goes against my Appalachian thrifty soul. The dining room furniture is being glued and, in time, will be restored to the best of Eddie's ability but there's no need to hurry as it will, ultimately, only hinder the process. Therefore, I believe I'll begin taking weekends off and will focus on doing those things I've been neglecting. Such as meal preparation, sewing, cleaning (notice where this is in priority...lol) and other things to be a balm and solace to ME. In other words, for a while, I am going to add me to the mix and I am going to serve...me.

Ponder this ~ "Home! And happy to be." ~ Truman Capote ~

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 ~

A Girl With a Dream Becomes a Women With Vision

Everywhere I go (feed store, library, post office, church) people ask, "Can you believe it's already the end of August?" My answer is, "I can't believe I've lived, actuarially, two-thirds of my life much less it being the end of August already."

Perhaps it's due to the ennui of Autumn's fast approach...Dave always said my blog posts had a bit of ennui to them and while that's probably even more true since his death, I'm still not sure I agree with him. These past almost five years, I've lived in Dave's shade and not his shadow and have learned contentment. The struggle has been real but I've learned to make a life out of what I now have and not what I'm missing. I'm allowing, even encouraging, myself to be myself and know how to be quiet and listen for God's whisper although that's fairly easy since I don't have the intrusive noise of radio or television. If I do listen to either, it's XM preachers or DVD's that are of my choosing and not what subscription throws at me and calls "entertainment". I chose to give up subscription television because I object to porn coming into this house. Yes, I do know I can change the channels but I was tired of having porn thrust upon me when channel surfing. It's a small way I can honor God and myself. I'm too important in His eyes, and my own, to see anyone devalued for the sake of a cheap laugh or 'filthy lucre'.

(Marti sent the above to me, it arrived at a much needed time and I am grateful she heeded God's whisper. If I knew whom to credit, I would be delighted.)

Perhaps the bittersweet, but not ennui, is due to the aches and pains of bones, joints and muscles that receive hard use even though they protest...or perhaps it's due to the skeins of Canada geese that have returned.

I know I've lived in one spot for a long time when the geese voices tell me they are coming in for a meal or when they are gathering strength to fly to the nearby pond. I know I've lived in one spot for a long time when I glance at the clock and know to grab my camera because the geese are due any minute.

The days are languid, still full of heat but the dark hours before dawn have a chill that say winter is hard pushing autumn who urges summer to pack and leave. Garden weeds are taller than me and, once again, my ambitions have exceeded my abilities. Heck, I can't even remember to go to any of the farmers' markets that dot the landscape and am lost among all the work. A glance tells me the hay bales are lined against the fence, waiting pick up and there are bales under storage being kept dry against the weather for my beasties when pasture wanes and snowballs fly.

I cry a lot these days but it's out of happiness, or at least contentment. How can I be homesick for heaven when I live here? If I won the lottery, I'd keep this place, hire an on-site farm manager and spend winters near my family and summers here. Then again, as someone told me, in order to win the lottery, I must buy a ticket. There's always a catch, isn't there? -wry smile-

The apple tree is loaded and promises pies, cakes, butter and out of hand eating but only after a hard frost. That's when the apples are sweetest, that's when they release their best. Eleanor Roosevelt said, "A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong it is until it's in hot water." I say it's like a Christian...when God allows trials and troubles, He, and we, find out what we're made of. We can either turn to Him or away from Him; it's always our choice but, sometimes, people forget it's not about the here and now, it's about the hereafter. Just recently I said privately to Becky, a blog reader, "Christians haven't any idea what the Bible says about anything; therefore, they'll believe anyone and then say, "In my opinion...". AS IF a Christian has an opinon...WRONG! Christians are to have a Biblical world view...so...what does the BIBLE SAY? THAT'S what a Christian believes...what the Bible says. If we think we won't have to stand before God and answer for every word, thought, deed, vote...we're in for a very unpleasant surprise. We're so consumed with the here and now, we've forgotten about the hereafter. Because we only see the here and now, we can't envision the hereafter and that's so sad. The Lord God who created Creation has such enormous, glorious plans for us and we sit here, quibbling over non-essentials."

Similar to the old song about if you want to have roses, you put up with thorns, at Thistle Cove Farm thistles comes with thorns and a wild, regenerate beauty that promises "beautiful one day and perfect the next". In response to a six year old girl's dream, God gave me Thistle Cove Farm. He has allowed me to be a steward here; He has grown me into a woman with vision; a vision that doesn't end here but will continue where He wills both while there's breath in my body, then into eternity.

God doesn't abandon His plans, and His plans for all His children who accept Him are plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future. 

Because God can be trusted, 

I choose to trust Him.

Ponder this ~ "I am not afraid. I was born to do this. ~ Joan of Arc ~ "

What were you born to do?

I'm So Far Behind, I Don't Know If It's Dusk or Dawn

There's been a little of this...Yellow Tail Sparkling Wine...on the front porch where I sit and sip. There's not nearly enough of this, compared to the work, but I'm getting a better handle on the proportions. I think.

Last month, I took sisters Faith and Becky to my Cherry Grove condo (Thistle Cove Cottage); neither had ever been to the beach nor seen the ocean except in photos. sigh, generational differences. Yes, as it happens that is a mobile phone in her hand...I often forget to turn mine on and she's glued to hers. Just goes to show you...she has a lot more going on outside her life than do I. I don't know that many people I want to be connected to.

Tis the season for fall festivals; this one has been happening, so says memory, for 28 years. I went because I wanted to buy 'lasses but no one had any; they had tons of apple butter which I did not buy because I've been making apple butter. Quarts and Quarts and Quarts and pints and pints and pints and half pints of the stuff. I'll just buy a 25 pound sack of flour and this winter will eat biscuits slathered with home churned butter AND apple butter. Overkill can, sometimes, be a Very Good Thing! (After leaving the Garden, I found 'lasses raised and made by Jaimie; the son of my former mail carrier. He's a delightful young man and he and his father farm...pretty much everything!)

Burkes Garden has signs for residents...you just drive around until you see who/where you want then head in that direction. Essentially, Burkes Garden is a circle; some say a thumbprint; a lot of photos here. I won't show the most famous photo because I don't have permission and consider property theft to be a very bad thing. (Local government has no such pesky conscious and regularly use other people's photos without giving compensation or credit to the owner. I've found my photos several places around the i-net from when the county used them without permission or credit.)

For a donation, the Amish would give folks a wagon ride. No, the gent you see isn't Amish, he's a passenger (just in case you were wondering).

How many remember doing this...front little girl standing on the pedals while sister sits on seat and pushes her feet on the road to propel them along. Both had pretty smiles and were having loads of fun.

I got lost decided to take a road I'd never taken that started out asphalt, quickly turned to gravel then to one lane. Fortunately, it had a (very) few pull-offs so when I met a car we'd both pass slowly. About a mile before the top of the mountain, I met a truck, no pull-offs, and decided he could hit the ditch to pass me while I hunkered in the almost middle of the road. I had my window down so I could apologize, "I'm sorry...it's been raining so much and I'm afraid of soft shoulders. I didn't want to get close to the falling off edge. Can you get around me?" He smile big and said, "Don't you worry none; we're just fine. Do you know where you're headed?" I said, "I think this might be the road to Ceres; is it?" He nodded and said, "You're about a mile from the top of the mountain; at the top, you might want to turn around and come back this side. The other side is a mite slick today."

That's exactly what I did after some folks took a picture of me standing at the Appalachian Trail.

One more reason it takes me so long to do everything...Kit and the rest of the animals all have to be a constant, immediate part of my life. And I wouldn't have it any other way!

Canada Geese came back August 1 and, every morning, just like clockwork they come to the cut corn field across the road. It's impossible to get them all in one photos; there must be hundreds!

Hunting season: hunters watching me watch them. I was impressed because they're wearing blaze orange; a lot of them don't. I left a note on their windshield letting them know; they probably think I'm crazy.

Home of the free,

Land of the brave.

Things to stay away from:

And, finally, I think this might be my new header photo.
Do you approve?

Blessings ~ Canada Geese ~ Appalachian Trail ~ my life ~ my farm ~ my animals ~ sparkling wine ~ Burkes Garden ~ the Cove ~

Mind Your Moments Because Moments Matter

~ evening in the valley ~

It's extremely doubtful this post will dig any deeper due to extreme weather on God's part and extreme exhaustion on mine, yet, looking back at notes made last year, I see February 2014 was just as horrible and I lost three sheep - Harry and Sophie Shetland and my beloved Carly Shetland, age 21.

~ Carly Shetland ~

This morning, at 5:00 a.m. there's no promise of dawn much less of sunshine and it's only hope and perseverance that gets me out of bed. Well, perseverance and the fact Daisy wakes me because she needs to go outside. We all stumble downstairs and I open the back door to frigid temperatures, twice, and decide I might as well stay up and start a cup of coffee. Eventually, the sun shines and hope stirs that today might just be a tad more gentle than the rest of this month has been. Surely, February, you can end on a gentle note, eh?

~ this morning, 7 a.m. ~

Slow Living is what my life is called and it's mostly concerned with what I call "heat and eat" or what Abraham Maslow called a hierarchy of needs: "food, shelter, clothing". Should you click the link, you'll find an article saying Maslow's work "suggests people are motivated to fulfill basic needs before moving on to other, more advanced needs." I find enormous humor in that statement because, to my way of thinking, there are NO "more advanced needs". Certainly there are other needs, different needs, but "more advanced needs"...no. It could be I haven't any idea what's meant by "more advanced needs" and I struggle to think of some...work? Work is what I do because I love to do it and am blessed to do it...the work of my hands and heart is tending to this farm, these animals and myself. Self-esteem? Again, so tied in with my work that it's impossible to tell where one ends and the other begins and I've never felt that way about any other job. Sure, I've always done my best when employed by others but those jobs didn't give satisfaction like this farm, possibly, due to the bosses I had. It's nigh on impossible for me to respect a boss anyone who isn't honorable, trustworthy or who is a Janus. Truth be told, I don't even try.

The article says there are five needs: psychological (survival needs - food, shelter, clothing); security (employment, safety); social (belonging, love); esteem (personal worth, recognition) and, the highest level, self-actualization (personal growth, less concerned with the opinions of others, fulfillment of potential). Again, amusement because Dave once told me, "I wish you cared, just a little bit, about what other people thought of you." My response, "Dave, I care enormously about the opinions of those whom I respect; the others...ummm, not so much." That's still true and it amazes me when people say, "What will people think?" and I'm blown away by the prospect people will think. What they think is between them and God and I've enough to answer for without concerning myself with someone else's judgement.

Slow Living means daily, the animals need food and fresh water and that means going to the barn, twice a day minimum, to throw out hay for the horses and chicken scratch for the guineas. Far too often to suit my body, ice has needed to be broken and removed from the water trough and for that I use a crowbar and pitchfork. I'd like to say of all the jobs, that job hurts the worse but then I remember pulling the fire wood from the barn (one hundred yards, all uphill) and how it took three days for my body to recover (if it has). It's hard work yet I take perverse pleasure in being able to do it and, when my spirit, yet again, faints at the prospect I remember so many stories told in Daddy's family and find the strength (due to God's mercy) to carry on.

I believe it was my third Great Grand Daddy and Grand Mother who made their way from central Virginia (late 1600's - early 1700's) to the Appalachian Mountains of (what is now) West Virginia. Joining a group of travelers, she and the smalls (toddlers, babe at breast, younger children and girls) drove their covered wagon loaded with supplies (food, clothing, cast iron cookware, etc.) and, crossing many mountains, headed to the new home place. Grand Daddy and the older boys drove the livestock in a different direction but they were all to meet at the new home stead in time to plant a late garden. When Grand Mother's group got to a river (can't remember which) they didn't realize spring rains had dislodged the marker and it had caught, downstream, in a different place but not realizing, she nudged the horses into the water. Before anything could be done, the wagon overturned; everything, and everyone, was claimed by the river. When Grand Daddy got to the home stead the caskets of his wife and children greeted him.

So my questions are these: why and how do people who don't know Jesus or have such stories keep going? What's their motivation? From where does their strength come?

It's a privilege go live here, on this farm, in this valley. Every day moments are mine to receive and they all matter because all are gifts. When someone would ask Aunt Bonnie, "Why have you never left the farm?" she would reply, "Why would I leave heaven on earth?" I believe she well and truly cultivated the gift of contentment and found joy in the moments because they mattered greatly to her.

The Canada Geese are back and staying at Maiden Springs where they have food and water

and Maiden Springs cave drips with ice that will take another few weeks to fully thaw. Camus said, "In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer." Summer is mine to claim as well; a merciful gift from God and the stories of family...those great clouds of witnesses gone on before.

I mind my moments because moments matter...greatly.

Blessings ~ Maiden Springs ~ my animals ~ witnesses ~ stories ~ heritage ~ winter ~ summer ~ moments ~

A Wild Journey

~ a skein of Canada Geese ~

One day you finally knew

what you had to do, and began,

though the voices around you

kept shouting

their bad advice--

though the whole house

began to tremble

and you felt the old tug

at your ankles.

"Mend my life!"

each voice cried.

But you didn't stop.

You knew what you had to do, 

though the wind pried 

with its stiff fingers

at the very foundations,

though their melancholy

was terrible.

It was already late

enough and a wild night,

and the road full of fallen

branches and stones.

But little by little,

as you left their voices behind,

the stars began to burn

through the sheets of clouds,

and there was a new voice

which you slowly

recognized as your own,

that kept you company

as you strode deeper and deeper

into the world,

determined to do

the only thing you could do--

determined to save

the only life you could save."

~ Mary Oliver, The Journey ~

~ Canada Geese ~

It's turned frosty here on the farm and this morning rain, cold, drizzle and, just maybe, sleetish mix was added. Yesterday, I took time to check the heating pipes and then, turned the thermostats to 60. This is a big house, with ten foot ceilings and as tight as sieve; I always wanted Dave to put in a gas fireplace in our bedroom but he was afraid of propane gas poisoning. I'd just shake my head and add another layer blanket. I mean, really!, when you can see the curtains blowing, do you really think things are too tight and propane gas poisoning is a potential problem? I have noticed since using Quik Crete to plug the foundation, the wind isn't making a fuss inside and it's also a bit quieter...what gifts and blessings! 

~ Canada Geese lessons, here ~

It seems most contradictory that in Autumn, when human hearts turn toward hearth and home, the wild cries of Canada Geese are a call to action. They circle the valley, always twice and sometimes more, before landing in the field across the house to glean corn left from last week's chopping. 

Usually, their cries are heard before my eyes spy them, this morning no exception and I made a mad dash for the camera, feet slipping out of bedroom shoes to scurry faster. The dogs crazed with excitement, all of us bunched at the door, then hurtling down the steps across the frosty leaves and grass, dashing across the yard to get the best photo. 

~ questions and answers, here ~

Flannel night gown flapping around bare legs, naked feet skimming across wet yard, dogs barking loudly and dancing around me, caught up in my excitement as the geese circle, honk, circle, honk. I wonder if these are some of the same geese I waved to in late spring as they flew on their journey and decide, yes, some are old friends. 

~ three guinea fowl ~

At some point this summer, we had a violent storm and six guinea fowl blew in; three are left and have made their way from road to barn lot to yard. I'd rather they didn't visit the porches but have budgeted for food to feed them this winter. Guineas are not only entertaining but they are good watch critters as well and, when disturbed, they'll call out loudly and readily; listen here to see what I mean.

I always told Dave we had a unicorn flying over the farm; we can't see it but the lost, wayward and those needing sanctuary and rescue can see it and they make their way here. In case you don't know, unicorns are the "patron saints" of lost, wayward foundlings. No one can convince me otherwise that unicorns are only mythical creatures. I believe they lived as flesh and blood but were hunted out of existence; remember the Dodo bird? There are many extinct species, see here for the top ten. The Bible, King James Version, mentions unicorns more than half dozen times but scholars say the Biblical unicorn isn't the unicorn we think of today...a horse with a horn in its forehead. I say, prove it but it cannot be proven and I'm both comfortable and happy in my belief. What does it hurt? Nothing and I cannot understand why people get so riled when someone disagrees with their interpretation...especially when it's something as simple as unicorns. It's not as if we're arguing about salvation!

This day is crazy...the heavy winds are blowing clouds over the valley and within a ten minute period, we'll have rain and wintery mix and then blue skies and sun. Still, outside chores have to be done and they aren't getting done with me at the computer. 

Blessings ~ Canada Geese ~ three guinea fowl ~ unicorns ~ poetry ~ this Wild Journey called Life ~