The Prep Work is the Hardest

~ my love hate relationship with the beautiful thistle ~

Before starting on the day, I wanted to ask a favor for a blog friend. Patrice, she of Everyday Ruralty and Chats on the Farmhouse Porch, wants to take a course on Nutritional Psychology Coaching. Along with being a wife, mother and farmer alongside her husband, Patrice is also a chef. She's learned the hard way about food allergies, in her video she states one of their daughters could only eat five foods! Patrice is asking folks to "like" her video, click here for her post and, if you're so inclined, please vote/like Patrice's video. It's for a scholarship to take the course. Thanks!

~ Primary Route 91 ~

I've been calling Duchess Dairy for days but to no avail...until this morning around 8:30 when they answered the telephone. I told them I needed cream in order to demonstrate churning at the Tazewell County Fair and they said, "Sure, not a problem. We milk on Mondays and Thursdays so today is good." By "milk" they meant they put milk in jugs for retail sales. There's no easy way to get to Rural Retreat from where I live...a week ago Friday, I-77 was shut down due to a tractor trailer catching fire in the tunnel so I decided to go the back way. Route 91 is the only primary dirt road in the Commonwealth of VA. As you can see, it's narrow although two vehicles may, very carefully, pass each other. When it's a big truck with a 24 foot livestock trailer, I just pull over and sit very still and quietly and give them the total right of way. We also don't waste a lot of tax dollars on such nonsense as guard rails. -grin-

Thistle Cove Farm, 3.3 miles away 

Kudzu is Very Invasive and is taking over the world, tree by tree. When the blooms are open, they smell exactly like grape juice. Some enterprising folks are making beautiful baskets from kudzu and I applaud them! 

A little over the top of our portion of the Clinch Mountain Range and here is Dogpatch. Don't even ask if it's available for rent because there's no electricity, toilet, running water or much of anything. It is a sweet little cabin though and the folks that own it, at times, still stay there. 

~ beautiful stone wall, generations old ~

~ cute mailbox design ~

~ perhaps part of a plane? ~

Some time back Little Tumbling was named one of the top ten trout streams in the USA. 

Part of my journey took me on both Saltville Highway and Possum Hollow Road, over in Smythe County, our next door neighbor. 

This lovely 360+ acre farm in Rich Valley is going to be auctioned off, regardless of price, August 23rd by Albert Burney. I've read their website information and it bothers me they're saying "Blue Ridge Mountains". I hear that a lot from folks who live around here and it's simply not true. While it's true the Blue Ridge Mountains lie in the Appalachian chain, it is not true the Appalachian chain is the Blue Ridge Mountains. It bothers me because it's the "you ain't from around here" and "we'uns just as good as anybody else" mentality. If you believe you're as good as everyone else, you don't have to beat others over the head, just go do the best you can. Many years ago, during church youth service a young man proclaimed, "I'm going to go to XXXU and prove it doesn't matter we're from Appalachia, we're just as good as anybody else!" After the service, I whispered to him, "No one cares where you're from, they care what kind of man you are, and by the way, that university you're headed to...it's in Appalachia too." I'm not sure but I think he's still shaking his head over my comments. At any rate, this property is breathtaking! The homestead sits on a little peninsula and the North Fork Holston River meanders by in a U formation. But hey! what do you expect boys from Huntsville, 'bama to know anyway? "You'uns ain't from around here r ye?" -grin-

My drive took me by Hungry Mother State Park (twice) where it's said generations ago, some Anglo settlements were destroyed on the New River, south of the park, and Molly Marley and her young child were some of the survivors taken to the the raiders base. Molly and her child escaped but she, eventually collapsed, and her child was found but could only say the words "hungry mother". The search party found Molly where she'd fallen and died; the mountain where she was found is called Molly's Knob and the creek is Hungry Mother Creek.

After more than two hours of driving, I arrived at Duchess Dairy Products, in Rural Retreat, where only milk from Jersey cows are bottled. Aunt Bonnie, Daddy's oldest sister, had a Jersey and a Guernsey cow that she milked twice a day then churned a few times a week to make butter, buttermilk and cottage cheese. She taught me how to do all of that and then she gave me her churn which had come from her mother and, possibly, her mother before. Aunt Bonnie knew out of all the children, nieces and nephews, I was the only one who would ever keep the tradition alive and I do proudly. Some in my family think I've a screw loose but I love keeping the old ways alive and, when the butter is ready, they love eating it. 

~ the Duchess men ~

It really does make a difference when Jersey cows are milk vs. Holstein. Jersey milk has a butterfat content of around 34% while Holstein is around 9-12%. Jersey milk has 17% more calcium, is higher in protein and has a 20% smaller footprint than her black and white cousin. A Jersey will take 32% less water and 11% less land to produce cheese from her milk and, if you're ever able to do a taste test, you'll find the Jersey milk is superior in flavor as well and their disposition is calm and gentle, the perfect milk cow for someone starting out.

It took another two plus hours to drive home and yes, I am exhausted! Part of the way over and all the way home, I drove Rt. 16 which is nothing but two lanes of switchbacks, U's which make for beautiful scenery but my poor hands are aching from gripping the steering wheel! 

Now you see why it takes me for.ev.er. to do almost everything once I leave the farm. There's no easy way to get from here to most anywhere else and it takes hours to get the most menial errands accomplished. Still and all, I love my farm and the surrounding valleys. Appalachian is the home of my heart (until I get to heaven anyway), my roots go deep and wide and I've never lived anywhere I've been happier. Yes, I am sorry to say good-bye (when that time comes) but it's time to move forward. Like I told Dave the other day, "Just because I'm moving on doesn't mean I'm forgetting you." (I'm not sure but if I could put that to country music, I could make a small fortune!)

Blessings ~ safe trip across those mountains ~ Jersey cows ~ Holstein cows ~ Duchess Dairy ~ Appalachia ~

Chatting with Patrice, Number 150

~ l to r - Peaches, Dandy Man, DaniGirl ~

Patrice, Everyday Rurality, is hosting Chat Number 150...a milestone and, in the land of blog, that's a major accomplishment! Each Wednesday, she asks five questions, answers them and bloggers are allowed to drop in and do likewise. This week her questions, my answers:

1. Do you ever watch old TV shows or movies from your childhood or youth? I gave up sat t.v. and now only watch DVD's such as I Love Lucy, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Andy Griffith and the like.
What I'd like to see is Sky King and Penny...anyone else remember that one? I. loved. it. For some reason, it grabbed me...maybe it was the ranching and the flying or the fact a female had a central role... not really sure but I. loved. it. From out of the clear blue of the western sky comes Sky King!!!

~ Lightly, DaniGirl, Izzabella ~

2. Have you ever adopted a rescued animals? Sheep, horses, alpacas, dogs, cats, guineas, ferret, skunk, owl, fish...in my lifetime, I've either adopted a rescue animal or doctored a foundling back to health and released it (owl), paid for the adopted, picked up animals by the side of the road... I used to tell Dave we have a unicorn flying over the farm; we cannot see it but being as unicorns are the 'patron saints' of foundling, rescued animals, they know to come here for medical care and a meal. 

3. Are you good at keeping track of paperwork and records? Better than Dave (not saying much) and getting better because I have to get better. I'd love to take some kind of class but have no idea what, perxactly?!

4. What would you like the Magic Wendell Fairy to poof with his wand (thought that'd be hoof???) and turn into a treat for you. Any snack or sweet you would like...forget snacks and sweets, I'd rather have supper...meat and veg, please and thanks.

~ Izza and Tumbles ~

5. Tell me something interesting-please. The hay field yielded 22 and a half bales which I'm going to sell. It's not as many as last year but this year has been wet and chilly and the field hasn't done as well. I'm closer to having the house packed and will start on the farm. When God brings a buyer, I want to be ready! I'm getting ready to clean fleeces and will send them to the mill for spinning and weaving into blankets. 

It's been chilly here and one or two nights I've slept in a flannel nightgown. The night temps have dropped into the low 60's - high 50's and it's been wonderful sleeping weather. 

The county fair begins tomorrow and on Thursday I'll demonstrate churning butter. I'm going across the mountains to Rural Retreat and buy pasteurized cream from Duchess Dairy and their Jersey cows. Jersey cows have a milk fat content of about 18% 
When I was younger and visiting/staying with Aunt Bonnie, she taught me how to milk. It's not for those with weak hands; milking takes body strength but the results are well worth it. All my life I've helped or have churned raw milk but, for the fair, I'm churning pasteurized cream. When dealing with the public, it's best to be on the safe side...not that I'm giving up any of the butter, mind you. This year I'm buying the cream out of my own pocket and am bringing home the butter and buttermilk. Faith, and Becky, her sister, are helping me and they're being paid in butter but the rest is mine. 

Last year several people came to me and wanted to buy butter but it's against the law for me to sell it. Also, several wanted to buy my churn and were rather put out when I said, "Not for sale". Actually, some folks got downright rude when told, "This is my heritage and it's not for sale at any price." One person told me, "Everything has a price" and my reply was, "Maybe so but you can't afford it." yeouch! I'm not sure but don't think they enjoyed my response quite as much as I enjoyed giving it -grin-.

~ white tail deer ~

We've having a Senatorial election here in southwest VA. Seems the Dem who was in that position gave it up because his lawyer daughter of some eight years of lawyering was appointed a judge. One of them had to give up their job and the Senator decided it was him. There was a big ruckous when Daddy was offered a $100,000.00+ a year job...which he turned down because those ugly words "political graft" were mentioned along with an FBI investigation and the now former Senator decided to "pursue other options". The job he turned down was with The Tobacco Commission which was funded with $1,000,000,000.00, ummm, that's ONE BILLION tax payer DOLLAR$ and Commission positions are coveted, highly coveted. I mean, it's a lot of dough re me for doing little a nothing except tending meetings and handing out more taxpayer money to favored friends. 

Anyway, there are three men running...Mike Hymes, Democrat, Tazewell's favored son, Ben Chafin, Republican, Russell County's favored son and Independent Rick Mullins of Dickenson County. It's a terrifically important race because the Dems are in power in VA and should Mr. Chafin or Mr. Mullins win, it will skew the weight over to  the Republican side. Mike works in the coal industry, is a Board of Supervisor member for my district and he's a good man. As they say, "He's not from around here" but he's done himself proud during the time he's lived in Tazewell County. Mike did an interview where he wants stronger gun control and that seems to fly in the face of the Second Amendment, which, as a strong Constitutionalist, it bothers me a lot, but, other than that, I believe him to be a good man.

Mr. Chafin is a lawyer and the state current legislator for his district but I don't know him personally. I know his family and have worshiped in the evangelical church he and his family worship; they have a fine worship service and preacher. As a youngster, Mr. Chafin worked his Daddy's tobacco farm, something I've done as a teen on my uncle's tobacco farm. Working tobacco is a hot, stinky job (especially in central VA!) and my hat is off to anyone who has worked tobacco. Something else he and I have in common, we were the first in our family to be graduated from college, or in my case, university. A proud accomplishment! However, when I visited Mr. Chafin's website, I was dismayed to see southwest Virginia represented...minus Tazewell County.  

~ Izzabella and DandyMan ~

Mr. Mullins' Daddy was put into a wheel chair at age 28 when a coal mining accident happened. Mr. Mullins comes from a coal mining family and that's near and dear to my heart; bet you didn't know I'm a coal miner's daughter, grand-daughter, great grand-daughter and back it goes. My Daddy's people came to this country from Wales, where they were coal miners, and made their way to West Virginia where they went back into the mines. Mr. Mullins is a self-made man; he owns a funeral home, medical equipment rentals business, ambulance service and farm. He's also the owner of The Virginia Undertaker, a speed racking horse who has won two World Grand Championships and a slew of other championships. Aren't most self-made men hustlers and go-getters? Mr. Mullins is no exception to that statement!

When people ask for my vote, I have 4 questions I ask them:

1. Are you a born again Christian? 
2. What's your stand on abortion?
3. What's your stand on homosexual marriage?
4. Would you uphold the Constitution of the USA with your life, if need be?

As you might well imagine, I've heard a lot of waffling and you might say I have no right asking those questions. You're wrong. I have every right to ask those questions and further, to base my vote on the answers I receive. As a Christian, it is imperative for me to vote Biblically...not politically.  My view is not a World View, it is a Biblical View and my opinions count for naught; when I want an answer, I turn to the Bible to see what it says because that's what the Bible tells us to do; as a Christian (if you are a Christian) that's what you should be doing. God isn't impressed with my opinion and He's not impressed with your opinion; God is impressed with y/our desire to know His word and do what His word admonishes. Each of us, Christian or not, will stand at His throne on Judgement Day and, based on our response to His questions, we'll go to heaven or hell. 

Frankly, I don't think a man or woman should hold any elected office, but especially at a state and federal level, unless they've served in the military. I don't believe a man or a woman can fully understand what it means to serve unless they've first served in the military. There are too many men and women in elected office who think it's their right to be there. It is not their right; it is a privilege but some have forgotten they are employees of the people. Some of those elected officials treat We, the people like something to be scraped off their shoe. So, if you're a Christian, start asking hard questions of people who want your vote. Your vote is a precious privilege; men and women have died so you can vote so vote and vote wisely. Don't use that sad, sorry excuse, "Well, they're all rascals so what does it matter if I vote?" IT MATTERS! 

So, if you're still reading...you deserve a cold beverage. If you differ, you're invited to, politely, state your opinion and we'll have a civil discourse. 

Blessings ~ voting ~ American Curly horses ~ white tail deer ~ Patrice ~ unicorns ~ rescued animals ~

Chatting with Patrice

~ I miss my sheep! ~

I'm exhausted. I'm beyond tired. I'm cranky, whiny, grumpy and want to run away from home. Dare you ask why? I'm keeping Mary's children, a labor of love, but trust me on this...no one has enough money to pay me for this job. No one. Not even Warren Buffet or Bill Gates. N.O. O.N.E. Get my drift? Am I clear? Tomorrow will be the end of the second week. The SECOND week. Of the summer. They aren't bad children but they are 10, 11 and 13 and I am 61. God help us all. Me especially. There's not enough booze in this house. Heck. There's probably not enough booze in this world. You know what I'm doing every afternoon after I deliver them to their mother? I come home and chop thistles with my stirrup hoe. I'm not sure what that means. Heck. I'm not sure I want to know. There might be some deep, dark thoughts, way beneath the surface...don't go there. Prayer helps but it's impossible to pray as much as I need to pray. I have to eat and sleep sometime. O Lord. Did I mention it's only week two? 

Maybe it's the boxes and boxes and boxes and boxes...you get the drift...of packed stuff goods belongings stacked in the metal building or upstairs hall or in the bedrooms or...everywhere...that reminds me this season of life is drawing to an end. That's a good thing but it doesn't mean it's an easy thing. For you who've still got your spouse to snug up against tonight, you don't understand. You can't understand and you may thank God for it but for those of us whose husbands have gone Home, it's tough. Linda Sue has found Michael and I rejoice with both of them at their happiness. I'm also envious even though I don't want a spouse; I want to move. Rainey knows what it's like; she's been struggling as well and we send each other little notes, keep each other tucked in prayer. It's still dang hard, tough as nails and something we wouldn't wish on someone we didn't like. I told Rainy, "Yes, God takes care of us, all of us, but it's not the same as having someone with skin on." Fortunately, she didn't think I was being sarcastic or sacrilegious; unfortunately, she understands. Even though I'm ready to go, I'm not homesick and still love my life. Mostly.

There's been a lot of interest in the farm but no offers...yet. See number five below.  Patrice, Everyday Ruralty, hosts Chats on the Farmhouse Porch, Number 144 and I'm playing along. Yeah, it was yesterday but I'm feeling real blessed I remembered at all, much less late. For small mercies, make us me grateful, dear Lord.

1. Do you like lemonade? I think this is what she means although she said lemon-aid; different sides of the same coin, perhaps? Yes, I like lemonade when it's freshly made with real lemons and simple syrup. I detest that fake powdered stuff and don't much like flavored lemonade. I mean, if you want to drink raspberry flavored something, why not just make raspberry flavored something? 

2. How many place settings of silverware could you come up with? Personally, I like paper goods especially since I've been keeping three children. Paper plates, paper napkins towels, paper cups. Over the years, I've saved a few hundred thousand million a whole lot of trees and planted my fair share. If I want to use paper this summer, I'm dang going to use paper. 
Oh wait. There was a question. 
Well, there's the dozen silver place settings, the dozen silver plate place settings, the dozen bone handled place settings, the eight place settings of everyday stuff (minus the odd spoon or knife that's missing) and then the odd mix of utensils that have been collected over the decades. Don't get me started on dishes...Dave's mother had 50 years worth of dishes, Dave and his first wife had 25 years, I had 25 years...I am grateful to Stephanie that she packed up most of that stuff. By the time I get to unpack, it'll all be new again.

3. Have you ever been to a party in a barn? Yep and spend every Christmas Eve in the barn talking to the animals. 

4. Do you wear nail polish? Maybe 2 or 3 times a year but it's such a bother, you know? My idea of a manicure is a pair of nail clippers. For what a manicure costs, I can buy all kinds of lovely books, chocolate or special treats. I see an expen$ive manicure on some woman and think...uh huh. And you wonder why you don't have any money? 

5. Please finish this sentence...I wish I could...SELL AND MOVE. NOW. SOON. NOW.

What I'm going to do is take a shower, put on a nightgown, grab a book and escape into fiction. Tomorrow is going to come too soon and like a freight train...unstoppable.

Blessings ~ I'm able to help ~ cold, clear, sweet tap water ~ thistle chopping ~

Ash and Roses, Chat Number 133

Oh mercy. Spring wants to be here...today was warmer, sun shining and clothes hanging on the line. Dogs and I went for long pasture walk, not long enough due to that four letter word w.o.r.k. but still better than not going for a pasture walk. Dandy Man, or someone, managed to knock down a section of fence and he was standing in the alfalfa field, happily grazing, while everyone else stood on the other side and hated him. Tumbleweed stood in place A Very Long Time and when I went to check on her, her back leg was caught up in a piece of wire that had unattached. She's a sweet ole thing and stood quietly while I got her untangled; thank God for Curly horses! They are the sweetest tempered horses with an extremely calm disposition; I'd a been killed twelve times already with "regular" horses.

It's a trick, making sure Dandy goes back into the horse pasture while keeping the others from escaping. Copious amounts of sweet feed are needed, lightness of foot (for those of you who've seen me in person, stop giggling!) and prayers interspersed with Easy, Dandy, Easy...Please God, keep us all safe; don't let them run me over...Easy, Dandy Man, Easy... All safe and sound and the fence is fixed, not really, but best I can do for now. I NEED HELP!

Patrice, Everyday Ruralty, is hosting Chats, Number 133 and I'm playing along; her questions, my answers then I'm going to show you my roses. 

1. What's your favorite method of travel? Airplane, first class, but I've only done it once and that was an upgrade. I love to travel by train and cruise ship but, usually, travel is done by vehicle with me driving. 

2. If you wear jewelry, are you more likely to wear silver or gold? Both, either and often together. Who made up the stinkin' rule you have to wear silver OR gold? It's not brain surgery or rocket science, wear what you want!

3. How often do you wear sunglasses? Been wearing glasses for more than 50 years and now have those lenses that change when you're in the sun. Hate 'em. Would rather wear sunglasses but doc can't fit me correctly. I'd love to have that surgery to correct vision but if the doc messed up, I'd have to kill his first born...when I could see better.

4. Which would be easier for you to leave undone (for a short period of time), dishes or laundry? I can pretty much leave both undone indefinitely and with no apologizes to anyone. If someone doesn't like it, they are more than welcome to do both dishes and laundry. That would sure free me up to do something else on the 1,462,839 item to-do list.

5. On a scale of 1-10 (1-hardly any+ 10- house is full), how much clutter have you collected. Hmmm, between Dave bringing 25 years+ of stuff, me bringing 25 years+ of stuff and his Mother bringing 50+ years of stuff, I'd say the clutter scale is off the charts. 10 just ain't gonna cut it. I've given away a lot of furniture...bedroom suite, 3 chairs, bed with mattress and box spring and the bare space is hardly noticeable! Seriously! Dave was a pack rat but I'm a fan of history (that's my story and I'm sticking to it!) so can't bear for stuff to be thrown away. Then, I have to find the exact perfect person/place for it to be re-homed...help, help I'm drowning in stuff...

Well, let's face it; I'm a big, fat liar. Don't mean to be but there it is; I'm a big, fat liar. I keep saying, I'm going to get around to responding to comments and, dang!, it's all I can do to post every now and again. Life is overwhelming and I'm drowning in keeping it all together. Today's to-do list wasn't manageable but I thought I'd get some of it done. HA and double HAHA as it didn't happen. Between spending a couple of hours on the phone with La Quinta Inn, trying to get them to honor their word, and working onbillsandthatpasturewalkand laundryandfencefixingandeverythingelse...sigh. 

Roses. Yellow Roses. Aren't they beayoutiful?! Stateside, Dave used to bring me yellow roses and when we lived in Hawaii, he'd bring Pink Minks. My favorites but terrifically difficult to get in the Appalachian Mountains of southwest Virginny.

~ start with good help ~

Anyway, I use this old McCoy vase which is, probably, as old as me and I'm getting ready to get older, and cut the roses to fit...each one with a trifle difference in height to add interest (dang, sounds like I know what I'm doing!) A big bamboo bowl is filled with water and the roses cut to size while being held underwater (help help I'm drowning!!!).

Cutting them underwater means the water, not air, is sucked up through the stem and this means they'll last a tad longer than if air cut.

The roses are, immediately, put into a vase of clear, cool water where about half a packet of chrystals (their spelling, not mine) are added. You can use aspirin or white vinegar but I use the stuff that comes with the flowers. When that's gone, I'll use ground aspirin. 

 Here, are all the stems which are thrown into the yard (recycling, doncha know) and the water poured onto my house plants. (Speaking of, need to get them off the back porch in case of frost tonight.)

The wood stove needs cleaning but the bucket first needed to be dumped of ashes. Old timers say to put the ashes near fruit trees to help stop fruit borers from ruining the fruit. 

Make sure not to get ash ON the fruit trees but pour between the trees. I think ash will scald the bark, that's why you only want ash on the ground.

This chore was done when the wind wasn't blowing so hard; that means the three minutes between noon and 11:30.

Last and least, I took a selfie. Which I find difficult to even type...who on earth comes up with such silly names...a selfie?! GAG! Anyway, Yvonne was talking about a good haircut and thanks to Sarah, of Rock, Paper, Scissors in Tazewell, I've got a great cut. About six months ago, I wanted short hair...BIG mistake but I've made it before...so she cut it short then shorter and, as usual, I've decided to let it grow out. Again. My life is so dull, I think getting a haircut is exciting. So, I was in the bathroom, looking into the mirror (is this tmi?) and thought, take a picture! So I did. My favorite cut and my favorite cut on me is a bob because, Bob is always right, isn't he? Bob's are easy to care for...just look at the above picture which was taken upon rising from my bed and without being brushed...Sarah, ye done good...the cut is rather timeless and classic in style and, when mine finishes growing out, will look even better. Now, if I could just do something about that wattle...

Blessings ~ pasture walks ~ good haircuts ~ Sarah of Rock, Paper, Scissors ~ yellow roses ~ pink minks ~ Dandy Man ~ Tumbleweed ~ 

A Taste of Things to Come

~ Easter Romney, 16 to 18 years old ~

Daddy always says the weather that comes in on the Equinox will be the weather we have for spring. Spring is a few days hence but... Mother Nature and Father Time are sending rain tomorrow followed by sleety snow and low temps...just in case I might have forgotten the horrors of last month. 

As if.

Patrice, Everyday Rurality (almost typed Reality -grin-) is hosting Number 130 Chats on the Front Porch; her questions, my answers.

1. If you're in the USA, does the time change mess you up? Absolutely and I despise DST. I don't know of any farmers, or folks who live close to the land, who like DST. It's difficult for bodies, human and animal, to acclimate and I'm not sure we ever do acclimate. We just bear under, plow through and wait for sun time to return. 

~ neighbor's lambs ~

2. Do you usually drink a beverage with your meals? Yes, it varies between water, milk, sweet ice tea (as we say in the South) or wine. 

3. How often do you iron clothes? When needed and as necessary. When I travel, I wear man-made fibers but, at all other times, I wear natural fibers and am partial, as you might imagine, to wool. . I've found a toss in the dryer, with a wet washcloth, will, usually, rid the garment of wrinkles. Well, that and being spread over my large frame, which helps as well -lol-.

4. When was the last time you took an enjoyable walk? Today was lovely so I took two walks, morning and afternoon, in the pasture. The dogs and I thoroughly enjoyed it and plan to do it each and ever day, weather permitting. When weather doesn't permit, I'll take a few turns on the stationary bicycle.

~ good place for a walk ~

5. Tell me whatever you'd like to share with us. The fire in the wood stove died out so will be laid, ready to be lit, when the weather turns. Yesterday, someone asked what would I do when the farm sold. The plan is to move closer to family, in central VA and almost four hundred miles away, but to another farm. My strong as an ox nephew told me, "Sissie (my family nickname), you just get down here and I'll take care of everything else." As the Bible admonishes, "a good person leaves an inheritance for their children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous." Dave and I had no children so my plan is to leave an inheritance for my nephews and their children. 

In my attempt to find a house cleaner, I spoke with someone who said she's a widow of some five years. One thing she said was, "There are days I scream I WANT MY OLD LIFE BACK!" It stunned me because I've never said that but with my entire being I've lived it these past two plus years. I, too, want my old life back but it ain't happening so moving on, no longer standing still, seems to be the order of the day. I've been watching the Lord Peter Wimsey DVD's and one line jumped out at me, "One would wake up and there would be a whole day of jolly things to do!" Lord Peter said this as he was contemplating marriage to Harriet Vane and it's how I lived with Dave. We'd wake each morning with an entire day full of jolly things to do! My day is still full of jolly things to do, it's just they come disguised as hard work -lol- but, it beats an office cubicle, don't you agree?

Yes, I do work dreadfully hard but it's work I love. Each morning I get up and, as I told my Mother, "set about wondering which fire to put out first." Even so, I love my life, my animals, this farm and consider it all privilege and joy to tend to these few acres and these animals. Winter is brutally hard, due to weather, but it's still a beautiful place to live and work. I don't mean to complain but want to be honest if, for no other reason, those among you who pray, know how to pray for me. And thank ye. Thank ye very much.

A few days ago, we had a nocturnal visitor, during daylight hours, who spent considerable time up a tree in order to avoid the dogs. Generally, my first thought is rabies but I think this little one was hungry and in an ill humor. S/he kept hissing at me, like I was going to climb the tree and bother it. HA! Winter has been hard and food sources are scarce and animals are being driven off the mountain, out of the forest, seeking food. The dogs kept watch for an hour or so, then enthusiasm wore off, they lost interest and came inside; the raccoon scampered down the tree, backwards, and left, no harm done. 

Nine days until spring...please Lord, let it be gentle with us.

Blessings ~ enjoyable work for hands and heart ~ a good walk ~ inheritance for family ~ a possible house cleaner ~ 

At War

~ back porch wood rack ~

This post is going to be, somewhat, free of photos. Due to the physically demanding couple of weeks I've had, my back and nether regions are in spasms due to pulled muscles. Using the camera requires more energy and effort than I can bring to the task right now.

Mercy, it's time again for Patrice, Everyday Ruralty, and her questions. I swan, between Patrice and her questions and Wendell and his carrots, it seems time spills over completely into life.

1. What is your favorite kind of bread? Either sourdough or my own bird seed bread; not sure which but both are delicious and wonderfully good for what ails you.

2. Would you go to an opera...? At one time in my life, I held season tickets...I adore opera but only if there are subtitles. I want to adore opera, not work at opera. See, I really did have a life before the farm. (smile)

3. What is your favorite kind of citrus fruit? Kiwi in hand but love orange in juice.

4. Are you doing any home renovations or decorating projects? Just advertised for someone to clean house to free me up to continue to sell/give/keep/pack. I'm saving renovations and decorating for my new farm home, whenever and where ever that might be.

5. If you could sit in a rocking chair and view a beautiful scene, where would you be and what would you be looking at? See that header photo, above? That's the valley from my front porch and sun room porch and that's where I spend warm afternoons...on the sun room porch, with the dogs and cats, admiring the view and counting my blessings.

Sadie and Sam get roasted pig trotters whenever I find them on sale. One of the clerks, an Asian woman, always smiles enthusiastically at me and comments, "In my country, we eat these too." I've not had the courage to tell her I'm fixing them for my dogs because I only eat the tasty bits of pig - bacon, ham, sausage, tenderloin, roasts and the like.

February might be the shortest month but, nods to April, February might also be the cruelest month as well. After the past two weeks of slogging through three foot drifts to get to the barn for chores, putting down the aged and ill, keeping bodies and souls together for beasties and woman...this ole girl is ready for a rest. Which, by the way, I've had for the past few days because I pulled all kinds of muscles in my back and nether regions. By the time I was ready to come home from town yesterday, I was tip toeing on one leg and dragging the other...a pretty sight to be sure and people looked at me as if I were contagious. More Ibuprofen, aspirin, a slug of Scotch and a hot Epsom salt bath and today, I'm good as...um, can be expected. The snow and ice have melted and we're due for more snow today and tomorrow; the rest of the week is to be clear, please God.

Between the winter that is and the winter that was, following Dave's death, I have finally learned there is within me an invincible God (a nod to Camus). Your kind words and comments are sore welcome and much needed but any strength I have is all due to God. He's the one who allows me to do this work He has set before me and He's the one who gives me the mental capability to suss out things and make wise decisions. My daily prayer, after devotions is, "Please God, keep me safe and give me wisdom" and then I begin my day.

However, I am at war with myself. It used to be Dave kept store for me, now that he's gone, I must keep store for myself and, too frequently, I overspend, having only myself to blame while time is stolen from work in order for the body to heal. It is a fine, delicate balancing act (isn't it Quinn?) to do...but not overdo, work...but not overwork, strain...but not over strain all in order to keep pain at bay and body and soul together.

When Dave and I first moved to the farm, I worked seven days a week. On Sunday, after church, I'd come home, change clothes and head right out to the barn or pasture. It didn't take long for me to realize burning the candle at both ends was a guaranteed way to burn out. If God could take off one day out of seven, let it be a lesson to me and I changed my evil ways. Mostly, I still take off Sunday other than basic chores or emergencies and my life and body are the better for doing so. If you're trying to work seven days a week, I urge you to try taking off one day, resting your body and seeing how quickly you recuperate and have better energy and mental powers for the tasks at hand.

Finally, the good news is, February is on his last legs; we're in the homestretch and March beckons but with no indication if he'll be a lion or lamb. My vote is lion so April can descend quietly, with an umbrella of grace and mercy, like a lamb.

Blessings ~ fire in the wood stove ~ wood on the back porch ~ wood in the barn ~ walking upright ~ pig trotters for the babies ~ February ~ March ~ April ~

Chhhhaaaattttiiinnnggg with frozen lips

My Grow Your Blog Part post is here and there are two giveaways.

Time again for Patrice and her Chats on the Farmhouse Porch although, since it's frigid cold she's moved inside...don't let anyone tell you she's not bright as a copper penny! First, Q&A, then a catch-up with farm happenings.

~ white out conditions ~

1. Have you tried any DIY cleaning products or skin care products from the i-net? I did make laundry detergent but it's in need of a boost due to limestone, iow very hard, water here on the farm. I usually throw in a handful of baking soda to boost my home made detergent. Our well is 650 feet deep and gives 75 GPM (gallons per minute); we think we hit an artesian well and it's the sweetest, coldest, clearest water I've ever drank.
I make my own cleaning fluid for kitchen and bath and, to clean windows, I buy the cheapest vehicle window fluid and put it in a spray bottle.
As to skin care products, if it's good enough for MFK Fisher, it's good enough for me and I use the butter wrapper to moisturize my face. I also use EVOO on my face and body and it works wonders, especially in winter but the downside is the dogs love to lick me. Also using a humidifier in the bedroom helps a ton.

It's been so cold the dogs are wearing two sweaters and still shivering. It's 12:30 p.m. and the high for today is around 8 above zero F.

2. Do you like to enter sweepstakes, giveaways or prize drawings. Not so much but I'll enter a giveaway on a blog; that's total fun. I'm participating in Vicki's, 2 Bags Full,  Grow Your Blog Party and, for the second year in a row, it's fun. It'll take me a while to visit all the blogs, there are almost 600, but I've enjoyed those I've visited thus far. I start at the top and work my way down.

3. How often do you visit your library? It's almost 20 miles, one way, from the farm and I'm there, usually, once a week. I figure my county taxes buy me the county library, law enforcement as in sheriff's department and the landfill and I pay a private contractor to pick up trash weekly. Other than that...what, pray tell, do I get for the thou$and$ of dollars the county charges me?

The 'pacas are able to get to the same hay bale as the sheep. As you can see, it's also in the same small lot where the Christmas trees were placed; sheep and 'pacas alike enjoyed having a bit of green in their diet. This time of year, it's a real treat.

4. Do you have a simple mobile phone? It's a straight talk from WalMart, does that give you a clue? There are a lot of advantages to living in a rural area, having mobile phone service isn't one of them. When I move to central VA, I'll go on my sister's plan and buy a smart phone. I said it before, "smart cars for dumb people" and now it's going to be "smart phone for a dumb user...me!" Dave was the high tech geek and I'm still the low tech geek. I'm not as bad as I used to be, I'm now able to watch DVD's on the television. When he was alive it was easier to say, "Pretty please...". Now, if it does, or doesn't, get done around here the person to blame is the one in the mirror.

5. Tell Patrice something new or interesting. Hmmm, I've been knitting hats and scarves to take to a neighbor's restaurant. Ashley and Daddy John have opened Fisher and Co. Restaurant and I wish them well. They have great food and, after getting their sea legs under them, are to a terrific start.
I just ordered the year 2011 of my blog to be printed; should arrive next week, if not sooner. Next to be printed is 2012 and I'll be caught up. If you've never had your blog printed into a book, you should consider it. It took me years to make the decision and now I wonder what took me so long? Especially since Dave died, my soft cover blog books have been such a pleasure for me. That first year is still a total blank, the shock was tremendous and I haven't a clue how I functioned. The only thing I know is God kept me each and every step. Blog2Book has printed 4 books for me and I'm quite happy; what can I say, I started blogging back in the dark ages.

~ corn field ~

We're in the midst of a winter storm, extremely low temps, wind and it's taking a lot of me to keep chores and the wood stove burning. People talk natter a lot about vortex, global warming and the like but all I can say is weather records have only been kept since 1880, according to this site. Who can say, with any degree of certainty, they know squat about the last few million, few thousand or even few hundred years? No one, that's who! Especially those who have made Billion$ off their brand of an inconvenient truth to a kool aid drinking public. If ever there was a man who liked to hear himself talk, it's this one or this one. They're twins from different parents. I do know...when politicians talk, I'm watching what they do and, mostly, the talk is all lies in order to line their pockets. Good luck buying ice water in hell, you bunch of shysters.

~ frozen Maiden Springs cave ~

We've been having a typical Appalachian winter...snow, wind, ice, low temps and it's made chores extremely difficult. Carly Shetland is still eating, drinking and taking her meds twice a day, blind Harry Shetland (sounds like a blues musician) is eating and drinking well (and should be since I carry it to him and put it under his nose twice a day) but poor Sophie Shetland isn't doing all that well at all. She lies down, rolls over, gets cast and can't get to her feet. I'm going to the barn 3 or 4 times a day to get her to her feet where she stands, stunned, until she can move around a bit. She and Harry both have warm water to drink because I bought another electric water bucket. It was just too hard on me, trying to break ice out of black rubber buckets and was less expensive to buy another electric bucket. I'm going to take some of Carly's meds to Sophie and see if they'll help. It's the last thing I know to do.

It's time to get the mail; in order to do that, the Ranger will be put into use. When it's this cold, I'm tentative about walking farther than the barn. It's about a football field walk, one way, to the mailbox and it's cold enough my gloved fingers begin to turn numb before I get down the driveway. Plus, I'm not crazy about the dogs walking on the road as I'm not sure what the highway department has laid down. While I'm out, I'll check on Sophie Shetland and, probably, pull her to her feet. Yes, my back does constantly hurt, now that you mention it.

My brother wanted to know what I do all day so I told him I tend to animals, keep a fire in the wood stove as well as clean it of spent ashes, clean house, do laundry, dishes, am packing stuff to move, sell and giveaway, working on a marketing plan to sell the farm and take copious rest breaks. The older I get, the harder it is for me to recover from the tremendous cold so rest breaks are urgently necessary. On the GYBP someone made the comment reference me and the farm, "...a piece of the simple (ha ha) life" and it made me smile. I think the main difference between me and urban dwellers is, I'm more focused on food, shelter, clothing. Sure, I'd love to live closer to an urban area, say an hour away (book stores, coffee shops, thrift stores), but I'd still spend most of my time at home. Home is where I'm happiest, it's where my animals are and it's where I want to be. I've spent a lifetime getting to this stage and I don't want to miss a second. Other than the name of Jesus, home is the most beautiful word in the world.

Blessings ~ Patrice ~ my animals ~ Thistle Cove Farm ~ home ~

Chat, Chat, Chatting

~ road across the mountain ~

It's time for Patrice, Everyday Ruralty, and Chat Number 115. Here are her questions and my answers...enjoy! (hopefully...)

1. Do you have any special plans for this week? Yes, but it's a secret and I can't tell...yet.

2. What's the most relaxing thing you do? A soak in a deep tub of hot water. Dave was always a shower man and I'm a tub kinda gal, although, since his death, I'm generally too time crunched to do other than take a shower. Last week, I filled up the Whirlpool with hot water and Epsom salts, lowered my achy bones into it and soaked until it turned cold...bliss! Then, I put on my flannel night gown, took two aspirin and went to bed...bliss!

~ watchful guinea ~

3. Have you ever worn a wig? I am ashamed to say, yes. When I was in high school I used my hard earned money to buy (what I know now) was a really cheap looking blonde wig. I wore the dratted thing to church, one time, and some kind souls gave me a compliment (stars in their crown, to be sure!). Ah me, I thought it was purty when all it was, was pretty stupid looking. No, I haven't a clue what happened to it; maybe someone used it for Halloween...?

4. Do you have an office or special place to use your computer? Yes, in the living room, beside the window looking down the valley, same view in my header photo. The wood stove, television and a card table are also in this room; the card table used for projects, crafts, quilting, etc. I'm not much on "just" watching television, I need to be doing something else.

~ white tail deer ~

5. What are your favorite kind of socks? Wool in colder temps and cotton in warmer temps; I wear what's appropriate for the season and foot wear.

Blessings ~ Patrice ~ wool socks ~ cotton socks ~ soaks in a deep tub of hot water ~ secrets ~ view from my window ~ 

Chat Time!

~ Morris Knob, background ~

Patrice, Everyday Ruralty, is hosting Chat's on the Farmhouse Porch #114 and I'm playing along. Actually, yesterday, I sent Patrice a note with five questions for her Chat. I wasn't sure I was doing the right thing but, as it turns out, Patrice was open to my suggestions and here are the questions and my answers.

~ Sadie and Gray Tom ~

1. How many animals do you have? Three dogs, Sadie Lovebug (Rhodesian Ridgeback), Sam P. Spade, Secret Agent (basset hound-terrier-spaniel mix) and Sophie Lauren Butterball (broken coat Jack Russell). Sam and Sophie are rescues. The house cats are Gypsy Rose Lee, Hattie Cat, Levi Lilly, Tippy and Gray Tom who lives outside but runs inside every time the door is cracked open. The American Curly horses are geldings HayJ and Dandy Man and the mares are Lightly, Peaches, Dani Girl, Izzabella, Tumbleweed and Bodacious. Carly Shetland, a 19 year old Shetland ewe, lives in the yard and gets arthritis pain meds twice a day. The other sheep include Romney's Shetlands, two Merinos, a Merino Shetland cross and a Suffolk Columbia cross. Most have names but, tell the truth, I've forgotten some of their names...my bad. There are also four rescued alpacas, 2 geldings and 2 studs but no names there either.  Most of the barn cats do not have names and I like it that way; I'm trying to gentle some of them so I can take them to the county pound.
OH, almost forgot the 3 guineas who flew in on the last storm...haven't named their either.

~ Sophie and Sam ~

2. Have you begun Christmas plans, travel, decorations, crafts, menus, etc.? No, I haven't even begun thinking about Christmas...but I do know I'm staying home this year. I'm not going anywhere except to the barn to take care of chores. Maybe I'll have smoked salmon, sour cream, capers, red onion and dill on crackers for dinner and for supper, more of the same. Sounds good.

~ Sophie ~

3. Do you celebrate Harvest or Halloween? Halloween has become something extremely different from when I was a child. When I was a child (back when dinosaurs roamed the earth), Halloween was simple fun where we could roam from house to house, gathering candy and having fun. So, I celebrate Harvest Season...these last few weeks of Autumn are an opportunity to gather apples to can for apple pie, put up green tomato pickles, make kiwi jam, blueberry conserve and I even bought a mini watermelon to munch on tomorrow.

~ my small sheep flock ~

4. How do you heat your house? Oh my. Hopefully, less expensively than I did last year. Earlier this month, the heating man came to clean my furnace and he found a broken part. He said he thought my oil bill would be less than last year...such a blessing! I also have propane heaters and freestanding gas stove and a wood stove. I still need to move the wood from the barn to the back porch but the chimney and stove are cleaned and ready to be put into service. Oh joy!

~ Levi Lily ~

5. Do you like dishes with white centers or centers with patterns? I really don't like the food to fight with the dishes so prefer white centers either with patterns around the edges or all white.

~ rose gray alpaca stud ~

Blessings ~ Patrice ~ Chats ~ my 4-legged family ~ Harvest ~ Christmas ~ this farm & valley ~