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 ~

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 ~

Winner, Random 5 Friday

~ two barn owls roost in my hay loft ~

Lately, a lot of folks have been saying, "Can you believe it's the end of January already?!" That's what happens when you blink and breath...tempus fugit with skates on winged feet. Pretend with me...it's Wednesday and the winner of the $50 Visa gift card is being announced. To mimic Susan Branch, "Oh Vanna! Vanna, Dahling, please, would you come here a moment? Your adoring audience beckons because they want to know whose name you'll choose." Vanna comes schlepping through my house, dodging the ball of yarn that the cats captured, unrolled on the floor and now all over the kitchen, into the living room where she comments, "Ah, that wood stove feels DiViNe!" as she reaches into the dog basket.

Hey, around here we used what's available; remember Fat Charlie going under the knife...as in Leatherman?

Vanna taps her toe, delicately, against the Persian carpet, glances around the room (Hey Vanna, the vacuum cleaner fits all hands!) and draws a name...Lynne of Irish Garden House! Right after Dave died and I was all over the place, emotionally, spiritually, physically, Lynne would write notes of encouragement because she knew what I was going through; she'd "been there, done that" and was one of the people who showed me such great kindness and love. She blessed me greatly, many thanks, Lynne! I'm glad you won and hope you enjoy the Visa card, spend it wisely -grin-. And, no, Vanna didn't actually draw the Lynne's name, that was done by random generator...Vanna just makes a better story.

~ saw this young buck on the way home today ~

Random 5 Friday is by Nancy at A Rural Journal. Wonder of wonders I remembered it was today and there's even barely enough time left in the day to join in. It's been a COLD day today and chores were accomplished but left my bones achy. After I eat my meatballs and pasta, I'm going to have a lovely tot of B&B...just because I'm finally an adult and old enough to drink legally. so there!

Nancy's guidelines are (1) link up a blog post with 5 random facts about you, your day, pets, whatever; (2) posts must contain 5 random facts; (3) visit other participants; (4) wait a minute...only 3 guidelines that even a idiot could follow...right? Yeah, well, we'll see...

1. I gave up sat television as in Direct TV. I put pencil to paper and figured out I was paying almost $160 per television show I enjoyed. I really loved watching NCIS, Elementary, PBS and a couple of others but not $1,000 worth per year. I decided that money would be better spent on a sunny, Caribbean island...St. Lucia or Bonaire or even going to Puerto Rico (no passport needed) and take a Southern Caribbean cruise and visit many islands...that's the ticket...yeah! As for television, the county library has a lot of PBS shows and tonight I'm watching Dame Margaret Rutherford as Agatha Christie's Miss Marple in Murder She Said...delightful! A little tidbit...Mr. Stringer, Miss Marple's "friend" is, in real life, Dame Rutherford's husband. Click on Dame Margaret's name and read some true hair raising facts about her and her family.

A number of very fine actresses have played Miss Marple - Angela Lansbury, Joan Hickson, Geraldine McEwan (oh my, another favorite!), Julia McKenzie (liked her better in Cranford), Helen Hayes, Margaret Rutherford and others, but my favorite is Dame Margaret. She knows she's over the top and plays the entire role tongue in cheek always and with great aplomb.

If you think you could write as well as Agatha Christie (HA!), try your hand here; entries for Chapter 4 are now being accepted.

~ Black Angus cattle country ~

2. And speaking of Vanna (she was born in Myrtle Beach, SC)...this past week, I went on a road trip to my condo at Cherry Grove, North Myrtle Beach, SC. Folks are renting it for February and March and I wanted it to be ready for them and also wanted to escape the frigid cold but that didn't happen. There, it was 18 above zero one night, 28 above zero another night but got into the high 50's during the day. One day I saw 61 on a bank thermometer but we all know how unreliable those things can be.  My week was work, work and more work just different location which is turning into the story of my life. Or, perhaps it's just that time of year when it takes everything I've got, plus some, to get the work done. Today, after doing town errands, I came home to throw out square bales for the horses, take food and water to Harry and Sophie, meds and food to Carly and load up the Ranger with a load of work wood (oops) which I'll bring to the house tomorrow. It's supposed to warm up to 32 - glory! - but will snow; Sunday it'll be 42 but rain and Monday is more snow. I'd rather deal with snow, it's not as much misery on my old bones but considering I've got to get out the tractor to put out round bales of hay, what difference do it make? Animals have got to be fed so work has got to be done.

3. Carly Shetland is 20 and still loving her groceries; Harry Shetland is up there and also enjoy his groceries. Today I found Sophie Shetland, cast, and heaved her to her feet. I'm not sure how long she'd been down but, judging from the spot, it'd been a while. Now, she's in the small lot with blind Harry where they'll both receive grain, corn, hay and water twice a day. "Good grief, Pa, but I do love my critters!", says Ellie Mae nee Sandra Bennett. -grin-

~ snow drifts of 3+ feet ~

4. Gosh, it's imperative I come up with 5 random things and it's harder than it looks. Hmmm, there's a fire in the wood stove and it feels wonderbar! It's a boatload of hard work but it warms me thrice...bringing it to the house, bringing it into the house and carrying ashes out. Have I ever mentioned I dislike boring people or people who say, "I'm bored" suggests a decided lack of imagination! There's always something to do even when we don't want to do it. I've developed a bone spur on the bottom of my heel; any ideas on how to make it go away? I'm figuring a huge, family sized KJV and have someone smash it against my heel...yes or no?

5. I'm fixing meatballs and pasta for supper. Not very exciting but it's what I want...protein and carbs with a glass of red is just what I want/need. I'll fix it, bring it into the living room where the wood fire is blazing and watch Dame Margaret Rutherford as she careens through Murder She Said. This evening is my idea of bliss!

Whew! These things are more difficult than they first appeared. My hat's off to Nancy, she comes up with this week after week. The only thing I come up with, week after week, is dirty laundry.

Don't forget, Vicki's Blog Party is happening tomorrow; I'm excited!

Now, go out there, be safe and make it a week to remember wonderfully!

Blessings ~ warmth ~ Nancy, A Rural Journal ~ Dame Margaret Rutherford ~ Lynn, Irish Garden House ~ my critters, beasts and varmints ~ 

My Day's Sweetness

~ Sam and Tom ~

Just so you know, my day has plenty of sweetness that outweighs, mostly, all the hard, messy, cold, dangerous work. Dave was always a night owl and I'm a morning person; it worked out well because he would have his quiet time in the evenings, after I'd gone to bed and vice verse in the mornings. By the time he was ready for coffee, I'd been up a couple of hours, made coffee, had devotions and started breakfast. Being a creature of habit (aren't we all?), I still get up early and it's not unusual for me to be awake at 4:30 but, usually, it's more like 5:00 or 5:30. Every now and again I'll sleep in until 7 or 8 o'clock and then feel like I've wasted half my day. Anyway, lately it seems several of my posts have been on the whiny side so here's some sweetness. (If it bores you beyond tears...you've been warned, smile).

 One reason I get up so early is so I can have devotions. Each morning, unless there's an emergency, I sit in the sun room and read the Bible and other devotions then listen to Pastor's Youssef and Begg on XM Radio. If I can't get beyond first gear, sometimes I'll stay and listen to Chuck Swindoll as well. Dave used to get such a kick out of Pastor Swindoll's last name; he'd say, "What a perfect name for a preacher? Is he a swindler?" Not to my knowledge but he is a good teacher of Scripture.

The stacked books on the left are knitting, crochet and a novel or two. The books on the right are devotionals and Bible studies. The knitted wash cloths have scented soaps inside and are given to folks who have made my life a bit easier this past year. The women at the feed stores, auto repair and other places while the men receive short bread.

 I light a Wood Wick Candle because I enjoy the glow, fragrance and the sound. If you're not familiar with Wood Wick candles, instead of a cotton waxed wick they have a wooden stick wick.

All of us have our routine; Sadie sits to my left and starts out her morning (after treats, of course) by holding hands. She'll raise her paw and use it to nudge me until I take her paw in my hand and we sit, quietly, for a few minutes. 






Sam reclines on my right and when he feels Sadie is receiving too much attention, he'll slide over and tuck his head under my nightgown. By the way, if you like flannel nightgowns, Lanz makes the Most Wonderful flannel nightgowns! I've worn them for decades and they wear like iron and, when worn out, make excellent cleaning cloths. Recently, I found some at TJMaxx and they're more than 75% less than the price I found on the inter-net. 

Meanwhile, Sadie has stretched out so she can lay her head in my lap, 

while Tom sits on my stomach, sometimes resting his lower end on the top of Sadie's head. It's all right, we're all friends here.

In the past day we've gone from snow on the ground to bare ground. It's gotten above freezing, several days in a row, and everything has started to melt. (Which reminds me...I never did hang the laundry out today.)

I opened up the alfalfa field so the horses and alpacas can graze it; there's a lot of good pasture to be eaten and the manure they drop will aid in the new growth come spring.

I wait until 8:00 or thereabout to give Carly her morning meds with her breakfast. Some days I have to find her and other days she's still asleep. I'm disgustingly simple when it comes to the animals and try to make their lives as kind as possible.

When the dogs and I go to the barn, we check on Harry Shetland. He's an old wether, as old or older than Carly, and I'd love to bring him to the yard but he's better off at the barn, with no other sheep. He has the barn cats and guinea's for company, he's safe and I take him water and food twice a day.

He's blind and far safer where he can't be run over by the other animals. I was going to put him down but he's still enjoying his food and will move toward me when I shake his pan and call him. During nice weather, he can get in the sunshine and, at night or in bad weather, he can turn and go into the barn and lay down. He has free choice hay so he always had good food and water. I've noticed he prefers me to bring him fresh water in the morning and afternoon and he'll take a good long drink while I hold the bucket. Sometimes, he'll drink from the bucket when it's placed on the ground in front of him.  These animals are a study in patience for me; I can't become frustrated or get rushed or they'll panic and we'll be right back where we started. It's much easier for me to go slow, speak quietly, gentle and low and move slowly. Heck, it's probably good for me as well!

'PacaRose is doing fine, eating well, defecating properly and enjoying life with his bros.

The sheep are grazing the yard while the three guinea's wander amongst them. Generally, the guinea's roost in the sugar maple tree and have proven to be excellent "watch dogs". I've decided I'll always have guinea's as they are comedians as well as "watch dogs". They know when Sadie chases them, it's all for show; she just likes to hear them raise a ruckus.

A lot of my days, thank God, are simple and full of the work that it takes to keep this place going. I have two horses I throw hay to every morning and afternoon; I should get on the tractor and give them a round bale but, truth be told, my bones have been a bit creaky lately. Hard as it is to believe, it's just easier to climb in the loft and throw down a few square bales and tear them apart.

Daddy John, wife Ashley and their families have opened a restaurant (the restaurant business being, as Daddy John says, "the nearest thing to milking twice a day as I've ever seen!") and Ashley requested some knitted goods to display and sell. I had some things ready, then decided to knit some other things, and my poor hands are repaying me by not working properly. As in, I can do almost anything I want to do if it doesn't include picking up or holding things, knitting, or typing for any length of time. Ben and I go to bed together, nightly, with aspirin and a glass of alcoholic beverage. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a big drinker but Dave used to tell me, "Take some aspirin and drink a beer or glass of wine and you'll sleep a lot better." This was the same man who would tell me, "Don't you think you should wait until your head hits the pillow before you fall asleep?"
Ah...such Precious Memories.

Blessings ~ calm week ~ healthy animals ~ Andy Griffith ~ good music ~ sleep ~