Snakes and Chiggers and Ticks...OH MY!

The previous owners left lots of goodies (and, yes, I have written them a thank you note! ) but I was a trifle skittish of the swing they left. It was a lovely Cape Hatteras style swing whose glory days were passed and it's taken a while to find a replacement. The above double swing does nicely; it's made by Mennonites (there's a large Mennonite population in central/southside Virginia) and this one was found at Miller's Country Store near Farmville. Today Tori, a young friend, and I removed the old swing and put up this new one...in a downpour no less. This part of the country has had rain, rain and more rain, a "real frog strangler" as Andy Griffith said in his comedy routine. (I tried to find it for you but was unsuccessful.) 

Back to the swing...there are cushions but only to be used when sun is shining, although Tori and I did a test sit in that heavy downpour. Nearby Powhatan County has had more than nine inches of rain my brother in Amelia County has had 8 and I'm not sure of the amount I've had but know more is expected for the next week, at least.

Above, Inky, he of Pixie and the Inkspots, is seen stretching on the left side of the swing posts. The three raised beds have yet to be filled with either dirt, horse manure or vegetables/fruits. Last month was my introduction to Medicare and it seems it takes more and more time as well as more and more me to get everything done. I've yet to fish that pond or take the kayak or john boat for a ride but that's due more to safety than anything else. My rule is if you're in the boat or kayak, you must have on a life jacket and if I'm here with no other humans, I stay on terra firma. 

In our haste, that rule was broken a few days ago when Ronnie (doing some tractor and other farm work) saw movement on the pond. He knew a condition of fishing and hunting here was to kill muskrats, and when he saw the water break, he thought it was a muskrat and pumped that sucker full of 410 shot, got into the john boat (without a life jacket...neither of us was thinking clearly!) and I pushed him into the pond. He rowed to the spot, I ran for the camera and when I got back, Ronnie had this nasty brute stretched out on the ground. It's a 2.5 foot copperhead that was still opening/closing his mouth so, using a square blade shovel, Ronnie cut off his head and threw it into the pond where fishes or turtles would eat it and the body thrown away.

The dining room furniture was delivered...WOOHOO...and it looks fabulous! More photos later but wanted you to know even Gypsy approves as she found her spot on the lower shelf before the rest of the china was added. At least, the rest of it that's unpacked; there are still a few dozen boxes of "stuff" in the basement and I'm hoping to find kitchen knives, rest of dishes and Lord only knows what else. John Robertson, owner East Coast Primitives, did a fabulous job and it's nice to have available dishes, tea sets and other things that hold so many memories. (When he first arrived, John exclaimed, "You sure do like your solitude, don't you?!" My response, "Yes, I like people in small numbers and from a great distance." which is not surprising considering I am INTJ. (Dave was also INTJ and was in process of applying to MENSA, while I'm hard pressed to pass algebra. LOL)

A while back, Daddy and I went for a Gator ride; he wanted to show daffodils that were blooming at the site of an old homestead. Hard to believe that man will be 90 this year; still going strong and has almost finished planting his more than one acre garden! The other morning, while I was doing barn chores, he left a message, "I can't seem to find my start button this morning. Have you seen it?" I had to laugh; it was almost 10:00 and I was just going to the barn for my morning chores; some days the start button stay hidden better than other days! I tend to rise early but devotions take a good portion of my morning.

 Double headed daffodil ~

 Oh...the "chigger" portion of the title...if you aren't familiar with chiggers, count your BLESSINGS! As the ole feller said, "Chiggers done near et me up!" Trombiculidae are in the mite family (I know, gag...right!?) Even worse (oh wait...it gets worse?!!!), these obnoxious pests are classified as arachnids...yes, the spider and tick family! (I think I liked being ignorant better!) If you're truly interested in more information, a search will give you lots and lots more info, including how to ease the pain from bites. Any time of anti-itch cream helps but my old standby is plain bleach because I don't want to ease the pain, I want those suckers d.e.a.d. and bleach will do that job rather nicely. Bleach isn't all that good for human skin so I wet a paper towel and take a swipe over the bites. A friend uses a Q-tip which takes entirely too long to suit me but to each their own.

This part of Virginia is also bad for ticks and I've grown accustomed to doing a body search on a nightly basis. When I forget, I certainly depend on the incessant itching produced when such a critter has found a (temporary) home.

Truth be told, I'd grown rather indifferent to snakes, chiggers and ticks because the mountains have no chiggers, few ticks and the snakes didn't venture into the valley. Much. At the last farm, folks would ask, "Why do you have so many barn cats?" (Frankly, I didn't think eight or ten cats were too many at the barn.) and I'd reply, "I can cats or I can have rats and I'd rather have cats." I still feel the same way and am hoping the snakes stay at the upper end of the pond, I'm mowing all the tall grass and fallen leaves and expecting "wild life" to keep their distance. (Please God, answer my prayer!)

~ Sadie surveys her kingdom ~ 

We're all enjoying our new location and doing our part...the studio has a new shop vac to suck up the saw dust and dirt, all furniture has now been delivered and put into place, mowing and harrowing of fields is taking place, gathering yet more clothes and household furnishings to giveaway, flowers are ready to go into pots, a few herbs wait for their turn, etc. All is well.

There's time for other fun as well and Rose Patch Creations owner, Kimberly, has started a Featherweight Sewing Club. Jan, my cousin, has a shop in West VA and sold a Featherweight machine to me and the upstairs study (where the television is also located) will hold a small sewing table, chair and other sewing accommodations. First on my list is a quilt for Maxine who is now home and making progress. She's in desperate need of prayer while she gains strength to begin chemo and radiation for the same malady as has John McCain. On the good news front, Mom is doing much better and a noticeable improvement has been made since she's been in the nursing/rehab center. She's now able to go to the lavatory without assistance, has PT twice a day, five days a week and is expected to do more in the way of skills this coming week.

Almost daily, a rehab person will give her quizzes such as "Name a president who was assassinated." Most would name Kennedy but Mom, being a history buff, named Lincoln, then Garfield. The rehab person was surprised; apparently, she'd forgotten about Lincoln and didn't know about Garfield. I told Mom if the rehab person said, "Name two days of the week", Mom should reply, a la Forrest Grump, "Today and tomorrow." Mom said, "No, I don't want to give any "smart" answers; they might want to keep me and I'm ready to GO HOME!" She's been a trooper and we hope for her release by month's end.

That's not all the news but it's taken me three hours to update so will say thank you for reading, for your prayers, your good wishes, your kindness to me. All greatly appreciated. God speed, be safe.

Ponder this ~ "Simplicity is the highest goal, achievable when you have overcome all difficulties." ~ Chopin ~ 

I've found my HaPpY Place!

~ Happy Cafe ~

My favorite new restaurant is the Happy Cafe in downtown Blackstone in southside Virginia. Blackstone is a small town, about 3650 people, in Nottoway County which has fewer than 16,000 people. As soon as I entered the Happy Cafe and heard jazz playing, I knew I'd like it. The food is delicious and made on-site; their bread pudding with ice cream is incredible! I used to make bread pudding and theirs is better than mine...I'm happy to say because now I can have it whenever I want it...delish!

Some of you have heard me say or seen written on this blog, "I spent the best one-third of my life on Thistle Cove Farm in southwest Virginia." It's true; it was on that little piece of consecrated land I found my calling, Dave and I grew our friendship into love, Dave made his peace with God, God showed me His new plan for my life (although not quite as soon as I would have liked! --laughing--) and so much more.

There are new owners of the farm; I wish them well and hope they'll be as happy and contented as we were. I said to them, "You can run the farm or you can run the roads but you can't run both. For good or ill, this farm is your visual testimony as to your stewardship of what God has allowed you to have." Dave and I found that farm in terrible shape and other than the fields needing mowing, I left it in fabulous shape...mostly restored house, restored barns and outbuildings, new fences, new garage...the list goes on and on. I counted it all joy to do the work required there and thank God for His allowing Dave and I stewardship.

Last week Beloved Sistah asked, "Do you miss the other place?" I smiled and said, "Not in the least bit! God brought me to a place where He knew I was ready, without hesitation, to close that season of life and move to the next. This has been a wonderful change and a wonderful new beginning."

~ new location, same glorious name! ~

About five months after Dave died, I had a meltdown where I collapsed on the kitchen floor, tears flooding my face, sobbing uncontrollably while dogs huddled around giving what comfort they could. Actually, they were panicked as well...Sam had watched as Melvin performed CPR on Dave and Sam still has panic attacks when he thinks I'm leaving (it's as if he's afraid I won't come back) and when I return, he can't contain his joy. I do wonder what goes on in his little mind...? Anyway, that was the moment I considered taking my life. It wasn't so much I wanted to be with Dave, it was more I was so totally overwhelmed, despondent and had no idea of what to do, how to do it, when, etc. With all my heart I believe God whispered to me, "Sandra, if you do take your own life, you'll miss all the blessings I have for you." I could not conceive of blessings, not in the midst of such horrible grief but I knew (know) God can be trusted. He has a plan...a plan for my good and His glory so I made the decision to "do the next thing" and that's what I've done since. I've done the next thing and the next and the next... I come from sturdy stock and the family stories I've grown up with would curl your hair. I've watched as Aunts and Grandmothers were left widows, sometimes in horrific circumstances, yet they "did the next thing". Never was a tainted word associated with them, they had little except their dignity and honor yet kept both unscathed.

~ view of our (God and me) pond ~

Great Aunt Effie was left a widow with 13 children when, one September, Great Uncle James was, quite literally, blown up while working on the railroad. She did other people's laundry for ten cents a day to keep food on the table, clothes on her children and a roof over their heads. James and Granddaddy were working together, when the dynamite cap went off, Great Uncle James was killed instantly with little to be found except bits and pieces. Granddaddy was blown out of his overalls, and found wandering in total shock, so the newspaper article said, half mile down the track. His eye was blown out so he had a glass eye made and used that in the socket; he delighted in taking it out, and showing it to me but I can't remember if I screamed or laughed. I do remember extreme awe he was able to do such a thing. Daddy told me more of the story when he and I were recently at the WV family cabin: When Uncle Clarence, Daddy's oldest brother was hunting a few months later, his dog scruffled around in the leaves and came up with Great Uncle James' hand. Daddy said Uncle Clarence did the only thing he could do, he buried the hand and, remembering Uncle Clarence as a fine Christian man, he said a few words of prayer.

~ view of pond with house in background ~

That story and so many more are part of my marrow, reminding me I come from sturdy stock, people who came to the New World almost two hundred years before the great famine in search of a better life. God has a plan that is, usually, totally beyond (my) comprehension. His ways are not our ways but I choose to trust Him and that brings me to this new season in life...less than thirty miles from parents, siblings and nephew with a good church even closer and a wonderful restaurant within walking distance of the church. Mercy me...can it get any better?! 

I'm happiest in smaller, rural communities and this is still the case. Monday through Friday, Steve Winn hosts Coffee Chat at WSVS Radio where Lester Flat and Earl Scruggs got their start. Click here to see Steve (in his Hokies shirt!) and to hear him promoting vacuum cleaners. Think home town sweetness when you think Coffee Chat; folks call in and Steve knows so many of their voices, calls them by name, asks about them/their spouse and families and off they go! Some call to sell things, some call to update him on their latest hospital visit including aches, pains and operations, others call just to say hello, some call to say, "I just made some stew and will bring you some later on today." Quite simply, it's small town Americana at its absolute best!

~ Beloved Sistah, et al, on the steps at my new home ~

I hadn't moved in when Beloved Sistah said, "Dustin is bringing his family here the end of August." I replied, "Oh, I hope I get a chance to see them." She grinned and said, "You will; we're all meeting here for lunch on Sunday." How glorious! We had a grand time...Mom, Dad, my brother/wife, my sister/husband, two sons with wives/children...it was incredible and the first time we've all been together in quite a while. Cherish those time...simply cherish those times!

My views haven't change enormously...it's still farm country with round bales being put up and corn silage being cut. With the help of Daniel, Robbie, Jimmy, Tommy, Christopher, Chloe, GraceAnn, Mandy and Joe, as well as the Tazewell Mennonite community, I was moved lock, stock and barrel. Steve, my brother, and Walt, my brother-in-law, helped once I arrived in Southside VA. A couple of days, Mom and Dad came, bringing lunch and that was gratefully received and eaten. Some things were meant to be left behind in southwest VA but I'm finding they were packed and moved here. So be it. At the end it was crazy hectic and I'm grateful to those folks for doing the hard work of moving me. My Beloved Sistah has spent many days, helping unpack boxes, re-arrange basement and barn but there are still boxes to unpack. I'm in giveaway mode and have many goodies to bestow on someone or a thrift store. I love where I live and foresee many happy years right here, celebrating God's plan for my life and His glory. If you're ever in southside Virginia, send me an e-mail and come visit; I'm not proud...even in total disarray, God's creation shines forth and there's always time for sweet ice tea, shortbread and a chin wag while porch sitting.

If you've followed this saga, included me in prayer, sent a card or e-mail...my heart is grateful. The process has been long, at times arduous but hardly boring. No, never boring!

Thank you; God's greatest blessings on you, yours and the work of your hands and heart.

Ponder this ~ "Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life." ~ Omar Khayyam ~

One Hot Mama...er...I mean to say...One Warm Granny

The Epic Mess of January 8 is nearly over. At least, the rooms are almost put back together and my bedroom has had HEAT for ten days...just in time for Spring, doncha know. Hallelujah and Thank the Good Lord above along with Gillespie Construction! It's been a mess, in more ways than one and I'm happy to say good-bye to bedrooms temps of 46 degrees F above zero. Even though I purchased a couple of electric heaters, they were hard pressed to get the temps to the mid 50's. Temps might have said it was a three dog night but I had to make due with two dogs and wool blankets and am glad to have cold behind me. While I'm not quite one hot mama I am now, most assuredly, one warm granny!

BAM! Bedroom floors refinished, walls painted and new heat registers with PEX pipe in place of copper pipe. PEX comes in white, blue, red with blue, generally, being for cold water, red for hot water and white for all else. PEX is less expensive than copper, easier to install and won't corrode; if you have a plumbing job, I strongly suggest you look into using PEX.

I'm still happy I added this little bit of history to the inside clapboard of the dining room.

The dining room furniture still has to be restored...actually, it has to be taken to the gent who is doing the work and I'm hopeful it can be restored. You may recall Eddie was helping but he did a runner, leaving me high and dry, and it's been quite a scramble. Fortunately, Joe, of Cabins and More, was available to help finish the job and last night he and some Mennonite youth blessed me by coming to the farm and doing a lot of jobs that will make my life so much easier and better.

Mom and Daddy have always preached there are two types of people in this ole world...givers and takers. Takers don't know (nor do they want) how to give and givers, generally, have a difficult time taking. All that to say, it blessed me to have pizza and donuts last night (a surprise for them) and it also blessed me having two women to help, then sit and chat; I can't remember the last time that happened.

Shortly after the flood and while I wasn't home, other men moved things out of the bedroom and into the rest of the upstairs. To say it was helter skelter is putting it mildly; I'm still trying to find stuff. In the move, the bed was broken and Joe of Cabins and More, was the one to fix it thus enabling me to actually be able to sleep in the bed. YAY Joe! Last night, curtains were hung, bed was fix, moved, set up and other furniture moved as well. Today, I moved smaller pieces of furniture, rugs, lamps and made the room ready for tonight when the dogs and I sleep in the bed.

The paint is Valspar Hopsack from Lowe's and I almost guarantee it to lower blood pressure by twenty points. The curtains are some I've had for a while but the sheers are new. Generally, I go to the bedroom early, sit in my comfy leather recliner and read before lights out and going to sleep. I'm training myself to read either the Bible (Psalm 4 being a favorite) or use my Bible journal to pray for folks (and myself) as the last thing I do at night.

There's nothing on the brick fireplace, obviously, but I'm thinking of hanging a textile I purchased in Budapest. It's large enough to effective use the real estate but light enough should it fall down, wouldn't do damage.

The small light is used for a night light and other quilts stand ready should temps be disagreeable.

The king size quilt is Ralph Lauren (thrift store) but covers the bed nicely. By the way, last night two girls came to me and asked, "Would you mind if we made your bed?"  Didn't they do a great job?! Chloe, 10, and Graceanne, 7, did a wonderful job, especially considering how far this bed is off the floor. The stairs, middle of this photo, were made so the dogs could have ease of access while I just lumber up any ole way.

I'm still doing laundry because everything in my two bedroom closets need to be washed and dried. Although they closets were taped shut, sawdust from floor refinishing and sheet rock dust managed to get everywhere. When I remove a piece of clothing the dust is clearly visible so I'm carefully putting clothes in a basket and taking them outside to shake them prior to washing them. It's just more work on top of all the other work and is a royal pain in the neck. The insurance man said, "I've allowed for the cost of water in doing laundry." Well, ballyhooo! That ain't going to get it as it also takes electricity and a lot of it to run the well pump, the washer, the dryer. I keep electric bills for several years (farm expense for tax purposes) and my electric bill is doubled for the same months in 2016. Not to mention ServePro machines that ran 24/7 with the noise enough to drive a person insane. Thanks to my Beloved Sistah's suggestion, I took videos and capture all that racket.

Tonight is the Big Sleep-In...right after an Epsom Salts bath to, hopefully, help the bruises and swelling received when a fourteen foot metal farm gate fell on me. Yes, it did, and does, hurt but I'm happy no bones were broken. I believe it was Bette David who said, "Growing old ain't for sissies", to which I add, farming ain't for sissies either.

At some point, I'll give the low-down on the dining room...which is being used as a sewing room because he dining room furniture is in pieces and parts. For now, I'm over the moon HaPpY to be this far along and may God bless all hands who've had a part.  My body grows more black, blue, painful and stiff so it's time to crawl into that tub of hot water and Epsom salts. Bless you for caring.

Ponder this ~ Don't stumble on something behind you ~

I Love My Garage!

~ fabulous driver! ~

Back in February, so much has happened since then! my pre-made garage was delivered. It was made by Mennonite folks down in Statesville, NC, Old Hickory Buildings, and it's been a gem! It's gone through some changes, for the better, and yesterday, Daniel and his brother David, came up and gave me some additional help. Farmer John has a dump truck and, a few months ago, he and I went across the mountain where I purchased several tons of gravel for the driveway. Eventually, more gravel will be purchased to fill in the empty spots and make it less muddy to walk from garage and driveway to the house.

The garage was turned from facing down the driveway to facing the driveway. When I approach the building, I come up the driveway and turn right, into the garage. WOOHOO! It may not seem like much to you but, trust me, it's been doings around here! The dual lights are dusk to dawn...lovely...and Sam P. Spade, Secret Agent, approves...very important!

I've spent a considerable amount of time, putting things to order and...should I be ashamed to admit, my garage is in better organized shape than the house? 

Fiddle dee dee!

No, the building isn't listing but I was so excited and didn't take good care when taking the photo. My apologies. The shepherd's hook pumpkin is to let me know when I can, safely, turn toward, or away from, the garage. I'd hate to run into the concrete block wall and damage my vehicle. A garage was something on the "to-do" list Dave and I were constantly amending. Unfortunately, prior to his death, we never got around to it, but having it now is lovely, warm, dry and safe. My tools have a home, the car is put to bed every night, there's light enough for the garage, driveway and walk to the house. It may seem like a little thing but it's a huge thing...and I am so grateful!

Today's Miracles ~ perfect weather ~ I sat out a huge round bale of hay, safely ~ dogs and cats enjoyed the day as I did chores ~ simple pleasures ~ sweet, cold water ~ Daniel ~ David ~ John ~ 

Rural Thursday Blog Hop #1

~ my garage, built to order ~

oops...forgot to say, if you're looking for the Thankful Follower give-away post, look here; you have four more days to comment.


Nancy, Rural Journal, and Lisa, Two Bears Farm, are hosting a blog hop today and invited me to join them. We're supposed to blog about rural living, recipes, homesteading tips, animals, photography... essentially anything having to do with country living. As I'm writing my post, I make number 30 and cow's tail. What can I say? It's been one of Those Days. This morning I had to go to town for yet more meetings with my Wonderful Lawyer...and I mean that sincerely, I do luv my lawyer!...meetings with other folks with whom Dave did business, library to make copies, post office to mail all those pieces of correspondence and topped off by going to WallyWorld to get an oil change. Yeah, yeah, if you don't like big box stores, do us both a favor and keep it to yourself. When I've got a time crunch, there's nothing like being able to grocery shop, pick up 'scripts and then rest my rear while my car is being serviced. When I'm not in a time crunch and when the weather is mild enough for me to sit outside, I go to our local small business auto shop. Unfortunately, those folks smoke and I'm allergic to cig smoke so big box store it is a lot of times. 


Anyhooooo...I got home in very late afternoon and thought I'd blog about my garage being delivered. Dave and I never had a garage though we have plenty of barns, buildings, sheds and the like but never a garage. A garage would have been So Handy while Dave was sick. I shudder remembering the times when it was blowing sleet, snow, ice and rain and I had to get him, his oxygen gear and his previous frail self out of the house and into the car and then to the doctor or hospital. Of course, all of that was after I started the car so it could heat up enough so I could get the windows scrapped and then move it to the back porch to load Dave, etc. Mercy!

~ brilliant truck driver! ~

Daniel and I were talking one evening about garages and I told him I'd seen a shed that looked like someone was using it as a garage. He told me about a company "down on the 4-lane", as they call Rt. 460 around here, and I went to investigate. Yes, they did sell ready made and made to order buildings and they did deliver and set up. So, I ordered a 20x24 building with a roll up garage door, two three foot x three foot windows and a metal door with nine windows. It also has an eight foot loft inside for extra storage. 

~ putting into place ~

The driver delivered and set the building level and all within a couple of hours; amazing! He told me to let it set for about two weeks so it could settle. We've had a lot of rain and the ground is really spongy so sitting for a while is a good thing. In time, I'll have a wooden drive ramp built so I can drive right into the garage. 


Okay, you folks who have garages may not understand my total excitement but this provides shelter for my car as well as security for me. Daniel is going to put up a couple of motion detector solar lights at the front and rear and, in the spring, he's making plans to have a trench dug so I can put electricity in the garage. My nephew is a licensed electrician so it will, naturally, be to code. 

~ way bye-bye to the nice delivery man ~

Come to find out, there are a lot of folks who are in this type business and a lot of them are Mennonite or Amish. Construction varies but my building has six by six skids while other companies only have four by four skids...Very Important. My floor will hold 10,000 pounds so everything from my car to my truck will not only fit but be held securely. I paid a bit extra for more blocks to be set under my building; so none of the skids are touching the ground and even though all the lumber is treated, I still opted to pay the extra money for the extra blocks. The metal roof is screwed on, not nailed on...again, Very Important with all the crazy wind we have in this valley and all doors and windows lock. There's more good stuff but they aren't paying me to say anything so I'll shush.


If you're interested in who made my garage, it's the Mennonites of Old Hickory Buildings out of Statesville, NC and, thus far, I couldn't be happier! This post might not be perxactly what Nancy and Lisa had in mind but, trust me, it's making my rural life a lot better, a lot safer and a lot more secure. Good things, all! 

Blessings ~ made to order garage ~ Mennonites ~ Nancy ~ Lisa ~