Blackberry Winter, Self Talk, Skunk, Giveaway

~ and I'm making good time ~

Blackberry winter has come and gone, again, and summer is creeping, creeping, creeping closer and recent days have been spent on the tractor or lawnmower. Next to the house, there's a pasture that grows a mighty fine crop of thistles and it's my life's ambition to keep them cut. Um, did I mention the hill is steep? Yeah. To the men who were on tractors when they were nine, it's no big deal but to me it's gasp and prayer inducing. I got stuck on a left hand turn, going down hill when courage failed me and I got stuck. The hill was too steep to back up, even with four wheel drive engaged so, with one foot on the clutch, one foot on the brake I stopped and prayed. Hands lifted to sky and with a loud voice (in case God couldn't hear over the tractor roar) I prayed for help and spoke Bible verses and words of encouragement to myself.

Finally, I was able to creep, creep, creep down the hill all the while turning to the left so I could continue cutting more thistles. After doing all I could on flat-ish ground, the tractor was put away and the stirrup hoe put into use. It's a good rhythm, swinging the stirrup hoe, back and forth, back and forth knowing I'm doing something useful and worthwhile to help the land. For the most part it's quiet work and I'm able to hear animals, insects, wind. On that particular day, during one swing, I heard a skhhhh, skhhhh, skhhhh and looked around but didn't see anything so started swinging the hoe. Once again, I heard skhhhh, skhhhh, skhhhh and cast my gaze eight feet away and saw...

who was very polite and asked, nicely, for me to go away. Of course, I did; I apologized for invading his space, turned and walked away as did he.

A few swings later, I took a break to clean the water trough of algae

and when I turned around, this is what I saw

my Curly horses coming to see what's happening. L to R you see Dani Girl, Lightly and IzzaBella.

Almost forgot...blackberry winter is either side of May 10 when the weather goes from hot to cold to warm rather like Indian Summer only in reverse. Apple trees have bloomed and blackberries are usually in bloom during Blackberry Winter and there's generally a frost. This May was no exception.

Life on the farm is spent in solitude; it's a good thing I like my own company, eh? (lol) but as everyone knows, what we say to ourselves is important. Very important. I know a lot of people who are negative, the glass is empty (not even half empty) and they aren't happy unless they're making someone else unhappy. Bless God, He gave me the happy gene and, like Agatha Christie, "I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow; but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing."  Yes! To keep my enthusiasm high, my outlook positive I put the above poster in my living room where I see it daily. It's important what I tell myself, what we tell ourselves, and I've spent wasted too much time, too many years with negative talk, negative emotions. If I could tell you anything that's of any importance (other than the story of Jesus), it's to be very careful what you tell yourself. We're not stupid but sometimes we do stupid things. We're not lazy but we all need times of rest and relaxation. We're not mean but sometimes we slip and do or say mean things but, overall, tell yourself good things...and then believe them!

As to the poster, the middle says "Just Be Awesome" and that helps keep me grounded. The Bible says God is awesome so I'm particular how I use that word so having that statement in the middle of my positive self talk poster reminds me Whose I am. The rest of it reminds me to keep my focus...and, mostly, I do.

 J. R. R. Tolkien wrote,

"All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither,

Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,

A light from the shadows shall spring;

Renewed shall be blade that was broken,

The crownless again shall be king."

and I believe it with everything that is in me. Whoever said life isn't a dress rehearsal was wrong. Life is a dress rehearsal and I'm trying, mightily, to live a life that's pleasing to God and that includes living with a grateful heart.

I keep little posters all around me and the one in the first photo is going to you, should you win. Leave a comment, let me know what you think Tolkien meant. Next Monday, around 5 p.m., someone's name will be pulled out of a hat and you'll join me...strangers in an alien land, for too short a time.

For now, I need to close so I can finish watching Young @ Heart; if you've not seen it, hasten to the dollar store and buy it for less than four bucks; it'll do your heart good!

Blessings ~ Young @ Heart ~ skunks ~ American Curly horses ~ Tolkien ~ wandering...but not lost ~

Baked Oatmeal and Chopping Ice

~ baked oatmeal with almonds and blueberries ~

My contribution to Vicki's Grow Your Blog Party is here; there are two giveaways.

There are some mornings that call out for baked oatmeal; today was such a morning. At dawn, around 7:00, it was about 10 below zero; at 1:30'ish a.m., it was about 15 below zero. When it's this cold (and I remember), I like to have breakfast waiting on me when I return to the house from barn chores. I also don't go to the barn before the sun is well and truly up. If there is an accident, it's a tad warmer after the sun comes up and I've a better chance of crawling back to the house. I don't want to think about these things, but I do think about them, now that Dave has passed. I've always planned out "what if" and pondering "what if" kept me from being raped and murdered some decades back but that's a story for another time.

Baked oatmeal is wonderful! I'll give you my recipe and if you're one of those cooks who do it by feel, you'll love this recipe. If not, trial and error is your new best friend. I'll give you measurements but I don't measure, not this dish anyway. I just throw it all together, add whatever fruit and nuts I have on hand and call it breakfast.

1.5 cups oats - I use the real deal, you can use quick

1 tsp baking powder

dash of salt

dash of ground cinnamon

1/4 cup veg oil - I use corn oil, none of that machine oil canola for me, ta very much

1/4 cup sugar - white, brown, or couple tablespoons of honey

1 large egg unless all I've got are smalls or mediums and then I'll use 2

1 tsp vanilla - again, the real deal, no artificial stuff, please and I use about 1 tbl.

1/2 cup milk or cream - whole or half 'n half - please, just eat less but eat real

blueberries - maybe a cup, maybe more...what I had

almonds - what was left in a 2 ounce package

Oil a baking dish, about a 2 quart size or whatever you've got. Seriously, it's going to bake in anything so don't go out and buy the "right size dish". Puhleez.

In small bowl, mix oats, baking powder, salt, cinnamon. In another bowl, mix the wet ingredients, fruit, nuts and sugar then mix with dried ingredients. Pour into baking dish and bake at 350 degrees F until golden with crackly surface. To serve, I heat some milk and pour over the top. 

I use a convection oven and bake for about 20 minutes at 325...perfection!

This is some serious eats and will hold you until you're hungry again. No, really, I'm serious!

Sophie Shetland was on her feet this morning; thank You, God! Of course, this afternoon she was cast but hey...this morning she was on her feet after a particularly viciously cold night. I'd love to get some of Carly's arthritis meds into her but she's not eating all that well. I think she's checking out but, because she's a primitive breed, it's going to take her some time to actually leave this veil of toil and tears. 

Harry Shetland was on his feet and stumbling around, blind, and that's not intended to be a joke. My heart goes out to him, not being able to see where he's going, yet he still manages to be mobile within his confined space. He has fresh, warmish water, food and shelter so he has the basics. I'll keep him as long as he's breathing; I don't throw something away because it's "inconvenient"; never have understood that attitude. God willing, we'll all get old one day and I want to think someone will love me until the last breath.

The temps are cold, very cold, and even with a de-icer the water trough is freezing almost solid. There's no way the horses can get a drink of water so that means...

getting out the pitchfork and crowbar and busting ice. Yeah, I know you're supposed to say breaking ice but, trust me, busting is more what it feels like. 

Even with the de-icer, the ice is close to three inches thick and this is just overnight. I'll go down, just before dark, and break what's formed since mid-day. It's a lot easier to do it piecemeal than let it get ahead of me although, overnight, it freezes rather solid.

Yes! Now a water trough the horses and alpacas can drink from; the sheep have a smaller trough and I'll break that ice as soon as I finish posting this. I've still got to get in wood for the stove; it's going to be a long night and far safer to do it now, while it's light. 

Another little something to make my life easier...when the big plants need watering (and they need water constantly due to the wood stove), I put them in the shower and give them a huge drink. When it over runs it doesn't get on the floor. 

Yesterday, when the dogs and I used the Ranger to go get mail, a fellow up the road left me some Christmas trees. He has a lawn service in the summer and a Christmas tree service in winter and noticed me picking up cast off trees in town. Apparently, he asked around and someone said, "Yeah, that's crazy old Sandra; she picks up trees to give to her sheep." So, he called and said, "I've got some left over, want them?" Well heck yeah and now I'm going to bake him some shortbread to say, "thanks!"

 Daniel Jones threw these trees over the gate...

 I loaded them into the Ranger...two trips...

and took them to the sheep lot. My wooly babies say, "Thanks Daniel Jones!"

So, here's looking at you and hoping you're having a warm day. BTW, I just received a telephone call from someone who is now absolutely positive I'm a cantankerous old biddy. She's right but I feel I have good reason. The call starts out, "Hello, may I speak to Sandra." "Yep" because I already know it's someone I don't know and, more than likely, don't want to know. "My name is (whatever she said because I knew I wasn't going to have to remember) and I'm calling you because of a very important bill that concerns our environment."

"Okay," says I, "read it to me."

"Um, what?"

"Read it to me, please."

"Well mam, I don't have it."

"So you're asking me to call my Senator and Congressional Rep to talk to them about a bill I don't know anything about just on your say so?" 

Well mam, I'm just trying to make some money and help our environment."

"Thank you for working for a living and not being on the government dole but it still remains.  You want me to do what you want me to do on your word? No offence, but I don't know you from Adam's cat, and the inference you're making is, because I won't do what you want me to do then I don't care about "our" environment? You need to tell whoever hired you to get that bill in front of you so you're not caught flatfooted."

"Uh, mam, I'm sorry to have disturbed you. You have a nice evening."

"Yeah, you too, good-bye."

That is so not right! Please, do not call me, ask me to do something simply on your word and then get all offended because I call your hand. Hey, I'm happy you're not sucking the government tit but be prepared...is that too much to ask? Besides, it's probably some dang liberal organization and we all know how well that goes over with me. I'm so conservative I make Ronald Reagan look like a tree hugger and I care about the environment but not to the exclusion or detriment of human beings. God calls us to be stewards of HIS earth; we're to worship the Creator, not HIS creation. Don't go all Al Gore on me, I don't think much of him; have you seen his nine million dollar Southern California house?  Wonder how big that carbon footprint is?

It sucks pond water, as someone recently told me about something else. I won't give her credit because she might be a liberal and I don't want to offend her personally. That should prove I have a limit to being cantankerous, don't you think?

ROTFLAM which translates, "rolling on the floor laughing at myself".

Oh lawz, cabin fever might be setting in, ya think? 

Blessings ~ the strength to do the work God sets before me ~ sunshine ~ we're one day closer to spring ~

Cold And Alive

Patrice is hosting Chat Number 123 and, after playing along, I'll do a little farm update. I'll admit right now, I'm fairly stunned...physically and emotionally...due to the terribly cold weather so any mistakes, my apologies.

1. How much baking did you do before/after Christmas? Do you get more inspired to bake when temps are cooler? I baked shortbread and carried it around to folks to say "thanks"; I'm still baking shortbread and carrying it around to folks to say "thanks". Good manners are never out of season, eh? I bake all year 'round, especially bread. The only thing grocery store bread is good for is croutons...and that's only if it's sturdy bread and not sliced white bread. Sliced white bread is what Carly and the dogs get for a treat, it can't be beat...a pound loaf of white bread for eighty-nine cents and treats galore!

2. Do you have any food intolerance or allergies? No food intolerance as far as physical limitations but I'm not crazy about liver. There are certain meds I cannot take, due to allergies.

3. When was the last time you were in a restaurant? Mary and I had lunch last week at a local place. It's going to be a while before we return, the place was nearly empty and service didn't exist. Trying to get the waiters attention was like trying to push molasses uphill, he seemed to be oblivious to the fact his tip was, directly, dependent upon his service.

4. What's your favorite accent? Patrice, I'm like you, a myna bird and can mimic folks when I've been around them for a little while. When Dave and I first met, he thought I was former CIA because I used English terms...in hospital instead of in the hospital, and because I cannot pronounce aluminium the American way, pronounce it the English way, etc. It took him a long time to become convinced otherwise...silly goose. -smile- My sheep, horses, dogs and cats understand me and I them.

5. My favorite ___ is ____.  Right now, my favorite thing is being warm...wonder what it feels like?

How cold has it been in your part of the country? At 7 a.m. this morning it was 20 degrees below zero; not sure what it was at 4 a.m. but it had to be colder and with the wind chill last night, it was around 30 below. I did the best I could to get the animals ready; extra hay was set out, Christmas trees were put out for the sheep, Carly got extra meds, grain and chicken scratch while Harry got extra chicken scratch and grain. I'm missing one of the guineas; not sure what's happened to it. By the way, Christmas trees, when stripped of all ornaments and not dyed, make excellent fodder for sheep, not for horses. They love the fresh green taste and some believe it aids in de-worming.

Even with the de-icer, the water still froze and my gloves instantly froze and any time I had to touch a lock, gate or fence, they stuck to the metal. Using Harry's black rubber water bucket (which was frozen solid), I bashed the three inch ice and managed to break enough to increase the drinking area. Tomorrow I'll let the sheep into the yard so they can drink from Carly's electric water bucket. I guess that means the alpacas will come too.

The horses have frozen whiskers and I have frozen nose hairs. TMI, is it?

Sadie is a Rhodesian Ridgeback and has a very short coat; she freezes in the winter so I gave her my scarf as well as her sweater. It helped keep the wind from going down her throat and back; she seemed to appreciate it. When I held it up to her the second time we went out, she immediately sat and waited for me to wrap it around her head.

Carly turns 20 this spring and I figured she'd not make it last night. Even with a wool coat, the temps were nasty and the wind shill nastier, yet at 6:00 a.m., she was at the back porch, bleating for her breakfast. She's a tough old ewe!

"The ancient white house with its steep roof and low eves 

looks like a ship anchored in a still, white sea." 

~ Gladys Tabor ~ 

Tonight is the second night of extremely cold temps but, so far, not much wind. The temps are supposed to get warmer...please God!...and my old bones are going to be grateful. Y'all stay warm and safe.

Blessings ~ heat ~ food ~ safety ~ well animals ~ Gladys Tabor ~

Snow Day on the Farm

It's been another great day on the farm, albeit extremely cold, windy, snowy and exciting. At some point last night, the rain turned to sleet and, early 0'dark thirty, sleet turned to snow. Since Dave died, my sleeping arrangements are...crazy. The three dogs and I sleep together and there are mornings I awake and we're piled up like a litter of puppies...but we're warm and cozy and, in this ole farmhouse, warm and cozy are passwords to nirvana.

This is the de-icer, put into the livestock water trough, to keep ice from forming. It might be hard to imagine how much of a thrill this is in my life, but think...Sunday morning I was chopping two inches of ice in this trough and, at dusk, had to chop ice again before "installing" the de-icer.

I'm not the only one who is thrilled, the gold fish are happy to be warmer. Ummm, those orangey spots in the water are the gold fish; bought three for $1 at WalMart and have done what guppies goldfish tend to do...procreate. If anyone wants any, they're yours for the asking...and getting.

The weather report says six inches of snow before morning and we're halfway there now. The right photo was taken about 4:00 and the one below was taken about fifteen minutes later...see the difference?

 Against my better judgement, I had to go to town today. Roads were icy and snowy but the trip still had to be made and when I got home, chores had to be done. In the winter, I do chores twice a day, about twelve hours apart so I can give the animals a bit of extra food as well as cast my eye over them to make sure everyone is okay. Even so, there are times I'll still need to go outside later on to check on someone, open a gate, give extra food, etc. Today, by 3:30 I was in flannel nightgown, bathrobe, warm socks and wool slippers with the intention of staying inside until daybreak tomorrow.

Then I noticed the bird feeder was empty and the internal argument began...fill it now or wait until tomorrow? Self said, "You're already in your nightgown, robe and slippers; you should wait until tomorrow." At the exact point I was ready to agree, a sparrow flew to the feeder and found it empty. AAARRRGGGHHHH!!!! So yes, I got a container of bird seed and very slowly, very carefully went down the snowy, slick back stairs, filled the feeder and then crept back up the snowy, slick stairs and then inside the house.

I am such a sap! On the other hand, I'll sleep well tonight, knowing that the birds will have food when they show up at 0'dark dawn in the morning.

Remember these green boots? Useless, I tell you...totally useless! At least in the snow they are useless. "Why", you may very well ask? Because they are rubber, have no traction and are slick as greased lightening. Useless! After filling the bird feeder, I came back inside and looked out another window and saw sheep at the back gate. So...for this trip I slipped off my woolen slippers, slipped on these rubber boots, grabbed a walking stick and headed outside. Where my feet promptly slipped out from under me and I landed, flat on my back, in the snow.  AAARRRGGGHHHH!!!!

Nothing broken, not even my pride, and the sheep are now finding the open gate and beginning to wander into the yard where they'll have grass and warm water to drink.  Things like this...making sure the animals have food, shelter, water make me happy even at the same time I'll feeling tired from the exertion. Yes, the work is physically demanding but it's good work, meaningful work (to me at least) and work I love.  The sheep, below, is one of Carly's relatives, another Shetland and happy to find food. Can you tell the poor little thing is nothing but skin and fleece? Not! -chortle-

 It makes me happy, knowing Carly has an extra ration of sweet feed with her arthritis meds. it makes me happy, knowing I've done my best for her poor arthritic bones. It makes me happy, knowing her last days are filled with as much caring as it's within my power to give. What doesn't make me happy is not knowing when to say good-bye to her. There's a saying: if you have live stock, you'll have dead stock and that's true. The big question is: when to say good-bye? When is she in so much pain the meds aren't enough any more. It's the age old question for me...when?

So many folks tell me, "take them to market, sell them off. They're too much work for you" but I'm not listening to those folks. Dave and I had an agreement, never take anything to market and, as long as I'm able, I'll honor that agreement. Just because he's dead, doesn't mean our commitment is void.

When I first got animals, I would brush the snow off their coats and break the icicles to make the animals more comfortable. It took me a while to learn that snow is a great insulator and breaking the icicles doesn't make any difference at all. Leaving the snow on their backs keeps them warmer and more comfortable; brushing it off makes them colder.

High in the maple tree, two guinea's are roosting, huddled together, gripping tightly their hold on the branch. The white guinea was wandering around, on the ground, and I'm not sure if s/he's confused, hungry or what, perxactly. There's no way of knowing so I scatter food on the snow, hoping the guinea will, eventually, wander over and find it. I bought a bag of chicken scratch for them and am trying to gentle them by feeding them. I'd love for them to become tame but it's going to take some time. The dogs like chicken scratch, I suppose it's the molasses and corn combination, so I am constantly shooing dogs away from guinea food. It's a delicate balancing act, keeping the animals fed, sheltered, watered and in good health. It's also my job and I like to think I'm good at it; so far, anyway.

Blessings ~ snow ~ guinea's ~ sheep ~ dogs ~ work of my hands and heart ~

View From My Window

Today has been full of...nothing much. It started snowing and sleeting last night and I knew today was going to be spent close, very close, to home. Other than half dozen trips outside, I've stayed inside all day and, an hour or so ago, decided to visit Nancy at A Rural Journal. Dang! Who knew it was Friday? And why didn't you let me know? Every Friday, Nancy does Random 5 Friday wherein bloggers tell five things about themselves. I'm not sure why I'm playing along, not sure there are five interesting things about me.  Someone told me onetime, "You're such an interesting person" and I replied, "Not really but I do interesting things."

 The computer is set up in the living room where the television and wood stove are also located. All I have to do is turn my head to the right and BOOM! there's the view. Today, leaves on the ground, maple tree still has some leaves, some icy snow, sheep in the yard, cattle on the hill and beauty all over the place. I am blessed. The sheep were let into the yard so they could graze but that's not lasting. Carly has Very Old Bones and when I go outside to feed her, the younger, bigger ones push her out of the way so they can steal the food/meds. That's also dangerous for me as they don't care if I'm in the way; a big push and that particular problem, me, goes away...or at least down. It's always been said sheep are a woman's livestock but all that means is I get taken out at the knees instead of the head and shoulders by cattle or horses. Farming is tough, hard, dangerous work!

~ water de-icer ~

The water trough behind the barn has an electrical outlet so I can plug in a de-icer. Keeping the water from totally freezing means the animals will drink more water and that keeps them healthier. This will work until I get a de-icer that has a thermostat which will work only when the temperature drops below 40 degrees. I also have to work out something for Carly so she'll have warm water this winter. Last winter I took her water several times a day which was a lot of work for me; I'd like to decrease my work load. 

~ counter top convection oven, right ~

Yesterday I bought a counter top convection oven; does anyone have experience? A friend told me she has a microwave/convection oven and I'm hopeful I'll eat more heathfully and more often if cooking/baking is easier and faster. Before I take it out of the box and set it up, I'm waiting for your comments, advice, opinions...please.

~ snow is on the -volunteer- pumpkin, left ~

 Today has been overcast, gray with snow and sleet flurries, a good day to stay inside and play. There's material on the table, ready to cut and be made into a quilt and tomorrow is supposed to be 60...time to take advantage of good weather and temps to do some more outside chores. My day is always decided by the weather as opposed to the to-do list which can always be re-arranged.

~ Morris Knob, elevation 3,400 feet ~

Views from every window are fabulous, no matter the temps or weather. I can always add another sweater if I catch a chill and the dogs know wearing a sweater keeps them warm. Time to fix me something to eat...animals have all been fed, of course, and the refrigerator is calling my name. Hope the food fairy has left me something good.

Blessings ~ living here ~ weather ~ sheep ~ volunteer pumpkins ~ heat ~

Quick! Please Pray

~ my happy, healthy and safe sheep ~

Please pray for farmers and their livestock in Northern Ireland. It's dreadful...sheep are being buried alive only to die with their lambs, born or unborn. Farmers cannot get hay to their sheep and all are in dire circumstances; livelihoods are being torn asunder, lives are being lost, households are without electricity, schools are closed...the weather is brutally bitter...please pray! 

Blessings ~ folks all over the world, praying for Northern Ireland farmers ~

Sabbath Keeping

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want..." 

~ Psalm 23:1 ~

"If you ever find it hard to sleep at night, don't count sheep.
Instead, talk to the Shepherd...lay all your burdens unto God
and nothing will disturb you." ~ unknown ~ 
"The benevolent despot who sees himself as a shepherd still demands from others the submissiveness of sheep." ~ Eric Hoffer ~
"I want no Christmas without a burden for lost souls, a message for sinners, a heart to bring in the lost sheep so dear to the Shepherd, the sinning souls for whom Christ died."
~ Dr. John R. Rice ~ 

"Shepherd, your sheep are weary." 

~ Todd Agnew ~ listen here ~

"If sheep do not have the constant care of the shepherd, they will go the wrong way, unaware of the dangers at hand. They have been known to nibble themselves right off the side of the mountain...And, so, because sheep are sheep, they need shepherds to care for them. The welfare of sheep depend solely upon the care they get from their shepherd. Therefore, the better the shepherd, the healthier the sheep." ~ Kay Arthur ~

"When at night, you cannot sleep,

 talk to the shepherd and stop counting sheep." 

~ unknown ~

"A preacher must be both soldier and shepherd,

 he must nourish, defend, and teach;

 he must have teeth in his mouth and be able to bite and fight." 

~ Martin Luther ~

"Parenting is shepherding the hearts of your children

in the ways of God's wisdom."

~ Ted Tripp ~

"The shepherd drives the wolf from the sheep's throat,

for which the sheep thanks the shepherd as his liberator

while the wolf denounces him for the same act as the

destroyer of liberty."

~ Abraham Lincoln ~

"Without a shepherd, sheep are not a flock."

~ Russian proverb ~

"I am the good shepherd, I know my sheep and my sheep know me." ~ John 10:14 ~

Prayer Keeping ~ Maxine ~ Stephanie ~ Quesenberry family ~ Debbie ~ Timi and family ~ Jane and Lance ~ me, I'm not feeling well ~

My Crazy Good Life...

 ~ O What A Beautiful Morning... ~

 The wind has been fierce but, today, the sun is shining and it's another perfect day at Thistle Cove Farm. No, of course not, life isn't perfect but the day is and, in between all the home health visits, we're enjoying it fully. I really want to put up a new photo header, perhaps this one? but it's not spring...yet. We've still got a snow, or three, in the coming but will take this spring teaser, gladly, and with a cup of tea. As Goerthe said, "He is the happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home."  Dave and I find peace, sanctuary and happiness at Thistle Cove Farm, in all seasons of both time and life.

~ faithful Ranger, working companion ~

Night before last, Daniel, the dogs and I went on the mountain to cut some cedar trees. I feed fresh cedar trees to the sheep as they like a bit of green in their diet and it helps de-worm them, naturally. Can you tell how wonky the Ranger is sitting? My heart was in my throat as I followed Daniel, in his 4-wheel drive full sized pick-up truck, up the mountain. I, strongly, dislike the feeling of tipping over and as soon as was able, I baled out of the Ranger but after the dogs, of course. In fact, I baled out and left the door open in my haste to get away from the falling down side of the dratted thing!

~ Sadie, supervising Daniel ~

The dogs were in ecstasy at their freedom on the mountain. They are never, never, left unsupervised outside our doubled fenced yard as folks around here set out snares and poison for the coyotes.

~ Daniel, barreling down the mountain ~

Eventually, Daniel got tired of hearing me whine about the steepness and he offered to drive the Ranger to a flat section. I could barely look and he either wasn't frightened at all or it was a guy rescue gal type thing. God bless Daniel anyway, for whatever reason he put the Ranger on flatter ground.

~ timberrrrr! ~

We figured we'd get as many trees as his truck and my Ranger could carry. We're getting on toward greener pastures and all animals would rather eat green and growing as opposed to just cut.

 ~ does this look steep to you? ~

Daniel cut six trees so the sheep will be happy, happy for a week, perhaps two, before they finish eating the cedar trees. It saves a bit on de-worming meds and, I believe, natural is always healthier than pharmaceuticals. Cedar trees are a bane to a pasture's existence so the farmers don't mind if they are cut down. Just after Christmas, I go 'round town and gather up the Christmas trees - those without paint, stain and icicles - and feed those to the sheep as well. It's a treat for them and tickles me to see them happy.

 ~ the sheep of my God's pasture ~

We're adjusting to a new normal life but, bless God, we're both here to make the adjustment! It's a daily struggle and along the way we've both made some mistakes, forgotten some birthdays and, in general, been hugely overwhelmed with and by the process. If you've any suggestions on anything, please let me know as we're, still, babes in the woods. When I've been overwhelmed, which has been often, it has helped greatly, knowing there were folks standing in the gap for us. When I was too overwhelmed to pray, it helped, greatly, knowing there were folks praying for us. So many times, the Holy Spirit has soothed my soul by reminding me, "Not only are people praying for you and Dave, Christ intercedes at the right hand of His Father." Then, and now, I cling to that thought and God bless each of you, greatly.

Blessings ~ home ~ Cove ~ cedar trees ~ an evening of work and fun ~ Daniel ~ prayer ~ praying people ~

Soli Deo Gloria,
Sandra