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 ~

Stranger Than Strange

~ the original friends: Shaddie, Grace, Abigail ~

Yesterday morning, Gracie went to join Abbie and Dave. Gracie was much older than Abbie and, frankly, it surprised me when Abbie went first. Gracie had been diagnosed with a possible tumor in her nasal cavity but, with meds, she seemed to be enjoying life. Over the weekend, she seemed to slip downhill, just a tad. On Saturday, I doubled her pain meds and she seemed to rally. On Sunday, doubled meds and she spent the day, with us, her family, on the back porch where she enjoyed the fresh air, sunshine, bird song and watching the cats play. But I we knew it was time. On Monday, I drove Sophie, Sam and Grace to the vet office and we all said good-bye. 
It's been said before; grief is strange. Just when a person thinks I think I'm getting a grip, it flies in my face and, like Yogi Berra said, "It's deju vu all over again."

About 1:30 a.m., the night Abbie died, Jake shows up at the back door. I'd given Jake up for dead; it's been three weeks, perhaps longer, since he'd been here. Then, I heard he was living down the road and wondered why he didn't come 'round any more. Jake is his own dog, he comes and goes at will and Dr. Ann had given him a rabies shot. There's no keeping Jake in the yard, unless it's on a chain and I can't do that. I hate seeing a dog chained! Anyway, Jake comes, stands tall and puts both arms on my shoulders and nuzzles his head in my throat. He loves to give hugs and he's a really good hugger! 
Gracie died yesterday morning, and this morning about 1:30, Jake is at the back door. Again, he comes in, gives me a hug, eats, sleeps in the kitchen and leaves this morning. How is it a dog knows what to do and goes about doing it? Unconditional love...we could all learn something from Jake and the other animals at Thistle Cove Farm.

~ Miss Emma ~

Remember Miss Emma? A few weeks ago I posted she was missing; had gone missing about three weeks and had no idea what had happened to her.

~ Miss Emma tonight ~

A while ago, I came upstairs, sat down at Dave's desk and a cat came to rub against my leg. Absently, I bent down and began rubbing her ears...I only have female cats...and glanced down. It was MISS EMMA!!! She's a lot thinner, but healthy, and starved for affection and attention. Where has she been all this time? It's been more than a month! Let me tell you, it was a trifle spooky when I realized it was Miss Emma! She ate a bit of supper and has been in my lap ever since; she and I can't get enough of each other!

~ part of the current crew ~

Sadie, Gypsy, Sophie and Sam are part of the current compliment of critters on the farm. With Miss Emma returned home, Hattie Cat and Tippy Cat our little family is complete. Or, as complete as it's going to get this side of the veil. 
"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy." Isn't that true in life? Firmly, I believe we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses that we cannot see with earthly eyes...humans and animals alike... God uses His animals to work His will. Remember Balaam's ass and the colt Christ rode into Jerusalem or when the rider "Faithful and True" will ride the white stallion? The Bible abounds with stories of animals interacting with humans; those stories continue today, although, I must admit, I'm as gobsmacked as Balaam when I think about Jake, Miss Emma, etc. There are more things in heaven and earth than I could possibly dream!


Blessings ~ Shaddie ~ Abbie ~ Gracie ~ Miss Emma ~ Sam ~ Gypsy ~ Sophie ~ Sadie ~ Hattie Cat ~ Tippy ~ and all the rest of the crew at Thistle Cove Farm, seen and unseen ~

My Week...Thus Far...Long Post

It's said when cattle, or any other livestock, continue to graze in the pouring rain, the rain is here to stay. Knowing there are those in the USA who would give years off their lives for rain, I hesitate to say this...but, we've had about two inches of rain every day for about two weeks. My teeth are soggy and I think those are mushrooms growing above the window!
Some have read about my week, thus far, but the following is what I sent a friend via e-mail. It covers the high points; frankly, this has been A WEEK and pain has blocked out some of it. Thankfully. I think. Anyway, this post isn't for the weak hearted; while the photos aren't graphic, some of the text is very graphic!
Sunday - 17th wedding anniversary, first without Dave, need I say more?
Monday - fell on large rocks in driveway; sprained left thumb, entire right leg from knee down severely bruised with large bump extending from knee to ankle and have numerous bruises on front of right shoulder where I landed on a large rock. I have NO idea what happened...one moment I was walking, the next I was on the ground with horses side stepping me. Sadie, the Ridgeback, managed to knock into me as she was dodging the horses. The big putz is afraid of the horses! Thankfully, the horses are good about giving me room and only came close to nuzzle and see if I was going to get up. Which I did, after far too few seconds on the ground. I remember the yard gate was open and didn't want the horses going into the yard; they could garrote themselves on the clothes line...ugly! So, I made my way to the house, very unsteadily, and took an 800 mg Ibuprofen and sat on the back porch while I sorted through my assortment of aches, bruises, lumps, etc.
Tuesday - stayed home and took Ibuprofen to stem pain.
Wednesday - had to go to Courthouse to get buy more Certificates of Qualification re. Dave's death and me being heir and Executrix. Of course, being Executrix makes me think of leather and horse whips...I'm twisted thataway and have a dark past that's cleansed by the Blood of the Lamb. Thank God or, as we used to say, PTL -praise the Lord. Anyway, back to the Certificate of Qualification...I bought and paid for several many copies in January but, apparently, that's now not new enough. Say that three or four times very fast! They must be thirty days or newer. And, yes, evidently that would have been too excruciating to have been told three weeks ago when I sent in the originally requested information and paperwork. 
I also went to the library to download books on my Kindle which, turns out, wasn't working. Using the Brand New USB cord, I tried charging the battery but, nope! It's not still not working. I called Amazon and they are sending me, gratis, another brand new USB cord. Those folks at Amazon are wonderful! 
Thursday - went to my GP for a physical because, ahem, it's past time. He's not happy with my blood pressure but he's happy with my cholesterol. I told him fifty percent sounded great to me and he could take those odds to Vegas! So, he tells me the BP has to come down, that's just after he asked me how I was doing in the months since Dave died. 
Note to self...look up oxymoron in dictionary...
Then, back to the Courthouse to get buy MORE Certificates of Qualification. Perhaps I should buy many, many copies...? Yet another "entity" needs an "updated" Certificate signifying I am who I say I am. Gee, do you think it's entirely possible I could have changed my identify since January? NOT! HELLO! I am NOT Jason Bourne!
Back home to find my Beloved Abigail Von Rotten the Jack Russell Terror screaming in pain; her right shoulder is dislocated. I pile Abbie, Gracie and Sophie because she's faster than greased lightening and is out the door before I can catch her...into the car and back to town we go. 
Dr. Lois comes out to the car to meet us!!!!! I pray to God all of you who have beloved companion animals have vets who are as kind and compassionate as Dr. Lois and Dr. Anne! Abbie has quieted, her shoulder has slipped back into place and we all trudge into the examination room. Dr. Lois listens while I explain what's been happening and I tell ask her if "it's time". She nods quietly. I'm afraid this will happen one night at 3:00 a.m. and Abbie will be in such terrible pain and I can't get her to the emergency room, and then, I'll be forced to shoot my own dog and, while I could do it, I'd rather Please Please God, don't ask it of me.
I always pay the extra money for the relaxation shot first. It calms the animal, makes them sleepy and eases their way Home. That's exactly what happened with Abbie. Dr. Lois gave her the relaxation shot while Steven and I held Abbie, then the kill shot, and then...she just slipped away with me whispering in her ear messages to give Dave.
Yes, I firmly believe Abbie, and all our my other beloved companion animals are in heaven. God loved them first, He made them first and we're all made for His glory and pleasure.
If you don't believe this, then you're right as well. Your animals will be in heaven but you won't recognize each other. It's best that way; they won't recognize you and be confused when you don't recognize them. And you, because you lack the faith of a child, will never know. God is kind that way.
Abbie will be cremated and then buried with our other Beloved Friends who have gone ahead. As for me, it was a three night beer. Yes, I do drink beer, wine and, sometimes, a cocktail. These days, I'm not a big drinker but, trust me, last night called for three beers. Abbie was my heart beat for more than sixteen years; it's not the same as Dave going ahead but, believe me, the pain is still raw, especially since it's been less than nine months since Dave went ahead. 
Friday - It's back to town...I swear, I should just get a town job...kidding! Just kidding! smile and as I was going down the driveway, a red fox vixen comes out of my barn and goes up the driveway carrying a kitten. I slam on brakes, she turns and looks at me long enough for me to take her picture.

It's difficult to tell but that small reddish spot between the second and third fence posts to the left of the gate is Mama Fox. Now I know what all the yelping is about; Mama Fox has kits and they are hungry so she's been feeding them kittens. Mother Nature and Father Time take care of us all...eventually and in one way or the other.
Then, I head down the road to a neighbor's house to pick up a table to use in the little town festival tomorrow. Ziggy, their ten month old Great Dane comes BOUNDING to greet meet and I...dumb, dumb, dumb...call out, "Hi Ziggy; whatcha doing Beautiful?" Well. Ziggy goes crazy with joy and begins leaping and running and cavorting around and...this is the "bad" part...crashing into me, over and over and over...Now I've started to yell, "NO ZIGGY, DOWN ZIGGY, OFF ZIGGY" and Ziggy is SO happy because here's a New Human AND she knows MY name! OH THE JOY!!! At Ziggy's last pass at me, and before I dash to the house, I put up my hands to, hopefully, try and keep her from slamming into me and knocking me into the ground and...and... I'm not quite sure what happened next. See Monday's note about falling...
Either I "put" my hand into Ziggy's mouth or Ziggy "puts" her tooth into my hand...either way, I've got a puncture wound in the pad of my right hand. Ziggy is such a puppy, albeit a huge puppy and her first humans got her and then didn't want her because, "Gosh, we had no idea she'd get to be so big!" 
Trust me, you can't think or say anything I've not already thought or said! Some humans simply make you wonder if they're worth their salt!
Anyway, Ashley, good soul that she is, rescued Ziggy and, when Ziggy quietens down a trifle, she's going to be a fabulous dog! She's already a beauty and just needs some more TLC and training. I know this because Sadie is just like her only not quite as big. Perhaps I could start working with them both to give teach them some manners...? 
A half bottle of peroxide later, I'm, almost good as new. It's only when I get to the AAA office they ask, "Why are you so filthy and why is there blood running down your arm?" OOPS! Ziggy clipped me and I missed it. Laura said, "I think Dave is trying to tell you to slow down." I looked at her and said, "That's easy for him to say!" We all laugh.
I'm almost finished and so is my week...are you still with me?
Now, it's late afternoon, I'm exhausted, the dogs need to be let out and fed and I'm headed down the valley when...the dang gas light comes on. I'm almost out of gasoline! So, I turn around, windshield wipers beating time get that reference? and head back to the convenience store and gas tanks. I lift the nozzle and...my freshwater pearl bracelet snags, breaks and pearls roll everywhere! While the gas is going into the tank and the rain is pounding down, I drop to my knees and start gathering up my pearls.
No, as it happens, this is not a good time to recall the Bible verse...pearls before swine!
Did I mention I'm exhausted? Tomorrow is a little town festival and I'm going to sell raffle tickets for a VA Tech fleece throw I made. All money is going to our volunteer fire department but I've already said, if it's raining, I'm not going. 
We've had rain every day for two weeks and you know what?
I'm praying for rain tomorrow!

Blessings ~ humor ~ pearls ~ rain ~ puppies ~ vixens ~ Gracie ~ Sophie ~ Sadie ~ Abigail, my heart beat for more than sixteen years.

My Period of Grace

~ sunrise at Thistle Cove Farm ~

My period of Grace was this month, this May. Sort of. Most of May has been spent enjoying the farm, the animals; re-arranging portions of the house, doing farm chores and, simply, living. Blogging has taken a back seat for no particular reason other than my brain needed a rest. A time of Grace. This time of grace has been needed from the awfulness of Dave’s death and that same grace has been so healing and so restorative. March was such a struggle to stay alive, to keep my feet on the straight and narrow path, to keep breathing because the animals needed me. Dear God, it would have been SO much easier to stop but You, Bless Your name forever, didn’t let me. Thank You, God. 

I think. 
April is a fog; trying to pretend life was normal; not a new normal just some kind of normal. I remembered to eat…mostly; I remembered to shower…mostly. I remembered a lot, all the time.

 ~ Gypsy Rose Lee ~

Some have written to say, “don’t you think it’s time to move on?” Well, what do you think I’ve been doing on a daily basis? Same as you all, I’m moving on except in my own way, in my own time. I’m moving on without Dave and it stinks. I hate it, I rebel against it. I despise and loath it yet I. am. moving. on. Mostly, the best way I know how…prayer, Bible reading and getting out of bed every day, putting one foot in front of the other every day.

What’s your purpose in life? What is it you want people to say about you? What legacy do you want to leave behind? How are you establishing it all? What do you do and when do you do it to establish your purpose, your legacy? Questions I’m struggling with, daily, and still haven’t any answer. Being a Christian doesn’t mean answers are easier nor are they readily apparent, but it means, to me at least, the questions are all that more difficult, life all that more real and eternity always ahead. Smoking or non-smoking? -smile-

 ~ not weeds, flowers ~

Some friends struggle with auto-immune illnesses and some friends struggle with more than one such disease. Other friends have cancer, depression or other illnesses and that always means a greater struggle. People are hurting – their health, finances, relationships and the weight of being daily is almost overwhelming. It’s a burden, heavy to carry, sometimes impossible to comprehend and I am, constantly, throwing it all up to God because He tells me He is able...and I believe and trust Him.

How do you handle life? Where do you get your comfort, your peace, your grace for the journey? To whom, or what, do you turn?

My daily five chapters of Bible reading are in Ezekiel and I find myself wading through, up to my ears in, “Dear Lord, will those Israelites EVER learn?” Then, the small whisper comes to me…”Dear Sandra, will you?”

Lord, I’m struggling to learn, to understand what it is you want me to do, what it is you want of me. Right now, I can only suss out you want me to do what I’m doing…read my Bible every day, pray…dear God, the sheer NEED!..do my chores, keep the house clean, help my small community. Live, Daily. Keep my focus on Christ and not on the news; the awfulness of what the media keeps cramming down our throats. The November election.

 ~ moving on ~

Are you familiar with Ann Kiemel? She’s written many books and one, I Said Yes To God, changed my religion into relationship. Before that book I was happy in my ignorant bliss of skipping through life. Yet, if I knew then what I know now, I would still change my religion into relationship. It’s made that much of a difference to me and in my life. Yes, it’s been worth it all and one day I'll see Jesus. It, all of it, has been worth it all.


One last word...people tell me, "you're so strong, you'll get through this." Psssst...it's not true. I am not strong; not in the least. I am so weak and have cried and wept more since Dave died than in my entire life! The secret is...God is strong. God is able. God cares and He carries me, sustains me, delivers me, keeps my fears at bay, gives me wisdom, loves me even when I'm most unlovable. God gives me grace for the journey and that is what makes the journey bearable. That and knowing...one day I'll see Jesus.

Blessings ~ Ann Kiemel ~ friends ~ life ~ animals ~ Ezekiel ~ chores ~ grace ~

Hogmanay and Happy New Year 2010

 It's New Year's Day and, hopefully, you've celebrated in a manner that's left you full of life and looking forward to this new year and all the promise it holds. We celebrate quietly at Thistle Cove Farm, no mad dashing about, no frantic parties, no serious consumption of spirits, no overeating. Heck, we don't even stay up to see the Times Square ball drop, hear the clock chime or clink out glasses together in a toast. My attitude is the new years have managed to get here without my help for lo, these many centuries; I see no need to change my ways now. -smile- The dogs and I did get up in the wee hours, for an outside visit, but it was too overcast to see the Blue Moon, the last full and Blue Moon of 2009 and the decade as well as the first Blue Moon of 2010. I believe there's a Blue Moon on New Year's Eve about every seventeen years or thereabouts so this was another rarity. The next Blue Moon will be later this year, in November.

"Full moon is a blue moon on New Year's Eve 2010" reads NY Daily News. Ummm...does anyone want to help out staff writer, Tracy Miller or the editor? New Year's Eve 2010 isn't for another twelve months, folks, you've got it All Wrong.

 ~ Boscoe Mancat ~

We ended our year just as we'd begun our year...by saying good-bye to a beloved family cat member. Boscoe Mancat passed away and is being cremated and will, eventually, be buried with our other deceased companions. He just couldn't seem to pull through and, we think had cancer. Bos was a good little cat, well mannered when at all possible, and spent his last few months in a quiet, warm place with lots of canned tuna, cat food and fresh water. He loved to be petted and would purr his happiness loudly. We've lost eight companions this year and, frankly, I'm happy to see this year, and the body count, end. We had many blessings though, among them Sadie, Sam P. Spade, Miss Emma and Mama Cat who is now called Mama Cass because she's a fierce consumer of calories. Thank God our animals, and ourselves, had good health this year with no accidents or injuries.

 ~ Sadie Lady and Sam P. Spade, Secret Agent ~

Yesterday, was spent in the Scottish tradition of Hogmanay. There are many theories as to how the word derived, visit the link to take your pick. For many centuries, Christmas was banned in Scotland and it's only been since about the 1950's it's been celebrated but Hogmanay has been celebrated for hundred of years. "First footing" means to welcome the first foot, or person, in the house after midnight. The "first foot" should be a dark male and never a light male because that harkened back to the days of Viking invasion and a light colored male meant Trouble. The dark male was to bring coal, shortbread, food, whisky and salt which symbolizes prosperity, enough food to eat and plenty to drink; salt is necessary to live and for food preservation. Like most of Christian holy days, or holidays as its come to be known, there are plenty of pagan rites and activities closely associated with Christmas and Hogmanay brings its fair share. It is interesting and, in some of the byways and smaller, older Scottish communities, those ways are still inter-connected. BTW, it's spelled whisky in Scotland and whiskey in the rest of the world.


While I don't participate in all Hogmanay activities, I do clean house, sweep porches and, if we had wood burning fireplaces, would have cleaned them as well. My donations were mailed so folks would receive end of year credit, bills were paid and I worked on getting calendars ready for today. It seems to Dave and I, we lead quiet lives but for all that, I keep four calendars. There's the photos of Scotland kitchen calendar, my Franklin Covey/Day Timer book, a spiral bound desk calendar at the computer and the erasable monthly calendar on the refrigerator door. I also worked on my notebook where I keep a prayer list, quotes that prick my heart and mind, notes on various sermons I've heard, etc. For a few months, I've been working on clearing the decks...somewhat...by giving things away, gathering my studio projects in the studio, moving furniture around, hanging photos, paintings, pictures...in general, making this house a home. Many people in the south eat black eyed peas on New Year's day; Aunt Esther has eaten black eyed peas and pigs feet for seventy or eighty New Year's. -shudder- I just can't get my mouth around pig's feet and she swears I don't know what I'm missing. I do though...know. I'm missing pig's feet and am much happier for it!

How do you keep your family organized?

I've never made resolutions, have never seen the need and as Daddy always says, "if you're living right, there's no need to make resolutions." Goals are another thing and I do spend some time thinking about the coming year, what I'd like to accomplish and then make some plans, write some goals and forge ahead. I've a goal that's been held over from two years ago and should be ashamed to say it but there it is! This is the year I want to finish that goal and am making room, daily, to spend time to accomplish that end. Another goal that goes from year to year is to read five chapters of the Bible each day and, thus far, I'm pretty much on target. There are a few days I don't plan well and only manage to read a smaller portion but, rarely, do I miss Scripture reading entirely.

~ Do you see what I see? ~

Robert Burns wrote Auld Lang Syne which is traditionally sung every New Year's Eve midnight. We didn't sing it last night but I did think about it as I was going to sleep.

"Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and auld lang syne
For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o kindness yet, for auld lang syne."
I wish you well, this coming year; also peace, prosperity, happiness, good health, wisdom and enough love to share.

Until next time,


Blessings ~ new beginnings ~ goals ~ organization ~ traditions ~ good health ~ promises ~ blue moon ~

Christmas Week

 

 ~ American Curly horses, waiting for breakfast ~

 I've not ventured off the farm since the snow storm but the needs of the animals will always make me go. The horses and sheep both needed minerals and anyone who knows me knows I'm keen on minerals. I firmly believe good food, good water and minerals make the fleece as well as the sheep. The horses look much better when they, too, have adequate minerals.

~ waiting for breakfast ~

~ Polly and Sally, Merino twins ~

Polly and Sally are Merino twins who are pigs in sheep's clothing. These big girls EAT and will knock me down if I'm not paying attention. Yes, they were bottle babies and have never gotten over being held and fed and still firmly believe it's their due. As you might expect, this is Not A Good Thing. Just

imagine, sheep are about knee high and, when rambunctious, are perfectly capable of taking out a knee. At their very worst, they are capable of butting someone to the ground and then killing them; it's been known to happen. BTW, the sheep don't really look wonky; I think that's due to my making the photos smaller so the page will load more quickly.

~ Abbie, Sam, Sadie ~

It tough, having to perform one's toilette when the snow is belly deep and there's an audience. Perhaps now the dogs know what it's like for me...ya think? -smile- Having dogs is like having children; I've always got an audience, I'm never alone and someone always wants to poke their nose in and ask, "watcha doing? Even so, it's still not as bad as needing to go when I'm caught at the barn. There's nothing like taking a quick wee and having a horse's nose investigate. OH MY!

~ Morris Knob ~

~ earth home of my heart ~

Coming home, we round the curve on Rt. 91 and see Home. There aren't many times I fail to, at the very least, slow down...but mostly I stop...just so I can glimpse home. It always quickens my spirit, catches my breath and makes me count my blessings; God is so gracious and kind to us.

The homestead is just smaller than thirty acres; all that's left over from a pre-Revolutionary War land grant multi-thousand acre farm. The full story to be told later, after Christmas, but, for now, just know it's home.

~ in the midst of the snowstorm ~

Each day I check the round bales of hay to make sure the horses still have plenty to eat. The dogs and I take the Ranger and even in the deep snow, in four-wheel drive, I'm able to go where I need to go. Coming back from the lower pasture, I stopped to take this picture. It shows the starkness of the area but it also shows the beauty of home.

"Every house where love abides
And friendship is a guest,
Is surely home, and home sweet home
For there the heart can rest."       ~ Henry Van Dyke ~


"Home is the one place in all this world where hearts are sure of each other.  It is the place of confidence.  It is the place where we tear off that mask of guarded and suspicious coldness which the world forces us to wear in self-defense, and where we pour out the unreserved communications of full and confiding hearts.  It is the spot where expressions of tenderness gush out without any sensation of awkwardness and without any dread of ridicule."                     ~ Frederick W. Robertson ~

"I had rather be on my farm than emperor of the world."  ~ George Washington ~



Merry Christmas, until next time,


Blessings ~ home ~ Thistle Cove Farm ~ sheep ~ horses ~ dogs ~ minerals ~ home ~

Week 3 of Christmas

 

~ walnut tree, back pasture  ~

 
Perhaps you can tell from my header photo, we live in a, fairly, remote area of Virginia. There are other areas of Virginia that are far more remote but we're "out there" by almost anyone's definition. Just ask the folks who manage to make it here for Sheep Shearing Day -smile-. Invariably, the first timers get out of their car, stagger up the driveway and say, "I thought we'd never find you!" I've had one or two say, "You need better signage!" That's when I pull an Alice in Wonderland on them.

"How," I asked, "could I have better signage when I have no signage at all? The website directions, however, are excellent!" They stare at me blankly. I told one gentleman, arriving by following only the website directions, it was a little like being a Christian. "It's all about faith; you've either got it...and you must because here you stand in front of me...or you don't." Then there was the ...man...no gentle in front for good reason! who called and left an abusive message on my answering machine. He cursed, called God's name in vain and then lit into me because he was lost. I kept hoping he'd find us so I could pray for him, loudly and publicly, but he never showed. Just as well, I'm sure -smile-.

We live about thirteen miles from town and, generally, can make the trip in twenty to twenty-five minutes. Yesterday, we went to town at 10:00 a.m., planning to do a few errands and be well on our way home...if not home...by 2 p.m. The eye doctor has released me, saying my eye has now totally healed -Thank YOU, God!- and I'm able to return to exercise. It's been so long since I've taken exercise that I'm having to begin, virtually, all over again so all I did yesterday was walk a mile plus on the treadmill. Then to the library to stock up on reading material, the feed store to have a couple of ham biscuits for lunch -customer appreciation day so they were serving ham biscuits, cookies and coffee, YUM!, the post office -to mail a box to my nephew serving his second tour in Afghanistan and send Christmas cards- and then home. We were about six miles from home, driving in a now beginning to look serious snowstorm, when I told Dave, "we're down to about a quarter tank gas". After a hasty consultation, we decided to turn around, head back to town and fill the tank. Going down Plum Creek there were signs this might not have been such a great idea but we were in it and there wasn't a place to turn around, at least, not until the bottom.

Bad Signs: one man's car was in the ditch, up against the mountain rock, on the way UP while another man's truck was seriously pushing the guard rail on the way DOWN and, not quite to the bottom, the school bus was pulled over and the driver was putting on chains. Just beyond, a woman in a compact car was sitting in the middle of her lane, headed up, and it looked like she was frightened stiff. The dozen or so vehicles behind her just looked annoyed but, generally, speaking, everyone was polite.  Dave and I went to town, filled the tank with gas and headed back thinking Plum Creek would be clear. It was clear until the second curve and then it looked rough, really rough. The same people we saw while headed to town were the same people we now saw...no one had moved, not an inch.

As I looked to our rear, we saw a driver trying to turn around in the middle of the road. Unfortunately, she had only a compact car, no four-wheel drive, and was in Trouble.

She didn't pull up far enough on the road, probably too slick, and when she tried to gain purchase, there was none to be found. The little car started slipping but she managed to get it stopped before it either landed against the guard rail or, God forbid, went over the guard rail and into Plum Creek. William, our neighbor six miles up the road, tried to help her but there was nothing to be done. She was stuck, in the middle of the road and could only wait until a tow truck came to rescue her. We loaned her our cell phone so she could call home and let them know she and the child were all right but held up for a while. I felt sorry for her but glad she, nor anyone else, was injured.

Dave and I travel with audio books so we turned on the speakers and prepared to wait. About forty-five minutes later I decided to walk up the mountain and see what was happening. There was nothing happening, nothing at all. We were all sitting there, behind that one little woman who still looked terrified. Someone was there, trying to be of help to her but she simply looked dazed and panicked. As to other drivers, no one had gone around her, no one had tried, not even the folks with four wheel drive. A sheriff's deputy was headed down the mountain so I stopped him and asked if we could go up. He shook his head "no"; it was terrible, nothing but snow covering ice with sleet mixed with more snow pouring from the sky. He was having trouble and a few yards later, his four-wheel drive vehicle slipped into the ditch. He was able to gun the engine and, in a few yards, pull out of the ditch but first he frightened me half to death. I heard him start the slide and when I turned around, he was headed straight at me. I yelped, although truth be told, it was more of a little big girl scream, and scrambled to the guard rail, thinking I could run behind another vehicle. Well, that was dumb. If the deputy had hit the car between him and me, it would have thrown me either into the guard rail or over the guard rail and down the mountain into the creek.

I came back to our car and told Dave, "I'm turning around and we're headed down the four-lane" as Rt. 460 is known around here.

That's what we did. We turned around, went back down the mountain then to Rt 460 west. All told, from the time we left town the second time, just before 2:00, until the time we, finally, arrived home, was two and a half hours. I called William, our neighbor, to see if he'd made it home and he hadn't. I left a message and he called at 6:05 and said he'd just walked in the door. Those folks sat on Plum Creek Mountain from a little after 1:00 until after dark! The sheriff stopped all the non four-wheel drive vehicles from attempting the climb and only allowed engaged low four-wheel drive vehicles up the mountain.

The snow storm gave us about eighteen inches of snow but drifts of more than three feet. This is the sun room porch.

~ Sadie, trying to bury her rawhide chew ~

~ Sadie, head buried, as she stuffs her chew into snow ~

Sam, especially, loves the snow. He goes outside, alone, to romp, play, roll, bark at "whatever" and have the time of his little life! Sadie loves the snow but only if Sam is outside with her. Sadie loves to roll Sam, run Sam, torment Sam and Sam? He loves it too!

Isn't this a beautiful photo? Even though the snow is deeper than my boots, even though I have to break a path for myself and Abbie, it's beautiful! The sheep were waiting for their hay and didn't seem the worse for wear. They actually love the snow and colder weather but aren't as crazy about trying to break paths. I'd rather they stay close to the barn and house anyway. I've got a blue electric bucket, filled with water, at the horse trough and I broke a path so the sheep can get to their warm drink.

~ Deep snow, little Sam ~

~ If I'm not available to break a path for Abbie, she'll settle for Sadie's help ~

~ Sheep in their barn, horses beyond ~

 All the animals have free choice shelter and warmed water to drink.

 ~ snow insulates, helping keep sheep warm ~

 

 I wear plenty of warm clothing, so much that I'm usually too warm, especially if the wind isn't blowing.  Over the years, I've found layers the best way to keep warm and the best way to accomplish chores. When wearing too many bulky clothes, it's difficult to move and, if I fall down...like today...more difficult to get back on my feet. Today I wore tights, sweat pants, wool socks, long sleeved tee-shirt, light weight jacket, light weight hooded sweat shirt and, finally, a heavy sweat shirt jacket but no gloves. The temp was about 26 but no wind so chores were easy today. The Ranger has a wonderful heater and that's a huge help; especially for Abbie. At some point during chore time, she'll get into the Ranger and the only way she'll come out is if I carry her back to the house. She's an old girl and I don't mind; we've been BFF a good many years now.

We're expecting more snow, church has already been canceled tomorrow as has the Christmas play tomorrow night. Another storm means cloud coverage and that means no internet. I'm prepared though, this entry will, hopefully, go up in a few minutes and there are a half dozen library books waiting. The  corn bread goes into the oven in a few minutes to be eaten with the bean, kilbasa, turnip green soup and, wonder of wonders, we still have electrical power. Life is ummm ummm good!

Until next time,

Blessings ~ hot soup ~ finished chores ~ snow ~ snow ice cream ~ corn bread ~ good books ~ safe travel ~ our Sheriff's department ~ puppies who love the snow ~