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 ~

Blog Land

~ every day, a new beginning ~

We're at that awkward time of year, the week between Christmas and New Year's when things are either piling on and we're scurrying like mice trying to finish out year of end projects or we're working on some serious down time. Funny how there never seems to be an in-between yet I'm trying to do both - finish projects and work on down time as well as get ready for my January adventure.

I've not mentioned the studio and haven't because it's seriously gloomy. Boscoe Mancat now lives in the studio, healing from God alone knows what, and he's doing much better. His paw pads have completely healed, his coat is looking better, his eyes are bright but he still acts like the spirit has just plumb gone out from him. He shows no interest, whatsoever, in heading back outside and that's fine with me. I still need to do a bit of housekeeping studio keeping in order to place his food and water dishes and litter pan where he can get to everything but I don't have to keep stepping over them and must be easy to swoop up when the dogs enter the studio. The dogs show a most unseemly interest in not only the cat food but also the litter pan. The studio is only 12x12 so it's going to take some pondering to place everything and still keep the dogs bed in the corner.

~ Thistle Cove Farm studio ~

Earlier this month we had some torrential rain storms and I showed photos of the flooding in the valley. What I didn't show you were photos of the studio when the rain blew so hard it soaked the wall, the rug, materials and other things. I'm still not ready to take photos of the interior, bear with me. sigh.

Enlisting help, the wet rug was pulled up, taken to the barn to dry and then we placed a small heater in the studio so, hopefully, the floor wouldn't warp.

It's best to never become too cocky or overly confident, eh? It all happened again The Very Next Week..."deju vu all over again" as Yogi Berra once said. BTW, if you're not familiar with Yogi Berra, please do visit the link; the man was a true wit as well as being an outstanding baseball player. Yep, torrential rain storm, studio flooding, rug/wall/materials soaked...again..., another rug pulled up and taken to the barn...sigh. So, between the rains and the eye injury, I've not been in the studio the entire month of December. I have, however, been amusing myself, most recently, on the i-net; visiting interesting blogs where people are doing some beautiful work. I've also been reading Somerset Publications, Interweave Press and going through my personal library; the county library has been getting some serious use as well.

It's stinkin' cold here, temps is hovering...and none too well...at about 20 above and the wind chill is flirting with zero, below zero actually. It's almost not worth getting out of bed especially as the bedroom temp was a frosty 47.7 degrees F above zero this morning. But I did crawl out of bed and I've finished morning chores and there are many, many things I should could ought to be doing but I'm going to spread some cheer so, please, visit these blogs. It's only a small sampling so enjoy!


KC Willis, Lipstick Ranch, had a fabulous 2009! She's discovered how much she enjoys teaching, she spreads plenty of joy, she's been published in many publications and made teaching DVD's. She's in Colorado and one of my goals is to take a class from her in her studio; what a blast that's going to be! Visit her, via the link above, and see what she's doing and, as importantly, where you can take a class. The Guardian Angel is her gift to anyone who spreads the news...so go ahead...check it out.

Vicki at Field Trips in Fiber is drawing to a close on her December challenge. Somehow I missed it and just found it today. Brave woman actually posted her 2010 goals! Go thou and do likewise and I'll think about it -grin-!

Jude at Spirit Cloth is always doing beautiful work; it's a visit that will spark your creative juices, to be sure.

I just found Bee Creative and have enjoyed my visits. Each year, she "adopts" a word to explore and then plans her projects with that word in mind. Her word for 2009 was "intersection" while her word for 2010 is "direction". It's an interesting concept, one I'll consider.

Jo, Where Women Create, has a visual stimulating blog and publication. She also has dozens, if not hundreds, of links to other visual stimulating and creative blogs and sites.

Beth's blog, Sew, Mama, Sew! appeals on a variety of levels and to a variety of people. Her Handmade Holidays III had tutorials, recipes and a plethora of give-aways; those daily links will keep me busy for months!

Purl Bee is far more creative than I'll ever be but I enjoy visiting, just the same.


Hand Eye ezine is a wonderful publication; very informative and well written.

K. Baxter Packwood is a serious artist who says, "the quilt is the medium, not the subject!" Hmmm, how interesting, I like it. I like it a lot!

Alicia, at Posie Gets Cozy, has a cheerful blog, full of wonder, smiles and good things to make.

Pam, Pam Warden Art, is a gifted woman whose art makes you h-a-p-p-y! It's worth a visit just to stretch your face.

Jenny Doh, former Editor in Chief and Director of Publishing for the Stampington and Company Publications is starting a new venture called Crescendoh and will certainly set the arts community on its ear. Again. She's one of those women you just know would intimidate the socks right off of you yet is, more than likely, as kind and down to earth as is possible. For certain, she has more energy than Superwoman and I'm looking forward to Crescendoh as well as the new Editor in Chief ??? for all those wonderful Stampington magazines.

Lisa Swifka is hosting One World, One Heart, for the fourth year, and that's always the highlight of any year's beginning. It takes place 25 January to 15 February; this will be my third year of participating and what FUN! There are always new blogs to visit, new things to learn, new people to meet...come and join Lisa and the rest of us; you'll like it, I promise! There are only a few, but necessary guidelines, to, hopefully, prevent unhappiness. Last year I gave away four gifts  and am pretty sure those gifts were received. I believe so 'cause the woman I didn't hear from was the same woman who complained her gift "was late" -smile-. Oh well, it takes all of us to make the world go 'round, eh?

My sidebar, Cozy Visits, has a list of interesting, informative, fun, creative, faith inspiring blogs to visit. In looking at the sidebar, I'm reminded of the babies...and the foals...born in 2009, of the saints gone on before, of jobs lost and jobs gained, of families divided and reunited, of wonderful meals, excellent projects, new homes, marriages, beginnings, endings, trials and tribulations...in short...I'm reminded just how small this ole world truly is. When I count my blessings, each of you are included; when I say my prayers, your name is on the prayer list. Yes. You are.

~ light the candles  ~

These dark, winter days keep your candles lit and the blankets piled on the beds. Stay warm and cozy, make plans and goals but save make time to enjoy the experience of now.

Until next time,

Blessings ~ you ~ me ~ excellent publications ~ fun blogs ~ quilts ~ candles ~ good memories ~ goals ~ plans ~ beginnings ~ endings ~ a new year ~

 

Quilting and Snow, Snow, SNOW!

 

~ J.W's Christmas gift ~

This is the quilt I made for JW, my nephew. He loves to hunt and is a real home-boy, steady, reliable, courteous and spends his evenings, mostly, at home. Last year, I made him a fleece throw and he uses it constantly. Unfortunately, it's a tad short and he has to choose to have either his chest uncovered or his feet. This quilt is about double sized, perhaps a bit larger, and should cover him more than adequately. The colors were chosen because they look camouflage but, I don't think, as distracting. In fact, I think they are rather pleasing and I wouldn't mind having a similar quilt with a different back.

It's a Turning Twenty pattern on one side and on the other side, a stag deer pattern on a solid piece of material. Due to my recent eye injury, I was unable to hand quilt so had this one machine quilted with maple leaves and then hand hemmed and am over the moon with how nice it looks. I am now, officially, a huge fan of machine quilting!

I tried to get close up so you could see the stags but it looks slightly wonky due to the surrounding snow.

Perhaps this is better:

JW has a brother, Staff Sgt. D., who is serving in the Air Force. I have material to make him a quilt and will, hopefully, have it ready for his May birthday. Every year it seems I'm getting ready for Christmas sometime in late summer/early autumn and then WHAM! it's here and I've not finished everything I wanted to make for folks. Fortunately, the nephews are forgiving lads and as long as I keep the gifties coming, they are kept happy. -smile-

 The back porch is always a good place to sit and watch the pastures, the valley and Morris Knob. This hand built chair is lovely with the snow piled upon. Did you know five inches of snow equals one inch of water? We had about twenty plus inches over the weekend, and more since, so Mother Earth is drinking her fill, slowly.

~ back porch resting place ~

Recognize the studio? We didn't have that much snow but we did have snow drifts that large. Boscoe Mancat now lives in the studio and he's grateful when I make my way there with his canned tuna, fresh water, cat food and fresh kitty litter.

 Christmas decorations are simple. Inside several Nativity sets adorn separate rooms and outside wreaths hang on gates, studio and barns.

  The puppies love LOVE the snow and spend hours playing; so much time playing outside that when they come inside, they are covered in snow. Sam more than Sadie and he has huge snow balls hanging off his feet and face. He just gives me a goofy grin and jumps up for lovin'. Sadie does her attack stance while Sam watches thoughtfully. Sadie runs...

  Sadie pounces...

  Sadie rolls Sam into the snow...

 Sam escapes and runs back...yes back! for more fun.

The sheep aren't so impressed but then, for the most part, they are aged. I've got a couple of old guys who will be put into the barn and short lot when if the snow melts anytime soon. Now, I just feed them as separately as possible from the rest of the flock and they seem to be doing as well as possible...considering their age. They must be close to 15 or 16; I brought them, from someone else and to Thistle Cove Farm in 1997, or thereabouts, so am not really sure of their age.

Peaches and her son Dandy Man both eat from the same flake of nutritious alfalfa. Peaches is Queen and although she allows Dandy to share her food, she makes sure he doesn't eat more than she allows. They are both American Curly horses and Peach has a wiry, poodle coat while Dandy has a straight coat.

 Sam has springs where his legs should be. If he wants to jump up, not a problem, he simply looks at where he wants to be and then POOF! rises to that point. It's absolutely amazing and he's constantly surprising me with how high he jumps.

One of the things that brings me great joy is a barn loft FULL of lovely, sweet smelling alfalfa. We put up more than 300 square bales of hay this summer as well as a couple of dozen round bales. The square bales weigh anywhere from 50 to 75 pounds and the round bales are 1300 pounds; enough for us and anyone needing hay for their livestock. Happiness is Hay, especially when you've mouths to feed!

Merry Christmas, until next time,

Blessings ~ snow ~ quilts ~ machine quilters ~ water ~ beloved sister, mother of beloved nephews ~

Bloggers Quilt Festival

~ Crazy Quilt, quilter and date unknown ~

Don't you just love clever people? Park City Girl is hosting a Blogger Quilt Festival and there are, currently, more than four hundred folks participating.

Perhaps some of you remember this quilt, above. Neither Dave nor I remember from whose family it came, perhaps his, perhaps mine. It's a crazy quilt with random materials including wools, cottons, silks and is in fairly good shape. There's no date nor signature so it's a guess as to how old it is but at least several decades, perhaps one hundred years or more. That sounds so old but when I think one hundred years ago would just be 1909, that doesn't sound so old.

~ Aunt Esther's hand made quilt, circa 1930 ~

This quilt was made by Aunt Esther in the 1930's and has seen a bit of use, resulting in a bit of wear. It's no longer used on a bed but hangs on the wall where it can be seen and admired. I want to make a label for it with Aunt Esther's name and date so future generations will know from whence it came. Aunt Esther has made hundreds, perhaps thousands, of quilts in her day; she'll be 92 in January and is still quilting, crocheting, tatting, etc. She makes apple butter in the fall, strawberry jam in the spring, hunts for morels, ramps and lives on her own. I'm going to see her next month and we'll have nice chin wags as we talk over old times and family.

Note to self...start labeling my own quilts! -smile-

~ Turning Twenty quilt watched over by Sam P. Spade, Secret Agent ~

This quilt is a Tricia Cribbs Turning Twenty pattern and one of a couple of dozen I've made. I'm not a fancy quilter but I do hand quilt and enjoy choosing various materials, designs and colors. In this quilt, each block has either hand quilted hearts, the names of Dave's cousin and his wife, their marriage date and a cross. Thus far, I've made quilts for almost everyone in my family and a lot of my friends. It's something I enjoy doing and one of my earliest memories, from age four or five, is of Granddaddy Bennett handing Mom and Daddy a five dollar bill and saying, "Here, take this money and buy the babies each a blanket. Don't let them get cold, keep them warm this winter." Mom would have bought two blankets, one each for my brother and I, and had change left over from that five dollar bill. In Appalachia, then as now, a lot of folks are concerned with needs - food, shelter, clothing - and wants come after. 

I hope folks enjoy receiving one of my quilts or, 'deed, anything I've hand made. It's a labor of love, as you well know if you do hand work, and one of the most defeating emotions is the one when someone looks at their gift, the work of my hands and heart, and says, "oh. thanks." Granted, it's a short list but those few folks will never, ever get anything other than store bought from me again. I don't say that in anger but there are too many people who do appreciate hand made to waste it on folks who would rather have store bought. And that's okay. Not everyone wants hand made, some think it cheap and mean and they would rather have store bought.

I'm not a grand quilter; truth be told, I'm only passable but I follow Mother Teresa's dictates. She said, "None of us can do anything great on our own but we can all do small things with great love." That's why and how I quilt...it's not great but it is done with great love and each quilt is made with prayers for the person who'll receive it. I know they'll sleep warmly and tucked, quite literally, into prayer.

I've read the smallest deed always exceeds the grandest of intentions. That's so true, isn't it? If you've often thought you'd like to learn to quilt or sew or knit or crochet or --- fill in the blank, do it. Don't wait for 'some day'; today is the day, now is the time. What you make doesn't have to be perfect and, in fact, the Amish always make a small "mistake" in their quilts because "only God is perfect". This winter is going to be cold and someone, somewhere could use a bit of colorful happiness, in the form of a quilt or hand knit or crochet hat or scarf or something that's warmly sewn. Do small things with great love; the rewards are out of this world.

Until next time,

Blessings ~ Bloggers Quilt Festival ~ Park City Girl ~ quilts ~ quilters hands ~ small things with great love ~ the work of Your hands ~

Green Corn Moon, August

~ Thistle, namesake of Thistle Cove Farm ~

Sometimes we manage to miss a thistle plant, or dozen, but they are such beautiful flowers. I've read a weed is a flower one doesn't want and while I would like to have a small garden of thistles, that's nigh impossible as the stinkin' things don't know their place and want to take over the world not to mention this small farm!

We have a few pieces of Scottish Buchan Thistle Pottery and a lovely tea service as well. I bought the tea service at a thrift store, way back in 1981, far before I'd met Dave and we'd made our decision to marry, move to a farm and name it Thistle Cove Farm. Over the years, we've been given a few pieces of this pottery and I'd love to have an entire set. We've never bought a set of dishes, relying instead on the bits and pieces we each brought to our marriage as well as what Dave's mother brought when she moved in with us in 2000.

~ Some mornings I put the puppies on the back porch to eat their breakfast. ~

Abbie and Gracie don't receive as much food as the puppies and disagreemets tend to break out when Abbie and Gracie finish far, far sooner than the puppies. It's easier to put puppies on the back porch and keep the older dogs inside.

~ Sadie Lady and Sam Spade are concentrating on one dish while the kittens have dipped into the other dish. ~

~ Sadie Lady and Sam Spade watch, in amazement, as the kittens move in to claim both food dishes. ~

~ Grace, our Australian Shepherd x Corgi, ~

inside in the kitchen, looks beguilingly at me; she's asking for either treats of the eating kind or the petting kind. She'd rather eat but will settle for love -smile-. She's an old girl, somewhere around fourteen or older but was a rescue from the side of the road so her true age is known only to God. She's been a great companion and will still, on days when she's feeling particularly good, go to the barn for early morning chores. Usually, she's by the hearth having a snooze, waiting for the next meal.

~ Green Corn Moon ~

According to the Farmer's Almanac, August is the Full Sturgeon moon because of the fishing tribes of the Great Lakes. Some tribes called it the Full Red Moon for the reddish cast through a sultry haze while others called it the Green Corn or Grain Moon. As we're miles and miles from the Great Lakes and, according to my photo there's no reddish cast, it will be known as the Green Corn Moon.

~ Dry Run Creek ~

Dry Run Creek, for this time of year, has an amazing quantity of water. It's usually lower than this and in some August months, it dries up completely. It's about two miles, perhaps a bit further, from Thistle Cove Farm and is a lovely body of water with great Horny Head fishing in the winter and spring months.

~ White Tail Deer ~

This white tailed buck came too close for comfort to my car when I was heading out of the valley. I slammed on brakes, he scampered to the side of the road and then bounded away. In this photo, it's difficult to see but his antlers had new velvet; he is a beauty!

~ Banana walnut bread cooling on the porch railing. ~

~ Miss Emma is turning into a Fine Lap Kitty or, in this case, a Fine Shoulder Kitty. ~

She's had to stay inside, due to her cold, but she makes up for lack of kitten playmate time by following me around and using me as her play pretty. In this, unusually, quiet, pensive moment she was resting on my shoulder as I listened to preaching on the radio. As I type this, she's now in my lap cleaning her face.

~ Sam Spade and Sadie Lady romping on the sofa until Miss Kitty caught their attention. ~

Aunt Esther has always said, "for every fog in August, there's a snow in winter" and every morning, thus far, we've had fog. By my count that means we're expecting a bare minimum of seven snows this winter.

~ After the fog burns off, we're left with a beautiful sunrise. ~

You just can see the sheep on the hillside. This is where they, usually, spend the night although some nights they'll come into the little lot just this side of the barns. I've never quite figured out how they choose where they will sleep and they've kept it a secret all these years.

The day after a festival is always a physical let down. It takes so much energy to, properly, work a festival, imo, and all that energy has to come from the store room. Today is being spent unloading the car, putzing around in the studio, cleaning the kitchen and, perhaps, going to Joann Fabrics just for a little zero time. When I work a festival, it's show biz. By that I mean, people come to a festival to forget their troubles, have a good time, enjoy ??? -smile- festival food, look at the goodies, listen to fine music, see and be seen. They do not want to encounter someone with a surly attitude, listen to someone gripe, watch an altercation or, in any other way, have a negative experience. I enjoy people when it's my choice -smile- and try and let their few moments with me be a positive experience, one to remember fondly, have a chuckle or laugh, be thankful they met me.

~ James Campbell is a local author who writes of the old stories and ways he's been told all his life. ~

It's his way of passing along heritage, history and culture and he not only does a fine job as an author, he's a really nice gentleman as well. He has a great smile, a ready laugh and is just as quick to voice his opinion about the injustices of the world and our community. His wife, Rachel, just retired after working at Southern States for forty-three!!! years! Their son, Jim, is running for Board of Supervisor in Tazewell County and we'd be blessed to have him win. If I lived in his District, he'd certainly receive my vote.

~ The woman on the right is the jewelry maker and her friend came to help. ~

They were both great fun, all day, and I enjoyed their company even though, just now, I can't remember their names. The Appalachian Arts Center had two booths at the Highlands Festival and folks could sign up for different days to sell their wares. That's how these three, Barbara, a talented oil painter from Tannersville, and I, came to be at the Highlands Festival this year and we all had a Great Time!

~ Green Corn ~

On the way home, via Wardell Road, I stop at what used to be Half Mile Tree and took this photo. Half Mile Tree has gone the way of all flesh and is no longer although the scenery is as beautiful as ever. The rows of green corn stretch in undulating waves while Morris Knob stands sentry in the background left. No matter who has come before nor who comes after, this time now is my time to live in and appreciate the Cove. A blessing I don't deserve but deeply appreciate; Thank You, God.

~ When I got home, leftover soup was my supper. ~

I made this soup two nights ago and it was good then but it was delicious last night. It seems soup has to set up a while before the flavors meld and deepen into a richness redolent more as a whole than separately.

While a sweet onion or two was sizzling away in the deep iron skillet, I peeled and quartered several ripe tomatoes, opened a can of garbanzo beans and a can of artichoke hearts, thawed a container of home made chicken stock. When the onions were ready, I added all the other ingredients, some kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper and simmered the whole until heated through. I served over home made herb croutons and then topped with Parmesan cheese and served with Rosemary Garlic Olive Oil toasted bread. My Oh My, was it Ever Good but it was Even Better last night! As Julia would have said, "Bon Appetit!" but around here we say the blessing -smile-.

Blessings ~ scenery ~ the Cove ~ festivals ~ folks at festivals ~ August fogs ~ winter snows ~ old friends ~ new friends ~ home made soup, bread, croutons ~ another full moon ~

In These Times

Happy Anniversary Dave.

In These Times by Joan Armatrading.

The Full Buck Moon

These full moon photos were taken two nights ago, the first in the gloaming and the second around 2:00 a.m. Both this photo and the one below were taken from my back porch. This is the gloaming, that time between dusk and dark, when the night has yet to stake her claim and the day is relinquishing her hold. The word 'gloaming' is Scots, meaning to glow; for beautiful photos of the gloaming, click here.

Here, you can see the night has claimed her own.

Most full moons have at least two names, sometimes more. The Full Buck Moon, in July, is called so because it's when the new antlers of buck deer erupt in velvety fur coatings. Other names are Full Thunder Moon because of the frequent storms as well as Full Hay Moon. All the names are appropriate, don't you think? Thanks to the Farmer's Almanac, a lot of this information is still available and I am grateful. I tend to do things by the signs and the Almanac helps me know when to do what
This photograph was taken when I turned around and saw I'd left the door open to the mud room. The way the light is spilling out of the house, positioned against the full moon, pleased me.

Old ways and old days fascinate me. Oh no, it's not that I want to live at any other time than now because I figure this is where and when God wants me and that's fine by me. The Bible says, somewhere, but I can't recollect just now, that each generation becomes weaker and loses a bit more knowledge. So, when folks think we're so all fired smart because we've placed men on the moon or have a telephone that can take photos, send e-mails and the like, it's best to remember we've, more than likely, already lost more knowledge than we hold in our hands. If you doubt, just think of the Inca's Machu Pichu located in the Andean Mountains or Stonehenge in Great Britain constructed in the Neolithic period. Few know about Armenia's stonehenge called Karahundj or Carahunge. Stonehenge was constructed around 4000 BC but Karahundj was constructed 3,500 years earlier in the Sissian region of Armenia.

Dave and I have been to Karahundj and it is, in a word, Amazing! The 204 stone observatory stands on a lonely, wind swept hillside and many of the stones have holes in the top center that are directed on the horizon and toward space.

A few days ago, the dogs and I walked down the hill to the water trough. It needed to be cleared of algae and the dogs needed the exercise as did I.

The dogs loved the walk down the hill, not so much the walk back to the house. I ended up carrying Sam Spade as his little legs gave out on him. -smile-

You can see the rear of this deer as he's busily eating berries. Upon closer inspection, they looked to be red currants.

At least I think these are red currants.


These lovely snapdragons grow wild so every few days, I stop and cut a fresh bouquet for the tables and porches. Aren't they beeeyoouuutiful!?

"Miss Emma, Miss Emma! Calling Miss Emma! Are you ready for your closeup, Miss Emma?" She sure looks ready. Look at those cute little paws crossed and the beguiling way she stares at the camera. She's taking a break in my red yarrow; yes, the same red yarrow I grow as a dye plant. Oh well. At least Miss Emma will bring just as much enjoyment, perhaps more so, than does the red yarrow.

There are SO many deer around and all signs point to a cold winter. These three deer were grazing in a field a short distance from the house.

On the way to town yesterday, we saw yet another box turtle in the road. I slammed on brakes and Dave got out to render assistance.

Dave carefully moves the little box turtle to the side of the road, in the direction in which s/he was headed.


No one can accuse the Hardees in Tazewell of not having chicken! This little banty was on the loose and, since so many people in town have chickens, surely someone will claim her soon.

Early this morning, we headed to the barn to do chores. The sheep are just awakening as the morning sun streams across the valley, across our farm and across our near lot.

Sam Spade starts investigating the barn lot just behind the barn. The sheep have spent the night there and are still enjoying the cool of the morning.

WOW! Sam Spade jumps and turns back into the barn as one of the sheep bleat at him. Or, perhaps snorted. At any rate, it sure startled him.

Blessings ~ travel ~ all of creation's beloved ~ a helping hand ~ the moon ~ the early morning sun ~ gloaming ~ currants ~