Happy Birthday, Beloved

~ Dave, in Romania ~

"The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death."

~ I Corinthians 15:26 ~

"I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. 

I like to see a man live so his place will be proud of him." 

~ Abraham Lincoln ~

"Life every man holds dear; 
but the dear man holds honor
far more precious dear than life."

 ~ William Shakespeare ~ 

"The man who radiates good cheer, who makes life happier wherever he meets it, is always a man of vision and of faith. He sees the blossoming flower in the tiny seed, the silver lining to every cloud, and a beautiful tomorrow in the darkest today.
Good cheer is something more than faith in the future, it is gratitude for the past and joy in the present. Life for all of us has its hardships and disappointments. It is out of such stuff as this that human character is made. But after all this world is a pretty good place and we at least owe each other the courtesy of a smiling face and the inspiration of a cheery word.
To go about our work with pleasure, to greet others with a word of encouragement, to be happy in the present and confident in the future, this is to have achieved some measure of success in living."

~ Edwin Osgood Grover, The Book Of Good Cheer, 1913 ~ 

"If you live to be one hundred,

I want to live to be one hundred minus one day

so I never have to live without you."

~ A. A. Milne ~

"Surely God would not have created such a being as man, 

with an ability to grasp the infinite, to exist only for a day! 

No, no, man was made for immortality." 

~ Abraham Lincoln ~

"I almost wish we were butterflies and liv'd but three summer days - 

three such days with you I could fill with more delight 

than fifty common years could ever contain."

~ John Keats ~ 

In memory of Dave on his birthday.

Please visit Val, Pretty Little Rough Patches, and wish her a Happy Birthday; she shares Dave's birth day.

Blessings ~ Dave's companion and wife ~ memories ~ Dave made his peace with God only days before God called him home ~ 

Happy Birthday

"The more alive you are, the more you are aware of death."

~ Samuel Menashe ~

Refusing  At Fifty-Two To Write Sonnets

It came to him that he could nearly count

How many late Aprils he had left to him

In increments of ten or, say, eleven

Thus: sixty-three, seventy-four, eighty-five.

He couldn't see himself at ninety-six --

Humanity's advances notwithstanding

In health-care, self-care, or new-age regimens --

What with his habits and family history,

The end he thought is nearer than you think.

The future, thereby bound to its contingencies,

The present moment opens like a gift:

The greening month, the olden week, the blue morning,

The hour's routine, the minute's passing glance --

All seem like godsends now. And what to make of this

At the end the word that comes to him is Thanks."

~ Thomas Lynch ~

Rue
"For what I did
And did not do
And do without
In my old age
Rue, not rage
Against that night
We go into,
Sets me straight
On what to do
Before I die --
Sit in the Shade,
Look at the Sky"
~ Samuel Menashe ~ 

"Hope is easy and belief is simple in a warm green world. Winter is the time when man most needs the securities of unshaken certainty, whether it is the Winter of the soul or the harsh Winter of the year. I must know Winter if I am to know Spring and Summer. And here is Winter, with its own wondering and its quiet and its own discoveries, its solstice and its turn."  ~ Hal Borland ~

Messenger

"My work is loving the world.

Here the sunflowers, there the hummingbird --

equal seekers of sweetness.

Here the quickening yeast; there the blue plums.

Here the clam deep in the speckled sand.

Are my boots old? Is my coat torn?

Am I no longer young, and still not half-perfect? Let me

keep my mind on what matters,

which is my work.

which is mostly standing still and learning to be astonished.

The phoebe, the delphinium.

The sheep in the pastures, and the pasture.

Which is mostly rejoicing, since all ingredients are here.

which is gratitude, to be given a mind and a heart

and these body-clothes,

a mouth with which to give shouts of joy

to the moth and the wren, to the sleep dug-up clam,

telling them all, over and over, how it is

that we live forever."

~ Mary Oliver ~

A birthday is just the first day of another 365-day journey around the sun.
Enjoy the trip. 
~ Author Unknown ~

Many thanks to Marie Horvath's blog for some of these poems. 

Happy Birthday to Chris, my friend; we share today but she the elder by mere hours. Happy Birthday to me; may God grant me the desire of my heart which is to follow Him all the days of my life.

Blessings ~ Chris ~ another year ~ April, the cruelest month ~ 

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

~ Jim and his twin lambs~

Daddy is 83 years young today and as full of vim and vigor as ever! The photo above, tells a story of Appalachia in miniature. Daddy was seven years old and the baby boy of thirteen children. He's kneeling in front of a wood rack, the staple of any Appalachian home with only fireplaces for heat, and holding his pet twin black lambs. Black lambs were a rarity because they were, usually, killed at birth and their pelts given to Miss Viole, a neighbor who would make "mouton fur" coats for her rich clients in New York City.

Daddy, being the youngest boy, was allowed to keep these black lambs as pets. Aunt Esther told me Uncle Clarence, her husband and Daddy's oldest brother, took this photo. She said she remembered well that day because Uncle Clarence took her to his home to introduce her to his beloved baby brother. She said Daddy was oh so proud of his lambs and, if they weren't following him around, Daddy was following them around.

Daddy served in the Army, met Mom while he was stationed at Fort Eustis and has been a Bible believing Christian for as long as I can remember. Every year, for more than 40 years, he's read the Bible through each and every year! One of my fondest memories is seeing Daddy and Mom reading their Bibles every morning and starting their day with just a little talk with Jesus.

~ Daddy and one of his honey bees ~

Uncle Clarence started Daddy bee keeping when Daddy was twelve and found a swarm of bees on the mountain side. He told his big brother and when Uncle Clarence got off work, they both went to collect the bee swarm. Uncle Clarence gave Daddy a hive to put the bees in and said, "okay, now you're a bee keeper!" I've never known Daddy to wear any sort of bee keeper equipment; he's always so calm and patient around his bees and they never sting him, at least, not on purpose. He's been stung when he's accidentally squashed a bee but that's all in self defense; the bees never willing sting Dad.

When we were children, each year Daddy would get two weeks vacation from the power company so he and Mom would pile us in the truck camper and we'd see the USA...yep in our Chevrolet...truck. One memorable trip we made it to Wall Drug Store, Mt. Rushmore, Badlands, Yellowstone and Old Faithful and a bunch of other places in those two weeks! It was on that trip Daddy and I took a helicopter ride over Mt. Rushmore and I can still remember the whoosh feeling of weightlessness when the 'copter took off. Instinctively, I grabbed for Daddy's arm and he laughed like a loon; he was loving it too! Daddy and Mom instilled in me a love for travel as well as a love for Jesus.

 ~ Daddy and one of his bee hives ~

Happy Birthday  

Daddy!

God willing, you'll make it to 100 and achieve your goal of one century. You've been a blessing to all who have known you; many call you friend, one calls you husband but only three call you Daddy. We are all most blessed!

Blessings ~ Daddy ~ Mom ~ Steve ~ Stephanie ~ God centered family ~ me ~

Sabbath Keeping

 ~ the sheep of my pasture ~

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." ~ John 10:11 ~

"Once we roared like lions for liberty, now we bleat like sheep for security! The solution for America's problem is not in terms of big government, but it is in big men over whom nobody stands in control but God." ~ Norman Vincent Peale ~

"The King of love my shepherd is.

Whose goodness faileth never,

I nothing lack if I am his,

And he is mine forever."

~ Sir Henry Williams Baker ~

 "We herd sheep, we drive cattle, we lead people. Lead me, follow me or get out of my way."
~ General George S. Patton ~ 

"To create man was a quaint and original idea, but to add sheep was tautology." ~ Mark Twain ~

Blessings ~ Sabbath, a mini vacation every week ~ restful sleep ~ clean air ~ beautiful sky ~ the sun ~ the Son ~ today, a beautiful day for my birthday, thank you God ~

Thanks for visiting Thistle Cove Farm,
Sandra

It's Snowing!

~Driveway entrance ~ 

It's not our first snowfall but it's the most snow we've had this season and it's beeyouutifull!

If you're looking for my giveaway in conjunction with Season of Giving by Sew Mama Sew! it's here; you better HURRY, it's over tomorrow.

Christina Rossetti, one of my favorite poets, was born on December 5, 1830, wrote a poem that was set to music and has become my favorite Christmas carol, In The Bleak Midwinter. Yes, perhaps it does sound a bit...well...bleak but it's not. It's truly one of the most intense pieces of poetry I've ever read and it always, but always, speaks to my heart. Celtic Women do it beautifully as does Gloucester Cathedral Choir.

In the bleak midwinter

Frosty wind made moan,

Earth stood hard as iron,

Water like a stone;

Snow had fallen, snow on snow,

Snow on snow,

In the bleak midwinter,

Long ago.

 

Our God, heaven cannot hold him,

Nor earth sustain;

Heaven and earth shall flee away

When he comes to reign;

In the bleak midwinter

A stable place sufficed

The Lord God incarnate,

Jesus Christ.

 

Enough for him, whom Cherubim

Worship night and day

A breast full of milk

And a manger full of hay.

Enough for him, whom angels

Fall down before,

The ox and ass and camel

which adore.

 

Angels and archangels

May have gathered there,

Cherubim and seraphim

Thronged the air;

But his mother only,

In her maiden bliss,

Worshipped the Beloved

With a kiss.

 

What can I give him,

Poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd

I would bring a lamb,

If I were a wise man

I would do my part,

Yet what I can I give Him —

Give my heart

Hound of Heaven, by Francis Thompson, is the same in intensity; it's quite strong and vivid. It's a long poem, some 180 plus lines and begins:

I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;
  I fled Him, down the arches of the years;
I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways
  Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears
I hid from Him, and under running laughter.
                             Up vistaed hopes I sped;
                              And shot, precipitated,
Adown Titanic glooms of chasmed fears,
From those strong Feet that followed, followed after.
                              But with unhurrying chase,
                              And unperturbed pace,
                            Deliberate speed, majestic instancy,
                              They beat--and a Voice beat
                              More instant than the Feet--
                             "All things betray thee, who betrayest Me."

 It's a fabulous piece of literature and well worth the read, so, settle yourself down and  go to Hound of Heaven to read in its entirety.


The snowstorm brought us about six inches with a few more expected tonight. I've been busy, straightening house, de-cluttering, burning stuff, throwing stuff away, giving stuff away, etc. It's been great using the burn barrel; the snow keeps the fire from sparking and when one side gets cold, turn around! Plus, the Ranger has been used as a shelter when the cold became too much to bear.

~ Abigail, in her Christmas sweater, and Sadie, in hot pink ~

 Abigail had to be coaxed out of the house; she despises wearing a sweater and gives me the Evil Eye. When I put it on her, she stands there and glares at me then sits down and sulks. Sadie is happy to wear her sweater and doesn't much care if she looks like a tart; just as long as she's warm!

~ Sadie, crouching in attack position, waiting to pounce on Sam ~

Sadie is a Rhodesian Ridgeback, a breed originating in South Africa and bred to hunt lions, guard the farm and herd cattle. Sadie has a large hunt instinct and is Always Ready to pounce on Sam Spade. He's always willing to oblige being pounced upon and will return insult for injury or vice versa. Thank God they have never hurt each other too badly; just the odd bruise or nip here and there.

After the pounce, all is joy again and the BFF's happily continue their march.

~ Breakout! ~

It seems I forgot and left a sheep gate open yesterday and this morning the sheep were in the barn lot. Fortunately, the grass is still good in the barn lot and they weren't interested in leaving the farm and entering the road. When they saw us coming down the driveway, most of them headed back into the barn and back through the open gate. They knew I'd throw hay to them on the other side of the fence and they were Ready to eat!

Recently, I've listed to two preaches who, apparently knowing nothing, or not much, about sheep, didn't hesitate to give their opinions regarding sheep. Some of the comments include, "dumb, stupid, not a brain in their head, easily led" and you get the picture.

Gentlemen, while I respect you as preachers and men of God, you really should learn something, first hand, about sheep and not rely on what you've been told. I can only respond regarding my sheep and my experience with my sheep and if you'd like to come and shepherd for a week or two, consider this your invitation.

Are sheep easily led? Not hardly. They will, however, easily follow IF they deem you worthy and, more importantly, if you have f-o-o-d. Are they stupid? Not really. They know where the good grass is located, remember all the places at which they may drink delicious water AND...the most important point...have trained ME to take care of THEM!

It is, sadly, true they lack a good defense. Unless, of course, you consider a sturdy head butt as not much of anything. Frankly, a sheep can take out a human and do severe damage, including death. At the least, a knee separated from its moorings can do lasting damage and enormous pain. But, on the mountain, a good guard dog is worth his, or her, weight in gold.

I do know those Bible verse about sheep and it's true we humans are, somewhat, like sheep. We want the easy life, to have hay thrown at us, to eat and sleep at will, to chew our cud while thinking our deep thoughts, to require the world revolve around us as opposed to vice versa. Yes, sheep do act like they believe, "It's all about US". How Very Human! So, perhaps that should be, "Sheep are like we humans." Now, Preacher Man, there's a topic you could sink your teeth into!

 Until next time,

Blessings ~ sheep back in their pasture ~ dogs who are good helpers ~ Christmas carols ~ sheep ~ Christina Rossetti ~ Francis Thompson ~
 

Last of Oct and DST - Hurrah!

 

~ The view from my bedroom window, for a couple of weeks at least ~

 
Anyone remember that old Emmy Lou Harris song, Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town? Great song and singer; she's got the gift of harmony and I can't carry a tune in a bucket. It's just not fair. As to the above photo, it's what I see, for a couple of weeks, when I look out my bedroom window. Beautiful, eh?

We're closer to a full moon than a quarter but I really like this photo, below. Besides, it's cold and rainy outside; I daresay I can even see the moon tonight so this will do.

~ Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town ~

It's the last evening of October and November is creeping near. The weather is cold, rainy and windy and the front gate is locked along with all the barns, outbuildings and gates. The cats are inside and, at 8:12 p.m., I'm already looking, with great fondness, to my bed. Tonight we lose daylight saving time and I begin the long crawl back to normal, meaning Real Time. Sun Time. God's Time, the way He intended. I know some folks who love DST, would love to have it year 'round. I'm not one of 'em. I'm fairly flexible on some things but not this. I find it incredulous man would consider he knows better than God. Ole Ben Franklin had some good ideas but DST isn't one of 'em. Not imo.

 ~ Wagon wheel framing Carly ~

 

Recently, the days have started foggy and then cleared up. Mostly, the sheep are closer to the house with Carly being the one who always greets me, always wants to know how I'm doing, if I've any treats. She's a rare, primitive breed Shetland who is gentled and domestic with a fondness for humans, at least a fondness for me. She tolerates the dogs because she knows they come with the territory but doesn't brook any nonsense from them. Carly has two sons, Samuel and Jacob, both are Shetland x Romney and almost as gentle as she. She's raised them well, has always been a good mother and is now retired. She has nothing more to do than give sheep kisses and watch for me. It's enough, she's earned her rest.

~ Dog pose for PLAY! ~

Anyone who knows dogs, knows this pose; Sadie wants to PLAY! Sam P. Spade, Secret Agent, on the other side of the gate, caught this glimpse of Sadie and re-thought his position. He loves playing with Sadie but likes it better in the yard; outside the yard, there's smells to investigate, places to go, things to do. Sam is a dog's dog; Sadie is still, mostly, puppy; funny that, considering they are about the same age, give or take a week or two.

Abbie and Sam are sniffing wind; Abbie likes to test the wind with her eyes shut and that tickles me. She's a dog who put her whole being into what she does, a typical terror as Jacks are known around here. Abbie has been living with us for 12 years and she was full grown when she came here to be my heartbeat; she's earned her grizzled muzzle. Sam is such a dear thing; God sends us to each other, animals and humans, humans and humans. It's only when we're open to the experience that we're ready for each other; until then, we're wandering in the dark, eyes wide shut and crying piteously about how alone we are in this cold world.

A dog has olfactory senses at about 10,000,000 to our 10,000 and it's no wonder they are the superior creature when it comes to senses. I listen to and watch my dogs closely; they teach me something everyday.

~ Abbie and Sam P. Spade, Secret Agent ~

Earlier this week, Sadie tried on her new cloak. Ridgebacks have an extremely short coat and when sleeping under blankies, as does Sadie, they have no guard hair coat. I bought this nasty colored XL pink fleece coat on sale and it's got to have a bit of cutting and sewing to fit better around the legs but Sadie seemed to like it just fine. She wasn't that crazy about getting it on but after it was on, she loved it. Sadie is seven months old, today...HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SADIE!...and she weighs eighty-one pounds. O dear. We don't think she's going to get as large as Shaddie, our first Ridge, because Shaddie weighed 110 at her fighting weight. But. At eighty-one pounds and seven months old, Sadie may well reach Shaddie's weight and then some. No, she's not fat; it's muscle. BTW, pink was not my first color choice but it was on a wonderful sale so pink is what she's wearing.

~ Pretty in Pink ~

 We wanted to run away from home today but my energy level just wasn't up to it so we stayed home. Dave napped and I tried but couldn't get my mind to slow down with my body. My old stand-by, reading, didn't help either so I went to the studio and worked. An Agatha Christie audio book kept me company as the dogs came and went and I was able to finish three fleece throws -Christmas gifts-, prepare a double size fleece quilt for hand quilting -not sure who gets this one-  start another Very Colorful quilt -for me, I think- and almost finish a shopping bag. At Joann Fabric I found half dozen shopping bags "patterns" on sale and that's how some folks are getting their Christmas gifts...in a hand sewn bag. It's one that would work well for a few groceries, the library or just to keep in the car to have handy. I think I'll make and give one away in the One World One Heart event starting Jan 2010. If you're not aware of the OWOH event, it's a ton of fun although there are some mean-spirited folks who sign up and then don't follow through. Tsk. Tsk. I understand life gets in the way of living but, come on...just tell your winner you've hit a rough patch and explain the situation. Most of us are understanding of hard times; we've all been through them and the game isn't over yet.

Anyhoo. Sew Mama Sew is hosting their third annual Handmade Holidays. I missed out on the first two and am glad to have found it now even though I'll have to go to town to download tutorials because we haven't the bandwidth.A lot of my Christmas gifts are hand made and I love finding new things to make and give away; with November 1 coming at us like a freight train, it's almost past time to get in gear. What is it? Fewer than sixty days until Christmas? YIKES! Earlier tonight I committed to making my sibling's step-grandchildren a quilt for Christmas. Thank God there are only two boys each and they both like Spiderman; now to find some Spidey material.

~ Sew, Mama, Sew! Handmade Holidays ~

I'm so far behind...I need to send yarn samples to a couple of women and am also going to send them a small goodie just to say "I'm sorry. Life got in the way of living and I'm terribly late."  Like a lot of folks, I get behind and then beat up on myself because I get further and further behind, all the while, not keeping in touch until I've beat myself black and blue with remorse. I hate disappointing people and find, again, like so many folks I pile it on until I'm snowed under. Don't get me wrong. I say "no" frequently but I also am bad to volunteer myself and then bow and stumble under the weight I've made myself carry.

I've nattered away another while so time to say good-bye and head to bed. I'm taking aspirin, my drug of choice, so I'll sleep well, soundly and deeply...or is that all the same thing? I dearly love aspirin and, no, I don't use it a lot but when I do use it, it's because I NEED it. God bless the man, or woman, who gave us aspirin!

Until next time,


Blessings ~ critters, beasts and varmints ~ quilting ~ my studio ~ aspirin ~ holidays ~ view from any window ~ sun time ~
 
 

Talent

Millie, a Very Dear Friend is a Master Knitter. She probably wouldn't claim that title but she doesn't have to; I bestow it upon her. She's so talented in many ways and this amulet is another example.

Millie made this beaded amulet and it's in a favorite color, purple, with a thistle button. I simply cannot imagine how long it took her, patiently putting beads on a beading needle, following the instructions and finishing with this beautiful piece! She's one of those people who use their time to Make Things and doesn't have a blog. When I see what Millie's been up to lately, I question whether or not I should keep up my blog...but I enjoy my blog so will stay the course. I'll blog about Millie though and sing her praises; she's not going to. -smile-

THANK YOU MILLIE! You know how I adore hand made things and especially when it comes from someone I love so much.

Blessings ~ Millie ~ beads ~ amulets ~ purple ~ thistles ~ friendship ~

Happy Birthday!

"Give me my flowers while I live." Grandmother had this saying on her living room wall and it's always meant the world to me. Why do we wait until someone has passed to send flowers? Let people know you love them NOW, not later. Later may be too late both for them and for you.

Sisters and teachers Patty Hill and Mildred J. Hill wrote Good Morning to All which later became more well known as the music for Happy Birthday To You. Patty was born in Anchorage, Kentucky!...I mean, who even knew there was an Anchorage in Kentucky?! and Mildred was born in Louisville and we all know where Louisville is located...right?

Anyway, Mildred specialized in the study of Negro spirituals and, along with her sisters, was honored at the 1893 Chicago's World Fair for their work in progressive education. All three sisters, there was a Jessica as well, were kindergarten teachers and Mildred also a Sunday School teacher.

Patty was key founder of the National Association Nursery Education (NANE), now known as National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

The Hill sisters first wrote the song "Good Morning to All" as a welcome song for children to sing to their teachers. Mildred wrote the melody and Patty the lyrics and the song first published in 1893 in Song Stories for the Kindergarten.

In 1912 Happy Birthday To You first appeared in print and is the most well-known song in the English language. He's a Jolly Good Fellow follows and Auld Lang Syne is third most well-known.

In 1996 the sister's were inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame and about time too!

So, today is my birthday and I want to honor the sisters, Patty and Mildred. Because of you people all over the world sing Happy Birthday To You and, hopefully, someone will sing it to me today.

Blessings ~ Patty and Mildred ~ birthdays ~ music ~ flowers ~ love ~