~ Gypsy Rose Lee ~

Praise be to the Almighty! I've had two good days...yesterday and today...where I was able to do something other than cry. I've been catching up on bill paying and took my laptop and printer to Kewloff Computers and put everything in the capable hands of Jason and Tara, the owners.  Dave found Kewloff when the shop first opened and Jason has proven to be most excellent at his job as well as public relations. Tara is just as wonderful and I first met her in WalMart. She was buying kitty "stuff" and (of course) I had to give her my opinion. She's since forgiven me...right, Tara?...and both Jason and Tara are sturdy, responsible, conservative folks who will, hopefully, be in business a long, long, long time. Tara is one of those people who picked up the phone and called me one day. "You're on my mind; how are you doing?" If you've never had someone ask then you can't possible know what those few words meant/mean. She called during a low spell and it meant the world that an acquaintance would ask. God knows few friends were asking. So, never, never, ever underestimate the power of a phone call or a note; God may want to use you in such a way so don't disappoint Him or the person He wants to bless through you. The mission field is under your feet; bloom where you're planted.
I'm trying to make the most of the good days and get a lot accomplished. It seems I'm moving forward although I seem to focus on what's left on the ever-growing to-do list and not on what's been marked off. How about you? What's your focus?
Gypsy Rose Lee came to me via Freecycle in Abingdon. This was shortly after Dave died and someone needed to find a home for Gypsy and I responded. She was spayed and had her shots; how could I say no? Are you familiar with Freecycle? It's all over the USA, perhaps internationally as well but I'm not sure, and where people off-load "stuff"...furniture, bicycles, animals, clothing, electronics, appliances, etc. The key word is free so I try not to look too closely at their listings -grin-.
It's raining although the thunder and lightening have passed to the east; there might be a little while left where it's comfortable enough to sit on the back porch. I need to relax a bit after getting so much accomplished today. Tomorrow will, hopefully, be another good day and there's plenty more left on the to-do list.
I'm getting the children for Easter break so need to get the house ready so we can do some outside work, weather permitting. Those little ones are great with the wagons!
BTW, please say a prayer for my Beloved Sistah; she's sick with upper respiratory epizootics and severely under the weather. That's about it; bless God for a couple of good days and something accomplished other than tears.

Blessings ~ the strength to do the work God sets before me ~ a good day ~ the children ~ my Beloved Sistah, the best one in the entire Universe! ~

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 ~

The Place Where Morning Gathers

 ~ the place where morning gathers at Thistle Cove Farm ~

 Are you familiar with Rich Mullins? He was a extremely gifted Christian song writer and musician who passed away in 1997 but left behind a legacy of music and words that are haunting in their beauty and are being sung still today. He played several instruments and was best known for his skill on the hammer dulcimer; you've probably sung his songs in worship services. Sing your Praise to the Lord and Awesome God are two of his songs. His last major work, Canticle of the Plains, was loosely based on the life of St. Francis of Assisi.

In 1993, he founded the Ragamuffin Band, taking the name from Brennan Manning's book, The Ragamuffin Gospel, written in 1990 where Manning defined ragamuffins as "the burdened, the wobbly and weak-kneed, the inconsistent, unsteady disciples. the smart people who know they are stupid. the honest disciples who admit they are scalawags".

ouch. um. That would be me. Trying hard but, mostly, trying. A practicing Christian because I can't seem to get it right. In fairness though, I'm not that inconsistent because there's one thing I know and that is I'm a child of the Almighty God; it's what keeps me on the straight and narrow, heading forward with eyes upon the Christ prize in heaven. I know there are folks who don't embrace Christianity, nor indeed, any faith. I'm good with that; it's between them and their God but when ya know that ya know that ya know...it's a really great thing!

Back to Rich...he wrote a song...and I'm ashamed to say I can't remember the words...but he's playing the hammer dulcimer and the song is s-w-e-e-p-i-n-g in its grandeur. He starts with the words, "in the place where morning gathers..." and goes on to talk about "those wild Dakota hills", "there's fury in a pheasant's wings...". There are only a few songs that, when driving, I'll chance blowing out the speakers; this is one of them. I'll throw open the moon roof and, I'm telling you...I can feel God. Right there, just above my moon roof, sitting on His throne, tapping His toe, swaying with the music and...this is the part that stings, just a tad...smiling because He's got Rich there in front of Him, singing to his own CD.

Way cool. When I saw sunrise this morning, I thought of Rich playing his hammer dulcimer, singing his heart out and the sheer joy he derived from what he did, when he nailed "it" and knew it. The sheer joy I feel when I listen to his music or the music of The Ragamuffin Band or read the Ragamuffin Gospels and know we're all in this thing called 'life' together; we're all struggling, we're all pressing onward toward a goal of our own choosing.

At the barn, Dandy, scratches his head against the door handle before coming over to say good morning. I love the way the light streams in, casting long shadows against the dirt floor and the old timbers.

Peaches, ruler of the pasture...or at least her pasture and her three "youngins".

I've separated the eight horses into four and four so the two geldings are apart. HayJ, the big'un was beating up on Dandy which wasn't a good thing. Not a-tall.

~ wagon wheel, framing sunrise ~

The gardens have played out but there's still beauty to be found in the leftover flower heads.

 This is one of three suns hanging on the studio; he holds birdseed as an offering to the little ones. This morning I noticed there are three suns hanging on the studio; all different, all with a benevolent smile, each with a different job; it would appear I have a thing for the Son.

~ stacked, creamy thread and yarn ~  

~ pinks and reds ~

 There's no place for the eye to rest without seeing something beautiful and meaningful. Some might think it crowded, cluttered and too busy but, for me, it's restful, peaceful, exciting and invigorating all at once. It's a great place to simply "be".

Boscoe has become my studio cat. Without going into a long story, after we came home from the beach, I found Bos staying at the barn but he's not a barn cat. He's a back porch cat and when I brought him back to the house, he was in pitiful shape. Something has been pounding on poor Bos with regularity and with power. Bos is not a fighter, he's a lover and has always been a cuddlekins. We weren't sure about bringing him into the house...too many kittens and puppies and things would go wilder than usual, so, last night, he was put into the studio with litter box, food and water. The studio has heat and he's been, safely, ensconsed there ever since. He's happy, has been a perfect gentlecat and shows no signs of wanting to leave so he doesn't have to leave; he'll stay until he decides he wants to mosey back outside. In the meantime, he has several perches, this one with a stunning view.


---not sure what's going on with the italics, can't return the font to plain...sorry--


Are you familiar with Stampington and Co.? How about Somerset Studios? The later is published by the former with a slew of terrific, inspiring and inspired magazines including Artful Blogging which is a collection of "visually inspiring on-line journals". In other words, eye candy. Zowie eye candy. A place where like minded folks are gathered to be showcased, to strut their stuff and, perhaps most importantly, to show the rest of us we're not alone in our quest to make things with our hands, our hearts, our minds. To bring beauty, coziness and comfort into our worlds and our homes. To celebrate our a-likeness, to accept our differences, to gather ideas, to be stimulated and to stimulate, to share. I believe it's a quarterly publication; when a new issue comes out, it's my constant companion and goes where I go. Okay, not in the shower but, certainly, in the bath and most definitely to bed. 


Other of their magazines are HandCrafted and Life Images but I've not found either one in the bookstores so I'm going to have to order them both. Seriously. My mental health demands it.


Until next time,


Blessings ~ being able to see the place where morning gathers ~ the barn ~ sunrise ~ Boscoe ~ inspiration before me, in print and on the web ~ Rich Mullins' music ~ ragamuffins, loved by God ~

Good Morning, Lord!

~Miss Emma ~

Miss Emma has turned the corner, please God, and we think she's going to make it. She's had a severe respiratory illness, not quite sure but it could have been pneumonia, and she was a sick little kitty for several weeks. Her breathing has softened and we can now hear her purr without the raspy, watery, labored breathing she's struggled with since bringing her home. She's been on a couple of rounds of antibiotics, an immune builder and other meds that seem to, finally, be working!

Someone once said they wanted each day to be the kind of day when they rolled out of bed and said, "Good Morning, Lord!" instead of "Good Lord, it's morning!" Most of my days begin with the former and I'm thankful for that gift. I've read the meaning of Sandra means "helper" and Kay means "happy" so, I suppose that means I'm a happy helper -big smile-. Not always, no, of course not but mostly I am a happy helper.

These beautiful end of summer days are full of getting ready for winter chores, both inside and out. We bought 20 small containers of mums and now I need to get them into the ground. Mums are so cheerful and, when planted with copious amounts of horse manure, will grow sturdily and return to bloom for years.

The house is getting some work as well; Ron and Bill are here today working on our heating system. We had a major hot water heating pipe freeze, burst, thaw last December and many of our copper pipes and heating coils need to be replaced. Ron said if we put that big ole ugly pipe insulation on our inside pipes, as well as our basement pipes, it would help the situation so that's on the to-do list. By the month's end I'll exchange the summer curtains for the winter, insulated drapes and that helps with the heating bills. This is no mean feat as we have close to thirty windows in this big ole farmhouse and almost all of them will need draperies exchanged for curtains. Most of those windows are about nine feet by three feet so that means dragging the ladder from window to window, room to room, meaning...a full day's work.

I'm a cold weather kinda gal and firmly believe in the usefulness of wool - sweaters, vests, socks, shoes and wear all inside the house. There's absolutely no reason to be cold and it's always easier to add another layer. Mom always said, "it's easier to get warm in the winter than cool in the summer. You can always put on another sweater but you can only get so "nekkid" before people start complaining!" That's so true! -smile-

I'm fairly ashamed of the numbers of books I've allowed to pile up. We must have a couple of thousand and a lot of them are leaving this place. Thompson Valley Community Center has started a small lending library and I'm over the moon happy to give them A Lot of books to share 'round. We've been giving away furniture, rugs and other household belongings and people have been fast about putting their names on the "I'll take it" list.

In the course of cleaning, de-cluttering and general organization I've been using and keeping a list of some useful tips. Some of these tips Mama passed along to me, others have been read in the new Country Living Simple Country Wisdom book. This is a nifty little resource book, "501 Old-Fashioned Ideas to Simplify Your Life" by Susan Wacconer. She's done a bang-up job and I may even have to buy a copy after returning this library copy. Today I'll focus on laundry and tackle other rooms later in the month; the first tip isn't laundry but it's been my focus for a few weeks...aarrgghhh, puppies and kittens!!

*A spray bottle filled with water is Mighty Handy at keeping the animals "honest". Sadie is a True Rhodesian Ridgeback and due to her great size is Very Adapt at counter surfing, stove top stealing, cat food sneaking and the like. The kittens are Very Adapt at shredding curtains and I'm keeping spray bottles up and down stairs so I'm at the ready. I'm thinking I'll put the kittens in the bathroom at night to keep them from playing "Hang Kitty" on my curtains. Thus far, they have shredded two sets and I am now out for blood. Theirs.

*Vinegar and baking soda poured into drains will keep the drains smelling fresh. To keep the washer smelling fresh, occasionally run a small, empty, cold water load with a cup of vinegar.

*Laundry dye magnets placed into the wash will keep clothes from bleeding into each other. These magnets are treated "sheets", similar to dryer sheets and handy as a pocket on a shirt! I'm never without dye magnets for the laundry.

*Adding a cup of white vinegar to the wash prevents lint build-up and cuts the soap residue in clothes.

*When washing jeans or other heavy items, run them through an extra spin cycle to decrease dryer time (if you're not line drying).

*Use a laundry rack to dry clothes. In the winter, especially, drying clothes on a rack will add moisture to the air and decrease electrical costs because you're not using the dryer.

*I never use as much laundry detergent as recommended; it's simply not necessary, especially if I pre-treat stains. The result is I save money and my clothes aren't over soaped resulting in stiffness.

*Wash and dry as many loads as you have dirty. Wash lighter items first, then place in dryer while heavier items are washing; you'll use less electricity because the dryer only has to heat up once.

*For stains, there are laundry sticks or sometimes I'll daub the stained item with dish washing or liquid laundry detergent and then soak it soak in the tub overnight. That will usually remove stains. When whites get dingy add a full cup hydrogen peroxide to a full washload and let it soak for half an hour. That should get things sparkly white again; if not, simply repeat the procedure.

~Storage barn and run-in shelter on the farm ~

I love any view of Thistle Cove Farm and the Cove, especially in the early morning and early evening and, basically, any season. Each season brings its own delights and wonders and, even though the scenery never changes, it's always different.

~ A little country church on the way to White Top Mountain ~

This week I found a new to me blog and have enjoyed reading it. Today, the author said on Free to Be Me something that resonated like a gong striking a bell. "satan didn't take Martha out of the kitchen; he just stole her purpose for being there!" YEOUCH! I'd never considered that I allow, sometimes even Give Permission, to satan for stealing my purpose or stealing my reason. This week I'm putting on my thinking cap to study on this, new to me, idea and see if I can, with the help of God, tilt my life back level, on the straight and narrow course. Are you in?

Until next time,

Blessings ~ clean, fresh laundry ~ well behaved fur babies ~ morning, evening and all the rest of the day ~ a healthy Miss Emma ~ country churches ~ new blogs that speak, deeply, to me ~ barns that still serve useful purposes ~

Good Morning, Tuesday!

~ Sam P. Spade, getting bolder as he wanders amongst the sheep ~

Cooler morning weather has arrived, until Indian Summer that is, and puppies are responding by being more energetic than ever. They play like the world is going to end this afternoon, perhaps we should live our lives the same way, eh? Coming home from exercise classes yesterday, I picked up this intact male by the side of the road. As you can see, he's starved but we've given him three meals, water and some bones so he is now a happy camper. He's part hound and we discussed keeping him but I just can't take on the added responsibility. Larry N., our Animal Control Specialist, is supposed to retrieve him today and, usually, Larry is able to find homes especially in the northeast where, I'm told, it's against the law to have an intact male or un-spayed female unless one has a breeder's license. Hello Big Brother! I don't believe indiscriminate breeding is a good thing but I think government intrusion into our lives is a Very Bad Thing. I tend to be a Libertarian when it comes to government...the less, the better and, almost, none is best. Frankly, I think politicians should, by law, not accept "campaign contributions"...I've heard some call it "bribes" and who is really right or wrong as isn't this a matter of opinion based upon perspective? If politicians can't be moral and legal because they are gentlemen and ladies then it should be forced upon them. Just like they force upon us such stupid laws as "you can't hang an elephant", a law still on the books in Tennessee. Please don't think I'm picking on Tennessee as each state has their own share of stupid laws and ejiits in office.

~ He's a Sweet Ole Hound ~

Did you hear about the Nevada Senator who told a newspaper, "I hope you go out of business!" And why, you may very well ask, did a person elected by the people, supposedly serving the people, say such a thing? Because said newspaper dared to call into question the Senator's politics. Although the Senator is no gentlemen, he is the Senate Majority Leader; God have mercy! Elections are coming up in 2010, perhaps the good people of Nevada will prove to be smarter, Much Smarter, than their elected Senator. Let us hope so. In the meantime, Sherman Frederick has dressed down the Senator, rightfully so, but, like so many in the 'inner circle'...also known here as 'inside the beltway' he appears to believe he's a law unto himself. Sir, I say to you, "it's time to exchange your short breeches for big boy trousers and, if you can't act as a gentleman, then try to act in a manner that reflects well upon the Honorable position of Senate Majority Leader. Please stave off sullying the position. If you want to act like a boor, then please do so in private. Remember the old adage, "it's best to keep one's mouth shut and have people think you're a fool than open it and remove all doubt!"

~ Peaches looks like she's called a meeting -smile-. ~

The horses and sheep live together in peace...most of the time. The only time things get tense is when the horses get on a rampage and race across the pastures and the sheep scatter like raindrops on a windshield. In all our years of having both, I've never had one injure the other; indeed, I've never had a farm animal injure another farm animal, no matter the species. I believe this is due to two things with the first being God's grace and mercy overshadowing Thistle Cove Farm. The second is due to everyone knowing they will be fed and fed well. No one has to worry about ending up on the dinner plate, everyone has a job, no matter folks think it's silly of me to keep sheep until they die of old age. The sheep give beautiful fleeces and I truly believe, "Happy Sheep Make Beautiful Wool"; even unto old age the sheep fleeces are beautiful, strong and healthy.

~ Black face Shetland whethers find shade inside the old water reservoir. ~

Mama Cat moved her kittens which is an Amazing Feat! She had born them at the bottom of a fifty gallon barrel littered with straw. She waited until they were about four weeks old and then, picking each one up by the scruff of the neck, she jumped to the top of said barrel and then carried them to a new location, again on straw. I don't know if she moved the straw or if it was already there...another mystery. I am in awe at God's creation and the abilities He gave them. Mama Cat is a smallish cat and the kittens each weigh about half a pound so to jump that distance, carrying a goodly portion of your own weight in your mouth...defies anything I can do!

~ New kittens, moved out of the barrel and onto floor ~

I'd love to keep all four kittens as barn cats and take all but two of the barn cats I now have to the animal shelter. A year or two ago, a woman moved in down the road, stayed a few weeks and moved out. That wasn't the end of the story however. When she moved in, the story is she brought many, many, Many cats with her as well as dogs and horses. One dog was so wild, his collar was choking him because the dog couldn't be caught so the collar could be adjusted. I think animal control finally was able to pop it with a tranquilizer, adjusted the collar and then put the dog in a kennel until it could be gentled. Anyway, when the woman moved out, she left the cats; some say upwards of fifty but I don't really know. I do know some of those cats ended up in my barn, feral as feral can be, diseased with God alone knows what. I've been trying to gentle them and have two I can actually get my hands on; the rest are whisps of imagination whenever I'm around. As an aside, the Feral Tribune used to be a newspaper in Split, Croatia which is one country I'd love to visit. I'm afraid I'll have to not feed the barn cats for a few days...which I hate to do because that means the just as well as the unjust suffer...but it's, more than likely, the only way I can catch them. I'll wait until colder weather when they are hungrier and need more calories. I'd rather have them put down humanely than starved to death or die of disease. So, full circle here, that's why I picked up the stray dog. If he does die at the shelter, he'll die a much easier death than how he was headed when I found him.

I'm burning daylight, so, until next time ~

Blessings ~ an empty dog kennel ready to be used for strays ~ healthy animals ~ Mama Cat, who takes better care of her kittens than some women do of their babies ~ daylight ~ a kind, ole hound who came along peacefully ~ elections, vote intelligently! ~

Life at Thistle Cove Farm

~ Zinnia, one of God's happy flowers ~

I've been absent for a few days so this entry will be long, a catch-up post, if you will. I'm in need of a seated rest period and updating my blog is one guaranteed way to grab some chair rest.

It seems like the more I get done, the more there is to do. Anyone out there experiencing the same? I'm sure most of you. There have been some fabulous blessings, orchestrated as only God can do; specifically I'm thinking of Kathy's family. It's been a frustrating, anxious few months for her i-friends and many angst filled years for her family. So many others are in need of prayer - Suzy as she leaves her home and moves to another state to tends to her aged Uncle's needs. Her uncle's bank in Nevada failed last week...the first of many, if the signs are to be correctly read...and he, rightfully so, is panicked. Uncle is a new, very new, Christian in his mid 80's. Sharon's aunt has advanced cancer as well as Ahzheimer's and their family is caught up in care and concern. Betty, my cousin, is caring for her step-father in his last days. Betty's mother, my mother's sister, passed away last November, and her step-father has Alzheimer's. These but a few and so many people needing prayer, needing the whisper of God's voice in their ear.

I have a journal where I keep names of folks who have requested prayer and it seems the list grows at a much faster rate than it used to grow. One of my favorite hymns is "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" and one of my favorite lines of that hymn is "take it to the Lord in prayer". Irish born author, Joseph Scriven, was to be married but on the eve of his marriage, his betrothed drowned. Grief stricken, he re-located to Canada where he devoted himself to serving the poor but if one could afford his services, he would not work for them. Some years after moving to Canada and serving the poor, he also died in an accidental drowning.

In three short verses he testify's to the promises, peace, grace and mercy of Christ. Perhaps most of all, the peace.

"What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sings and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; Take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness. Take it to the Lord in prayer!

Are we weak and heavy laden, Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, still our Refuge; Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer.
In His arms He'll take and shield thee; Thou wilt find a solace there."

I don't listen much to popular music save Celtic, jazz, blues and female artists who are gifted song writers. Other than the aforementioned music, I listen to hymns, Gospel...but not Southern Gospel as I find it too too...if you know what I'm saying not very well -smile- and I listen to preaching. Also, I listen to audio books and enjoy them a lot as well. When I say I listen, in the main, to preaching and religious music what I'm really saying is I'm a pretty poor representative of Christ. If I don't fill my head with the Good Stuff then the bad stuff tends to surface...more than it already does, I'm sorry to say. I'm not one of those "good people" people talk about. I need to fill my head with hymns, preaching, the whisper of God on the wind or in the lowing of the cattle, bird song, puppies and dogs, cats and kittens, horses and, in general, nature as served up by God. Yes, I do listen to popular music when I take Zumba but the words just aren't as important as me as being busy trying not to stumble and die -smile-. After I take a Zumba class, yoga class is next and the instructor plays Celtic Women, Enya and the like so my head is filled with goodness when I leave the YMCA.

I've never understood folks who say, "I'm bored"; I think it shows a lack of imagination on their part. Thanks to Mama and Daddy, we were taught to entertain ourselves and if we couldn't entertain ourselves, there were always chores to be done. Time was not to be wasted on "nothingness" as "idle hands were the devil's plaything" as Mama always said. I still believe it although now I realize that restful periods aren't the same as idle hands. I've also learned to "keep the Sabbath" apart from the rest of the week. Keeping the Sabbath holy is a mini-vacation, a gift from God at the end/beginning of the week that restores, renews, refreshes and lets me end one week and enter the next with a calmness that gives reflection on what has passed and focus on what is to come.

~ Sadie, looking out of the dining room window. ~

We've been working on the house, getting that portion readied that was destroyed by the flood damage December past. I'm hopeful...always hopeful...we'll be finished Soon. The dining room walls have been replaced, the floor has been refinished and we still have to hang a ceiling fan and clean before moving furniture into this room. The parlor is crammed almost to the ceiling with dining room furniture and "stuff" so neither room can be used for the time being.~ The dining room had to be re-painted and floors re-finished. ~

The front porch is filled with tools that are going to be moved off the table today so we can go back to eating on the porch. What is it with construction folks? They just lay their stuff down any ole place, never considering if it's in my way and this has been going on for a couple of months now. We only get to use the front porch in nice weather and frost is little more than two weeks hence; time is a-wasting for front porch sittin' and eatin'!

~ Mama Cat ~

Mama Cat, four weeks ago today, had four kittens in the bottom of a fifty gallon barrel and it's going to be hard getting them out of that barrel! I want to catch some of the feral barn cats and relocate them to the "animal shelter" so the tame kittens and Mama Cat can live in the barn. On a farm, it's necessary to have cats to help keep down the rats and mice and it's best if those cats are tame. Much easier to catch and vaccinate, etc. Mama Cat isn't the prettiest cat but she does have one of the best personalities I've ever seen in a cat. No matter what life has thrown at her, she responds by being placid, quiet, accepting and looking for the good. I can learn from her. A lot.

~ Mama Cat's four kittens at the bottom of a fifty gallon barrel! ~

~ A wagon load, 363 bales of lovely, dry hay! ~

~ Beautiful, dry hay, stored in our ancient barn ~

We cut, raked, baled and stored hay this week...363 square bales of alfalfa clover timothy mix and six round bales of same. Thank You, God...it's dry from start to finish and animals now have plenty of hay for this winter. I've even some to sell!

I've nattered on with nary a word about puppies and dogs; will remedy that, hopefully, by Saturday.

Until then...

Blessings ~ dry hay, winter fodder for the animals ~ Mama Cat and her four week old kittens ~ house restoration ~ beloved hymns ~ prayer, people needing prayer and people praying ~ a Sabbath, day of rest, coming up ~

Give-away, Kittens, Farm Life, Cherie

~ The Cove, photo taken earlier this evening. ~

Matthew, computer doc, brought my power pack back...all fixed. Yadda, yadda, yadda is what he said was wrong; all I know it's working now -smile-. Thanks, Matthew! He's a great young man, steady, dependable and is quite concerned with how government is being so intrusive in our lives. He told me he goes on demonstrations with great regularity and let our Congress rep know exactly what he was doing wrong and how to correct his direction. GO Matthew!

Deanna responded to the note saying she'd won the mini-quilt wall hanging so that will be mailed...perhaps tomorrow. If not tomorrow, then first of the week. I have a feeling tomorrow is going to break loose like a big girl's girdle and take off like a shot. We're still working on the house renovation and I think the guys will be back tomorrow. I sure hope so as they haven't been here in a couple of weeks and I'm a bit READY to have the house livable. Also, hoping our neighbor comes to help me with horse's feet; the horses need their feet cleaned and one of the mares is a trifle lame. I picked her feet tonight and noticed she needs trimming so need to get the farrier here as well. It wasn't a good time for any of us...horses, dogs or me as we got into a yellow jacket nest and were all bitten rather soundly for our troubles. I put vinegar on my stings and then stuff specifically for stings; the pain has lessened a bit but I think I may have developed a bit of an allergy. I got light headed, broke out in a cold sweat, dizzy...'course, that could just be the blonde talking. Sadiekins was stung as well which upset her apple cart; I think Abbie and Sam escaped the torment.

~ Maddie, posing like she's the Queen of the Household. ~

Remember the kittens rescued from drowning a few months ago? Well, Maddie, the gray tabby, and Maggie, the darker kitten, have been brought into the house to be house cats. This makes Miss Emma Really Happy as she headed outside every chance she got so she could play with her friends. This also meant Miss Emma was taking Forever to recover from her cold, even with meds given twice daily. This morning I brought Maddie and Maggie into the house and they have shown every intention of never wanting to go outside again. Miss Emma ran outside this morning, looking for her playmates, having forgotten they were inside. In a few minutes, she was back at the door, asking to be let inside and here she has stayed all day. It's nice to have kittens again; both Dave and I have really missed our cats. Miss Jenny went to live with someone else and she's much, much happier being the only cat in their household. She had really become a problem, attacking both other animals and humans and causing havoc in the household. She's been gone a couple of weeks and, within the first 24 hours, adjusted quite nicely to her new home.

~ Maggie, hiding under the table and not happy to be surprised. ~

But, with Miss Jenny gone, that left us with no house cats. Earlier this year, TC, 91, Bandit and Miss Kitty all passed away and the house was really lonely without cats or kittens. Maddie, Maggie and Miss Emma have filled the silence very nicely and kitten joy reigns once again.

~ Maddie and Miss Emma, playing around my rag rug loom. ~

This past weekend Dave had a business trip to Raleigh, NC and through a series of fortunate events, I met a blog friend. Cherie and her husband Aris, have two AAAdorable boys, Matthew and AJ and we spent an enjoyable time at the Crabtree Valley Mall food court. This was only the second time I've ever been in the Crabtree Valley Mall and found it totally overwhelming. Cherie laughed when I told her there were more people in that mall on Saturday than lived in our little county seat of Tazewell, VA. It seemed to me, most of those people were under dressed as well; I've not seen that much flesh since the last time I went to the beach!

~ Cherie, Aris, Matthew and AJ - what a Beautiful Family! ~

Cherie is a nurse and her husband an engineer; the two boys are geniuses! Bright as copper pennies, well spoken and, considering this was the first time we ever met, not all that shy. I'm looking forward to when they can visit Thistle Cove Farm and am hoping for a visit this autumn. Cherie, Aris and Matthew came to this country from the Philippines and are making their home now in NC. What tremendous courage this young couple has...to uproot, leave family, friends and homeland and move halfway 'round the world. I am in awe of their courage. The USA is fortunate they decided to move here and my life is greatly enriched to meet them and call them friends.

~ Matthew is on my lap and Cherie is holding her youngest son, AJ. ~

We stayed at the Embassy Suites and the same weekend the Black Hat Divas were also having their "first annual convention". Although, I've never understood "first annual"...how can anything be a first and an annual? It's either one OR the other, right? Anyway, this group is an offshoot of the Red Hat Society, a group purely to gather and "have fun". The Red Hatters, as they call themselves, were founded in 1998 so have been around a while and is a group for women over the age of 50 but allow "Pink Hatters" to join as well. I believe Pink Hatters are Red Hatters wannabees, so to speak. Apparently, Black Hat Divas, as they told my friend, "are Red Hatters but with more elegance and bling". They are purely and simply a social club, women who gather together to party. That's it. Party.

~ Black Hat Divas...and these are some of the more conservatively dressed! ~

Ummm. Okay. I didn't get that chip when God was handing them out 'cause I just don't get it. One woman got on the elevator with a HUGE pin, fake rhinestone costume jewelery, that said, "It's All About Me". Sheesh. I bet she passed those genes on, ya think? Don't get me wrong; I'm not against having fun. I'm not even against women playing dress up; whatever floats their pontoon. I'm not against them spending their money on fluff but what I don't understand is spending many hundreds of dollars on fluff...fake rhinestone costume jewelery, ostrich feathers, a weekend at the Embassy Suites celebrating "It's All About Me". I simply do not get it; I'm glad they had a good time though even though the rest of us were going, "WHAT THA????" Did I mention there's an entire industry built up around these groups? You would not believe the shopping area where one could buy ostrich feather hats that were three feet high or fake rhinestone costume jewelery stating "It's All About Me" or "Queen Bee" or whatever. Women showed up at breakfast in their nightclothes, for crying out loud! It was like being at the mall except the flesh was peeking out from night gowns slit up to there and plunging down to there. I'm telling you, a lot of ostriches gave up all their feathers for this crowd.

Okay, now the disclaimer. I admit I am Very Conservative, both in dress and politics. I believe in little to no government, people tending to their own business, living their own lives in peace and respectability and I dress in natural fibers. Actually, I could probably do a walk-on in a Miss Marple movie and look like I belonged. -smile- I am not saying anything against these women as individuals; I'm merely saying I don't get the "crowd mentality" of "bling"...unless, of course, it's Real Bling and then I'm all over it! I do enjoy going with my girlfriend to her Saint Martin condo every spring and hitting the jewelery stores in Philipsburg. Real Bling I can handle with aplomb -smile-.

By now, you're probably thinking, "gosh, it was a lot less to read when her computer was on the fritz". -smile- Today I'm giving away another little inspirational mini-quilted wall hanging. The proverb states, "The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism". Whew! There's a sermon if ever I've heard one and if you feel led, as the old preacher said, to "save me by criticism", please let me know. If you "get the hatters", please explain it, 'cause I sure don't. Get it, that is; I'm still shaking my head.

~ Ribbons, seed pods, buttons, charms, thread, fabric, batting, bits and pieces. ~

Blessings ~ Cherie, Aris, Matthew, AJ ~ kittens ~ travel ~ mini-quilted wall hanging ~ Matthew, computer doc ~ Deanna ~ the US of A ~

Mini-Quilt Wallhanging

If I've not heard from Becky, NC, by 5:00 today, a new random generated number will be chosen. That brings the entries down so chances of winning are improving! -smile-

I've been in the studio this week and have ready six baby quilts sewn together, needing hand quilting and a new mini-quilt inspirational wall hanging. Hopefully, I'll show you on Friday and yes, it's a giveaway as well. Don't we all need a little inspiration and love in our lives? I know my life benefits when those things are applied in abundance. Even better, so do the lives of those around me.

It's a "God-thing" but then, isn't it all God-things?!

Blessings ~ quilted wall hangings ~ baby quilts ~ studio time ~ deep breaths ~ prayer ~ love ~ inspiration ~ Miss Emma in my lap ~

My Tuesday

~ Butterflies near the wildflowers ~

Post Script ~ In response to queries regarding "what kind of butterfly..." I believe this might be a Morpho butterfly, of the genus Morpho. Although the research I unearthed said this particular butterfly is found mostly in Mexico and Central, South America it certainly looks similar if not the same butterfly.

What do you think?

I've visited a butterfly farm in Aruba and found it fascinating. I'll find those photos and do a blog post about the varying types of butterflies. There are also butterfly farms in the USA and some brides and grooms choose to release butterflies rather than throw rice or bird seed. A rather charming custom I believe and, depending upon the season, far more beneficial than rice and a lot prettier than birdseed! -smile-


When I stopped to pick wildflowers, I saw these butterflies at a mud puddle. While I don't know, my guess is while they are supping water, they are getting minerals at the same time. They didn't seem threatened by me, nor should they be, but allowed me to walk right to them, take my photos and then leave. Beautiful, aren't they?!

~ A small group of butterflies, some flitted in the air, others rested, drinking from the puddle. ~

~ The horses start their campaign for re-placement in the herd. ~

In the wild, stallions are kept in the herd for breeding and protection but it's the mares who lead the herd. It's the mares who decide where to settle for the night, where to foal...have their babies..., when and where to drink. It's a matriarchal society and the stallions always defer to the mares. In my small herd of eight horses, there are two mares who vie for dominance...Peaches, the oldest, and Tumbleweed, the newcomer. Over the years, they have reached a somewhat easy truce with Peaches giving way to Tumbleweed as long as Tumbles minds her manners. If Tumbles gets out of line with the other horses, Peaches steps in and corrects the situation. If Tumbles starts picking on Dandy, Peaches will kick some major horse fanny; Dandy is Peaches' favorite and there is NO picking on Dandy!

The herd chases each other around the round pen, first clockwise...~

~ ...then counter-clockwise, in the upper pasture. ~

Lightly, the first horse born at Thistle Cove Farm, is an "easy keeper". That mare could be fed bread and water and she'd gain weight, crying all the while she was being starved. She's such an easy keeper, she has to be put in a smaller lot in late spring early summer so she doesn't gorge, overeat, colic and founder. She's foundered once in her short life and the outcome usually isn't so good the second time 'round. All that to say, she and her brother, Dandy, have been separated from the other horses for a couple of months now. Dandy didn't need to lose as much weight but it's always best for animals, humans as well I believe, to be in pairs as they fare better emotionally.

I decided it was safe to let Lightly and Dandy join the herd, forgetting HayJ, the black and white gelding...castrated male...picks on Dandy, the other castrated male. HayJ is a American Curly cross Percheron and a big'un. He's at least twice the size of Dandy, both in weight and height so it's not a fair fight. Both Lightly and Dandy are the foals of Peaches and she takes up for both of them but Dandy especially.

~ HayJ, chasing Dandy, as Peaches, Dandy's mother runs to intervene. ~

~ The horses begin to settle down. ~

~ Tumbleweed decides the excitement is over so it's time for a back scratch. ~

Abbie, Sadie and Sam went with me to the upper pasture gate but I told them to stay behind the gate. Abbie will listen but Sadie and Sam are young yet, still headstrong and think they know best. I had the horse whip with me and it has a reach of about 15 feet. I don't have to hit the dogs, all I have to do is whistle the whip over their heads and they run like the devil has been loosed on them. This is a good thing as it helps me keep them safe from a distance. Oh, don't get me wrong...I'm not adverse to popping them with the whip...better a pop with the whip than getting trampled by a horse but as the whistle of the whip still works, they are saving themselves the actual physical pain. The same premise works with the horses; they detest the whistle of the whip and will turn and run the other direction. This is good, especially when it's me and me alone standing in the field and they are running full tilt boogie toward me. There's no way I can hold my own with one horse, much less eight of the beasts.

I earned my supper tonight but the soup is a bit different this time.

~ Garbanzo Bean, Tomato, Artichoke Heart Soup ~

Oh, it still has garbanzo beans, tomatoes, artichoke hearts but I added some corn and saffron which gives it that lovely deep golden color. It was still served over home made croutons...this time cheese croutons...and topped with Parmesean cheese. I also stirred a spoonful of pesto into each bowl and, yes, it was BETTER than before! How can it be...but it was! I believe I could eat soup, at least, once a day and will freeze the leftovers for another meal another day.

For supper tonight we're having fresh corn sliced off the cob, put into a bowl with salt, pepper and butter, sliced tomatoes with pesto and provolone cheese, and, for desert, sliced peaches with the banana walnut bread. We usually drink milk, sometimes I'll have ice tea or water but that varies little. We don't drink sodas and only buy them when company expects to drink soda; our limestone water is so sweet, it seems disrespectful to drink soda pop. How can God's good water be improved upon? It cannot.

Any leftover corn will be made into corn chowder for tomorrow's lunch or supper.

~ Banana Walnut bread, sliced and ready for the toaster ~

~ Miss Maggie, in the Granny Smith apple tree ~

~ Miss Emma in the Granny Smith apple tree ~

Miss Emma stays in during the night. Her cold is better, she's still receiving Lysine twice a day and she's improving, slowly. She's a quick little thing, waiting at the door to dart out once the door has been opened for the dogs. The puppies take their time, as do the older dogs, when the door is open. They must reach out their muzzles first, testing the air, seeing if there's anything worthwhile in going OUT, then, and only then, do they, sometimes, stretch a paw toward the porch. Most of the time, they need a little nudge in the nether regions to help them decide.

Today, Miss Emma, Miss Maggie and Miss Maddie, great friends three, chased each other around and around, up the fence post, into the apple tree, down the fence post, down the driveway to the barn...NO! You are NOT to go to the barn, the barn cats will have your guts for garters and may manage to chase you into the road. Not a good thing. Not a good thing at all! So, I allowed the dogs to "sort of" chase the kittens back up the driveway, towards the house and the kittens decided climbing the apple tree would be lots of fun. They look like little pixies as they chase each other around the tree limbs, although I couldn't get Miss Maddie in the photo. Miss Emma and Miss Maggie are photo hounds...so to speak...and took up all the room in the image.

~ Studio Wildflowers ~

Today the studio wildflowers include Queen Anne's Lace as well as a bunch of other flowers I either can't remember their names or don't know their names. Still, it's beautiful, isn't it?

I'm sorry but I have to end on a sad note; today we say good-bye to Miss Kitty. The cancer is much worse and has spread not only to her bones, in the form of growths, but also to her organs, specifically her lungs. She's begun to experience pain, is having difficulty breathing and, after thirteen good years, it's time. Dr. Anne will be here sometime today and the injections will be administered and she'll be laid to rest with all the other cats that have gone on before. It's always sad to say good-bye but I try and focus on the good years and the fact she was saved from the side of the road where surely she would have been killed. Miss Kitty has been a good lap kitty and has even shared our bed this week. She has born well the indignities of various dogs sharing her space and my life. Yes, I do know she's not a human but there's no doubt in my mind she'll be in heaven, with the others, waiting on me. Jesus' lap will have to do until I go home. -smile-

~ My Beloved Miss Kitty ~

Blessings ~ Miss Kitty ~ another beautiful day ~ sadness to balance the joy ~ expectations ~ heaven ~ Miss Maggie, Miss Maddie, Miss Emma ~ horses ~ more rain for the thirsty earth ~