Days of Reckoning

~ foggy sunrise ~

 We've had a foggy morning just about every day this month of June and we're sliding, quickly, into that day of reckoning, the 21st, when Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year precludes the time of lessoning light. I dislike days of shortened light but, even more, dislike man's tampering with sun time, aka daylight saving time. Pretty much, everything man has tampered with has been a complete and total failure and I fail to see why Ben Franklin thought he could improve upon sun time. Perhaps that electrical bolt of lightening sparked his brain when he was flying that kite, do you think? -grin-

  ~ foggy mountain morn ~

Rain continues to fall and hay still hasn't been cut. John, the young feller who usually cuts our hay, has had an equipment breakdown and he's unsure, exactly, when he'll be able to get here. We've someone else who is interested and, if the weather cooperates, we'll hopefully get hay cut first of the week. John is still our go-to guy but it's nice others want to cut on shares. We, meaning God and He lets us help, do grow some mighty fine hay and this first cutting will be made into 4x4 round bales. That means each round bale will be 4 feet x 4 feet; John bales a 5x5 bale so there's a tad bit of difference. Someone with a calculator and a mind for math want to work up what that difference is, please and thanks?

 ~ Lightly, looking a bit of a shadow of her former self ~

It's been a week of work and my mares, Peach and Lightly, are doing a lot better. They still aren't happy about the short rations and up in the morning Peach took a kick at Sadie. I've been trying to teach and train the dogs to stay out from under the horses' feet but, until this morning, the lesson didn't take. Peach gave a warning squeal and then kicked out with her right hind foot. She pulled back on her kick, it wasn't full force and didn't connect but it frightened Sadie half to death and I'm glad of it! Sadie ran behind me and stood there while I finished mucking out the barn. All the dogs seemed a tad opened eyed and wary; it's just a lesson that needs teaching and not an injury and I'm hoping this is a lesson learned. Like Daddy and Mother used to say and still say, "You'll learn the hard way or you'll learn the easy way but you will learn." As usual, they were right.

~ Sadie, ducking Peach ~

Carly is a Shetland sheep and one of my oldest ewes, somewhere north of ten, I believe. None of the girls need worry about pregnancy as all the rams are now wethers and everyone earns their keep by providing fleeces and love. She's as tame  as a puppy and one of the first to come for pets, nose kisses and corn. School children love her and she loves the attention.

~ Carly Shetland ~

~ teasel ~

Teasel is a mountain plant we see a lot around here. Someone told me in days gone by, women would use teasel to tease sheep fleeces into alignment so they could be spun into yarn and the mentioned linked site said the Romans were the first to so use teasel. I'm not really sure I believe this as the teasel I've seen doesn't seem to be strong enough to handle teasing fleeces. Like thistle, teasel is a bi-annual and its medicinal uses include treating warts, curing jaundice, a diuretic and made into wine. Thankfully, I've never had to find out if any of this is true. Still and all, it's a pretty plant albeit a prickly plant and will scratch blood if one isn't careful. It gets in the horses manes and tails and wrecks more than its share of havoc and it's a pain, literally, getting them out of the manes and tails.

~ Maiden Springs Fort ~

 Down the road is this sign at the site of the Anglo fort, Maiden Springs. Dave's family settled here a ways back and his cousins, the eighth and ninth R. Bowen's yet live at the home place. While we all have our place in history, it's nice, sometimes, knowing the lineage. It's nice being able to say, these were our kith and kin, they settled here and now, we are settled here, being stewards of what God has entrusted us as we make our mark for God and on the land.

Blessings ~ kith and kin ~ horses ~ sheep ~ dogs ~ family ~ hay season ~ birds of the air ~

Dei Gratia,
Sandra

A Full Day

These old Appalachian Mountains are supposed to be some of the oldest on earth; perhaps so but I do know they are among the most beautiful!

Our mornings are foggy and the mist hangs heavy in the air. I enjoy these mornings just as I enjoy all other mornings at Thistle Cove Farm. Each are special and beautiful and a reminder of God's overwhelming love, grace and mercy.

A lone pigeon watches over the feeder. I think it's going to be a hard winter; I'm filling the bird feeders once a day although they would like it to be more frequent. I enjoy feeding the birds, watching them and listening to their song. It soothes me and brings great joy to my day and life.
Looking back toward the house you can see the fog hanging heavy. It's a beautiful time, when the fog is heavy. There's a peaceful holiness and everything is so quiet you can hear the Earth sigh as she draws her blanket of wet close 'round her.
This deer was in the road, undecided which way to go. I stopped the car and waited until his mind was made up and he bounded up the hillside. Usually, deer travel in pairs or groups but I saw no other deer, just this solitary deer as he went about his business.I made the most wonderful brown molasses bread with dried cranberries. It's really tasty especially with some Philly cream cheese! If anyone is interested, I'll give the recipe later this week. It's a quick bread, takes about ten minutes to make and another thirty or so to bake. I've eaten it for breakfast, lunch and as a snack and it seems to taste even better as it ages.
Early evening saw us at the County Courthouse listening to representatives from Americans For Prosperity and The Social Security Institute discuss "Obamacare".

It was extremely interesting, doubly so because the key note speaker, Lawrence A. Hunter, Ph.D. has worked with several administrations including Regan and Clinton and has a non-partisan viewpoint that is refreshingly clear and was able to succinctly explain why, in his opinion, the proposed "Obamacare" is wrong for the USA.

He's one of the few speakers I've ever heard who was able to get his point across, stick to his topics and all in a matter of a few minutes AND without bashing. He's made his entire presentation without letting it be known if he was Democrat or Republican and, truthfully, I didn't really care. What I do care about are the issues and the clear presentation of same. Thank you, Dr. Hunter, for being a clear and succinct speaker.

The Americans For Prosperity is an organization "...committed to educating citizens about economic policy... and whose members advocate for public policies that champion the principles of entrepreneurship and fiscal and regulatory restraint." The Americans For Prosperity Foundation "is committed to educating citizens about economic policy and a return of the federal government to its Constitional limits."

Well! I'm all for that as a small acreage farmer; iow, an entrepreneur, I am totally against government intervention in my life and business. I believe the job of government is to govern and not to become intrusive in the lives of citizens; and, for one thing, not dictate to me how I should and when I should die.

I have several problems with the proposed Obamacare and the primary problem is why are the President, Congress and Senate exempting themselves from this proposed health care system? If it's so wonderful for the rest of us, why aren't they buying into it? I find that disturbing and raises questions that, thus far, no one will answer. That's even more frightening because when no answers are given, the thoughts one chases might be even worse than the answers.

Another problem I have is the dictate that Everyone age 65 and older MUST have "end of life counseling" with a "certified government practitioner" for "end of life options". WHAT THE...??? Again, the lack of answers to specific questions such as, "Please tell me exactly what that really means" is highly disturbing and leads me to thoughts of "assisted euthanasia" as opposed to expensive medical care for the elder. HEY! I'm fast becoming one of the "elder" and I don't like what I'm hearing...or not as the case may be!

All in all, the 1,000 page document reads like 1984 only a few years later. Uncle Sam is now Big Brother as well and in the Commonwealth of VA incest is against the law but I suppose federal supercedes state law, eh?
The crowd was, overwhelming, seniors. The only "young folks" where those who came with the speaker or the lone teenage girl who was there with her reporter mother. Here, people sign petitions and they hope to have 10,000 names to take to representatives and Senators in Virginia.
Dr. Hunter addresses the crowd and then gave time for questions and answers.

These two groups are traveling across the country in a red bus and a blue bus. Their aim is to educate people on just what the Obamacare program means in black and white and, let me tell you, from what I heard and, now from what I've researched, it's not pretty and it's also not safe for the majority of people living in the USA. The vast majority of USA citizenry are now age 60 and above and at a time when a lot of folks think they can retire and enjoy the benefits of a life well lived and worked...think again. It's just not going to happen if this "health care" plan is passed.

Please feel free to check the sites above and form your own opinion. I've also got a "cheat sheet" of facts on the 1,000 page document where one and two-sentence explanations are given about every page and/or section. If you want, I'm happy to forward it to you especially if "you're of an age...".
The view above looks toward Rt 91, aka Maiden Springs Road.

Do not be deceived as were the local "experts" who declared Maiden Spring to be plural. Where they got that idea is still a mystery to me. There's only one Maiden Spring so that makes it singular; at least it did when I went to school.

We live on Cove Road, a hard surface road of a bit over two miles then the dirt road begins.
Our road had macadam applied in the late 1960's, or so I've been told. It's a beautiful view and, in the past, when I had dogs and not puppies -smile- we would walk the road but only a mile or so. Our neighbor puts out coyote snares and I'd rather not have to rescue the dogs from one of those nasty things. They are a necessary evil and if you don't think so, then you've never seen a lamb in death throes from having its kidney ripped out by a coyote. Coyotes are not native to this region, having been brought here in the late 1950's as a deterrent to "pest animal control". I've never really been sure what that means but, perhaps, one day someone who knows will tell me.

This view is toward the head of the Cove where it dead ends in about 5,000 acres that was deeded to the Nature Conservancy.
The day ended with this beautiful rainbow, then double rainbow, where both began and ended in our pastures!

I've never seen a double rainbow begin and end in our pastures, always in our valley. It was beautiful and I'm reminded of the promise God made to Noah in Genesis 9:11 "And I will establish my covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth." God set the rainbow in the clouds as a promise to Noah and to following generations. And think, today I've seen a double rainbow! What a wonderful gift, thank you, God.
As always, may the Good Lord take a liking to you...but not too soon!

Blessings ~ rain ~ rainbows ~ home made bread ~ a free country ~ a great view, no matter the direction ~ the scent of air after the rain ~

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 ~

Whitetop Mountain Ramp Festival

On the way to Whitetop Mountain two friends taking in the afternoon sun while another friend, below, watches peacefully.
Spring means growing things, things that my grand's ate to stave off winter's chill, to bolster their immune system and also just because they tasted so dang good! Branch lettuce, also called cress, dandelion greens, burdock greens, polk salad to name a few and, one of my favorites - ramps.

Ramps are a member of the onion, leek, garlic family only taste stronger and smell a lot louder. There's no in-between, a body either likes 'em or hates 'em. I loves 'em! Especially when friend with potatoes, onions, garlic and olive oil. HEY! There's got to be some additional healthful benefits, eh? They are best eaten when they have just first pushed their little heads out of the earth, best when spring is still new and the heat of summer isn't threatening.

All over the southern Appalachia's there are Ramp Festivals; one of my favorites is the Whitetop Mountain Ramp Festival on the Rooftop of Virginia. It's only 108 miles away, at the top of Whitetop Mountain the third highest mountain in VA at 5520 feet but it takes me close to two and a half hours to get there. For more than half the distance, the roads are two lane with more twists, turns, curves, S curves, switchbacks and the like to give a snake motion sickness. Sometimes there are guardrails. A large part of the drive travels along the stream that's tumbling down the mountain and, while it's beeeyouutifulll, my mind thinks 'snakes'. No, I can't say I'm afraid of snakes but I do like to give them a wiiiiddddeeee berth, especially the copperheads and the rattlers. I tend to let the garden snakes and black snakes live in peace, as long as they do likewise by me, but I don't hold with poisonous snakes. I figure they crawl on their belly for a reason and who am I to question God?

While I'm on the topic of the Appalachia's there's a question that's been bothering me for years. Probably all my life, really. Where are the Appalachia's? I've always thought they were those mountains that were not the Blue Ridge but in researching, I find I'm, somewhat, right. Apparently, there's a geological distinction. Virginia Places says the Blue Ridge are older, far older, than the Appalachian Plateau. The Blue Ridge core rocks are billion year old igneous rocks and the Plateau is far younger. Well, maybe or maybe not, but I do know God has made the simple things to counfound the wise and the beauty is there for all of us.

Gaynelle and Jeanne were my company yesterday and I only hope they had as good a time as I. Jeanne is a city gal but has lived in a small town for a number of years, she's also a musician as are her menfolk. I knew she'd enjoy the music. Gaynelle is a country gal and mountain people are her people so I knew she'd be okay. And, me? I'm happy with all of it. These are my people, these old worn down smooth mountains are my mountains and I'm never happier than when I'm home in the hills. Give me some knitting or other handwork and I can sit and listen to folks tell tales for hours! To sit and watch mountain people play music and dance...God's in His heaven and all's right with my world. It's a sermon just to be in attendance, a prayer to simply watch and rejoice.

The Whitetop Mountain Ramp Festival is a benefit for the volunteer rescue squad and fire department and the day's activities include eating, mountain music and clogging. They were selling a half chicken -breast, wing, leg- and potatoes fried with ramps, green beans that tasted like they came from some Grandma's pantry, a roll and ice tea for $6. At the day's end they sold the chickens for $2 so folks could take supper home with them.

According to Southern Food, the ramp may also be called a wild leek although I've never heard it called that. It is native to North America and the name is supposed to come from "ramson" or "rams", from an Elizabethan dialect. John Mariani, author of The Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink" says the word was first in English print in 1530 but was used earlier by southern Appalachian folks.

I do know the Elizabethan dialect is still in existence in the southern Appalachia's. Dave and I have been to funerals, back in the hills and hollows, where it took three verses of Amazing Grace being sung before I recognized the song! The group of five men were singing acapella and it was beautiful but I'm far enough removed from the dialect that it took me a while to recognize the tune.

The youngsters started the ramp eating contest; first prize was $35 and a LARGE bottle of Scope mouthwash, second prize was $25 and a LARGE bottle of Scope mouthwash and third prize was $15 and a LARGE bottle of Scope mouthwash. Come to think of it, a large bottle of Scope mouthwash might have been too small! -smile-This AAAdorable lad was shoveling ramps down as fast as he could; ramp in one hand, water bottle in the other. They only had to eat the white part and could lay aside the green top. For this small gift, let us now give thanks.Volunteers make the world go 'round and this darling girl was dishing up ice cream. Yep, it was COLD but it's never too cold for ice cream! At least this year, we didn't have rain or snow.

This dear woman was, easily, the oldest person clogging. While I didn't get her name, someone told me she has more than 90 years under her feet and seemed plenty able to keep up with National Heritage Award recipient Wayne Henderson. He's a well known name in bluegrass music for not only playing but making instruments. He does a lot to promote mountain music, he has a music festival and this year is giving away $15,000 in prize money as well as one of his hand crafted guitars.


Some high stepping going on!
The word clog comes from a Gaelic word meaning time and this type of dancing has been done in the southern Appalachia's since the early 1700's. Or earlier, who really knows?

Here, a fine group of cloggers takes to the stage; please note the men have on their best bibs with pressed white shirt while the women look fine in their dark skirts and white blouses. All footwear have metal tapes to enhance the sound of the dancer's feet as they strike the stage.

There were several bands and a fine group of cloggers but my hearing isn't what it used to be nor did I write down what I thought I heard so you'll have to take my word for it all.

Ages ranged from young to youngish; clogging keeps the body limber, the blood pumping and smiles on everyone's faces! It's a combination of jigs from the Irish and Scots, English clogging, African high steps and a stomp attributed to native Americans. It's fun, lively, energetic and keeps the weight off and is a bit more structured than flatfooting. Whatever you call it, it's still mountain dancing but for more information, go to Bill Richardson and read his great article about clogging, flatfooting, 2-step and other mountain dances.

The cloggers line up to take a bow and then, still dancing, they exit the stage. The little gal on the far left is also an accomplished singer and guitar picker; I've heard she plays fiddle as well.
As we left Whitetop Mountain, I took this photo and it shows a portion of the Appalachian Plateau. Between the green and the clouds the Plateau stretches as far as the eye can see, as much as the heart can hold.

Blessings ~ mountain people ~ mountain music ~ mountain food ~ the Appalachia's ~ the Blue Ridge ~ cloggers ~ volunteers ~ ramps! ~

Blackberry Winter

I never, ever tire of looking down the valley, towards the head of the Cove; in late afternoon and early evening the light is breathtaking. On maps,the Cove is called Ward's Cove because the Ward family first settled the head of the valley. They weren't the first white settlers here, that title belongs to the Bowen's, my husbands' clan. They arrived from Wales and, eventually, made their way to the Cove in the mid 1700's. Maiden Spring, the largest body of water flowing out of the Cove was named by Rees Bowen. It's said he was on a hunting expedition and asleep by the spring when he awoke and saw a maiden deer; thus the name.

It's Blackberry Winter in the Cove and right on schedule. Always, around 10 May we get cold, wet, rainy weather; sometimes we even have snow. What ever the weather is Spring Equinox, that's what we'll get around 10 May. I don't think I've ever know it to be bright, sunny, warm but always a last reminder of winter just to keep us in shape.

In the Cove, we've had frost every month save August...or was it July? I can't remember but it was one or the other. It, almost, feels like we should have frost this week. The temps have been quite chilly and great for sleeping.

A young woman, age 40, passed away in the community and her wake and burial was today. I attend the wake, but not the funeral, and it was good to see how many people were able to be there to support the family. Death is always hard but when it's a younger person, it's especially difficult.

On the way home, I drove down Cove Road, into the head of the Cove just to listen to bird song and enjoy God's creation. This moss covered rock is so beautiful and everything is so lush and green due to the great amounts of rain we've had. We've had rain for 15 or 16 days now and the Earth is just blossoming!

These beautiful flowers...can't remember the name so, please, help if you know...are going to be dug up and brought to the house and re-planted. There were several patches where I found these but I'll only dig up a small patch to be re-located. There's no need to be hoggish.

Neighbor Bill has a pasture behind us that also stretches down the valley. Normally, he keeps cattle on this pasture and it's always a beautiful site watching the cattle as they graze. During winter and colder months, watching the fellers feed out hay is interesting and, during calving, it's always fun to watch as they chase down calves for tagging. Calves are crafty creatures and even when a day old are able to, quickly outrun a man. I've watched as the men would chase down a calf only to be tossed aside or, if the cow is able to intervene, the man has to abandon the job and run for his life. Farming is a Very Dangerous Business so, if you eat a meal today, Thank a Farmer. Oh, and if you're reading this...Thank a Coal Miner. You and I are indebted to both.

My horses are grazing in the pasture next to the sun room and the walnut tree is lovely as it's just leafing out. Dandy Man, on the far right, turns to watch as I take photos. He's my "in my pocket horse" and he watches to see where I am and what I'm doing and, I believe, he loves me as much as he loves his own mother.

The skies tell the story - cold, rainy, windy. We may have warmer, sunnier weather later this week but for today, it's Blackberry Winter.

Blessings ~ today ~ the Cove ~ wildflowers ~ my horses ~ rain ~