We All Need It...

~ my feet, SXM ~

Rest

Renewal

Relaxation

Recreation

so I can return to the farm anew...

Rural Thursday Blog Hop Number 42

at A Rural Journal

P. S. PLEASE go visit Mags and read this; it's absolutely HILARIOUS!

Blessings ~ rest ~ renewal ~ relaxation ~ recreation ~ time away to ponder and reflect ~

Swamp Folks

 ~ watch yer own dang kids ~

Dave and I are struggling along at a condo in Satellite Beach, FL owned by Vicki of 2-Bags Full. It's a tough life but someone has to do it and, dang nab it, we stepped right up to the plate. Vicki and her Gardner love to travel and a lot of their traveling is done in the beautiful sunshine state. Right now, she's having a give-away on her blog so hurry along and sign up; while you're there, stay a while and enjoy yourself. Vicki is an uplifting, energetic blogger and there's always eye candy abounding. We've become friends and I'm anxiously waiting for the day when we meet face to face. As for her condo, never have I been in a more personally decorated, warm, cozy and friendly property. Dave and I walked through the front door and it felt like home. There are personal touches throughout...actual artwork and not the mass produced generic "art" most people throw on their rental property walls; hand stitched artwork, a fully stocked kitchen...every where the eye lands, there's room to rest. There's not a jarring note to be found; it's simply beautiful! Well done, Vicki! We are finding rest here.

~ our fearless leaders ~

Well now, today, in the tradition of Swamp People, I went 'gator hunting. I've seen nary an episode because the commercials scare the socks of me and I'm not talking about the wild life...wink, wink. Anyway, I went gator hunting while Dave waved good-bye...did he mention something about life insurance as I was leaving???...on a 'gator hunt air boat ride. That's okay though; he can watch this and it's just like being there. I did see some alligators; a 7' long mother and her babies. 

 ~ baby gator ~

 It's pretty difficult to see and Dave thought it was a snake, but in the upper left of this photo possibly you can see a long, stripped body. That's the baby gator. I missed the baby gator snatch but found it on you tube, watch it here. Now, these boys good ole boys apparently either aren't much afraid of baby gators OR their mother OR they are juiced up on "something". Care to guess which? -wicked grin-

~ great egret ~

Back to the beginning. Dave and I started our day at Son on the Beach where we had breakfast. I had fried green tomatoes, shrimp, poached eggs, hash browns and a glass of milk. Why no, I'm not going to plow today, why do you ask?

~ Gullah Benedict ~

Dave had pork tenderloin, sausage gravy, hash browns, two eggs and a biscuit and he didn't work today either, though, I think he might have napped later on -grin-.

~ Country Fried Pork Loin ~

The rest of the day was spent unloading and re-loading the car. Why, you may ask? Well, because I finally found a thrift store that had something I wanted! A matching rocking chair and rocking ottoman that was "fun sized". In other words, it fits my short, stout peasant type body just perfectly! However, I think I'll be able to fit in the three or four bags we have to pack so we can leave Saturday morning. It's either that or leave Dave here and send come back and get him later. We talked about that but I don't think he was as serious as I so...I re-packed the car -grin-. You'll have to wait until we get home to see a picture of the rocking chair and ottoman; it's buried too deep to go back now.

~ me, blown away on the air boat ~

When people I don't even know call me Grandma Sandy...and I'm not...it doesn't leave a lot of room for pride -smile-. Thus, this self photograph of me on the air boat today. Have you ever seen one of those commercials with the high powered hand driers? That's what it felt like on the boat. It felt like my face was being blown off the bones and I spent most of my time gritting my teeth and keeping my mouth shut. "Oh, why", you ask? Well, let me tell you a joke. How do you tell a happy motorcycle rider?

Because of the bugs caught in his teeth! -har-de-har-har- The young woman next to me kept squealing like a pig girl because she couldn't keep her mouth shut and kept getting bugs in her mouth. If it wasn't bugs in her mouth it was bugs down her shirt...her skimpy tee shirt, duh!...and bugs smashing against her legs. Me? I looked just like a granny. I had on long pants and a long shirt and nothing, but nuttin' bothered me. At one point the young woman anxiously patted my arm; when I looked at her, she nervously pointed at my leg. OHMYGOSH! There was a grasshopper on my leg! I just smiled and kept taking pictures but I'm not sure my calmness rubbed off on her. Too sad. 

Time for some ice tea and a wind down before bed. I'm trying to get a lot of sleep and walks on the beach; will try and remember to take my camera tomorrow to show you some of the beautiful shells.

Good-night all, sweet dreams.

Blessings ~ Vicki ~ Paradise Beach Club ~ Satellite Beach ~ gator hunting ~ air boat rides ~ rocking chairs and ottomans ~

October Is...

~the moon pours light on the sea ~

"October is a symphony of permanence and change."

~ B. W. Overstreet ~

Even the rainy days are golden when looked at with a certain light in one's eyes. Recently, I read, "today is tomorrow's yesterday" and that gave me pause. In a manner of speaking, our future is now, caught between yesterday and tomorrow, one that was and one that isn't. In an effort to live purposefully, with intent and totally in the moment, we I have to push back tomorrow. Don't you find it difficult? The planning for the future yet preparing for the end? The whole hearted gulping of now, the embracing of today. Helen Keller said, "Use your eyes as if tomorrow you would be stricken blind...Hear the music of voices, the song of the bird, the mighty strains of an orchestra, as if you would be stricken deaf tomorrow. touch each object as if tomorrow your tactile sense would fail. Smell the perfume of the flowers, taste with relish each morsel, as if tomorrow you could never smell and tates again. make the most of every sense; glory in all the facets of pleasure and beauty which the world reveals to you." She would know, wouldn't you agree, about "the pleasure and beauty which the world reveals to you."

 

~ Roseate Spoonbill ~

"Grace growest best in winter," said Samuel Rytherford and he would know; click on his name to read more about him. The farm is prepared, mostly, for winter; hay for the horses and sheep is both in the barn and in the hay lot; garden produce has been canned, dried and frozen, supplies laid in and hand work close at hand. As best I can, we're prepared; I've done my part and am now, as always, totally dependent upon God for His grace and mercy. In the meantime, Dave and I are spending a few splendid days at the beach, visiting my BFF, eating delicious seafood, storing up vitamin D in the form of sunshine, resting, relaxing, regrouping for the tomorrow's that will face us all.

 ~ God's Grace for the journey ~

Almost every day, Sandra K., the other Sandra, and I have had great...to us anyway but we're simple sisters...adventures and nary a thrift store has been safe! Sandra is an artist and a university prof and we've been friends for more than thirty years which hardly seems possible! She's a friend who loves unconditionally, listens without judgement and is unreserved in her happiness for, not only me, but other people. Just yesterday, I saw her rejoice with a complete stranger over that stranger's "find" in a store.

Other "friends" who don't do any of those things, pale in comparison and, in time, drop behind. One of many lessons life has taught me is No is perfectly acceptable, both to say and to hear, and it's okay to move ahead. As a matter of fact, it's perfectly wonderful to move ahead; people can make the choice to catch up or stay behind but each of us is only responsible for ourselves. People can't be tugged along if fear keeps them from moving but isn't fear simply a catalyst for forward motion? God hasn't given us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. Thank You, God, I'll take that every day!

What keeps you from moving ahead? 

Blessings ~ grace for the journey ~ power ~ love ~ a sound mind ~

Happy Thanksgiving!

~ Thistle Cove Farm, just before dawn ~

Hopefully, everyone had a delightful Thanksgiving, filled with family, good food and great memories. We spent the afternoon with friends who took pity on us, being orphans this Thanksgiving. For many years, our table has been open to anyone who dropped in; we'd share whatever meal we prepared, lift a glass of whatever to toast. I wasn't able to cook this year but the eye injury didn't seem to inhibit my ability to lift a fork...yet another blessing in my life -smile-. We shared a traditional meal complete with a wonderfully moist turkey and all the fixin's and are grateful to Nelson and Dianna for their kindness toward us.

The eye is healing but quite slowly; it still looks dreadful, all bloodshot, red, watery. I'm spending a lot of time sleeping and wear an eye patch in the cold, windy weather. Melanie asked what is it God is trying to teach me and I wonder. My block head doesn't seem to be able to figure it out...yet. Christmas is headed at us like a freight train and I can't see well enough to finish my sewing or knitting projects. I'm hopeful this won't prevent me from going to Russia, time will tell.

For each of you who read this blog, for those who comment...I am grateful for you. Your visit is a kindness in my life and greatly appreciated. God bless you.

Until next time,

Blessings ~ slow living ~ a good eye ~ great friends ~ HolyDays ~ Dave ~