Catch-up Friday

~ Double sunflowers by the sunroom ~

Goodness! This week has flown by and while my feet have barely touched the ground, I'm a bit unsure what I've done. Ever have weeks like that? Probably each and every one, eh? -smile-

~ Two fawns in our alfalfa field ~

Our alfalfa field provides forage not only for our horses and sheep but also deer. These two fawns have been grazing each morning and evening, providing loads of pleasure while we watch from a distance. I keep a camera handy, usually in my pocket or on the table; I just never know what delights God will send our way.

It's almost hunting season and there have been plenty of 'rubberneckers' driving down the road watching them as well. I try to be viligent as in times past, folks have shot from the road...a major illegal activity...and immoral...to my mind, at least...because we have our land posted "No Hunting". So, what part of "No Hunting" do you think they don't understand? I'm not against hunting, nor hunters, As Long As They Obey The Law. I believe deer populations need to be thinned and I believe in putting meat on the table. My problem lies with those who hunt for sport, killing to be killing; that's beyond my kin, meaning understanding but I enjoy the old words and tend to use them whenever possible.

~ If you look closely, you can see their spots, indicative of very young deer. ~

~ Wild flowers at the studio ~

Beauty abounds as evidenced by these wildflowers picked by the side of the road. There's a small table, painted green, placed at the entrance to the studio door that holds a blue enamel pitcher and it gives me joy to keep it full of found wildflowers. The cosmos are light, airy and planted in the small studio flower beds.

~ September full moon ~

Last week was the full moon called the Full Corn moon because corn is, generally, harvested this month. At least, that's the way it is around here; across the road, farmers began harvesting corn for cattle silage this week. The Harvest Moon is in October.

If you look closely at the full moon photo, it appears two hands are, gently, cupping the full moon, guiding its path across the night sky. I love to go outside, in the dark, early morning hours and watch the moon as it glides from left to right. The dogs love to go outside as well as it gives them an opportunity to chase down night smells and it gives me the opportunity to hear the night bird sing her beautiful song.

~Blessed rain! ~

We had a gift of rain this week and a most appreciated gift it was. You can see the sheets of rain, coming across the valley, right to left, almost following the cows as they head for the huddle. Animals tend to group during harsh weather, it gives them some shelter and protects the young as the calves are sheltered amongst the cows. If lighting should strike, it will probably kill a cow and not a calf. Surely that's nature's way...iow, God's way...of seeing to it life continues.

~Falcon ~

It's been a wonderful week for bird viewing. Do you think this handsome bird is a Peregrine Falcon? The Peregrine Fund has beautiful videos and great information on this bird of prey as well as other raptors.

~ Canada geese in our upper pasture ~

Isn't it amazing how the geese will have a sentry watch? I've read Canada geese have a purpose to the point when they fly in that amazing V. The purpose of the lead bird is to break the wind barrier, making it easier for other geese to fly. Each bird flies point thus ensuring each bird works hard as well as earns a rest while in the air. On the ground, birds alternate between eating and sentry duty, again, ensuring each individual has an opportunity to both work and eat. Some people refer to them as Canadian geese but that's incorrect; the name is Canada geese.

~ An American Bald Eagle ~

Early this morning Dave and I watched an American Bald Eagle fly by our sunroom window, across our pasture and land atop a tree. The eagle stayed for a couple of hours, surveying his kingdom and gave me plenty of time to try and take his photograph. This is one of the better photos and, while not very good, you can at least see his white head and tail. Magnificent!

~ Cove sunset ~

Until next time,

Blessings ~ flowers ~ birds ~ rain ~ sunset ~ deer ~ freedom and those willing to pay the price so the rest of us may enjoy our liberties ~

Sabbath Keeping

"...those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it." Job 4:8

~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if your forsake him, he will forsake you." II Chronicles 15:2

~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The life above, when this is past,
Is the ripe fruit of life below.
Sow love, and taste its fruitage pure,
Sow peace, and reap its harvest bright
Sow sunbeams on the rock and moor,
And find a harvest-home of light."

H. Bonar

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith, where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life."

St. Francis of Assisi

Blessings ~ saints, past, present and future ~ wisdom and people who seek it ~ the Good Book ~ safe travel ~ steadfast faith ~

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 ~

One Thousand Gifts

If you're unfamiliar with Ann Voskamp's blog, A Holy Experience, please, do visit quickly. Her blog has such insight and wisdom that connects the plainest of life...if there IS such a thing...on every level with God's wonder.

"Earth is crammed with heaven and every common bush afire with God" is Elizabeth Browning's quote at Ann's header. It's true, you know. God is in the details as well as every breath and for those who live plain lives, we know it well. By plain lives, I mean lives that aren't filled with the minutia of life...the noise of television or radio, the busyness of too many meetings or activities associated with children's school life or even church life. It's all too easy to fall into the busyness of life and then become overwhelmed with it all. To forget that silence is the most peaceful and restorative of all "white noises"; to forget, or become so busy, we don't break bread, together, at the beginning or end of the day; to put catching up on chores around the house before coming together to worship on Sunday and, worst of all, to forget it's all, ALL, a gift from God. Every breath we take, every dollar we make, the food in the pantry, the books on the shelves, cars in the driveway, animals at our feet or in the pastures, clothes on our backs, every blade of grass or rug on the floor. Make your own endless list.

For some years I've ended each blog entry with a small list of blessings. It serves to ground me in a tiny way, to remind me...perhaps others...of things I...we?...sometimes overlook.

When I found A Holy Experience, I found it lush with God's grace, Ann's beautiful photographs, words of wisdom...all gifts in themselves...and began, slowly reading it, pondering her words, seeing similarities and differences in our lives, seeing a vein of gratitude that runs through each and every entry. God has given her an attitude of gratitude and has blessed me with that same gift.

In November 2006, Ann suggests keeping a journal of gratitude, A List of a Thousand Things. When I first ran across One Thousand Gifts, I thought, "I already do this when I list blessings at the end of every post." Then, I tucked this thought away in my mind and, every so often, would pull it to the fore front and ponder it. Yesterday, the light...Light...dawned and I realized why I should begin A List of a Thousand Things. Not for God. He already knows the gazallion blessings He bestowes upon me in an hour. No, A List of a Thousand Things is for me. To see things I never saw, to hear things I never heard, to taste things I never tasted, to feel things I never felt, to smell things I never smelled. To bring Awareness to me in a way never experienced. To bring a dimension to my 'practicing Christianity' that will bring me closer to Him, the Giver of all gifts.

I'm sure to miss writing down things because the List won't be with me at all times. But I'm also sure to expand my Attitude of Gratitude, my wonder and awe at His loving care over me and all of us at Thistle Cove Farm.

Oh, I won't give up my small blessings at entry end; that will always be a part of each entry. I do have a small notebook that, today, begins my journal journey, A List of a Thousand Things.

“Earth is crammed with heaven and every common bush afire with God. But only he who sees takes off his shoes. The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.”

Blessings ~ journal journey ~ YOU ~ A Holy Experience ~ Ann Voskamp ~ attitude of gratitude ~ His gifts ~

Sabbath Keeping

The Hunt for the Unicorn Tapestries ~

Are you familiar with the Unicorn Tapestries? Some believe unicorns to be an animal of myth and mystery, a fable if you will. Not I. I believe unicorns existed until man hunted them out of existence just as other species have been hunted out of existence. I know many people who don't believe in them just as they don't believe our beloved companion animals and pets won't be in heaven with us.O ye of little faith! If one chooses to believe our beloved companion animals and pets won't be in heaven with them...they are correct. Their faith won't be rewarded. But for those who believe, what a day, glorious day, that will be when we, not only, see Christ but also our four legged friends!

Can you tell I'm a believer? -smile- Faith, as a child has, I have in abundance.

The Unicorn Tapestries are, generally, considered to be the finest surviving set of medieval tapestries in the world and the seven tapestries tell the story of a unicorn hunt. The Hunt of the Unicorn Tapestries, as they are correctly known, are hanging at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City at The Cloisters and are believed to have been woven between 1495 and 1515 in the Netherlands. In 1680 they were noted as part of the inventory of belongings of French Duke Francoise VI de La Rouchefoucauld. In 1922, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. purchased some of the tapestries and in 1938 the Cloisters opened with the tapestries gifted to the museum.

The tapestries are woven in wool, metallic threads and silk and the vibrant colors were produced with just three plant dyes - weld for yellow, madder for red and woad for blue. Can you imagine?!! THREE dye plants! Only three! Yet those three, and combinations thereof, are responsible for these tapestries that defy description.

The Unicorn Tapestries are now being recreated at Stirling Castle, Scotland. The project began in 2002, is expected to be completed in 2014 and tapestries one, four and seven are completed. One of three weavers works every day, save Christmas and perhaps one or two other days on the Unicorn Tapestries. This is an amazing task especially when one considers there are only three primary weavers. Surely in medieval times there would have been dozens of weavers but we'll never truly know.

Thimbleanna wrote about her visit to Stirling Castle and then The Cloisters where she saw both the original and the recreated tapestries. What a wonderful thing...to have seen both! Please visit her and read about her accounting as well as see a lot of beautiful photographs.

While extremely beautiful, I find the tapestries sad. The Bible speaks of unicorns, several times, and one time is Job 39:9-12 "Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib? Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee? Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labor to him? Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn?"

Do you think God created the unicorn simply because it gave His eyes rest when He gazed upon His creation? Can it be God created something simply for beauty? I think that's possible just as I believe God has ways that are higher than our ways, wiser than our ways. Isaiah 55:8-9 writes, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Was the unicorn hunted out of existence simply because it was too beautiful for our eyes? Could we not gaze upon it and love it simply because it was pure, beautiful and, perhaps, unattainable? We had to kill it so that no one would ever have it and in it's end was our own, second, loss of innocence.

It's said the unicorn is the symbol of wayward, lost, foundling and stray animals. Thistle Cove Farm has a unicorn flying over the farm. Our human eyes can't see it but the animals know it's here; just ask the rescued animals who have found shelter and sanctuary here, they know it's true. My eyes rest on their beauty and I thank God.

Blessings ~ The Hunt for the Unicorn Tapestries ~ weavers ~ unicorns ~ God's ways and thoughts ~ a heaven filled with beloved companion animals, pets and loved ones ~

Almost Full Moon

Life is what happens when we're busy living but when we slow down...ahh, we open ourselves to the magic and mystery that is older than time. The magic and mystery that is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. That time before everything else, when His creation was new, before we humans had begun to rid ourselves of that which we did not understand.

From our back porch the, almost, full moon rises over the wild cherry tree. You can see the fog rolling across the mountains, drifting into the valley, wafting across the pastures. The glint on the right hand side is from the celler roof as the moon light floods to my eye.
Here, from the sun room porch, the walnut tree in the foreground with the moon starting her glide across the valley and sky; the mountains show the fog beginning her descent. This is a magical time of night, full of sounds and whispers of small animals and the horses in the pasture next to the sun porch snuffling their pleasure at being a part of it all. We're not sure but we think we heard faeries floating and sighing on the breeze as the fog rolled over the mountain. Certainly we didn't hear the nightingale nor the coyotes; this time is far too mystical and the animals and birds know not to disturb the mystery. All hold their breath as if waiting for the Son to whisper, "this is my Father's creation and all is well."

Blessings ~ fog ~ night ~ moon light ~ breeze ~ whispers ~ mystery ~