Appalachian Winter

~ Pounding Mill Road ~

It’s easy to love Appalachia, especially in Spring's hopefulness, Summer's drowsiness and, perhaps most of all, Autumn. All year long, I relish listening to YoYo Ma  and Edgar Meyer join Mark O'Conner in O'Conner's breathlessly beautiful Appalachian Waltz. To love Appalachia in winter, however, requires a different skill set and forced concentration of appreciation for bare trees, stripped of color-full beauty, standing in honest nakedness, outlined against a sullen gray sky.

~ walnut tree ~

Drifts of snow on the upper mountain reaches ring our valley in every direction. On mountain sides snow lays in stark relief, a smattering of dandruff against bare trees, a reminder of old folks with thinning hair. The wind moves at a pace strong enough to make the sugar maple branches dance and the still needing to be cut butterfly bush scrapes against the window.

~ Maiden Spring ~

Kitten, so called because he still hasn’t revealed his name, perches on the cat castle, batting paw against window, trying to catch branch and leaves, the skeetch of branch uneasy in his ears.

~ Kitten ~

On Saturday, once again the clothes were left on the line overnight as that day provided too full of work to finish. On Sunday I'm guessing the more righteous nattered amongst  themselves in indignent disapproval at my blatant, to them anyway, disregard of the Sabbath. They forget Sabbath was made for man and not man for Sabbath and because my house and farm sit on a knoll, it’s easy to see when I’m breaking Pharaciacal law. It’s not so easy for others as their enclaves are off the road with house and barns situated so activites are hidden from view.

Here, clothes dance saucily on the line, bras and bloomers flinging against shirts and jeans as night gown arms reach to hug the sky. Since Dave’s death, my list of “sins” grows, almost daily, and I’ve been known to both wash clothes and hang them out on Sunday.  Mercy! A photo, taken on a frigid, winter’s day show clothes frozen solid - jeans and flannel nightgown tossed about by a hard wind and, should you get too close, would exchange severe pain for such boldness.

~ clothes, frozen stiff ~

Appalachia in winter isn’t for the faint of heart and is the season of single, even minus, double digits, harsh winds, spitting sky and short, yet somehow long, days without sunshine.  In January 1996 Dave and I saw the outside thermometer at minus 35 degrees...that's below zero! This year, in February, it rested at minus 20 degrees and God alone knows what's in store these next few months.

Winter is also the season of crystal clear skies and brilliant stars splitting the darkness, the Milky Way flung in a diamond path stretching into eternity, a quarter moon pulling aside heaven's drapery and air so cold it hurts to breath. Such gifts are honest and raw in their tender beauty and tears, frozen, stay on my cheeks.

                God constantly overwhelms me with His gifts.

No matter the weather, outside chores still have to be done and by the time I’m bundled up, the Michelin Tire Man pales in comparison. Silk long johns, fleece lined jeans or sweat pants, long sleeve tee shirt, wool sweater or fleece jacket, Dave’s old ski coat (patched with duck tape), balaclava, brimmed hat, wool socks and water proof boots complete the not so lovely “ensamb”.

'Tis a vision to behold, I promise.

On Saturday past, Gina, a neighbor, brought me a gallon of anti-freeze and, bless her!, stayed to help load the Polaris Ranger with wood. It was a full day before she arrived ---

- treats for dogs and house cats,
-devotions and coffee for me,
-Lightly, the mare and barn cats fed,
-hay, thrown down from the loft,
-checked vehicles fluids, filled with life saving necessities,
-tire pressure checked,
-topped off gas tanks,
de-icer put in water tank,
-three loads of laundry washed and hung on the line and,
-using the tractor, I set out two 5'x5' round bales of hay for my horses. At day's end, I delivered a round bale of hay to Gina and Steve who live 2.5 miles down the asphalt, turned into gravel, road and it was C.O.L.D. by the time I'd delivered the hay and still had that same 2.5 miles to drive home. My tractor doesn't have a cab or canopy and, once the sun goes down, even wool garments are "challenged" by the low temps. Gina followed me to and from her house; safety first, doncha know?, and a mug of hot tea quickly brought warmth to my innards.

All jobs are important but one of the most important is the de-icer. Using three strands of bailer twine, I plait a rope to keep the de-icer stationed in the center of the water tank. The twine is fed through the fence to plug in the de-icer which keeps the water from freezing and, as importantly, it keeps the water at a "drinkable" temperature, ensuring the horses will continue to drink even as outside temps plummet. All animals, even humans, are predominately water and we have to replenish our water in order to keep our bodies functioning,  healthy and well.

Even so, some mornings I still find frozen water that needs to be chopped and removed so the horses have access. Perhaps I should think about installing two de-icers but shudder at the electric bill.

In looking up the web address for my Ranger I found...be still my heart! Polaris has brought back the Indian motorcycle!!! (Is that too many exclamation points? No, I don't think so either.) The Indian is an old time, and, for a while, the only American made motorcycle with beautiful lines, gorgeous colors and I want one!  but only if it comes with a side car -grin-. It's not common knowledge that in my wild and frantic youth, I used to own, and ride, a Honda 350 Super Eagle motorcycle. Oh the stories I won't tell...

Surprised?

Inside, wood flames flicker against a stove window that needs cleaning but will wait until end of week when it's warmer and I can clean ashes out as well. It's only been a few days and the wood supply is dwindling at a rapid rate so I fill the wood stove then bank it so it "simmers" and the wood burns more slowly. Usually. Unless there's a stiff wind, like today, the wind sucks both oxygen and heat from the stove and house. It's a three-layer day today inside...cami, long sleeve tee shirt and sweater along with wool socks and slippers but after the Ranger is unloaded of wood supply. That's also because I like a cool house and refuse to live in a hot house; anyway, a cooler house is healthier for all of us.

Appalachia, in all seasons, is beautiful and, yes, winter is the hardest season. The extreme cold, snow, ice and wind mean outside work is more difficult and dangerous and keeping us warm inside requires a lot more physical effort. It's still easier than how Daddy grew up on his family's WV hardscrabble farm. Their farmhouse had only one coal fireplace and one cook stove to provide heat. The boys slept upstairs, the girls downstairs and Grandmother and Granddaddy slept in the living room which also had two iron frame beds and was where the one fireplace was located. The boys and girls would take heated bricks to warm the beds and, with at least two to a bed, sleep under half dozen, or more!, hand made quilts. In the frigid winter morning, they'd flap the bed covers to scatter the snow that had crept in through the clapboards and lay on quilt tops...no such thing as insulation...before dashing downstairs to dress by the fire.

~ Daddy's WV homeplace ~

The first winter Dave and I lived here, Jan 1996, because we had no central heat (or electricity except for a couple of downstairs rooms) we used a pot belly coal/wood stove and the same soapstone wood stove I now use. By November 1995, we'd taken out all the walls to put in electrical lines and insulation and how well I remember going upstairs to shovel snow from inside the house to outside the house! Sheet rock walls weren't put in until Spring '96, a day of celebration I assure you. (When we first got electricity throughout the house, Dave and I put lamps in each room, turned them on and drove down the valley until we were out of sight of the house. Then, slowly we drove back toward the house and, as the 'lit up like a Christmas tree' house came into view we exclaimed, "WOW! Look at that beautiful place! Wonder who lives there?" Ah yes, we had some silly, memorable times!) Maybe I should start a series of blog posts on restoring our lovely old farmhouse...what's your vote? 

~ Ephesians 6:10 ~

Pride goeth before a fall but I admit to being just a tad bit proud I'm able to continue on the farm, to do the work set before me. I know it's all due to God's strength and, many times daily, as I stand at a sink, I see the above verse as both reminder and prayer. Yes, there are days when tears flow freely as I struggle to finish morning chores knowing it's only hours before evening chores but He helps and provides. Yes, by now I wanted the farm sold and the animals and I moved but my plan isn't His plan. As I've told Him time and time again, "Lord, I want your perfect will, not your permissive will for my life. Please, don't let me get in your way and run before You; let me follow You." Some days it's easier to pray than others but, I continue to ask for wisdom and He gives it; I ask for faith and He increases it; I ask for strength and He provides. Always.

These past almost twenty years have been an adventure of epic proportions and I wouldn't have traded any of them for anything. I miss Dave with every molecule in my body but accept God's  perfect plan for both Dave and myself. When God does say, "It's time", I plan on being ready for the next great adventure but, until then, I'm enjoying another Appalachian Winter at Thistle Cove Farm...where it's beautiful one day and perfect the next.

Blessings ~ memories ~ God's gifts of wisdom, strength, courage, faith, safety ~ the work He sets before me ~ sturdy, pioneer stock ~ beautiful music ~ Appalachia ~

Sabbath Keeping

 "I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty..."

~ Ruth 1:21 ~

"Where we love is home -  home that our feet may leave but not our hearts."
~ Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. ~

"The ornament of a house are the friends who frequent it."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

"It's sad if people think that's (homemaking) a dull existence, (but) you can't just buy an apartment and furnish it and walk away. It's the flowers you choose, the music you play, the smile you have waiting. I want to be gay and cheerful, a haven in this troubled world. I don't want my husband and children to come home and find a rattled woman. Our era is already rattled enough, isn't it?"
~ Audrey Hepburn ~

"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort."

 ~ Jane Austin ~

"There is no spectacle on earth more appealing than that of a beautiful woman in the act of cooking dinner for someone she loves." ~ Thomas Wolfe ~

"Home is where one starts from." ~ T. S. Eliot ~

"I believe that a godly home is a foretaste of heaven. Our homes, imperfect as they are, must be a haven from the chaos outside. They should be a reflection of our eternal home, where troubled souls find peace, weary hearts find rest, hungry bodies find refreshment, lonely pilgrims find communion, and wounded spirits find compassion." ~ Jani Ortlund ~

"Home is where the heart is."

~Pliny the Elder  ~

"I'm only a housewife, I'm afraid." How often do we hear this shocking admission. I'm afraid when I heart it I feel very angry indeed. Only a housewife: only a practitioner of one of the two most noble professions (the other one is that of a farmer); only the mistress of a huge battery of high and varied skills and custodian of civilization itself. Only a typist, perhaps! Only a company director, or a nuclear physicist; only a barrister; only the President! When a woman says she is a housewife she should say it with the utmost pride, for there is nothing higher on this planet to which she could aspire." ~ John Seymour, Forgotten Household Crafts ~

"Nothing can bring a real sense of security into the home except true love."

~ Billy Graham ~

"A home without books is a body without soul." ~ Cicero ~

"My home is in heaven.

I'm just traveling through this world."

~ Billy Graham ~

"There are many rooms in my Father's house.

If there were not, would I have told you that I am going away to prepare a place for you?

And if I am going away to prepare a place for you,

I will come again and will welcome you into my presence,

so that you may be where I am."

~ John 14:2-3 ~

If you have a name for the prayer list, each week, please let me know. Around the world, people are praying.

Sabbath Keeping ~ Wendy ~ Annie ~  GJ ~ Bill ~ Donna ~ Jim ~ Sandra ~

10 Doables to a Daily Wonderful Life...

~ the bliss of October ~

Little did I know when I took the month of September off from blogging, it would turn into October and most of November as well. The computer hard drive crashed and, through friend Mary, I found someone to fix the problem...for a day or two. Then, other problems began and the computer stopped working, again, leaving me in a muddle. In October we celebrated Mom's 80th birthday (photos and story at a later date) and her and Daddy's 63rd wedding anniversary! My siblings always want me to be master of ceremonies and the single most on point thing I said was, "Mom and Daddy's lives are a long obedience in the right direction." The most wonderful memory I have of them both are when they read their Bibles. Daddy reads his every morning, before breakfast, and Mom reads her Bible sometime during the day. They've both studied God's word for decades, used the Bible to guide them in making sound decisions about all of life and, by example, taught their children, other family, friends, neighbors, acquaintances what it means to "live a life of long obedience in the right direction."

Other folks spoke up and one comment was, "When I think of Jim and Gladys, I think of the word "faithful". They are faithful to God, to each other, to their family, to their community...". Everyone should have a time in their lives when they hear the good stuff; don't save it for a funeral or wake. Make it a point to tell someone ASAP what they mean to you; what a fine example they've set, what a blessing they've been to you or how much you appreciate them.

Do Not Wait because it's later than you think.

 

~ the view in November ~

Now...I'm in a list making kinda mood so here are my suggestions for things to do everyday to add life to your years, quality to your life and joy all 'round.

10 Doables to a Daily Wonderful Life

1. Move, if possible, outside. Walk, run, bike, jump on a (mini) trampoline, lift weights... do something physical every day. Leave the ear buds behind as you take a walk or run; watch and listen to nature, to what's around you. Look, listen and be attentive and where ever you are, be fully there.

~ Daisy, full gallop ~

2. Encourage others and don't forget to encourage yourself as well. Hand write notes or letters and mail them, send a free e-card, make an agreement with yourself to never return to the house without giving at least one compliment to a stranger. Watch their face light up and know you've done a Very Good Thing. Encouragement can be such a small thing to do yet such a huge gift, both to give and receive. Cast your bread upon the water and know it will return, full fold, to you.

3. Practice gratitude. In your journal, save a few pages to being thankful in all things. You don't have to be thankful for all things but there's always a blessing peeking around the cloud. The small things in life are the bricks that make love's foundation.

4. Make something. Be crafty and creative...sew, knit, crochet, weave, use textiles, fiber, paper, found objects, make a meal from scratch, garden, can produce, tie flies for fishing, woodwork...there's no end to being crafty and creative. Stifle that (bad) teacher's voice who told you, "You're no artist, give it up" and make something anyway. Don't worry about perfect...it'll never be perfect but you can make it perfectly yours and that's a good thing.

5. Be judicious in watching television which can be a time suck that devours minutes, hours, days of your one precious life! Watching television leaves not much to show other than more creative things being left undone. Television is a trade off; be careful what you trade because, essentially, you're trading your life...

6. Be kind. Everyone has struggles that make life challenging. No matter how others behave, be kind to them. If they aren't kind in return, if possible, as soon as possible, remove yourself from their sphere and negative influence. Be kind to yourself and treat yourself with gentleness and respect in what you say and do and how you act. Practice being kind with yourself so it becomes a habit with others.

7. Read uplifting material. Light a candle, make a favorite beverage and prepare to fuel your life with goodness. An old term is GIGO which means garbage in, garbage out; what you put into your head and thoughts will come out through your mouth and life. Now, that, my lovelies, is a frightening thought!

8. Get plenty of rest and sleep. An interview with Martha Stewart quoted her as saying she didn't need more than four or five hours of sleep a night. P'raps so but I need a solid eight and will, when bone weary and exhausted, dip into nine or ten hours. The results are the next day I'm better able to handle what life throws at me.

9. Eat and drink healthfully. Women's bodies are approximately 50% water while men's bodies are approximately 60% water (adults). There's a reason we're told to drink 64 ounces of water a day; it keeps headaches and constipation at bay, gives a more radiant glow, flushes toxins from our body and keeps us healthier. Eat servings of fruit, vegetables, dairy, protein and carbs every day; if you have allergies, stay away from that which negatively affects you. There are almost as many diets as they are people and I once heard someone say, "Everything in moderation, including moderation." I've also heard the best exercise is a "push away"...as in we should all eat more slowly and, when we feel full, push away from the table.

10. Be a generous giver and gracious taker. Mom has always said, "There are two kinds of people in the world: givers and takers and most fall into the second category." I maintain there's a third category and that's a "generous giver and gracious taker." Do you find most givers are dreadful takers? I think it's difficult for givers to take with grace and I've often wondered why; do you know? (I ask because I'm a giver and know it's difficult for me to take without doing/giving something in return...which, rather negates and, more than likely, takes pleasure from the original giver. hmmm...and, I should add, I've stopped giving to those who are mostly takers. That is a deep well of misery that I choose not to dip my ladle into these days.)

What are your 10 Doables to a Daily Wonderful Life?

Want to share?

Well, Blog Buddies, this is what comes of not having a computer. My brain goes all introspective and I come up with list after list after list... you have been warned...

October was brilliant in color but extremely rainy and the first weekend in November, six inches of snow fell on the farm. So far, November is a reminder winter is close and closing in. Tonight, it's snowing and I started a fire in the wood stove so the house is warm and cozy. The kitten is giving the evil eye to Miss Emma who is responding with threatening growls of, "Try it and I'll kick you to Tuesday." The dogs are crashed out on sofas and floor and (other than the absence of Dave) all is right with my inside world. Earlier, the kitten was snugged against Sam P. Spade, Secret Agent who has had a name change to Sam P. Spade, Secret Saint. Some readers may remember I rescued the kitten from roadside ditch, brought him home and, bless me! if he doesn't keep growing. Even so, he was thrown away young, misses his mother and Sam was the only family member who allowed nursing and cuddling.

~ Sam P. Spade, Secret Saint with "his" kitten ~

Meri Go Lightly, my easy keeper mare, has laminitis (again) and has been on a short lot with short rations and meds twice a day. Last night in the bitter cold, Dr. Anne came by to say it's time for new meds, which she ordered today and I bought straw bales to put on the ground so Lightly could have a barrier against the cold earth. My horses are American Curly horses and giving free choice shelter which, generally, they choose not to use. Their winter coats are heavy with curls and provide excellent insulation against the elements.

~ Meri Go Lightly ~

For some reason, it's taking me a long time to download, or is it upload, photos. Since that's the case, I'm closing down and headed to bed robed in a flannel night gown, with a good book or magazine and three dogs for company. The temperature is now hovering around 22 and it's, officially, a three dog night. Sweet dreams, all.

Blessings ~ a wonderful vet ~ a fire in the wood stove ~ Godly parents ~ a long obedience in the right direction ~ a daily wonderful life ~ you, for reading my blog...thank you! ~

The Greatest Generation

Thank You to

The Greatest Generation

HERE

Thank you for serving.

Blessings ~ US Army ~ US Air Force ~ US Navy ~ US Marine Corp ~ US Coast Guard ~ Rangers ~ Seals ~ 

Sabbath Keeping

~ sea oats, Atlantic Ocean ~

"Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you;

he will never let the righteous fall."

~ Psalm 55:22 ~

"When the wrong people leave your life,

the right things start happening."

~ unknown ~

"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit." ~ Albert Schweitzer ~ 

"The sweetest time of the day is when you pray. 

Why?

Because you're talking to the One who loves you most." 

~ unknown ~

"Encouragement from any source is like a drop of rain upon a parched desert."
~ Claire Gillian ~
"There is nothing better than the encouragement of a good friend."
~ Katharine Butler Hathaway ~ 
"Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~ 
"Your conscience is the measure of the honesty of your selfishness. Listen to it carefully."
~ Richard Bach ~
"You can get a thousand "no's" from people and only one "yes" from God."
~ Tyler Perry ~ 
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us." ~ J.R.R. Tolkien ~
"The greatest act of faith some days is to simply get up and face another day." 
~ Amy Gatliff ~

"So encourage each other and build each other up,

just as you are already doing."

~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11 ~ 

If you'd like a name added to the prayer list, please let me know each week. Around the world, people are praying; please, join us.

Prayer Keeping ~ Chris ~ Eliot ~ Louise ~ Norma ~ Rick ~ Michelle ~ Wendy ~ Jim ~ Donna ~ GJ ~ Bill ~ Sandra ~

God Gave You Heaven

~ Dave, in the Sahara Desert 

with the Tuareg, aka Blue Men or Imohag ~

"We call this life, that is life's preparation,

We call this life, a little time of tears;

But think You God for this designed creation,

A few short years?

If this is all, then why these worlds around us,

And unseen skies, and undiscovered stars?

I wonder, though one little world we found us,

Why God made Mars?...

God made for man an earthly habitation,

The body soil in which the soul may grow;

This little life is but the preparation

The soul must know.

And then some day man's errors overcome him

The body fails, the soul alone is wise;

And then the God that takes one small world from him

Gives him the skies."

~ Douglas Malloch (1877-1938) ~

Even so, to paraphrase C. S. Lewis,
"Your absence is like the sky spread over everything."
Dearest God, will the grief ever abate?!
 

Blessings ~ Dave, you made a crowded room bearable then gave me wings ~

Sabbath Keeping

~ Pier, NMB, SC ~

"A wise man's heart inclines him to the right
but a fool's heart to the left."
~ Ecclesiastes 10:2 ~ 

"Choose for your tribes wise,

understanding and experienced men

and I will appoint them as your heads."

~ Deuteronomy 1:13 ~

"The difference between a democracy and a dictatorship is that in a democracy you vote first and take orders later; in a dictatorship, you don't have to waste time voting."
~ Charles Burkowski ~
"Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner." ~ James Bovard ~
"As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."
~ H. L. Mencken ~
"Every election is determined by the people who show up." ~ Larry Sabato ~
"Perhaps the fact that we have seen millions voting themselves into complete dependence upon a tyrant has made our generation understand that to choose one's government is not necessarily to secure freedom." ~ Friedrich August von Hayek ~
"Voting is a civil sacrament." ~ Theodore Hesburgh ~
"The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter."
~ Winston Churchill ~
"in my lifetime, we've gone from Eisenhower to George W. Bush. We've gone from J. F. Kennedy to Al Gore. If this is evolution, I believe that in twelve years we'll be voting for plants." ~ Lewis Black ~

"Voting is a right that has been given to every American;

however, as Christ followers, our

votes should reflect our God." 

~ Monica Johnson ~

"Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters." 
~ Abraham Lincoln ~
"Remember something, if you will, about voting: voting is not a horse race, you're not going there thinking "Gee, I gotta pick the winner so I can brag to my friends 'Oh, I picked so-and-so and he or she won." Voting is voting your heart and voting your conscience and when you've done that, don't ever, EVER let a Democrat or Republican tell you that you've wasted your vote because the fact is, if you DON'T vote your heart and conscience then you HAVE wasted your vote." ~ Jesse Ventura  ~

PLEASE vote Tuesday; it's our privilege, right and responsibility. PLEASE put aside personal opinion and views and vote as you believe God would have you vote. Our votes will have lasting, eternal consequences; on judgement day, each of us will stand before God and He's gong to ask, "WHY?" Be prepared to answer based upon your reading of Scripture and your prayers before the Lord God Almighty.

"Finally, brothers, pray for us, 

that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, 

as happened among you, 

and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men,

 for not all have faith."

~ 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 ~

If you'd like a name added to the prayer list, please let me know each week.

Prayer Keeping ~ Donna ~ Jim ~ GJ ~ Bill ~ Sandra ~ 

(Computer troubles are, again, keeping me from the i-net; my apologies.)

John Donne and Winner, Winner Lobster Dinner!

We're overrun with eagles this year and my photo isn't terrific due to great distance between birds and me. We've got a lot of adults and juveniles who war for food, and, I would show you more photos but I can't figure out how to upload them. Yes, it seems success is not to be mine tonight, at least, not more than once.  Marcus, the computer genius who fixed my computer, has me on Internet Explorer now and I was on Chrome; it's totally confusing as I have no tidy mind when it comes to computer stuff. I seem to wander all over the place, never getting much accomplished and have now been trying to update the blog for almost 3 hours. Yeah. Like I've got that kind of time...sigh. Dearest God, I do miss Dave for all kinds of reasons!

"In heaven it is always autumn,

His mercies are ever in their maturity.

We ask our daily bread

And God never says

You should have come yesterday,

He never says

You must come again tomorrow,

But today if you will hear His voice,

Today He will hear you.

 

He brought light out of darkness,

Not out of a lesser light;

He can bring thy summer out of winter

Tho' thou have no spring,

Though in the ways of fortune or understanding or conscience

Thou have been benighted til now,

Wintered and frozen, clouded and eclipsed,

Damped and benumbed, smothered and stupefied til now.

 

Now God comes to thee,

Not as in the dawning of the day,

Not a in the bud of the spring

But as the sun at noon,

As the sheaves in harvest."

 

~ John Donne, 1624 ~

Weather has turned November'ish and it's cold, windy, rainy, sleety and calling for 6 inches of snow tonight and more snow through Sunday. Next week it warms up and, as Mom likes to say, "It's good pneumonia weather!" The horses have been fed, some turned into a small lot for grazing and Lightly is still in a short lot, receiving meds for tender feet. Everyone has safety, shelter, food and water for the night. One of my mantras is, "I prep during daylight so I can sleep at night" and, mostly, that's true. There have been a few bitter nights that I've lain awake and prayed for the animals...for sheep lambing and cows calving, for my own animals. There are many  nights I awake and pray for those whom God brings to mind but, generally, I sleep and sleep well due to the energy needed to get through the day.

Cutting this short...I'm hungry and still need to fix myself supper; the winner of the Food Network Magazine subscription is Madge of The View From Right Here. Congratulations Madge! I've sent you a PM and you've got 24 hours to send me your snail mail address.

Blessings ~ magazine subscriptions ~ John Donne ~ poetry ~ work ~ a good
night's rest ~ 

October's Party by George Cooper

"October gave a party;

The leaves by hundreds came-

The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.

 The Chestnuts came in yellow,
The Oaks in crimson dressed;
The lovely Misses Maple
In scarlet looked their best;
All balanced to their partners,
And gaily fluttered by;
The sight was like a rainbow
New fallen from the sky.

 Then, in the rustic hollow,
At hide-and-seek they played,
The party closed at sundown,
And everybody stayed.
Professor Wind played louder;
They flew along the ground;
And then the party ended
In jolly "hands around." "

The above poem was given to me by Chris, an Abingdon friend and the only person I've ever met who was born on my birthday. Chris says I was born on her birthday because she's a few hours...or is it minutes?...older. Last week, Chris called and said, "I have a poem for you. I had to memorize it in Mrs. Bacon's 4th grade and know you'll love it" and then, proceeded to quote the poem. I was, am, totally amazed...the only thing I remember about 4th grade is I had to get eye glasses and Chris remembers a poem! Makes me feel like a real piker but Chris was right...I do love the poem...thank you, Chris.

The computer problem was the hard drive; it crashed and a wonderful, wonderful young man named Marcus diagnosed and fixed the problem. It's funny...I took September off from blogging and, as it turns out, due to computer problems, have taken a lot of October as well. There aren't enough hours in the day, nor in me, to get it all done so, again, will visit as time permits. We're expecting snow this weekend and I still have to mortar the foundation as well as a host of other chores to prepare. Work is never finished, I simply reach a stopping point and continue the next day.

Update: Food Network Magazine giveaway...here...will be tomorrow, 5 p.m.  Winner's name will be chosen via Random.org; if winner doesn't respond within 24 hours, a new name will be chosen same way, same rules.

Blessings ~ poetry ~ George Cooper ~ October ~ Chris ~ Marcus ~

computer woes and Giveaway

Having torrential rain storms, flooded in...IN...in one day; 

high waters meant I couldn't leave farm.

Computer problems, trouble posting, visiting.

 Food Network Mag giveaway here.

Sabbath Keeping

"You made my whole being;

you formed me in my mother's body.

I praise you because you made me

in an amazing and wonderful way.

What you have done is wonderful.

I know this very well."

~ Psalm 139: 13-14 ~

"Antonio Stradivari was a seventeenth-century violin maker whose name in its Latin form, Stradivarius, has become synonymous with excellence. He once said that to make a violin less than his best would be to rob God, who could not make Antonio Stradivari's violins without Antonio.
  He was right. God could not make Stradivarius violins without Antonio Stradivari. Certain gifts were give to that craftsman that no other violin maker possessed.
  In that same vein, there are certain things you can do that no one else can. Perhaps it is parenting, or constructing houses, or encouraging the discouraged. There are things that only you can do, and you are alive to do them. In the great orchestra we call life, you have an instrument and a song, and you owe it to God to play them both sublimely." 
~ Max Lucado ~
"Remember always that you not only have the right to be an individual, you have an obligation to be one." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt ~
"You cannot be lonely if you like the person you're alone with." ~ Wayne Dyer ~
"If you spend your time hoping someone will suffer the consequences for what they did to your heart, then you're allowing them to hurt you a second time in your mind."
~ Shannon Alder ~ 
"A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval." ~ Mark Twain ~

"Where ever you go, 

there you are,

 so you might as well enjoy the company." 

~ Sandra B. ~

"Self-care is never a selfish act-it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer to others." ~ Parker Palmer ~
"Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are."
~ Malcolm S. Forbes ~

"You have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn't worked.

Try approving of yourself and see what happens."

~ Louise L. Hay ~ 

“There is nothing so rewarding as to make people realize that they are worthwhile in this world.”  ~ Bob Anderson ~

"It ain't what they call you,

it's what you answer to."

~ W. C. Fields ~ 

“I will not be "famous," "great." I will go on adventuring, changing, opening my mind and my eyes, refusing to be stamped and stereotyped. The thing is to free one's self: to let it find its dimensions, not be impeded.” ~ Virginia Woolf ~
“Sometimes the hardest part of the journey is believing you're worthy of the trip.” 
~ Glenn Beck ~

"If only you could sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; 

how important you can be to people you may never even dream of.

There is something of yourself that you leave 

at every  meeting with another person."

~ Mr. Rogers ~ 

"You are God's children whom He loves,

so try to be like Him. Live a life of love just as

Christ loved us and gave Himself for us as a

sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice to God."

~ Ephesians 5:1-2 ~

Please let me know if you have a name to be placed on the prayer list. Names are kept for one week and then we begin again. My memory is horrible; if you want a name added each week, please let me know.

Prayer Keeping ~ Donna ~ Jim ~ Bill ~ GJ ~ Hilary ~ Sandra ~ 

Food Network Mag Giveaway

"Listen! The wind is rising, 

and the air is wild with leaves, 

we have had our summer evenings, 

now for October eves!" 

by Humbert Wolfe

There's a last gasp on harvest and produce; we're leaving red and heading into orange season so I decided to do something with cherry tomatoes. Dave told me...hmmm... memory is shaky but I think it was either General Patton or General Eisenhower used to read cookbooks to relax. I bet it was Eisenhower...can't really see "George C. Scott" reading cookbooks, can you? grin Anyway, I adore reading cookbooks for inspiration, ideas and, sometimes, recipes. Although, I think recipes are suggestions and have never been married to one in my life. 

 When I found some good looking cherry tomatoes, I brought them home and thought bout it for a day or two. I finally decided to slice them in half and put them into a shallow baking pan and sprinkled a few finely diced rosemary leaves over the top.

 Some cracked pepper and sea salt were added,

then everything drizzled with EVOO and put the pan into a slow oven to roast. It was left there for about 4 hours at 300 degrees F. which was long enough for the flavors to meld.

 Meanwhile, I sliced up a small, rustic loaf of Italian bread and drizzled each slice with EVOO.

When the tomatoes were almost finished, I sliced up a log of goat cheese, dipped each slice into milk, then fine bread crumbs. A tablespoon, or three, of EVOO were put into a hot iron skillet and began to brown. If more crispy brown was wanted, I would have dipped the cheese slices into an egg wash.

When the cheese was a melted, delicious mess, each round of goat cheese was married to a bread slice, then topped with the roasted tomatoes. A taste test revealed another crank of the pepper and salt grinders was needed, but... it was wonderful! 

So wonderful, I've had it for supper, several times, in the last week. The tomatoes are also good when added to soups, stews, scrambled eggs. I'm still finding out ways to use the roasted tomatoes and have frozen one batch to use later. 

The Food Network Magazine has been around ages but I just discovered it recently and have read it cover to cover. It's great and has recipes from a wide variety of folks as well as recipes pertinent to the season. I subscribed and want to give a year's subscription to someone. Preference goes to followers...meaning only those who follow my blog are eligible to win. It's not that I'm trying to gain more followers, I'm saying thanks to those who are followers.

The October issue has lots of lovely pumpkin recipes, apple recipes and bread recipes. November's issue has lots of Thanksgiving recipes and Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa on the cover. Her latest cook book is Make It Ahead, and I'm all about making it ahead. My favorite kitchen tools are my slow cooker, enameled covered cast iron and plain cast iron cookware. I'm not sure I could do without any of those; surely don't want to imagine trying!

Leave a comment, telling me your favorite Autumnal recipe. It can be your recipe, someone else's, one from the magazine...doesn't matter; just tell me your favorite recipe for this time of year. A stateside winner will be chosen one week from today...next Friday at 5:00 and will be notified by e-mail. You'll have 24 hours to acknowledge and send me your address. If 24 hours pass and that's not done, another name will be chosen. Good Fortune be yours!

Blessings ~ cherry tomatoes ~ EVOO ~ goat cheese ~ Humbert Wolfe ~ Food Network Magazine ~

Sabbath Keeping

~grasshopper on sun room window ~

"As for me, I look to the Lord for help.

I wait confidently for God to save me,

and my God will certainly hear me."

~ Micah 7:7 ~

"And sure enough, even waiting will end, if you can just wait long enough."

~ William Faulkner ~

"Waiting is a trap. there will always be reasons to wait. If you always wait for the storm, you'll never enjoy the sunshine." ~ Morris West ~

"The important work of moving the world forward, does not wait to be done by perfect men." ~ George Elliott ~

"Life isn't about waiting for the rain to end. 

It's about learning how to dance in the rain."

~ unknown ~

"The opposite of talking isn't listening. The opposite of talking is waiting."

~ Fran Lebowitz ~

"All things come to him who waits-provide he knows what he's is waiting for."

~ Woodrow Wilson ~

"The great composer does not set to work because he is inspired, but becomes inspired because he is working. Beethoven, Wagner, Bach and Mozart settled down day after day to the job in hand with as much regularity as an accountant settles down each day to his figures. They didn't waste time waiting for inspiration." ~ Ernest Newman ~

"I believe that a trusting attitude and a patient attitude go hand in hand. You see, when you let go and learn to trust God, it releases joy in your life. And when you trust God, you're able to be more patient. Patience is not simply the ability to wait - it's how we behave while we're waiting."  ~ Joyce Meyer ~

"We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us." ~ E. M. Forster ~

"The world is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper." 

~ Bertrand Russell ~ 

"We always keep God waiting while we admit more importunate suitors."

~ Malcolm De Chazal ~

"Dream as if you'll live forever.

Live as if you'll die today."

"Looking for that blessed hope

and that glorious appearing

of the Great God and our Savior,

Jesus Christ." 

~ Titus 2:13 ~ 

If you have someone you'd like on the prayer list, please let me know. Names are kept for one week, then, we begin again.

Prayer Keeping ~ Jim ~ Donna ~ Bill ~ GJ ~ 

I Very Nearly Lost My Story

Taking some time off was a Very Good Thing but I can't report that anything wonderful happened. Life went along as usual...rescued another dog, rescued another kitten, made some delicious snacks that turned out to be supper, was going to visit family but ended up spending two weeks sick. It's some sort of upper respiratory infection and I'm in the middle of the second week of antibiotics, feeling some better and expecting a full recovery. Still and all, a blog break let me rest and breath and just be. I highly recommend it!

~ Tigger ~ 

I wouldn't put my hand on the Bible and swear but the facts are...a man and woman parked at the bottom of the hill, in front of gates (stoopid, stoopid), and got out with their dog. (The Cove is a favorite place to walk in Autumn.) I looked away and, a few seconds later, looked again. I could see a small critter winding around the legs of the dog and the man would stoop down, do "something" and then stand. This went on for a bit so I got the spyglasses to have a look see. What I saw was the bit of fluff above...the man was trying to get himself and the dog away from the kitten. 

I am so proud of ME! I didn't say any bad words...not a single, nary one! What I did was run to the garage, get the car and speed down the road...dressed in my Lanz nightgown and Ugg bedroom slippers, morning coffee breath and hair sticking everywhere. (I have almost absolutely no shame when it comes to an animal rescue!) When I got to the bottom of the hill, I saw a flash to my left. I stopped the car, got out and started calling, "here kitty, here kitty, meow! meow!" and the bit of fluff ran to me! He was meowing, cold, wet and totally unafraid which makes me think he was dropped. Also, his ears are clean, his coat is clean and he hasn't any fleas. A feral cat will not approach a human and this little thing absolutely threw himself at me! So, I drove on to the nasty mean wicked disgraceful humans and said, "The next time y'all visit the Cove, please don't block gates. We're a farming community and trying to get silage and hay put up; when you block our gates, you make our job so much more difficult." The woman replied, in rather a snitty voice (at least to my ear), "Well, I suppose we could go move our car." I smiled sweetly grimaced at her, "Oh, it's okay for now but this is your only warning. The next time it happens, we'll just have it towed."  Then I snugged the kitten and said, "Come on, kitty; this time you've found someone kind to love you." Then I drove home, leaving the nasty humans to talk about the crazy woman me.

~ Daisy Mae Redbone ~

This beautiful girl was dropped on the mountain and looks to be a pure bred Redbone Coon Hound and is about a year old. Redbones are used for hunting coon, bear, and even cougar. Daisy Mae has a beautiful red coat, lovely expression and feet the size of Montana. smile She's had her shots and is scheduled to be spayed next week. I'd love to find a great home for her but not around here. Around here she would be kept on a chain and beaten...shudder! The centuries old breed dates back to red foxhounds brought over by Scottish immigrants in the 1700's and, prior to the War Between the States, red foxhounds imported by Irishmen. Redbone's are easy to train, eager to please and Daisy is a love bug! Yes, she sleeps with Sadie, Sam and me and I wake to Daisy throwing her front leg over me, snuggled in as close as she can get, giving sloppy kisses in a frenzy of delight. Please, do you know someone who could give this girl a loving home? I'm willing to travel a ways...

So, what do you think of OCTOBER?  I dearly love October , although it's very confusing as it's name means "eighth"...?...but my absolute favorite month is the one I'm in. Forrest and me...we're alike thataway. (BTW, have I ever mentioned Dave's first name was Forrest? Yeah, he was a Gump too! LOL) Winston Groom's book, made into an award winning movie and, I believe, is Tom Hanks' best work. Ever. He was brilliant as Forrest, in virtually every scene and never fails to astound, delight, bring me to tears and laughter. Brilliant!

As the poet said, "I have been younger in October than all the months of spring..." and it's true. Is it the crispness of the air, the crunch of leaves underfoot, the last gasp of harvest before the deep sleep? I'm not sure but the air has a quality of absolute clarity that is stunning and overwhelms my senses. The Milky Way is seen on cloudless nights with stars cast as glitter from overhead to the far distance; its beauty devastates my heart. 

If you want a challenge, the Shepheardes Calender for October may be read here but I should warn you...it isn't an easy read but it is an interesting one. 

~ bread, goat cheese, evoo, tomatoes ~

Later this week, I want to give you a recipe suggestion for a tasty meal snack  hors devours or, as my SIL likes to say, horsey de overs. Let me give you a hint...it involves EVOO, tomatoes and goat cheese. I'm also going to giveaway a year's subscription to the food network magazine. I love magazine subscriptions and only today, found the food network magazine (yeah, yeah, if it doesn't hit Walmart, I'm the last to know) and that magazine is going to ruin me! Oh mercy. October's cover is quick bread...be still my heart! I'm going to make quick bread every day of this month! (Not really but it sounded good.) I am going to make bread...it's that time of year...bread making and my hands need some dough. (Oh goodness. I can go so many different directions with that one! Someone, please stop me!!!) 

AND...PUMPKIN SPICED COFFEE and NUTS and BREAD and...quick, help me! I'm hyperventilating! Around here, only Mickie D's has pumpkin spiced coffee but the FNM (yeah, I'm cool thataway...my new favorite mag is now called FNM...snicker, snort, guffaw!) has a recipe...wowza! You'll get that as well with the mag giveaway post so stay tuned.

Not really all that much happening for taking a few weeks off, eh? Even so, that little break kept me from losing my story...losing my touch. In the end, it's just life and God being good, that's good enough. 

That's all, y'all! Bye for now...

Blessings ~ good food ~ Daisy Mae ~ Tigger ~ October ~ Forrest Grump ~ a good life ~