Cove Snow Storm

My square hay is kept in the barn loft which is accessible from three different doors, all of which are kept locked. When we first moved here nothing was locked up but times are hard and these are different days; now, everything is kept under lock and key. Here, I'm standing in the loft, staring down into the tack room where I keep cracked corn, sweet feed, cat food and other animal essentials.

I'm standing in the loft door facing the front of the barn, where I back the Polaris Ranger into place so I can load hay. Today I loaded eight square bales...yeah, yeah, I can see they are truly rectangle but farmers call them square bales...which weigh between 65 and 75 pounds each. My neck and shoulder muscles are crying like babies and as soon as evening chores are over, I'm headed to a deep tub of HOT water.
This is the hay loft; ain't it just BEEYOUTIFUL!? I truly adore barns and think we've got one of the prettiest I've ever seen. It was built prior to the War of Northern Aggression, has a limestone foundation and is built with pegs and handmade nails.
Our road, Cove Road, probably, won't be cleared today as we're a secondary road and only three families live here full time. There are a couple of other houses but they are empty. Cove Road is also a dead end road and the road into which Cove Road empties is called Maiden Springs Road which is incorrect as there's only one spring but try telling that to the folks who named it. They named it incorrectly and, now, won't change it because "it's too much trouble". It's also Route 91, the only dirt primary road in the Commonwealth of VA. Strong men have been known to weep and saintly women to curse upon driving Rt. 91 across the mountain. There aren't any guardrails and a fair number of S turns, U turns, switchbacks and sheer drops into mountain air. Generally, we have a tractor trailer, or three, try and go across the mountain...even though the signs say, "NO tractor trailers" because, "the map says it's a primary road." I don't believe even one tractor trailer has made it around the first S curve; usually, they go over the side of the mountain and then tie up "traffic" all day. Hey! We call tractors traffic, don't you?
This is silage which is corn and corn stalks that have been cut in the summer heat, churned up into a "mash" and then piled into keeping areas. It ferments and, eventually, smells a bit like sour mash which I think smells good. A lot of non-farming types, including Dave, think it stinks. The birds won't visit my bird feeder in the winter because they'd rather eat silage. They swoop around, alight on the fence, fly down into the silage...it's fun watching them do their aerials.
Abigail and I headed down Cove Road today because we wanted to enjoy the beautiful day and I wanted to take some photos. Our nearest Cove Road neighbor, about two miles down the road, has one of the largest sheep flocks in the Commonwealth. The sheep had worked a gate loose and were in the road, eating spilled silage. I love the old barn, what character!
This constitutes a traffic jam. I waited until this car passed and then I parked my Polaris Ranger and managed to get the sheep back into their pasture. It's just being a good neighbor and Clinton has done similar for me. He knows my flock is ancient and, sometimes, he'll see a sheep that's cast...meaning, the sheep is lying down and can't get to its feet...and Clinton will climb my fence to right the sheep. I went to Clinton's house and told him what I'd done. I also wanted to check on his Mama, she's been ailing but is coming home today. I know she'll be happy to sleep in her own bed tonight!
This is John and he's feeding out silage to his cattle. He's the brother to Dr. Anne, our vet, and such a good young man. He and his wife have a beautiful baby boy...he's the little boy I made the John Deere tractor quilt for...and I love catching up with the news in their lives. John's wife, Miss A., works for Dr. Anne so we're accustomed to telling one family member something to pass along to another family member. We all live in a very small valley so it pays to establish good ties with each other; we all depend upon each other, one way or another.
This is Trouble, doing what she does best...eating. She'll stand and chew hay, apparently delighted with herself, thinking she's doing something wonderful. My sheep tickle me.
And, Carly, pretending she's a camel. Carly is one of the matriarchs of the flock and loves to come when I call her. She knows there's generally a small treat of cracked or whole corn, a cookie or some other goodie.
My Polaris Ranger, aka my Man Magnet. This is The Most Fabulous Utility Terrain Vehicle EVER! It starts, it goes, it has four wheel drive, independent suspension on every tire, a load leveling capability, will go far faster than I'll ever need to, will carry +1,000 pounds, will pull about the same and looks like a Moon Buggy. Every time I drive this thing, meaning every day, some guy will stop me and talk about what a great vehicle it is. I told John this morning, "this Ranger is my Man Magnet. You know how guys drive cars that are chick magnets? Well, this Polaris Ranger is a Man Magnet." I think he was as amused hearing about it as I was in the telling.

Hey Polaris --- THANKS for making the Ranger; it makes my farming life a whole lot easier!
Buster Brown getting his morning feed of cracked corn. He wouldn't drink any warm water this morning and I think he's getting closer to saying good-bye. He's had a great life, has been petted and loved on more than a lot of people...sad commentary on how we humans treat each other...but I think he'll be ready to cross over and be with our other beloved animals. Look at that Roman nose, how very Romney!
The driveway had drifts of three feet, perhaps more. It was an interesting morning, walking down to the barn.

The snowstorm is a humdigger...about ten inches on the ground and more coming down, hard and fast. Thank God we didn't have the wind chill we were expecting...weather folks were calling for somewhere around fifteen below zero F and that's enough to suck the life right out of my lungs!

It took a while to do chores this morning because the snow drifts are anywhere from two to three feet deep. Abigail looked like a deer as she was pronging from drift to drift. I made her wear her Army green sweater, which she hates, but it keeps her warm. She's at an age...aren't we all?...that she needs to retain as much body heat as possible, stay as warm as possible but still have a good time doing it. She acts like she think she looks goofy and doesn't seem to care that I look even goofier in my Goofy hat, sweatpants and five layers of clothing. I'm warm and don't really care what I look like and neither do the animals...they just care the hay is coming at a fast and furious pace.

I adore tending to my animals, taking care of this farm. It's a blessing to have the strength to do the work God has set before me and I'm so very grateful.

Blessings ~ strength ~ Polaris Ranger ~ Buster Brown ~ Abigail ~ Carly ~ Trouble ~ neighbors ~ snow ~ our valley ~

Winter Storm

We're in the midst of a winter storm, had about six or eight inches of snow last night and it's still snowing. The wind is calm so the 26 degrees F feels like ten degrees warmer and it's not long before I'm shedding layers of clothing. When it's frigid cold, nothing says comfort like being warm whether layers of clothing, a hand made throw or home made soup. Work is my panacea for just about everything that ills me, no matter physical, emotional or spiritual.

I've heard it said that Appalachians fight, pray, work and drink just about better than anyone and me and my near kin are no strangers to the middle two. We're not much on fighting or drinking but I've sit, fairly enthralled, as an older cousin told tales of his exploits as he ran the roads in his younger days. Why is it some of us waste so much of our youth on craziness? I fairly weep when I think of all those days I could have been doing some good as opposed to being a layabout and gadabout. Oh, I never did anything tremendously wrong but youth was such a complete and total waste on me. Perhaps that's one reason I so enjoy being productive now.

The rooster throw, above, is for my Beloved Sistah; she has a rooster themed kitchen and it's never been a problem finding gifts because I focus on roosters and chickens. When I found this fleece material, I knew immediately it was for a throw for Beloved Sistah. The throw back is a bright yellow that beautifully complements the rich colors on the front.

This baby quilt is ready to be birthed then hand quilted and finished. I've never been one to use pastels for babies...simply too drab...and I really like this flannel material that depicts travel. The lime green adds a bright touch and the flannel material will keep baby warm. I haven't a clue where this quilt will go but there's always a need and it always seems to find me; at least, now I'm one quilt readier.
John Deere fleece throw is for my BIL who is retiring soon from a corporation and then wants to farm his family farm. This throw, probably, isn't large enough but it will keep his torso warm as he's napping in his recliner.
Maiden Spring is underground until it emerges here, down the road about two miles. It's our water source and as pure and sweet as only limestone water can be.
Round hay bales remind me of Shredded Wheat cereal sprinkled with sugar.
Every morning I feed the horses a small bit of alfalfa. They have round hay bales to eat whenever they want but I enjoy giving them a bit of a treat. Also, it allows me to eyeball them, making sure everyone is well, on their feet with no problems.
Abigail, my rough coat Jack Russell, is my constant companion and helps with farm chores by making sure everything is all right. She gets from pasture to pasture, lot to lot by jumping through the fence. She looks like a pole vaulter as she leaves the ground, twists her body as she clears between the two fence rungs.
Our stables is also our hay barn and where we store square bales of sweet smelling alfalfa hay. The barns and other outbuildings are sided in rough cut hemlock which we'll allow to age naturally. These old barns were here prior to the War of Northern Aggression and will be here long after we've gone.
Boscoe, our back porch cat, enjoys slumming; he goes to the barn in the mornings to make sure the barn cats are kept in their place and he gets a bit of Meow Mix as a treat. The barn cats get Meow Mix cat food and, up at the house, Boscoe gets Purina One. The Meow Mix must be more highly flavored because TC also used to enjoy slumming and would insist on being given Meow Mix when she visited the barn.
Goldy, the gold fish, swims in the water trough where s/he keeps algae at manageable levels. S/he was purchased in a 5 for $1 group about ten years ago but is the only survivor. Frankly, I think s/he ate the rest of the bunch. He gets a bit of cracked corn or sweet feed as a treat but seems to have done quite nicely on algae. Dandy Man, one of my American Curly horses, is looking into the trough, probably trying to figure out if it's worth trying to get those bits of cracked corn.
This is Thomas; poor old, trembly, frail, fragile, toddery Thomas. But, he still loves to eat cracked corn, sweet hay, minerals and drink warmish water so I still tend to him. I have huge loyalty issues, have you guessed?
Taken from the upstairs window, at dusk, looking toward the support buildings. The far right is the run in shelter for the horses combination storage barn; the middle building is the stable/hay loft/tractor bay; the far building on the left is the farm office building; the middle building on the left is the grainery and the smaller, near building on the left is our livestock scales.
Until we purchased the electric water bucket, this is what I had to look forward to every morning.
The walnut tree in the back pasture looks lovely against the skyline.
So, this is my day at Thistle Cove Farm. After chores, I head to the studio where I work on projects and enjoy my day. In the winter I listen to books on CD but in the summer the windows and doors are kept open so I can hear God's voice in nature. The crock pot is full of soup, there's cheese and garlic bread waiting for the toaster and all's right with my world. Hopefully, it's the same with your world.

Blessings ~ soup ~ bread ~ chores ~ fleece throws ~ comfort ~ Beloved Sistah ~

Sabbath Keeping

Grief is strange, very strange. One moment you feel fine, the next moment you feel like your head will explode from the un-shed tears, the memories. Gracie and Abigail are being hard hit by grief. If we are away for a few hours, upon our return they hurl themselves at us, barking, crying, whimpering, shivering, shaking, running in circles until, almost, unable to control themselves. Repeats of "calm yourself. Hush babies, it's all right, we're home" finally get through their overwrought emotions and they begin to, somewhat, quiet themselves. Miss Kitty climbs in my lap and huddles there, eyes wide as she peers up at me. Boscoe, the back porch cat, runs to greet me and will ride my shoulder as we walk up the driveway. Even Hattie Cat is agreeable to being loved on...for a few moments.

Buster Brown, one of the old gentlemen sheep, is so weary but still loves his food, minerals and water and continues to enjoy life. Every day I go to the barn, expecting him to be in his last sleep and every day he amazes me again. Zacheous and Thomas keep him company and Thomas is so toddery and frail, he trembles when he walks. Those two also enjoy their food, minerals and water and as long as they enjoy life I enjoy tending to them.

We bought a heated water bucket and that helps all of us. That's one less water bucket I have to break ice every day and the sheep will drink much more water. Buster Brown drank one half of a plastic Folgers coffee can tonight and this morning he drank two-thirds. I take his water to him so he doesn't have to make his way out of the barn and to the heated water bucket.

I don't mean to harp on our recent losses but Dave and I are so, emotionally, overwhelmed right now. Since mid-November, when his Mother passed away, our calm household has been shaken and through a lot. We've lost 50% of our household to death, our computers crashed and mine is still not working, our heating hot water pipes froze, burst, leaked and ruined three rooms, a hallway, furniture, books, magazines, wool rugs and the list goes on. The rooms will have to be torn out to the studs, dried out and then re-built, re-painted, floors sanded/re-finished, etc. Trust me, we're still blessed well beyond our deserving but our emotions are frazzeled. Yet, the greatest blessing I've had is a full night's sleep almost every night and, without that gift, I'm sure I'd be in terrible shape.

So, I practice four square breathing - breath in to the count of four, hold to the count of four, breath out to the count of four, hold to the count of four. Other things I do to help deal with life - stretching, spending as much time outdoors in the sunshine as possible, take the dogs for walks, work on the fencing and other farm chores, make baby quilts /there are five on the quilting table now ready to be sewn up/, make fleece throws and textile postcards, knit. I try to remember to laugh and know we're all in this thing called 'life' together. The website, Dead or Alive, lets me know whom I've outlived and by how long; now that's something to get excited about!

Tomorrow I want to make loaf bread, shortbread and a pot of homemade soup, perhaps three bean or corn chowder, not sure yet. There's a big snow storm headed our way and nothing says comfort like homemade food. Time marches on, grief lessens week by week if not day by day, and friends help ease the pain. Frances Bacon said, ""It [friendship] redoubleth joy, and cutteth griefs in halves." Thank God Dave and I have cultivated friendship and have each other; it makes a frosty world less chilly and there's someone to share memories and make new memories. One of the things so difficult for his Mother by living to 95+ was there were so few people who remembered.

"The purpose of Christianity is not to avoid difficulty, but to produce a character adequate to meet it when it comes. It does not make life easy; rather it tries to make us great enough for life." Wise words to live by from James L. Christensen. Life, in all its glories, difficulties and hardships, work to produce character and, for Christians, character that will stand the test of eternity. When in the midst of "developing character", it serves to remember John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you:not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Blessings ~ friendship ~ peace ~ memories ~heated water buckets ~ comfort food ~

Shadow, our beloved Rhodesian Ridgeback

One of my greatest joys is taking photos...of everything but especially my animals, family and friends. I say in that order because the animals are here, on the farm, while family and friends are a ways away.

Shadow, our Rhodesian Ridgeback, loved to let Abigail, our rough coat Jack Russell, do the work while Shaddie stood watch. They loved to dig out groundhog holes but, never quite, managed to dig out the groundhog. Every now and then, they would catch one out of its hole and then it was woe to the groundhog! I've spent entire mornings driving a deceased groundhog up on the mountain but no, I wouldn't dig a grave. My attitude was, and is, regarding groundhogs...the coyotes have to eat too.

We have our share of blessings, more than we deserve, but we have our share of sorrows as well. This month has been one of sorrow...TC our beloved white cat passed away earlier this month and yesterday we, deliberately, lost three more.

Shadow, our Rhodesian Ridgeback, passed away of old age. She was frail yet full of good health and vitality but her body had begun to fail her. Her rear end was weak and she'd begun, more and more, losing her balance and falling. It was painful and embarrassing and while I could overlook her embarrassment, I could no longer endure her pain. She was falling down stairs and even had begun to fall while simply walking across the rug. My last gift to her was to hold her while our kind and compassionate vet, Dr. Anne, administered the injections. Abigail and Grace, our Australian Shepherd x Corgi, helped me give plenty of comfort, while I shed copious tears and whispered words of endearment as we said our fond farewells.

91, our calico cat, also old, frail and beginning to lose weight had a growth around the left jawline that had begun to grow at an alarming pace. Surgery was out of the question due to age and how the growth had attached to her facial bones. We knew Dr. Anne would administer injections for 91 and for Shaddie but what happened next was, somewhat, unexpected.

Bandit, the young kitten wandered in and out of the room, not quite sure what was happening. Over the past couple of weeks, Dave and I had begun to have some concerns about Bandit. He wasn't gaining weight, he was puny, his limbs seemed loose and floppy, he wouldn't play but spent his time resting and he was "not quite right". In general, he was having trouble just being a kitten and would mew pitifully when he was picked up or would get his paw twisted. All those things normal to being a kitten, just didn't seem right with Bandit. For more than forty years I've kept cats and kittens and have racked up plenty of experience. I told Dr. Anne all these things, and more, and said, "I don't know but there's something just Not Right." She watched as he strolled away. As usual, he would wobble a foot or two then stop to rest. Dr. Anne gave him an examination while I watched as her eyes got big, "oh no, that's a big Not Right!" Bandit seemed to have no musculature or, at the very least, very little musculature. His little body just wasn't hinged together with muscles, apparently only with bone, sinew and skin. We'd already had several close calls where we'd find him hanging from a claw from the furniture, crying as if all alone in this old world. We'd rescue him and it would take him a while to physically recover. This seemed so cruel so the decision was made to put Bandit to sleep along with 91 and Shad.

These decisions are hard on the owner but hard, also, on the vet. A vet, like the doctor for people, is trained to save lives and putting an animal down goes against the grain; especially so when one is as compassionate and kind as Dr. Anne. It was a dark day for all involved but we have an aging household and farm. Tempus Fugit and as time marches onward, we all get a day closer to our end. As hard as it is to realize, our oldest horse is twenty, our oldest sheep are a decade and half and Abbie and Gracie are, at least, twelve each. Actually older but as they were foundlings, we're really not sure. Miss Kitty is our oldest cat and even she's had surgery for cancer. We can but do our best for each one and, when the time is right, get a puppy or puppies to bring new life into the household. Life and death are a cycle and, I believe, the best way to honor one who has passed is to give a new one a chance.

Dr. Anne bore all of this stoically but it was hard on her as well; for that I am deeply sorry. For me, grief is such a personal emotion and I tend to forget how events can affect others, especially during such a time as this. She was a complete professional yet so full of kindness and compassion. Dr. Anne...my heart is so full of gratitude for you. Thank you seems so inadequate and words fail me but do know this...I am looking forward to bringing a puppy into this household and taking care of her together...you and Dave and I.

Right now, Gracie is grieving the most and is having the most difficult time. Abigail goes with me as I do my chores and is therefore better able to work through the grief. Work has always been my solution for all of live's ills and the death of my beloved companions is no exception. It's always easier for me to deal with grief when I fall into bed each night and sleep deeply from exhaustion. Abigail, even if she doesn't understand my motives, is still with me as I go 'round the farm and she, too, sleeps deeply. Gracie is having a more difficult time and I've had to cajole her into coming inside in the dark, wee hours. When the weather is warmer, she's permitted to sleep outside but when it's this cold, I want her inside during the night. The one thing that lets me know she'll be all right, eventually, is she still has her appetite for meals and treats. Still and all, we must be allowed to work through grief in our own time and season; for some, it's a longer process than for others. That's okay as there's no timetable to grief. There might be five steps, as Elizabeth Kubler Ross said, but there's no timetable.

There are some who believe animals will not be in heaven or, specifically, pets or companion animals...as they are known here at Thistle Cove Farm, will not be in heaven. I believe those people are right...their animals won't be in heaven but mine will. Every single last one of them, even those who didn't live long enough to be named, they will all...no, they ARE all in heaven, waiting for me to join the happy throng. The same gracious God who has allowed me stewardship over my animals will allow us to be reunited in heaven to sing His praises throughout eternity.

Hebrews 12:1 says, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us...".

Heaven is full of people who knew me, who were testamony to me and others of God's great love, grace and mercy. God's Word says if we, His people, fail to tell of Him, the trees and rocks will cry out. How much more will those who have voice cry out? And they do...every day. During the day, I live without radio or television so I can listen to God's creation. So I can hear the birds of the air, the beasts in the field, my beloved companion animals tell of His excellent greatness. When those huge flocks of Canada geese fly over, crying out to each other words of encouragement, words that tell of His excellent greatness...I join in. I call out to them, to Him words of encouragement, sometimes my pitiful cries beg Him to soothe my wounded heart, to heed my prayers for loved ones. I cry out because if He knows when a sparrow falls to the ground, He surely knows my heart.

To those who have a smidgen of doubt, let me assure you, "cast your cares upon Him for He careth for you." I Peter said it, I believe it and God is a God of promise. He cares for me, I care for His animals and we'll all be reunited in eternity, the other side of the veil.

Won't you, please, join us? "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosever believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Blessings ~ God's promises ~ Shaddie ~ 91 ~ Bandit ~ Canada geese ~ Dr. Anne ~ great cloud of witnesses ~

Count Your Blessings...

Remember the refrain of the old hymn 'Count Your Blessings'? I love that song..."count your many blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings, see what God has done. Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings, see what God has done!"

On those rare, dark nights when I have trouble sleeping, one of the ways I "amuse" myself is by counting my blessings. I've never gotten to the end of my blessings before I'm asleep and doubt if I ever will. God has blessed us, most of us, way more than we deserve but it does pay to remind ourselves of that as often as possible.

One of the greatest blessings God has given both Dave and I is Thistle Cove Farm. We absolutely love living here and I love tending to my animals even when that means I'm slogging my way through snow, sleet, ice, frigid wind sucking cold or the heat and humidity of summer. It just doesn't matter because all I have to do it Look Up and am blessed by the beauty that surrounds this little farm.

The above photograph is of our walnut tree and I love the way its branches are outlined against the skyline. This walnut tree gives nuts for cracking and nuts for dyeing. I love dyeing my own yarn and head to the mountains in the spring to get dyestuffs. For walnuts, though, I only have to go as far as my back pasture.

HayJude, aka HayJ, my American Curly x Percheron black and white gelding is below and yes, he is as big as he appears! He's always been a gentle giant and ever since being cut last month, he's even gentler. He's a magnificent animal, as proud and regal as his sire's mustang genes demand. HayJ is third generation domesticated; his greatsire was taken from the Wild West range during a mustang round-up but there's no disguising those genes, no matter how much Percheron blood now runs through his veins. To my knowledge, there are only two of these animals in the world, HayJ and his full brother Confederate Coal, aka CC, although I don't know where CC now lives. CC has always belonged to someone else and those people are true livestock owners; they buy and sell at the drop of a dollar. That's okay and works for them but it gives me the shudders.

My "three old gentlemen sheep" are below, in the barn, where they now reside. They have access to an outside lot and require daily care. I've got to go to town today, they need cracked corn and I've other errands to run. These fellows, Zacheous, Buster Brown and Thomas, are so old, they are somewhere around 14 to 15, or older and are toddery and frail. They enjoy their lives though and enjoy being spoiled...or, better to say, more spoiled than the rest of the flock, and they eat heartily. As long as they love their food, they will breathe. The only reason I put an animal down is they are in pain; for me, there's no other reason. And, my critters NEVER, EVER have to worry about going to the market.

Recently, someone asked me if I would sell some sheep for a museum but upon questioning, I found out the museum had taken their small flock to the market last year. Why? There were no people living at the museum over the winter, thus no one to tend to the sheep. YIKES! Why on earth didn't those museum folks think about that before getting animals. Yes, animals. They not only had sheep, they had chickens and now want to get a donkey. All that to say, my answer was NO WAY you're getting any of my animals. Different folks have different ways of being a good steward and this is my/our way. We tend to our own, we take care of our own. So, back to counting my blessings. This is extremely important during times of stress. Like Saturday when I found yet another leak in our hot water heating pipes. Fortunately, the leak was in a section of the house that had already seen damage from the freeze, burst, leak last month. That section of dining room ceiling already needs to be replaced as do three of the dining room walls, the parlor, the hallway and, at this time God alone knows what else. In times of distress, Count Your Blessings! That and prayer are the only things that will pull you through.

Blessings ~ Thistle Cove Farm ~ this blog that allows me to share my blessings ~ my animals ~ warmer weather ~ my many, many blessings...Thank You, Lord ~

Vison and Talent

Without a vision, the people perish. Proverbs 29:18

Isn't this true of life? Without a vision we lack direction yet still end up somewhere but probably not where we might have chosen. We all need goals, even carrots dangling before us, to get where we want to go instead of where we may end up. This isn't about resolutions, New Year's or otherwise, it's about vision, goals, direction, journey and destination.

Thursday evening was filled with vision and talent which, as you know, has incredible energy and, as Proverbs 27:17 says, a friend sharpens like iron, paraphrased. That's what it was like Thursday at the Chestnut Creek School of the Arts in Galax, VA. Folks at the school have this incredible vision to develop an arts and crafts center to bring together teachers and students to learn "how to". It sounds similar to the John C. Campbell Folk School, Penland School of Crafts, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts and others and it was/is a blessing to me to receive Penny's e-mail of invitation. Penny, thank you for including me!

My guess is there were seventy-five to one hundred artisans and crafters in attendance. We shared a delish meal then broke into three sessions where writing skills were honed for personal biographies as well as for class syllabus. They also provided a professional photographer to take individual photos and we were encouraged to use our tools as props. I took my spinning wheel, a basket of roving and hand spun wool and my shepherd's staff. Some might have thought it amusing for me to have my staff but my sheep are a huge part of my life and it's important to me that people know my end product starts in my back pasture.

The evening was a tremendous success for everyone, participants and school leaders. Everyone is totally pumped for such a dream to reach fruition and all of southwest VA, the region, the East Coast and, indeed, the country will benefit.

As iron sharpens iron, the Chestnut Creek School of Arts and Crafts will bring together teachers and students to sharpen each other, make each other better, encourage each other and, in turn. to send into the world to make it a better place.

Every major religion of the world has a similar saying: karma, what go's around come's around, you get what you give and Ecclesiastes 11:1, says, " Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again."

So, to all of those folks who are working to make this vision a reality - THANKS and God's blessings upon you, yours and the work of your hands and heart. What you are doing is wonderful and greatly appreciated. Your work will make a world of difference, a world of GOOD difference, in people's lives. What better legacy to leave as you journey towards your destination?

Blessings ~ Chestnut Creek School of the Arts ~ staff ~ teachers ~ students ~ visions ~ dreams ~ hard work ~ journeys ~ destinations ~

One World One Heart

One World One Heart
It's that time again...from now until 12 Feb Lisa has declared One World One Heart!

You must please post to have a chance of winning. "What", you may ask, "will I win?"

Hmmm...how about *a 200 yard skein of farm spun, worsted weight, natural colored gray tweedy heather 100% virgin wool yarn, from a down breed sheep that would make some wonderful socks or hat or, perhaps, a small scarf. And, *a hand crafted book mark and my *third gift is a hand felted, hand embellished tea cozy but you have to invite me to tea.

I should post photos but it's dark, cold and snowy outside and the aforementioned items are outside in my studio so I'll post photos later this week.

You should be a blogger to enter and win and you should leave me some kind of contact information. IOW, no annny mouse comments, please.

Please click on the OWOH button to find more information or, perchance, to sign up yourself. It's a tonne of fun and a way to pass along a blessing or two or three...


Blessings ~ OWOH 2009 ~ other bloggers ~ gifts ~ Lisa ~ learning something new...how to put a badge on my blog...WOW! ~

Sabbath Keeping

The past few days have been, somewhat, bleak. Skies have been gray, cloud cover low, no sunshine but plenty of snow, ice, sleet and, sometimes, a mixture of all three. All these conspire to remind me of my favorite carol hymn, In The Bleak Midwinter, a poem written by Christina Rossetti in the late 1800's and set to music in the early twentieth century by Gustav Holst.

Every water bucket has been frozen solid, the water trough with the de-icer had ice two to three inches thick and I didn't even go to the far pasture. The last time that tank froze, it was about five inches thick and much too difficult for me to chop. It's also too far for an electrical line so can't use a de-icer to keep the water from freezing. Yes, I think this qualifies as bleak.

In the bleak midwinter

Frosty wind made moan,

Earth stood hard as iron,

Water like a stone;

Snow had fallen,

Snow on snow,

Snow on snow,

In the bleak midwinter,

Long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold him,

Nor earth sustain;

Heaven and earth shall flee away

When he comes to reign;

In the bleak midwinter

A stable place sufficed

The Lord God incarnate,

Jesus Christ.

Enough for him, whom Cherubim

Worship night and day

A breast full of milk

And a manger full of hay.

Enough for him, whom angels

Fall down before,

The ox and ass and camel

which adore.

Angels and archangels

May have gathered there,

Cherubim and seraphim

Thronged the air;

But his mother only,

In her maiden bliss,

Worshipped the Beloved

With a kiss.

What can I give him,

Poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd

I would bring a lamb,

If I were a wise man

I would do my part,

Yet what I can I give Him —

Give my heart.

Her poem is heart rendering but when set to music is totally wrenching. I never tire of reading nor listening and think my favorite version is by the King's College Choir. I was blessed to see them in concert once and my life is still fuller for the experience.

Sarah Brightman, another favorite, sings this song on her first Christmas/holiday album, A Winter Symphony, released in Nov 2008. Other favorites she sings are Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring and I Believe in Father Christmas.

Jars of Clay recorded their version and I hope to hear it one day. I saw them on a Christmas special last month and thoroughly enjoyed their concert.

I adore music, Christmas music especially and listening to uplifting music is never tiresome. There's another Christmas song I like, one by Ertha Kitt called 'Santa Baby' and done in a style that will never be duplicated. Fact is, she did this one so well, others would do well to not try at all because 1. they will fail and 2. it's just w.r.o.n.g. Ertha Kitt owns 'Santa Baby'; others cannot even pay rent.

Today was the warmest day since mid-week last week; it warmed up to 31 above zero and a lot of ice and snow melted. Tonight, it's snowing again and we're supposed to get three inches of snow. The wind is quiet as are the animals; we're all regrouping and regaining strength for whatever weather this new week brings. My three old gentlemen sheep are struggling in this cold; their appetites are weak and they aren't eating their treats of corn and gain. I keep giving them good alfalfa hay and that's helping but only for a while. They have lived good, long lives, far longer than most sheep and have never lacked for anything. I only wish the rest of the world could say the same; Dave and I can't save everyone or everything so we make sure the animals here are well, happy and healthy. If only for a while, we make sure guests have a safe place here with good, nourishing food and protection from the outside world. We try to 'do unto others as we would have them do unto us', we share our blessings and find we are blessed.

Blessings ~ bleak days because they serve to remind me of the sunshine ~ stirring poetry ~ beautiful music ~ the strength to do the work God has set before me ~ snow because it means water for a thirsty earth ~ a good sleep ~

5 Loaves and 2 Fishes Food Bank, WV

For those old enough to remember, McDowell County, WV is one of the primary Appalachian counties that lead former President Johnson's 'War on Poverty' back in the 1960's. He declared, "I have called for a national war on poverty. Our objective: total victory." At the time he was in Inez, KY, standing in Tommy Fletcher's yard.

While there are some areas of Appalachia that have done well and there are some that are doing better but, some, seemingly, haven't moved forward. If anything, the struggle is as bad as it was forty plus years ago, and some folks would say even worse because the focus has moved elsewhere.

Times are hard and getting harder; nothing says this like volunteering at a food bank. 5 Loaves and 2 Fishes Food Bank in McDowell County, WV is a 501.c.3 non-profit Christian ministry feeding hungry people and, sometimes, their hungry pets. Their website says they have about 10,000 individuals on file who have applied for a Food Bank card. This represents about 3,300 families in McDowell and Wyoming County and I've met a few folks from across the KY line.

I've written about 5 Loaves and 2 Fishes, the heart and soul of one man. Bro. Bubby as he's known in his corner of the world has, along the way, picked up a fair number of volunteers who pick up the food and deliver it to churches throughout southern WV but it was, and is, his heartbeat. 5 Loaves and 2 Fishes is housed in an old grocery store building that, due to cutbacks, has no heat, no telephone and the electricity is used only if someone is on site or there's food in the freezers.

Bro. Bubby had some disturbing news this week, the coldest week this winter. The primary contributor, a large, corporate foundation is going out of business. Now. Not in the spring or summer or later this year...NOW, this week just ending.

I don't claim to know and, in fact, do not know, the corporate foundation but with all the negative news recently about money disappearing, about the FIFTY BILLION DOLLAR Ponzi scheme ... as reported by Forbes Magazine ... the name 'Bernie Madoff' jumps readily to mind. No, again let me say...I have no knowledge if Mr. Madoff's scheme, or should that be spelled "scam"??? had anything AT ALL to do with a corporate foundation closing in our region, I'm simply saying his name came to mind when I heard the bad news.

What that means for the 5 Loaves and 2 Fishes Food Bank and, ultimately, the hungry folks of southern WV is...more hunger. Bro. Bubby has, maybe, enough money to last two more months; possibly until sometime in March. In the past, the corporate foundation delivered food, paper products, toiletries and, sometimes, pet food to 5 Loaves and 2 Fishes where it was then distributed to volunteers who took the goods to be re-distributed to hungry people, a lot of whom are seniors who are raising their grandchildren. Yes, there are other folks who have given money, time, prayers and other efforts - volunteers in the truest sense of the word...every single one UNPAID...- to the food bank but they cannot make up the vast difference lost by the closing of this corporate foundation.

So, my plea to you is, if you're able, please send donations to the 5 Loaves and 2 Fishes Food Bank at PO Box 297 Roderfield, WV 24881. Will you receive a thank you note? Probably not as thank you notes cost money and Every Single Penny will be spent on food. Not on paper products, toiletries nor, I'm sad to say, on pet food but on people food. Food so human beings will eat and be blessed by your goodness.

Just remember what the old preacher once said, "your benefits will be outta this world!"

God's blessings upon you, yours and the work of your hands and heart.

Blessings ~ Bro. Bubby ~ 5 Loaves and 2 Fishes Food Bank ~ volunteers ~ donations ~ caring people who send money, prayers or some other kind of help ~ warmth in a frosty world gone, sometimes, mad ~ God's love as evidenced by His human creation ~

Jan 2009

Merry Christmas fleece throws - made more than a dozen of these for Christmas '08 and have given them all away. I've still one or two to make for folks but since I'm not going to see them for a few weeks, or longer, I'm not in such a rush.My computer still needs to be downloaded with various software, such as photos, documents, etc., but Dave has devised a stop gap measure. He managed to download my recent photos onto his computer, enabling me to write an entry with photos...o joy! There's been a bunch of living since his Mother passed and for two old folks who live in the country, there seems to be a lot going on. The fleece throws, above, took up a LOT of my time in the month of December, at least the first couple of weeks.

The Sunday before Christmas, this next photo, took up MOST of my time...then and since. We were in the same cold grip as the rest of the USA and that Sunday was, until then, the coldest night. Temperatures hovered at zero, or below, and the wind chill was, somewhere, around fifteen degrees below zero F. The hot water heating pipes on the second floor, north portion of the house froze solid sometime that cold, cold night but...sigh...I didn't catch the problem until Monday evening around 8:30. Usually, in the mornings, I wake up, take the dogs out for a piddle, feed the cats, make coffee, give the dogs treats, drink coffee, give the dogs treats, listen to Alexander Begg, and others, on XM Family Talk, give the dogs treats... Eventually, I go back upstairs to our bedroom, get dressed and then head to the barn to do chores. But, oh no. Not that Monday. I knew it was going to be a busy day/week, so I got dressed before leaving the bedroom and never, ever returned upstairs until that evening.

I walked through Dave's office, opened the door to the hall and was hit with STEAM...WHAT THA???!!! It took me a while to suss it all out which was the heating pipe across the hall, second floor, north front of the house had frozen, burst and thawed. The copper pipes had split in several places and water was gushing like a waterfalls, filling the upstairs bedroom with a couple of inches of hot, steamy water. My wool rugs are ruined. For those of you who know wool, it takes two things to make wool felt...hot water and agitation. The pipes provided the hot water and all of us tromping across the wool rugs provided the agitation...thus felted wool rugs. Yes, we had to tromp in order to move furniture, the plumber had to cut out and replace pipe sections...sigh...all necessary if we wanted to have heat and O MY YES we wanted to have heat. Our heat is on four quadrants and we keep all four quandrants heated all winter long.

Ahem. No, wool rugs canNOT be washed and returned to their original state. If you don't believe me, give me your best wool sweater, let me felt it and give it back to you to wear. You may choose between breathing or wearing that sweater...no middle ground.

Anyhoo...we've lost several wool rugs, furniture, a couple of ceilings, some floors, books, a knitting maching and the list goes on and on and... Thank God no loss of life, either human nor animal. Ron G., our angel disguised as a plumber, came at 10:30 Monday night and when he left at 1:30, we had heat. God bless you, Ron!

I'm only putting up one photo as it's too painful to look at them all again, unless forced to. Trust me, this is nothing compared to a lot of problems and we're still blessed well beyond our deserving but it's still a mess and will be a mess until warm weather. There's no way we're tearing walls out to the studs, exposing ourselves to, possibly, more frozen pipes, etc. This morning at 7 a.m. it was two degrees below zero F with a wind chill fifteen to twenty below last night. The ice in the horse trough, with a de-icer, was two inches thick! I'm talking seriously COLD!
Last week, our cat...Dave's cat really because even though I took care of TC, she bonded and latched onto Dave...came to the end of her days. She was a rescue from the animal shelter and, when we brought her home, twelve years ago, she was an adult. TC was an amazing cat. She loved to talk and even though she had a limited vocabulary consisting of one word, "WHAT!?", she used her one word to great advantage. In the evenings, she loved to sit with Dave and they would carry on myriad conversations. All conversations cumulated with TC asking for, or perhaps reminding Dave, she needed "just a smidgen of Half 'n' Half poured into a saucer and all's right with her world". Dave always complied and they both ended their evening on a happy note. She was buried with Rings and Zoe and, in the spring, I'll have a tree, or trees, planted atop them all. We loved you well, TC, and you knew and were secure in our love.
In the meantime, we still have cats...these two are 91, the calico so named because she was found by the side of Rt. 91, and Banjo, since renamed Bandit. Bandit took the moniker Banjo as long as possible but finally said, "Look Ma. With a mask and little mustache like this, how could you possible call me Banjo? It's simply W-R-O-N-G." He's right and my apologies, Bandit. Miss Kitty and Hattie Cat are the other two inside-outside cats and Boscoe resides on the back porch. I'm not going into the barn cats, that's another story.

Like I said, we're in the midst of a cold spell but grateful for warm clothes, hot food and drink, a house with heat and, perhaps best of all, comfy beds. If there's anything in the world better than falling asleep in a comfy, safe bed I'm not sure what it could be. People all over this frosty world fear for their lives, whether awake or asleep and every night when I fall into my cozy, comfy bed I think of Corrie ten Boom. If you don't know this "Tramp for the Lord", you're in for a treat when you make her "acquaintance". Hers is an incredible story, beginning to end, and well worth your time. Her family would hide folks from the Nazi's and, at night, when the Gestapo, the Nazi secret police, would make surprise raids on their home, they would use their hands to test the warmth of the beds. If the beds were warm, the Gestapo would count heads and beds and if a difference found in the two numbers, they would surmise people were hidden elsewhere. So, every night I am grateful for my warm, comfortable bed that thousands, if not millions of military service men and women, have fought, and some died, for me to have that joy. Thank you, men and women, I am exceedingly grateful and keep you tucked in prayer. God bless you all, then, now and to come.

We never tire of the view from our back porch, winter, spring, summer and autumn, it's always beautiful.Blessings ~ comfy, cozy beds ~ warmth ~ a beautiful view ~ Saints ~ Christmas ~ cats ~ dogs ~ sheep ~ horses ~ a loving husband ~ and not in that order...

Sabbath Keeping

"Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden."
Corrie Ten Boom

"So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:34

Chapter 5, 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life by Joyce Meyer.

Blessings ~ a little country church ~ a pastor who is thoughtful and wise ~ the community of believers ~ rain for a thirsty earth ~ a Sunday afternoon nap ~ Sabbath Keeping ~

New Year's Eve 2008

It's the early hours of New Year's Eve and what do I have on my mind? The fact I cannot, yet, download photos to my blog. My desktop computer went south and Dave bought me a new one but all the programs need to be transferred, including Picasa, my photo program; hopefully, soon.

Hardly ever do I stay up to see the New Year in; the dogs like to go to bed early and as they are elderly now, our lives revolve around their needs. However, in early evening, Dave and I will drink a bottle of St. Hilaire Brut sparkling wine also known as Blanquette de Limoux. At the time of former President's Thomas Jefferson's death, his wine celler was about ten percent Blanquette de Limoux and the only sparkling wine kept on hand.

In the mid-1500's, the Benedictine Monks, in the southern foothills of the Limoux region of France and of the Abbey of Saint-Hilaire, made sparking wine more than one hundred years before they made champagne. Dom Perignon is reported to have said, upon tasting champagne...or was it sparkling wine...for the first time, "I think I am tasting the stars."

I think champagne and sparkling wine are both a bit like "tasting the stars"; the stuff dances on the tongue, teases the nose, pleases the eye and, if drunk judiciously, doesn't give a big head. We purchase St. Hilaire at a delightful wine shop in Blacksburg, VA and it costs, around, $12 a bottle. Certainly affordable even for the occasional "it's Tuesday and aren't we glad we're alive" days and absolutely affordable for New Year's Eve and other celebrations.

Sheesh. I think I need a life.

Blessings ~ photos ~ new computer ~ the promise of the coming year ~ champagne ~ sparking wine ~

Contests, Challenges

Don't you just love to have a chance to win something from another blogger? I know I do and want to tell you of two.

Check the Third Annual One World One Heart event. It's a ton of fun to make something as well as, possibly, get something. I'd like to figure out how to add buttons to my blog; the One World One Heart button is great! In the meantime, it's listed under 'events' on my side bar.

Visit The Cart Before the Horse for a chance to win a cute little bird. You need to post a comment for one chance to win, comment on your blog for another chance and there are a couple more opportunities. Go and see.

Leah Piken Kolidas is hosting the Second Annual Creative Everyday Challenge 2009, again with a wonderful button. As I'm drawing closer to hearth and home, this seems a timely event to join. What with Dave's mother being with us for so long and needing, almost constant, care my creative-ness has, often, been pushed to the back burner. I'm going to make a concentrated effort to finish my UFO's, complete my trades and be creative everyday in 2009. I'm not an artist...I don't draw or paint, although I'd love to have that talent but I do fiddle around with fabrics, yarn, quilting, textile postcards, knitting, spinning, felting and the like. Leah says 'all' creativity is acceptable so I'm in like flint...YEAH!!!

Now to figure out how to add buttons...

Blessings ~ meeting new people via the i-net ~ a beautiful sunny day ~ hot beverage in a lovely cup ~ a dog's head craddled on my lap ~ the kitten playing in a sun spot ~ contests ~

Take Christmas

On this, the last Sunday of 2008, we observed the Sabbath by going to church. We attend a little country church, people of all means attend and everyone is welcome. Our choir is whoever wants to leave their pew and our songs are whatever we decide as we're lead by the Spirit.

The text today was John 1 and fitting as we've just completed another Christmas with the Babe who left the comforts and glories of heaven to reside among the swill of humankind. People have wondered why Christ's ministry was so short, only three years, but I think it's because three years is all He could stand of us, His Father's creation. In the Garden of Eden I feel quite sure we shone with the Shekinah glory of God but after the Fall we reflected the deception of evil and, until that star bright night a couple of thousand years ago, had little to recommend us save the sacrifice of turtle doves, a ram, an ox or the like.

John I

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2The same was in the beginning with God.

3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

4In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

I enjoy reading, perhaps too much, but there are three books that are currently pulling at my heart. Joyce Meyer is a prolific writer and I'm enjoying, very much, 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life. Her suggestions shatter some well accepted myths I/we, probably, don't want to let go. For example, she admonishes -in chapter one no less!- 'Do One Thing at a Time'. For a lot of us...most of us???...women especially, this is sacrilege as we tend to take pride...perhaps false pride???...in the numbers of things we can do at once.

Let's see...talk on the phone while surfing on the computer while jotting notes on our to-do list while knitting a few stitches on a scarf we intend as a gift... You get the drift. Are you as guilty as I?

She quotes Eric Hoffer, "The feeling of being hurried is not usually the result of living a full life and having no time. It is, on the contrary, born of a vague fear that we are wasting our life. When we do not do the one thing we ought to do, we have no time for anything else-we are the busiest people in the world."

I'm ashamed to say, I often read my Bible with a notepad at hand, just in case my mind remembers something I absolutely NEED to do later that day. Oh yes, my mind is wonderfully adept at coming up with things to do in order to get my mind off the task at hand...reading God's word. So, rather than try to do many things at once, in other words multitask, I'm going to focus on doing one thing at a time most excellently. Yes, I'll fail but in my failure I'll find success because I will strive to return, again and again and again if necessary, to focus on doing one thing at a time most excellently.

Another book I've just started is Six Qualities of Women of Character by Debra Evans. Evans uses Biblical women, as well as modern day women, to "encourage spiritual endurance". As St. John Chrysostom once wrote, "The ashes of martyrs drive away demons" and so it is with reading of bygone saints. As Hebrews 12 puts it, "we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses" and those witnesses are to give us hope, to bolster our faith, to encourage us and to give us courage in our Christian walk. John Donne said in Meditation XVII,

"All mankind is of one author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated...As therefore the bell that rings to a sermon, calls not upon the preacher only, but upon the congregation to come: so this bell calls us all: but how much more me, who am brought so near the door by this sickness....No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."

Neither is any woman an island. We have a rich legacy and heritage and would do well to tap into those who have gone on before so that we are assured "every sinner has a past but every saint has a future."

The final book I'm reading is The Woman's Study Bible, New King James Version by Thomas Nelson Publisher. Mother and Daddy both read the Bible every year and each have their own way of accomplishing this task. Mother reads it as a study guide, using concordances and other texts to help her understand and comprehend what she's reading. Daddy starts on 1 January and reads five chapters a day, every day, until he finishes by his birthday in mid-September. For some years I've used Daddy's method but wanted/needed a change. This past year I used a Bible that was written as Biblical events unfolded...a time line, so to speak. There's a name for this Bible but it's downstairs and I'm upstairs so will have to check later. Anyway, I find this is an interesting, but difficult, way to read the Bible. I'm used to reading all of a book at once, not jumping around to what else was going on at the time. Still and all, I did enjoy it but was ready, again, for a change.

The Woman's Study Bible is that change. It's a fascinating Bible, giving a woman's perspective as it pertains in a historical venue and features study articles, annotations, dozens of profiles of Biblical women, introductions and outlines and much, much more. It's what I've been looking for as it 'fleshes out' the Bible and gives it an immediate intimacy that brings me closer to God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit. It makes ancient history real and explains how Old Testament Hebrew law affects society today. I'm sure this Bible will serve me in good stead for many, many years to come.

I do read other books...for pleasure, for fun, for entertainment...but find if I don't put "good stuff" into my head, my head will soften and become flabby. Thus, the materials above will serve me over the next few weeks and, in the case of the Bible, for decades to come. It's my way of taking Christmas with me and keeping Christ in me. I don't know about you but I need all the help I can get; it's a frosty old world and I want to walk out the door prepared, wearing a warm cloak, so to speak, that will protect me from ill winds. How about you? How do you take Christmas with you?

Blessings ~ a little country church ~ Christmas ~ good books ~ Christian authors ~ a great cloud of witnesses ~ Bibles ~

Happy Christmas!

LUKE 2

1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

21And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How to Arrange a Nativity Scene

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Blessings ~ Christ ~ Christmas ~ always family and friends ~ freedom ~ our military ~ safety admidst calamity ~

A Fine Fleece Winner!

We have a winner...but first, the disclaimers. We don't go for that high tech, fancy pants method of picking a winner. Nope, with us, it's simple and easy peasy as pie. I merely wrote the names on pieces of paper, tore them into, approximately, the same size and dropped them into a plastic bag. Dave had the pleasure of pulling a name out of the bag, so to speak.

A Fine Fleece was won by a Ravlery sister as well as one across the mountains...Iris. There were about fourteen folks who wanted to win so the chances were a whale of a lot better than any lottery I've ever seen. For those who didn't win, there will be other opportunities as I'm downsizing my library and will, about once a month, give away a book or books.

Hey Iris...I'm sorely tempted to say, come pick up your book the next time you come across the mountain but a deals a deal so I'll drop it in the mail this week. -smile-

The rest of y'll, stay tuned for more chances to win.

Blessings ~ books to give away ~ folks who enjoy books ~ yarn ~ knitting ~ rain ~ winning ~

Bush Hog - RIP

It's another cold day, didn't get above 26 degrees F and it's been snowing, off and on, all day. We had one to two inches last night, supposed to get another one to two tonight; I've not left the farm all day and only left the house to do chores.

Chores are, sometimes, very exciting around here. To get bales of hay from the barn to the pastures, I drive a "sexy little golf cart, Missy" as the farrier likes to say. He's bald as a cue ball, has a droopy handlebar mustache and is built like the, proverbial, brick outhouse. He's also married to a woman about fifteen years older than he; he's got a lot to recommend him. Yes, I do like the days when the farrier comes to trim horse feet. 'smile'
So, the "sexy little golf cart, Missy" is a Workhorse and it runs. I don't care what the heavens throw down, I don't care what the temperatures are, I don't care how cold it is...that Workhorse flat out, simply starts and runs. It's the most amazing little machine I've ever seen and I only hope my Polaris Ranger will be as good or better. Lord knows that good for nothing Bush Hog UTV was as useful as teats on a boar hog and it's good riddance to bad rubbish.

Oh don't get me wrong. The Bush Hog was a great little machine and for the money couldn't be beat. Except it wouldn't start in cold weather and if, by chance, I got it running, it wouldn't stay running. It would gasp, choke, cough, whine and, shortly, die. I should have shot the blasted thing the last time it wouldn't start. It preferred to stay inside and keep its pretty little tires warm and clean when the weather was cold. The regional sales rep, and I use the term only because that's what his title is...trust me, it's a slap in the face to regional sales reps who actually DO their job and are polite to their customers...so the regional sales rep says to me, "it's that Honda engine that's bad. You need to get in touch with Honda and talk to them; it's not a Bush Hog problem and I'm not dealing with you." I told him, "I didn't buy it from Honda, I bought it from Bush Hog, therefore, it's a Bush Hog problem because it's still under warranty."

He says, "I've already told you, it's a Honda problem and don't bother us with it." I'm thinking, with all the layoffs and people wanting/needing/begging for work, the only thing I can figure is this guy must be the owner's nephew. Because. There is No Way a jerk like that should talk to a customer, IOW, the person who buys the equipment he's selling so he can eat and pay his bills. His attitude needs some Serious Overhauling and I figure a few months in a bread line is just what he needs. Sheesh. I feel sorry for his family, if he has one. With an attitude like that, he probably started life in a petri dish.

So all this is taking place the month of November which was already a bad month because Dave's mother went into hospital on the third and died on the nineteenth. Who wants to listen to a lot of mouth during good times much less bad times? I mean, this guy was really and truly shirty.

So, lest you think I'm railing over something that just happened, let me assure you...this problem has been going on for Almost One Year. Yeah. We ordered the Bush Hog last December, the week before Christmas, was told arrival "by the end of the year" and it came, finally, in late February. Very Late February, the 27th to be exact. It was a piece of junk and a lemon from the start. The second day it was here, it wouldn't start. The local dealer has been a Southern Gentleman right from the beginning and has bent over backwards, and then some, to make this boondoggle right. I'll not go into it again but if you want to read the sordid tale, check out Bush Hog, Reliable Unreliable, Part I, Part II and Part III. It all reads like a horror movie only worse because it's been a real nightmare.

After Dave and I spoke, and I use the term very loosly, to the regional sales rep, we called his boss who was Simply Aghast, Horrified and Promised to Make Everything Right and asked me what did I want Bush Hog to do. I said, "within five business days, have a brand new, totally outfitted GREEN Bush Hog UTV just like this red one, sitting in my driveway." I wanted a green one because I didn't want them to try and pull a fast one on me. He said, "great, I'll call you back this afternoon." Well. I would just love to see Bush Hog's calendar because "this afternoon" has Never, Ever Come... Not The First Time.

Let's see, the regional sales rep said he'd call back. Nope.
The VP of Marketing said he'd call back. Nope.
The Manager of Sales Reps said he'd call back. Nope.

So, after Dave has called Bush Hog and been Very Polite...btw, I'm proud of Dave because when a man has been lied to That Many Times, it is Very Difficult to be polite. I called Bush Hog and requested the President's name and address. The woman who answered the phone remember my voice...from weeks ago!...and, very politely, said, "may I ask what this is about." I told her I was getting ready to write a lot of letters to a lot of people and organizations and wanted to copy the President. She said, "would you like to speak with him first?"

My mouth dropped open and I mumbled, "well, sure. That would be nice." In a few moments I'm speaking with the President of Bush Hog...the new President of Bush Hog because according to i-net research their personnel is turning over like a rolling stone. I tell him my story and, I'm almost, but not quite, ashamed to say...I cried. You've got to realize, this has been going on almost a YEAR and for a lot of that year, I'm cold, wet, freezing, miserable and exhausted from toting sixty-five to seventy-five bales of hay to the pastures in weather that would freeze one's knickers to their bum should a leakage problem occur.

One thing leads to another and he says, "let me check into this and I'll call you back this afternoon."

Uh oh. My heart sinks to my boots. Where have I heard this before? And from how many people at Bush Hog. Lawzee, I can hardly begin to count the times and folks.

To hasten to the end of this tale...Bush Hog President causes my money to be refunded and the regional sales guy causes the piece of krap Bush Hog to go to another dealer, not back to the plant as promised. But hey, that's no longer my problem. Am I happy with Bush Hog? Nope. Am I happy they refunded my money? Yep. It only took them almost a year to make things right with a customer, thanks Bush Hog President. Out of all the males we dealt with at Bush Hog, you're the only one who Kept Their World and that reflects well on you as a Southern Gentleman. My compliments to your Mama; she done good by you.

Blessings ~ Bush Hog Refunded Our Money...hurrah! ~ the Workhorse...hurrah! ~ warm clothes ~ hay ~ a good husband who takes care of his own ~

Banjo

This is Banjo, the newest member of the family, and came to live with us the morning Dave's mother passed away. We figure he's about four months old and has just about tripled his weight since coming here. Of course, that's fairly easy to do when your menu choice is turkey, ham, roast beef, whole organic milk, half 'n' half or anything but cat food. He's not all that crazy about cat food; thinks it's something the dogs should eat and the dogs agree.

The unicorn continues to fly, happily and bravely, over Thistle Cove Farm. Just ask all the foundlings and strays who have made their way here to live, happily ever after.

For those in the unknow, unicorns are the 'patron saints' of foundlings and strays. If you've read Jeanine McMullen's books, you already know about unicorns. If you've not read My Small Country Holding or Wind in the Ash Tree, you're in for a treat. I read them about once a year and still laugh until I have tears streaming down my face! The things that women got herself into... I hear she still lives in Wales, in the same farmhouse on the same small country holding. God bless her.

Blessings ~ rain ~ warm weather ~ thawed water tanks ~ kittens ~ Banjo ~

Give-Aways and Farm Life

For some time, I've been thinking of giving something away and that led me to other bloggers who had the same idea.

For example, Edward and Lilly are giving away an adorable hand made Christmas tree bird. I really like this blog as it has some delightful hand work.

Sew, Mama, Sew came up with a great idea - a give-away day but it was on 3 Dec. Doesn't matter to me though...it can still be give-away day and is...

I'm giving away a fabulous knitting book, A Fine Fleece, Knitting with Handspun Yarns by Lisa Lloyd. Clara Parkes wrote the forward and the book is filled with beautiful photos of lovely knitting patterns. A lot of the patterns are cabled, some heavily so, most are traditional, some with a twist and all designed to delight the senses both as reader and as knitter.

Please be sure and leave your e- or blog address; make sure you write it, for example,
appalmtngal at gmail dot com. Better safe than sorry, ya know.

Leave a comment and, if you blog about my give-away, you'll get two entries but you have to let me know your blog address where you've commented. Dave will draw a name out of a hat on 15 December, noon, and it will be mailed in time for Christmas. Having said that, let me hasten to add, it all depends upon the USPS as to whether it will be *delivered* in time for Christmas!

The aforementioned Sew, Mama, Sew also has a great Holidays at Home idea. One thing I love about giving gifts...most of mine are handmade or are tools so the recipient can make their own handmade gift. Handmade is simply better, imho, and gives more than just a store bought "something"; it gives the gift of ME...my time, my efforts, my energy, my prayers and as I make something for my friend or family member, I pour good thoughts and prayers into their lives and upon their heads.

Again this year our small quilting group, The Thompson Valley Circle of Friends, are making lap throws, baby blankets and maybe even a quilt or two for valley folks. There's always a lot of need and being warm in these frosty Appalachian mountains is foremost in everyone's mind. There's snow on the ground, a wind chill of around zero and a good time to quilt or sew. Church was called off this morning because of the heavy layer of ice; our congregation is older and there's no need for anyone to slip and, perhaps, break a bone. I took advantage of the extra time to take my time feeding my sheep and horses.

HayJ, my last stallion, was gelded on Friday and appears to be healing quite nicely. He's always wanted to be with the girls and now it's safer for all involved, especially me, to have him gelded. My hope is to have him trained to pull a Meadowbrook cart and he'll look **fabulous**...a black and white American Curly x Percheron pulling a black Meadowbrook! He's a gentle giant, about 18 hands, and weighs about 1800 to 1900 pounds. Trust me, it's better to not have a lot of testosterone about when a horse is that huge. This is HayJ as a younger stallion and the only thing that's changed is his size...he's much larger now.
The temperatures haven't been above freezing in days and any clothes left upon the line are frozen still. Oh, they still wave in the wind but I dare not get close enough to take them down.
I must wait until the wind stops or have my head taken off for my troubles. Evidence enough there's always work to be done, both on the farm and in the home.
Time to do something else; have yourself a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidaze.

Blessings ~ sunshine ~ give-aways ~ work for our hands ~ quilting ~ horses ~ sheep ~ dogs ~ cats ~ and human friends ~

Christmas - Carpe Diem

Don't blink, don't breath, don't look away...it's DECEMBER and just about TWENTY DAYS until CHRISTMAS. Yes, I'm screaming!

Oh, I'm completely and totally ready for Christmas...it's the gift giving that's got me bamboozled. I'm still stitching my fingers to the bone and see almost absolutely no signs of progress.

On top of that...we've got company this weekend so have got to feed and house people. Wonder if they could just plunder for what they need while I run away? As long as they make sure the animals are fed and my chores are done...sounds like a plan to me.

Mary Lois, my beloved friend, send me Christmas gifts in the mail this week. GRRRRRR. She's SO prepared; she should have been a girl scout. Her gift has been bought but now needs to be sewn together...it's a two-parter gift. Buy the materials then sew them together. Just like all the rest of my gifts except some are actually finished and ready to be wrapped.

So...carpe diem...I think I'll sign off this computer and get to work.

In the meantime, please check out Cedar Pond...linked to my blog. A Cedar Pond visit is calming, soothing, refreshing, relaxing AND she has recipes!

God's blessings on you, yours and the work of your hands and heart.

Merry Christmas.

Blessings ~ Christmas ~ good blogs ~ good friends ~ computers ~ heart and art ~