We had fun exploring and checking out all the creatures.
Friday, July 24, 2015
Thursday, July 23, 2015
A Place to Call Home: Chapter 2
Mindy and Warren emerged from their cabin hand in hand, ready to face the aftermath of the storm. They paused at the door to survey the farm. Branches and leaves were scattered all about and a milk pail was laying in the middle of the yard. Warren noticed several boards came loose from the barn roof and the door had blown open. Mindy could already see hail mangled plants in the garden and shuddered at the thought of their corn fields that were surly shredded to pieces. Smoke curled up on the horizon, they would have to keep an eye on that. Lightening could start terrifying wild fires.
50 years out here on the prairie, 50 years of similar storms, but the shock of seeing the damage never lessened. But they had learned a thing or two about how to recover from even a wild tornado. The first task was to check the livestock and food storage. Without the animals and food they were hopeless. The cold cellar door was still latched tight, but they checked for water damage inside. All was well, Next they checked Mindy's chickens. They were all huddled in the corner and a tad wet, but they would be fine come morning. She was glad for the extra latch they had installed.
Warren paused to let Mindy rest on the bench he had built by her chicken coop and glanced back out at the smoke. He guessed it was two or three miles away, but it was dark black now and growing. Smoke like that came from more than just lightening striking a tree. The thought that it could be a neighbors house or barn was enough to make his stomach sick.
Inside the barn puddles had created mud showing the location of each leak in the roof. Most were still dripping and a small river seemed to be running through the south west corner under the milk cow. She eyed up Warren and swatted her tail in dissatisfaction. The reddish brown cow seemed to think she owned the barn and reminded Warren daily. The three pigs along the east wall slept like nothing had happened. The tan barn cat was sitting on the belly of the largest pig licking her paws. The horses were the only creatures to really show how upset they were over the storm. The appaloosa mare was shaking her head and rocking back and forth, clearly irritated. Mindy started talking to her and reached out to clam her. The pair of draft horses still had their ears pinned back. Frost, the older of the two, was trembling. Warren panicked when he noticed the hole in the wall at the back of their stall. It appeared that Bentley had kicked the wall and was now bleeding.
"Mindy please bring my toolkit over, I need to get this bleeding stopped," Warren asked, voice shaking. These horses were his most valuable tool. He relied on them for all his field work and for getting supplies from town. Mindy wobbled toward the small room they had separated off as the tool room. It was darker in there, but Warren always put his tools away neatly and she knew just where it would be. She took one step further as she reached out for the box of vet supplies but stumbled and cried out in pain.
Warren hurried over with the lantern scolding himself for asking her to get the toolbox. But what he found in the tool room shocked him.
50 years out here on the prairie, 50 years of similar storms, but the shock of seeing the damage never lessened. But they had learned a thing or two about how to recover from even a wild tornado. The first task was to check the livestock and food storage. Without the animals and food they were hopeless. The cold cellar door was still latched tight, but they checked for water damage inside. All was well, Next they checked Mindy's chickens. They were all huddled in the corner and a tad wet, but they would be fine come morning. She was glad for the extra latch they had installed.
Warren paused to let Mindy rest on the bench he had built by her chicken coop and glanced back out at the smoke. He guessed it was two or three miles away, but it was dark black now and growing. Smoke like that came from more than just lightening striking a tree. The thought that it could be a neighbors house or barn was enough to make his stomach sick.
Inside the barn puddles had created mud showing the location of each leak in the roof. Most were still dripping and a small river seemed to be running through the south west corner under the milk cow. She eyed up Warren and swatted her tail in dissatisfaction. The reddish brown cow seemed to think she owned the barn and reminded Warren daily. The three pigs along the east wall slept like nothing had happened. The tan barn cat was sitting on the belly of the largest pig licking her paws. The horses were the only creatures to really show how upset they were over the storm. The appaloosa mare was shaking her head and rocking back and forth, clearly irritated. Mindy started talking to her and reached out to clam her. The pair of draft horses still had their ears pinned back. Frost, the older of the two, was trembling. Warren panicked when he noticed the hole in the wall at the back of their stall. It appeared that Bentley had kicked the wall and was now bleeding.
"Mindy please bring my toolkit over, I need to get this bleeding stopped," Warren asked, voice shaking. These horses were his most valuable tool. He relied on them for all his field work and for getting supplies from town. Mindy wobbled toward the small room they had separated off as the tool room. It was darker in there, but Warren always put his tools away neatly and she knew just where it would be. She took one step further as she reached out for the box of vet supplies but stumbled and cried out in pain.
Warren hurried over with the lantern scolding himself for asking her to get the toolbox. But what he found in the tool room shocked him.
To be continued...
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Friday, July 17, 2015
Critter Tale
Our weekend project was building a house for Bubba Duck. However, he much prefers being in the yard as close to people as possible! He even made a trip into the kitchen...
He has adjusted to his house and we keep him there at night for safety. We also don't want him running away again!
We found some forest green paint and his little green army tent turned out pretty cute!
The rest of the critters are doing well and the chicks are counting down the days until they move out side too. I am looking forward to putting them to work as slug control!
That's all for this week! God bless!
Thursday, July 16, 2015
A Place to Call Home: Chapter 1
The sun was just creeping up through the trees, casting warm sprinkles of light onto the sandy earth. The damp figure decided stepping out into the field to catch more warmth would be worth the risk. But only for a short time and only if there were weeds near by to duck into... just in case...
She was so tired and felt like she might keel over at any moment. Her whole body hurt and it seemed that her legs were just one scratch after another. At least it was better now that she could see where she was walking. But she feared someone would see her, and she didn't know if she would have the energy to run. Fear. Was it fear? She didn't know any more. She just wanted to survive.
She let her mind wander back, for just one moment. She felt like the tiny calf last winter that she found lost and alone in the wood pasture. It had been crying and was covered in mud and scratches from trying to find its mother. But the mother was dead. So she had taken the calf home, washed it off and nursed it back to health. She longed for someone to come and take her home and care for her... But that seemed to be were the similarities in their stories stopped. She no longer had a home. She had no where to go. She had no one. Not any more.
She walked all day. Sticking close to the woods and stopping to drink from the creek frequently. It was hot now and her belly was starting the sound like a mad bear. But she just kept walking. She was heading west, that much she knew. She figured she would just keep following the creek. But as the day drug on she wondered more and more where she would go. She didn't want to spend another night alone in the woods. As a young girl her mama had always told her she was never alone. God was always with her. She had believed that, she had prayed, read the Bible and sung hymns. But now she was't so sure God was even there. And if He was, she was pretty sure He didn't care about her or have time to be there in the woods with her.
Mama had always said God would provide and take care of them. She had said over and over that God had blessed them so much. But those things must not be true. If God was like her mama said, then why was her family dead, her home gone and she was starving and alone in the woods with no where to go? No, she thought, even if God was real, she didn't want to talk to Him. If He didn't save her family He wouldn't help her now. And with her mind made up she trudged on. Alone. Maybe if she got far enough away she could find a town and a job. She didn't care. In fact, she was wondering now why she was trying so hard to survive... What was the point?
She was so tired and felt like she might keel over at any moment. Her whole body hurt and it seemed that her legs were just one scratch after another. At least it was better now that she could see where she was walking. But she feared someone would see her, and she didn't know if she would have the energy to run. Fear. Was it fear? She didn't know any more. She just wanted to survive.
She let her mind wander back, for just one moment. She felt like the tiny calf last winter that she found lost and alone in the wood pasture. It had been crying and was covered in mud and scratches from trying to find its mother. But the mother was dead. So she had taken the calf home, washed it off and nursed it back to health. She longed for someone to come and take her home and care for her... But that seemed to be were the similarities in their stories stopped. She no longer had a home. She had no where to go. She had no one. Not any more.
She walked all day. Sticking close to the woods and stopping to drink from the creek frequently. It was hot now and her belly was starting the sound like a mad bear. But she just kept walking. She was heading west, that much she knew. She figured she would just keep following the creek. But as the day drug on she wondered more and more where she would go. She didn't want to spend another night alone in the woods. As a young girl her mama had always told her she was never alone. God was always with her. She had believed that, she had prayed, read the Bible and sung hymns. But now she was't so sure God was even there. And if He was, she was pretty sure He didn't care about her or have time to be there in the woods with her.
Mama had always said God would provide and take care of them. She had said over and over that God had blessed them so much. But those things must not be true. If God was like her mama said, then why was her family dead, her home gone and she was starving and alone in the woods with no where to go? No, she thought, even if God was real, she didn't want to talk to Him. If He didn't save her family He wouldn't help her now. And with her mind made up she trudged on. Alone. Maybe if she got far enough away she could find a town and a job. She didn't care. In fact, she was wondering now why she was trying so hard to survive... What was the point?
~~~
Mindy struggled to get her old fingers to curl around the last egg gently enough to pick it up. Turning towards the chicken house door she slowly hobbled along, stopping every few steps for a break. Her joints seemed to creek just as bad as the rusty old door that she pushed shut to protect her hens from predators. Last week a fox had come, in the middle of the day, and made a meal of one of her girls. Her gun had been ready as always, but swinging it up to her shoulder and squinting her old eyes to see had given the sly critter more then enough time to flee. Warren had been in the barn, like he was now, working on a new saddle. She worried about him. She knew his fingers where just as bad as hers, but he never complained, and just worked harder to fill orders. The demand for his intricate yet functional saddles continued to grow. Cowboys from across the state were coming to Warren for their own custom saddles and spreading the word. She wondered how much longer they could keep going. But with those thoughts she stopped and thanked God for all He had blessed them with and received peace knowing He would continue to provide.
Off to the west a storm was building, the dark thunder could rising high. Mindy kept an eye on it as she fed the goats and carried water inside for washing dishes. The trees behind the house had started rustling and rattling and dust clouds jumped up here and there across the freshly harvested wheat field. Mindy had seen many bad storms come across the prairie, enough to know this one was packing a punch. Mindy closed the two cabin windows and struggled to lift the heavy boards into the wooden notches. Warren had built these notches into the walls to secure the windows shut in storms like this. Next she checked the yard and area around the barn for any lose objects. She yanked on the chicken coop door one more time to make sure it was not going to fly open and headed for the barn.
The barn was small and simple, like everything on the farm. It too was built for surviving storms. Warren was bent over his work bench punching small holes into a thick piece of leather with his favorite awl. Mindy had got the awl for him on his 60th birthday. She had to send away to a company in the east, and impatiently waited, praying it would come on time. Thankfully the package had been waiting in town when they made their monthly trip for supplies. Warren had almost cried realizing how much thought she had put into choosing and ordering the simple yet important tool. That had been over ten years ago.
"How's it looking out there?" Warrens deep voice drawled, bringing her back from her memories. "'bout as good as it sounds," replied Mindy as thunder growled closer. Warren looked up and glanced past Mindy to catch a peak at the sky. That color said a lot. Together they packed up the leather into the large wooden boxes under the work bench. It was important to keep the leather from getting wet and the barn roof often leaked.
Warren and Mindy stepped outside the barn holding hands, Mindy smiled, the only reason they survived so many storms out in this rugged land was by holding hands. The simple gesture, that couples often lost after the first few years, was a reminder that together they were stronger. But most of all, it was God who joined those hands together who was the real reason they made it through life.
The rain had started, slow at first, but then pounding down harder and harder as the storm rolled in. Inside the dark cabin the old couple had to almost yell to be heard. The wind beat the rain at the sides and roof of the cabin and howled around every edge it could find. Suddenly the sound changed and it became impossible to talk over the violent hail. The good news was storms like this never lasted long. But both occupants in the tiny vulnerable cabin had already switched their thoughts to how much damage there might be to repair.
Off to the west a storm was building, the dark thunder could rising high. Mindy kept an eye on it as she fed the goats and carried water inside for washing dishes. The trees behind the house had started rustling and rattling and dust clouds jumped up here and there across the freshly harvested wheat field. Mindy had seen many bad storms come across the prairie, enough to know this one was packing a punch. Mindy closed the two cabin windows and struggled to lift the heavy boards into the wooden notches. Warren had built these notches into the walls to secure the windows shut in storms like this. Next she checked the yard and area around the barn for any lose objects. She yanked on the chicken coop door one more time to make sure it was not going to fly open and headed for the barn.
The barn was small and simple, like everything on the farm. It too was built for surviving storms. Warren was bent over his work bench punching small holes into a thick piece of leather with his favorite awl. Mindy had got the awl for him on his 60th birthday. She had to send away to a company in the east, and impatiently waited, praying it would come on time. Thankfully the package had been waiting in town when they made their monthly trip for supplies. Warren had almost cried realizing how much thought she had put into choosing and ordering the simple yet important tool. That had been over ten years ago.
"How's it looking out there?" Warrens deep voice drawled, bringing her back from her memories. "'bout as good as it sounds," replied Mindy as thunder growled closer. Warren looked up and glanced past Mindy to catch a peak at the sky. That color said a lot. Together they packed up the leather into the large wooden boxes under the work bench. It was important to keep the leather from getting wet and the barn roof often leaked.
Warren and Mindy stepped outside the barn holding hands, Mindy smiled, the only reason they survived so many storms out in this rugged land was by holding hands. The simple gesture, that couples often lost after the first few years, was a reminder that together they were stronger. But most of all, it was God who joined those hands together who was the real reason they made it through life.
The rain had started, slow at first, but then pounding down harder and harder as the storm rolled in. Inside the dark cabin the old couple had to almost yell to be heard. The wind beat the rain at the sides and roof of the cabin and howled around every edge it could find. Suddenly the sound changed and it became impossible to talk over the violent hail. The good news was storms like this never lasted long. But both occupants in the tiny vulnerable cabin had already switched their thoughts to how much damage there might be to repair.
To be continued...
Come back next week for Chapter 2.
Monday, July 13, 2015
A Quote to Ponder
"Indeed, until someone tries it for himself, it is incredible what dignity there is in an old hat, what virtue in a time-worn coat, and how savory the dinner-table can be made without sirloin steaks or cranberry tarts." Ten Acres Enough
Friday, July 10, 2015
Critter Tale
Chicks
The chicks are growing so fast! We are building them a coop since they have already started jumping out of the wash tub. We did lose one of the smallest, not sure what happened to it... Sad to be loosing critters... But we are thankful for the healthy ones we have!
Ducks
The crazy news this week is about the duck!! On June 16th our big white Pekin duck, Bubba, disappeared... We had given up looking figuring he had been eaten... But this week we saw a post on Facebook saying someone found a friendly white duck in the park, 20 MILES AWAY... Could it be Bubba?? 20 miles away, 21 days later???
Bubba loves getting his face rubbed and he hates water. So we figured it would be easy to tell. Sure enough, it's Bubba!!! We couldn't believe it!! Bubba is home now safe!!
Bubba loves getting his face rubbed and he hates water. So we figured it would be easy to tell. Sure enough, it's Bubba!!! We couldn't believe it!! Bubba is home now safe!!
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| Talking to Bubba about his adventure |
Mr. Bear
The bear came to visit again, this time in the middle of the day... Hmm... He better just keep moving through. Neat to see wildlife, but bears make me a little nervous with the kids and critters in the yard all the time...
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| Mr. Bear just strolling through |
Thursday, July 9, 2015
A Place to Call Home: Introduction
A Novel. For those who enjoy stepping back in time...
Coons calling up and down the creek was the only sound breaking the otherwise still night. Even the cottonwood leaves seemed froze in place and not even a cricket chirped. It was chilly for mid-summer, yet the usual prairie breeze had been missing for days. Odd. That seemed to be the theme.
A small figure, bare toes just above the waters edge,peered into the dark. Looking. Watching. Trembling. What lay across the other side she didn't know, but she wasn't looking back. One foot plunged into the icy water and all seemed to break loose. An owl took up from a near by tree, old wings beating hard. A bull frog launched himself into the muddy weeds and the coons scattered. She was running now. Knee deep. Struggling she lunged forward and momentarily lost her breath as she sunk into what now seemed like an ocean.
A small figure, bare toes just above the waters edge,peered into the dark. Looking. Watching. Trembling. What lay across the other side she didn't know, but she wasn't looking back. One foot plunged into the icy water and all seemed to break loose. An owl took up from a near by tree, old wings beating hard. A bull frog launched himself into the muddy weeds and the coons scattered. She was running now. Knee deep. Struggling she lunged forward and momentarily lost her breath as she sunk into what now seemed like an ocean.
The old owl circled around and landed upstream to watch the flopping, splashing, sobbing little thing make it to the warm bank. Her dark hair dripped down her back and ripped clothes clung to her bony body. She paused to listen. She knew there were panthers out here, but that wasn't her concern.
Come back next week for Chapter 1...
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Friday, July 3, 2015
Critter Tale
This week with the critters started out great, but went down hill and hit a tree... but I think we learned a thing or two.
Chicks
6 fuzzy black chicks arrived on Sunday! Loud little things and they eat like crazy, but they fit right in with the rest of the crew. We hope they are all hens and we are looking forward to having our own supply of eggs and bug control in the garden!
Daffy Duck
Monday night we went to feed Daffy but opened the door to find a 6 foot long black snake stretched across the floor. We were thankful that Daffy came racing out the door unhurt. We removed the snake, checked for holes in the coop and secured the door. We were uneasy about the snake, but as big as Daffy has grown we were not too worried. We also like having the black snakes around for rodent control so we didn't kill this one. We should have... because Tuesday morning we knew something was wrong when Daffy wasn't peeping... The snake was no where to be found, but it has killed Daffy... Now I am so mad at that snake that I might just kill every snake I see for the next 10 years. It made us sick.
I grew up on a farm seeing animals die, even having to put animals down many times due to sickness. We also knew most of the animals were going to die for meat anyway. But when you work hard to rescue and save a critter and then its killed for no reason I get mad and can't stand it...
We are already planning to get more ducks. But not until we go snake hunting and build a better, more snake proof coop.
Hummingbirds
Good news though! We now see three hummingbirds at the feeder everyday. And they are sure to let us know when the feeder is empty! Even in the pouring rain those guys are out there zipping around!
Chicks
6 fuzzy black chicks arrived on Sunday! Loud little things and they eat like crazy, but they fit right in with the rest of the crew. We hope they are all hens and we are looking forward to having our own supply of eggs and bug control in the garden!
Daffy Duck
Monday night we went to feed Daffy but opened the door to find a 6 foot long black snake stretched across the floor. We were thankful that Daffy came racing out the door unhurt. We removed the snake, checked for holes in the coop and secured the door. We were uneasy about the snake, but as big as Daffy has grown we were not too worried. We also like having the black snakes around for rodent control so we didn't kill this one. We should have... because Tuesday morning we knew something was wrong when Daffy wasn't peeping... The snake was no where to be found, but it has killed Daffy... Now I am so mad at that snake that I might just kill every snake I see for the next 10 years. It made us sick.
I grew up on a farm seeing animals die, even having to put animals down many times due to sickness. We also knew most of the animals were going to die for meat anyway. But when you work hard to rescue and save a critter and then its killed for no reason I get mad and can't stand it...
We are already planning to get more ducks. But not until we go snake hunting and build a better, more snake proof coop.
Hummingbirds
Good news though! We now see three hummingbirds at the feeder everyday. And they are sure to let us know when the feeder is empty! Even in the pouring rain those guys are out there zipping around!
God Bless!
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Content or Complacent?
Often contentment and complacency are confused and mixed up. This is understandable since they both relate to satisfaction. But we need to be clear on the difference as we move toward godly contentment.
Contentment is good, it is godly, it is biblical. Complacency is dangerous.
As we learned in my last post on contentment, the definition of contentment is: pleased and satisfied : not needing more.
But on the other hand...
According to Merriam-Webster, complacency is "self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies." also "a feeling of being satisfied with how things are and not wanting to try to make them better."
Dictionary.com says complacency is "a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like; self-satisfaction or smug satisfaction with an existing situation, condition, etc."
Proverbs 1:32 says "For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them."
The definition of complacency also reminds me of 1 Thessalonians 5:3 "For when they say, 'peace and safety!' then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape."
Let us be content with the blessings of God, but never deceived into complacency. As followers of Christ let us be satisfied in Christ, not in the things of this world. Be aware the satan's greatest tool is complacency, he tricks people into thinking life is great to keep them from seeing their need for our Savior.
Contentment is good, it is godly, it is biblical. Complacency is dangerous.
As we learned in my last post on contentment, the definition of contentment is: pleased and satisfied : not needing more.
But on the other hand...
According to Merriam-Webster, complacency is "self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies." also "a feeling of being satisfied with how things are and not wanting to try to make them better."
Dictionary.com says complacency is "a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like; self-satisfaction or smug satisfaction with an existing situation, condition, etc."
Proverbs 1:32 says "For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them."
The definition of complacency also reminds me of 1 Thessalonians 5:3 "For when they say, 'peace and safety!' then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape."
Let us be content with the blessings of God, but never deceived into complacency. As followers of Christ let us be satisfied in Christ, not in the things of this world. Be aware the satan's greatest tool is complacency, he tricks people into thinking life is great to keep them from seeing their need for our Savior.
"Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." Luke 21:36
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Stories by the Fire: The Ski Adventure
Ski with... um... what's the sign say?
Several years ago, before I was trained as a National Ski Patroller, my family took a trip to Smugglers Notch Vermont. There was 13 of us, packed and squished into cars, for the long drive up. Skis loaded on top and tons of warm clothes, snacks and laughter. It was one of those trips that seemed like a dream, or at least, for us kids who didnt have to pay or do anything of the planning!
We arrivied in Vermont to beautiful snow and sun. To me this was far better than any beach and sun.The week was packed with skiing, games, good food, tubbing and exploring. The skiing was great! We spent most of out time in the black diamond glades, we even found an ice cave! Due to our 'exploring' dad decided to buy us helmets, hmm... wise move dad! (I still have and wear the very same helmet!).
The last day of the trip we woke up to 8 inches of light fluffy perfect beautiful awesome POWDER!!!!!
My older brother (you will start to see a theme when it comes to stories with my older brother *grin*) and I took off to the far mountian to explore new glades and the deep powder. Now let me tell you, this powder was like no other I have ever skied. So deep, so light, so perfect. It made you feel like a pro skiier out in the back county. Not even kidding, it. was. awesome!
We headed down into a glade, enjoying the snow and the beauty of the day. Like I said, it was a new glade we had not even been near yet, but it was great! Racing along we beween pine trees we got down into a chute... My brother was ahead of me and suddenly stopped. We had come to a 15ft drop off!!!!! Now what?!?!?
Being the brave older brother, he decided to jump off first... He landed, almost disappearing in the snow. I heard a loud OUCH!!!!!! Starting to panic I jumped off, and disappeared deep into the snow. I was convinced I lost my skis, but was concerned about my brother.
When I got over to him his face was an awful color of blue and white. With all the layers of clothes it was hard to tell, but his wrist was deformed...
Thankfully, another skier came by from another direction and I flagged him down to go for help. We were still way out on the mountain... After what seemed like hours the ski patrol arrived with a sled. They quickly got him taken care of and to the base of the mountain. I was happy when his face regained a normal color!
They splinted his wrist but it was several hours later on our way back to Pennsylvania before he was able to get it set and cast. We tease him to this day about ending our ski trip. But all things considered it was a good day and a wonderful trip!!
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Mulberries!!!!
I. LOVE. Mulberries.
I love the taste of mulberries, I love picking mulberries and most of all I love the memories that come with picking mulberries. If you have never picked or eaten mulberries you must add it to you adventure list!
Mulberry Tips:
The best way to pick mulberries is while riding a horse:
At my grandparents in Nebraska my horse Midnight and I would go racing down the dirt road, along the canal and to our secret mulberry trees. From his back I could reach tons of mulberries, as long as I snatched them before he did! We could come home hours later, hot, tired and stained purple. Picking from the platform of a John Deere 4440 works well too, plus you can cultivate a row or two while your out!
Hide the Evidence:
If you don't want to give away the location of your tree or share the berries you will need to hide the evidence. This is tricky. After picking berries your hands (and possibly face and other body parts) will be stained purple. It doesn't come off easy. I found the best solution is to stop at the shop and work on a broken tractor (there always seems to be one around) then no one will notice the purple under all the grease!
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| Note: the lack of purple stains just means I hadn't picked enough yet. |
Collect Enough to Make A Pie:
Hmm... I have never collected enough to make a pie. The bucket never seems to get full. But it sounds like a good idea!! If you have made one please let me know how it turned out!!
Watch for Critters:
Critters are not dumb. They too know how yummy mulberries are on a hot day. Birds, bears, horses, snakes, bees, WATCH OUT!! If you are wading through weeds or climbing the trees be sure to wear boots and long pants.
Find or Plant Trees:
On the farm in Nebraska mulberry trees were everywhere! Here they are a little fewer in between. But don't panic! If you are not sure mulberries grow in your area check with you local forestry specialist or keep your eyes open. Mulberries grow in most of the U.S. and if you can't find a wild tree you can order trees to plant. Just make sure you purchase the correct variety for you area.
Enjoy!!
Friday, June 26, 2015
Critter Tale
From critters we see to critters we raise we enjoy them all, even if they run and hide under the muddy shed in the middle of a storm until we retrieve them (by crawling in the mud).
We have been enjoying the pair of hummingbirds at the feeder. They crashed into the hosta bush this week, but came back racing around faster then ever!
Mr. Bear has visited several times and inspected the potato plot on one visit. He seems to like posing for the game cam too. And as long as there are enough blue berries for the both of us we will get along just fine.
Daffy Duck, the critter that hid under the shed in the storm, is growing fast and getting lots of feathers now.
We just got word that our chicks hatched! They will be arriving in a few days! Time to get the pen and heat lamp ready!
Come back next week to see the chicks!!
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| Mr. Bear comes to visit |
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Stories by the Fire: Intro
I have always enjoyed writing and telling stories, espically round a campfire. Most of the stories start something like, "remember that time we..." or "I'll never forget they day that..." or the best one, "this scar is from the time that..." oops! Some stories bring laughter, some bring tears and sometimes you will get the half grin that shows there is more to the story that can't be told.
Stories by the Fire is my way of documenting and sharing the stories I enjoy and that I have learned and grown from. Some will be short, some will be long and some might make you wonder just what kind of childhood I had *insert grin face.* I hope you enjoy and look forward to these stories as much as I do!
Mr. Chipmunk
Remember the hunting season, you know, a few years back when I missed the 5-point? Well, it was about an hour or so after I shot and I was still trying to find this buck. It could have been a clean miss, but I needed to be sure. I was way back up in the bowl (the hollow got its name for it's bowl shape and once you got in the only way out was straight up!) and I sat down on the bank to rest and watch for deer movement.
Once or twice I caught sight of something way out in the brush, so I was intently watching, poised and ready, hoping for the buck to come out. I was already frustrated that I missed once (breaking my single shot no miss record) and I was not about to miss again.
Knowing I was all alone I was just a tiny bit shocked when something bumped my elbow!! Heart racing I was almost afraid to look down, but I lifted my arm and there was a little chipmunk! Chipmunks are quick little critters, but I am not sure I have ever seen one jump so high and move so fast!
I never did find that buck, but I enjoyed my time in the woods and won't ever forget the chipmunk who thought I was a tree!
Grace of God be with you!
Monday, June 22, 2015
Sweet Sunday
I am posting this from half way across the country after surviving my first two flights. I was blessed with safe travels and a beautiful sunset! God is so wonderful and blesses us beyond measure! 
Sunday was a busy but wonderful day! The day started with coffee of course, and then sweet time reading and singing on the deck.
Since it wasnt raining for the first time in days we decided to embark on an adventure. I am so thankful that we can adventure right in our backyard! Have I mentioned that we are blessed??!?!! The first stop was the blueberry patch. Watch out for snakes and bears, but the sweet blueberries are worth the risk!
Once our bellies were full we took off down a new path to see what we could discover. We walked down a furn linned path listening to the sounds of kids and critters, and took in the beauty of God's creations. Through the woods, over a fence, and to the very top...
We stood for a long time... looking, pointing things out, laughing, happy. Saying over and over how much we are blessed...
Then it was down an old road, up on some rocks, and sneeking through the woods to try and scare each other. By that time we needed to refill at the blueberry patch! The rain started just as we headed for home. Kind of fitting, since we were all sad to leave the mountian...
Knowing my first flight (the glider doesn't count) was only a few hours away I was anxious... But I had wonderful helpers getting me ready and a very wonderful escourt to the airport! We did hugs and kisses and prayers and said see ya (no good byes, just see ya). Then it was off to security. It was raining again... Almost as soon as I was seated on the plane we taxied onto the runway, but we didnt take off. Being my first flight I was nervous and I didnt know what was happening. We turned and taxied off the runway, they told us we had to wait on the storm that was coming right towards us. Little did I know that while I was worrying, my love and crew were right behind me on the runway hoping to see me one more time! (not just anyone gets to do that! Maybe I am a little special!!) Once we were cleared for flight they raced after me down the runway! When I landed I had this picture to show they were watching me fly out!
I have been blessed!!!
Grace of God be with you!
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Into the Mountains??
You might wonder why the title of my blog is "Into the Mountains."
To start with, I love the mountains. Growing up in Central Pennsylvania everything was either over the mountain or down the valley. And everything involved walking up hill.
Some try to say we just have hills. They may not be the Rockies, but they are mountains. Don't argue that.
The mountains are beautiful, and right now they are filled with Mountain Laurel flowers. I could walk for hours in the mountains watching God's creations. So peaceful and quiet. And I have been blessed so incredibly much with mountains to enjoy.
But the real reason for the name is throughout the Bible God's people went into the mountains to be closer to God, to seek God, to hear God... and in Luke 6:12 we read "now it came to pass in those days that He (Jesus) went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God."
Into the mountains I go, to pray and seek God. To be still and stand in awe of our Lord. Into the mountains like the faithful who went before me. Into the mountains to draw close to God. A place of refuge before returning to God's work we are called to complete in the world.
"How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings good news,
who proclaims peace,
who brings glad tidings of good things,
who proclaims salvation,
who says Zion, your God reigns!" Isaiah 52:7
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
To Learn Contentment
"But I rejoice in the Lord greatly now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:10-15
Theses words Paul writes are packed with wisdom and power that followers of Christ need to study and apply to their lives. Most often we see the emphasis on "I can do all things through Christ..." and with the fast pace of the world it becomes easy to skip the word content. Social media makes it easy to see what we are "missing out on" and can lead to envy (not to mention other issues). Take a look at our culture, TV, advertisements, lifestyles... and you will see the attitude of more, more, more. Doing more. Needing more. Wanting more. Always moving on the the next bigger and better thing. I am guilty.
The definition of content is: pleased and satisfied : not needing more.
Paul writes in his first letter to Timothy warning him about greed and envy. Then he writes "now godliness with contentment is great gain" 1 Timothy 6:6. And again in Hebrews 13:5 "let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'"
Why does the Word of God instruct us to be content? Why does Paul consider contentment great gain? When I look at my life, the times that I was content, were the times that I was most thankful, grateful, joyful, and calm. Contentment leads to knowing what God has blessed you with and praising Him for those blessings. It leads to being satisfied in Christ.
Paul said he learned to be content. To learn takes work and study. It doesn't just happen. I must learn, study, put forth effort, to be content.
The purpose of writing this blog is to write about learning to be content and to post about the many blessing I have, to help me see how God provides as He promised. For I have been blessed beyond measure. I do not want to miss out on enjoying (being pleased and satisfied) with those blessings!
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