Last Day of August, Wrapping Up the Month

Leah came for a visit this past Friday and spent the last two nights with us. She has a nasty cough due to congestion that kept her up some at night. Leaving me with interrupted sleep too and a bit sluggish for morning chores the next day. But a pot of Hondurian coffee put the bounce back into my steps and fueled the energy needed for a busy day with a three year old's quest to see the farm. It brings back memories of that oily black brew I drank there this past July.
Amazing what you will do when faced with no other alternative.

Jason came back out to help with the fencing and stayed for supper on Saturday. It felt like old times with the four of us circled around the table once more. Most of the day for me was filled up with canning the rest of the green beans, that Leah "helped" snap. She was so excited to be helping us put up food for eating later. Another 39 quarts of beans along with 3 plus quarts of cream corn was added to our stash for the winter pantry. Yummy goodness sitting on a shelf.

While the guys worked on finishing the fencing, Leah and I went out to have some fun on the 4-wheeler. We were enjoying ourselves too in the cooling afternoon shadows. That is until the neighbors dogs decided that chasing us was a fun activity for them. Our full day was rounded out with baths and a bowl of hot popcorn before bed.

Sunday found us attending a local church for the second time, with Leah in tow. We enjoyed the preaching as best we could sitting on the back row. Much rather be up front to cut down on distractions. But sitting in the back made it easy for her to wiggly without causing a disturbance to those around us. She did good for her first time in "Big church". But kept asking to go to "our other church" (the one we used to attend before moving). That is the place where she went with me to Bible studies and made friends at Sunday services. She asked over and over to go see her friends at the "other church". Hard for little minds to grasp the concept of distance and changes sometimes. These are the foundational years for her and it is very important that she have a good experience with church and attend on a regular basis. I remember quite clearly the times I sat on a pew with my own grandmother by my side in "big church". Oh the closeness I felt with her there and the joy of being with her. My grandfather was the preacher of the local church and I heard God's word at a very young age. It has never left my thoughts since then and has fueled many a memory over the years.

All of the family assembled for lunch on Sunday after church for the first time since our move. Sitting on the porch and talking was all that we could do in the way of enjoying the farm. The rain had returned about 2pm, keeping any 4-wheeling or exploring from happening. Much disappointment was experienced by all. We were truly gathered together again and celebrating a birthday of our other son was just one of the reasons. As it was also time for Leah to go home, so Mommy & Daddy had drove out to pick her up. She was glad they were here, that is until she realized they had came to take her home. Promises were made for another visit soon.

After everyone left I decided to take a nap as I had not been feeling good. Three hours later, Lon was concerned about me as it is not usual that I take a nap much less one that long. It wasn't a "quick pick me up" kind of nap but a "go to bed one". Guess I needed it or I wouldn't have slept that long. We spent the rest of the evening reading till bedtime.

The last day of the month has arrived and a short 21 days away is the official start of Autumn. I knew this month was going to fly by, just like it has. We are no where near completion of our chores in preparation for it. Most of our to-go list still stands not marked off. A re-evaluation of priorities will have to be done. In order to decide what the essentials for this year are going to be. I fear a lot will have to be pushed off till next year before being tackled. There is so much I want to do, but with only so many hours of daylight available, I am limited. It is amazing how much time it takes in our minds to accomplish something. Only to find out that in reality it never figures the same way. Life marches on whether we are ready or not. So the decision is to either go with the flow or stand against the tide of things, (which is really counterproductive). Guess which way I am going?


Rolling with the tides of time,

Deborah

Start of a Busy Week

Jason, our son came out yesterday to help us with the pasture fencing. We would not be as far along without his help. It was a full day for all. Mine centered around piles of produce waiting to be processed. Along with the laundry, dishes, cooking and the ususal home chores. While the guys set posts, getting all ready to stretch the wire. Once done we can turn the goats out. While working outdoors we let them out to wander some. . . . they loved it. Though they still wanted to be where we were. While out Anna and Samson got into the grain sack in the barn and helped themsleves to a snack before being caught red-handed. I thought the gate was fixed so they could not get in. WRONG!

The cooler temperatures of the past two days still lingers around in the cool of the mornings and the shade of the evenings. Oh, how I have wished for an attic fan these past few days. After cooking dinner and processing produce I have had the house quite toasty on several evenings.

Today is my first day back milking after having several days off, due to a minor procedure. All was going well too until the 40+ yr old canvas stool I was using as I sat while the goats browsed this morning collapsed. Leaving me sitting in the hard gravel of the driveway. OUCH! ! ! The one good thing if there was one, was the fact that Amber came over to love on me while I was sitting at her level. Even Anna, our unsure one came by to push against me. In an effort to gain some attention and loving from me. A big step of trust on her part. The sky was a light blue with lots of cotton white clouds today. If the ground hadn't been so wet with dew. I would have laid back and just taken in the vast open space above me. While sitting at ground level I did notice a small vine of honeysuckle on the bank. It smelled deeply of the familiar fragrance of Summer. It was a sweet surprise to be found so late in the year.

The days are getting shorter and it is hard to believe that in a few more days Summer will be over. But the signs of Autumn are approaching every where I look. It is already later in the mornings before the sun rises and earlier in the evenings when it sets. Lon and I discussed the fact just this morning before he left for work. How very soon we will be milking in the dark, not only in the mornings but the evenings as well. A trusty lantern or light of some sort will be required for our twice daily commute to the barn for the animal chores.

Time is passing oh so quickly and soon we will find ourselves with more time spent indoors. Best make use of the fall like days coming to store up memories for pondering fireside this Winter.

Seasonal changes are here,

Deborah

Sunday Service and Shelling

Having recently moved to the area we have not found a church home yet. Each Sunday brings the question, "Where will we visit today?" Well today found us at a small church around the corner so to speak, about 10 minutes from our door. At first glance of the parking lot it looked as if there was going to be a small crowd, but that was not the case as it was well attended. The Pastor is one of our neighbors over on the main highway to our road. We enjoyed the service, singing and the message given. The members were friendly and I did not feel awkward like I usually do in a strange church. Having pre-cooked part of our lunch earlier, I had it on the table ready for eating quickly after arriving home. Plans were to start shelling peas this afternoon right after lunch. Sitting on the front porch shelling brought about the opportunity for some casual conversation about how we used to spend Sunday afternoons at our respective grandparent's homes. A call from a man I had spoken with about buying some peas interrupted the reminiscing. Seems he has a bushel of purple hull peas ready for me. Another field trip before us we put the peas back in the house long enough to drive over to pick them up. A 2 hour round trip netted us a beautiful bushel of peas. Along with a contact for veggies come next year. If we had known up front how pretty they were doing to be, we would have tried to buy more. As a blessing, the man gave us 2 FREE watermelons. One red and one yellow meat, Lon's favorite. Giving away free food is a sure way to have repeat customers like us.

Peas, Peas, and more Peas,

Deborah

Veggie Field Trip

Yesterday brought a detour to our plans for this week. After having some testing done last week and seeing a specialist. I was scheduled for an invasive procedure to check out a suspicious lump in my throat. I spent the day yesterday at a local hospital having the procedure done. I am glad to report it went fairly smooth and now we simply have to wait for the results. Sleeping most of the day away, I left Lon with everything to take care of, which he did very well. Thank you for being such a great Mom and Nurse to me. Not wanting to be by myself today, he agreed to stay out of work to take care of the place and offer me comfort.

Awoke this morning feeling washed out and a little weak from the meds they gave me for the procedure. But after a hearty breakfast we decided to call around and see if we could find some vegetables for our winter stash. Only one lead was found, that required a trip over to a nearby town. Off we went in search for the hidden treasures along country roadsides. Stopping only long enough to check out a newly opened fruit stand in a small town on the way. Talking with it's owner blessed us with an opportunity for him to pick us up some peas, 3 bushels of "Zipper Peas" on his next pick-up this afternoon. The produce market we were heading to had already been heavily shopped all week.Leaving little in the way of produce we were looking for. It is a very promising store though for any of our future needs and is only 30 minutes from our front door. But another unknown blessing was in the making, for this owner also allowed us to order 2 bushels of "Contender" green beans from him to be picked up this next week on Wednesday, simply on our word. Then giving us his cell number and telling us he would order for us whatever we needed. YEA!

(Zipper Peas, aka ~ Crowder Peas)

Traveling further down the road through several other counties we stopped at a previously shopped market from last year. Here we were able to purchase 1 bushel of green beans and 1 bushel of corn. All of a sudden we went from not having any produce to a lot that would need to be processed. Heading towards home we stopped at a"you name it we have it" store to check for some more canning jars. My supply at the house was low and for sure not enough with what we had committed to buying. A surprise find was the plastic jar lids for the 1/2 gallon wide mouth canning jars I had ordered and planned to pick up on the way home. After trying other options I had decided that the 1/2 gallon would work perfectly for storing our goat milk in the fridge. So an online order was placed about a week ago and I had them shipped near Lon's firehouse for pickup. Of course while in the neighborhood we had to stop and eat lunch at a local B-B-Que restaurant that is never short on customers. Rounding out our trip was a stop back at the market where we had ordered the bushels of peas. The spare room now smells like a produce stand and jars are stacked in the kitchen waiting to be filled.

Now for the real work to begin,

Deborah

Fencing Continues

The fencing effort is coming along well and except for a few troublesome holes, has been fairly easy. Although body aches from the efforts has affected all 3 of us. Our son has come out to help us for the second day in a row. Which has sped up the process considerably. The challenging part comes when we start going through the woods with it.

DAY 1 ~ First stretch down south side in the rain.




















Drive through gate area -

DAY 2 ~ Continued stretch on south side along 4-wheeler trail.

Clearing of trees needed for this side -

East side of pasture, next to driveway completed also on day 2.

We lost Pearl (Royal Palm turkey) and her eggs last night due to some unknown bandit. All that was left of her nest this morning was a few broken shells. Not one feather was seen anywhere around it. We hope she has simply run off from her attacker and will return unharmed, but that may not happen.

Looking more like a farm everyday,

Deborah

Fences Are Needed, But Not Vacations

I have been searching on a website lately for things we might have interest in or need of for our farm. It was on this particular website that I actually found Anna & Samson, our two newest goats. Through out my searching I kept seeing listings for horses. I have always wanted one, but never had the space before. I have been sharing what I have found with my husband, who is slowing warming up to the idea. It is for sure that pasture fencing would be a requirement for keeping one and lots of it. As the plans are to also have a few cows for beef and a milk cow for some yummy cream and fresh butter in the future. We have the space, just not the fencing to keep them in . . . . . yet.

(Samson)

Considering the amount that would be needed, I agree with my husband that for us to sell our 5th wheel camper would be a good idea. It's sale would put us closer to fulfilling our plans here, to establish a working farm. With all the care needed for the farm and livestock I doubt that we would have much need of the camper in the future. At least not for many years and by that time we would probably need a new camper anyway. Besides what better place is there to camp than under the wide open skies, dotted with the brightest stars to look at in your very own wilderness back yard. I imagine life for us in the next 10-20 years will consist of our vacationing here at the farm. Not a bad place to vacation I might add in my opinion!

Someone asked me just last week. . . "What about taking vacations, what will you do with the animals?" My answer to them was ~ I don't need to vacation, I sit on my porch every morning and drink coffee. But as I reflected on the question and the answer I gave them. I have wondered if the reason we take vacations is to get away from our work and daily lifestyle. If you love your work and life on a daily basis, then there is no need to escape from it. Stressful jobs and too busy schedules and lives can cause one to want to leave their everyday hassles. For a chance to relax in a different visual location and do something different from the perceived mundane. Think about the reasons in your own life. Why do you vacation? Let me challenge you to think of vacations in a different light. For me I see our lives differently now than in the past. Having moved to the country to live out a dream has opened a new door. It is all about our perspective. For us having a fulfilling work; in raising farm animals, living simply, growing beauty and nourishment using our own two hands, interacting with family and friends, serving God by using our gifts and talents, and breathing in peace and joy on a daiyl basis, all contribute to not having the need for a vacation off somewhere else. We simply get up and vacation every day that we get to live.

Enjoying the view and soaking up life,

Deborah

A busy day lies before me. I am not sure if I have the energy for all that needs to be seen about. Guess it is one of the good things about just working at home. No schedule to keep other than meeting the livestock's needs. All the other things, if I can't get to them today, they will be waiting for me tomorrow.

We visited a local church yesterday in our search for a new church home. It happens to be the one that some old friends attend now. It was good to see them and we enjoyed the music and welcome we received from the congregation there. We even received a call welcoming us from the Pastor later in the afternoon too ~ impressive. We are still praying and looking for the one God would have us serve at and become members of. I wish it were easier than it is and missing our old church doesn't help when looking for a new one.

Egg production was way down yesterday with only 2 being laid. Or is it that something is helping it's self to our free range eggs. I wonder too if the 90 plus degree heat is playing a part in this poor showing? We have yet to find any of the turkey eggs we know are being laid by the Royal Plam hen. Since letting them free range with the chickens, we have no idea where she is stashing them. They were good eating too. Their large size would equal about 1 1/2 - 2 regular hen eggs.

Right now it looks like it will be next year before we can raise any turkeys for ourselves. There are so many animals I would love to add to the farm. But the reality is that we are not set up for them right now and so they will have to wait. Funds for the needed fencing project looks like they will be available for us to start, which is a praise. Simplifying our goat care and giving us some added time for other things into our day a bonus to it's presence in the pasture. Top on our priority list right now is to find some summer harvest to preserve until next year's garden comes into play. That is if we can ever find a cool enough time to pick up rocks and enrich it's soil with manure. Can you say back breaking, sweaty work? I keep reminding myself how good the fresh from our garden will taste. . . . one rock at a time.

Deborah

Trip Around the World and Back Again

Yesterday was an adventure in travel. Let me explain. . . .

Friday was finally slowing down at 8 pm in the evening. The day's milking completed and I was looking forward to sitting down to rest for the first time of the day. My body complaining loudly from the trip I put it through. It was very tired and stressed from all it had encountered. Early morning chores had to be finished in order to dress and be ready for the day, before I left the farm by 9:30am. I had some medical tests scheduled for 11 O'clock and a hour's drive laid before me. Leaving then would ensure I had plenty of time in case the traffic was bad or a wreck tied up the interstate. I made the trip in plenty of time, even after stopping off at a library along the way for a book they were holding for me. Time was still on my side, leaving me with enough to stop off for my allergy shots too.

Testing done and with my being NPO for it, I was quite hungry when it was all over. So I made a bee-line to Chick-fil-a ( a favorite of mine) and went to eat lunch with Lon at the station. Jason met me there and together we went to get 2 new badly needed tires for my car. Waiting for the work to be completed gave us the chance to run over to Home Depot in his truck for some needed items. While there I could not pass up the chance to purchase some flowers to brighten out porch. I have been quite busy this Spring-Summer with things other than the flower beds I would like to see blooming. The $8 purchase should help the outlook around the farm.

Later after picking up my car, I dropped off empty boxes in exchange for filled ones to bring home. The afternoon disappeared and I found myself stopping at the grocery store late in the day. Trying to hurry to beat the evening commute I left towards home about 4:45pm. Well wouldn't you know it I missed my exit again. So this time I decided to find my way home through the next exit 8 miles up the highway. I did real good in picking my way through until I got on the other side of the small town. That's when I could not find my way home, a journey I've made with Lon several times before. Not this time, I could not remember the needed turns. Tried to call him for help, but wouldn't you know it he was out on a 911 call. So there I sat on the side of the road for over 30 minutes. Passed by a dozen cars/trucks and 3 police cars. Even with my flashers going, nobody slowed down to help. I was disappointed in the rural hospitality of this little country town to say the least. Finally a man across the street saw me and walked over to help. My good Samaritian informed me I had been going in the right direction when I turned around withing 100 yards of the needed turn. Go figure!

Arrived home later than I should have if making my exit had happened. Left me with little time to unload the boxes and now warmed groceries. Before jumping into chore clothes so I milked Amber and take care of the chickens. Which brings me back around to where I started the day. Only then the sun is setting and the heat of the day is lingering like the weight on my shoulders from a busy day and my journey around the world to get home. Live and learn is what they say. I definitely learned alot today and know that a country girl can survive with a little help from a kind friend.

learning back roads,

Deborah

This morning's commute to the barn had a definite chill to the air. Begging for long sleeves which I did not have on. A nice reminder of last evening's gift. Dew was heavy on the grass as I made my way down to feed the chickens before the morning's milking. Much to my surprise Rusty was no where to be seen. Had Thomas given him the boot? Chester, our beautiful roo was attempting to rule the place in his absence. (This picture does not show his pretty coloring in the dim light of morning.)

Moving about the area was quite pleasant without a worry of being waylaid by Rusty. I didn't have long to wonder about his location, as I heard him deep in the woods sounding off the morning cry of all barnyard roosters. Before I could get all the chicken chores done he showed up, guess he heard the sound of breakfast. But for those few brief minutes I was able to see what life would be like if he was not around and being so sneaky.

Getting up at 6am is already telling on me. I am trying to re-adjust my internal clock to a time better suited for milking Amber. Twice a day milkings come every 12 hours round the clock. If she and I can find an agreeable time, then Lon and I will find ourselves with more time for sitting around in the evenings. Light doesn't start coming into the barn area till much later. Almost 7 am because of the heavy tree canopy over head. Which is helpful in the heat of the day. But causes a later evening milking for her if I wait for light to see by. Guess it will soon be time to pull out the flashlight for our early morning meetings. The days are getting shorter and won't be long before we start and end our days in the dark.

I wish I could keep this hint of coolness to the day, but with clear skies above. I know the sun will heat up the place very soon. I hate that Lon is missing so much with his having to work extras and paying back time trades. Our funds could use the boost, but at what expense? I know that what he is doing is securing our future retirement, debt free. One that I pray we will have many healthy years to enjoy together.

Crows are calling from the tree tops and with the cooler air temperatures, my thoughts turn to the hunting season in 3 months. Lon was thrilled to see 3 does eating in our upper pasture area just this week. An encouraging sign for him and a boost to get his deer stands in place soon. There is so much to do around here but with a day like today, I feel that maybe this should be a play day for us. Especially since he has to work the next two days before being off again.

living life as it comes,

Deborah

Dawned late for me. I was just too sleepy to get up on time after the stressful evening and my late bedtime. I was unsure what I would find in the goat pen this morning. I did not see Amber when I first went down to check things out. Finally I spotted her over by the back fence after my heart dropped to my stomach with dread. But there she stood on all four legs. Apparently prayers have been answered from this country girl's heart. With only minor swelling to her ankle joint she appears to have survived yesterday's scare. Praise God! She showed only a slight amount of difficulty in moving across the yard for the morning milking and hopped up on the stand like old times.

Lon was blessed with another over-time shift today. So I will spend another day here by myself except for the chickens, turkeys, and one lazy cat. I have decided to get my computer work done in the mornings and stop getting caught up so late trying to finish. Today looks like a good day to work on emails and such. In an effort to clear up space on the computer and hopefully help it to run faster.



Well . . . . . . . it is after 7pm. and I have spent most of the day sitting at the makeshift computer desk we have set up in our office/craft room. And boy does my neck muscles burn and my other end hurt from being hunched over the keyboard. But I did get a lot accomplished, although it seems like new emails come in faster than I can get them read. Maybe I need to opt out of a few interest groups for awhile till things settle down a bit.

The weather this evening was quite pleasant for milking. Along with the slight drop in temperatures, I have rigged up a fan to blow across Amber and myself near the milking stand.
Hopefully it will keep her free from the pesty flies and such while cooling me down as we milk.
The air this evening is suggestive of a "late Summer~early Fall" kind of temperature. It feels quite low compared with earlier today and with a cooling breeze, simply wonderful! Tonight is also a full moon and would have made a great star-gazing /porch sitting type of evening for the two of us, had my sweetie been home. Although you would not have known the cooling effect had been here. For when I went out to eat my dinner on the porch after the evening chores were done. The cooler air had vanished and made eating the homemade potato soup not nearly as much fun.

Enjoying the glimpse of Autumn,

Deborah

Wild Things and Barnyard Fights

The air is considerably cooler this morning after last evening's showers. Would have been a great opportunity for a pre-dawn coffee chat with Lon, if he hadn't already left for work. Am looking forward to Autumn when we can spend days like this on a regular basis. Not having to think about whether he is home or at work will be a blessing.




















Rusty, top Rooster ~VS~ Thomas, the Tom

Rusty our resident Roo is still trying to take on Thomas, our Burbon Red tom. They were fighting in the pasture again this morning at milking time. I hope Thomas kicks his tail feathers and puts him down a notch in his perception of himself. Though Rusty is a good provider and protector for the hems who choose his company. Guess we will have to wait and see who wins, brawn or size.

The day lays before me with so many options that I am unsure what to do. I know it will be a productive day if only one item gets done. As all of them have been waiting for our attention since the day we moved in. I need only to pick one and get started. . . . .


. . . . . . Later in the day ~

After making a list of possibilities to be done, I did not do a one of them. HA! Instead I decided to unpack boxes from out of the spare room/office/craft area. I hung some of our wall pictures and did some general straightening. The list can always wait till tomorrow, because it all still needs to be done and I don't think anyone is going to come do it for me.

I had a scare this evening on the wild side. I was weeding an area up next to the back of the house. Pulling handful's of grass & weeds is a great way to get rid of the them by their roots. While reaching down for a large clump of grass I caused movement. Stopping and looking closer revealed a large black snake curled up. Just inches from where my fingers had just been. WOW ! Talking about freezing on the spot. Couldn't decide whether to stay put or run. No additional movement gave me courage to move quickly and I ran in to call Lon at the station. Based on my description, he suggested that it could be either a King snake or what they call a Rat snake. Either one is not poisonous and a great help on a farm for unwanted critter control. I am unsure which it is, just glad it did not run out on me. Or the goats would have seen some ugly dancing on my part, trying to two step with a backwoods country slithery snake.

If that was not enough excitement for the evening, Amber had a run in with something in the edge of the yard/woods. Based on her reaction I was not sure whether she had been stung, bit by a snake or had broken her leg. I guess at that point I was a little paranoid about snake bites. With some violent thrashing around on the ground on her part and refusing to put weight on her leg. I was unsure just what happened. I sat on the ground in an effort to get her to calm down, as she was frantic in her search for relief. She wanted to lie next to me but it was apparent that she was in a good deal of pain. Restless and moaning were two very good signs she was in great distress. Which added to my own. I remember reading about pain control for goats in one of my emails and went to look the info up. All the while calling Lon back with the newest saga on the home front. Found my notes and discovered how much Ibuprofen I could give her for discomfort. Bet the pharmaceutical company never counted on treating goats. Tucking the two tablets in chunks of bananas, she easily ate the meds. My only course then was to help her back to the pen for rest till morning as nightfall had fallen all around us. It was a slow go with a three-legged goat. I hated to leave her but could not stay and trudged back up to the house facing the options before me. Morning will bring to light an obvious broken leg, a dead goat from a poisonous snake bite or a sprain ankle and a possible trip to see a vet.

Quick prayers were lifted up for her healing as I headed off to bed myself.

Deborah

August is in Full Swing

Today started late for me as I slept in a little this morning due to a middle of the night rising. Unable to sleep I slipped quietly into the family room to read. . . . . finished my book. The first fictional book in over a year or more. My current steady diet of reading has circled around the magnitude of research books I have been consuming. I even have one waiting right now by my chair. Along with a dozen or so on hold at the library. Not to mention the one on it's way that I ordered on line for our reference library. I am not lacking for reading material which is obvious from the lined bookcase and the stack of magazines sitting on the coffee table. I love to read which is why I find new books so appealing to get. Only time will tell but I think I have instilled this same love into my granddaughter. One of her favorite requests of me is "read me this book". Seconded only to "let me read you a book." Gotta love it!

Our project for today was to put up some shelves in the bathroom closet. They look so nice and will give me more space than is needed for towels and such. I am sure I will have no problem filling them up with items. For this house is a little short on storage space. Lon even had time to put up some trim in the dinning room while I made a trip to the building supply in the next town for what we needed. Yea! Things are really taking shape with each little finishing detail being put into place. We had wanted to work outside today, but with getting a late start was unable. After having an 11:00 country breakfast (or should I say brunch?), it was just too hot to start. The goal is to do outside projects in the mornings then move to inside projects in the heat of the day after lunch. Good plan, just hard to do some days. Life will always give you a curve ball just when you are ready for a line drive.

We already know he will have to work extra this Saturday. It is to pay back time that was covered while he was off during my mission trip last month. Thankful then . . . . . hate it now.

Looks like it could be a busy week for us, especially if he also gets an overtime shift add to his schedule. Then I have a day set aside for a doctor's apt. and some testing to be done. That leaves us with only one other day for projects here at the farm this week. It is all too easy to fill up your days without knowing it if one is not careful.

We discussed all of our Fall projects again yesterday morning over coffee on the porch. The need to get started is urgent. Time is passing by and our days seem already filled up before we start them. I have a sneaky feeling that August will be over way too soon and it is only the third day of the month.

At present I am sitting here in this heavy heat watching the goats browse. If I can get some energy up after a busy day like today. I would like to clear some weeds from the flowerbeds I am trying to establish. Lon is away this evening for his first Bethel East Volunteer Fire Dept. meeting. Terry, one of the volunteers brought him a radio last Friday. So he can get and respond to the 911 calls for their station. I guess this makes him official as a volunteer all but the turn-out gear he will need and the F.D. truck tag. I guess our life will always revolve around a fire truck somewhere, even after retirement is accomplished.



Living out a dream,

Deborah

We Have a Guest at the Farm

Two days ago we picked our Granddaughter up and brought her out to the farm for a spend the night visit. Wouldn't you know it the rain we had been hoping for, the past couple of weeks arrived when she did. Heavy downpours complete with thunder and frequent lightening. I do not think I will have to water my flowers anytime soon.

Interrupted sleep Thursday night caused aal of us to be tired the next day. I ended up sleeping with "little princess in the guest room, but it was a nice trade off. As she snuggled close and put her arms around me, content just to be near.

A cooling breeze was felt after the storms from the day before. Making for a pleasant morning on Friday for some coffee sipping with Lon on the front porch. We discussed several things in the quite time we had together before Leah woke up. We had morning chores to do, but she got to sleep in. Having not seen us in awhile has increased her desire for our undivided attention. While awake we did our best to accommodate her and make some memories in the process.

Nana's Helper on Saturday morning ~ 8/1/2009

Princess Leah, happy to be staying at the farm with Nana & Papa ~ 7/31/2009

Beds are always a place for good times of giggles and tickling. ~ 7/31/2009

Leah loves the geranium on my front porch~ 8/1/2009

Flower and night-gowned princess match.~ 8/1/2009

Can I water the flowers again Nana? Sure darling, as much as you want.

Helping Papa with a kitchen repair, "see I can hold the flash lite for you"

The Chickens are wandering further up in the yard these days. From the "raggidy" looking hosta, I can assume they have found it and are making a lunch off of it. It was just getting big enough to look pretty next to the purple vinca. Conversation went from one subject to the next in regards to the work to be done on the farm. I have a notion that with all of the plans we have for this fall, we should be prepping for them now. Today is the first day of August, leaving us with 2 possibly3 months before Autumn chores will be in full swing. Here is the rundown on what we see needing to be done before winter's chill sets in.

~Transplanting will have to wait till this year's growth is over.

~Breeding of the goats will have to wait till their fall heat cycle.

~Firewood needs to be gathered now in order to cure out for winter warmth.

~Our Fall garden should be planted soon, but first there is a ton of rocks to be removed.

~Fruit trees / bushes have a better chance of establishment when planted in the cooler months.

~Flower bulbs are put to bed in the shortening days of sunlight.

~Canning and preserving is done in the "dog days" of Summer.

~Pasture fencing in place will ensure no hungry predators snack on any of our livestock.

~Having the outside painting completed will protect our home from Winter's weather.

~Landscaping out front of the house needs to be in the ground for Spring enjoyment.

The list of Fall projects goes on and on. Which doesn't include the inside ones still waiting to be finished. Maybe Fall is called that because you fall into the season of Winter exhausted. Whew!

Now I know why farmers are so busy all the time. There is always something waiting to be done.

This morning is well under way and it is not even 9am yet. I managed to get the chickens fed, Amber & Sugar fed and milked, along with breakfast in Leah's and my tummy as well. It is a gray sky morning, but it is suppose to clear off later. Hopefully giving us the chance to play kick ball in the yard. Our morning was filled with activities that Leah enjoys like, coloring, singing, making a bunny necklace, searching for birds through the binoculars, working puzzles, reading books, playing on the front porch,riding the 4-wheeler, watering the flowers and my favorite ~ rocking in Nana's lap. Before we knew it was time for her to go home to the birthday surprise waiting for her. A Play fort/ swing set to climb on, swing (her favorite), designed for hours of fun.

Cutting grass in the afternoon earned me some sun exposure that was a little pink and tender by bedtime. But it is satisfying to look out and see it smoothly cut and green. A storm tonight before bed caused the power to go out for a few moments. Finding myself sitting in TOTAL darkness, reminded me of the need to always have a flash lite with in arms reach. I guess it calls for a trip to town to buy some extras and post them throughout the house.

We had a wonderful visit with our house guest and can't wait till she can come back to visit again. To hear how much Mommy missed her it could be awhile. Thankful we are for the chance to share this place with her, make memories and teach her about farm life.

With a grateful heart,

Deborah