It seems that every where we turn these days.............

the fear of uncertain times and doom hang over us.............

the television is swamped with doomsday shows..........with folks preparing.............

planning...............and waiting in fear.

Our pastors are now giving us lists in sermons..............

Fear and uncertainty can be such a powerful force and it can swallow us up even when we are

"secure in our faith"

Well, at this moment, I do not have a school bus bunker buried outside, I don't have a pantry with 20 years worth of food and articles..............

I do have my faith and I cling to the rock of the One who comforts me and gives me hope.

Have we ever known what lies ahead of us for sure?

Have we not in some way, always had times of uncertainty...............even in better economic times?

We never know when the next tornado, the next fire, the next big bad wolf , will be coming to the door.

I think fear is always somewhere...............waiting.............

we have to know how to overcome it.

In times like this, I turn to scripture and words of encouragement to lighten the heaviness of fear.

I hope that whatever you are facing today, that you find your rock to cling to and to be able to find some peace in doing so.

I end this post with a wonderful list from one of my favorite people........

Helen Steiner Rice

Helen Steiner Rice's

10 Commandments

The personal commandments of Helen Steiner Rice emphasized optimism:

1. Thou shalt be happy

2. Thou shalt use thy talents to make others glad.

3. Thou shalt rise above defeat and trouble.

4. Thou shalt look upon each day as a new day.

5. Thou shalt always do thy best and leave the rest to God.

6. Thou shalt not waste thy time and energy in useless worry.

7. Thou shalt look only on the bright side of life.

8. Thou shalt not be afraid of tomorrow.

9. Thou shalt have a kind word and a kind deed for everyone.

10. Thou shalt say each morning -- I am a child of God and nothing can hurt me

Against my better judgement

I started letting my chickens

out of their yard and now allow them to roam freely across the grounds.

It is such a risk since we have coyotes near. I just make sure I keep a good watch on them throughout the day.

They are so happy. I think they have discovered every little nook there is in and around the farm house.

It took some of the other critters by surprise however. Salem did not know what to think when he came upon Tex in the backyard. However, now that a few days have passed, everyone is used to seeing each other.  I love to see chickens walking around in the yard!

How about you?

From his high perch in the front yard tree

Salem's attention has been distracted from the birds, to something on the ground.

What could it be??

Could it be the badger prints left behind after " Shaggy" has come in the night to visit?..........

No.

Could it be new the delicate blossoms that are just now opening up in the early morning sunshine?.........

NO.

He jumps down for further inspection....................

and finds himself in the middle of a busy ant den.

The warm weather has awakened these underground farmers and they are busy as ever robbing the bird feeder of it's bounty.

Speaking of busy..............I did it!..........I finished writing my book and am now in search of a publisher!!

Salem has jumped back to his safe refuge...............

somethings are better looked upon than touched.

I am taking part in

Monday's Cottage Garden Party............so forgive me if some of these photos are repeats.......

Even though it has gotten much warmer here in Texas,

the cotton fields lie bare and in wait of planting,

the woods are still dry and asleep,

and it seems that even the yard Lantana is still in winter's slumber................

but if you come closer and have a look deep within,

you will see it springing to life............

even some of the thorniest and most prickly native plants

are showing off their blooms

and buds.

Closer to the home grounds, pots of flowers are budding,

 blooming,

buzzing,

and filling the whole area with the most fragrant smells, which the prairie wind catches and blows across the way.  Life is sprouting and springing here on Pleasant Prairie Farm.

How about you?

What is budding, blooming and buzzing in your area?

I would love to hear!

Sunday's Sentiment

We see God everyday...............we just don't recognize Him.
(Pearle Bailey)

Happy St. Patrick's Day

May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
~Irish Blessing

Something to crow about!

As some of you may remember, my son, Joseph, headed to Naval boot camp in mid January. He just called me today to tell me that he has passed his battle stations and is now officially a sailor! He will graduate this Friday! We are so proud of him!

Thank you for all of your prayers!

The answer to your questions about the wild berries............

that I wrote about in my last post.

This is a common wild berry that grows all over our area.

It is called the Algerita berry,

it's Latin name:  Berberis trifololata

(Mahonia trifoliata)

This wonderful bush looks almost like holly with it's very prickly leaves. During this time of year it is heady and full of wonderful smelling blossoms which to me, look almost like old fashioned cabbage roses, but in miniature.  It will produce small, bright red , berries, which the animals and birds love to eat. It is also safe for humans and if you ever drive through Texas and see folks out hitting a bush with a stick...............I promise you they are knocking the berries off of the thorny plant to harvest and to make into wonderful jelly.  I hope to beat the birds and wildlife and try to take a photo of this wonderful natural food source.

Do you have wild berries growing in your area?

I would love to hear!

The most welcoming scent is blowing across the prairie,

inviting Sophie and I to follow our noses in the direction it is coming from.

We walk down to the barbed wire fenced ranch land, and all along the fences,

these wild berry vines are in bloom.................

full of the sweet frangrance, color, and buzzing bees.

The bees are so busy collecting pollen that they take no time to notice me as I try to focus in on their busy darting here and there................one bee,

who is not so camera shy............is patient and very well

"beehaved"

(You can click on the photo for a better view.)

We have been fortunate enough to received a couple of days of good,

slow, soaking rain. The woods will soon be bursting forth with more blossoms and buzzing.

How about you?

What is blooming or buzzing around you?

I would love to hear!

pssst.....................

I,...Thadeus duck,  interrupt this weekly blog about eggs and chickens..........

to let you know that there are ducks on the grounds as well!!!!

Along the cottonfield road

the grounds lie dry and hopelessly lifeless.

The gnarled woods look not much better.

But just walk a little further and into the hen house..................

nests are full and the chicken yard is a bustle of fluffed feathers, scratching and pecking.

The pomegranate tree is awakening and starting to bud.

A vibrant butterfly gracefully flits in and out of the flowers, being elusive as ever to my camera.

In the yard.............what my husband calls a weed.........I know he's right,

is blooming and growing in clusters ............

announcing the arrival of spring on it's way.

Weed indeed....................it's too pretty to be called such.............

the tree agrees with me.

How about you?

Is everything still in winter's slumber?

or

has spring's early alarm clock stirred up life from beneath your grounds?

I would love to hear!