When life gives you

lemons...........cactus,

make lemonade........something pretty......with a little bit of cement and imagination.........

Armed with a pick ax, a pitch fork and

a wheelbarrow,  I have started working

at clearing the cactus that has it's intentions on taking over

the acreage. 

I have spent many hours and many days, 

whacking,  and placing the cactus into a wheelbarrow

and clearing the land, 

I am carrying it out to the edge of our property

with the hopes of much of it dying out on top of

itself.  This pile will be easier to kill out than with

it spread across the acreage. 

I do appreciate the natural beauty of the landscape,

and I do not want to hire someone to just plow over

the cactus or the other natural plants that live here.

My plan is to leave only a few of the large cactus

bushes.........

because in late spring they are covered in beautiful 

blooms

I am creating a natural "dry garden" 

A place to walk along paths and to enjoy

the beauty of the landscape, 

without running into too much harshness from

thorns.

And with a new uncertain year approaching, 

I am hoping........ we can all not have" harshness or thorns"

to run into on life's path

My prayer for you as this year ends, 

is that you will not look back, but that 

you will have much good and happy times to look 

forward to in the new year to come .

 

Seasons Greetings

Whatever else be lost among the years,

Let us keep Christmas still a shining thing;

Whatever doubts assail us, or what fears,

Let us hold close one day, remembering

Its poignant meaning for the hearts of men.

Let us get back our childlike faith again.

Grace Noll Crowell, "Let Us Keep Christmas," 1939

 

Simply........thank you......everyone

 for your comforting words of support and your shared stories of grief in connection

 to my latest post of 

the mishaps that had come along.  I still miss the crowing of the roosters and the cackling of the hens, 

but I still need time on deciding about a new brood.

Our family member is doing well and looks to be continuing to do so.

It is a comfort to know  that, although, we all do not know each other personally..........

we have come to be connected with our hearts all of these years ......through blog land. 

I am thankful for all of you dear ones!

The month of November was just the prettiest fall month that I could ask for.

The little oak tree out back has donned on it's vibrant read and orange leaves and 

seems to wave happily in the wind to me when I step out into the day.

I was surprised on one early morning when a young doe, came up to get a drink

just a little bit away from me. 

 I had not noticed her until I had stepped inside and 

saw her through the window. 

 Grazing turkeys also came to into the yard and settled down underneath the 

twisted old trees in the front part of the yard for a short rest.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, with 2 of our children( although

missing and wishing the third could have been with us,) 

There was wonderful food, happy chatter, 

and much to be thankful for

One of the longest bullsnakes I have ever seen was slithering it's way across,

but kindly stopped and posed for a good photo.

I have the greenhouse prepared and stocked with the plants for the winter.......

It is filled with my plumeria , lemon trees, the ever loyal purple blooming flower that 

I do not know the name of, and my cactus collection. 

Also in the greenhouse , waiting for spring, are pails of planted tulip bulbs.

I decided to give a try at planting tulip bulbs in metal pails, in hopes that they

will sprout and bloom next spring. Any kind of bulb planted in the grounds here, do not do well.

.  Something is always finding them and digging them up for a snack

I also planted dutch iris in a long metal container, and to my surprise, they have

already sprouted, due to the warm weather we have had in November.

They are in the safety of the greenhouse, so hopefully, I will have some pretty blooms soon. 

December has arrived with the cold and chill of wind, rain, and the happiness of

the Christmas season in the air.

I  have the Christmas tree up and the Christmas music on.........

it seems to make everyone......very happy!

Here's wishing you a sense of happiness and peace

during the holiday season!

Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving

 

Dear Lord; we beg but one boon more:

Peace in the hearts of all men living,

peace in the whole world this Thanksgiving.

Joseph Auslander

Just one minute of forgetfulness and taking for granted that everything

and everyone I hold dear, 

is going to forever be  in a "happy" little corner of my world......... 

really stings when a cold slap by the hand of 

the twists and turns of life 

change everything in a heartbeat.

The forgetfulness part?.........is all my fault. 

In taking care of my chickens in 

the late afternoon......I forgot to put the latch onto my chicken house door.

How could I have forgotten???  I keep asking this question over and over.

Because of my "forgetfulness", 

my two sweet tiny roosters and 3 of my tiny little hens

were all killed in the night by raccoons, who found their way into the pen

and then were able to open the unlatched door. 

There will be no more "eggs in my pocket" from my chickens.

 I took my 3 remaining hens to a friend who

has chickens.  These poor 3 remaining hens were in total shock...from the attack

and now that they are okay, it is time for them to be among

other happy chickens. 

I have kept chickens for 17 years........and year after year

so many things have happened.  Coyote attacks, stray dog attacks, bobcat visits,  rattlesnake bites,

and now raccoon invasions.  I am weary of heartbreak for these 

creatures that give such joy to my day, and such pain

when they leave.  I need a break.  And I am not sure if 

I will ever get more chickens later. 

and now.............the part about taking for granted that those you 

hold dear will always be in "my happy corner of the world"

Without sharing personal and private details, 

a family crisis sprung upon us and I found myself, in shock, worry, and unbelief,

as I sat all night in an ICU ward and visited throughout a week not completely sure of the outcome.

All is well now, and what could have turned out to be a tragedy,

has turned out with good news and many thankful hearts for prayers answered. 

But with this happening, it makes me more aware

 that none of us is guaranteed tomorrow, and none of us is immune to pain or grief. 

The ones we hold dear can leave us, without so much of even a goodbye.

Life is extremely fragile in beast and man.

Life can call death upon us without a warning.

With Thanksgiving just a few days ahead,

we, this year, will have much to be thankful for.

Hold tight to those you love, through action and kind words........

always.  

Wishing you all a very blessed and happy Thanksgiving.  

The days of October had brought a rushed "busyness" to the days

 before the chill of November set in.  Yet, there were many slow down

and enjoy days as well.

The last of the wild flowers bloomed brilliantly

as well as the remaining garden flowers. 

Bees of every kind busily collected the offering of each available flower

The Monarch butterflies made their annual migrating trip,

stopping to rest for a few days before heading on.

The many migrating birds came to visit as well.

This year we had a group of Blue Jays..........

something we have never had visit here before.

Their loud squawk was so different than the usual 

song bird in our area. 

We have also had an abundance of deer coming into 

the yard in the late afternoon to eat the remaining bird feed 

left on the ground. I quietly followed this buck in the 

woods for about 40 minutes.  He knew I was following, 

yet he slowly walked, stopped to nibble grass, and look back 

at me, allowing me to take his photo.  

We often surprise each other when we round the corner of the 

house,

yet this one, was not frightened of me, and allowed 

me to get very close to take his photo.

I told all of my friends that I "shot" and 8 point buck..........

"with my camera" .........only

ha ha

October left us close on it's last days with a taste 

of the cold that is to come.  First came the ice storm,

then the soft, falling snow.

The woods always seem so magical and peaceful in a blanket of snow.

I stepped out into the early morning to capture a beautiful 

sunrise......and after looking over the photos on the computer

I was surprised to see an angel in the clouds. 

Do you see her?  Look to the left of the top of the electric 

pole. I see flowing hair, a head, neck and flowing gown

and wings. 

Here is a clearer shot.  My husband also noticed a face looking 

down.....do you see that as well?

I believe in angels............do you?

The last of the zinnia and bumblebee

 

Come, pensive Autumn, with thy clouds, and storms,

And falling leaves, and pastures lost to flowers;

A luscious charm hangs on thy faded forms,

More sweet than Summer in her loveliest hours...

John Clare, "To Autumn," The Village Minstrel, and Other Poems, 1821

September has started out

 just the way I love for days to be.  There have been cooler, shady days full of clouds,

slight breezes,

and occasional rain showers.

I am so glad for Autumn to be here.  

The sunsets have been the most unusual

and breathtakingly beautiful.

and the sunrise has been just as spectacular.

With the day being cooler, my walks have been longer and slower.

Sophie and I walked along the back field and I picked a handful

of bright sunflowers.  They were full of bugs and bees, 

and a group of tiny bees followed us half way home, not

wanting to give up the bouquet in my hand.

I found myself in "pumpkin heaven" the other day. 

A store had it's entire front displayed in beautiful pumpkins of 

every shape and color. How can I choose just one??

I picked out a couple of the usual round orange and fairy tale pumpkins, 

but this lovely one  looked as if it was wrapped in lace, 

so it came home with me as well.

They make the small back porch more cheerful and welcoming.

It has also been a fun time for friends to gather 

around a happy table for treats and a time to catch 

up on each other's lives.

I savor the slow down days like this.

Gladys Taber said it right when she wrote

  "As summer wanes, we cherish every mild dreamy day."

I hope this finds you enjoying such days!