Peaceful Moments on Marshmallow Ranch

Walking in the Rain

Wed, 07 May 2025 01:30:00 -0600

I’ve been working on a project this week, in between baking and cleaning the kitchen…ad infinitum. I finally had to get out of the house and wander around the pollinator gardens to see what’s new out there. I grabbed my rain boots and a huge golf umbrella from the truck and took off, tromping through the wet fields.

I’m really pleased with most of the gardens. There are a couple that look kind of poorly…sparse grasses with no discernible wildflowers. My dear friend Aimee, who knows all things about the ground and what grows under, in, and on top. She says to leave it be. It’s still forage for critters and can harbor snakes and turtles, and field mice. There’s no such thing as a bad green space…unless all it has is invasive and noxious weeds.

The Lyreleaf Sage is nearing the end of its flowering. The little trumpet-shaped flowers at the top of the stems glow brightly in the mass of dark field grasses. The Bulbous Buttercup has opened its John Deere yellow flowers and is quite showy in the areas where they grow. The Wood Sorrel blossoms are doing their best to compete with the buttercups, but they are smaller and stay deeper in the grass.

Speaking of grass, we have mostly Kentucky Bluegrass, Bromes, Foxtail, Flax, and others. There are many other perennials like Dock, Red Sorrel, Sheep Sorrel, Ribwort Plantain, White Clover, and many others. Every time I’m out there, I find something new to document. It is quite a walk to go around all seventeen pollinator gardens. Just another healthy way to get my steps in.

Mr. FixIt went to town yesterday to buy the straw, manure, and topsoil for the raised bed. I know it’s an investment at the beginning, but hopefully it will pay off with table veggies in the summers to come. I’d like to build a cold frame at the end of the house to have lettuce, carrots, and onions through the winter. Another small step toward a less consumer-based lifestyle as we continue to live our best years walking side-by-side through our seventies.

I used the last of the cabbage and made Gail’s deconstructed cabbage rolls last night for supper. Mr. FixIt picked up some fresh ears of corn, and I have some asparagus that needs to be used up. It’s always a delight to anticipate a good, country meal for a chilly, rainy evening.

🩵

“God called the dry ground “land” and the waters “seas.” And God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let the land sprout with vegetation—every sort of seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. These seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came.” And that is what happened. The land produced vegetation—all sorts of seed-bearing plants, and trees with seed-bearing fruit. Their seeds produced plants and trees of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

***Gratitude Journal***   
Today, I am grateful for the ground on which we live…the myriad flora and fauna that delight us daily. I’m grateful for two strong legs that carry me around, and for the image lookup function on Google!

Ahhhh…the Whippoorwill is Back!

Tue, 06 May 2025 01:30:00 -0600

An eastern whippoorwill (Antrostomus vociferous) perches on a tree branch in the eastern deciduous forest (Photo credit: birdsoftheworld.org).

It was dusk when I walked out to the camper. The air was cool after a late afternoon rain and the frogs called back and forth in their amphibious love fest. The bunnies froze in place as my headlamp brushed across the new mown grass, their red eyes glowing in the impending darkness. Night birds called here and there as they settled for the night. That’s when I heard her…the lone whippoorwill in the hedgerow at the end of the far field.

Sunday’s hail storm about a mile from our house.

I love the sound of a whippoorwill. It takes me back to my childhood, lying in bed beneath the tin roof at my grandma’s house. Back then, there was a pair of bobwhites on the hill across the road. One night I heard their unmistakeable call followed by the scream of a bobcat. That was the last time I ever heard a bobwhite.

A foggy night at Marshmallow Ranch.

A whippoorwill’s call can get mighty obnoxious if they’re close to the house. I don’t know if you remember the story about the time a whippoorwill perched on top of the old TV antenna at the end of our house. We were “yard camping” and that thing would NOT stop and it wouldn’t fly back to the hedgerow where it belonged. I got up and left the camper to try to shoo it off. I got a big pot and a metal spoon and clanged away but it didn’t move an inch. It called nonstop for 45 minutes and I was about ready to pull my hair out.

The rhododendron is blooming! It seems early to me this year.

I looked around for something else that might work. There was a ball peen hammer laying on the grill for some reason. I grabbed that thing and marched out to the antenna and gave it a sound WHACK! That bird few off and much to my dismay, I didn’t hear it again for three years. I heard it once last year in the early spring, but I’ve heard it several times this year. I don’t think I’ll ever try to scare it off again. These are God’s gifts to us and should be appreciated for their beautiful song.

The beautiful rhododendron…West Virginia’s state flower.

Especially if it’s down in the hedgerow at the end of the far field!

🐦‍⬛

“The flowers are springing up, the season of singing birds has come, and the cooing of turtledoves fills the air.” Song of Songs‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

***Gratitude Journal***   
Today I am grateful for the many songbirds who are migrating through WV at this time of year. I awoke to my very favorite bird yesterday morning…the lovely wood thrush with its crystal clear song just makes my heart sing. When I’m out at The Farm, I hear them back up the holler behind the barn and their song echos and rings like a bell choir.

The Happy Little Baker

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 01:30:00 -0600

I love to bake. It’s been one of my favorite activities all my life. That doesn’t mean I baked bread every week for decades. There were several years where I didn’t bake anything but the occasional birthday cake. Things changed during Covid, of course. That’s when sourdough took over the planet. It was hard to find yeast because EVERYONE was baking. But you can create a sourdough starter from scratch with nothing but flour, water, and the wild yeasties circulating in your kitchen. As a matter of fact, if there has ever been a sourdough starter in your kitchen, you can get a new one going a lot quicker. Because of the resident yeasts.

Yesterday was bread baking day here at Marshmallow Ranch. I made the usual Japanese Milk Bread, tripling the recipe to get two loaves plus a pizza. I tried making a focaccia pizza and while it was very good, it was really thick and too much bread for my tastes. I don’t know why my kitchen looks like a tornado struck when I’m done baking. I do try to keep things washed up as I go, but when a lot of things are coming together at the same time, I just can’t seem to keep up. That was always a bone of contention with Mr. Virgo. He was a trained chef and the kitchen was immaculate while he was cooking. We both worked so we shared the cooking duties. And when one cooked, the other cleaned. Things are different with Mr. FixIt. That kitchen in MINE. I do 98% of the cooking and the cleaning and that’s ok with me. He was out mowing all afternoon on the fenced in part of the property, and I really love preparing a meal for him. He’s always so appreciative.

When I finally got the kitchen cleaned up for the umpteenth time, I went out to the camper to write. It’s quiet and peaceful out there. It was just getting dark when I heard it…the first Whippoorwill of the season! I love them…from a distance. They take me back to summer weekends at The Farm. Mom slept with both us kids in a double bed in the “Girl’s Room.” It was so hot up there and we prayed for a breath of cool air to brush over us. I’d lay there in the dark, safe and warm, cuddled up against my mama in my cotton nightie listening to the Whippoorwills and Bobwhites in the woods nearby. That house seemed like a mansion to me when I was little.

It’s always satisfying to have homemade bread on the counter of my kitchen. The house smells great and I realize there’s not much difference between the life growing up on The Farm and the life we’re living now. I realize this is the life I would have loved when we were young and the kids were little. I know the girls had more opportunities in Colorado than they would have had here, and it’s best we raised them there. Personally, I think they missed out on a lot, but you can’t miss what you don’t know, right?

I had a little disappointment yesterday. I opened the bags of grits that I purchased at the beach. I poured the first bag into the container. I know I should always empty the next bag in a separate bowl then combine them when I’ve inspected it. I was in a hurry and didn’t check and sure enough, the second bag had bugs in it. I was so made at myself. Because once that second bag has come into contact with the first, they might as we both have been considered tainted because they soon would be. I threw two whole bags away and there went my savings. I checked the next two bags and they were fine. I wrote to the company but haven’t heard back from them yet.

Mr. FixIt and I have to go to town today. We’ll make a quick trip to Sam’s for a few things and be home by late afternoon. I’m looking forward to next week when I get some time with girlfriends on a knitting retreat. The weeks will be filled the rest of the summer and I won’t get a lot of down time till fall comes. That’s good…it keeps me on my toes and out of trouble!

🩵

“After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias. A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick. Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him. (It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration.) Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.” ‭‭John‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

***Gratitude Journal***   
Today I am grateful for the smell of bread and the sound of Whippoorwills in the woods.

Walking With Mr. FixIt

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 01:30:00 -0600

I was sure I would bake yesterday, but one thing or another got in the way. Namely, it was 78° outside! That’s just too tempting! Mr. FixIt and I walked around the perimeter of the property to see what’s peeking up from their long winter’s sleep. The pear tree buds are starting to pop open. Little Johnny Jump-ups are showing their pretty purple dresses. There’s some sort of lily popping up behind the spot where the burgundy peonies grow. I don’t remember seeing them before. I may dig them up and move them to another spot where they won’t be overshadowed by the bigger plants.

One of my favorite sights in the spring is the Flowering Quince. I’ve known them forever because they grew along the creek bank at The Farm. Delicate dark pink flowers with rounded, cupped petals are some of the first blooms to grace our area. They last a long time and carry us well into the spring season.

When we got to the back of the near field, Mr. FixIt showed me where he found some fur scattered about and a strange bone sticking out of the ground. The two were not related. The bone had been there for quite some time. And, I came through there a week or so ago and the fur wasn’t there. We have a lot of hawks that nest nearby. We also have lots of bunnies. As for the bone, it looked like it came from a large bird. Remember last fall when I picked up all those turkey feathers out there? I think the bone might be from that kill. We have coyotes around here, too. So, I assume that’s what happened here.

It was a wonderful day. We’re supposed to have rain today. It’ll be a better day for baking because I won’t be so tempted to go out and play.

Have a blessed day, my friends.

🩵

“Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain, from the Lord who makes the storm clouds, and he will give them showers of rain, to everyone the vegetation in the field.” ‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬ ‭ESV‬‬

***Gratitude Journal*** Today I am grateful for the spring that beckons us with brilliant green, pink, yellow, and purple. For the spring rains that soak the ground. The warm sunshine that beckons us into its warmth. It makes me feel more alive after the sleep of winter.

Girl Time

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 02:30:00 -0600

“Big” turned 21 on Saturday. I know, right? How can the time pass so quickly? I try to catch her every Sunday evening when I’m checking in on the family. She showed me pictures of her and her friends hiking a cliff trail overlooking the beach. We chatted about her girlfriends and her roommates and it reminded me to share a piece of advice I give to all young women “coming of age.”

“Nurture your friendships with other women. Trust me…you will need them.”

What’s that old adage? People come into your life for a reason, a season, and a lifetime. In reality, only a handful of folks tick all three boxes. I lost one of my longest lifelong friends a little over a year ago. My closest lifelong friend came into my life when we were 16 and we still text or call several times a week. She’s quick to set me straight if I swerve off course and she loves me fiercely.

There are friends that you’re close to and even though you don’t see or talk to each other often, when you get together, you pick up the conversation like no time had passed. There are friends that for one reason or another, drift away and you wish them well but you let them go.

I’ve always loved my children and grandchildren, but I relate to them so much more now that they’re getting older. My West Virginia kids and grandkids didn’t come into my life till they were adults. And now we’re getting great-grandchildren. It warms my heart when I can impart some wisdom and they’re receptive. They’re so precious.

I went to knitting group yesterday and we were the usual group of four this time. We meet at Colleen’s house and I am always excited to see her holiday decorations. She keeps a white pencil tree in her dining room and changes the decorations for every holiday. She has her St. Patrick’s Day decor out now and it won’t be long till she changes over to Easter. I’m not that dedicated. I just got Christmas put away a couple of weeks ago. That’s enough for me.

When I got home from knitting, I started working on the bread. I baked three loaves plus a loaf of pepperoni bread. That was just an experiment so I’m looking forward to seeing how it turned out. I cut a slice for Mr. FixIt and myself while the bread was still warm. Oh, my…I think I’ve finally perfected this recipe!

It’s supposed to get up near 70° here tomorrow and a low of 56° during the night so I’m going “camping” out in the field. Camping without spending a dime…that’s perfect and I can’t wait!

☘️

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭17‬:‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

***Gratitude Journal***   
Today I am grateful for the girlfriends in my life…old and new. They keep me grounded. They keep me sane. They keep me laughing.

Four Seasons in a Day

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 02:30:00 -0600

We had a few moments of sunshine after hard rain all night. We have standing water in our yard, but the creeks haven’t left their banks. Although the temperature overnight got up to 55°, it steadily fall all day and the rain turned to snow around 2:00 in the afternoon. The roads were fine when Mr. FixIt went to town for bowling, but coming home was a different story. He passed several cars in the ditch but couldn’t stop on the hill without going off the road himself. I texted the knitting gals last night to tell them I wasn’t making the drive over the hill this morning. I love getting together with them, but there’s no reason to risk life and limb.

I still haven’t taken down the Christmas decorations! I keep saying “I’ll get it done today” then the day gets away from me. I need to bake bread again and I’m almost finished with the first sock from a pair I’m making for a friend. I really do want to get the decorations down and put away today. I talked to my brother last night. He is getting over covid and feeling better. I watched Big in her finals at Districts. She came in 2nd in her heat in the 200y backstroke! It’s so fun to watch her swim. I remember going to her meets when she first started swimming. She was just this little bitty thing and she worked so hard. She works hard at everything she does.

Other than that, there’s not a lot new around here today. Looking forward to spring…but not necessarily mowing. I hope you all had a good weekend.

““As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.””

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭8‬:‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

#Seasons, #writing, #peacefulmoments

Fire and Rain

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 02:30:00 -0600

First, let me tell you, I’m doing fine. I’m resting and trying to cut down my screen time to manage the low grade headache that comes with a mild concussion. I’ll be back to normal…whatever that is…in a jiffy. lol

It rained all night Thursday night till mid-afternoon yesterday. The temperature was in the low 50’s which was wonderful! Almost all the snow has melted away and the creeks are roaring once again. We’ll have more cold weather, of course. But, I think the worst is past us now. At least, I hope it is.

When I woke up at 5:00 yesterday morning, the fog was so thick I couldn’t even see the trees beyond the near field. There were a few moments when the wind blew the fog away leaving a mild haze only to wrap its silky webs across the landscape once again. It was dreamy and cozy and I loved looking out the window at it.

I didn’t cook beyond making sourdough French toast for breakfast and a ham sandwich for supper on the same bread. I love this new recipe and unless I want to make a boule with all the air bubbles sourdough is known for. I did a cold ferment with the dough and it had that wonderful tang of really good sourdough. And, Mr. FixIt was happy as a clam with it. We’ve used up all the Sourdough English Muffins so I’m going to have to bake some more this weekend. They make the best copycat Egg McMuffin!

Today is Mr. FixIt’s birthday! I always make him a special supper for his big day. Usually it is scallops, but a 1.5 pound bag of frozen sea scallops was nearly $30 so he elected to have shrimp. He likes his shrimp just sautéed in butter and garlic. I prefer Southern Shrimp and Grits. He likes those too, but since it’s his birthday, I will use half the bag for his favorite recipe and save the rest for my favorite sometime down the road. Marriage is all about compromise, right?

I won’t make him a cake today. I’ll save that for the birthday party on Wednesday at the bowling alley so we can share it with the kids. Do you prefer pie or cake? What is your favorite? Do you have a special treat for your birthday? I’m partial to a rich chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, myself.

💙💜🩵

“For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭9‬:‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

***Gratitude Journal***
Today I am grateful for Mr. FixIt’s company on this ride through our Golden Years. He is so much fun and good company. He has the patience of Job and is gentle as a lamb with me, yet he is the first to stand up for me when I need it. Happy Birthday, sweetheart!

#MrFixIt, #Birthday, #Foggy

FINALLY…February!!!

An Evening Walkabout

Sat, 25 May 2024 01:30:00 -0600

Lightning bug, aka firefly, climbing the stalk to prepare for flight.

Evenings are my favorite time to wander through the five acres we call our home. After a day of mowing in the heat, both here and at The Farm, it is a pleasure to take a cool shower, slip into a cotton sundress, and stroll as the shadows grow longer and the night air comes. It’s heavenly, really.

Red Clover

I texted Mr. FixIt yesterday morning and tempted him with scrambled eggs and biscuits if he would stroll out to join me in the camper. It didn’t take him long to bring his tea out and join me. We talked about our plans for the day. He had an appointment in town. I had to finish mowing here at the house then head out to The Farm to mow out there. I had every intention of sitting on the porch for a while and read my book. However, at the time I finished mowing, it was the point where the sun beats down directly on the front of the house and it was bloody hot! Instead, I got a cool drink and sat in front of the fan for a bit to cool off before heading home.

This green takes my breath away! The Farm, 2024

I stopped at The Pig on my way home. Our little country Piggly Wiggly is a lifesaver when you live this far out of town and just need a few things. I wanted to get things like hotdogs and hamburgers, chips and potato salad…you know, Memorial Day picnic supplies. The kids are all doing their own things this weekend and with the amount of time we’ve been traveling, we are happy to have the biggest part of the work complete for the week and have three whole days to loll about.

Mock Strawberry

We talked about cleaning up the pool and trying to get it in shape this year. We never were very successful last summer. Having a pool is nice but it’s expensive to run and a lot of work to keep clean. Living on a fixed income means we have to make cuts if we want to camp and travel, and the pool is a bit superfluous. The kids don’t really come out and use it much so there isn’t that impetus to keep it going.

Red Sorrel, a member of the buckwheat family.

As I wandered around last evening before dark, I took some more pictures. One of my high school classmates asked if we were seeing bees and butterflies out here. I said yes, but I really gave it a good look-see yesterday and I am sorry to say I saw very few bees. We have butterflies and moths. I don’t think anyone in the area is keeping bees right now. I’ll have to check into that. I keep getting a nudge to keep bees, but I know nothing about beekeeping other than it isn’t cheap to get started. If I can boost my plants to include some that are attractive to the little buzzers, maybe I could offer space for someone to put their hives on our property in exchange for a little honey.

Yarrow

As the sun set and the fireflies began their nightly dance, I counted my many blessing to have this safe place to call home and a loving husband to share my life with. It truly is remarkable to have found this joy so “late in life.”

🌼☀️🌼

“Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.”
Proverbs 10:4 NIV

Rise and Shine!

Sun, 24 Mar 2024 01:30:00 -0600

My favorite breakfast…Grits and Eggs!

I woke before the sun came up and sighed. My fun week with the girls had come to an end. But the upside of course is…I was heading home to my sweetheart! I stripped the bed and cleaned the little cottage so Gail wouldn’t have to do it. I fixed breakfast and enjoyed my cup of RYZE while Gail quietly spun her beautiful yarn. She’ll be knitting a sweater with it as a gift. She is such a prolific knitter and is always making something for her extensive network of family and friends.

I worked a little more on the socks I’m knitting for Sue and when I came to a logical stopping point, I packed up and headed for home. It’s a good four hour drive. I stopped at the store for a couple of things and filled up with gas before I headed out into the countryside for the last leg of the trip home.

Gail’s beautiful homespun yarn. Isn’t it yummy?!

Mr. FixIt contacted me Thursday night to say a boulder the size of a passenger van had come down, blocked one lane of the two-lane blacktop out to our house. I was so grateful it didn’t hurt someone. It took hours to break it apart and haul it away and you could see where it hit the roadway.

I stopped for Chinese food on the way home and my sweetie and I watched a little TV. I was really too tired to write a long post, but wanted to let you know I got home safe and sound. It’s still so cold here. I’m happy I don’t have to go anywhere for a while…we can just enjoy each other’s company and our warm and comfy home.

🩵

”“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.“
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

What a Wonderful Retreat!

Sat, 23 Mar 2024 01:30:00 -0600

Shark Slippers!

I’ve had such a great time this week with Gail and Janine! Janine had to leave yesterday morning to try to get home before the big rains hit. She made it just in time! It’s been raining here in East Palestine since around 5:00 last night.

I got a lot accomplished while I was here. I knitted about two inches on Sue’s second sock. I finished knitting and felting this beautiful hat from wool that Gail spun. And I got the first shark slipper finished for our dear friend, Lesa.

The Finished Hat

We ate lots of yummy foods and I’m happy to report the scale did NOT go up! Our friend Jan came yesterday morning with Baked Oatmeal and Fruit Salad. I fixed grits, as well. The girls loved them. I didn’t realize we were actually supposed to go to Jan’s farm for breakfast! Somehow our wires got crossed, but we’ll definitely have to go out there next time.

Gail sat with her spinning wheel last night while I worked some more on Sue’s socks. The house was so quiet after our friends were gone. Gail and I are good about working side by side. We don’t have to have a lot of conversation. We just know each other so well and we’re comfortable in our silent fellowship.

Apple Crisp

I can hardly wait to get home to see Mr. FixIt! And he’s just as anxious to have me back! He worked on cutting up the trees he felled last week. I’m sure he’ll be happy to have some help at Marshmallow Ranch!

I was saddened to hear of Kate Middleton’s report of cancer. It must be incredibly difficult to live in the limelight and have every move scrutinized. I truly hope people will back off and leave them alone now…give them some privacy and let the family deal with this in their own way.

Let’s all be good humans and lead by example.

🌷

”and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.“
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NIV

Three Little Babies All in a Row

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 02:30:00 -0600

I was so happy to see all those smiling faces at Knitting Group yesterday. They are such sweet ladies. I didn’t get quite as much done as I had hoped because one of the gals needed some help with a knitting project. But that’s half the fun of being in a group like that. You don’t have to just focus on yourself and your projects. You have opportunities to teach, minister, listen, and learn.

I had enough pieces knitted to make three more little babies. I’m close to having the fourth one finished, but I needed more fiberfill from downstairs and I just didn’t go down. I’ll do that today. Then I’ll make more babies and finish another strip for the baby blanket. I think I found enough yarn to finish that one strip that’s still sitting on the machine.

We didn’t do much in the afternoon. I cooked some hamburger and seasoned half of it for tacos. I put the rest in the fridge and will make Cabbage Roll Casserole today. We haven’t had that since the last time we went camping. Ohhhhh, I’m really missing the camper. I can’t wait till it gets warm enough to sleep out there again.

I finally ordered an Amazon Echo 8 for my brother. I’m hoping to get him hooked up with it next week then we can see each other more often. I think I told you about my friend Alice who is the whiz kid with technology for the disabled. She even gave a TED talk about it. Alice has a daughter who received a devastating injury on the ski slope when she was only I’ve. We were all afraid Kara would die, or be a vegetable. However, while she does need some assistance, Alice has worked with her extensively, incorporating technology in her life and she now lives on her own in an apartment. We are all so very proud of her! Here is a beautiful story about Kara and her mother, Alice.

We are happy to stay home again today. We both have things to do in town tomorrow. The sunshine has brought a wonderful change and it will be warming up for a little January thaw in the coming week. I hope you are thawing out a little, too!

❄️🩵❄️

”Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.“
Galatians 6:2 ESV

Football and Peanut Butter Cookies

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 02:30:00 -0600

I made enough French toast on Wednesday to have leftovers yesterday. I love French toast. And if you make it with 35 calorie per slice bread and use brown sugar substitute and sugar free syrup, you can really shave a lot of the calories off. After a filling breakfast, I took my cuppa and headed down to the studio…my little nook in the basement.

I’ve been watching YouTube videos to find more knitting patterns to try out. I came across a lady out of Canada and she made this cute little produce bag. I had some cotton yarn and decided to try it. It’s not as easy as it looks. It took me all day to knit up four and out of those found, one messed up so bad I just ripped it out. Another was fairly passable, but a long way from perfect. One came out great, and by the time I got it finished, it was time to put everything away so I could sit down and write. I’ll keep trying, but I though it was pretty cute.

When I was downstairs working, I could hear Mr. FixIt rummaging around in the kitchen and I knew he was setting up to make his famous Peanut Butter Blossoms. He ended up making six dozen! Now, I DO love peanut butter cookies, but I’m staying away. I ate a piece of that fudge I made this week, and I had such a reaction to the sugar. When you have eliminated sugar from your diet, even the smallest things can throw you into a sugar buzz. It kept me awake half the night and I was SO grouchy the next day. I love that he made them for the family. They’ll be here tomorrow for our family Christmas extravaganza and they are always looking for Grandpa’s cookies. I have the pork roast thawing in the fridge. I’ll make a big pot of chili and a batch of homemade cinnamon rolls tomorrow morning. The gifts are ready. We’ll do some cleaning up today, then the fun begins!

We’re really getting into the NCAA Football Bowl Games this year. Our son had us print out the schedule and chose who we thought would win each game and send it to him. There are several of us doing this and it’s been great fun with a lot of happy teasing in the chat thread. This is all for fun…no gambling. But the person who wins gets to keep the “trophy” for a year and retains bragging rights at any and all family gatherings for the year. I started out in last place, and as of yesterday morning, I was in a three way tie for 1st Place! I want that trophy!!! lol There are fourteen more games, so it’s anyone’s guess who will win.

🩵

”It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.“
Psalm 127:2 ESV

Oh, What A Beautiful Day!

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 02:30:00 -0600

OMGosh! On a day like yesterday, all you can do is praise God for his artistry! I’m at the farm to work on the computer since the internet is lightning fast. And, I needed to get the lawn mowed for the very last time of the season. I always breathe a king-sized sigh of relief when it’s over for a few months. I don’t mind adding this yard to my list of chores to do every week. It’s my payment for the privilege of staying here whenever I want.

When I went out to start the mower, I was afraid it might not turn over. It is a little persnickety if you haven’t started it for a couple of weeks. And this had been awhile… maybe three weeks or so? It only took two or three cranks till the ol’ John Deere came to life and I set to mulching up what seemed to be every downed leaf in the county. When the leaves are so deep you’re just pushing them along, you need to run back and forth over them to kinda mash them down so they’ll go under the mower deck. Even with that, I had to mow over the entire yard twice to mulch everything down.

When it’s done it looks so beautiful. Especially in the late afternoon sun when everything takes on a golden glow. It’s supposed to start raining today and get cooler so it was the last chance I would get to mow before the leaves turn to a flat layer of detritus that resembles leather. That can kill the grass and this house sits in a little holler. It doesn’t get much light as it is and stays wet. A layer of wet leaves would further deteriorate the creek bank as it would never dry out. It’s sinking down pretty bad the last few years. Frank and Beans should be here this afternoon. I hope they’ll get a chance to stop in for a quick visit. They’re the sweetest people.

You remember my dear friend Sparky who died a couple of years ago? Well, her son is a well tender in this neck of the woods and when I was out mowing, I saw him checking a well across the road. I turned off the mower and we had a nice roadside chat. It’s been almost two years since his mom died and then he lost his uncle this spring and his dad shortly after. He’s had a heck of a couple of years, but I was glad to see him doing so well. He looks so much like his mom it’s not funny. I just stared at his face and mannerisms while he talked and felt a little closer to Sparky, even if it was just for a few moments.

You can see a video of these creatures on my YouTube Channel HERE.

I swept the front porch and inside the house and got rid of a bunch of Asian Lady Beetles. I’m kind of amazed I didn’t see a single stink bug. As a matter of fact, there aren’t a lot of them at this house this year either. Maybe it just hasn’t been cold enough yet. The weather will be turning chilly again as the week progresses and I sure hope they get the part in for the furnace soon. We need to get that fixed in a hurry.

Hey, have any of you used Zenni or any of the other eyeglass shops on the internet? I bought my first pair about three years ago maybe and my prescription changed this time. I went online and shopped. I bought a pair of pretty glasses with progressive bifocals with a wide angle along with a new carrying case and two pairs of clip on sunglasses…one for night driving and one for sunglasses. Grand total? $128.93 including tax and shipping! The cheapest glasses I could find in the optometric shop was $250 and that didn’t have any of the extras. Zenni offers a 10% senior discount, too! I’m all about getting the best I can for my money. I’ll let you know how they turn out!

It should rain today, so I’m planning on sitting here in Grandma’s chair, in front of her window and watch the world go by. It’s awfully nice to have this peace and quiet. NO TV!!! I hope you’re having a good week!

🍁

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”
Romans 12:10 ESV

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Soon there will be snowflakes falling instead of leaves. Here’s a sweet Norwegian inspired Christmas Ornament. These make great hostess gifts or a gift exchange with your girlfriends.

Shop Now

I Love You, Mom

Sat, 09 Sep 2023 01:30:00 -0600

I’m gaining countertop space…slowly but surely!

I have a huge family now that I’ve married Mr. FixIt. I have bonus kids and bonus grandkids and even bonus great-grandchildren. But I only have two girls who I raised from birth. They both live in Colorado and I miss them tremendously. That’s why we go and spend a month every summer to see them. We have to fill up our cup when we can.

My girls are as different as night and day. Not surprising considering they were born sixteen years apart. That’s almost a generation between them. One is old school. She was raised without TV for the most part. Fiercely independent and not the least bit clingy or demonstrative. The other is my cling-on. My snuggle bunny. She is my mirror…the one who teaches me who I really am.

Daughter #2 showers me with many terms of endearment. There are lots of hugs and kisses when we see each other. Daughter number one hugs me when I get there and when I leave. She tolerates me kissing her on the cheek and whisper how much I love her. She knows. She loves me, too. She just shows it in different ways. When she was little, she was a cuddle bug, but once she hit the teen years, those hugs and kisses were few and far between. And, like a rare gem…they’re valuable when I get them. Not that Daughter #2’s affections aren’t equally valuable…just in different ways.

Big is just like her mom. Now that she’s in college and so grown up, she’s much freer with her hugs and I love you’s, but she’s still stingy with those kisses. Little on the other hand…is just like D2 and me…all about the affection.

Thursday morning my phone rang and when I saw the Caller ID, my heart skipped a beat. I don’t get a lot of phone call from her…especially that early in the morning. But, it was my firstborn! We had a wonderful, long conversation. She was waiting for a meeting to begin and when her coworker came in, she had to scoot quickly. I told her I loved her. And then she said…

“I love you too, Mom.”

Oh, my mother’s heart! I still get a lump in my throat when I think of it. I can hear it in my head. Hubby #2 wasn’t one to say I love you much. That’s probably where Daughter #1 got it from. When I asked him why he didn’t say it more often, he said, “If you say it too much, it loses it’s meaning.” I don’t know about that, but I can tell you this. That was truly a gift that day. A rare and precious gift I’ll never forget.

And, to top it off…Daughter #2 called in the evening. My bookends to my very good day!

I didn’t work the whole day in the kitchen yesterday, but enough of it. Everything I do shows me how much more needs doing. But, I’m on a roll now and things are taking shape. I’m moving things around and that’s always a little iffy. Mr. FixIt isn’t fond of change. We have this really old under-counter toaster oven that I just can’t stand. A few years ago, I talked my sweetheart into getting a four slice toaster so we pretty much have stopped using it. And it hangs down so low, it takes up that whole corner of the kitchen and it is wasted space.

Mr. FixIt had to go to town AGAIN yesterday, and I worked away while he was gone. I wanted to finish up a few things after supper. I kept staring at that toaster oven and hoping. I came to to the door of the family room and asked if he could come in and look at something. I think he knew what I was going to ask because we barely walked over the threshold and he said, “Yes…we can get rid of it.”

I threw my hands up and said, “Thank you, Jesus!” So, that sucker’s outta here today! Yes!!!

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

I love Garden Flags! I change them out with the seasons so I’m always thinking up more designs. Here’s a fun Trick or Treat flag you can personalize with a family name. Order soon so you’ll have it in plenty of time before Halloween!

Shop Now

Seriously September

Sat, 02 Sep 2023 01:30:00 -0600

Touch-Me-Not, aka Jewelweed. This grows at the edge of the porch every year. The bees and the hummingbirds love it. I’m going to see if I can transplant some of it next spring.

It was March and I blinked. Now look…it’s September! I need to slow down the hands of time to hang onto the fun summer months. They go even faster when you travel like we did this year. I told Mr. FixIt the other day…we wouldn’t normally have traveled like this, but we’re both feeling great and we won’t be able to keep this up forever. We got a year full of great memories, that’s for sure!

We always called this Foxtail Grass. Mr. FixIt hasn’t been out to weed eat in quite some time. It shows…but I think this is lovely in the late sun.

I’ve been at The Farm the last couple of nights. I mowed right after I arrived on Thursday to get that over with. I spent the entire day yesterday trying to learn how to do something I want to do. Learning new things doesn’t come quite as easily as it used to and I have to watch, rewind, watch, rewind the educational videos I find on YouTube. Before, all I’d have to do is see it once and I could do it like a pro. Not anymore.

My summer supper…a baked sweet potato with Parkay Spray and Truvia Brown Sugar on it. Yummmmmy!

By late afternoon, my brain was tired so I took a break, popped a sweet potato in the microwave and sat on the porch with my supper. Afterward, I took a little walkabout to see what is growing. I’m not sure what I got into when I was mowing, but it might have been poison ivy. I have itchy little bumps on my arms and my belly. I’ve only had one small bout with poison ivy in my life and I’m always really careful. But I’ve been mowing along the edges of our field and the yard here so I’m sure I’ve tangled up with something.

While this looks like a dragonfly or a damselfly, it’s actually called an antlion. Their larvae dig conical shaped pits to trap passing ants or other prey. They are sometimes called doodlebugs because of the marks they leave in the sand.

I gathered some seeds from a couple of the perennial flowering plants Grandma loved. I’ll try to get them to start over at Marshmallow Ranch next spring. I’m heading home today to do a little housecleaning. Tomorrow is our family picnic so I’ll have to get up early and put the pork roast in the oven. Do you have big plans for the holiday weekend?

“Then God said, “Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark the seasons, days, and years.”
Genesis 1:14 NLT

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

September is the time for gathering the harvest and counting our blessings!

Shop Now

SUCH Good News!!!

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 02:30:00 -0600

Guess where I am???

OMGosh, y’all…I had my last appointment with the endocrine surgeon yesterday morning and received such good news. My numbers are now in the normal range!!! That means my second surgery was a success. I thought it must be improved because I’ve been feeling much better the last six months. I no longer feel the deep bone pain I had before. And, as my sweet husband can attest…I’m no longer Miss Cranky Pants! I don’t need to see Dr. Phay again unless something comes up. He said while it IS possible one of the remaining glands may give me trouble in the future, it’s not very likely. Thank you, Jesus and Dr. Phay!!!

An additional high note is…the new medicine I’ve been taking for sleep seems to be doing the trick. Instead of an occasional restful night, it’s flipped and I have an occasional night with not quite as much sleep as I would like and the rest are 8-9 hours of good, solid snoozing. Can I get another “Praise, Jesus!”

I finished Christmas Stocking #9 yesterday!

I’m on cloud nine! Mr. FixIt and I went to town yesterday afternoon to get more birdseed for our little feathered friends. We needed to get birthday presents for two of our great grandsons. And we were out of eggs. I am praying the next generation of laying hens fare better and aren’t plagued with avian flu. I didn’t even ask Mr. FixIt how much the eggs were at Aldi’s. We are fortunate to be able to still afford most of the foods we are accustomed to eating. We have cut way back on red meat. We mostly eat roast pork and chicken when it’s on sale. But it sure hurts to pay so much for eggs.

After we arrived home from town and I got the groceries put away, I packed a few things and headed to the farm for a couple of days. It has been quite a while since I’ve stayed out here…maybe before Thanksgiving? I’m not sure. All I know is, I needed a farm fix! I brought my laptop, a book, the new Girlcamper and Country Living Magazines, and my knitting. I brought out some of the leftover spaghetti sauce, a can of Progresso Chicken Noodle Soup, and some pancake mix. Oh, and a couple of slices of the Hummingbird Cake!

It is so quiet and peaceful out here at the farm. It’s toasty warm with the gas stoves and the furnace running. I have an electric blanket on the bed so I am cozy and snug as a bug in a rug. I’ll make some phone calls that I don’t seem to have time for when I’m at home. I’ll go back to my sweetie tomorrow morning because it’s supposed to start snowing on Friday. I am so blessed to have access to my childhood home. Even though it technically isn’t “ours,” we work all summer mowing and keeping the place up in exchange for getting to stay here whenever we can. And that makes my heart sing!

“My people will live in a peaceful neighborhood— in safe houses, in quiet gardens.”
Isaiah 32:18 MSG

T’was the Week Before Christmas…

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 02:30:00 -0600

Ohhhhhh, the things I still have to do! I took stock today of my holiday preparations as I sat in my big comfy chair. The floor around my feet was littered in every direction with gifts, gift bags, and all manner of flotsam and jetsam that needs to be taken care of. The dishes were piled in the sink. Mr. FixIt was kind enough to whip up some oats for breakfast while I decided what was going to get done first.

After eating my oats and toast and sipping on the new store brand decaf tea (which wasn’t bad, mind you) I came to a semblance of order. In my head, anyway. I cleaned the kitchen first. I’ve learned over the years that if I have a nice clean sink and a clear countertop, I can move mountains. Once that was done, I raided the icebox and set the Dutch oven on low to make chicken and noodles.

I had half a rotisserie chicken left in the fridge. I threw it in the pot along with a coarse chopped onion, a couple carrots, and several stalks of celery. I added a little salt and fresh ground pepper, a couple shakes of smoked paprika and poultry seasoning. I tossed in a couple dried bay leaves, some minced garlic, and half a box of chicken broth I had leftover in the fridge.

To this heavenly mixture, I added about eight or nine cups of water and placed the tight fitting lid on the pot and let it simmer all day while I worked on the presents. It smelled SO delicious! I got all the girls’ gifts in their gift bags with their names on them and under the tree. Then, instead of hustling all day doing this and that, I sat down and worked on another knitted Christmas stocking for the littles.

So what if people get their cards after Christmas…it just extends the holiday joy, right? More cookies? Heck…I’ve baked plenty! I’ll just box up what I have and call it good. Nope, yesterday was a day to just sit and enjoy the season. Mr. FixIt ran to town…yet again. And I elected to enjoy the peaceful setting I created in our little corner of the world. A cozy red chair. A cup of hot tea. Homemade Chicken and Noodles simmering on the stove. Knitting in my lap. Slippers on my feet.

Indeed…the world was my oyster!

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 ESV

Back in the Saddle Again!

Tue, 31 May 2022 01:30:00 -0600

I’ll tell you what…recovery comes more slowly with age. Both Saturday night and Sunday night, I laid down at 5:00 just to stretch out and woke up at 9:30 in the morning! I went right out and mowed the yard yesterday as soon as I could because the temperature was supposed to be in the 90’s by mid-afternoon. I got almost finished and ran out of gas. After a quick trip to town for a refill, I did the last three loops and was done. It always looks so pretty when it’s finished.

I received a notification that Glenwood Springs had a frost warning out last night. Y’all have no idea how nice it is to live where there’s a long growing season. We have tomatoes on our plants and Colorado is having freeze warnings. There was a blessing in that weekend in the mountains when it snowed. I stayed three days longer than I expected to and really enjoyed visiting with my brother. He’s calling me more regularly now and sounds so much better. I was getting worried about him, but I think this new move and the extra attention is helping him. He called yesterday to tell me they were having a barbecue and playing games last night for Memorial Day. That does my heart good.

I haven’t touched anything I brought in from the truck. It’s still in a big pile in the living room. We have to mow at the farm today, I think. It’s supposed to rain the next couple of days so we’d better get out there. Mr. FixIt worked on his brakes yesterday while I mowed. We always have something to do at this time of year. The pool is just about ready to get in. I’m hoping the camper gets fixed soon because we have a little camping trip scheduled in the middle of June. Then we’ll probably put this one up for sale and look for a camper that better suits the kind of camping we do.

We had a little calamity at the house Sunday. A couple of years ago, I built a birdhouse at a Girl Camper event with Gail at Beaver Creek State Park. The park naturalist did a talk about bluebirds and showed us how to build a birdhouse. When I got home, I sat it on top of the smoker and there it sat. As I was sitting on the deck having coffee Sunday morning, I was on a FaceTime call with Gail and thought I saw some movement out of the corner of my eye. I thought a bird went in the birdhouse, but I waited and never saw it again. Then, I got busy doing something else and forgot to investigate.

Mr. FixIt came in to get me and showed me what happened. The cat knocked the birdhouse off the smoker and it shattered into several pieces. There were several little baby birds in the box and that scattered in every direction. They were SO close to fledging and I just hated that their time was interrupted. I gathered as many as I could find and put them back in the nest in a safe place. When I went out to check them yesterday morning, they were all gone. I am praying they made it up into the trees and bushes nearby. I believe they were Carolina Chickadees. They were so precious.

There is an Eastern Phoebe nesting in the light fixture over the basement stairs. She’s doing a great job and her nest is high and out of the way. I see her sitting on the edge of the pergola on the deck every morning. We have Red-Shouldered Hawks nesting on the ridge across from the house. I haven’t seen a single hummingbird which always worries me. Our West Virginia hills are filled with beautiful birdsong every day and it makes sitting out on the deck a true pleasure.

There was a possibility of a meteor shower last night, so check here tomorrow morning to see if I saw anything. I always write these posts the night before so they can go live at 4:00am. Some of you like to “visit” with me over morning coffee! Can you believe May is gone?!

“Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they sing among the branches.”
Psalm 104:12 ESV

The Calm After the Storm

Fri, 27 May 2022 01:30:00 -0600

Just when I was totally overwhelmed with camping and traveling and putting a camper up and down in the rain and doing it all by myself…along comes God and says, “Here…take a nice nap. And when you wake up, I’ll have something pretty for you to see!”

I awoke yesterday morning to a chilly, gray, wet day that was thankfully not actively raining. I only had to drive through a little bit of drizzle a couple of times. I had my eye out for a coffee shop and was prepared to get a cuppa joe and a pastry when I saw…the sign! Perkins Pancake Shop!!! JUST what the doctor ordered. There is no schedule when you’re camping so I pulled in and sat down away from others. And enjoyed the HECK out of a nice hot breakfast with really GREAT coffee! I gave the waitperson a very nice tip because she was working her tail off. I wrote “God Bless You…have a great day!” on the receipt. It’s the little things.

What a mood lifter! I toodled through the Iowa farmland as the early morning fog was lifting. The windmills reached their arms high, disappearing into the low hanging clouds, slicing through the air to bring much needed electricity a la Mother Nature. The fertile black earth has been furrowed and planted and neat rows of spring green corn is sprouting up everywhere. Herds of black cattle with their babies in tow dotted the fields on either side of the road. The constant hum of the wheels on the road set the backdrop of my silent journey east.

I crossed the Mighty Mississippi at Davenport, Iowa keeping my eyes carefully on the single lane crossing the bridge. It’s “orange cone season” for sure. As I turned south on I-74, I watched the sky growing heavy and dark in the direction I was heading. I often ask Siri multiple questions as I drive. For instance, she can tell me, based on my speed and the local traffic, just how long it should take me to get to my destination. When I asked her what the weather was doing in Galesburg, Illinois, she confirms my suspicions. There was a thunderstorm when I was heading.

Fortunately, the storm was moving northeast while I was moving southeast and I did not have to put the camper up in the rain. I had it set up in no time and settled inside to eat my lunch and stretch out for a nap. I was awakened by the sound of rain on the roof and lay there listening. I love that sound. After a while, the rain stopped and the light outside turned golden. I grabbed my phone and headed down the through the tunnel of trees to the lake where I knew a spectacular sunset was coming.

All those beautiful clouds reflected the most gorgeous light down across the lake and into my very soul. God reminds us that…even in the darkest of times…there is beauty in His creation. I hold onto His promises in times like these and remember this is not my home. I’m just passing through.

And with that, I leave you with His handiwork.

Allison Lake Storey Campground - Galesburg, Illinois

“And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”
Matthew 8:26 ESV

Working on Wellness

Tue, 05 Apr 2022 01:30:00 -0600

Seventeen years ago, I had an innocuous looking freckle on my arm. It didn’t bother me. I’d had it for awhile, it seemed. I had a lot on my plate in the previous few years going through a dreadful depression and the breakup of a twenty year marriage. A freckle on my arm was the least of my worries.

Daughter #2 loved reading her dad’s medical journals when they arrived at the house. She’d been reading them since she was five and was particularly intrigued by the ones that dealt with skin health. One afternoon during her two weeks with me, she noticed the freckle on my arm and…with alarm in her voice…insisted I make an appointment to have it checked.

My family doctor said she would take a biopsy, but she didn’t think there was anything to worry about. Two days later, she called me to say she had made an appointment with the plastic surgeon to have more of the tissue removed. The diagnosis? Melanoma.

My daughter was right, and has reminded me of that ever since. I have yearly full body skin checks. I had a precancerous lesion removed from my chest last year. I had my yearly check yesterday and I have three precancerous lesions on my face. These are a less serious variety than last year’s so she gave me the option of having them frozen or using a topical chemotherapy. I elected the latter. I’ve done that before and it’s worked out fine. I assured her I would keep a close eye on it and if needed, I’ll return right away. I don’t mess around with those things.

I went into town early enough to sit at one of my favorite coffee shops to knit and people watch. The Bodega is such a sweet place with big comfy chairs and tables. They have a variety of sweets to go with your beverages….like pecan rolls, cinnamon rolls, and scones. My favorites are the sweet treats from Sweet Ash Cookies. They are not only perfectly decorated…but they taste great, too.

I slowly sipped my ginger tea and watched the other customers. A young mom came in with her two boys and their Nana. They brought along Molly, their beautiful Golden Retriever. She was so well behaved and came over for a quick pet…and a little sniff to see if maybe I had a treat for her. I love Goldens…they are angels in fur suits. The boys came in like a whirlwind, touching everything as little boys do. There was a cursory banging on the piano, then a quick search through the toy box before they selected some blocks and began competing to see who could build the tallest tower. The place got so quiet when they blew out the front door like little raucous tumbleweeds.

My next focus was on a mama and her sweet little girl. They were waiting for “sissy” to get out of school. They sat at the table munching on bubble waffles (it’s a thing). Mama explained the rules of Connect Four and they set to playing a game. It was great till Mama blocked the Little’s row and she wasn’t havin’ it, thank you very much. It seems Mama didn’t quite get the finer points of the game across. Given her age and the setting, I was happy to see Mama create a new goal to see who could fill their row first with one color. They soon left, happy as little clams, and headed out into the misty grey West Virginia morning.

A young woman worked on a computer at the table in the corner. A man waited on his lunch order, quietly scrolling through his phone. No one wore a mask but me. I did take it off for my cookie and tea. When I got to the doctor’s office, the front desk person informed me they had lifted the mask restrictions and I was free to remove mine if I wished. I told her I preferred to leave it on. She said she would make a note in my chart and the doctor and staff would also wear masks in deference to my comfort. I thanked her profusely.

History will be rewritten. People will forget the devastation the pandemic wrought. They’ll spin the tale as over cautious or political over reach. But those of us who understand science and worked in the field won’t forget. Do I like wearing a mask? Not particularly…but then again, I’ve worn one for so long now, it’s automatic and doesn’t bother me a bit. I haven’t had so much as a sniffle since covid started. Why would I want to expose myself to that again? I like staying healthy. And, it doesn’t hurt anyone else so I’ll just wear it and call it good.

It was another beautiful day…rain or not. Today is knitting group…a decidedly fun gathering. A great way to start out my week.

“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.”
3 John 1:2 ESV

The Mysterious Moonlight and Helvetia

Fri, 18 Feb 2022 02:30:00 -0600

The ring around the moon.

Night before last, I slept out in the camper. Mr. FixIt loves to camp, but doesn’t quite see the allure when the camper is less than 100 yards from our comfy bed and a real live bathroom. Still, he does not mind when I get a hankerin’ to go “camping”. He always comes out to kiss me goodnight and brings me a bedtime snack. He da man!

As he was leaving the camper to go back inside, he called over his shoulder, “You’d better come out here and look at the moon coming up. It’s going to be a beauty tonight.” I jumped up, stepped into my camping crocs, and grabbed my phone. I’m having a blast taking pictures with the camera on this iPhone 13 Pro Max. OMGosh! It has a function where you can take low light and night photos now and they are just magical.

Every evening after I’ve written my post and I’m unwinding for bed, I text with my son-in-law’s mom. Sue and I started daily texting when she was going through some medical issues a couple of years ago and I felt helpless living so far away. I couldn’t bring her dinners or come to visit, so I asked her what I could do to help her. She said, “Text me every night and tell me your stories. It gives me something to think about when I’m having treatments.”

The fog rolling in.

We’ve always been close. I have told my daughter many times that she won the lottery when it came to a family to marry into. They are the best people. But texting with her every day has brought us closer than ever and now, if we don’t at least check in to see how the others’ day went, it just feels weird. So, we were just wrapping up our chat when I looked up and the moon was high in the sky over the camper. I could tell there was a ring around it, so I ran out and snapped a few pictures.

Rings around the moon appear when the moonlight refracts on ice crystals in the atmosphere. We see them a lot here in West Virginia…I guess because it’s so humid here. When I woke up yesterday morning, I looked at my phone and saw the rain was going to start soon so I headed back into the house. Mr. FixIt was still asleep so I put a pork roast in the crockpot, ran the dishwasher, made my coffee, and settled in to knit for awhile.

Mr. FixIt had an appointment in town yesterday afternoon and I stayed home for some quiet time. It was lovely because the fog rolled in, the stove was glowing, and I turned on the TV. That’s unusual for me, but I’ve been enjoying watching videos about the Appalachias and her people. I love the music and the cooking, the old stories and photographs people share. I watch these when I’m home alone knitting. It’s so soothing and peaceful.

My morning view out the big picture window in the camper.

There was a wonderful documentary on Helvetia, West Virginia. It is our “Little Switzerland” here in the Mountain State. Switzerland was a very, very poor country and people emigrated to this country to seek a better life and a place where they could own land. They settled into a very remote mountainous area that isn’t too far off the road I take when I go to visit my family in the Eastern Panhandle.

This particular documentary was made possible with major support by the National Endowment for the Arts and was produced by Gerald Mills of the Augusta Heritage Center at Davis and Elkins College in Elkins, West Virginia. You may recall me visiting there there for the state fiddle and flat footing competitions when I was hauling the Girl Camper Raffle Trailer around all over the state in the fall of 2019.

I’ve never been to Helvetia, but now that I’ve seen this, I really must go. Here is a link to the documentary. It’s an hour long, but it’s just delightful and I hope you’ll take the time to watch it.

[youtu.be/Sk2Gv2lKz...](https://youtu.be/Sk2Gv2lKzRI)

Happy Friday, everyone!

❤️

“yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

James 4:14 ESV

More Cast Iron, More Knitting, More Snow

Sun, 23 Jan 2022 02:30:00 -0600

My son-in-law’s mom texted me yesterday. She found a really cool piece of cast iron in the shed they’re cleaning out and will hold it for me till we get there in May. This is called a Gem Pan. Our grandmas and great grandmas made Gem Cakes in these back in the day. It looks like you could also use the pan to bake individual tarts or mini quiches, as well as corn cakes.

My grandma didn’t have anything as fancy as this. She had two or three cast iron skillets. My mom had several. I took them with me when mom died and I cleaned out her house and of all things…they were amongst the items I let go of when I downsized. In the end, it’s ok. Because, one cast iron pan is as good as the next for cooking in and this way, I’ve been able to concentrate on collecting Griswolds. I do have several pieces that are unmarked save for a size number.

I finished the tube portion of the first sock in this pair yesterday. Now I need to cut in the heel. I want to finish this pair quickly because my sweater yarn arrives next week and I can hardly wait to start on that. I chose three colors…a soft heather grey, a medium rose heather, and a dark heather grey. I have the supplies I need and I’ll print out the pattern. This one doesn’t have a tutorial video. I found those to be so helpful when knitting the socks. I saved them on my YouTube channel so I can go back and view them when I need clarification on a particular step.

Now that I know my surgery will be coming up sooner rather than later, I do need to get some things done around the house in preparation. I don’t know about you, but if I’m going to be traveling or I know I’m going to be down for a while, I like to have the house in order, the pantry stocked, and maybe even some dishes prepared ahead of time to make meals easier upon my return. Remember…we were talking just the other day about being a good scout and always being prepared.

I am so grateful that my family members with covid are getting over it now. Thank God for vaccines…they really did their job in protecting them from severe illness. I was talking with a couple of my cousins this weekend and we marveled that we had managed to avoid getting it. Then, I woke up yesterday morning with a scratchy throat. The older I get, the more easily I choke on my own saliva…or air, for that matter. I got choked Friday afternoon, so I think that’s why my throat was a little sore. I’m going to watch it and not get up in Mr. FixIt’s face for a couple of days. I mean, after all this time staying well, wouldn’t it be a bummer to get covid right before I’m scheduled for surgery?

My girlfriends from my class are gathering for coffee on Saturday, but I’m not going. Other than going to the hospital for my pre operative testing, I’m sequestering myself from everyone. I don’t want to run any risks. There will be time for gathering for coffee after this surgery is done.

The temperature was 3 degrees at our house yesterday morning. I think it’s going to be warmer in the next few days. Isn’t it funny when you start to call the 30’s “warm”? It’s all a matter of perspective, isn’t it? We have a 62% chance of snow today.What’s it doing in your neck of the woods?

❄️?❄️

“It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.”
Psalms 127:2 NLT

Learning Curves

Sun, 16 Jan 2022 02:30:00 -0600

Another new skill for my knitting toolbox! Toe-up sock with an Afterthought Heel!

Just about anything you want to accomplish will present a learning curve. I’ve been kind of happily cruising along, knitting dishcloths. They’re mindless and I can crank them out fast. They are nice to have around as little gifts for your dinner hosts or a housewarming or an office birthday. There are quite a variety of patterns to try, but I usually end up just knitting on the diagonal and calling it good.

I’ve knit several pairs of socks. I’ve worked them up with two 9” circular needles, with four double pointed needles, with one 32” circular…all from the top down. And now, I’m learning how to work from the toe up. I thought it would be great because I wouldn’t have to do a Kitchener Stitch to finish the toe. The Kitchener Stitch is a way of joining live stitches in a way that appears like it’s been knit normally. Seriously…it’s kinda like magic. For some reason, I have stumbled over it for the last three weeks.

I’m finding on most video tutorials, the instructor knits WAY faster than I do. I never learned to knit Continental where you hold the yarn with your left hand and pick it up on your right needle. I knit English style where you “throw” your yarn by holding it in your right hand, throwing it up and over the needle on each stitch. It isn’t fast, but it does give a beautiful even stitch for me. A woman came up to me in the waiting room at OSU a few months ago and told me I could knit much faster if I knit Continental. I smiled sweetly and said, “Thanks, but I can’t chew bubble gum and walk either. This is far lest frustrating for me, even if it isn’t very fast.”

As I worked on the toe up sock, I discovered two things I was going to have to learn. The Kitchener Stitch was still going to prove to be my nemesis in this project because it is how you close an “Afterthought Heel”. Which brings me to the second learning hurdle. In order to knit an afterthought heel, you actually have to CUT your work! I was horrified. How on earth do you do this?

This was a first for me…CUTTING into my knitting to insert a heel. Scary!

I followed along in the tutorial, step-by-step and figured it out as I went. It turns out, you pick up a row of stitches on one end of your circular needle, then pick up another row…leaving a row in between. Once you have them on the needles, you take you scissors and cut through the yarn on the middle stitch of that in-between row. Then you use a tapestry needle and unravel that thread back to the beginning of the row in each direction. You tuck the yarn that’s left hanging to the inside of the sock. When you are done with the heel, you weave those ends in and…voila! You have a heel! What sorcery is this?!?!

After trying several times to close the heel with that dreaded Kitchener, I finally found a video that is in slow motion. (https://youtu.be/9dYP_GeHLG0 ) You have two setup stitches, then you have a sequence of four steps that you repeat. If you repeat the steps to yourself as you do them, it’s a lot easier. I finished the first sock of this pair last evening. Mr. FixIt was off at the former Mrs. FixIt’s house, putting her new treadmill together and that gave me a few hours of uninterrupted silence to figure these new techniques out.

Every time you learn something new, it becomes a tool in your toolbox. With enough tools, and self-confidence, you can move on from dishcloths to socks and on to bigger projects…like a sweater. Gail says they are easier to knit than socks, so I’m willing to try. I spent some time last night looking at yarns so I can order some for the sweater pattern Gail sent me. Stretch you mind. Learn new things. Step out of your comfort zone. Whether you are staying home because of the pandemic or because you’re snowed in, take advantage of that time and learn something new. Our brains need exercise, too!

We are expecting 5-8” of snow by tomorrow afternoon. Let the knitting commence!

?❄️?

“Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.”
Proverbs 18:15 NLT

Taking a Stroll Down Memory Lane

Sat, 27 Nov 2021 02:30:00 -0600

My Bialetti Moka Express, made in Italy

We were going to put up the tree yesterday, but the sweet Mr. FixIt was so sore from doing the Turkey Trot with the kids on Sunday, we decided to just have a lay low day. I fed the sourdough starter. Emptied the dishwasher and and made my morning coffee. Lately, I’ve been using a Moka Pot for some excellent lattes. This is the way to make espresso without investing big bucks in a machine.

I had a nice De’Longhi Espresso Machine that Mr. Virgo bought for me one year for Christmas. It cost about $400 and made great coffees, but after a few years it wouldn’t keep pressure and it just didn’t work right. I’ve carried around all these years thinking maybe I’d figure out how to fix it one of these days, but that seems unlikely.

I had a Moka Pot years ago and I have no idea what became of it. I don’t believe I used it too often and ended up giving it away. I saw this one on Amazon when I was thinking of replacing the old espresso maker, but when I saw the prices, the Moka Pot just sounded like a much more sensible investment. It’s really easy to use…you fill the bottom part with water, put espresso grind coffee in the filter, screw the top on and place over medium heat till the water boils and it force up through the coffee grounds and into the pitcher at the top. Smooth, easy, and delicious.

A bustling holiday shopping season gets underway. Notice the stockings with the seams in the back and the women wearing hats and gloves. Women dressed to shop in those days.

Once my java was in hand, I curled up in my recliner and found myself looking at old photos of Christmas in my hometown. What a treat it is to look back at the memories of my youth and the shops we frequented in what was once a thriving downtown. I scan the people and cars in these old photographs, looking for familiar faces. I did run across a picture one time of my grandmother at a Christmas party at the bakery where she worked as a cake decorator, but that’s the only person I’ve known so far.

One of the better department stores in our downtown shopping area…all gone now.

It’s a shame so many “downtowns” across America were left abandoned and derelict when malls came into fashion. No fancy mall can ever take the place of the department stores created and grown by sturdy pillars of the community. Names like Cox’s, Dil’s, Broida Stone and Thomas. The only two still in business are Buttermore Jewelers and Horner & Harrison and it’s not downtown anymore.

Me, in the snow, at my best friend’s house. We’re still friends and she reads this blog!

There’s not much left in our downtown anymore. The Historic Blennerhassett Hotel is the anchor. There is the Art Guild and the community theater across the street. A handful of restaurants and office buildings and empty storefronts are all that’s left of a beautiful and robust center of commerce in our town. “Progress” isn’t always pretty. It doesn’t always last. And it isn’t always an improvement.

Christmas Parade on Market Street

I miss the days of wandering through the shops with my mom, and later with my girlfriends, picking up gifts…getting them gift wrapped with beautiful bows and tags and colorful paper…and carrying them around in big paper bags with handles. Looking in the windows of the more expensive shops and dreaming of when we might be able to afford such luxuries. Sitting on a stool at the counter in Murphy’s for a Cherry Coke and Grilled Cheese sandwich with a pickle spear and a handful of chips.

A wet and grey Christmas shopping season in Downtown Parkersburg, WV

I look at the lives we live now…shopping in sterile big box stores or worse, sitting in our pj’s and pushing a couple of buttons on a screen…and I wonder, “What kind of memories are we creating for our kids and grandkids?” I like to encourage people to buy local, shop from artisans and crafters in your own or nearby towns. I can guarantee…none of their goods or services are sitting on a cargo ship, waiting to be unloaded…or waiting for a trucker to take it across the country.

A Hometown Christmas Parade

We have come to rely WAY too much on electronics and on products being produce in other countries. All in the name of convenience. I’m just as guilty as anyone…mainly because we live out in the country and there are fewer choices. I’m going to try to do what my friend Gail does and shoot for a homemade Christmas. She just told me about this windfall she fell into and is turning a bunch of old kitchen cabinets into amazing gifts her family will cherish for years to come. Last year she knitted everyone sweaters. And she has a HUGE family.

Dad would always drive us around town one night before Christmas to see the lights.

Simpler is better. I’d rather have nothing but a hand written card than to have just any old thing with little thought or planning. I don’t want or need anything fancy or expensive…although this was the year we had to replace our phones, so that’s our Christmas to each other. I don’t need another camper shaped bird house or a ceramic frog. Give me your time, and your attention, and your love…and I’m a happy camper…through and through.

We have one of those stars in our collection of Christmas decor that we picked up along the way.

I gave my kids and grandkids and my brother the memory book of the farm this year. My son-in-law’s mom said Daughter #1 brought her book to Thanksgiving dinner and shared it and told the stories she remembered about each person and place. My brother said it was the best present and he has given it a place of honor in his room. I think I knocked it out of the park this year.

The red arrow is pointing at my grandmother. I’d love to know who else is in this picture.

People won’t remember what you gave them…but they’ll remember how you loved them and made them feel important and special. Let’s do more of that. Let’s look for the good and the love and the joy and spread it around! Let’s make the world a better place…one little corner at a time.

???

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:17 ESV

Photo Credit: Most of these photos were taken by either Harry Barnett or Dave Farrell, prolific local photographers. They are shared by Dan Kemper on the Facebook Page…”Early Parkersburg WV & surrounding area” created by local history buff, Roger Mackey.

Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread and Batter!

Sat, 20 Nov 2021 02:30:00 -0600

A hundred lifetimes ago, I baked competitively and had a bit of a reputation around town as The Pie Queen. The year I got four 1st Place and one 2nd Place, I realized God keeps us humble in pretty blatant ways sometimes and I stepped away from competition to let others coming up behind me have a chance at the fame and fun. I never really missed it. Funny, one of the things I kept was that box full of ribbons. Tales of the glory days, I suppose.

After a lifetime of baking, I know a good baker when I find one. And I’m always on the lookout for a really great bakery. Some time ago, Mr. FixIt and I were driving down a two lane blacktop when I spotted a sign pointing up a holler. “Our Daily Bread and Batter”. (You can find them here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100074026041367 ) I was intrigued…but I was also hauling a camper. Since I don’t get down that way very often, I never had the occasion to go back, but that little sign stayed with me. I thought, you have to be a pretty good bakery to make a go of it up a West Virginia holler.

There’s a little house on the main road that goes through our town. Someone came in and tried to open it up as a restaurant, but it just didn’t look very appealing and before long, it was closed up again. The house sat empty for some time. About a month or so ago, I drove through town and saw a sign out front. “Future Home of Our Daily Bread and Batter!” Wahooooo! I went to the post office yesterday to ship off the books to those who wanted them, and on the way home, I pulled into the little parking lot in front of the little blue house for a little…snack!

As one might expect from the name, I was greeted with artwork and signs of Faith all around. A small basket by the cash register held copies of “Our Daily Bread”…the devotional I used to get from Grandma’s church. I picked one up with a smile, warm memories flooding over me. Or, was that the enticing aromas coming from the little kitchen in the back? Oh, my…it did smell divine in there!

A small glass case held what was left of the day’s baked treats. It was already 2:00 by the time I got there and someone else had just about cleaned them out. I selected two glazed donuts, two fry pies, and two pepperoni rolls. A few years ago, there was a small country store on the two lane near the farm that sold the best pepperoni rolls I’ve ever had. I have looked everywhere and haven’t found anything near as good…until yesterday! Oh, dear…I can already see that I am going to have to have a weekly ritual throughout the winter to break up the monotony. There’s a small coffee shop that opened this summer. And now, the bakery. Add that to a couple very cute junk shops and a quilt shop housed in the old one room school house, and I can see I may be having some very happy Wednesdays on my calendar!

I used to have a weekly open house at my needlework shop. Every Wednesday, women would be waiting for me to open the door. They’d haul in their tote bags with whatever project they were working on, and we would sit around the big table in the back of the shop. We’d order lunch in, then the gals would wander around the shop and pick out more projects to work on. The last gal would leave as I locked up the door for the night. Those were always my best days. Not just because I had big sales. That was nice. But, more important was the camaraderie…the communing with other like-minded women. I’ve always said my stitching groups have been my favorite forms of group therapy.

When I first moved here, I had visions of the big building out back being converted into a space for gatherings, retreats, quilting bees…that sort of thing. Over the years, the hopes of that have slimmed as it’s just so hard for my sweetheart to let go of his “stuff”. I get that…it took losing Mr. Virgo and the need to downsize for me to let go of mine. Now, I picture “the campground”…the space I’m slowly creating to have a ring of campers or tiny homes or a big tent…something where I can gather creative women for an afternoon, or a day, or a weekend. I picture a covered pavilion where we can sit out of the sun or rain…maybe with a fire pit in the middle. It could have sliding doors…or garage doors that could open according to the weather.

We always need dreams. It’s what makes us get up in the mornings. It’s what helps us get through hard times. It’s what brings us joy. I’ll keep dreaming and visualizing a real “Marshmallow Ranch”. I will build it…and the gals will join me and we’ll all have a big time!

Won’t it be grand?!?!

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”
Proverbs 4:23 ESV

Photos: Mostly from Our Daily Bread and Batter Facebook Page

Finding Feathers and Pennies from Heaven

Tue, 21 Sep 2021 01:30:00 -0600

I didn’t sleep very well the first two nights of this trip for some reason. Probably because we’re leaving the family. And it’s been really hot so we have to sleep with the AC on and I don’t like that. At any rate, I was awake before dawn both Sunday and Monday mornings. When we got ourselves up and around and were putting things away, I saw something peeking out from behind the power box. On closer inspection, I found a perfectly beautiful primary wing feather from what I believe is a wild turkey. Someone carefully wedged it behind the power box to be found by another camper coming in for a stay and I was delighted. I plucked it from its hiding place and carefully tucked it under Mavis, the GPS, for safe keeping till I get it home and add it to my collection of found travel treasures. I also found a penny…so it was a big “message” day. Someone saying hello!

We had every intention of camping at Graham Cave State Park in Danville, Missouri last night but we got there so early in the afternoon. Today’s drive was going to be very long, so we decided to keep on trucking and stopped for the night in Mulberry Grove at Cedarbrook RV Park & Campground. It is an older place that definitely needs updating, and there were mostly seasonal rigs there. But, it was clean, off the highway, and very quiet on a Monday night deep in September. The moon was full, the sky was clear, and even though there was a storm predicted, we battened down the hatches, took a very welcome hot shower, and called it a day.

We head to eastern Indiana today. Because we traveled longer yesterday, our travel day will be shorter. We are expecting cooler weather today which will be a welcome respite from the oppressive heat we experienced yesterday. We stopped at a rest area in the middle of Missouri around 2:00 yesterday afternoon and it was 92 degrees. It was overcast all morning so you didn’t really feel the heat. As soon as we stepped out of the truck, the sun broke through and it was like standing in front of a fiery furnace. There was a gal with a flat tire on her cargo trailer and a guy was changing it for her. This is exactly why I have AAA Plus…so I can get help should we ever need it, no matter the circumstances.

One more sleep and we’ll be back on the Ponderosa…aka Marshmallow Ranch. Two nights at home and I take off to camp with my girlfriends for two nights! Honestly…we’ve been gone nearly a month and we’re having a blast! I think we could do this thing full time!

“The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”
Psalm 121:8 ESV

RE-LAX-A-SHUN

Fri, 17 Sep 2021 01:30:00 -0600

Yesterday was a “self-care” day. I slept like a log and woke up at 9:00. What a treat! Mr. FixIt came out to the camper and asked if I wanted to go with him to take the truck to get the tires changed, then head off with Ben & Sue to buy a mirror for their new bathroom. As much as I love them all…I declined. I wanted to stay home and chill.

I was going to do laundry. It was in the truck. Cool!

I wanted to find a file that I’d put on Ben & Sue’s computer, but when they upgraded to a new computer, the file went out with the trash. That was fine, too.

I surfed a little on my phone and read the news. Boring.

What could I do that would be fun AND productive? Ahhhh…I remembered there was still some buttermilk leftover from the biscuit baking lesson the day before. So, I pulled out the ingredients and Little’s Biscuit Bowl and whipped up another batch. I’m getting pretty good at it now. The biscuits had just a few more minutes left to bake when Sue texted to see if I wanted something from Dickey’s BBQ. I told them if they brought it home to eat, there would be hot biscuits fresh from the oven. They hurried home and we ate all but two of them with some yummy BBQ! It was divine…if I do say so myself!

Daughter #2 asked me to come over after work yesterday to look at some china she inherited to see if it was worth keeping. She and her stepsister inherited their grandmother’s china. I use the term loosely. One set was clearly purchased as premiums from a grocery store. The other was ok, but dated. to make matters worse, when the dishes were shipped to them, the sets were mixed together so that there wasn’t a complete set of either pattern.

My daughter is not a china kinda gal. Her life is as simple as she can possibly make it. Her stepsister didn’t want the dishes either. I suggested she donate them to a charitable resale shop. My research showed there really wasn’t a market for any of it.

I picked up my two decorative presents my daughter has held onto for the last two years…one was a camper-shaped bird feeder and the other was a decorative teardrop shaped camper for my collection. I don’t think I need anymore little camper tchotchkes now. I don’t have the room for more. These are so cute though and thoughtfully purchased.

When I got back to Ben and Sue’s, I did what little laundry I had left in the truck and called it a day. It was so relaxing and peaceful. One more sleep and we head back east. The kids come back over tonight to tell us goodbye one last time. Bittersweet.

“And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.”
Mark 6:31 ESV

The Found Garden

Thu, 26 Aug 2021 01:30:00 -0600

I have made many FB friends since I started writing this blog. People I genuinely care for and admire. I learn from them. I celebrate their successes and mourn with them their losses. These were the people my Aunt Peeps referred to as my “pretend friends”. I mean…I can see where she was coming from. She had zero experience with technology and social media. She didn’t understand it and thought I was pretty “cuckoo”, to use her terms. But, my readers are special to me.

One such friend is Julie Zickafoose. Julie is an amazing woman with a huge, wide open heart. She is an artist, and author, a naturalist. She is a latent hippy mama hell bent on saving Mother Nature and all God’s creatures. Her love for flora and fauna is admirable and…well, I want to be her when I grow up!

Yesterday, she wrote a beautiful post on her Facebook page about her found garden. Plants that volunteered in the ground of her greenhouse. Flowers that shed surprising amounts of seed that she was able to nurture over the winter and plant in the spring. Bits of flotsam and jetsam found on the discount shelf in the plant section that she nurtured and revived until the thrived on their own. Strong, sturdy, and unbelievably gorgeous. And…almost all for free.

This got me to thinking about my measly “found garden” this summer and I’ve decided to make it a goal to nurture some flower beds around the house next summer. I went around yesterday and took a few pictures. You’ve seen these crazy lilies called Star of Bethlehem that revived themselves from what looked like nothing but dead, dry bulbs into tall and stately stem of perfect white stars.

One day last week, I was walking up the sidewalk and glanced over at that same pot and spotted a tiny little purple flower in the same pot as the lilies. When I went over and took a closer look, I was amazed to find a perfect little petunia. Where that seed came from, I’ll never know. It had to have been in the potting soil I dumped in the galvanized tub along with the near lifeless lily bulbs.

Another surprise came in a different tub. It was under the bird-feeder. Usually, all you’ll get are grasses, unless perhaps a bird has eaten a berry or something and the seeds land in a fertile place a grow. Honestly, I’m as puzzled as I can be because a virtual plethora of vines with a tulip shaped leaf started growing. And growing. And growing! They started to climb the fence and the other flowers and went crazy. They didn’t bloom for the longest time until this last week. Then they started producing beautiful bluebird blue trumpet shaped flowers and I caught my breath…

Morning Glories!

I have tried for YEARS to grow morning glories and I have never, ever been successful. I have no idea why. I have a black thumb…I can kill a silk plant in no time flat. And these just….showed up! I didn’t have to do anything.

They remind me of how God shows up. Nothing we can DO can make Him love us more. We can’t “get in his good graces” by our works. He won’t love us any more if we work harder, or earn more money, or win prizes, or rise to the top of the food chain. All we have to do is be kind, be good, be more like Jesus. That’s when God shows up and brings flowers up out of the dirt where none were planted. It’s one of the ways he says I love you, I see you, I’m rooting for you.

Flowers are a gift from God. Little miracles. Miracles happen every day…if you just open your eyes and look for them. I’ll miss my surprise flowers while I’m gone. But, hey…maybe God will have something else waiting for me when we get home! Today would have been my mom’s 96th birthday. Instead, she will be forever 78. Just ten years older than I am now. She left us all too soon, and I miss her dreadfully. Interestingly, the little tiny petunia is purple…her favorite color.

This makes me smile.

““Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.”
Luke 12:27 NIV

Birdie and Blue Skies

Sat, 21 Aug 2021 01:30:00 -0600

Remember I told you we’d had an inordinate amount of rain in the last week? Well, my friend Diane sent this to me today and this verifies it. We had at least 6.5” of rain at our house in the last seven days. They don’t see that in seven MONTHS out in Colorado and other parts west! It’s crazy. Where the grass had been laying dormant…crispy as dried hay…it’s suddenly turned green again and I swear you can HEAR it growing! We’ll be mowing again this week.

After driving down to Huntington Wednesday and back home Thursday, I turned right around and went back down yesterday to pick Birdie up from the RV Hospital. They sealed the skylight, let it dry, and sealed it again. Tim says if it leaks this time, there’s a hole somewhere else! Let’s hope he got it and we don’t have to worry about that again! I decided to stay over and camp at a local campground last night. It’s very near the interstate and man, was the traffic noise loud. But, if I left the fan on, the white noise drowned it out.

The campground was packed, and it was one of those places where the sites are pretty close to each other. I have to say, though…as I was writing this, folks were being pretty polite and staying within their campsites. Even the children have put their bikes and toys away and are settling in for the evening. That’s pretty impressive. My campsite is near a small lake with a fountain. I walked around a bit and said hello to people. Everyone was friendly…West Virginia is a friendly state.

The afternoon was really hot, so I returned something to Menard’s that I didn’t need. I’m trying to work out storage in the little camper. When I had my first little camper, I thought it was terribly small. And it had overhead cabinets as well as a pantry and closet and drawers. This little a-frame has one drawer under the microwave and one small cabinet under the sink. It has storage under one of the bench seats of the dinette (which is converted down into a twin sized bed for Mr. FixIt). There is also a moderate amount of storage under the big bed.

Because the top collapses down for travel, you cannot store anything on the beds. I bought some milk crates…two pink and two blue…two for Mr. FixIt and two for me. One of each color slides easily into the door to the storage under the dinette bench. The other two will slide under the twin bed. I also have two long, flat tubs that will fit in the storage space under the big bed to use for cooking utensils and linens. We will each have a small carry on that will stay in the truck.

I bought one of those plastic units that has three drawers in it. It fits perfectly on the counter over the microwave. That will hold our food and snacks. It will either go under the twin bed for travel, or back in the truck. As I plan the storage, I want to keep in mind we’ll be stopping for overnight stays on our way out to and back from Colorado. We aren’t going to want to do a lot of “decorating” or moving things around. I want to make this as simple and seamless as possible.

I was going to run a hose over the camper yesterday to see if the leak is gone, but it was so hot, I was afraid to spray cold water on it for fear of damaging the seal. I’ll do that this morning before I leave. If there’s any leak, it has to go back over to the little camper clinic. I have every faith in them, though and I’m sure they fixed it just right!

As I was tucked in writing this, the katydids were going crazy in the campground. There were a lot of trees around so it was nice to hear more from Mother Nature once the traffic sounds subsided. I hope you are enjoying a beautiful weekend and doing something fun. Before we know it, the snow will fly and have us hibernating back inside again.

“And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.”
Genesis 1:31 ESV

Birdie’s Little Road Trip…Ginny’s Little Break

Thu, 19 Aug 2021 01:30:00 -0600

Ok, show of hands. How many of you have had something scheduled the following morning. You brush your teeth, take your meds, set your alarm and say your prayers. You lay back, tired from a full day…ready to sleep. And all you can see is the numbers on the alarm clock.

“6:30. Dang, that’s early. I haven’t gotten up that early in ages. When WAS the last time I got up that early? It must have been when I had my surgery……Gosh…that surgery! I’m so disappointed it didn’t work! Now I’m going to probably have to have another one. Just need to get that next scan done. Wait…when is that scheduled? Oh, yeah…the day after we get back from camping. Which is four days after we get back from Colorado! What was I thinking??? We’re going to be exhausted! Speaking of exhausted….settled down now. Get to sleep. Breathe in….breathe out. Think calm thoughts. Think of the beach……The beach. We’re really going to miss our October trip to the beach this year for our anniversary. Which one is this? Let’s see…’18 to ‘19, ‘19 to ‘20, ‘20 to ‘21. Three! Holy cats! How did that happen so fast??? Three whole years. We are so blessed and have so much fun together. Yeah, we’ll miss the beach, but we are going to have such a wonderful time in Colorado! ……. Oh, I have to remember to pack……”

You get the idea. Staring holes in the ceiling and ticking off the lists in your head is NOT how you get a good night’s sleep. Neither is waiting for the alarm to go off. Mr. FixIt set his alarm for 4:00 to go downstairs and check the storm drain. He was so sound asleep, I had to shake him three or four times to get him awake enough to turn it off. I had been asleep all of one hour…I kid you not. And that was the end of any sleep for me. I got up before my alarm was due at 6:30, took my shower, and headed out in the early morning light to tow Birdie down to Setzer’s to get the leak fixed. It was raining hard as Tropical Storm Fred passed through the Mid Ohio Valley. I drove slowly in the gloomy grey of the wet Wednesday morning traffic.

The monotony of the windshield wipers drove home how tired I was and I had to resort to singing and blasting the air conditioner to stay awake. It took about two-and-a-half hours to get there towing Birdie. She’s so light and easy to pull, you hardly know she’s back there. I checked her into the service department. They may get to her this morning…maybe tomorrow. And, the sealant has to cure for at least six to eight hours before you can tow. I went back to the truck and unhooked the camper and tried to decide if I had it in me to drive the two-and-a-half hours back home through this rain. I made an executive decision and went to a name brand hotel and checked in. I barely made it to the bed before I fell sound asleep for four solid hours. What utter bliss!

When I awoke, I took myself out for a curbside supper from the restaurant across the parking lot from the hotel. Then I went to Menard’s home store and picked up a few storage solutions for the little camper for our trip. I got back to the hotel well before dark and checked in with my sweetheart. All is good on the home front. We bought new blades for the drain snake a few weeks back. He ran it down the drain and it let loose like someone popped a cork. These blades were bigger and heavier duty than the ones that came with the machine and they were much more effective. Between keeping the gutters clean and snaking the drain on a regular basis, we should be good till we can get a permanent fix when we get home from Colorado.

The joys of farm life and home ownership. There’s always something to be built, torn down, fixed, replaced, organized, or thrown away. There’s hardly ever a time when you can just sit down and work on a hobby…not during the summer anyway. This is the time of year when I start to long for the change of seasons…for no other reason than the mowing will be done. For a few months anyway. This idea I have to turning the far field into a pollinator-friendly cacophony of wildflowers will cut down on our mowing responsibilities in the future, as well.

Always thinking ahead.

And now….for that long awaited bubble bath!

“And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.”
Mark 6:31 ESV

When Every Week Has a Three-day Weekend

Mon, 05 Jul 2021 01:30:00 -0600

Retirement, sweet retirement. I remember packing as much fun as possible into those few three-day weekends we had when we were working. This while also trying to catch up with the laundry and cleaning the house. I honestly don’t know how we did it all. The truth is, we often didn’t. Or, more accurately…we didn’t do it well.

I was never one to have my house spotless when the kids were growing up. I quickly learned what was “good enough”. Now that we have all this “free time”, we keep a much neater house. Little is a typical teenager and in the nine days she’s been here, her room is pretty trashed. I’ve truly forgotten what it’s like to have a 14-year-old girl at home. I asked her at supper last night to pick it up this morning. We’ll see if she’s any better at it than her mother was at that age. lol

Little and I had a lot of fun yesterday. We baked two loaves of sourdough, made sourdough pancakes, fed the next sourdough starter, and took the dehydrated sourdough starter out of the dehydrator and bottled it up. Some day, Little might want some of my starter, and as long as it’s stored in a cool, dark place…it’ll last for years.

As I’m writing this, I just did the dishes and we are preparing to go out to see the fireworks this evening. I do hope you are enjoying your holiday weekend. Little and I are going to go antiquing Tuesday, pack for camping Wednesday, camp on Thursday and Friday, come home on Saturday, do laundry and get her ready for her mom and Big to come pick her up Monday.

Just like that…their vacation will be over and we will miss each other again.

In the meantime…there is FUN to be had at Nana’s house!!!

“You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you have made summer and winter.”
Psalm 74:17 ESV

In Search of the Silver Linings

Sun, 11 Apr 2021 01:30:00 -0600

The Farm

Yesterday we talked about letting the farm go and the inevitability of change in our lives. I read the lovely comments and encouraging words you left me on my post and it gave me much to think about throughout the day. When life hands me lemons, I start looking for all the different ways to use them. There are so many ways to make a lemon sweet and more palatable.

When I took over the farm in 2016, I also took over the utilities. When I no longer have that to deal with, I’ll have at least an extra couple hundred dollars in my bank account. That’s a good amount of camping I could be doing. Also, we won’t be responsible for the mowing and that will give us a lot more time and less pressing need to always be here.

You know, normally I never would have had the opportunity to spend more than a week or two at the farm when I came home for vacations every year. After Mr. Virgo passed and I came back to West Virginia to help my elderly aunt, I had a taste of life in the country. It only lasted ten weeks that go round, but it was enough to let me know it was the life for me.

When I returned to West Virginia in the summer of 2016, I was presented with an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. My uncle was taking my aunt to go live with him and he needed someone to live at the farm and take care of it. He asked if I could come off the road and stay there for him. I didn’t have to think twice.

Having all this time to live in my grandparents’ house was such a gift from God. I did a lot of healing there. Not only from the wounds of losing my husband, but of losing so much of myself over the years. It brought me back to my simpler roots. I remember, as a doctor’s wife...talking to one of my lifelong friends. Apparently I needed to be brought down a peg or two because she reminded me, in no uncertain terms, that she and I had the same roots in the red clay of Appalachia and it would do me well to remember that.

I’ve never forgotten that conversation. Living a simple farm life after downsizing humbled me in a way nothing else has. As I read stories on Facebook yesterday, I was reminded of the most basic point. I am letting go of a house. I have friends letting go of their children, of their marriages, of their livelihoods. I have friends who are in life and death struggles with health concerns. I am letting go of a HOUSE. I’m not planning a funeral, yet I will grieve. I am not burying a loved one, yet I am bereaved.

It isn’t lost on me the way God is helping me through this. Daughter #1 and her girls will be here the week before we have to vacate the farm. We are planning a gathering of family to say goodbye to the old girl...and to the long line of loved ones who called her home and are no longer with us. Little is staying with us while my daughter takes Big to go see colleges. You see? I get to not only share the farm with Little, but I get to share my heart and the stories of her ancestors and instill a love and appreciation for what came before her. She and I have never been together....here. It’s extraordinary how well orchestrated this is. God is so good!

It is a natural process in life to grieve the things we lose that bring us such love. And, just as I have learned to keep Mr. Virgo’s memory alive within me, the same will be true of the farm. I will remember the sights, sounds, smells, and every little feeling that creaky old house gives me till the day I part this earthly plane. When I hear rain on the roof of a camper, I’ll be transported back in time to a little red house in the woods. When I lay my head on a pillow where I can hear the rushing sounds of water in a creek, I will close my eyes and remember.

When I hug those I love, I give away bits of the love my family poured into me. That love comes from an endless source...a fount of remembrances of love and joy and faith. I carry the farm within me. I AM THE FARM and THE FARM IS ME.

We are one and we are love...simply because, we were loved. By the family and by the land upon which we stood. For we are but sojourners here.

““The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine. For you are strangers and sojourners with me.”
Leviticus 25:23 ESV

Day 361: A Room With a View...and an Omission

Sat, 13 Mar 2021 02:30:00 -0600

We both slept pretty well the night of surgery so we awoke yesterday morning refreshed. I felt much stronger, but I had no voice. This often happens after being intubated. We managed to get up in time to catch the morning breakfast in the Starbucks in the hotel lobby. Hot oatmeal really soothed my throat. And I have to say...a cold brew coffee didn’t cause my stomach to revolt like it did before surgery so let’s hope I can drink coffee again! I love it so.

There was no one in the dining area and we were quite a ways from the front lobby. We sat down at a table in the window and, with great trepidation...removed our masks to eat. It felt...weird. We didn’t have a hallelujah moment, because we understand science and we know we are in an area with lots of mutant virus and mask-shunning individuals. I must say, everywhere we’ve gone, people have worn masks. Until, Walmart. We’ll get to that.

We didn’t dilly-dally around maskless. We finished eating and headed up to the room to pack for the move to the next hotel. I have to give kudos to the Courtyard Tampa Downtown for the first half of our stay. They work closely with the Norman Parathyroid Center in housing their patients before and after surgery and they couldn’t have been more accommodating. When I checked out, the front desk asked how my surgery went and was very sweet. Anything we needed when we were there, it was quickly brought to us. They were so professional and attentive and the rooms were impeccable.

Our trip to the new hotel was about 45 minutes. The weather in Florida right now is absolutely amazing! Just hot enough to warm your bones but not so much as to fry your brains. The app for the hotel has an interesting new covid creation built in. You can check in through the app on your phone and when your room is ready, a digital key turns green. You just walk up to the door with your phone in your hand and click “unlock” and the door...unlocks! Same with your room. This is really handy to minimize your contact with people in a pandemic.

I love our room! We have a suite with a separate bedroom so I can take quiet naps and close the door when I write. No more trying to block out the sound of the television while I’m trying to concentrate. We have a small kitchen and the furniture in the living room is perfectly comfortable. We did our routine sanitation process upon arrival, but when I tried to put the fitted sheet back on the bed, it was one of those that doesn’t have a deep pocket. I knew if I had trouble even getting the sheet on, that we would be fighting to keep it on for the next five nights. We decided, since we needed to pick up some groceries, we would just buy a set of sheets that we know would fit. We can always use them on the bed at the condo so it’s not a waste.

Now, Walmart. This was the first place we went to down here that was an indication of how people really feel about mask wearing. Since we are in a hodgepodge of people from all over the country, we were well aware of our surroundings. Mr. FixIt started to say something to those who didn’t have on masks, but I gently reminded him where we are and that I really don’t want to get killed this close to having surgery. We wore double masks and just steered clear of the unmasked folks and got the heck out of there as fast as we could. We came home and put the groceries away and both stretched out for a much needed rest.

I can’t believe how wiped out you feel after surgery. They say the third day is the worst, and that’s what I’ve usually found to be true. We’ll wait till Monday to explore the beaches and let the weekend crowd thin out. Although, we are into spring break now, so who knows. We have a pool here, but I am not sure it’s outside. We’ll play it by ear. It’s nice to not have a distinct plan in place.

And now, for the omission. Yesterday marked eight years since Mr. Virgo died. I’ve been so busy with the trip arrangements and the surgery, that I hadn’t really given it a lot of thought. My dear friend Deneene texted me first thing yesterday morning to tell me she was thinking of me. My first thought was my surgery. Then she asked if it was Mr. Virgo’s Angelversary. It’s not that I forgot. I certainly didn’t. I’ve thought of it a number of times in the last couple of weeks. As a matter of fact, when they offered me the 11th for my surgery, I thought it couldn’t be more fitting. A year since the start of the covid crisis. And eight years since Mr. Virgo’s death. Having this surgery is an offer of hope for a healthier, pain free life. Why not have it done during a time that would normally be remembered with solemn sadness? Why not bring an element of hope into the darkness. We have vaccines. We have healing. We have hope for a better tomorrow.

This is what eight years of grief and healing have taught me.

Life is uncertain...and way too short.

In the midst of the worst crisis of our lives, we still have a choice...and choices bring power.

Time softens the memories of acute grief. It gives us space from the horrific anguish.

You never get over an epic loss...but, you do get through it. You learn to walk around that hole in your heart without falling in every time.

I’ve learned it’s ok to be happy again and to find a life again and to love again without forgetting the person you still love who isn’t here.

There is room in a new marriage for the memories of those you love and have loved before, but it takes a strong man to marry a widow...a confident man who knows his place in your heart and isn’t threatened by ghosts.

I am so blessed to have found such a man in Mr. FixIt. He is my rock and my roll.

“Most important of all, you must sincerely love each other, because love wipes away many sins.”
1 Peter 4:8 CEV

Day 338: Staying Safe & Cozy

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 02:30:00 -0600

Yesterday was my completely cozy Hygge day here on the Ponderosa. I set out to enjoy the day with the intent of finding joy in the mundane moments instead of feeling cooped up for yet another cold and snowy day. Making a habit of finding joy in the moments of our lives makes things easier...not only on ourselves, but also on our life mate if we have one. I remember doing the same thing when I was alone and joy always makes life a little easier.

We didn’t have the massive ice storm they predicted. I was awake during the night and looked at the weather radar. At about 1:30 yesterday morning, the storm seemed to break up and move on. There was just a little ice on the branches. Not like my friend Gail up in northeastern Ohio. She woke up to 2-3” of ice coating everything. We were very blessed we didn’t lose power here, unlike many other areas south and west of us. As a matter fact, our kids had a lot more ice in town than we did.

We have a gas stove in the family room and it keeps it nice and warm in there. I brought my lap desk in and sat with my laptop, working on genealogy most of the day. I took a break and made a batch of Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies. The recipe called for half semi-sweet and half milk chocolate chips. I had to use all semi-sweet so maybe the chocolate flavor won’t have the same depth of flavor, but I’ll bet no one will turn them down.

Just before Christmas, a couple of neighbors stopped here at the house to leave us some cookies. I sent the first one off with the only tray of cookies I had ready. The other one got a fruitcake and I’ve felt guilty ever since I found out (after she left) she is our new next door neighbor. There are always sweet treats around at the holidays, so I decided the first time I make these extravagant chocolate chip cookies, they are getting a tray of them!

The cookie dough has to rest in the fridge for 24 hours, according to this recipe. That allows the flour to fully absorb the moisture and develop the flavors. There are a few unusual ingredients in this recipe, like malted milk powder and a little molasses. I’m really looking forward to tasting them. I’ll bake them this afternoon and we’ll take the Christmas tree down. I noticed last night it was still fully light outdoors at 5:00 so I won’t miss the twinkles quite so much. Besides, I want to get it all put away before the end of the month. It’s time.

Last night, I put the computer away and got out my knitting. I always knit up dishcloths after supper because I don’t have to think about a pattern and I can watch the news and maybe a couple of episodes of The Big Bang with my sweetie before I go write. I heard him in the kitchen puttering around and pretty soon, here he came with a bowl of sliced strawberries with a little maple syrup drizzled over them. Ohhhhh, that is so yummy. I’ve had to cut out coffee and ice cream lately because it wreaks havoc on my stomach. These little gems were a delightful dessert...just what the doctor ordered!

We got the call to schedule our second Covid vaccine tomorrow. I will be so happy to get that behind us. I know we will still have to be careful because we can still carry Covid to others who may not have their shots yet, so we will continue to wear masks when we are out. However, the sooner 70% of us are vaccinated, the sooner we can get back to a more normal life. I’m more than willing to be patient and continue to wear a mask to protect others.

I hope, wherever you live, you are able to go outside and breathe some clean, fresh air today. Treat your lungs to some healthy oxygen!

“Then someday, I will heal this place and my people as well, and let them enjoy unending peace.”
Jeremiah 33:6 CEV

Day 333: I Shoulda Known Better

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 02:30:00 -0600

Winter Creek

One would think, after all I know about trauma and grief and PTSD, that I would know better than to watch the unfolding of the impeachment proceedings. I’m not going to get into a discussion of who is right and who is wrong. This is my page, so I have the right not to get involved in the political aspects of all of this. But, from a purely human standpoint, watching it all over again has been brutal.

The Hedgerow

Why did I watch? Good question. My best answer is, I’m an American citizen and when something of such import occurs, I feel it is my responsibility to know what’s happening. I was interested in seeing the exact timeline...which was well documented. And there were visual graphs that brought that information into clearer focus that I don’t think any of us were quite aware of before...especially those involved.

Mysterious Hole in the Snow...No Footprints...No Nothing...Just a Hole!

I made it through to about 1:30 yesterday afternoon then I became, quite literally, physically ill. It’s a combination of things, really. The wrong thing for breakfast. Coffee has suddenly started bothering me. And, unexplained stomach upset is one of the symptoms of hyperparathyroidism that I struggle with. Of course, one can only brush up against the triggers of PTSD so often without going over the edge and unfortunately, I pushed my boundary too far. It will take some work to re-compartmentalize that information, but it’ll come. And hopefully my upcoming surgery will take care of this particularly bothersome side effect of this disease.

Abandoned Nest in a Cedar Tree

In the meantime, I’m working on a few writing assignments and that is always a healthy distraction. I worked a little on the genealogy yesterday, but really...I just needed a break from the noise and the chaos, the TV and the screens, and just go outside and walk in the snow. We had quite a winter storm Wednesday night and it left us with about four inches of the white stuff. Mr. FixIt went out with his new snowblower and cleared the sidewalks once the snow stopped. He does like that and it’s good for him to have something to do.

Buckthorn Berries in the Snow

A walk in the snow did wonders for my disposition. Meandering along the half-frozen creek, listening to the sounds of winter birds chattering low in the hedgerow. The low riffle of water as it trickles across stones worn smooth by the ever present flow. Feeling the collapse of earth beneath my feet where the moles and voles are busy living their lives underground...creating soft tunnels you can trace by the slight mounds in the snow. Seeing the snow covered nests of the summer birds, long gone south for the winter, waiting patiently for the spring thaw and their joyous return. The snow around the feeders marked heavily with little four-pronged footprints of the dozens of visitors...enjoying the abundance of our feeders. The bright scarlet and vivid blues of the cardinals and jays as they swoop in from the brush and trees that surround our property. Trees that reach naked arms to the leaden February sky. I breathe the cold air deep into my lungs with a hunger I forget I have. This long, quiet darkness of winter can wear thin in these days before the spring thaw. But they force me to find the hand of God as he leads me beside these still waters...and restores my soul.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

Day 319: My Wish Came True

Fri, 29 Jan 2021 01:30:00 -0600

I’m a much simpler, less demanding, uncomplicated woman than I used to be. I’m highly flexible, if not terribly patient. When I first came to live at the Ponderosa, one of the first things I noticed was how difficult it was to wash dishes with the faucet that was on the kitchen sink. It was exceedingly low, and it had one of those water filter attachments. It was terribly cumbersome and I just hated it.

That was over three years ago. There have been many times I’ve asked if we couldn’t PLEASE get a new faucet. Mr. FixIt assured me he had a great one...out in the building...that he’d been meaning to put on there. But, there’s always something else that needs doing or someplace else that’s more fun than being home so it’s never been a huge priority. The only time it really gets to me is when I’m doing something big, like canning or cooking for a crowd. I knew it would get done one of these days.

Last week, my sweetheart found the replacement faucet he was going to use, only to discover several of the parts had gone missing over the years. We went to Lowe’s and they had the entire display torn up, but we scrounged around and I found one I liked. Mr. FixIt wanted to get me one of those foofy faucets with the sprayer that pulls out of the end and the touch control, but I told him...really, I’m not that complicated. It doesn’t have to be fancy...just tall!

We got the new faucet home and the next morning, he got into the box and wouldn’t you know it...there were pieces missing out of that one, too! Argh! Ok, I went online, picked the exact one I wanted, and he had to order it from Charleston...but it arrived on Tuesday with all the pieces. I was busy Wednesday, so yesterday morning after breakfast, Mr. FixIt turned off the TV and picked up the faucet and his tools and went to work.

It has been decades since any work has been done on the plumbing under that sink. The shut-off valves were frozen, so we had to turn the main water supply off. Then, it took both of us under the kitchen sink...him in one cabinet, me in the other...to get the connections loosened and off so he could go to town and get two new shutoff valves. Once that was done, putting everything back together was fairly easy. I had to stand up top and hold everything in place while he went underneath and tightened the connections. And, before we knew it...mama had a new faucet! It’s the little things now.

Since I finished the website transfer, my next item on the list was banking. For those of you who have been reading me from the beginning, you know that every single year, I leave balancing my checkbook on Quicken till the very last minute before doing taxes. Then I end up pulling my hair out for three days trying to download software updates and entering a whole year’s worth of downloaded transactions from the bank into Quicken. Not this year! I got everything downloaded yesterday and balanced to the penny, I might add!

It feels good to check things off the list. The breast ultrasound came back normal. What they were looking at is actually smaller after three months and most assuredly benign. I worked on my Ancestry a little bit last night. That was something I truly enjoyed doing when Mr. Virgo was living. I worked on it while he watched TV. I spent a couple of hours on it last night while my sweetheart watched his shows and it was such a nice treat. It’s honestly the first time I’ve been able to sit down and work on it since Mr. Virgo died...and it didn’t bother me a bit.

Wounds heal after time. Scars remain, but even their pain recedes with the right “medicine.” It was a busy and productive day...and a fun, relaxing evening. I’ve lived the last several years wondering when the next horrifying thing was going to happen. Yesterday, I asked a friend of mine... “Is this what normal feels like?” It’s been so long since I could breathe and let my guard down...but I’m loving this feeling of peace and contentment.

“I pray that the Lord, who gives peace, will always bless you with peace. May the Lord be with all of you.”
2 Thessalonians 3:16 CEV

Day 310: Sunshine, Land, and Pollination

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 02:30:00 -0600

After lingering snow flurries yesterday morning, the sun was shining through the kitchen window when I made my way to the coffeemaker. It was a gorgeous day, albeit quite chilly. I worked on the website again most of the day and I’m 3/4ths of the way through June 2016. I finally quit in the late afternoon and went for a walk around the perimeter of our acreage. The ground is soft and wet. Interestingly, in a swath about ten feet wide, all the way around, the ground was full of humped up ground where moles and voles dig tunnels looking for grubs.

I’m still considering how to make the area more pollinator friendly while maintaining the aesthetics of a neat and tidy property. I do love the look of the vast green fields when they are freshly mown on a summer’s eve. I don’t love being a slave to the lawn tractor. As soon as I get finished with my website, my next project is to research plantings for birds, bees, and butterflies.

It felt nice to get outside and feel the sunshine on my face. I snapped a shot of TOW-Wanda with her “winter coat” on. She has a leak that needs fixing so I covered her up to avoid any more water damage. I’ll take her down to my friend Lynn’s RV Dealership in Huntington one of these days to get her fixed. I still want to sell her and get something smaller that’s easier to tow. I think we’ll be much more likely to get out and camp if we don’t have a huge camper to pull. There’s always the idea of getting a seasonal spot to camp on. Then you don’t have to tow...you just take your food with you and go to the campsite whenever you want to camp.

We are on two waiting lists for the Covid vaccines. As soon as we get our second shots, I can schedule my surgery and we’ll head to Florida for a week or two. That can’t happen soon enough to suit me...I need some sun and sand!

Prayers we all stay safe and healthy in the days and weeks ahead. And please....wear a mask, wash your hands, and mind your distance. We all really want this to be over.

““ ‘Do not pollute the land where you are. Bloodshed pollutes the land, and atonement cannot be made for the land on which blood has been shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it. Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell, for I, the Lord, dwell among the Israelites.’ ””
Numbers 35:33-34 NIV

Day 280: The Ghosts of Christmas Trees Past

Sat, 19 Dec 2020 02:30:00 -0600

This photo was taken 50 years ago today!

Most of the paper photos I have left are in boxes out at the farm. One of these days, I need to bring them home with me...like, when I have this back bedroom cleaned out. I imagine there are some pictures in that box of the Christmas trees from my youth. Sometimes they were straggly little Charlie Brown trees with sad, empty arms. Usually brought home a day or two before Christmas when my dad could get a better deal on one.

I always remember the decorating with such enthusiasm. Dad would trim the bottom of the tree trunk to make it level and give it a fresh cut through which it could suck up the water from the old fashioned tree stand. Mom would bring the boxes of ornaments down from their storage place in the eaves of the attic. Dad would check the lights and replace any burned out bulbs. We used big lights with reflectors behind them to keep the needles from getting hot and catching fire.

I was the youngest so I had the honors of placing the star on top of the tree. Dad lifted my high in the air and held me patiently while I fiddled with the top spire of the tree, trying to fit it in the topper. When I got too big to hold up, we used the kitchen stool that converted into a stepladder by lifting the seat. Ours was red, I think.

Many of the ornaments you see in this picture are hanging on our tree here at the Ponderosa. I tenderly store each delicate memory wrapped in newspaper and carefully placed in plastic tubs. Mr. FixIt would help me in a heartbeat, but I won’t let him touch them. It’s not that I don’t trust him, but if he accidentally broke one, he would feel terrible...and I wouldn’t want that for him. Instead, I put them up and take them down. I’ve only missed one year...Christmas of 2014. That was the year things went south on the farm and my elderly aunt and I had a parting of the ways.

I left the farm on Christmas Day and went to my cousin’s for the holiday. Then I started house sitting in my friend’s Victorian loft in Marietta. That was such a weird winter. It was not only my second without Mr. Virgo, but the split with my aunt was fresh, I had no idea where I was going to go or what I was going to do next. When the offer came up to house sit, I jumped at the chance and spent the next few months scanning old photos onto hard drives and staring out the window at the snow. I remember there were twinkle lights, but I don’t remember a tree.

A legitimate Christmas Tree became a thing again once I moved back into the farm after my aunt went to live with her brother. I had lights on the porch and electric candles in the window and my mom’s ceramic tree on the dining room table. Christmas of 2017 was the first time Mr. FixIt and I had a tree together. I’ll never do a real tree again. Artificial trees are safer, more economical, cleaner, and they do the job just fine.

But the trees of my youth float in my memory whenever we decorate for Christmas. The smell of fresh pine. The prickly pokes you got when you hung the ornaments. The sticky sap on your fingers when you reached in to clip the string of lights to the branches. One year, Dad bought a long needle pine and I remember it looking so elegant, but it was so hard to hang ornaments from. We always put tinsel garland and silver “icicles” on our trees. I’ll never forget how glad I was when that went out of style!

I somehow have a vague memory of having a silver metallic tree with a rotating light that changed colors. That may have been when I was a young mother. My second husband was Jewish and we had trees for the first ten years, but when we had our first child together...my second...we didn’t have trees for many years. We only celebrated Hanukkah at that time.

Anyway, trees have always been the center of my holidays, and this photo was the earliest one I could find in my digital archive. It was in my mom’s living room. Hubby #1, who was Boyfriend #1 at the time, is dashing across the photo. Ahhhh...the things, and people, and celebrations that come and go in our lives. It’s a mystery, isn’t it?

“The Lord is your protector, there at your right side to shade you from the sun. You won't be harmed by the sun during the day or by the moon at night. The Lord will protect you and keep you safe from all dangers. The Lord will protect you now and always wherever you go.”
Psalms 121:5-8 CEV

Day 254: Waiting it Out

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 02:30:00 -0600

As I hunker down here at the farm, an alert came over the phone. Rain is coming. Plink. Plink. Plink. You hear the first drops hit the tin roof. Before long, you know it will sound like bacon frying. If it rains hard enough, it turns to a roar. I smile as I remember all the rainstorms of my youth in this house. There was this one time when it rained in the back yard, but not a drop in the front!

If it rains hard enough, I’ll hear the water running in the creek outside Grandma’s bedroom window. But, as I write this, a gentle rain falls. I don’t watch TV, but when I want to feel cozy here on a chilly day, I turn it on and find the channel that plays a blazing fireplace...complete with snaps and crackles. There’s nothing better than the sounds and sights of a crackling fire AND rain on a tin roof.

I’m still here, waiting for word from the results of my Covid test. I still have a cough. I still have a backache. I’m still really tired. I know it’s something...probably just a cold...but I can’t risk making my sweetheart sick. So here I sit. My friend Diane called me the other night and told me our little town is delivering Thanksgiving meals. I called and ordered two. When I get home, I’ll make a couple pumpkin pies and we’ll call it good.

Yes, it sucks to not have our family around for the holidays this year. But, imagine what it was like during the 1918 influenza pandemic? For us, it means no TV...no Hallmark Christmas Movies or football games or even reruns of Andy Griffith. No electronics, no internet...few diversions. In 1918, the first wave was relatively mild with few deaths, the disease lasting about three days. When it came back in the fall, it killed with a vengeance wiping out entire families. No promise of a vaccine. No lifesaving super meds. Covid is rising rapidly here and I’ll do everything I can to keep it from hitting my home and my family. If it means empty chairs now, it increases the odds of full chairs down the road.

I’m praying my test is negative. Because, if it isn’t, I’ll be having Thanksgiving here at the farm alone and my sweetheart will be at the house alone, as well. My gut tells me it’s negative. I just don’t feel sick enough for it to be Covid...at least from what I hear about symptoms. Still, I’ll wait it out, listening to the rain on a tin roof, and feel so grateful for this safe place...this “home of my heart”.

“My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.”

Isaiah 32:18 NIV

Day 250: A Little R&R at The Farm

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 02:30:00 -0600

I can’t remember the last time I got away for a couple of days at the farm for a little recharge time. Mr. FixIt is doing really well these days and I’m feeling a little braver in going off on my own for a little bit. Not too far, though. I’m only eighteen miles away, so if he needed me, I’d be there in a whipstitch. And, as he said...he has plenty to do to keep himself busy while I’m gone as there is never a shortage of work around the Ponderosa.

I had to run to town this morning, so by the time I did that and a couple of errands, it was after 2:00 when I got to the farm. The big refrigerator out there never worked again after the power was off for several days from the tree falling over the line. I have no idea how old it was, but it had certainly seen its better days. When Mr. FixIt and I went to Sam’s this week, I picked up a small dorm sized fridge to bring out here. All we really need is room to keep enough food and drinks cold to feed the two of us when we stay out here for a few days, so small was better.

It took a good two hours to clean, move the old fridge, and set up the new one. I brought four big baskets of laundry out to do today. I also brought a stack of magazines since I never seem to find the time to just sit and read them. I don’t know how to describe the feeling I get when I come out here. It’s like taking a king-sized step back in time. I connect to that little girl that lives inside me. I touch my grandparents, my mom, my people who have gone before me.

I sleep in the same bed they did, in my grandparents’ room. I look out the same window. It restores something primal in me and heals my heart. This year has been rough all the way around. But it’s been full of opportunities, too. Opportunities to touch people and be touched by them. To practice trusting God. To lean into my relationships...especially with my family. To continue to build on that foundation with Mr. FixIt that will carry us through good times and bad.

Still, I’ve come to appreciate the introverted aspect of my extroverted personality. I love people, and I thrive on service. Now I recognize...and don’t fault myself for stepping away to recharge. It doesn’t make me selfish. It makes me smart. Because, I know I can give so much more when my cup is full and I have to fill it with peace and quiet. No TV. No noise. No expectations.

Just me.

And God.

And the little red house on the farm.

“Generosity will be rewarded: Give a cup of water, and you will receive a cup of water in return.”
Proverbs 11:25 CEV

Day 227: The Real Feel of Autumn

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 01:30:00 -0600

When I woke up yesterday, I greeted my sweetheart and said, “How can it possibly be Sunday again already?” The time flies so, so fast anymore. I grabbed my coffee, Mr. FixIt his tea, and we headed into the family room for church. I know it is important to have fellowship with other Christians, but I’m telling you...I like not having to drive all the way to town and back on a Sunday. I like to sit in my comfy chair and listen to the worship music and the encouraging words of a good sermon. We can hit “pause” if we have to take a little trip down the hall. Hey, we’re older now. And, we can discuss and openly encourage each other as the message is being preached.

Yesterday, one of our associate pastors gave us a wonderful message. I love when visuals are used to demonstrate points. I have always been a visual learner and think in analogies, so I especially enjoyed it. You can catch it on YouTube HERE. (They actually go live about 9 minutes, 45 seconds in.)

I had a hankering for some comfort food yesterday. I bought a small chuck roast the other day so I browned it on either side and put it in my slow cooker around noon. Mr. Virgo used to put a can each of Cream of Onion and Cream of Celery soups in with garlic, onions, mushrooms, and a can of water. This always made a wonderful gravy. Unfortunately, I found my last two onions were too old to use and I forgot to buy mushrooms. Well, guess who dehydrated mushrooms and onions this summer and stored them away for occasions such as this? Me! I added about a cup of dehydrated mushrooms and 1/3 cup of dehydrated onions to the slow cooker, stirred it all around a bit, put the lid on and turned it to high. Five hours later, I served the roast with some of my home canned green beans, home canned applesauce, and herb roasted tiny potatoes. It was fabulous and we have enough leftover for tonight, too.

I’m back to baking sourdough again. I took a few weeks off when I was so busy canning. While I wasn’t baking, I fed my sourdough starter once a week and kept it in the refrigerator. That slows the feeding down. I was thrilled when I took it out Thursday to warm up, fed it, and it overflowed the jar. That’s the sign of a good, strong yeast. I fed it again Friday night, then Saturday morning, I worked up my dough, formed the loaves, and set them in the garage fridge to rise overnight. A cold rise is supposed to allow the acids to build up in the dough and make a more sour loaf, so I’m looking forward to having some for breakfast this morning. I’ve found it doesn’t cut well and the flavor isn’t as pronounced until the day after baking.

Once the bread was finished, I spent the afternoon writing an article for the winter issue of Girl Camper Magazine. The magazine comes out four times a year and you can’t get it at the newsstand. If you are interested, you can order a subscription HERE.

I love Sundays and it was wonderful to have a nice, slow day...gentle rain...fire in the family room...the smells of homemade bread and a roast cooking...spending time with my sweetie. I was thrilled to get the news from my Colorado peeps that snow has fallen in the mountains. Hopefully, this will help knock out the wildfires and we can put that to rest for the year. I hope you had a wonderful weekend and that you are staying healthy.

❤️

“Remember that the Sabbath Day belongs to me. You have six days when you can do your work, but the seventh day of each week belongs to me, your God. No one is to work on that day—not you, your children, your slaves, your animals, or the foreigners who live in your towns. In six days I made the sky, the earth, the oceans, and everything in them, but on the seventh day I rested. That's why I made the Sabbath a special day that belongs to me.”
Exodus 20:8-11 CEV

Day 213: Rain, Rain, Go Away!

Mon, 12 Oct 2020 01:30:00 -0600

When you are on vacation at the beach, it’s supposed to be sunny and warm, right? Well...maybe not so much in October. I’m always a little apprehensive about coming to the beach at this time of the year because of the threat of hurricanes. This year it seems we are getting the tail end of some rain from the latest storms to devastate the south. I think they are clearing out now, hopefully.

After a relaxing morning, we decided to drive back up the coast to some Farmer’s Markets we passed on the way down. One was just ok. One was SO crowded, we didn’t even stop. And the last one was just right. I took lots of pictures of pumpkins. I love pumpkins...they are such happy fruit. There were all kinds of jams, jellies, pickles, sauces, relishes, fruits and vegetables canned...at exorbitant prices, I might add. There were still tons of fresh fruits and vegetables available, including strawberries! There had to have been a dozen different varieties of apples for sale and they were gorgeous. Baked goods, fudge, and kettle corn rounded out the selections in the main building. You could buy meat and seafood in the back. And, there was a machine that squeezed oranges and bottled the juice for you while you waited. That smelled divine!

Mr. FixIt wandered around while I was looking at the jarred goods. When he came back, he told me there was a guy making fried green tomatoes in the central area. He had samples and they were really good. We bought a tray and two fresh BLT’s he had just made on fresh baked bread. By the time we were ready to go back out to the car, the rain was pouring and we had parked clear across the lot. By the time we got to the truck we were soaked, but that little picnic tasted SO good!

When we walked back into the condo, the AC was running and we were still damp. It took me two hours to warm up. We had such a good time though, so it was all worth it. It was a quiet day filled with football and just hanging out. The kids weren’t here yet when I was writing this. They were due in later in the evening. There are actually a lot more people here than I thought there would be. The last couple of times we were here in the fall, there were hardly any people. I think most of the places offered their timeshare guests the opportunity to still have their week if they came in October. That’s our best guess, anyway. I’m glad we have all of our food here and we don’t have to go anywhere. I have the meals I am responsible for prepared and in the freezer so I’m just pretty much taking it easy this week. It feels really weird to not be doing something or canning something!

❤️

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Psalms 4:8 NIV

Day 205: A Space of My Own

Sun, 04 Oct 2020 01:30:00 -0600

I think every woman should carve out a little space that is just hers. Guys get the “man cave” or their “workshop”. Women get the kitchen. That’s all well and good. I mean, I love being in the kitchen and creating wonderful foods for the people I love. But it’s not like that...or the products that come from it...are for me alone.

I have my camper. For now, anyway. But what happens when I sell her? I may not have another one right away, and since I don’t have a “she shed”, I’ve decided to create a space of my own here at the house. We have a bedroom that has nothing but boxes of things labeled “Garage Sale”. These are boxes that the former Mrs. FixIt left thinking when the time came and we decided to actually HAVE a garage sale, we could stick this stuff in it. She is very helpful that way...very organized...and I appreciate it immensely. I think, if Covid hadn’t struck, we might actually have had a garage sale this year, but alas...it was not to be.

Rather than wait another whole year, I’m taking matters into my own hands. I’m going to clear that room out and create a space just for me. Mostly because, when I settle in to write this blog every night, I write while I’m propped up with a bunch of pillows in our bed. I don’t think it’s doing my back any good and I’m tired of feeling like I’m in bed all the time. I’ve tried writing in the living room while Mr. FixIt watches TV but I find it distracting at best and mostly agitating, even with headphones on.

I have a picture in my head of what my room will look like. I have a Tiffany style floor lamp out at the farm. I brought it from my home in Colorado and I’d love to have it beside a comfortable chair. I would like a small side table...a place to set my cup of tea, a basket by the chair for my knitting, and a small footstool to prop my feet upon. I would like lacy white curtains to let in the light. I have an electric space heater out at the farm that looks like an antique wood stove. I would like to create a faux fireplace with it. I’ll hang the wooden clock that I bought Mr. Virgo for his last Christmas. I’ll have a small Bluetooth speaker to listen to soft music...or the sounds of a crackling fire. The room will be cozy and comfortable and quiet and peaceful. A nice place to write and retreat without having to climb in bed. And the best part? NO TV!

We went to our great granddaughter’s 3rd Birthday Party yesterday. We stopped at the 4H Ox Roast on our way home to pick up a couple of meals so we wouldn’t have to cook. Oh, my goodness...that was wonderful food. And so much of it, too. After supper, I opened Facebook and...there was my chair! It was absolutely the exact chair I’ve been wanting at a price that can’t be beat. We’ll run into town today to pick it up and that will motivate me to get the back room cleared out. I’m nesting and getting my winter she shed ready.

❤️

““As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.””
Genesis 8:22 NIV

Day 176: Beans & Tomatoes & Pickles...YUMMM!!!

Thu, 10 Sep 2020 01:30:00 -0600

Ok, yesterday was a marathon day in the kitchen here at the Ponderosa. I started out by packaging up the dehydrated mushrooms then rummaging through the garden to get a few more Roma tomatoes. I set what was ready in the dehydrator and turned my attention to the green beans.

I had enough of the beans cleaned yesterday to set a canner on to process. Then, Mr. FixIt and I enjoyed rocking in the recliners, watching old Frazier reruns while I finished stringing and snapping the last of the beans between canner loads.

I learned something yesterday. I should have weighed the beans, because apparently I had a LOT more than I thought. According to the weights and measures scale for produce, a bushel of snap beans should weigh between twenty-eight and thirty-two pounds. This should result in a quart of processed beans for every one-and-a-half to two pounds of raw produce. Initially, I figured I would get two canners full with enough leftover beans to cook up a mess for supper. ("Mess is Appalachian for a batch...a dinner's worth with leftovers.)

I ended up with four canners full! That's twenty-eight quarts. I did my math and I payed just over a dollar a quart for these babies. AND I got the fun and satisfaction of putting them up for winter. I know, I know...this is nothing compared to what my cousins can every year. They put up hundreds of jars of food. I'm a little limited by supplies this year as I was sort of starting from scratch in the canning department. I'll get more jars and lids next spring.

When the last canner was filled and on the stove, I got out my fermenting equipment and got two quarts of dill pickles started. They will sit for one to three weeks in the brine till they get to my desired taste. I made one quart with hot red pepper flakes for a little extra pizazz. I would normally use dried whole red peppers from the spice aisle but Walmart didn't have them.

And that was the end of my day. I was tired...but it was a good kind of tired. My hands smell like garlic and they're soft from working with wet beans for two days. My hips are sore from sitting so much. But, ohhhhh.....those beautiful jars of bottled summer take my breath away when I look at them!

It was not till I was typing this last night to post this morning that I noticed the date. Today would have been Mr. Virgo's 70th birthday! It feels so unreal. He will always and forever be 62...a number I passed five years ago. I can't even imagine him at 70. He would have reluctantly retired. He had no hobbies other than golf and me. I never, EVER would have considered taking off in the camper by myself and having adventures without him. He told me when we were first dating that if I was the kind of woman who was going to leave him alone for long stretches of time, he wasn't interested. I had been in a two decade marriage with a workaholic who had dinner between 8:00-10:00 every night. I was ready for that one-on-one attention.

Don't get me wrong...I absolutely adore Mr. FixIt and I treasure every moment we have together. AND, I learned I need some space to recharge from time to time...for my own mental health as well as the comfort of my spouse. Different people. Different marriages. Different expectations. Still...I think of that silver-haired man and smile now.

Seventy.

Wow.

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Mr. Virgo!

❤

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
Colossians 3:23 ESV

Day 168: The Art of the Letter

Wed, 02 Sep 2020 01:30:00 -0600

I’ve been missing my Colorado peeps a lot this summer...especially now. This is when I would have been saying goodbye and driving back to West Virginia after a month of fun with the kids and my brother. Instead, I have to be satisfied with a weekly video chat with them. Don’t get me wrong...I am grateful for that connection. But, it’s not the same, you know?

Big is a junior in high school now. She’s past that awkward stage where a conversation is mostly one sided when she answers in single syllable words. Now we text back and forth easily and I love catching up with her.

Now it’s Little’s turn to be the quiet, withdrawn one. That is odd for me, because she was my chatterbox. I’ve been trying to reach her without necessarily engaging through more screen time. They get enough of that as it is. Her other grandma was a teacher and she suggested I write letters and exchange artwork with Little. So, last night I went and bought some lined paper and some colorful pens and I’ll sit down to write to her.

Writing a real handwritten letter seems so foreign these days. I have a handful of letters I’ve saved over the years...letters from my mom and my grandma. I’m hoping Little will be receptive and write back to me, but even if she doesn’t...maybe someday she too will have a small stack of letters from her Nana to go back and read.

Yesterday was quiet and peaceful, albeit hot and sticky. I worked on my webpage. I put more tomatoes in the dehydrator. We walked at the park after supper. We have a planned power outage at the house today, so we’ll probably run to town and do errands for a while. After running full speed for the last several weeks, I didn’t realize how tired I was till I stopped. It doesn’t hurt to have a few slow days.

❤️

“If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 CEV

Day 158: Burning Down My Memories

Sun, 23 Aug 2020 01:30:00 -0600

I was a new widow when I bought my first camper. A little 16’ job with everything I needed. I miss that little camper...the original TOW-Wanda. I still regret trading her in for the big behemoth I own now, but...water under the bridge, you know.

I always wanted a camper although I had never pulled one. I camped in a tent a couple of times and once drove cross country in an old VW Poptop Van, but actually having my own camper eluded me.

I tried to get Hubby #2 to buy one and he refused. It never occurred to me to go out and buy one myself. I wasn’t brave enough to do such a thing back then. But Mr. Virgo understood my wanderlust and, while not an avid camper himself, was anxious to see that I got to do all the fun things I wanted.

When he died suddenly while we were looking at the camper for our retirement, I thought my dreams would end there. But, something stirred within me almost from the beginning of widowhood. I was determined to have that camper and found a way to make it work.

Little TOW-Wanda came into my life just a few weeks after the funeral. I carefully stocked her and as soon as the spring snows melted, I was off on The Grand Adventure through the wilderness and backroads of Colorado by myself.

I am so glad there were no forest fires to speak of that summer, or I might have lost the heart for this fun way of life. I traveled a circle clear around the state at least twice in those three months. One particularly beautiful stretch was heading west on Colorado Route 14 through Poudre Canyon. I hadn’t been through there since the High Park Fire of 2012 the year before. It was devastating to see the blackened vegetation...the trees standing like gnarled fingers pointing to the sky.

I drove to the far west end where the fire had spared the canyon. I found an empty campsite right on the edge of the Cache la Poudre River and backed in. It was early in the camping season. The kids were still in school, and I had just about every campground I went to all to myself.

I had camped in Rocky Mountain National Park for a few days prior to my arrival in Poudre Canyon. I saw wildlife galore on that trip...elk, deer, turkey, mink, ermine, marmot, Bald Eagles, Great Horned Owls, moose, coyotes. Everything except a bear. The last morning at this campsite, I talked with Mr. Virgo...as I did most mornings. I thanked him for bringing all the beautiful animals to enjoy...I really appreciated them. But, could he please just bring me at least one bear???

I packed up and headed west on Colorado 14 and began the long, steady climb up to Cameron Pass. By the time I got to Joe Wright Reservoir, my engine was getting a little hot. I decided to pull in the parking area and gaze at the still frozen water. Signs of spring were coming to the high country as the fresh green leaves were popping out on the aspen trees and the undergrowth was beginning to show signs of life. Finally, when the engine and transmission were cooled, I took off to the tip top of the pass.

I had just crested the pass at 10, 249’ and began the slow descent down when I noticed the most odd thing. Someone had placed a huge statue of a bear, right along the highway where it makes a sharp bend to the right. I slowed down to look at it, then realized...to my sheer delight...it was a real, live bear! Standing on the edge of the road, the sheer drop off behind him. I stopped the truck and stared. Thank God there wasn’t someone coming along behind me! I tried to snap a photo of the bear, but the memory was full on my phone and by the time I reached for my digital camera, it had disappeared over the edge. I realized that memory was for me alone.

I don’t believe I have seen another bear in the wilds of Colorado since that one magical morning on Cameron Pass. And now...Cameron Pass is burning, as is much of Colorado and points west. Climate change has brought increasing drought and prevailing winds so the fires continue to become worse and worse.

I don’t know when, or if, I will ever have the opportunity to go on an adventure like that again. But I must say...the memories of those three months pulling my camper through the majestic Rocky Mountains have never faded and remind me of God’s reckless love for me...to grace me with these memories that still fill my heart.

❤️

“God is the one who rules the whole earth, and we that live here are merely insects. He spread out the heavens like a curtain or an open tent.”
Isaiah 40:22 CEV

Day 154: The Sacred Harp

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 01:30:00 -0600

Part of my new “quest for inner peace” has been exploring the history of my people here in Appalachia. The other day, when I felt so terribly lost and downtrodden in this messy world we are living in, I started reading a book by Foxfire Press about Aunt Arie...an octogenarian who lived in the Appalachian Mountains of Georgia. She was interviewed by the students who comprised the Foxfire program and became...by far...the most beloved and unforgettable character featured in their books.

As you know, when you go searching for information on something specific, the internet can be a treasure trove of delights to the senses. A search for Foxfire sent me to their Foxfire Heritage Museum...bought and developed by students with the proceeds from the books they published through Foxfire Press. Foxfire Heritage sent me to Appalachian Heritage. And somewhere along the line, I stumbled upon “shape note music”.

I was a singer in school and was a member of choirs from sixth grade on through high school. I’ve always loved to sing. And, somewhere back in the recesses of my mind, I recalled hearing about shape notes but had never really studied it. Google rescued my weary heart by plopping me down in the middle of a world I never knew existed...nearly in my own back yard.

The “Sacred Harp” is not only a book of music composed with shape notes. It alludes to the human voice as an instrument...the sacred harp. Shape note, or sacred harp music, has a rich history. It was brought to America and quickly spread as a kind of worship music when there were no instruments. The music is based on either four or seven shapes, depending on your source, with each shape corresponding to a specific note.

This is not a kind of performance music. Shape note singers perform for each other...not for an audience. They sit in a square and the person leading selects the song. The singers go through the music singing the notes by their names...fa, sol, la, mi. Then the next round, they sing the “poetry”...the lyrics. The music is sung in four part harmony and it sounds old and rich and holy.

I found a wonderful page I want to share with you from the West Virginia Public Broadcasting website discussing the history of shape note singing and how the Covid Pandemic has affected their gatherings. On this page, you will find a twelve minute recording, a short two minute video of Sacred Harp singing with an explanation, and a collaborative project consisting of Shape Note Singers from around the world brought together virtually to sing Page No. 146: Hallelujah.

I hope you enjoy this as much as I have. It has offered me a strange kind of peace. The music moves me in a way that goes deep into my past generations...a sort of institutional or genetic memory. The kind where you know how to do something but there’s no reason you should because you’ve never done it before. I feel this same connection when I enter land where my forebears lived, even though I’d never been there.

Tomorrow, we will talk about another kind of virtual choir performance that one of my dear friends took part in. Till then...be good to each other.

You can find the story on Sacred Harp Singing HERE.

❤️

“When I was really hurting, I prayed to the Lord. He answered my prayer, and took my worries away. The Lord is on my side, and I am not afraid of what others can do to me.”
Psalms 118:5-6 CEV

Day 153: Ahhhh...That’s More Like It!

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 01:30:00 -0600

I can almost feel the stress melting off my shoulders by the moment. After the last few hectic weeks, and then backing off from social media, I am much more centered and relaxed. The fact that the nights have been cooler and we’ve been “camping” out in our field at the Ponderosa. Sleeping in my camper always makes me a happy girl!

I worked on the website for a few hours yesterday while Mr. FixIt was at the dentist. When he got home, we hooked up the trailer and took the mowers out to the farm. We got about halfway there and the road was soaked. It was so cool to watch the steam rising up from the hot asphalt after the rain that had just passed through. It wasn’t too much further that the road was dry. We bet each other whether there was rain at the farm. I said there was...and I won. Not a bet I wanted to win, though. The grass was thick and wet and not easy to mow.

When we were at the farm last time, we noticed that the internet wasn’t working. I called to report it and left my phone number but never heard from anyone. I sat down to call and was on hold for quite some time when I looked out the window to see the neighbor’s garden. Lo and behold, there on the bird seed bin was a brand new modem the phone guy left for me. I hooked it up and we were back in business in five minutes flat!

Once the lawn was mowed and I had a good thirty minute video chat with Daughter #1, we packed back up and headed home. I told Mr. FixIt that I felt we definitely deserved ice cream after all that so we stopped at the Piggly Wiggly to get some. We happily munched out on a Magnum Double Caramel bar on the way home!

As soon as we had everything unhooked and put away, I made a beeline for the camper to write. It was a little stuffy after being closed up all day, but it was soon cool and comfortable from the strategically placed fans. We don’t have a single thing planned till the 29th! I’ve been letting the tomatoes ripen and I think today is the day to get them picked and canned. Seriously, it won’t amount to much once I cook them down. As soon as the garden is finished, it’s camping time for us!

I feel a hundred pounds happier!

❤️

“Our Lord, we belong to you. We tell you what worries us, and you won't let us fall. But what about those people who are cruel and brutal? You will throw them down into the deepest pit long before their time. I trust you, Lord!”
Psalms 55:22-23 CEV

Day 146: Another Bad Night, Another Good Day

Tue, 11 Aug 2020 01:30:00 -0600

Nearly 5 inches of rain, Bread Pudding in my favorite iron skillet, foggy morning on the Ponderosa, Grandma’s Church, “Naked Ladies” lillies, the back field on the Ponderosa in the fog.

I used to have what I referred to as “bad nights” in the early years after losing Mr. Virgo. I will never forget the blessed feeling of relief when they finally let up. I will also never forget when they resurfaced years later and I couldn’t shake the thought that maybe this is just the way things are with the new new normal of grief.

Thankfully, those bad nights are few and far between anymore. They are usually triggered by stress and...could there be anything more stressful than your new husband having two strokes not much more than a year after the wedding...compounded by everything else going on in this world today? We have had two deaths in the family in the last two weeks. One was my cousin’s husband. That stirs up those old memories.

I went to bed Sunday night like I always do. I slept so well on Friday and Saturday nights. I was hoping for a repeat. I wrote my post. I fed my sourdough starter. I took my meds and did my evening toilette. I climbed between clean sheets with the windows open and a cool evening breeze coming in. I put away my phone so I wouldn’t be tempted to lay there and surf or read or play games. In other words, I did everything right. Still...sleep did not come.

I laid there for hours...tossing and turning. I knew I was keeping Mr. FixIt awake, so I tried to just lay still so I wouldn’t bother him. Then I got a headache from laying in the same position. When Mr. FixIt doesn’t sleep soundly, he become a noisy sleeper. Every time he turns over, he either moans or shouts out...depending on the level of discomfort he has from arthritis. Suffice it to say...I watched the sun coming up.

I got up, drew my fuzzy robe around me, and walked outside to photograph the morning fog. I love fog...it’s so cool and mysterious and softens the world to a hazy glow. The fog also dampens the sounds of the world. The birds seem to whisper their tenuous calls so not to wake up Mother Nature before the coffee’s ready.

I wandered around for a while, went back inside and cleaned the kitchen, and finally...around 7:30...I thought I’d try again to sleep. That’s when the “bad” part of the “bad nights” hit. I laid there, realizing it had now been 24 hours I’d been awake. What if something happened and Mr. FixIt had a medical emergency and needed me? What if something happened to the kids? How would I be my best if I hadn’t had any sleep. You all know where that snowball went...right downhill.

I laid there, quietly willing myself to settle down, to not borrow trouble, to not wake up my husband. When he finally did wake up, I told him about my night and he urged me to not worry about a thing and get some sleep. I went into the guest room and slept till 3:30 in the afternoon!

When I awoke, we went to the farm to get the long ladder so I could seal the roof on TOW-Wanda. When we got home, we watched the news and then worked on the camper. I fixed a great meal, and the day was done. My biggest gift of the day came again from Miss Jackie. Her husband was a pastor and she is just a knowledgeable woman when it comes to the Bible. There, in her comment on yesterday’s post was her formula for maintaining mental health. A verse from Philippians. I’ll include it here.

These verses are an instruction manual for maintaining balance in these crazy times. Good friends can bring such good advice when they are plugged into the light. I cherish those friends who tell me like it is, who gently correct...and who sometimes kick me in the butt when I need it. Thank you all for always being here.

As Ram Dass said...”We are all just walking each other home.”

❤️

“You have a special place in my heart. So it is only natural for me to feel the way I do. All of you have helped in the work God has given me, as I defend the good news and tell about it here in jail.”
Philippians 1:7 CEV

Day 145: Steadfast Through the Storms

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 01:30:00 -0600

Let’s face it...2020 has been a year of storms. Every single day, we see something incredulous...something unimaginable...something so unbelievable our minds can begin to be numbed by it all. I don’t even need to write out the list, but who in their right mind would have thought up murder hornets and zombie cicadas...let alone all the other stuff?

I was feeling a little overwhelmed by it all this last week. I found peace in my garden and on my walks with Jesus. Then I would look at the news again and it would be another awful thing. Balancing between informed citizen and sensory overload is getting more and more challenging. Then, Mr. FixIt and I sat down to enjoy online church yesterday. Like He always does, the Holy Spirit brought me exactly the sermon I needed to hear.

Pastor Heather spoke about weathering the storms of life. We are always guaranteed to have storms and more often than not, they come out of nowhere and we can be caught off guard. She happened to be on vacation last week with her family and there happened to be a hurricane come right through Myrtle Beach. She noticed the palm trees swaying in the fury of the winds, yet they were never uprooted or broken. It reminded her of the first few verses of Psalms.

Those who turn away from evil advice and don’t follow sinners or sneer at God find happiness in the teaching of the Lord, and they think about it day and night. It goes on to say they are like trees planted by a stream where they get their nourishment. This is what I want to be. A sturdy tree planted by the living waters where I can get my peace from the source. God tells us over and over the way to happiness.

When I first started writing this blog, I promised God if he would bring me the words, I would tell my readers where I find my peace. It is so terribly easy to be reactionary in this political climate. The other day I wrote a reactionary post that I not only didn’t give much thought to, but I also didn’t research it first. My sweet friend Jackie responded with a gentle correction. I so appreciated that. It didn’t escalate. It just suggested I “listen”. Action versus reaction.

A good lesson for us all.

❤️

“God blesses those people who refuse evil advice and won't follow sinners or join in sneering at God. Instead, they find happiness in the Teaching of the Lord, and they think about it day and night. They are like trees growing beside a stream, trees that produce fruit in season and always have leaves. Those people succeed in everything they do.”
Psalms 1:1-3 CEV

Day 142: Having Trouble Feeling Good?

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 01:30:00 -0600

It’s “Feel Good Friday” and I don’t know about you, but...it could get pretty frustrating looking around this dark world for something to feel good about. I gave this week’s edition of FGF a good, hard look yesterday. I usually search the internet for some story or video that tells of some heart warming thing someone has done. That’s all well and good, but it wasn’t working for me yesterday. So, I do what I always do when I need a little inspiration. I went for a walk with Jesus.

First, we went out into the garden and looked at the abundance of tomatoes that are coming on. There’s zucchini and yellow crookneck squash, green onions and peppers, pumpkins and Passion Flowers. The honeysuckle clings to the fence along the back of the yard and brambles of wild black raspberries tangle in the corner over the rhubarb. Sumac and wild grape vines threaten to shade the garden as they compete with pokeweed and Virginia Creeper. I felt the stress in my shoulders begin to ease.

I gave the plants a good drink and took off for a walk around the far field. I saw a hole out there when I was mowing this week and I wanted to check it out. As I ambled across the fresh mown grass, I asked Jesus to give me something to feel good about. I let my mind go blank as I strolled and took in the sights and smells of the pasture. I let myself feel the gratitude for the beauty of this place Mr. FixIt has so generously shared with me. I started humming softly to myself.

“I’ll Fly Away” started drifting around in my mind. Not just any version either. It was the Stanley Brothers bluegrass gospel version. It was on their album “Good Old Camp Meeting Songs” and was recorded in May 1962...the month before I turned nine years old. In an instant, I was back in the front yard of Grandma’s house out at the farm, a quart jar in my hands, catching lightning bugs. Grandma and PopPop were inside with the Grand Ole Opry on...cranked up high...and Ralph and Carter Stanley were singing “I’ll Fly Away”.

My heart smiled.

A few years ago, I met a lovely young woman named Rachel. She plays the guitar and sings in her church and I had the pleasure of singing with her at a few gatherings when I was staying in my camper up at the river. We harmonized really well together and sang several of the old timey gospel hymns. It’s a precious memory I will always keep close.

I continued my walk and peeked at the progress on the neighboring property as they clear some ground. As I was coming back down the road, I saw Mr. FixIt out looking for me in the field. The cat keeps losing her breakaway collars and he was hoping to find the one he bought her yesterday. No luck.

I came in to write this, opened Facebook, and the first person I saw on my feed was...Rachel! My heart smiled big! I searched for, and listened to, some of Ralph Stanley’s great bluegrass gospel and found this album. So, this is today’s treat for “Feel Good Friday.” If this doesn’t make you feel good, I don’t know what will!

The Stanley Brothers - Good Old Camp Meeting Songs

Love you all. Take care of yourselves...and each other.

❤️

“speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Ephesians 5:19-20 NIV

#GospelMusic, #StanleyBrothers, #Hymns

Day 135: A Blessed Day of Rain

Fri, 31 Jul 2020 01:30:00 -0600

Yesterday was a peaceful day. I made French Toast from my homemade sourdough bread for breakfast. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever tasted anything so divine as that. There is something wonderful about the texture of this bread that is only magnified when it’s coated with a slightly sweetened custard and fried to crispy perfection in one of my magical iron skillets.

I think I’m finally getting the feel for cooking in an iron skillet. I’ve always been a little heavy handed with the heat when I cook. Cast iron demands a gentler approach. There is a delicate balance between hot enough to fry crispy but not so hot as to burn food to the pan. That way, cleanup is much easier and you don’t need water and soap...two things that are deleterious to a well seasoned iron skillet.

When it comes time to clean my cast iron, I wait till it’s cooled down enough to handle without burning myself. I sprinkle in a scant tablespoon of coarse grained salt and a teaspoon or so of olive oil. Then I wad up a paper towel and scrub the inside of the skillet with the oily salt. You can feel when any bits of food have been removed because the surface will feel silky smooth under the salt. I take the skillet to the trash can and wipe all the dirty salt and food bits into the trash then wipe the inside of the pan with a clean paper towel and little bit more oil. Once the inside of the pan is done, I wipe down the outside and the handle with what’s left of the oil in the paper, then leave the skillet on the stove top. I have a gas stove. I have heard of people who have used cast iron on a glass cooking surface, but I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s too easy to scratch or break the cook top.

Once the kitchen was clean, I set to work in the office again, copying the posts from 2015 and 2016 over to the blog. I’m at the point now where my aunt invited me to leave the farm and I struck out on my next adventure. A sweet friend left for Wyoming to take care of her grandchildren while her daughter was doing her student teaching and allowed me to stay in her loft apartment in exchange for watering her plants and bringing in the mail.

It’s really interesting to go back and read my earlier posts. It reminds me how hard grief was those first couple of years. And it shows my how much my life has changed...how much I have changed in the time since I arrived in West Virginia. I really want to get all the work from Facebook transferred over to my blog so it’s safely in one place. I invested a lot of blood, sweat, and tears in my writing these last seven plus years...I would certainly hate to lose any of it. It’s irreplaceable, actually.

It has finally rained like crazy here off and on all day. Our garden will be so happy. I went out yesterday and found a few tomatoes that aren’t quite ripe, but something has been eating the low hanging ones. I imagine it’s the relentless bunnies I chase off only to find them right back a few hours later. I was trying to get a picture of how tall the tomato plants are but the only way to really do that by myself was a selfie with my hand raised up. As you can see, the plant is a good six inches beyond my reach...and I’m 5’6” tall! It’s crazy how much they’ve grown.

Here it is...the last day of July! How can that be possible? I promised Mr. FixIt we would go for a drive today. It’s time for an adventure. I’ll keep you posted!

❤️

“Try your best to live quietly, to mind your own business, and to work hard, just as we taught you to do. Then you will be respected by people who are not followers of the Lord, and you won't have to depend on anyone.”
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 CEV

Day 122: More Critters, More Mowing, More Ice Cream!!!

Sat, 18 Jul 2020 01:30:00 -0600

I’m still eating my way through the pandemic. Pandemic Pounds are justifiable...things are sucky...eat ice cream...liberally. The variety du jour is Cookies and Cream. *swoon* Maybe I’ll get the ice cream freezer out and make some homemade! Of course...I’ll have to find the ice cream freezer first. *sigh*

It continues to be hot and sticky here in West Virginia. And one of the true upsides of that is...the grass has gone dormant. Well, it’s really more like...it’s gone crispy. Seriously, whereas just three weeks ago, you could sit and watch the grass grow, now there are large areas in the lawn that crunch under your feet when you walk. The only thing that seems to be growing in the lawn is the flowers on the clover. They pick their little heads up and the honeybees glide from one to another all day long. When it’s like this, we really don’t have to mow nearly as often. It’s been almost two weeks here at the Ponderosa and it still doesn’t need it. It’s been the same amount of time at the farm, but it is cooler there and in a holler so we mowed it yesterday morning before the sun got things too toasty.

As I walked out of the house to go to the car, I heard a noise I didn’t recognize. I stood stock still and listened, running the sound through my memory banks. It was metallic but it wasn’t mechanical, per se. Was it coming from inside the house? Was it the sliding closet doors in the guest bedroom when Mr. FixIt was looking for a clean shirt? Suddenly, I heard it again and I knew what it was. The live trap! I’ve been trying to catch the really big raccoon that kept bending the trap up and escaping. The trap was set for the last few evenings with no results. Till yesterday morning.

There he was...in all his splendor! A brute of a raccoon. As I approached the trapped, I spoke softly to him, but he rammed himself into the cage, snarling and spitting at me. He was a monster! I picked up the cage by the handle and it had to weigh twenty pounds, at least. I had to hold the cage out away from me because he kept reaching his almost human-like foot out to get at me. We put him in the back of the truck, loaded the tractor up on the trailer, and headed to the farm. There is a pull-off out a two-lane country road on our way to the farm. It’s right on a river. There are no houses in the immediate vicinity...just a lot of countryside and hills. The perfect habitat for an errant raccoon who does not need to be eating my garden.

We lifted the cage out gently and set the opening towards the woods with the river beyond. Mr. FixIt had a long pole with which to gently urge the critter away from us, should he decide to come after us. I needed to open the cage, but didn’t necessarily want my hands near the opening. I happened to have a pair of loppers in the truck and I was able to hold onto the trap door and open it from a couple of feet away. We needn’t have been worried. As soon as there was an inch of space between that door and the trap, the raccoon took off like a shot into the tall grass, running down towards the riverbank.

Mr. FixIt and I congratulated ourselves on a humane transfer. Many people “dispatch” raccoons because they get into the chickens and gardens. It’s a country life...and varmints are often taken care of rather than go to the trouble of trapping them and moving them to other places. I have been known to do the same, but as I get older, and my heart gets softer, I let them live another day.

So, we had the raccoon. I found another beautiful bright orange box turtle when I was mowing. I only moved him out of the way of the blades. We saw some gorgeous birds...Cedar Waxwings. I don’t believe I have ever seen them before. They were hanging out down by the locks on Wednesday evening. They have a little tuft of feathers on the top like a Cardinal. But their feathers are so smooth and sleek with distinctive markings on their backs, wings, and tails. I was thrilled to see them. (The pictures of the bird and the turtle were lifted from the internet.)

I love how the flowers at the farm change during the summer. This weeks’ beauties are a beautiful scarlet-colored “Bee Balm” on the bank by the driveway. And the beautiful lavender “Rose of Sharon” over on the creek-bank at the corner of the house. My heart sings every time I get to go out there.

We were done and back home before noon and spent the rest of the day in quieter pursuits in order to stay cool. We are trying to stay on top of the watering to keep the garden going. Right now it’s twice a day. We truly need rain...a good soaking rain. I need to mulch the garden but I don’t want to use pine needle mulch or anything toxic. I have a huge roll of craft paper. I’m going to put a couple of layers out between the rows of tomatoes to try to keep some of this precious moisture in the ground.

❤️

“I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.”
Song of Songs 2:1 NIV

Day 119: Once in 6,800 Years

Wed, 15 Jul 2020 01:30:00 -0600

Last fall, when I was on the journey chasing the sun with the Girl Camper Raffle R-Pod, one of the first places I stayed was Calhoun County Park. This is a 200 acre park with a renovated Historic Village, a campground with only eight sites, and a designated “dark sky stargazing area”. That means, there are no streetlights or floodlights in the park and the surrounding area is very rural. When it gets dark, it’s “can’t see your hands in front of your face” dark.

When I heard there was a comet in the area, I told Mr. FixIt I wanted to go for a drive over there to look for it. The sky was clear and the Milky Way splashed its cotton candy cloud of stars and noble gases across the indigo dome above us. We watched the sun set and the stars pop out one by one. I saw something but decided it was just a cloud. We didn’t even know which direction to look. So, we turned our chairs to see the darker side of the sky.

We saw the International Space Station go over. And satellites. We heard frogs and a whippoorwill and something rattling around in the woods. There were lightning bugs and the occasional whine of a mosquito in our ears. But, alas...no comet. By 10:30, we called it quits. The park is nearly an hour from home and it had been a long day. We gathered our chairs and as I was folding them, the man parked nearby asked us if we saw the comet. When we said no, he and his wife showed us where it was and handed us a pair of binoculars. And, sure enough...there it was!

Comet Neowise.

I gasped when I saw it. I saw the Hale-Bopp Comet when I was in Salt Lake City. This one was so much bigger. A little harder to see with the naked eye...but that thing I thought was a cloud was actually the comet. If you look straight at it, it’s hard to see. But if you look just to one side, you can easily see it. And you can definitely see it with a pair of good binoculars. We thanked the couple profusely and headed back home.

It was a really great day all the way around. I made a scratch pizza. Cleaned the pool. Watered the garden. And saw a comet that won’t be back around for 6,800 years. Not something you get to do everyday.

❤️

“He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.”
Psalms 147:3 NIV

Day 109: Lost in the Moonlight

Sun, 05 Jul 2020 01:30:00 -0600

Oh, this is my absolute favorite time of the year...when you can go outside and sit at night. It’s warm, it’s clear, there aren’t too many bugs. And, when there’s a great big moon? That is just a bonus to me.

We went to the farm yesterday and mowed. We were prepared to stay all night, but the window AC stopped working out there and it was hotter than a firecracker...pun intended. I made a nice meal and packed up the truck. And as soon as the mowing and trimming was done, we loaded up the tractor and headed home.

There was the obligatory stop for ice cream, though. I mean, it’s summer. The nights are warm. We were hot and sticky from mowing. We DESERVED ice cream, right?

Even though we live on a busy two-lane county road, it is relatively quiet out here. Unlike when I lived in Denver, you don’t have a constant background hum of traffic when you sit out. I love the space we have created out by the pool. When the moonlight dances off the roof of the big building out back and reflects on the water, I get a little chill up my spine.

I always dreamed of this place. To have land to stretch out on. To grow vegetables by my own hands. When I downsized and left Colorado, I truly thought the rest of my born days would be spent living in my camper...my tiny home on wheels. My grief-addled brain didn’t let me see what would happen when time passed and the camper would inevitably wear out. It didn’t allow me to fully comprehend what it meant to sell everything and leave...never to return.

I don’t regret the choices I have made. When I thought I lost everything, I didn’t realize God had even bigger plans for me. I didn’t realize what was coming in the form of one of my oldest and dearest friends. And now, here we are with the wonderful life together. Mr. FixIt and I have this amazing view...whenever we want to take the time to look at it. Sometimes I have to shake my head in disbelief that it’s really MY life.

I remember all those summers when I flew home to West Virginia to see my family. I remember this one particular summer night. I was driving through the country, the windows rolled down, the wind in my hair...my elbow resting on the car door as I drove. I reached my hand out into the hot August night and felt the velvety humidity rushing through my fingers. The moon was full, much like last night, and the trees and bushes squatted like bullfrogs ready to jump over each other as I drove by.

Yes, after Spring, this is my very favorite time of the year. The richness of life is palpable. The problems of the world fade into the background. Virus? What virus? There’s a lunar eclipse to gaze upon. Hatred and intolerance? What hatred and intolerance? There are night sounds to listen to.

Tomorrow is another day...let us not waste this one for it is truly a gift.

❤️

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 ESV

Day 108: Chronicles of a Country Wife

Sat, 04 Jul 2020 01:30:00 -0600

After staying up late to bake two loaves of sourdough bread on Thursday night, I mixed up a batch of dough for English Muffins. I love this recipe because you put it in the fridge overnight and bake them the next morning. And, it makes three dozen smaller muffins or two-and-a-half dozen regular sized ones. I used my electric skillet this time. I had more control over the temperature. And, I could cook a dozen at a time. You cook them on one side for about seven minutes, turn them over, pop the lid on, and cook another seven minutes. Then I put them back on the baking sheet and put them in a 350 degree oven for about nine minutes. They were perfect, and...I can freeze them and have fresh English Muffins for the next three weeks!

Once the muffins were finished and the kitchen cleaned, I was pretty much finished for the day. The internet is giving us fits and the guy came out to fix it. It worked for two hours then was off again. That’s one of the frustrating things about living out in the country...modern conveniences aren’t as quick and easy to come by. He’ll come back soon and hopefully figure things out.

I noticed on my rounds through the garden that something was into my squash. I looked around and very nearly stepped on a good sized box turtle. I explained to the little critter there wasn’t room for the both of us in my veggie patch and he had to move back down to the creek. I carried him to the end of the far field and set him loose in the underbrush with lots of vegetation and water accessibility. He doesn’t need my squash and tomatoes as much as I do.

I harvested the first zucchini from the garden and made Zucchini Fritters with it. Mix up a batter with half cultured buttermilk and half all purpose flour. Salt and pepper to taste. Mix with a fork till well blended but little lumps are ok. Dip each slice one at a time in the batter and slip into a pan with hot oil. Cook till golden on each side and drain on paper towels. I served them alongside pork chops and it was fabulous!

You can find the English Muffin recipe here: https://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/sourdough-english-muffins-recipe

Enjoy your Fourth of July, dear ones!

❤️

“who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?’”
Job 35:11 ESV

Day 91: Finally...The Perfect Loaf of Bread!

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 01:30:00 -0600

I think I’ve been playing around with this sourdough for a couple of months now. My first loaf was kinda sad and disappointing. The English Muffins were divine. The second loaf was worse than the first. I believe I could have used it as a door stop! It was dense and dry and didn’t resemble traditional sourdough in the least.

I kept feeding my starter and getting it really active and bubbly. At the same time, I dove headlong into researching the intricacies of sourdough. It turns out, there is as much artistic feel for the dough as there is science involved. I came across some YouTube videos that were extremely helpful. They led me to the book, Tartine Bread. Mr. FixIt said I could get whatever I needed for my bread baking forays as my birthday gift. So, I bought a cast iron dutch oven and the Tartine Bread book.

I’ve been studying it carefully for about a week. There are copious photos illustrating each step of the process. This particular recipe is for the Basic Country Loaf and is enough for two loaves of bread. We happened to have a large Dutch oven so until my smaller one comes, I used the one we have. It worked fine...just heavy and awkward and when you are dealing with a cast iron pot that is 500℉, you want something that isn’t quite so unwieldy.

It took all day Sunday to get the loaves ready for the final rise. But the time they got to that point, it was 10:00 at night and I was NOT going to wait another three to four hours for that rise, then another hour and half to bake (forty-five minutes per loaf, one loaf at a time.) Fortunately, there was a paragraph that let me off the hook. It said if you weren’t prepared to bake at that point, you could cover the bowls of dough and place them in the refrigerator for up to twelve hours. Eureka! In the refrigerator in the garage they went!

Yesterday morning, I cranked up the oven to 500℉ with the empty cast iron Dutch oven inside. When it came to temperature, I got it out and set the loaf in on parchment paper, scored the top of the loaf, put on the lid and popped it back in the oven. I turned the heat down to 450...still MUCH hotter than I ever would have imagined baking a loaf of bread. Twenty minutes later, I took the lid off the Dutch oven and was amazed at the oven spring the loaf had attained. It was pale with a shiny skin on it and nearly filled the Dutch oven. It baked uncovered for another 25 minutes and when I took it out, I could have cried. It was that beautiful.

I took it out, paper and all, and placed the cast iron pot back in the oven and cranked it back up to 500℉. When it was ready, I repeated the whole thing. Unfortunately, I forgot to turn the heat down to 450 this time and the loaf was a little darker than I would have liked. And it didn’t attain quite the same degree of oven spring as the first loaf because the higher heat killed off the yeast before it could get that lovely rise. Still, both loaves were lovely and a far cry better than either of my first attempts.

I have such a sense of accomplishment! The Tartine Bread book comes from Tartine Bakery in San Francisco. He designed the recipe so you could make loaves that look exactly like their bread. I didn’t have his same starter, of course. Nor did I have freshly milled flour, but the bread I made certainly held its own in comparison. When you thumped on the bottom of the loaf, it sounded hollow. The recipe uses a very hydrated dough and you can tell all that moisture got cooked off. The crumb was tender and airy with almost a custard feel on the tongue. It was not overly sour which was nice. I made toast with it right off. Then we had sandwiches with it for an early supper.

The only thing that gave me any trouble was the crust. It’s beautiful, but we don’t have a single knife at the house that could easily slice it...not even the electric knife. A friend suggested a Cutco bread knife. I’ll have to do some research on that. In the meantime, the daytime temps are rising this week, so no bread baking for me for a while. I’ll make some English Muffins, though. I can do those in an iron skillet on top of the stove. And, it looks like last night was probably the last in the camper for a while, too. At least until we get the power run out there.

I wonder what my next project will be?

❤️

“But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’””
Matthew 4:4 ESV

Day 86: The Storm is Raging

Thu, 11 Jun 2020 01:30:00 -0600

One of the things I missed the most when I lived in Colorado was grand thunderstorms. Lighting flashing and thunder crashing, echoing through the hills and valleys as a storm passes through always brings a warm feeling to my heart. One of my earliest memories of 1st grade was sitting at my desk in the old school building with the huge windows down one wall. The sky was nearly as dark as night and great flashes of lightning arced through the clouds. Soon, fat raindrops started hitting the windows...first here, then there...till the glass was covered with a torrent of rain that blurred the view of the neighborhood beyond.

I remember I had a piece of construction paper on my desk and was drawing with colored chalk. I loved drawing with chalk. I loved the smell, the feel of the dust on my fingers, the way you could blend the colors. I felt like a real artist because all I had ever used up till then was a small box of crayons and a No. 2 pencil. When I experience a thunderstorm, I’m transported back to the safety of 1st grade when my biggest concern was which color to use next.

Yesterday was another really hot and humid day. While I thought for sure we were not going to have to go to town, we ended up having to make the trip anyway. We forgot to pick up Mr. FixIt’s medicine on Tuesday and we needed to pay our personal property taxes. There’s something I don’t get. We have to pay taxes every year for things we already bought and paid taxes on. It aggravates me every time I pay them. We didn’t have that in Colorado. Anyway, once the sun started to drop below the far hill, I went out and mowed the back fenced-in yard around the pool and Mr. FixIt ran the weed eater. When we were done, we jumped in the pool to cool off. What a treat for our labors. I ran Mr. FixIt through his water exercises and we got out about a half hour before the storm hit.

I find it fascinating that I can pick up my phone an look at live Doppler radar and watch a storm approaching. My grandma could sit on the front porch, listen to the wind and watch the leaves on the trees and know a storm was imminent. When she got older, she could tell by the joints in her hands when the rain was coming. I’m beginning to be able to do that, too. All day yesterday, I kept getting sharp pains in the joints in my hands and the storm came by 10:00pm. I always thought it was interesting when I saw myself turning into my mother. Now I’m seeing myself turn into my grandma. It’s pretty cool, actually.

The rain came in sheets and the thunder rolled all around me as I was writing this. It was such a welcome break from the pain I’ve been feeling in my heart with all the sadness in the world lately. I have this constant feeling that the tears are just above my heart...that I’m constantly choking them back. It’s grief...just as surely as any grief I’ve felt before. I’m grieving for so many things lost. And right in the middle of it, I can prop myself up against the pillow at the headboard of my bed, close my eyes, and let the storm that rages on the outside soothe my heart on the inside. Maybe thunder is the language of angels.

❤️

“Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.”
John 12:28-29

Day 69: Finding a Gentle Space

Sun, 24 May 2020 01:30:00 -0600

In the harshness of the covid pandemic, the news and social media is constantly abuzz with the the latest numbers and the most current predictions and the total reversal of recommendations. It’s enough to make your head spin. I know mine has been. I’ve been thinking about the curveballs life has been throwing at us this year and I can’t help but think all the tough times I’ve experienced in my life have been training me for this.

I’ve got to tell you...this year was definitely not what I had in my Five Year Plan. Which just goes to show you what happens when you make a Five Year Plan. Life just seems to have a way of shoving all your plans to the side. I didn’t plan on being married again. But I’m so blessed that I am. We didn’t plan on two strokes. But we are so blessed they weren’t worse. We didn’t plan on a pandemic of epic proportions that would change the course of the world, but...here we are.

Yesterday was a day that brought into focus the simpler things in life. I shared with you a while back that the frame on our two year old tractor broke in half a few weeks ago. It’s in the shop and who knows when it will get fixed. Fortunately, we have a second, older tractor but it hasn’t been run in two years. It has taken a great deal of work to get it going again. For one thing, the mower deck was broken and needed welding. Our grandson-in-law came yesterday morning and welded it for us. Then, my step-son helped Mr. FixIt get the mower deck reattached. We still need another piece to adjust the level of the deck, but it’s running and will mow...just not terribly evenly till we get a new cable on it. I felt so loved and so grateful for the presence of loved ones. It is what we do. We help each other best when we expect nothing in return.

I planted onion sets in the garden. My friend Gail sent me pumpkin seeds that are third generation “wedding pumpkins”...the ones we used for decorations when we got married in October 2018. I planted a few along the side yard and I can train them to grow up the fence. I took a walkabout to see how the flowers are fairing. In the corner of the yard, there is a shady place with an earthen berm between the yard and the creek. With all the rain we’ve been getting, the creek is running along at a pretty brisk clip.

I stood in the morning light and felt the gentleness of the moment. I sipped my coffee and felt the warmth as I held the mug between my hands. The birds were singing in the pear tree in the yard and the sycamores that line the creekbank. Insects buzzed here and there and a yellow swallowtail butterfly seemed intent on joining me in my reverie as it fluttered all around. The irises you see in this picture will soon be blooming. They are yellow and are actually called flag iris or just flags. They look modern and angular and remind me of an Asian painting.

The moment struck me as peaceful in the quiet anticipation of these beauties that will burst open like fireworks in a few days. Catching them preparing for their moment in the sun was reminiscent of waiting for the curtain to go up on a much anticipated Broadway show. It was tangibly delicious and this picture captured it beautifully.

I wish I could have caught the butterfly in the photo...but that’s just the way life goes, isn’t it? It is perfect in it’s imperfections.

❤️

“No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.”
1 John 4:12 ESV

#Blessings, #Family, #Gratitude

Day 61: Busy Inside...Busy Outside

Sat, 16 May 2020 01:30:00 -0600

This week flew by. All these projects keep me from dwelling on the time creep and we wrapped up the week with a bang! Mr. FixIt got the mower deck off the old tractor to get it welded. I fed the sourdough and made a batch of blackberry jam. Unfortunately, it didn’t set so I need to do it over today. Just repeat the process and add more pectin. I cut the fresh tofu in half inch cubes and set it in the fridge to marinate for supper. Harvested the alfalfa sprouts I’ve been growing in the kitchen. I saved the blackberry containers to use to keep the sprouts fresh in the fridge...score! I drained the coffee elixir from my Toddy brewer for cold brew. So that’s ready for some delicious iced coffees in the coming weeks. We tilled the garden and planted fifteen tomato plants, two hills of squash...one yellow crookneck and the other zucchini, and I planted some extra squash in a planter I have. I like to let the squash get really big, then cube them up and can them like bread and butter pickles. I washed dishes a hundred times. I took lots of pictures to share but I’ll wait till the jam actually sets. Then I will share some. Till then..I’m done. This was a beyond tired day but we needed to get it done before the rain comes again.

The big news is, I made stir fry with the marinated tofu, broccoli, cabbage, mushrooms, egg, jasmine rice and a couple of handfuls of the fresh sprouts I harvested yesterday. We ate out on the deck by the pool and Mr. FixIt looked at his supper and started naming the ingredients. When he said “chicken”, I just smiled. He looked at me in surprise.

“That’s tofu?”

“Yep! What did you think?”

“Pretty good!”

That’s Mr. FixIt speak for “delicious!”

Score!

❤️

“and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 ESV

Day 46: It’s Feel Good Friday & I’m Gettin’ Back to my Roots

Fri, 01 May 2020 01:30:00 -0600

It’s May Day! Can you believe that??? In what seems like three lifetimes ago, I was a bit of a hippie earth mama. I had all the Mother Earth News Magazines and the Moosewood Cookbook. I made all of our bread, yoghurt, tofu, pasta, granola, and Grape Nuts. I grew veggies on any piece of land available. And I frequented the Farmer’s Markets to preserve as much food as possible. I was a girl on a budget. I did all this while working full time, raising a child, and putting my hubby through medical school. What can I say...I was young and could do anything.

I can still do all those homestead crafts, but once my second child came along and Hubby #2 was established in his medical practice, it was just easier to buy stuff than make it. Times have changed and I’m living this country farm life. And with the changes in the economy, I am picking those skills back up and dusting them off. I buy a couple cases of canning jars every time I go to the store. And I’ve slowly picked up some necessary pieces of equipment that I’ll be needing like tofu making supplies and the like. I’ll show you how I do that once I get everything in place.

I came home from the farm yesterday. As I was pulling out of the driveway, I had to stop and take a picture of the dogwood. The hills look like they’re draped with white lace. The flowering dogwood are so delicate and airy and they don’t last very long. You can see in this photo that some of the trees are beginning to leaf out but the dogwood stand alone with their flat four petaled posies.

I stopped at the store on the way home to pick up some Chobani plain Greek yoghurt. I’ll need about a half cup to use as starter so I can make my own. I was going to buy some whole wheat flour, then remembered I had some that had been stone ground at the mill up at Beaver Creek State Park in Lebanon, Ohio. When I got home and got everything put away, I decided to make a batch of homemade Grape Nuts.

This is one half of the thin “cake”.

The Amish make everything from scratch and somewhere along the line, I learned how to make this tasty crunchy cereal from an old Amish recipe. Once you’re done, store the cereal in an airtight container. It should last a while since it doesn’t have oil or eggs, but it’s so good, you won’t have it around for long.

The “cake” has been through the food processor and ready to toast and dry in the oven.

I’ve been trying to cut down on sugary treats but I love having a little ice cream in the evening. Last night, I put a couple heaping tablespoons of the plain Greek yoghurt in a bowl, drizzled some buckwheat honey over it and sprinkled a couple handfuls of the cereal on top. Oh, my gosh...it was amazing! Buckwheat honey has an entirely different taste than orange blossom or wildflower. It’s a dark brown and reminds me of molasses with its strong, bold flavor.

Homemade Grape Nuts Cereal...toasted golden brown.

Homemade Grape Nuts Cereal

Preheat oven to 350℉.

3 1/2 cups Whole Wheat Flour
1 cup Brown Sugar
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Ground Cinnamon

Mix dry ingredients together.

2 cups Buttermilk
2 tsp. Vanilla Extract

Mix wet ingredients together and add to dry ingredients. Stir to make a batter similar to pancake batter.

Line a large baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper. Pour batter onto the paper and spread evenly with a spatula. Bake at 350℉ for 20-25 minutes. Cool in pan for 10 minutes then remove to finish cooling on wire racks.

Break half of the “cake” into chunks and pulse in a food processor till you get the consistency of Grape Nuts. Line the baking sheet with another piece of parchment or waxed paper and spread the crumbs around into an even layer. Place in a 275℉ oven. Take them out every 10-15 minutes to stir them around. It will take about 45 minutes to toast them till they’re dry if you live in a humid area like WV. Let them cool and place in a large bowl. Repeat with the other half of the “cake”. Once the other half is finished and cooled, place the entire batch into an airtight container to store in your pantry. Serve as a topping for yoghurt or ice cream. Use as a crunchy sweet addition to a salad. Or eat as cereal just like the Grape Nuts in the box. This tastes SO much better than the store bought variety!

So, there’s my Feel Good Friday suggestion...bake up some homemade Grape Nuts! Easy peasy and it feels good to make something wholesome like the hippie mama I used to be!

❤️

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV

Day 32: The 24 Hour Vacation and Feel Good Friday

Fri, 17 Apr 2020 01:30:00 -0600

Quintessential spring...a robin’s nest with two sky blue eggs.

We were supposed to leave today for the Outer Banks. For most people, this is a disappointment and an inconvenience to reschedule. For Mr. FixIt, it’s really hard to take. He has been going to the OBX every year since he was five...except for one. The Outer Banks is, obviously, his favorite place in the whole world. He has been uber excited ever since we got the the time share there. It meant we had a great place to stay and it’s booked the same time every year.

A Jenny Wren’s nest is distinctively filled with dried moss.

Except this year. He understands why. And he agrees it’s necessary. It’s just not any fun to have to give up everything. It’s small potatoes to what a lot of people are giving up. I’m trying to come up with special things to help him feel a little less trapped in one place, so we went to the farm to stay the night. We mowed on Wednesday, then just sat back and enjoyed the atmosphere.

Moss grows all over everything in West Virginia. It’s lush and green like a rainforest here.

It is SO incredibly quiet out there. The spring flowers are beginning to peek out. As I was riding the mower over the lawn, I continually apologized to my grandma in a running commentary in my head. Ohhhh, she would have been so upset that we mowed the lawn while the Johnny Jump-ups were still showing their pretty little purple faces. She made my Uncle Bob wait till they were gone before you could mow. I’ll bet this is the earliest that lawn has ever been cut.

Little Fiddlehead Ferns uncurling in the morning sun.

I made a country breakfast yesterday in Grandma’s kitchen. We had hominy, bacon, eggs and toast. Have you all had fried hominy? Do you even know what hominy is? Hominy is made from dried whole corn kernels that have been soaked in lye to soften the hard outer hulls. Then the kernels are rinsed well and cooked like beans. I have never made them from scratch. I’ve always bought them in a can. I drain them and fry them in some butter or a little bacon grease.

The view from the back of the barn.

I had some thin crispy bacon and fried eggs ready when the hominy was done. I like to mix mine all together. Mr. FixIt likes to eat them separately using the hominy like fried potatoes. It doesn’t matter how you served them...they’re delicious!

My ‘67 Franklin...one of these years I just KNOW I’ll get her fixed up!

After breakfast, I grabbed my second cup of coffee and headed outside for a walkabout to see what’s blooming. Moss grows over everything here because of the moisture and the shady holler. There aren’t a whole lot of wildflowers out yet. There are still a few fiddleheads coming up. I thought I found the asparagus, but the lookalike shoots I found were milkweed. I read that you can eat them, but I would prefer to leave them for the monarch butterflies.

Giant Snowdrops have bloomed at the front corner of Grandma’s house for as long as I can remember.

While I was in the garden, I got a closer look at the cherry blossoms. They don’t look like they got nipped too bad from the frosts we’ve been getting. As I was walking back up to the house, I passed the big rhododendron and startled a robin from her nest. I got up high and zoomed my lens in to peek in the nest without disturbing it and there were two sky blue eggs in it! When we were replacing the tarp on the ‘67 Franklin on Wednesday evening, I uncovered an old Jenny Wren nest on top of the air conditioner. It was abandoned so I removed it and look a picture of it. Their nests are distinctive because of all the moss they use to construct them.

Cherry blossoms over by the garden. I used to hear stories about where these cherry trees came from, but I’ve forgotten. I have to remember to ask my uncle.

When we finally wrapped up all the chores at the farm, we headed back home. As soon as Mr. FixIt unloaded the riding mower, I mowed both big fields before it got too dark and cold. I noticed there towards the end that my shoe was wet. When I pulled the tractor up to the garage, Mr. FixIt flagged me down. It turned out the dipstick for the oil had loosened and oil was spattering all over my leg and shoe. I had to go in and strip just inside the door to keep from tracking oil through the house and jump in the shower. What a mess!

Country living...it’s a peaceful life, but the work is never, ever done. I wouldn’t trade it to live back in the city for any amount of money. I’d much rather have deer and possum for neighbors. And I wouldn’t trade Mr. FixIt for anyone to quarantine with!

Oh, and today is “Feel Good Friday”. What good news do you have to share this week?

❤️

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”
Proverbs 4:23 ESV

Day 31: The Redbud and Dogwood are Blooming!

Thu, 16 Apr 2020 01:30:00 -0600

The redbud are blooming!!!

Mr. FixIt and I have been watching the weather reports very carefully the last week. We needed to get out to the farm to mow so we have been waiting for a dry, sunny day. Yesterday and today both were forecast to be beautiful, but...there was a 60% chance of rain last night. The ground at the farm is very soft and since it’s in a holler, it just doesn’t dry out very well. A heavy riding mower could easily tear up the lawn if we weren’t careful so we decided to go yesterday.

The wispy purple-pink of redbud are so ethereal mixed with the spring green. One of my favorite color combos.

As I was gathering things up to leave, I asked Mr. FixIt if he would like to go spend the night at the farm since we were going out anyway. This coming weekend is when we were supposed to go to the beach, so we have both been feeling the disappointment of changed plans. This would be a nice little getaway and feel like at least we saw something other than our own four walls.

The first mowing of the spring out at the farm.

As soon as we drove into the driveway, we saw the tarp on the vintage camper had been ripped off in the wind. We knew we needed to get that fixed as soon as possible so we quickly got the lawn mowed then headed to the closest town with a hardware store to buy a tarp. The drive there was stunning. The sun was shining. It was just warm enough to have the windows open and the wind blowing through our hair. On the way home, we stopped to pick up a pie and ice cream for dessert. I also finally had the opportunity to snag a shot of this really cool dry-stacked rock wall I’ve been eyeing for the last couple of years.

I think this big pine is going to have to come down before too long. It keeps leaning out over the yard.

Every time I had the opportunity, I stopped and took photos. After Mr. Virgo died, I realized I only had a handful of photos of him. He was always the photographer so we didn’t get many pictures of him. I’ll never make that mistake again. Now I take pictures of everything and everyone. I have hundreds of photos of Mr. FixIt and since I’m taking photos of him, I end up taking pictures of a lot of other things, too.

I drive past this dry-stack rock wall frequently and finally got a picture of it.

We have a lot of cherry blossoms. Now if we could just keep the birds out when they’re ripe in order to actually have some for pies.

One of my friends from Grandma’s church posted a picture of a batch of Redbud Jelly. Unfortunately, I don’t have the stuff to make it at the moment, but I’ll have it for next spring!

Stacie says it’s really easy to make and has such a delicate taste. And, my oh my...isn’t it just beautiful? I’m thinking Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits and Redbud Jelly are definitely on the menu for Spring 2021!

Here’s the picture of Stacie’s jelly and the recipe she sent me:

Stacie’s Redbud Jelly. It’s as pretty as a picture!

I hope you are finding things to look forward to today. When we were at the hardware store yesterday, we bought seeds to plant green beans. The last three springs, the rabbits have eaten them. Now that we have Pumpkin the Guard Cat...we haven’t had any bunnies in the yard so maybe we will have beans this year!

❤️

“Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.””
Hosea 6:3 ESV

Day 24: Getting My Mojo Back

Thu, 09 Apr 2020 01:30:00 -0600

This isn’t my photo...I’ve only capture lightning once in a photo. I do love lightning storms!

The phone rang at 4:00 yesterday morning. We both jumped up...hearts in our throats. No good news comes at 4:00am. It was my stepson calling to tell his dad he’d better go downstairs and make sure the sump pump was plugged in because a big storm was coming. Within minutes, the wind picked up and the rain started pelting the house. Flashes of lightning were near constant and the crash of thunder set your teeth on edge. I reached down and unplugged my phone and iPad. Priorities, you know.

The storm didn’t last more than thirty minutes and Mr. FixIt went back to sleep. I, however, could not. The dawn was just beginning to show a pale pink glow when I was finally able to drift off and get a few more hours of sleep. After breakfast, I needed to tackle the kitchen. With all the pans and things I brought home from the farm, I needed to get the counters cleared off and get things organized. The thing is...this was sort of the tipping point that thrust me into a deep cleaning and purging of the dreaded pantry.

It is both a blessing and a curse to have a big pantry to store food in. The blessing is having plenty of food. The curse is keeping on top of it and rotating your stock. If you aren’t careful, things keep getting shoved into the back and the newer stuff sits up front. What is out of sight truly is out of mind, unfortunately.

Mr. FixIt and I have had this conversation several times. I’ve wanted to throw something out because it’s out of date and he informs me expiration dates are merely a guideline. As I started in on the kitchen yesterday, he went in and stretched out in his recliner and was soon sound asleep. I saw my window of opportunity and took it. I’m embarrassed to say, I took out SIX garbage bags of stuff out of that pantry...including a small tin of oysters from 2006!

I finally quit for the day and still have the bottom shelf to go. We had an errand we had to run so when we were in town, we picked up our utility trailer from a friend’s house and brought it home. I was putting the milk in the fridge when I turned around to see Mr. FixIt admiring the freshly organized pantry.

“Nice job, babe!”

One thing we ALWAYS do is admire what the other accomplishes. It’s important to say thank you, even when it’s something that needed to be done. Even when you’ve done it a hundred times. It is always important to feel appreciated. I smiled and gave him a squeeze and looked at my handiwork. That’s one nice looking pantry. I’ll tackle the rest of it today.

❤️

“But all things should be done decently and in order.”
1 Corinthians 14:40 ESV

Day 23: A Moment of Peace

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 01:30:00 -0600

“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."”
‭‭John‬ ‭3:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I slept a deep and dreamless sleep at the farm. I went to sleep with the sounds of owls and the occasional night bird. I awoke to the sun striking the the tippy top of the far ridge, the glorious choir of songbirds echoing down the holler from the woods above. What little bit of spring rain we’ve had trickled quietly in the creek outside the bedroom window I had propped open with an old bottle. My breathing was steady...my heartbeat was slow. I was feeling quite zen in the moment.

I stretched and yawned and gazed out the window, then I received an alert on my phone. My brother/friend Greg was texting from Costa Rica.

“Hey...wish me happy birthday, sis!”

OMGosh! Why wasn’t his birthday on my calendar? I’m challenged in this area. I sat up, pulled the covers up around my chin, brushed my hair back, and hit the little camera icon. I have never tried a video chat on Instagram before, but there is a first time for everything, right? After three rings, there he was. My curly-haired buddy with the sparkling blue eyes...retired attorney, world traveler, born in the same hospital as me and delivered by the same doctor. We grew up right across the Ohio River from each other but didn’t meet until 2002 at a board meeting in New Castle, Colorado. Go figure.

His gap-toothed smile is charming, his innocent youthfulness belies his age. Greg is truthfully the little brother I never had. I adore my older brother. I didn’t get to do the things with him some sisters do. He didn’t play football and look out for his little sister. He didn’t reluctantly drive me to school or protect me from boys he didn’t approve of. My older brother was born with a developmental disability and cerebral palsy. I would never trade him for anything in the world. I was HIS protector, so God sent me Greg to do the other stuff.

When Mr. Virgo died and I returned from my three month excursion in the wilderness and backroads of Colorado, I couldn’t sleep in my house. I didn’t want to sleep in my bed...our bed. So I kept Little TOW-Wanda out front, plugged in, and essentially lived out there till I finally had to park her in storage for the winter. Greg and I were both night owls. If he saw me online at some ungodly hour, he sent me a text to see if I was ok. I can’t tell you how many times he walked the six or seven blocks from his house to mine at 2:00 in the morning to just sit with me in my camper.

We propped pillows up at each end of my bed, he at one end...me at the other. It was getting chilly so we threw a quilt over our legs. Sometimes we listened to music. Sometimes we shared pictures on our phones. Sometimes I cried and he sat quietly and listened. He’s a good brother...as much a brother as any. And I got to start my soft, zen-like day singing happy birthday to him and catch up with each other’s lives. It was delightful.

When we finally said goodbye, I padded into the kitchen to make my coffee, threw in another load of laundry, and sat in Grandma’s chair to watch the world play out in front of me. I took a deep breath. No television. No news. No “press conferences”. No updates. I could just as easily have been sitting in a cabin in the woods in 1886 as remote and distant the world felt. This is what I was talking about a couple of weeks ago when I posted on my personal FB page... “Should married couples socially distance from each other? (Asking for a friend.)” I was trying to be funny...sort of.

I love Mr. FixIt completely. AND...I know myself. I need a break away from time to time to recharge and catch my breath. I need to NOT hear a television for, at the very least...24 hours. I am a much happier person when I get these little breaks...and when I’m happier, Mr. FixIt can’t help but be happier, too. It doesn’t take long and we can’t stand being apart. But oh...that twenty-four hours is delicious.

Grandma’s Spirea

I finished my laundry and gathered some things up from the kitchen that I wanted to take home. The pots and pans I left at the farm are much nicer than the ones over at the house, so I gathered the good pans up to bring home with me. The next time we go back over, I’ll take the older pans from here and leave them at the farm. No one comes there but us, and we will do fine with them. I also brought my blender and my handheld KitchenAid mixer. Some knives and my wonderful crock with my spatulas and wooden spoons. And the red teakettle I bought a few years ago when I came back to the farm full time.

By the time I got the car packed up, it was nearly 3:00 in the afternoon. I drove home and mowed the back yard for Mr. FixIt. It was warm and sunny. When I was done, I stretched out on the bed in front of the fan for a power nap. We had supper and sat out on the deck under our new pergola and played with the cat.

For twenty-four hours, coronavirus was far away. Scary things were far away. Death and dying and illness were far away. I had the mental health break I needed and came back feeling stronger and more centered and rested. It’s important to take care of our mental health...always, but especially now.

What are you doing to help with your mental health? What are your self care rituals?

❤️

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
John 14:27 ESV

It’s a KISS Christmas - Keep it Simple, Santa!

Wed, 11 Dec 2019 02:30:37 -0600

“Simple and elegant…vintage Shiny Brite ornaments like these hang on our tree here at the Ponderosa”

Wait! How can it possibly be just two weeks till Christmas Day??? It seems like I was on the RPod Tour yesterday and now we are sliding into the home stretch and the year will be over. I went to the farm Monday midday to write. I fell asleep to the sound of rain on the tin roof. I couldn’t help it. Not only was it soothing, but it’s my happy place and I’ve been running around like crazy this year. I just enjoy it so much.

I woke up yesterday morning and looked at the weather reports. When I went to sleep it was 61℉ and raining. By morning they were predicting snow in the afternoon. I had limited groceries with me so I decided to pack up and head back to the Ponderosa. When I walked in, I heard the carpet shampooer running in the basement and that can only mean one thing. The basement flooded again. I went down and helped my sweet Mr. FixIt clean up the mess.

Once we got the worst of it done, I sat down to write. I have deadlines to meet every couple of weeks and I had a lot of work to do. Several hours later, I turned off the computer. I’ll finish this morning. Mr. FixIt baked some peanut butter cookies. We watched the news. We read the mail. We got our first Christmas cards yesterday. I haven’t even thought about doing ours yet. I haven’t gone Christmas shopping. I haven’t baked cookies or made special gifts. Nothing.

I used to feel really bad about myself if the holidays weren’t visions straight out of a Hallmark movie. I have SO gotten over that. The house is decorated…enough. Did I get the Christmas Village out on the dining room table? Nope. It’s ok. If my friends and family get a New Year’s letter from us, is it going to be the end of the world? Nope. It’s ok. If the kids get cash cards instead of intricately wrapped gifts, will it make the holidays any less bright? Nope. How about if I buy a store bought cheesecake instead of making fifteen dozen cookies…does it take anything away from our celebrations? No.

Because…all the decorations and the hoopla, the frenzy and the manic late nights aren’t what this holiday season is about anyway. It’s about love. And celebrating Jesus. And gathering the family and holding them close. I started a new Christmas tradition for Mr. FixIt and family when I came into the picture. I make a big pot of chili and homemade cinnamon rolls. It’s low key. We exchange modest gifts. And this year, we’re going to have a White Elephant gift exchange as a fun activity. If you’ve never done that, it’s a lot of fun. Here are the rules:

Each participant supplies one wrapped gift, usually of similar value. The gifts are placed in a central location, and participants determine in which order they will take turns selecting them. The first person opens a wrapped gift, and the turn ends. On subsequent turns, each person has the choice to either unwrap a new present or to steal another’s. When a person’s gift is stolen, that person can either choose another wrapped gift to open or can steal from another player. To avoid never-ending circles, each gift can only be stolen once per turn. The game is over when everyone has a present. Generally, it is recommended to have at least six participants for the gift exchange party. With a larger group, game play may be more protracted.

It’s a KISS Christmas…Keep it Simple, Santa!

❤️

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:21 NIV

The Ancient Ones

Tue, 30 Jul 2019 01:30:39 -0600

“Clockwise from Top Left: Long view from Mesa Verde, Cliff Palace through the binoculars, Serious Texas BBQ, Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde, Colorado”

When I was on my three month journey into the wilderness and backroads of Colorado after Mr. Virgo died, one of the places I visited was Mesa Verde. This is such a mystical, ancient place. Whenever I am here, I can feel this amazing energy and peacefulness. I truly love showing Mr. FixIt places that I have been. I love watching the awe on his face. The long views in the west are unlike anything we have back east. He keeps saying how glad he is that he has his own personal tour guide!

We sat in the parking lot and ate fresh fruit for lunch. OMGosh! The black plums are exquisite! And the red grapes were perfection!

I was thrilled to find a very reasonably priced motel last night. $89 plus taxes and fees. It’s one of the cheapest we have found. And, I could hardly wait to go to Seriously Texas BBQ for dinner. I make great ribs. These are better! Durango is a pretty little college town. We parked and watched the Durango Silverton Train come back into the station. It was a really great day!

Today we head to Ridgway and we’re staying a couple of days with friends. It’s going to be a relaxing couple of days leading up to the wedding festivities!!!

❤️

“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:14 NIV

The Deep South

Sat, 22 Jun 2019 01:30:57 -0600

“A canopy of live oak lines a stately boulevard in the equestrian city of Aiken, South Carolina.”

I don’t know if y’all consider South Carolina to be the “Deep South” or not, but I do. Anything south of the Mason Dixon line is Deep South to me. I love the south. Southern hospitality, amazing architecture and delicious taste sensations await you in the south. When you can sit and get as much moisture off the outside of a cold glass of iced tea as there is liquid inside…you are celebrating the Summer Solstice in the Carolinas.

When we left the condo yesterday morning, we made a bee line for St. Augustine where I met up with my longest long-time friend…my sister of another mother…my partner in crime…mi amiga who would open a can of whoop a** on anyone who ever did me wrong….THAT friend. We jumped out of our cars and ran into each other’s arms. We haven’t seen each other since my mom died fifteen years ago and our reunion has been long overdue.

We crammed a lot into the following two and a half hours till we finally had to kiss and hug over the car door for another half hour. That’s a southern thing…the long front porch goodbye then the longer driveway goodbye. We finally tore ourselves away and headed for Aiken, South Carolina.

My dear friend Deneene and her husband Mark got married this spring and we were unable to attend because we were away at the OBX. We had never been to their home nor had we met the newest member of the family…a lovely blue-grey French bulldog named Griffen. Shortly after we arrived, we went to visit Mary…a Sister on the Fly I met in Nashville four years ago at the Country Living Fair. Deneene and Mary met here and somehow I came up in the conversation and they both knew me. Small world.

We went on a “windshield tour” of Aiken and saw much of the equestrian facilities. We drove around and ogled the stately homes along wide boulevards connected by tunnels of live oak dripping with Spanish moss. The air was sticky and hot and we soon found ourselves at Deneene and Mark’s favorite ice cream parlor. I had a blackberry ice cream that made me swoon, it was so good.

I caught this picture of the lovely old live oak canopy. Mark stopped and let me out so I could patiently wait for the traffic to subside in order to get as unobstructed a view as possible. I stood in the middle of the street and marveled at the view. The story is, a physician used to drive his horse and carriage up this boulevard to and from his rounds. His wife felt so sorry for him in the scorching Carolina sunshine so she had these live oak trees planted to provide him shade.

It was a lovely day and evening. Old friends are the touchstones we have with our former selves. Love knows no distance. Nor does it know time. Each visit picked up right where we left off the last time. You almost feel like, “So, anyway…as I was saying…” And they totally know what you’re talking about. That’s a GOOD friend…a dear friend…an honest and true friend.

What an incredible honor it is to have friends like that.

Today we head on home. It will be at least a ten hour day. I knitted all day yesterday. I can’t ask Mr. FixIt to do all the driving today though. I have to do my share. But I do so love to knit while we drive. We have periods of animated conversations. And, we have periods of companionable silence. We are great travel companions, come to find out.

❤️

“Again the watchman reported, "He reached them, but he is not coming back. And the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives furiously."”
2 Kings 9:20 ESV

A Quiet Place

Wed, 15 May 2019 01:30:15 -0600

“Living in a quiet place fills me with peace and gratitude.”

Mr. FixIt had to go help his friend move some things in town yesterday so I hung out at home and “pretend camped”. I piddled around in the camper most of the day. I cleaned up and put things away. I swept and washed the floors and emptied the trash. I wiped things down and stripped the bed. While I was taking off the comforter, I noticed it was damp up by the front wall towards the driver’s side. A leak!

It didn’t leak when I was parked at the campground and we had some pretty heavy rain. This leak came when I was driving through torrential rain on Monday so it has to be either around the window or something at the edge. I happily discovered the bed raises up with pneumatic lifters so I could get under there and have a good look. There were no wet places on the flooring under the bed or in any of the compartments. So I’ll have to look some more.

While I was in under the bed, I got a good look at the water system. Mr. FixIt helped me and we could not figure out why the pump won’t build up pressure and shut off. Again…more investigation is needed. In the meantime, if I can flush the commode and wash my hands and the dishes, I’m not too concerned about the rest of it. Just about every place I plan to camp will have electric and if it’s cold, I have either the electric blanket or the little space heater to keep me warm.

When Mr. FixIt got home, he staked up the tomatoes. Something happened to one of the plants. It’s just gone. The rest look good though. And the beans are coming up much better than last year. I still have a bunch of food in the refrigerator in the camper so I fixed us some supper and we sat at the dinette and ate. That made me smile.

After supper, we went for a quick walk down the road. There’s been some activity on the property next door so we moseyed over to see what’s going on. They are clearing the lot so maybe we’re getting neighbors. We don’t have neighbors within sight of the house so this is something very new for Mr. FixIt. He’s lived here over 40 years.

When we were walking back down the road, holding hands, I looked out over our field and smiled. All of my life I’ve wanted to live on five acres. And here we are! I looked around and thought of all the things I would have liked to have on these five acres over the years. A barn with maybe some animals…a cow for milk and butter, some chickens, maybe a couple of goats or sheep. A big garden. Some fruit trees. I sure would have done more with this than five acres of lawn to mow. And now?

I never say it’s too late to do something. But my priorities have changed. We like to travel and we’re going to be too old before too long to maintain that level of farming. No…we’re looking at simplifying now. But it’s nice to dream about what we might have done, had we been together when we were younger.

This is our little slice of heaven, and so is the farm. When we got back from our walk, I jumped on the riding mower and mowed till it was almost too dark to see. I watched Mr. FixIt with the push mower in the fenced yard. I watched how the mower took the curves of the field and turned them into the swirly rows of a contemporary quilt. I watch the old yellow cat sitting at the edge of the field, eyeing me to see if I was going to sacrifice another turtle for him. Thankfully, I did not. I noticed the petals of the poplar blooms fallen as I mowed over them. I watched the robins swoop in to get the bugs the mower stirred up. I took a deep breath of new mown grass. And…I smiled.

❤️

“He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” Psalm 18:19 NIV

Camp Hair...Don’t Care!

Mon, 13 May 2019 01:30:38 -0600

“Images from camp…The Three Amigas (Gail, Janine, & Ginny), fishing, TOW-Wanda III, and ramp casserole in an iron skillet.”

OMGosh! Other than not having subzero temperatures, this week has been quite reminiscent of my first winter in TOW-Wanda Grande. I was parked up on the banks of the Ohio River with no running water. This state park has a few electric sites and I was lucky enough to get one. But, there’s no water at the sites. I had to rely on the freshwater tank for flushing the toilet and bottled water for drinking. Since I don’t have the propane system or the water heater checked out yet, I had to heat up water in the microwave or running it through the coffee pot for washing dishes or taking sponge baths. I am really looking forward to a proper shower when I get home today. I definitely have camp hair. And I definitely don’t care!

Everyone left yesterday and headed home. All except for me, that is. I already had last night reserved thinking at least someone would stay over. That’s ok, though. I used the day to do some writing I have a deadline for. Then I did a little knitting and watched old Andy Griffith reruns. All the kids either texted or called me for Mother’s Day which was so nice. Gail came back to the campground after dinner and brought me some homemade cream of broccoli soup. It was a really good day.

Gail and I are cohosting a Girl Camper event next month at Blackwater Falls so now I can turn my attention to that. I ordered a floral canopy with matching chairs to set up at that outing to give people a place to sit when they come to visit. When you have a campout with a group of Girl Campers, everyone wants to see inside each other’s trailers so we usually have a little snack out or a cocktail to share with guests.

The gal who camped right across from me this time had her little camper all decked out on the inside like a vintage one, but it was brand new. She used her grandmother’s quilt to cover the seat cushions and had her mother’s 25th anniversary silver tea set on display. She made banners for each window from embroidered linens. It was absolutely darling. When her husband peeked in to see what she had done to the inside he said, “Really? Really??? You had to do all PINK?” She created a grey interior for him and switches it out. That seems like a lot of work to me, but as long as the hubs is happy.

So, today I pack it up and head home. I can’t wait to see my Mr. FixIt and give him a squeeze. He sent me a picture of the garden and the beans are all up. He’s been spreading the rabbit repellent and so far, so good! They haven’t eaten any of the young plants.

Hope you have a Happy Monday!

❤️

““All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the Lord has commanded:” Exodus 35:10 NIV

My View

Fri, 10 May 2019 01:30:03 -0600

“Oh, how I have missed the big picture window over the bed!”

The thing I have missed the most since I bought TOW-Wanda Grande was the window over the bed. Propping up on pillows with a cup of coffee in the morning and looking out on the sunrise is priceless. And now, I have that back. The other things are the windows at the head and foot of my bed. The windows in TOW-Wanda Grande don’t open very wide and you really don’t get a good breeze. I love having that window open over my head and feeling the cool evening breeze wash over me. It’s also nice to hear the night sounds of frogs and crickets and whatever fauna is lurking around in the dark.

The more I stay in this little camper, the more I absolutely love it. I did have a little problem. I noticed a trail of little black ants making their way up to the cabinet over the refrigerator on Wednesday night. By yesterday morning, there was an army. I opened the cabinet and took all the food out and discovered they had found an open packet of Club Crackers in a box. How can they find this stuff?

I pulled everything out and sprayed with a botanical ant killer and they were soon gone. It seems ants have been terrible this year everywhere. We are having a huge problem with them at the Ponderosa.

Other than that, and the bed being a tad bit firm for my liking, my heart just sings in this little tiny, tiny home on wheels.

More girls are arriving daily and I believe all should be here by this evening. We have been knitting and talking and eating and napping. Oh, and having campfires. Gail has this new thing she bought called the SoloStove. It looked similar to the tub out of a washing machine and when you burn wood, it doesn’t smoke. You can still smell a wood fire, but just enough that it’s pleasant and it doesn’t choke the life out of you. Life doesn’t get much better than that!

❤️

“A friend loves at all times...” Proverbs 17:17 NIV

Camping With the Girls

Thu, 09 May 2019 01:30:29 -0600

“The sun sets on another fun day camping with the Girl Campers.”

There is something special about camping with a bunch of gals. In ancient times, women gathered at the well when they went to fetch water. Farm women gathered at the Grange or at barn raisings, or when babies were born. Quilting Bees and Afternoon Teas. Women have always wanted/needed the company of other women.

When I was much younger, I got along with men better than women. I found women to be gossipy or competitive…neither of which were appealing. However, since Mr. Virgo died, I have learned to appreciate my fellow females. Especially when we are sitting around a campfire or under a pavilion on a rainy afternoon.

My favorite campouts always include an afternoon siesta. Lots of talk time and knitting. Catching up with people to find out what’s been going on in their lives. When you come to a camping event that occurs once to twice a year, that may be the only time to get to see these women and they become good friends. Lifelong friends.

I came back over to the camper after supper last night and caught the sun just before it dipped below the horizon. I thought it was lovely how the light changed to a golden green glow. These are the moments that make me remember why I bought my first camper. I want to do this as long as I am able.

Oh, yes…I love camping with Mr. FixIt. But, there’s just something special about camping with a bunch of gals.

❤️

“O God, to the farthest corners of the planet people will stand in awe, startled and stunned by your signs and wonders. Sunrise brilliance and sunset beauty both take turns singing their songs of joy to you.”
Psalms 65:8 TPT

A Trip for Tomatoes

Thu, 02 May 2019 01:30:07 -0600

“Shari Sims and her precious pooch greet customers at Sims Greenhouse in Palestine, WV”

Twenty-eight years ago, Shari Sims and her husband opened a little greenhouse in Palestine, WV. It’s a tiny little blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town on the quintessential two-lane blacktop way out in the country but you’d never know it from the looks of the enterprise they’ve got going now. I counted at least four greenhouses filled to the brim with the most gorgeous flowers and vegetables.

“I love the colors of succulents…so soft and soothing.”

We browsed through the many varieties of tomato plants and chose ten. Several of them were at least two feet tall and already have tomatoes set on. $14.00 for all of them! I couldn’t believe it. They also sell wholesale to businesses. We visited with several people as we looked around in the various greenhouses. Shari’s son is soon graduating and has taken an interest in the plant business and runs a separate greenhouse that raises lettuces. I’m really looking forward to that when he opens.

Sims Greenhouse, 7460 Palestine Road, Palestine, WV ( out Rt. 14 past Elizabeth)

“Rows and rows of the most beautiful hanging baskets and the heady aroma of petunias…enough to make you swoon!”

As we were on our way home, I asked Mr. FixIt to drop me off at the little quilt shop that opened this winter. I have decided to make my daughter and her fiancée a quilt for their wedding gift. I can sew it when I’m with the Girl Campers next week. It’s just going to be quick with 9.5” squares in shades of purple and green…their colors for the wedding.

“Moss baskets add a lovely texture”

I have to tell you…I felt so much better yesterday. We watched the evening news last night and they said I-70 from Pittsburg to St. Louis is going to be under severe weather warnings and that’s exactly where we would have been today if I hadn’t listened to that still, small voice guiding me to stay home.

I worked on the camper this afternoon and have it about two-thirds ready. The issues with the propane and the water heater won’t be fixed before I go, but it’s going to be fine. I have dry-camped many, many times. I have electric at my site and a microwave. I can heat up water that way and wash my hair and “bathe”.

It was really hot and humid here yesterday but we are expecting thunderstorms the next couple of days. It was 89 degrees here yesterday afternoon! May can still have some chilly days so I don’t think we’ve hit “summer” weather yet. But, my oh my….it is SO beautiful here this time of year!

❤️

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;” Proverbs 3:5 NIV

Home, Sweet Home

Sun, 28 Apr 2019 01:30:14 -0600

“Home, Sweet Home…West Virginia!”

I keep forgetting what a long drive that is coming back from the beach in one day. Twelve hours. And that’s not dilly-dallying around, either. Potty breaks only. It rained the last hour and I-77 is under perpetual repair so that slowed us down a bit. It was in the low 50’s when we got home which was a darned sight cooler than the beach was, but we were so grateful for God’s travel mercies. We only saw a couple of minor accidents on the way home. It was such a wonderful trip.

When you get home like that, the last thing you want to do is empty the truck, but we did anyway. It’s almost all put away.

We sprayed for ants before we left and there were just a few sighted. Nothing like before we left. And there was NO WATER in the basement! I prayed hard for that one. TRULY the very last thing you want to do when you get home from a long trip is to suction water out of a soggy basement. Oh, and the grass is nearly a foot deep in places! We mowed the day before we left. Oy!

“Redbud are still blooming on top of the mountains in West Virginia!”

So…we are home safe, suntanned, and very tired. I’ll leave you early with some photos of the day. The dogwoods are in full bloom. The redbud are past their prime except for the top of the mountains. I caught this one at the West Virginia Welcome Center on I-64. The Welcome to West Virginia sign is always a beautiful sight, even though it signals there are still at least three and a half hours of driving left!

“The dogwood trees are in full bloom and are like little fairies in the woods.”

I would like to take this opportunity and congratulate my dear friend Deneene on her marriage to her sweet Mark yesterday. It was an intimate family-only affair but I got to see it on FB Live. Unfortunately, we will be unable to attend their open house in South Carolina next weekend as we will be watching my niece graduate from college in Indiana. I had the honor of walking with Deneene in her early grief and have watched her heart heal and expand to include new love. Congratulations, my sweet friends! I love you and miss you so!

Happy Sunday…can’t wait to get to church!

❤️

“If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
Psalm 139:9-10 NIV

Goodbye...For Now

Sat, 27 Apr 2019 01:30:17 -0600

“Best Friends”

Goodbyes are so hard…especially since losing Mr. Virgo. My world perspective has forever changed and grief has colored every thought since that fateful day. I am so aware of how tenuous life is and how strong the bonds between us and those we hold most dear.

Today we have to say so long to our dearest family/friends as they head back home to Colorado and we head back home to the Ponderosa. We have had such a delightful week. The weather seriously couldn’t have been more perfect. Our first morning here dawned sunny and gorgeous and remained the same the entire week until a band of severe thunder storms came through last evening. It rained hard into the night and brought cooler temperatures but today is supposed to be sunny with a high around 70 so it will be perfect traveling weather.

While grief and death are not in the forefront of my thoughts anymore, there are certain things that have changed because of my loss. Now, when I see a scene, I see it through the eyes of a widow and know the scenes I wish I had pictures of. As we watched the sunset in a quiet cove along the sound in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore the other night, I looked back. I noticed Ben & Sue turn to take in the last of the golden light as the sun dipped below the horizon over the glassy surface of the water. I smiled as Sue reached for Ben’s hand and I reached for my cell phone to snap this picture. I added the location and date and sent it to her.

We do not know when our time will come, but we do know statistically that women outlive their husbands. When Mr. Virgo died, I really had fewer photos of him than I thought. I wanted to make sure Ben & Sue had all the special events of the week recorded for posterity.

As we drove down to the beach last weekend, I kept thinking…”It’ll be over in an instant and we’ll be driving back home.” And, here we are. But…oh, my. We made some beautiful memories together this week and I will cherish this time together for the rest of my life.

❤️

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” Psalm 133:1 NIV

Oh...Oh...OBX!

Fri, 26 Apr 2019 01:30:47 -0600

“Is there anything better than spending time with loved ones?”

This has been the BEST week! The weather has been amazing. The company SO much fun. And the food has been divine. The only thing that could have made it better would be if ALL the family could be here.

We started out with a hearty breakfast. I had a box of matzoh leftover from the Seder demonstration at church group the other night and brought it along. My very favorite Passover breakfast is Matzoh Brei. You take the sheets of matzoh and crumble them up. Pour enough hot water over them to cover them and let them sit for a while. Then you squeeze the water out of them and place the wet matzoh in another bowl. Beat three or four eggs with some cinnamon, a dash of salt, and a little vanilla extract together then pour it over the wet matzoh and stir till you get a thick batter. Drop 3/4 of a cup of the thick batter on a hot oiled griddle and cook till browned and set in the middle. Serve with butter and syrup like pancakes. Yummm!

We all gathered our things and headed to the beach. Sue and I walked for a while and the guys fished. Mr. FixIt let me cast for him once. We got out the umbrellas and sat for a long time watching a school of dolphins playing in the surf not too far from the shore. Just when we thought it couldn’t get any cooler, we saw the blowing mist from a small humpback whale that breached and showed his beautiful tail fin as he dove back into the sea. OMGosh! That was SO exciting. The guys never got a nibble while we were there so Sue and I decided to head to the indoor pool and exercise. We did some stretches and water aerobics moves till we were tuckered out and headed for the condo.

After our showers, the boys come in with stories and pictures of all the fish they caught AFTER we left! Skates, shark, drum, croaker…they were busy but as always, practiced catch and release. It is the sport that is fun…not the killing.

Once we were all cleaned up, Mr. FixIt hunted up a restaurant that served scallops as that is Ben’s all-time favorite. We discovered Henry’s in Kill Devil Hills and it did not disappoint! I had the best coconut shrimp. Sue had a blackened tuna steak and the boys both had scallops. The hush puppies were really good. We were all too stuffed to order a rich dessert. We stopped at the Ben Franklin store for souvenirs for the grandchildren and Walmart for milk and we were done for the day!

As Sue and I were splashing around in the pool in the afternoon, I shared a concern that’s been bugging me just a little. My younger daughter is getting married in August and I am heavier than I wanted to be. I still have some time to lose weight, but that’s not the point. I’m self-conscious because my ex-husband will see me as fat. It’s ridiculous that I should even let that thought in, but there it sits. Sue has known me through thick and thin since my older daughter started dating her older son. We talked about it as we bounced around in the water with our ample sixty-something tummies and laughed at how silly we can still be, even when we KNOW it doesn’t mean diddly squat what others (ESPECIALLY ex-husbands) think! We talked about dressing strategies and letting go of the rest.

This has been an excellent week for me…just what I needed. A week of fun and sun, sand and surf, and lots of love. My best champions are with me this week and I feel surrounded by their love and care. As Ben & Sue head off to the airport tomorrow, Mr. FixIt and I will drive home to the Ponderosa for a few days of mowing before we pack up the new camper and head out on her maiden voyage to Indiana!

My heart is so full!

❤️

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
Colossians 3:15 NIV

The Tourists

Thu, 25 Apr 2019 01:30:07 -0600

“A day in the life of an OBX tourist.”

It is so much fun to see a place through new eyes. Although this is only my fourth trip to the OBX, I’ve seen all the sights multiple times. Sharing them with some of my Colorado family has been such a joy.

Yesterday, we took off a little earlier than usual, picked up a quick breakfast at McDonald’s, stopped to buy some cold medicine to keep me upright, and headed to the Elizabethan Gardens over on Roanoke Island. I think that is one of my very favorite places on the OBX. It’s only a mile around the gardens, but there is so much to see. It’s also interesting to compare one year to the next as far as the bloom. Last year we were at the peak of the camellia bloom and this year we were just past. Some of the trees had already lost all their blossoms. Many of the azaleas were just past their prime as well this year but there were a few rhododendron in full bloom which is such a treat. The gardens need about fifty more gardeners to clean up the winter detritus but other than that, it was gorgeous. And, it was a glorious day! About 78 degrees with a nice breeze off the sound. Such a treat!

The next stop was the aquarium where we slowly browsed our way through, reading the information placards and taking photos. We especially enjoyed the Turtle Hospital and the educational area where we petted the sting rays. Afterwards, we stopped at High Cotton for ribs, collard greens, slaw, hush puppies, and sweet tea. My favorite place but yesterday wasn’t my favorite visit there. I’m going to chalk that up to having a cold and my tastebuds were off.

After we returned to the condo and I took a quick nap, we high-tailed it over to the sound side to catch another beautiful sunset. Sitting on the deck of the Sunset Grille, a cold beverage in hand, my sweet man and two of my dearest friends in the world…it doesn’t get much better than this!

❤️

“He who made the Pleiades and Orion, who turns midnight into dawn and darkens day into night, who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out over the face of the land— the Lord is his name.” Amos 5:8 NIV

Hatteras National Seashore

Tue, 23 Apr 2019 01:30:31 -0600

“Sunset over Pemlico Sound”

The only thing more fun than exploring a new area is showing it off to friends who’ve never been there. This is my fourth trip to the Outer Banks. Mr. FixIt is sixty-seven and has only missed one year coming here. Some years he came here multiple times. Suffice it to say…this is a favorite destination.

We cooked a hearty breakfast yesterday and then headed out to explore. The first stop was the Wright Brothers National Monument. The new Visitor’s Center is open and very nice. We meandered through the exhibits and learned about the different phases of developing the first airplane. We saw the markers that indicated the length of the first few flights. The guys hiked up the mound to the monument and looked around.

We stopped at both the Bodie Island Lighthouse and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and explored. We found some really great pizza. We wandered around Hatteras Village and stopped for ice cream along the way back. We kept an eagle eye on the setting sun and slipped across to Pemlico Sound to an abandoned campground. We sat on old, weathered picnic tables and endured a swarm of gnats and the occasional mosquito in order to watch another beautiful Carolina sunset.

We got back to the condo long after dark. We drove through a thickening sea mist that settled over the island and made the windshield kind of greasy looking. It was another beautiful day spent with loved ones.

❤️

“So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:21 NIV

Easter Sunday

Sun, 21 Apr 2019 01:30:31 -0600

“The sunset over the Curratuck Sound:

I don’t know if it’s because I’m getting older…or maybe it’s gaining a deeper connection to God…but Easter this year seems to have a much, much deeper meaning for me than ever before. I have a close church family relationship…probably for the first time in my life. And I have Mr. FixIt and my bonus family to go to church with. Whatever the reason, this Easter is completely different…personal.

We arrived at the beach yesterday afternoon and did our obligatory stop at the grocery store. We weren’t at the condo more than half an hour when my son-in-law’s parents arrived. Oh, my…I love them dearly and was SO excited to see them. Ben & Sue are the salt of the earth. Good, hardworking people with great character and a terrific sense of humor. I’ve known them now since 1993 or so. I’ll tell you what…my daughter won the lottery when it comes to her husband and in-laws!

Sue and I never really talked about faith much till the last couple of years and it has been wonderful to share that part of myself with her. We have a lot of wonderful discussions and I am so happy to have them here with us this week.

We found a church right across the street that has an 11:00 service today so we won’t miss Easter.

May you all have a blessed Easter! And for my Jewish family and friends…Happy Passover!

❤️

“He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ”” Luke 24:6-7 NIV

Good Friday

Fri, 19 Apr 2019 01:30:21 -0600

“My grandma’s pretty posies…I love to visit them.”

I ran to the farm yesterday to pick up my laundry I left hanging to dry. I took a quick walkabout to see Grandma’s posies. She loved them so much and I always feel so close to her when I see them.

Grandma loved Easter time. Her flowers were beautiful and she almost always had all of her family together to go to church. I feel terrible that I won’t be attending church with the kids this weekend, but there is a church right across the road from the condo so we will still get to go to an Easter service.

The bags are packed. Going to the time share is much like camping…we take extra linens and pots and pans because the one’s there are somewhat lacking in substance. We also bring some dry goods with us because groceries down there are so expensive. So, the truck will be packed first thing in the morning and we’ll hit the road no later than 9:00.

Small group last night was wonderful. I talked to the girls about Passover and the rituals around the Seder meal. I brought some traditional foods for them to taste. They weren’t crazy about the gefilte fish!

Kathy spoke about Easter. She told how Jesus washed the feet of the Disciples. Then, she prepared a basin and pitcher of warm water and washed all of our feet. It was a humbling experience. When she was done, I stepped forward and invited her to sit so that I could wash hers. I followed her example and told her the beautiful attributes Jesus sees when He looks at her. I thanked her for being such a shining example of a humble servant for all of us to see. And I told her how much I dearly love her.

What a wonderful way to start out our week!

❤️

“It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John 13:1-17 NIV

Hummers!

Mon, 15 Apr 2019 01:30:16 -0600

“The hummingbirds are back!”

They’re baaaaaaack! I was stretched out in TOW-Wanda, relishing my very satisfying afternoon nap, when I turned over and gazed out this great big, beautiful front window at the stunning pink flowers on the shrub nearby. That’s when I saw her…a lovely iridescent hummingbird, hovering around the heady floral aroma…getting some much needed nourishment from her migration. My heart leapt for joy! I do so love this time of year…the day I get the taxes done for another year!

This time…I promise…THIS time I will keep my records straight. I will make sure enough is withheld for taxes. I will NOT put it off till the very last minute! I promise!

Yesterday was a coffee day for the girls from my class and it was such a beautiful day. So many of them couldn’t come for one reason or another and we missed them. Mr. FixIt came and met me at the local library and we sat down to get our taxes done. It went pretty fast because I had most everything completed the day before. We just tidied up loose ends and ended up filing jointly. It saved us some money.

When I finally hit “send” and the returns went flying through the wires on their way to the IRS, I breathed a HUGE sigh of relief. I turned to Mr. FixIt and said, “Steak! Give me steak! And a baked potato! And broccoli!!! He grinned ear to ear. He was just as glad to have the taxes over so he could get his wife back instead of Godzilla!

We hit traffic coming through town. It was the Easter Parade! I haven’t been to one of those in decades. I rolled the window down and heard the high school marching band going by. I could see them through a parking lot as I sat in traffic. Children rushing for thrown candy. Balloons being carried through the crowds. And finally…the Easter Bunny. It made me realize…since my littles are either too far away, or too big, or too little for the Easter Bunny, I hadn’t even given the furry guy much thought, even with all the store displays. Today after church, we are taking our great granddaughter to the mall to see the furry guy himself. Then I can give the baby her book…Baby’s First Book of Bible Stories. We bought it for her Baby Dedication and forgot to bring it with us. And, we won’t be here for Easter…we’ll be at the beach. There is a church right across the street from out condo so we can still go to services.

The steak was fabulous. Then we went to the park to walk. I couldn’t walk more than half a mile with this painful foot. I have an appointment Wednesday with the Orthopedist to determine what’s going on. I think it’s a Morton’s Neuroma. Let’s lay odds if I’m right or not.

We got home and I fell asleep in the camper…I really LOVE having a window open right above my head! Beautiful, beautiful day!

❤️

“I know every bird in the mountains...” Psalm 50:11 NIV

The Bodega

Sat, 23 Mar 2019 01:30:29 -0600

“Coffee at The Bodega”

I decided to treat myself yesterday and stopped in the brand new coffee house that just opened. The Bodega. In Spanish, bodega actually means grocery store. But a broader meaning is a meeting place where you get supplies. I knew when I walked into this sweet storefront…this wasn’t your average run-of-the-mill coffee house. There was something special going on here.

The atmosphere is soft, inviting, with a great big overstuffed sofa with a soft blanket and pillows. Next to it was a huge, supple leather chair. Small tables, fresh flowers, and a sort of fresh vintage farmhouse vibe made the place very comfortable. I ordered one of the homemade cinnamon rolls and a latte. Both were delicious. The staff were warm and inviting and are willing to accommodate the Coffee Divas when we gather for our monthly caffeine infusions.

As I sipped my latte, I caught the music overhead…worship music. I have been immersing myself in praise music lately. I find my spirit uplifted and my writing goes much more smoothly when I get into the Word and Praise more. Then, when I am actually writing, I listen to the Nature Sounds station on Pandora. If I listen to praise music while I write, all I want to do is sing!

The owner of the coffee shop was a missionary in Honduras for some time. While there, they had a gathering place where they received their marching orders for the day. They called it The Bodega because a lot of good things came into and went out of their doors. When she came back to the states, she took some time to heal and ponder how she could create such a place here. There are so many within the surrounding area who need loved on and lifted up.

After countless “what ifs” she decided to just go for it and jumped in with both feet and thus, The Bodega was born. The owner is looking forward to seeing what kind of great things God has in mind for this little oasis. And so am I.

❤️

“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15 NIV

A Night Out

Mon, 18 Mar 2019 01:30:21 -0600

“I love vintage embroidered linens.”

When we finally got home from town after church yesterday, I went out to TOW-Wanda and started getting her ready for the camping season. And, by getting her ready I mean I made the bed. And got in it. There’s nothing better than a good book in your camper on a Sunday afternoon. That, and a little snooze.

As I was getting the linens out to dress the bed, I came across these pillow cases. The blue and white one was purchased as part of a set made from antique German linens I purchased in Colorado in the ‘80s. The antique dealer had them embroidered…the pillow cases with the scroll embroidery and the shams with “Good Morning” and “Good Night”. I love this set and had forgotten the pillowcase had made it’s way into my camper at some point.

The other pillowcase is from a set I had my mom embroider when she came to Colorado one time. She used to embroider all the time and I loved the idea of having something she made to carry with me forever. It makes me smile and think of her.

I sent my manuscript to the proofreader last week. There were a few typos she highlighted for me. And, there were a couple of notes to areas that needed fleshing out in my book. She mentioned she wanted to know more about my mom and our relationship. When I curled up under the covers in TOW-Wanda yesterday, I thought of my mom…Wanda. I picked up my iPad and wrote more about this kind and loving soul who was my mother. She was one of a kind and I loved listening to the rain on the roof as I walked down memory lane with my mom.

Mother-daughter relationships can be tricky. My mom and I butted heads a lot. In all honesty, I was always a little too big for my britches, as my grandma would have put it. I was married to a doctor. I had a career in medicine. I had traveled a lot more and had lived in big cities. I fancied myself ever so much more sophisticated than my mom. It wasn’t until after the overdose that I realized what a horse’s patoot I had been to my poor mother. The only defense I have is the fact I was on Prozac for so many years and it changed my personality so that I really didn’t care much about others.

Fortunately, I got off all the meds and alcohol and grew up quite a bit so that my mom and I had a much better relationship the last few years of her life. It would have been so terribly sad if she would have died before we got to that point. She has been gone for 15 years now…so hard to believe. I am so happy I have tangible reminders of her and that I chose to keep them when I downsized. There are some things you just can’t get rid of and this pillowcase is one of them.

When Mr. FixIt came home, he came out and joined me in TOW-Wanda and we spent the night in the camper…our first night out for 2019. Maybe it’s not quite camping weather because they were predicting a bit of snow overnight, but we had plenty of cozy comforters and a furnace to keep us warm. Bring on the camping season!!!

❤️

““Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.””
Ephesians 6:2-3 NLT

Kiss Me...I’m 23% Irish!

Sun, 17 Mar 2019 01:30:33 -0600

“We’re all Irish on St. Paddy’s Day!”

According to my DNA test results, I am 23% Irish-Scottish. I wish I would have known this before Mr. Virgo died because he was a very, very proud Irish lad. I mean…McKinney, right? It doesn’t get much more Irish than that. He acted like he had a corner on the market when it came to Irish roots. He adored St. Patrick’s Day. Every year, we had corned beef and cabbage and fried apples for dinner. He stopped short of wearing green since he worked in 5-Star hotels and restaurants. He had a certain decorum about him. But, ohhhhhh, that was HIS holiday.

He called me the night of the 16th and said…”OMGosh! I forgot to buy green food coloring for the beer! You’ve got to go to the store for me!” Ok…every…stinking…year.

“Are you telling me you can’t think of this at least ONCE in the 364 days between the holidays?” I was always thunderstruck this incredibly organized VIRGO couldn’t seem to grasp that he was going to need green food coloring every year.

“Yes! Please…it’s 9:00! The stores are going to close soon…I need to bring it in with me in the morning. Get as many bottles as you can!”

sigh

“Ok, babe…I’ll do my best!”

We lived in a teeny little town with one grocery store. I rushed in and cornered the first grocery clerk I came to. “Quick! Green food coloring! I need ALL of your green food coloring!”

Do you have a picture in your mind of the look on her face?

“Ummmmmm, ok. It’s over here.”

Four little bottles. I bought them and tried to calculate if I could get to the next town in time before they closed so I could buy more when my better angels said, “Nahhhhh…that’s enough.”

Every year…same thing.

I was sitting in the pizza joint typing this the other night. I haven’t really felt Mr. Virgo around for quite awhile, but as I was in the middle of typing this story and literally laughing out loud…the radio overhead got really loud.

“At Last” by Etta James.

We danced our first dance to that song. I sat back and looked at the empty seat across the booth from me and smiled.

‘Are you here? Did you come to say hello? Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Mr. Virgo! I’m so glad you stopped by.’

❤️

“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:16 NIV

Heaven Sent

Fri, 15 Mar 2019 01:30:41 -0600

“I know it isn’t officially spring, but….this is good enough for me!”

Beware the Ides of March, they say. March 15th hasn’t always been my favorite day. For instance, this was the day Hubby #2 told me he wanted a divorce. Not one of my better days. This was also the day of Mr. Virgo’s viewing and Rosary which knocked all previous bad days out of the bad day competition up to that point. I think the 16th nudged ahead of that one.

Now though…now is different. Even though it’s not officially spring in West Virginia, you can’t tell Mother Nature that. Yesterday was stellar with a temp of 79 degrees at 4:00pm. After watching videos of the bomb cyclone that tore through Colorado on Wednesday, I was ever so grateful to sit in TOW-Wanda and write. The sounds of the peepers serenaded me as the stiff breezes rocked the camper gently. I even rubbed it in by video chatting with my favorite peeps in Denver and showed them the sunshine and open windows in my camper. Yeah…they don’t like me much right now….can’t understand why. insert eye-roll here

We all have good times and bad times in life that cycle up and down. I don’t forget the bad times. In the throes of acute grief, you honestly don’t believe you will ever feel joy again so it comes as a surprise when you first feel it. You even feel guilty because, after all, how can you possibly laugh when your person died? Eventually, one smile brings two. Laughter slowly replaces tears. Warm memories eventually move the pain of loss a little further back in your mind till eventually, even one day after the angelversary, you can feel the sun on your face and appreciate a warm spring day with undeniable joy in your heart.

Life is good. God is great. Spring is here. Joy abounds. Breathe. If these things aren’t here for you yet…hang on. They’re coming. ❤️

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Proverbs 17:22 NLT

My First Job

Sun, 10 Mar 2019 01:30:08 -0600

“McCrory’s Five & Dime in Downtown Parkersburg”

I got my first job when I was 16. My family didn’t have much money, and if I wanted to buy anything extra, I had to come up with a way to pay for it myself. I saved my babysitting money in a piggy bank. Then when I had a fair amount, I went to the bank and opened a savings account. Then I learned McCrory’s was looking for help with sales and stocking the store in the evenings after school. I walked downtown from my mom’s office and got the job.

I especially remember a beautiful jewelry box. My mom didn’t have nice things like fancy jewelry and the like, but what she did have…she treasured as if it were something from Tiffany’s. I wanted that jewelry box for my mom.

I knew that once the money went in my savings account, it was off limits for spending. That’s when I heard about The Christmas Club. If you went in to the bank and put in a dollar, you could open an account that basically just parked your money for you till the holidays. Then you withdrew all but a dollar and started over.

I put that jewelry box on layaway at McCrory’s and opened my Christmas Club account. I remember feeling SO grown up when I put money in my account and knew it was going to be something special for my mom. Every Saturday, my friends and I would take the City Bus downtown to walk around the stores. My first stop was the bank to put some money in my Christmas Club. Then we went to GC Murphy’s and I bought a 45RPM record and a small ball of angora yarn to wrap around my boyfriend’s ring to make it fit me. Then we would sit at the lunch counter and have a Cherry Coke and laugh and talk for a couple of hours.

Sometimes we would walk through Dils Brothers Department store. The front of the store had huge display windows that were tastefully decorated. We took the elevator up and down. There was a woman in a uniform who operated the elevator and called out each floor. Every once in a while, you heard a small soft chime overhead. I believe it was some sort of communication to the employees. None of us could afford to buy anything at Dils. We couldn’t afford Broida’s Stone & Thomas or Buttermore’s Jewelers either, but we walked around and pretended we could.

When the first of December came around, I went to the bank and cashed in my Christmas Club and bought my mom that jewelry box. She thought it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. I had enough money to buy her a bottle of Evening in Paris as well as some bath salts. I know I bought her gifts over the years, and as my financial situation improved, her gifts became more elaborate. But none were ever given, or received, with such pride as the ones I gave that Christmas from the first money I ever earned on my own…from McCrory’s Five and Dime. ❤️

“Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.” Proverbs 13:11 NIV

Feed Me!

Thu, 07 Mar 2019 02:30:52 -0600

“A redbird just makes my day!”

I fixed my coffee and sat down at Grandma’s window to read my morning devotions before I commenced editing the rough draft yesterday. A red flash caught my eye and I looked out to see a cardinal at the feeder. It didn’t take long for me to realize both feeders were empty. I set my coffee aside and dragged the big seed bin from the corner of the dining room out to the front door. I used to leave this bin out on the front porch till one day I noticed the lid was getting chewed up. I used a bungee cord to tie the lid down to keep the critters out but the raccoons were about to get in out of sheer persistence.

I quickly filled the feeders and was happy to get back inside out of the 17 degree chill. It was snowing to beat the band five minutes earlier, but now the sun was out. It left little warmth, unfortunately, but my…it did look pretty on that new snow. I dragged the seed bin back into the dining room and tucked it behind my chair and sat back down. In moments, Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal swooped back in, their feathers puffed up to trap air and keep them warm. They looked pretty fat and sassy, but I knew they appreciated breakfast.

I heated up my coffee.

I found myself wishing I had done more for Grandma when she lived here all those years after Pop-Pop died. Oh, I bought her a new stove once and a refrigerator. I talked to her on the phone one day and she was remarking how hot it was and her fan stopped working. I went online and ordered a fan and she received it the next day. She thought I was some kind of miracle worker. I never could get her to understand internet shopping.

In her later years, when she spent so much time sitting in her chair in front of this very window, her Bible lay open on her lap as she studied her Sunday School Lesson. She would have loved to have had these bird feeders out on her porch then. The birds would have been so close she could almost reach out and touch them. This made me chuckle at another memory.

When grandma took pictures of the family when we gathered for visits, she stood way back so everyone fit in the frame. None of this “scooch together, guys”. Nope…she would have moved back as far as she needed to to get everyone in the picture. This is why, unless you were present on that particular occasion, you only have the vaguest idea WHO is actually IN the photo. You can’t make out any facial features. If you blew up the pictures a hundred times, you still couldn’t identify anyone simply because it was too far away to gain any kind of focus.

But SHE knew who was there. She never forgot a thing. She was sharp clear up to within a year or two before her death. She never forgot a gathering…they were just that important to her. She always wanted us to all get together at her house, at the same time. She reveled in her family. I understand that more now than I ever have. I miss my Colorado family. I enjoy my West Virginia family. Couldn’t the two states be closer?

I finished my devotion, in front of Grandma’s window and another thought came to me. I wish I would have accepted Jesus while she was still living. She would have loved that. ❤️

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”
Psalm 133:1 NIV

A Change of Scenery

Wed, 06 Mar 2019 02:30:11 -0600

“Running out of propane sent me running for the farm.”

I had a lovely, slow start to my morning yesterday. I had a full day planned out in “the office”, reading and editing the rough draft. Went out and turned the furnace on ahead of time to warm it up since it was a frigid 17 degrees. I fixed my coffee, gathered my book bag, kissed Mr. FixIt goodbye, and headed out to TOW-Wanda.

I wasn’t out there 20 minutes when it seemed to be getting colder instead of warmer. I got up and checked the air blowing out of the heater vents…barely warm. I lit the burner on the stove and even on high, there was barely a flame. I was very close to running out of propane. So, I shut it all down, packed everything back up, and headed back in the house.

As I’ve shared before, we are in the midst of renovating the master bath, which usually has Mr. FixIt hopping. However, with it being 17 degrees, he wasn’t very motivated to go out to the building and cut drywall. I knew I would be tempted to blow off what I intended to do and just hang out with my buddy all day. Instead, I announced there was a change of plans.

Since my book bag was already packed, I decided to come to the farm for a few days of intense editing time. After a snooze in the recliner, Mr. FixIt found the motivation to work on the bathroom…since his playmate wasn’t going to be there. It sounds like a win-win, I do believe. I arrived, fixed some lunch, and carried my coffee to the front window where Grandma always watched the world go by. My portable desk on my lap, my iPad open and at the ready, I found my gaze continually pulled to the view before me.

There is the clock I bought Mr. Virgo for his last Christmas. There is the little birdhouse my dear friend Charlotte gave me. You can see the newel post my Uncle Bud made for Grandma when I was a very little girl. He had a penchant for all things cedar. Out front, the bird feeders were attracting the usual flock of chickadees, finches, and tufted titmice. The doves gathered around on the ground below, scavenging what had been knocked aside by the others as they looked for their favorite tidbits among the seeds.

I kept hearing a banging sound I couldn’t identify. It sounded like the popping sound the old gas stove made before we switched out for the new one. I sat in the bathroom for twenty minutes waiting for it to kick off and back on but it never did. I sat in the bedroom and finally heard the sound again. It came from the front of the house. I walked around out front and couldn’t find anything and just as I was coming back inside, a gust of wind knocked something on the front porch and duplicated the sound. A little repositioning and the problem was solved.

The deep gong of the only wind chime I can tolerate let me know the breeze is picking up. It’s cold and white outside, but in here, it’s warm and toasty. We have free gas at the farm. My Pop-Pop always said, the free gas was worth more than the farm itself. I believe he is correct, from a strictly monetary and convenience standpoint. But I would beg to differ in the real value of these 74 acres. This is…and will always be…the home of my heart. It’s old. It’s drafty. The roof leaks in a couple places, but not bad. The linoleum flooring is cracked and has holes here and there…it’s pattern worn and faded.

The original double hung windows are single paned in desperate need of a good washing. The nail heads show through on the old plaster and lathe walls. The boards creak in just the right areas to play the same tune I’ve heard all my life as I wander through the rooms. The pump kicks on out in the cellar house, reminding me our water doesn’t come through some treatment plant but is filtered through the sand and limestone far below my feet. It’s been briny ever since they capped off the wells on this property over 60 years ago.

As I write this, propped up in Grandma and Pop-Pop’s bed, the window is cracked open just enough so I can hear the soft gurgle of the creek beneath the bedroom window. You don’t really have to have the window open to feel the wind blowing outside. All you need to do is stand near the front or back door and hold out your hand. The wind blows around the edges quite easily.

A thought has been nagging me for a week till I finally figured it out. My grandma died 20 years ago March 2nd. It is so hard to believe she has been gone so long and I miss her every day. I think that’s one reason I love this farm so much. I know SHE loved it, and I loved her. This is where I feel closest to her.

Ok, so…I didn’t get as much done yesterday as I would have liked. That’s ok…my heart is full and my spirit is warmed by the rich memories these walls hold for me. I’ll take getting recharged here over stressing about edits…any day of the week. Today will be another day and I can start refreshed…coffee in hand…warmth in my heart. ❤️

““But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.”
Deuteronomy 4:9 NLT

Memories

Mon, 18 Feb 2019 02:30:54 -0600

“Mother Earth News was my manual for a good life.”

Daughter #1 texted me this photo yesterday of Mother Earth News magazine. She said “I didn’t know they still published this.” I looked at the text and smiled. It hit my “mom feels” for a number of reasons.

First, because I just wrote in my book the other day about a time when the Mother Earth News magazine was a huge part of my life. Second, because she remembered it. And lastly….she is a very busy adult, teaches full time and moms my two beautiful granddaughters and lives in Colorado…we don’t get to share moments like this very often.

I was a frustrated farm girl in the big city of Denver while my husband was in medical school. I read Mother Earth News like an instruction manual for life. I baked our bread, made homemade granola, yogurt, and even tofu. I canned fruits and vegetables, made jams, jellies, relishes and pickles. I would have raised chickens if city ordinances would have allowed it back then. When we bought our first home on two acres, I set out to make it a little farm. That didn’t really work out so well because of the semi-arid climate. But I certainly had fun trying.

The fact that my daughter remembered my penchant for this magazine just tickled me to no end for some reason. It helped me reach back across time to her youth. It was a hundred lifetimes ago…and it was just yesterday. It’s the simple things that bring the most joy, isn’t it? ❤️

“Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up. It shall serve as food for you and for them."”
Genesis 6:21 ESV

Another Peaceful Day

Sun, 17 Feb 2019 02:30:01 -0600

“Deer grazing outside my window in TOW-Wanda.”

I have now spent eight out of the last ten days in TOW-Wanda and I have to tell you…I feel like a million bucks! Usually by this time of year, I’m ready to pull my hair out with boredom. I usually become less content with each passing day, even though the daylight is becoming longer…the long, dark nights shorter. The only two things I have done differently this year is leave the tree up and spend long hours in my camper.

There is a reason girl campers like their little houses on wheels. They offer us a safe sanctuary in which to create. Some of us haul our sewing machines out to the camper in the fall and sit out there happily sewing quilts, clothes for the grandkids, linens for the home, gifts for family and friends. Some knit and crochet, weaving prayers and stories into their creations. Some cross-stitch or needlepoint, creating marvelous pictures from colorful threads.

Some gather friends to join us for tea or drinks, showing off our fancy little playhouses. Some have sleepovers with the grandchildren, bringing up the next generation to adore our little campers in the same way we have. There are as many different varieties of girl campers as there are travel trailers and we celebrate each and every one of them every time we tow.

Me? Well, as you well know…and I’ve told you repeatedly this week…I write in TOW-Wanda every chance I get. I turn on Pandora, find the Nature Sounds channel, and listen to raucous rainstorms, salient sea breezes, flighty feathered friends chirping in the forests. I’m instantly transported from the chill of wintery West Virginia into another place, another time. My little twinkle lights glow above me…the view out the windows revealing a stoic blue heron near the creek or a browsing herd of deer making their way across the lawn. Yesterday, I watched the moonrise over the hills to the east of the Ponderosa and I counted my blessings in that very moment.

I’ve written 30,560 words on my book as of last evening. Words that take me to corners of my mind I sometimes wish were never there. And to places and times that I cherish dearly. These words stir something in me…always. But they are just feelings now. They aren’t happening in this moment. That’s how I keep them from poking me now with little barbs…trolls with sharp sticks…fairies with tiny wands…giants with hammers. They aren’t happening now and God is bigger than any poking thing in our lives.

30,560….encouraging words, painful words, funny words, sad words, terrifying words, loving words. This thing is happening! ❤️

“A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”
Proverbs 15:4 ESV

The Hazards of Writing

Fri, 15 Feb 2019 02:30:42 -0600

“When I write a ton, I have a tendency to forget who I told what to. It’s an occupational hazard.”

I’m knee deep in writing this book now. All week, I have gathered my coffee and my writing gear and headed out to “the office”…my wonderful little home on wheels…TOW-Wanda. I turn on the furnace and curl up on the day bed, cover up, and sip coffee till it warms up enough to concentrate. When I shut it down at 3:00 yesterday afternoon, I had 20, 534 words written. It’s amazing!

This is in addition to writing my blog post every day and normal communications with people via text, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and e-mail. Whew! There are a ton of words flowing out of these fingers and I’m literally typing as fast as I can. The downside of all that is…I cant remember who I’ve told what to. Did I type that in a tweet yesterday or text it to my friends Janine and Gayle this morning? Was that story in my blog last week or was I telling someone about that when I saw them yesterday? It’s partially age. It’s partially multiple head injuries and the subdural hematoma I received when my truck was totaled two years ago. It’s partially the brain fog of grief still affecting me. And, it has a lot to do with the sheer volume of words that I write.

I know I’ve told you this week that writing the book this time is totally different, but I’m going to tell you again…because it amazes me. When the words flow like this, it’s magic. Time and space disappear. It’s a cross between watching a movie and writing what I see, and typing out dictation. I know it sounds trite to tell you the words don’t even seem to come from me. I know sheer repetition over the years has honed my writing skills, but still…I’ll read something I write and think, “Wow, that’s pretty good. I wish I could write that well!” It’s both intriguing and disconcerting to feel so disconnected from the process and still have it turn out ok.

I know I told you it’s easier emotionally this time, but I’ll elaborate on that. Yes, it’s easier in that it doesn’t feel like I’m ripping my heart out of my chest to write this time. However, I’m finding my level of discomfort varies with the topic of the day. I wrote something about anxiety the other day, and that night I felt anxiety rise up in me about something. I haven’t felt true anxiety for quite some time so I can only attribute it to the writing because nothing else has changed. Yesterday I wrote about an episode of childhood sexual abuse and I could feel the prickles of adrenaline running up the back of my arms. I was writing about hard stuff and my body was feeling it.

It’s ok to feel these things. If I am so disconnected from the emotions of the experience, my writing would be flat. It’s a thin line between feeling the feels and having my heart ripped out of my chest. I’ve been praying that God will help me say what he wants me to say, and to give me just enough juice to feel it. He is a good and compassionate Father and he is walking me through this every day. I feel his presence when I work. I am grateful for that.

We had bible study last night. We are still working our way through Goliath Must Fall by Louie Giglio and last night we covered the chapter on Comfort. The Giant of Comfort isn’t those times we take a break and go on vacation or when we have really great furniture that cradles our bodies. The kind of comfort Louie is talking about is complacency. When we do just enough to get by. He said we are closer to God when we are are experiencing discomfort. In other words, when we are out of our comfort zones. When we expand and reach and push ourselves to do something we really feel God is telling us to do, but it’s not something we are necessarily excited about doing. But we do it anyway. that’s letting the Giant of Comfort fall. I feel like that’s what I’m doing with my writing. Sometimes I write things that literally make me squirm. They aren’t always comfortable to talk about. I just truly feel like I’m doing what God has called me to do and he tells me to be honest. There’s very little I hold back here, much to the dismay of some of my friends.

Anyway, I just wanted to say, if I start repeating myself too much, someone give me a holler, will ya? Cause there’s only so much I can keep in this little brain when I’m writing this much. ❤️

“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Philippians 4:6 ESV

13,318 Words!!!

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 02:30:53 -0600

“Making progress, writing in TOW-Wanda.”

I have a perfectly good laptop I can use for writing. As a matter of fact, all of the writing I have ever done for this book has been on the laptop as Word documents. Over the years, I have become accustomed to using my iPad for all of my posts for my blog. I’ve also used my phone, much to my son-in-law’s surprise. He can’t imagine typing out an e-mail on an iPhone, let along an entire essay! I say, where there’s a will, there’s a way.

This is my third generation iPad. I don’t know if I’ll ever buy another one. I suppose, if this one becomes obsolete, I’ll have to, but this one works just fine. When I bought it, I found a wonderful case that has a built in keyboard, It folds up exactly like a laptop so it’s perfect for me. It’s light and portable. All my photo editing apps are on it. It’s really all I use anymore.

After taking Sunday off for Church and yesterday off to catch up with errands, I was looking forward to getting out there in TOW-Wanda and writing. I have Pandora radio on my iPad and I love to listen to Nature Sounds Radio. It runs through different scenarios, most often rain and thunderstorms, ocean sounds, and occasionally a campfire or crickets. In the evenings, if I write in the living room while Mr. FixIt watches TV, I wear my Bose sound cancelling headphones with the nature sounds and I can write uninterrupted. The same in the camper, unless it’s actually raining. Then I’ll just listen to the rain on the roof.

It was in the mid-‘50s yesterday here at the Ponderosa. What a treat that was! This really hasn’t been a bad winter at all. An added benefit of listening to these summery nature sounds is how easy it is to fool my brain into thinking it’s not wintertime! Usually January literally c-r-a-w-l by in the slowest way, but this year that was not the case. I can’t believe tomorrow is Valentine’s Day.

Speaking of Valentine’s Day, my sweetie brought me a dozen creamy white roses Monday evening. They are in my Mikasa vase on the living room table where I can see them as I write. What a sweet man! I bought him a watch for his birthday and told him it had to count for Valentine’s Day too since both occur in February.

It feels good to be moving along on my book again. I’m doing something different this time…besides writing it on my iPad where I’m more comfortable. This time I’m taking the advice of some seasoned writers and just writing the whole story straight through without worrying about editing along the way. I am so accustomed to writing these essays every day and keeping a close eye on the editing. It is a bit of a challenge to just…write. It goes a lot faster, though. I’ll have to say that.

I like the app I write with. It’s called Pages and keeps track of your word count. This is something that’s useful in knowing when a chapter is long enough. It’s also helpful to know your total word count for publishing reasons. The average novel is 60-80,000 words. If that’s the case, I’m really making good progress. The person I am working with on this says to just get it written, then we’ll worry about who’s going to publish it.

And here it is…hump day already. Hope you all have a really great day. I’ll be writing some more! ❤️

“The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.”
Proverbs 18:4 ESV

Peace be Still

Tue, 12 Feb 2019 02:30:57 -0600

“I love the peaceful mornings at the Ponderosa.”

It warmed up overnight and the snow became soaked with rain. This of course will bring more trees down, but my goodness…isn’t it lovely? This is the field Mr. FixIt and I got married in just four short months ago. I can’t believe that…it feels as though we’ve been together forever. I suppose, knowing each other for fifty years has something to do with that, doesn’t it? Oh, what I wouldn’t give to have fifty more with him…he is such a dear man.

I had a meeting with my insurance agent yesterday so I went to town early. I love sitting in the library of the historic Blennerhassett Hotel to enjoy a cup of coffee. Unfortunately, I totally forgot they are renovating the restaurant across the lobby and it was pretty noisy so it wasn’t my typical relaxing respite.

As the fog settled over the West Virginia hills yesterday, I felt reassured that I am indeed on the right path. There are new opportunities just lining up in front of me and it’s so exciting. I’m going to be doing what I do best…more writing. I am so glad I chose to ignore those who, many years ago, told me my writing wasn’t publishable…no one was going to read it or want to buy it. There was a time when I would have taken great satisfaction in feeling vindicated. But, I don’t have time nor energy for that anymore. My focus is forward, not backward. Those who did not support me no longer hurt me. It is liberating to let the Giant of Rejection fall away.

There is a reason the windshield is bigger than the rear view mirror. It’s important to look forward, watch your step, and steer clear of those obstacles meant to block your path. It’s the direction we are going…forward. We need that rear view mirror, too. But only to keep watch on what might be trying to sneak up behind us to hurt us and steal our joy. As long as we don’t put it in reverse and try to drive backwards, we are on the right path.

Keep your eyes on the road, my friends. Good things are coming, I promise. ❤️

“I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.”
Psalms 57:2 ESV

The Farm and Me

Sat, 09 Feb 2019 02:30:22 -0600

“The Farm is my ultimate happy place!”

If the weather hadn’t turned colder yesterday, I would have spent the night out in TOW-Wanda last night. But, with a low of 17 degrees forecast, I opted for the next best thing and headed to the farm! I made sure Mr. FixIt had everything he needed, filled him with more cold meds, propped him up in his recliner with a cover and a heating pad and made my escape. He still has some potato soup to warm up and I promised I’d be back sometime today. I could sit and watch him suffer and watch TV, or I could write. With his full support, I chose writing.

And write I did! As of the time I am typing this post, I’ve written 7141 words since Thursday morning at 11:00. That’s a lot of words! The goal when you write is just to get the rough draft down. Write it all out…worry about editing later. That is the most difficult part for me. I want it perfect the first time so I don’t have to go back over it again. I don’t know anyone that works for.

I stopped at my cousin’s barn on the way out here yesterday to leave 80 cans of cat food and a 40 pound bag of dry cat food. Yes, I was prepared for the winter and had just purchased all that a few days before the cats were moved to their new home in the big barn. So, they were gifted cat food aplenty! I was thrilled to learn the kitties are hanging out there and haven’t wandered off. I saw Kitty Boy, the young short hair. My cousin said they were both there last night when he fed them. There are six roosters down at the barn and they all get along fine. This makes me happy!

The farm is my time machine. Every time I get to stay here, I am swept back to my childhood. I get to feel all those really great feelings again. This farm and TOW-Wanda are my happy places. Right now, as I write this, I am propped up in Grandma’s bed. I cracked the window open when I first got here so I can hear the water running in the creek. We’ve had a lot of rain this week so the runoff is pretty high.

I’ve been really surprised we haven’t lost more trees out here. There are mudslides all around these parts this time of year. The ground freezes hard and when it thaws, it’s aerated. Then the heavy rains come and the ground gets so saturated, all it takes is a good windstorm and trees get uprooted. Mud and rocks slip down, sometimes covering the road…sometimes taking the road along with it.

As Mr. FixIt came home from bowling Thursday night, he called me to say there was a huge tree lying across the road at the top of a hill less that two miles from the house. He managed to turn around and, knowing every backroad within fifty miles of here, made a quick shortcut that would bring him back out on the two lane just past the tree. We were asking on the phone as he drove when he said, “Whoa, whoa, whoa!” I asked what was wrong and he said he drove right into standing water on the road. He wasn’t driving too fast…it was just there before he knew it. It’s easy to see how people can get caught up and swept away in high water when you have little to no warning it’s ahead. Thank goodness, he got right through and was home in no time.

I stopped at the Piggly Wiggly on the way to the farm and picked up a few things. I had a small steak and baked potato for dinner. Yummmm! I’ll spend today writing and doing laundry before I head home. I hope you all are planning a wonderful weekend! ❤️

“My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.”
Psalm 45:1 NIV

I’m Writing Again

Fri, 08 Feb 2019 02:30:45 -0600

“Writing again…this time I mean it.”

About a year ago, I set my book on the back burner at the urging of my agent. She wanted me to focus on increasing my social media presence. And, while taking a break from working on the book was welcome, that time hasn’t made a huge difference in how many people follow my blog or Twitter or Instagram accounts. People come, people go. Maybe you need this for a season. Maybe for a reason. But things just stay the same overall.

I’m not complaining…not by a long shot. I love sharing my thoughts and stories here on the daily. But I found myself spending entirely too much time knitting and my book still sits. Sigh. It’s not going to write itself. If it were, it would be a best seller by now.

My accountability team contacted me yesterday and gave me the kick in the butt I needed…with an order. Five hundred words by 5:00 Wednesday afternoon! I got up earlier than usual yesterday. I made sure Mr. FixIt had everything he needed. I packed up my bag with my iPad, headphones, iPhone, and reference materials, grabbed a drink and my umbrella, and headed out to TOW-Wanda.

I extended the slide-out which normally holds the dinette. I have the table lowered and a twin mattress on top. I grabbed the pillows off the bed and propped them up at one end. I turned the furnace on to ward off the chill. I jumped in, covered up with the softest minky throw, propped my portable desk on my lap, and dove into my Pages app and started writing. I designed my book cover. I finally took a leap and typed in the title…something that has been eluding me for years. (Shhhh…it’s a secret. I can’t tell you what it is.)

Six hundred ninety words later, I turn off the iPad and looked off into the gloomy afternoon. The rain pounded on the roof, pelting the windows with a sound much like bacon frying. A sudden flash of lightning and a quick clap of thunder told me the storm was getting closer and intensifying. In the early days of trailer camping, a thunderstorm caused me to worry I might get electrocuted. I’m sure you aren’t as protected in a camper as you are in a house, but I’ve long since let go of the fear of storms. I leaned back and smiled. I pulled the soft minky material up under my chin and allowed my mind to drift along till I heard a tapping at my door. Mr. FixIt was leaving to go bowl and wanted to give me a hug. He’s feeling better, thank goodness.

Soon after he was gone, I gathered up my things and headed back inside. The sky was clouding up again and I knew I was going to need to be inside to keep an eye on that leaky drain downstairs that overflows when it rains. It was a good day. A productive day. Six hundred ninety words down. Who knows how many to go. ❤️

“"Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you.”
Jeremiah 30:2 ESV

The Kitchen Window

Sun, 13 Jan 2019 02:30:17 -0600

“The view out my kitchen window at the Ponderosa allows me to watch the birds at the feeder.”

When I was growing up, I spent as much time out at my grandma’s farm as I possibly could. I never minded washing dishes at Grandma’s because there was a big window over the kitchen sink. I’ve moved many times over the years and was always so pleased when the kitchen had a window over the sink. It didn’t really matter the view…as long as I could see out and open it for some fresh air, I was a happy camper.

I was thrilled when I found out Mr. FixIt’s house has a window I can gaze out as I wash the dishes. He keeps a bird feeder full for me so I can watch the birds fly in and out of the surrounding trees and brush to light just beyond where I stand. Yesterday, there were several cardinals. There’s nothing prettier than the flash of a redbird swooping in and landing just in front of me. Their brilliant scarlet plumage against the new fallen snow is breathtaking. They say a cardinal is a sign a loved one is visiting from heaven. If that is true, our house was a busy place yesterday. There were also chickadees, tufted titmice, a pair of mourning doves, and the occasional downy woodpecker added to the mix.

In the late summer, early fall, the deer gather under that tree you see out there in the yard and eat the fallen crabapples. In the late spring, Mr. FixIt puts up the hummingbird feeder and fills it for me. He loves the birds as much as I do.

We didn’t get the snow that was predicted…as least not by the time of this writing last night. Mr. FixIt has half the bathroom subfloor put down in the master bath. He came in from checking the mail and handed me a package…a canvas print of Daughter #1 and her family. Now I need to plan a family portrait wall!

If it’s slick this morning, we’ll stay home and watch church on TV. I must say, it was very nice to not leave the house at all. It was a beautiful day filled with knitting and love. It doesn’t get much better than that! ❤️

“I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine.”
Psalm 50:11 NIV

The Geminid Meteor Shower

Fri, 14 Dec 2018 02:30:35 -0600

“The night sky holds endless fascination for me.”

”We are stardust, we are golden, we are billion year old carbon, and we got to get ourselves back to the garden...”
Crosby, Stills & Nash

I have always been fascinated by the night sky. Ever since I was a very little girl and my dad woke me up and helped me into my coat to go outside in the middle of the night. We went out to see the Northern Lights. I’ve been smitten ever since. I think that’s one reason I love to camp so much…there’s usually a clear night sky at least one of the nights in the woods.

When I was a single mom living in my first house on my own, I packed a thermos and a couple of sleeping bags in the car. I woke up Daughter #2 in the middle of the night and said, “C’mon…we’re going on an adventure.”

We drove up to the ski area, turned off the car, and spread the sleeping bags on the hood. We leaned back against the windshield and sipped our hot cocoa and watched the Persied Meteor Shower. She still talks about that to this day.

Last evening, I got a call that my wedding rings were ready to be picked up. I lost a diamond a couple of weeks ago and the service warranty covers that. I could have waited, but I’ve missed my rings, so I drove into town to get them. Afterwards, I went to the bowling alley to visit Mr. FixIt then we grabbed a bite to eat together. On the way home, we stopped to pick up a Christmas gift and some new baking pans. As we were driving out the country road home, Mr. FixIt was behind me in his truck. He called me and I said…”I SAW IT!” It looked like something out of Star Wars! Meteors were falling everywhere. BIG ones!

When we got home, I told him to park his truck and meet me in mine out in the lane that goes through the field. I turned off all the lights, rolled down the windows, and we sat there for the better part of an hour….staring at the sky.

“There’s one!”

“Wow…did you see THAT one?”

“OMGosh! This is so cool!”

God’s 4th of July…another memory made! ❤️

“and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind.”
Revelation 6:13 NIV

The Comforts of Home

Sun, 18 Nov 2018 02:30:33 -0600

“Knitting, Football, and a Fire…it doesn’t get much better than that!”

I rarely ever sit down and watch a football game with Mr. FixIt. Football never really held my interest till Mr. Virgo patiently explained the game to me. He and I used to watch football all the time. But TV hasn’t been very high on my list of things to do since he died so I usually find something else to occupy me while Mr. FixIt watches…especially his beloved Mountaineers. He’s a diehard WV fan. And, as I found out yesterday…he really is not an Ohio State fan.

Mr. FixIt gets verbal when he watches football. He doesn’t curse and throw things at the TV, but he gets pretty loud. I had a lot of fun knitting yesterday while he cheered. Having a day to stop doing all the fussy work around the house and sit down with a good cup of coffee, something fun to knit, and a warm fire while watching football is a perfect day in my book.

We drove over to the store at halftime to get something to fix for dinner. I was walking through the produce section and thought to myself, “Taco salad sounds great for supper!” I turned to Mr. FixIt and before I could open my mouth and ask him what sounded good, he turned to me and said, “You know, taco salad sounds great for supper.” I had to think for a second. Did I say that out loud? Nope…we are just that attuned to each other. When we were first dating, he texted me one morning and said, “How does that bagel taste?” I nearly choked on said bagel as I read the text.

When we are apart, he texts me within two minutes of my waking up. I asked him one time how he knew I just woke up. He said he can feel it. I love that. I love that deep connection you only get when you truly know someone. When we have had that, and lost it, it’s so easy to tell yourself you will never have that again. I vowed I would never do this again. Not only because I didn’t think anyone would want me, but also because I wasn’t sure I could top Mr. Virgo. That was early on. Now I know better. It’s not a competition. It’s not ever a question of which love is better. Which husband is better. I know a man who was dating sometime after his wife had died. He and the new woman had gotten to “I love you” in their relationship. Then one day she asked him if he loved her more than his late wife. Holy cats!!! What a terrible thing to ask someone. As you may well imagine, that was the end of that.

Lazy Saturdays…one of life’s little pleasures. And, it’s free! ❤️

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” Ephesians 5:25 NIV

Cold Weather Comfort Food

Wed, 14 Nov 2018 02:30:08 -0600

“Creamed Tomato Gravy…one of my grandma’s specialties!”

Grandma canned tomatoes like it was going out of style. The shelves in the cellar house were brimming with home canned goodies to savor over the winter. Tomatoes, green beans, corn, big chunks of tender beef, pickles, picalilly, pickled beets, peaches, applesauce, apple butter, preserves, jams and jellies shone like jewels and were EVER so welcome on the dark nights of January and February. Bins of potatoes and apples as well as braids of onions would be divvied up to last till the first harvest in late spring.

“Light and Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits…my favorite!”

One of my favorite meals Grandma fixed was Creamed Tomato Gravy over Buttermilk Biscuits. I’ve never replenished my canning supplies after they were stolen from my storage area in Colorado, so I haven’t canned anything in quite some time. I did take the last of the ripe tomatoes in late summer and stewed them then froze two batches in the freezer. I’ve been promising Mr. FixIt this yummy comfort food for weeks now, but this is the first chance I’ve had to slow down and bake some biscuits.

Mr. FixIt had to leave his truck with the mechanic Monday, so we are down to one vehicle this week. This means we get to spend the week together uninterrupted! We threw ourselves into cleaning house yesterday in preparation for company coming for Thanksgiving Dinner. We are still catching up with laundry as well as pulling blankets out for winter. It was a lovely, relaxing day nesting, cooking, and watching it try to snow. This tomato gravy over hot biscuits fresh from the oven were just what the doctor ordered! For dessert, we buttered a couple more and slathered on a healthy portion of Mixed Berry Jelly by the gal at In a Jam. My lifelong family/friend, Judith, gifted us six jars as a late wedding gifts which she swears is not a gift….just a “thinking of you”. She had the Chief Jam Maker at In a Jam make labels with our wedding picture on it. Actually, the one I’m using as a profile picture. Such a thoughtful person she is!

The peace of days like this is not lost on me. Relaxing, puttering, cooking, knitting, writing, throwing in a couple loads of laundry and hanging out at home with my new husband is so delicious. You never know how much something hurts till the pain goes away, do you? ❤️

“She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:” Proverbs 31:27-28 NIV

Election Day and The BBC

Wed, 07 Nov 2018 02:30:46 -0600

“The colors at the farm were amazing!”

Election Day

Unless you’ve been living under a rock somewhere, you all know yesterday was Election Day. Which makes today the best day of the year...no more political ads for the next 12-18 months. There is something to be said for NOT watching television!

I left after breakfast to head to the polling place. When I got there, the digital system to sign attesting your eligibility to vote was not functioning properly. It would not take my signature. We fiddled with it for over fifteen minutes till the gentleman finally held the connecting wire in exactly the right position. Once it accepted my signature, I turned and faced a sea of faces. Apparently, I was not the first to have difficulty signing in. There must have been 30 people sitting around waiting for their turn at the computer screen to vote.

“I love this little red farmhouse and how it looks in the fall colors.”

“Good ol’ Days”

The woman in front of me remarked on the “good ol’ days” when she worked the polling place, she pushed for modernization. Now? Not so much. Colorado has a 100% mail-in ballot system. They said the costs of elections have gone down tremendously, the number of voters participating has got up, and the threat of election manipulation is zilch. They should do that everywhere and forget the electronic system which can be hacked by a ten-year-old in less than fifteen minutes. All was not lost, however. My neighbor came in a little bit after me and we had a wonderful time catching up.

Getting out to vote today had another distinct advantage. I got to meander about the countryside and enjoy the beautiful colors again. I loved watching the leaves rain down, filtering through the sunlight creating a dazzling display of red, gold, and yellow sparkles. Looking in the readies mirror, I could see the leaves kicked up by the truck and they spun around and around behind me.

“There is Joy…still under her tarp. I have to get her moved to the Ponderosa and try to get something done with her before it gets too cold.”

Texts Can Offer BIG Surprises

After voting, I headed to the little town of Harrisville, home of Berdine’s Five & Dime where I purchased a few ounces of chocolate covered peanuts...my guilty pleasure. When I returned to the truck, I noticed a message had come in. Someone from BBC 5 Live radio was trying to reach me for an interview regarding coping after the loss of a spouse. It took well over an hour to connect because they were in England and I was in the boonies of Appalachia. I was asked some base questions and told the producers would contact me at 5:30pm. That gave me time to drive home to await their call.

“This looks like a painting, but it’s a photo I took on my way home from the farm last evening as the sun was setting.”

Sure enough, the call came through. The producer connected me to the live line so I could hear the show as it progressed. The interviewer played a segment of an interview earlier in the day, then went live to the three of us being interviewed. Two men and myself. I truly enjoyed listening to their responses because I was amazed at how similar our experiences were. Our segment lasted about half an hour. I listened back and I think it went very well. You can listen to it here. Our segment begins a few seconds after 22:27. ❤️

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0000zxg

“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.” Psalm 126:5-6 NIV

This is How We Honeymoon

Thu, 01 Nov 2018 01:30:21 -0600

“Got to the sound just in time to catch the kiteboarders framed by the sunset!”

Yesterday was so wonderful! After a nice breakfast, we headed out to the beach. It was in the low 60’s but the wind didn’t pick up till around 3:30 or 4:00. Mr. FixIt fished all afternoon while I finished knitting a pair of socks. He only caught two little sheepshead…a perch-like fish. We didn’t learn until later that they have teeth that look human! Darn…maybe we’ll catch another one today!

When we came in from the beach, I made a pot of spaghetti with sauce and garlic bread. There will be plenty of time to watch our diet when we get home. This is our honeymoon! After dinner, we chased the sunset and found a little cove on the sound where we could park and watch the kite boarders. There were four of them circling around and around as a photographer worked from the water. They were all wearing wetsuits because the water is getting pretty cool. The sunset was spectacular with the kites flying in the foreground.

Afterwards, we enjoyed an ice cream cone.

Yes…the Outer Banks is great! I think we’ll just stay on a permanent honeymoon! ❤️

“Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.

1 Peter 1:22 NIV

Here Comes the Bride

Wed, 17 Oct 2018 01:30:13 -0600

“One of my favorite moments…locking eyes with a fellow widow whom I mentored…knowing we BOTH have found our second-chance loves.”

It all went so fast. Here we are, just a few days after the wedding and I don’t remember all the details. That happens to every bride, I think. You throw so much into the planning, and so many last minute details happen the day of the wedding. Friends and family came at 2:00 to help me get ready. The ceremony was at 4:00. The girls were still messing with my hair when I asked the time. 3:20! I still hadn’t put on make up or dressed!

I don’t wear a lot of make up ordinarily…and when I do, it’s not much. Throwing that on was no big deal. I slipped on my boots and my new daughter and granddaughter helped me into my dress. In no time at all, I was ready. The music wasn’t. I told them I didn’t care…I’d walk out singing “Here Comes the Bride” if I had to…I was ready….REALLY ready!

They helped me out to the tent…one carrying my train…the other hoping for the music to start. And, it did! Just as I got to the tent, I looked up and there was my sweet friend, Deneene. She was one of what looked like a whole sea of smiles and cell phones pointed at me. I looked at her with a knowing smile. You see, Deneene was referred to me when she was a relatively new widow herself. I was a couple of years ahead of her. I mentored her for the next couple of years. I was for her what I wished I’d had. Someone who had recently walked the path and could relate. Someone who could say this is perfectly normal. Someone to hold out a hand…not to pat it, but to offer a lift up. Then, Deneene met HER new love. And we walked this new territory together. She caught that knowing look in this picture. I think it is one of my favorites. Because I’m looking at another widow in love. I’m looking at my friend that helped me as much as I helped her. I’m looking at hope and joy and strength and perseverance and courage and reflecting it all back.

We all are nothing more than the sum of our life experiences. I was ready to marry…every time I married. But I didn’t know then what I know now. Now I know what love is. I know how fragile life is. I know how to face the unimaginable and still live. I know how to live alone when it’s impossible to breathe. I know how rare it is to find someone so incredibly compatible. I know SO much more than I knew when I married Mr. Virgo. This man, this love, this marriage will reap the benefits of that knowledge and experience. I am so grateful to be where I am today. It is only through God’s grace and love that I found my way through the darkness. There may still be darkness ahead…but now there is hope. ❤️

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

1 Peter 5:10-11 NIV

Introducing....Mr. & Mrs. FixIt

Sun, 14 Oct 2018 01:30:41 -0600

“Introducing Mr. and Mrs. FixIt!”

Oh my, what a perfect day!!! I prayed it wouldn’t be too hot. It didn’t break 50 degrees even though the last two weeks have been in the high eighties. I prayed there wouldn’t be bugs. It was cool to the point of being downright brisk so…no bugs!!! I prayed the pulled pork would be moist. It was succulent and juicy. There was a small hiccup with the music but just when I decided to walk in unaccompanied, it kicked in. It didn’t rain…or snow. My hair cooperated. It truly was a perfect day!

When I asked Mr. FixIt what his favorite part of the wedding was, he said “When I saw you walking toward me.” I know this is true because when I got up to him he just looked and me and said, “Whoa!” Everyone laughed and I knew…this was as close to the perfect moment we may ever get when we are on this earth. And now, as I’m writing this, I realize how exhausted I am. I have a kitchen full of things needing cleaned. But, I have really great cake and pulled pork leftovers.

Really. Perfect. Day. ❤️

“Even more than all this, clothe yourself in love. Love is what holds you all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:14 NCV

Instant Gratification

Wed, 03 Oct 2018 01:30:13 -0600

“The only monarch butterfly I have seen in WV in the four years I’ve been back, and it was lying dead in the field. I was to harvest milkweed pods this year and try to bring some monarchs back.”

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Ephesians 4:1-3 ESV

So, yesterday I told you I’m a “risk-taking storyteller”. I’m sure it’s no surprise to any of you who have been following me for some time if I tell you…I am also “Instant Gratification Girl”! If I can’t get it done yesterday, I’ve been known to pitch a hissy fit. Patience has never been my forte.

I stopped praying for patience a long time ago when I figured out God was sending me MANY situations in which to practice. I know I’m not fooling Him one bit, but I do thank Him for what little patience I DO have.

I may have told you this story before. I’ve told so many, it’s hard to remember. When I was a little girl, I desperately wanted a pair of black, patent leather Mary Janes. Mom took me to the shoe store and the only pair they had left was a half size too small. When my mom told the man we’d keep looking. I had a major meltdown. To my little overdramatic self, that meant I would NEVER, EVER get them! Mom caved and bought them for me and forced me to wear them for a month till I was broken of that behavior.

Well, maybe.

Monday evening, I went over to Mr. FixIt’s and mowed till it got too dark to do it safely. I went in to get a cold drink and was sitting on the sofa when I saw them. An army of stink bugs! Do you think either of us could have possibly remembered what arrives in WV on the 1st of October? Nooooooo. Hot on their stinky little heels will be the Asian Lady Bugs. Oy! Both of these little boogers swarm en masse and I can just imagine myself walking down the aisle looking like a Ninja as they swarm and land in my hair!

Breathe.

OmmmmmmmMyGosh!!!!

I put an urgent message out on FB. “Is there anything to keep these things at bay for a few hours?” I got lots of suggestions, including changing the wedding date. No! Absolutely not! I want my “patent leather shoes”, darn it!

Here’s how I’m going to deal with this. We’ve managed to pull together a beautiful wedding in less than a month. The average cost of a wedding in the US today is $27,000. Ours is going to be gorgeous for far less than 10% of that. (Did I tell you I used to do this for a living? Mr. Virgo taught me well!) Everything is ordered. The tent comes the 10th giving us plenty of time to decorate it. I’m going to smoke the pork butts this weekend for the pulled pork, bag it and pop it in the freezer till Wednesday. Then late Saturday morning it goes in a slow oven to finish off. I have plenty of helpers coming that Friday and Saturday. I have a final fitting on the dress next Wednesday and it will be ready to pick up Friday. We can get the coleslaw and buns that afternoon. The sodas go in the fridge Friday and on ice in the galvanized tubs Saturday. The photographer arrives at 2:00. The cake gets delivered at 3:00.

See? Everything that I CAN control is under control. The rest of it I can do nothing about. Weather OR bugs. And…it will be perfect. I was thinking about this “instant gratification” thing and my word for the year….presence…popped into my head. This is my last wedding. Seriously. I’m never doing this again. I want to stay in the moment and memorize it all. We want to enjoy this, not stress out about it. So, that’s just what I’m going to do.

I really didn’t like those patent leather Mary Janes anyway. ❤️

Strawberry Jam and Biscuits

Wed, 19 Sep 2018 01:30:20 -0600

“Berry Baskets bring back special memories of my grandparents’ farm.”

“For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.” Hebrews‬ ‭3:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

One of the things I stumbled upon at the Country Living Fair over the weekend were these sweet little berry baskets. Oh, my...did they bring back memories! When I was a little girl, my uncle was going to college at WVU majoring in Vocational Agriculture. He was always doing something around the farm to help my grandparents. He added the cinder block building with a cistern to collect the rainwater from the roof for drinking water. There was a well here on the property and it had wonderful, sweet water...until they capped the old oil and gas wells on the property. Something they did caused the aquifer to fracture and the water became briny and undrinkable. For a long time, we had to drive several miles with two big milk cans and haul water from a local spring. Then Uncle Bud helped my grandparents build the cistern and we finally got good drinking water on the farm again.

My uncle also put in a septic system, built a basement, rolled the house on top, build a cinderblock bathroom and we joined the civilized folks with indoor plumbing. I was about six years old when all this occurred. After the barn, the cow shed, and the pig stye were built, the next thing on the agenda was to try to make this land not only support us, but pay us. Uncle Bud planned out and planted a huge strawberry patch up on the hill. He and my great grandfather built a nice structure with a long window down one side. The window was hinged and opened outward to make an overhanging awning with a counter. The pickers would bring flats of strawberries to this shed to be sorted and cleaned to take to the Farmer’s Market in town. At the corner of the building was a huge water tank that collected water from the roof of the strawberry shed to be used to clean the berries.

These little berry baskets took me right back to those long summer days spent out at the farm…the very farmhouse I am sitting in as I write this. Oh, those berries were the sweetest things I had ever tasted. You didn’t even need sugar. They were deep red all the way through. And they were huge! One filled my little hand. Grandma wouldn’t let me pick them because I had a tendency to eat the berries and step on the runners. Runners are what makes more plants and more plants means more berries which translates to direct profit. I was relegated to the kitchen to cook for the pickers…which served me well as I got older. I learned to cook at grandma’s elbow…standing on the red kitchen stool.

Grandma made big, fluffy buttermilk biscuits and would slice them open, slather them with fresh churned butter and sugar, then add a good portion of sliced strawberries. She always had a jar of top cream in the fridge and would whip that with a hand cranked egg beater and add a little sugar and vanilla. Then she would spoon out this soft whipped cream on the top of our little biscuit “shortcakes” for a dessert fit for a queen. What I would give to have one of those…made by her loving hands and served with a peck on the cheek. I miss my grandma so much and feel closest to her here in the home of her heart.

We were planning to come to the farm today to mow anyway, but last evening my cousin called to say someone had been seen sleeping on the porch of the community building down the road. I started to ask if we could just come on out last night, but I stopped mid-sentence. It was almost dark and we’d already had a busy day. Mr. FixIt picked up on it though. He asked if I wanted to come out right then and I really did. We packed up the truck and off we came. It is worrisome to drive these country roads after dark. There are so many deer out at dusk and the early night hours. When we pulled into the driveway, the only company we had at the farm were four deer out on the front lawn. I was a little worried because the front porch light was burned out, but that was quickly fixed and nothing had been disturbed.

We stay here often enough to let people know the place is occupied. There’s someone here every day between us and my cousins. We were going to go camping this weekend, but staying here at the farm is as good as any vacation for me. The memories are as thick as buttermilk here and there is truly no place like home for this hungry heart of mine. ❤️

Holding Things

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 01:30:53 -0600

“Crocks waiting for a new home.”

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 NIV

I’ve been thinking a lot about my grandma lately. I’ve been so busy the last three weeks that I haven’t had a chance to spend much time at the farm. Mr. FixIt and I were thinking of going camping this weekend, but for a number of reasons...not the least of which is being just plain tired of running around...we’ve decided to head to the farm for a much needed respite.

The change of seasons are especially beautiful there. As things come to life in the spring and the dark grays of winter turn to buds of green, my heart soars because I’m heading into my favorite season. I’ve always had a little more difficulty accepting the changes of fall because that mean the dark days of winter are close on its heels. Mr. Virgo always told me, “It’s all in your head. It’s just a matter of what you tell yourself. If you say you hate winter, then guess what? You’re going to hate it!” He was right, of course. So, this fall, I am planning some really special things that will make the season joyful and beautiful. I’m going to do some heavy fall decorating this year. I want to get pumpkins and bittersweet, corn shocks and straw bales, Indian corn and maybe even some clear twinkly lights and dress up the farm. Won’t that be pretty?

I’ll take you along with me as I pick and choose. Maybe we’ll go to a pumpkin patch. Maybe we’ll find a cider press. Whatever we do, we’re going to make this season extra special so I won’t dread winter. Just like grandma’s old crocks that used to hold things, I’m going to use my heart as a vessel to hold beautiful things and make new memories! ?

Girl Camping!

Thu, 06 Sep 2018 01:30:37 -0600

“Vintage Coleman Coffee Set”

“I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. I would flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.”” Psalm 55:6-8 NIV

As I was driving up to the campground yesterday, every mile passed filled my heart with a lightness I haven’t felt for many months. Was it getting away? A little. Not FROM Mr. FixIt...but TO my dear camping girlfriends. Some of whom I haven’t seen in a year.

I think the most noticeable difference was…I actually FEEL good. I haven’t felt great since last February or March. And I know I can’t prove this, but I think the antibiotic they gave me for this lung episode fixed my gastritis. It’s the first time in months I’ve been able to eat without feeling ill afterwards. And no stomach pain. I won’t jinx it by trying to figure it out. I’m just grateful it’s better.

I pulled into the campground at 3:00 and two of my besties were here. It’s always so exciting to see them! We all decided to take a little snooze and then go grocery shopping. We had dinner together in the big fifth wheel because it’s really hot and sticky here. It’s supposed to rain about midnight and all day tomorrow. None of us mind that a bit!

I’ll take pictures of the Avion tomorrow. I forgot when it was daylight. I’m sitting outside writing this at 9:00…listening to the night sounds. Haven’t heard an owl yet. They are heard here often. This is a vintage Coleman coffee set that was on the counter when I arrived yesterday. So fun to stay in a vintage camper. I don’t believe I have ever had the pleasure!

❤️

Road Trip #1 - Fall 2018

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 01:30:43 -0600

“The leaves are beginning to change and you know what that means? Fall Girl Camping!!!”

“That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat. This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Everyone is to gather as much as they need. Take an omer for each person you have in your tent.’ ”” Exodus 16:13-16 NIV

I’ve been doing everything I can to be well enough to join the Girl Campers for their fall outing. I was pretty worried last week and over the weekend as to whether I would get to go or not. With the help of my doctor and my Girl Camper friends, I am all set to go on a road trip today. Now, before you go all “mom” on me, let me tell you my plans.

First, I’m not pulling a camper this time. My dear friend and fellow Girl Camper Extraordinaire has kindly offered her vintage Avion for my use for the next week. For those of you unfamiliar with the Avion…it looks very much like an Airstream, but not shiny. I am so excited to get the opportunity to stay in a vintage camper! And this cuts out all worries of having a mechanical breakdown on the way to or from the event.

Second, I went to my doctor’s office yesterday and got a good looking over. I’m not wheezing anymore. I’m stable on the meds they gave me and everything is under control. She gave me a prescription for a nebulizer since I cannot find mine so I can give myself a breathing treatment if I need to. I promised I would not do the extra activities and I’m taking my knitting and crafts and magazines and a couple of books. I’ll take my writing and my art supplies. Just sitting and relaxing…and no campfires near me!

Third, some girlfriend time is exactly what I need! Mr. FixIt is slowly on the mend. His virus hit him as body aches. No head or chest congestion. He’s hoping by Friday he will feel up to driving up and joining us for the weekend as this is a Mister-Sister trip. He loves to sit around the campfire over the weekend with the girls and they love having him. I’ll be up at camp till Tuesday morning. And I promise…I’ll be careful and there are a lot of people watching out for me so I wont get in trouble! I can’t wait to share stories from around the propane “campfire” and I love taking you all along with me!

❤️?❤️?❤️

And the Thunder Rolls

Thu, 30 Aug 2018 01:30:26 -0600

“Lightning over West Virginia”

““My heart pounds as I think of this. It trembles within me. Listen carefully to the thunder of God’s voice as it rolls from his mouth. It rolls across the heavens, and his lightning flashes in every direction. Then comes the roaring of the thunder— the tremendous voice of his majesty. He does not restrain it when he speaks. God’s voice is glorious in the thunder. We can’t even imagine the greatness of his power.” Job 37:1-5 NLT

The heat and humidity in West Virginia raises the heat index and brings us these amazing thunderstorms. It’s one of the things I always missed in Colorado. Oh, you get storms there...sure. But they don’t sound the same as storms in the rolling hills. There is an echo you just don’t get out west. And I love it!

The last couple of days we have been moving some boxes of my “stuff” from my friend Steve’s basement. We got the last load moved yesterday. Good thing, because it rained last night and we would have had to carry these heavy boxes up a hill instead of driving the truck down to the back of Steve’s house. That’s one thing about lawns here. If they’re wet, you sink down in them.

“Lightning over West Virginia.”

On the way back from picking up the last load, Mr. FixIt saw a house on fire a little over a mile from the Ponderosa. As often happens in outlying rural areas, the house burned to the ground and was a total loss. Fortunately, no one was at home when it burned so there were no injuries.

We took he last load out to the farm and no sooner carried the last box in when the electric went out. No wind. No storm. Just off. This, unfortunately, is NOT uncommon. We waited a while and when it hadn’t come back on after thirty minutes or so, we headed home. We stopped and visited neighbors along the way. That’s something I miss from my childhood. Someone was always stopping by to talk. Now, there are whole neighborhoods who don’t know anyone’s name. That’s sad.

As we were nearing home, I caught a glimpse of lightning in the far off distance. As we got closer, it was obvious a great lightning storm was coming. We stopped on top of the hill so I could video tape the light show. In all my years of photographing nature, I have never caught lightning in a still shot, so I just captured stills from the video and called it good.

My summer cold is easing up a bit, I think. This thick, humid air doesn’t really help that. The rain is supposed to usher in some cooler weather for the next couple of days, and I’m all for that. ❤️

“Lightning over West Virginia.”

A Gal About Town - Part Two

Thu, 19 Jul 2018 01:30:41 -0600

“Michelle uses livestock tanks as elevated garden containers.”

“and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts.” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭35:31-33‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Yesterday’s post didn’t have very many pictures to illustrate my descriptions of Michelle’s lovely home. Michelle was kind enough to send me several photos so I could run a “Part Two” of A Gal About Town.

“A faux wall hides an unsightly electric box. It is adorned with a salvaged window and shutters from the family farm in Kansas.”

She and I have decided we could give Joanna and Chip Gaines a run for their Magnolia money if we, too, had an adequate staff and unlimited resources!

“A repurposed farm table and vintage metal chairs creates an outdoor dining space underneath a string of market lights.”

Isn’t this backyard oasis inviting? We sat out here for hours till the sun started to set and the overhead strings of market lights turned on automatically.

“Repurposed materials adds visual interest to a garage makeover.”

“Even the ceiling gets a makeover to hide extra storage.”

“An antique refrigerator doubles as winter boot storage.”

And who wouldn’t want this gorgeous garage remodel that created a unique “maker space” for the ever creative Michelle? Architectural salvage pieces mixed with family heirlooms make for an eclectic view.

“Antiques perched atop a modern refrigerator and freezer.”

“Stunning “maker space” in Michelle’s garage.

To top it off, we get the name of the wonderful olives we nibbled on as dinner was cooking. We drank “mocktails”…non-alcoholic concoctions made with coconut water mixed with the juice of a whole lime. Next time I’m asking for salt on the rim!

“The BEST olives!”

I hope you enjoy the added photos Michelle sent me. Several of you asked for more so I created part two of yesterday’s post. ❤️

Deportment & Etiquette: Useful Skills or Out-of-Date Sexism?

Sun, 17 Dec 2017 02:30:11 -0600

Mr. FixIt and I went Christmas shopping yesterday. As much as I hate to go to Walmart, especially during the holiday shopping frenzy, we went looking for a specific item we weren’t finding elsewhere. When we arrived at the store, I excused myself to the ladies room.

There was a bit of a line, as one might imagine with half the town out and about the weekend before Christmas. The woman in front of me had a full shopping cart of merchandise and a cell phone in her hand. She had the phone on speaker and it was ringing…unanswered. She turned to me and said, “Go ahead…I have to do this.”

In the stall, I overheard the woman leaving a voice mail. I will paraphrase so as to leave the woman unidentifiable.

“Listen, if you insist on hanging up on me in the middle of a conversation…I’ll tell you what. You’re in a nursing home. I just won’t come visit you anymore. How’s that?! Talk to you later, Mommy.”

I was dumbfounded. Who does that? It’s Christmas, for crying out loud. It was more than just being rude to her mother…in a voicemail, mind you. It was being rude, out loud, in a public restroom, where anyone within several feet could overhear. I debated. How should I react? Should I say something? Make eye contact and show my disapproval? Breathe. Breathe. “God, show me what I should do.”

I decided not to say anything. I do not know the whole story. I don’t know if this woman has an issue. Maybe she had a gun? These are the things you think of in 2017. I came out of the stall, made brief eye contact, and said a prayer. “Father God…protect this woman’s mother from the wrath of her child. And bring them both peace and understanding. May they know your love. Amen”

When I was in school, we were taught deportment and etiquette. Every time I put on a coat, I can see the woman on the auditorium stage at Parkersburg High School.

“Grasp the coat by the collar and pull it up and over your right shoulder as you slip your arm in the sleeve. Then, gently reach behind you and slip your left arm into its sleeve. Do NOT swing the coat over your head like a toreador!”

We walked with books on our heads. We learned to sit gracefully without looking like a lumberjack. We learned grace and manners. Yes, please. No, thank you. Yes, ma’am. No, sir. May I? We learned which fork was for salad, which was for dinner and which was for dessert. We learned not to slurp our soup or our tea. We learned to stir the coffee in our cup without making a lot of noise. We learned manners.

This was in the ‘60s and early ‘70s. In our senior year, girls were finally given permission to wear pants to school. And ever so slowly, deportment went out the window with our bras and pencil skirts and Peter Pan collars. There are certain aspects of our “training” that was decidedly sexist. After all, in many ways, we were really being taught how to catch a good man. Good girls acted in a certain way.

This is the year of the woman…2017. Time’s “Person of the Year” is The Silence Breakers…the women of the #metoo movement. Women who have been the victims of sexual harassment, abuse, molestation, rape….many at the hands of powerful and influential men. But, are they really breaking their silence or just…finally, finally, finally being listened to…being heard? We’ve been telling. We’ve been talking. All along, we’ve been talking. And now, people are listening. Is it a perfect thing? No…it’s difficult and ugly and messy. And there are bound to be untruths told. But the majority…the vast majority of the stories told will be true. And far, far too familiar.

Were we trained to be the victims of men? We were told it was better to be seen and not heard. We were taught to keep the peace, don’t rock the boat, be a “good girl”…no matter what. “Boys will be boys.” “Were you drinking?” “Well, look what she was wearing!” Instead, these brave women are saying, “Nothing…NOTHING gives anyone the right to abuse me in anyway. Period.”

I texted my daughter, the high school teacher…my go-to resource when I want to understand the minds of today’s adolescent. I asked her if they teach deportment and manners anymore. She said nothing even remotely close to it. I asked if it was considered sexist. Was there a lack of funding? Was it outdated? Her answer was…outdated. They don’t call it “Home Economics” anymore. It’s “Food Science”, “Cooking”, “Catering”, “Fashion”…all under the title of “Career Technical Education classes.

Ok, I get it. To tell a girl she has to learn to walk straight and tall, to walk in heels, to put her coat on a certain way, may be considered sexist. Especially if young men aren’t being taught the same thing. I get all that. My problem is manners. Common, everyday decency that tells one it isn’t polite to stand in a bathroom at Walmart and threaten your elderly mother who is living in a nursing home. Threatening to stop visiting her if she hangs up on you again. I don’t get that.

There are parents who do a beautiful job raising polite, functional, lovable children who use impeccable manners and they do it without shaming or beating them. I know many of them. But there are so many more who leave it up to an overtaxed educational system to teach their children how to be decent human beings.

I don’t know the answer. Are there any “Emily Posts” left in the world? How do we teach the youth of today that manners are still important? How do we teach respect? I cannot believe that deportment is outdated entirely. It’s not that I am an old fuddy-duddy. I just want the best for our bright and shining future. ❤️

“And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:31‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Two-Lane Blacktop

Wed, 27 Sep 2017 01:30:54 -0600

Yesterday was errand day. Up at dawn, I ran through my list of very important things that needed to be done for the camping trip I’m leaving on today. And, not surprisingly, there were a couple of things I forgot. Mr. FixIt to the rescue! Yet another of the many wonderful advantages of dating this good man! He stopped on his way to my place and picked my items up at the market.

Driving back home on the two-lane blacktop, I always let my mind run through the points of note along the route. There’s the State Police barracks where I took (and failed) my first driving exam. (Not my fault, mind you…there was a hole in the muffler.) There’s the county line where I got carsick when I was seven. (I have no idea why that sticks with me, but it does.) There’s the last bridge of its kind between town and the farm. (It’s a lot like the old bridge that used to be where you turn onto the country lane to drive the last few miles to the house.) There’s the old country store where we stopped for ice cream on Sunday afternoons on our way back to town. There’s the turn where I had my wreck in February. My mind takes me through every turn and hill, reliving days long gone.

One of my favorite turns brings me to a straight stretch that passes the old Nutter Farm. There’s a family cemetery on the hill across the road. Every time I drive through that stretch, I get the strangest feeling. It’s akin to the feeling you get when someone hugs you. I didn’t get to meet the particular set of great-grandparents that are buried there, but somehow I feel them when I drive by. It’s a little eerie, but comforting at the same time. My great-grandfather died in his early 30’s of a ruptured appendix and left my great-grandmother with four little boys to raise. Charlie and Sabina. I have always loved her name. Folks called her “Binie”, with a long “i”. I never knew her proper name till after my last child was born or I might have named her Sabina Rose.

I know every turn, every pothole, every hill on that road. It stretches for miles all the way back as far as I can remember. I really get John Denver’s lyrics. “Country Roads, take me home to the place I belong…West Virginia!” I love coming home when I’ve been gone a while. When you’re there every day, you don’t notice how the house smells. But when you return from a long trip, it’s truly like stepping back in time to my childhood. It smells like old wood…damp and rich. It smells like old books and worn leather…slightly stale, dusty, and tired. It smells like iron skillets and well water. But it smells like family. It smells like home. I bought a scented candle when I first moved in last year and was decidedly dismayed when all you could smell when you walked in the back door was cinnamon apples. I stopped burning it right away and was ever so relieved when the familiar aromas returned a week or two later.

I count every day here as a blessing…a gift that God has brought me. This place almost seems like my reward for having lost my sweet husband. As though God said, “You’ve suffered enough. Let the memories in these walls comfort you for a time.” I know it’s not forever…one day the house will pass from one to another and I’ll need to move on. Or, more likely, there will be that point in my life when I choose to live elsewhere. But for now…for this brief time…I will live and love and laugh in the home of my heart. And I’ll remember every nook and cranny, every squeak in the floor, every line in the worn linoleum. I’ll remember every bend in the road. ❤️

“My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭32:18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Umbraphiles...The Shadow Lovers

Sun, 20 Aug 2017 01:55:38 -0600

They’ll chase an eclipse…clear across the ocean if they have to. They are umbraphiles. The Shadow Lovers. In 1972, Marcy Sigler chartered a ship, gathered 830 of her closest friends, and took off across the waters from New York to Nova Scotia to chase the eclipse and make it last as long as possible. There won’t be another total solar eclipse viewable in the continental United States for 180 some odd years so there are, as you well have seen, a gazillion umbraphiles coming out of the closet.

There are a lot of weird warnings out about the solar eclipse and it’s affect on everything from pregnancy to pets. An Indian newspaper recently warned women not to go outside during an eclipse to keep them from giving birth to a blind baby or one with a cleft lip. Eskimo women must place their cooking utensil upside down during an eclipse to ward off diseases. Also, some Indians wash their eyes out with urine during an eclipse to keep your eyes from ever hurting again.

I just received an e-mail from some veterinary outfit warning everyone to bring their pets into the house during a solar eclipse to prevent them from “looking up at the sun and being blinded”. Ok…is there a rash of beagles going outside at noon on any given day and staring at the sun? And if that’s the case, how about cats, and rats, and elephants? Actually, animals don’t take much notice of the sun. Pets may take notice of your excitement and react to that. You don’t need to put those cute little glasses on FiFi but if it will make you feel better, you can bring your pets in, draw the shades and let them watch the eclipse on television like respectable animals.

That being said, there may be some behavioral changes in the animal kingdom. Birds that roost may become quiet and prepare for a nap while nocturnal creatures may get the signal to wake up. The darkest moments of the eclipse occurs so quickly though that those night critters will probably just yawn and turn over and go back to sleep.

Now, one very real thing that may occur is the decrease in electricity from all the solar arrays in the path of the eclipse. As more and more communities produce more and more solar energy, an eclipse may be more noticeable with decreased output…especially when the eclipse occurs during the summer and during peak energy use times of the summer. I’m not sure what will happen, but there some potential for disruption.

I was wondering if anyone has calculated the carbon footprint of the eclipse and how all the increased driving and production of waste would affect the environment. But maybe I’m just being too, you know, scientific here. It’s still a pretty cool event and if you have a chance to watch one, you really should. Just remember to never stare at the sun without the proper protection. Be safe and have fun tomorrow. We’ll talk Tuesday about what you did and what you saw! ❤️

“The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine.” ‭‭Joel‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Road Trip, Day Twenty-Four..."In Jesus' Name"

Mon, 31 Jul 2017 01:55:55 -0600

Whew….some Mondays we just have to go to church here at the Ranch. Especially when I’ve heard a sermon like yesterday. Let me tell you a little bit about how God works in my life. There’s a church here in Denver that I really like…Red Rocks Church. It’s very much like my home church in West Virginia…contemporary, progressive, energetic. I love it and couldn’t wait to take Mr. FixIt. Red Rocks Church has four campuses plus a prison outreach. One campus has the pastor live and all the others watch a live feed on the big screen in their respective churches. I usually go to the Arvada campus, but I really wanted Mr. FixIt to hear the sermon live. I was planning to drive down to the Littleton Campus in order to accomplish that. I’m always quick to get ready but yesterday I just couldn’t seem to get it together. I couldn’t believe it when I looked at the clock and saw we would be lucky to make it to the local satellite church. We made a bee line and got there in time to grab a cup of coffee and get seated. As we were walking into the sanctuary, a volunteer said, “You’re in for a treat today…the pastor is here live with an amazing message!” I couldn’t believe it. If we would have left on time to get to the other church, we would have been watching the pastor on the big screen! God fascinates me. His ways are so mysterious. His love is so complete.

The message yesterday was about the Samaritan woman at the well again. The pastor spoke about five words and how they relate to all of us. Pain. Prison. Power. Platform. Purpose. The Samaritan woman had suffered pain…as we all have. She was living in a self-imposed prison of isolation as she avoided interacting with others. Then she had an encounter with Jesus at the well and experienced His power. She used her experiences of Pain, Prison, and Power as her Platform from which she could share her testimony. This allowed her to live her Purpose.

I don’t know about you, but I struggled for nearly sixty years trying to figure out what my purpose is in this life. I hadn’t done a very good job being a wife until my third marriage. I didn’t feel I had been a very good mother, although I tried and I did the best I could with the knowledge and experiences I possessed at the time. It wasn’t till I lost Mr. Virgo and spent three months in the wilderness and backroads of Colorado that I discovered my purpose is to love. To accomplish this, I have built this new life from the ashes of who I was before the fires of grief changed me.

The pastor used an example of someone who has turned her pain into her platform. At seven years old, Gabriella has had more pain than you can imagine. After a diagnosis of leukemia, it has been this innocent child who teaches the doctors and nurses…and, anyone in earshot, really…about Jesus. She comforts her mother when she worries about her and says “Don’t worry…God’s got this!” As they were taking her into surgery to place the port for chemo, this brave little girl only said three words but she said them over and over for two hours before they wheeled her into the OR. “In Jesus’ name…In Jesus’ name…In Jesus’ name.” When the folks from the Make a Wish Foundation contacted Gabs and her parents to find out her wish, she couldn’t think of what to ask for. She didn’t need anything. Finally, after weeks of contemplation, she decided last Saturday what she wanted. She wanted to preach at Red Rocks Church. So, yesterday, this beautiful little angel…just a wisp of a thing in her flower halo…bravely marched out onto the stage in front of hundreds of strangers. She held her notes in one hand, the microphone in the other, and she told us about her friend, Jesus. And how He holds us in the palm of his hand. She said we don’t need to be afraid because when she was afraid before her chemo, it was Jesus who comforted her. She said that was why she had wanted to be “bapatized”…because she loved Jesus. I’m telling you…that was the most powerful service I have ever attended. There wasn’t a dry eye in the place and I was so grateful to have been in the front row to witness it live.

The rest of the day was beautiful. We drove up to the top of Mt. Evans after church. At 14,134 feet elevation, we were quite literally in the clouds. After the power of witnessing the faith of that child, standing on top of the world seemed almost inconsequential. Afterward, we went to Central City for supper and to wait out the Sunday evening traffic returning to Denver. By the time we were back and told our stories of the day to our family, we were spent. Yes, some Mondays I just have to take you to church. This was one. ❤️

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” ‭‭John‬ ‭14:13-14‬ ‭NIV

#Jesus, #wisdom, #faith

A Room With A View

Wed, 05 Jul 2017 01:55:46 -0600

The last few nights have been insufferably hot and muggy in the farmhouse. There is a room air conditioner in the living room, but unless you’re sleeping on the couch, it doesn’t effectively cool down the house and ends up running up the electric bill to no avail. The best alternative is TOW-Wanda. Equipped with fans and open windows, it’s been pretty darned comfortable out there. I will miss this view of the bank along the driveway here at the farm. The lush green of West Virginia summers may bring bugs and humidity, but the foliage is a sight to see any given day of the week. Colorado is semi-arid so it is a sharp contrast from here. At least it’s a dry heat, right?

I emptied out the belly of the camper yesterday and cleaned the floors. I reorganized the contents of the big tub of odds and ends I keep down there. After repacking, I cleaned out the fridge, scrubbed the floors and vacuumed the carpets. The pantry needs vacuumed and wiped out then restocked. The bathroom needs a good scrubbing and I need to organize the storage under the bed and in various cabinets. Since this new truck doesn’t have the torque the old one had, I need to be more conscious about my weight.

I’ve made a list of last minute items for the trip. I’ll go into town for those today. Tomorrow I head out on another segment of The Grand Adventure. The longest Mr. FixIt and I have been separated was when I went to Colorado for a month at Christmas. We didn’t like it one bit. I so wanted to tell you about that homecoming back then but it was not the right time. I can tell you now. I flew in and out of Dayton because it is SO much cheaper and my dear friend Cindy lets me park at her house so I don’t have to pay for parking. That drive to the farm from Dayton felt like it took forever. I knew Mr. FixIt was at the farm waiting for me and I could hardly contain myself. It was after dark when I pulled into the driveway and I stopped dead in my tracks. For the first time since I was a child, the house was decorated. There were trees lit on the front porch and a large lit-up star on the second floor above the porch between the two windows! It made me cry. I jumped out of my truck and ran into the house squealing like a little girl. Mr. FixIt walked out from the living room and I stopped, mouth agape. He was wearing charcoal dress pants, a crisp white shirt, and a red sweater vest. He took my breath away and I knew…anyone who would do this for me was a keeper. He knew how much Christmas means to me and how much I love this house. He knew I missed having a country Christmas at the farm, so he made sure I had one on my return. What a wonderful guy!

My babies live in Colorado. I have to see them as often as I can. In the meantime, Mr. FixIt has obligations he must attend to here. We couldn’t stand the thought of being apart two whole months so he’s flying out to join me for three weeks in the middle of my trip so he can meet the family. We’ll go camping and sightseeing as he has never spent time in Colorado. The kitties are covered, the farm is being watched, my sweetheart is coming to see me, and I get to spend quality time with my girls! What’s not to love about that? Sweetness. Sheer sweetness! ❤️

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4:9-12‬ ‭NIV

Rest & Relaxation

Fri, 30 Jun 2017 01:55:18 -0600

We all need a little R&R from time to time, don’t we? My little two days away were peaceful, yet productive. I really wanted to see how the new truck performed pulling TOW-Wanda. My other truck had a rear axle ratio of 373. That thing would pull TOW-Wanda up Vail Pass at 65MPH in cruise control…piece of cake. Trucks with that rear axle ratio are scarce as hen’s teeth in these parts but a dime a dozen in Colorado. That’s because Coloradans have some pretty steep passes to go over and a large proportion are towing big stuff like campers and horse trailers. Around here, that ratio is overkill. Let me tell you, there is a huge difference between a 373 and a 331 like my new truck. I was so worried it wouldn’t be able to tow the big camper but she worked like a charm. Very smooth. I watched my transmission temperature on the hills and she did fine. A little hot on the very steepest hill, but I took it slow. I’m sure the Rockies will give her a run for her money but I think she can handle it. I feel much more secure now than I did before I went.

I knew there would be some maintenance issues to address before the trip. When I went to pick her up, the first thing I noticed at the storage lot was the nose of the camper tilted down. She wasn’t like that the last time I went. Turned out, the ground under the front jack softened after the last really big rain and the wood block it sat on shifted. The jack dug down into the ground and held solid but it could just as easily have bent the jack. Thankfully, it did not. I pressed the buttons to raise the jack. Nothing. I called over to the workman and he came out with the tractor. He lifted the nose and sat the jack back down on solid wood. I told him the electric jack wasn’t working. He said the battery was dead. I said the only time this had happened before was when there was a problem with the fuse that is on the pigtail line running from the battery. No, he said…your batteries are dead…even though I assured him I had just gotten them last spring. I wish I would have opened the little fuse covering but didn’t. I took his word. I went to Walmart and bought a battery charger then went back to the lot. With the electric line hooked to the back of my truck, I was able to raise and lower the jack and finally got hitched up and left. What should have taken four hours took seven.

I arrived at the Beaver Creek State Park (Lisbon, OH) campground and discovered the refrigerator was warm. This was a mystery but I decided to worry about that later. I finally got unhooked at the campground and hooked up to electric, I opened that fuse cover and there was my answer. The fuse was badly corroded. Some battery post cleaner and a new fuse fixed the problem. Next to address was why the refrigerator didn’t run on gas. I took the cover off the gas tanks, moved one slightly, and it started to hiss. The hose had sprung a leak, but only just then…not on the drive up. I puzzled over the problem and figured the igniter didn’t go off because of the fuse thing. But now I had to address the gas hose. If one goes out, you should replace both. It doesn’t cost that much and better to be safe than sorry.

The nearest RV dealer was twenty miles away and fortunately they had the hoses. I asked if these were what I needed and the guy said yes so off I went back to the campground only to discover the fittings on the hose was too small! Back to the RV dealer for two adapters, which he just so happened to have, and back to the campground. Lesson learned…always double check your fittings when you buy replacement hoses. Everything fit back together perfectly. I checked for leaks with dish soap…nothing. Good. Turned on the gas, switched the refrigerator to gas, and voila…it turned right on!

I took my hose out from the underbelly of the camper only to come to the sad realization that my site was electric only and I had neglected to fill the water tank before I left! No hot showers or doing dishes for me because I was NOT hooking that camper back up for anything! I ran into town and bought water and heated it in my electric teakettle for dishes. I kept some water bottles in the bathroom for rinsing the toilet and used the camp bathroom for solid waste.

BLT with fresh leaf lettuce and Tennessee tomatoes, fresh corn on the cob, Amish potato salad and fried green tomatoes…a perfect camp dinner. I was so excited to have friends at the campground. We sat around the campfire and caught up. Other than the maintenance items, which I fully expected to deal with, it was a wonderfully relaxing couple of days away. I hope you all have been enjoying your last few days of June. It’s hard to believe that the 4th of July is upon us! I’m in the final countdown before I head out on my next big road trip! I need to deep clean TOW-Wanda and get her packed. I backed her up into the driveway at the farm so she’s here where I can work on her. Stay tuned! ❤️

“let the priests take, each from his donor, and let them repair the house wherever any need of repairs is discovered."” ‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭12:5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

That One Day in June

Mon, 26 Jun 2017 01:55:06 -0600

There’s one day in June. It’s perfect. The temp hovers at 80 with a nice breeze. The puffy clouds float in a clear, blue sky. The green is ever so slightly past the bright apple green of spring but not nearly the darker green that come with July’s heat. A green that is so intense and so pervasive you feel EVERYTHING is chock full of chlorophyll. From the moment you rise to the time to rest your head on the pillow again, the day is chock-a-block full of fun summer activities. Yesterday was just such a day!

It began, of course, with church. Pastor Justin was away so the team leaders each came forward and spoke about the mission statement and the various guidelines our church works toward. It was informative and encouraging. Afterward, I changed into shorts (I still cannot force myself to wear shorts to church!) and headed to the park to walk. When I got out of the truck I saw a huge crowd and realized there was a car show going on. What a treat to walk around and talk to these auto enthusiasts and run into folks I know! Once I had seen all the cars and trucks, I walked two miles. As I did my laps and passed the baseball field, two teams started to warm up for an afternoon game. I stopped and watched a bit. Then I went to Marietta for a late lunch of Mexican food. I drove my friend home and headed out to the parsonage at the Methodist Church in Smithville for the going-away party being held in honor of Pastor Matthew and his fiancé, Felicia. It was bittersweet telling them goodbye. I have grown quite fond of them both but I know I will see them in Ohio. It was wonderful to share stories of how God is working in all of our lives and to spend a couple of hours win fellowship with some wonderful people that I have met through the local Revivals.

I drove home in a soft rain then watched the sky turn scarlet as the sun set. It was a day to remember. I love those best. ❤️

“He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭21:29-33‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The Deer and the Cat

Thu, 01 Jun 2017 01:55:08 -0600

Well, I saw something I’ve never seen before. I sure wish I would have had my camera ready fast enough. I was sitting out on the porch yesterday, enjoying the cool of the evening when I heard a ruckus on the hill you see here. The lawn goes to the edge of the creek there and then the hill goes up the other side. I heard something running through the underbrush over there and could just make out an orange streak barreling down the hill. Kitty Boy! He doesn’t show up but maybe three nights a week or so these days. Fixing him and feeding him and the companionship of Boy Cat doesn’t seem to be enough for this adolescent and he’s off galavanting the farms and hills. As I watched this fairly small cat making a bee line down through the woods, it occurred to me he was making a whale of a lot of noise. I looked on up behind him and hot on his trail was a doe! She almost got him but he jumped on down into the creek and the doe stopped just short of coming out of the cover of the thicket. She proceeded to stomp her front hooves on the ground and snort for a good five minutes before she was convinced the big bad kitty was gone. My guess is she has a baby hidden up in those trees and Kitty Boy got a little too curious.

The hummingbirds were causing quite a ruckus of their own…buzzing back and forth in front of me as I sat and wrote my daily post. The evening birds were calling. I could see across to the old garden area…the birds have totally cleaned out the cherry trees. Grandma’s snowball bush was blooming and the purple and white clematis were making a show of themselves on the metal lawn bracket my uncle built for them years ago. Sumac with broad heads of yellow-green blossoms were sweet on the evening air. The sparrows and chickadees and titmice were darting back and forth from the shrubs to the feeders. Three pairs of mourning doves foraged on the ground below the feeders, picking up the excess seed discarded by the more aggressive birds above. The brown headed cowbirds were there, but they’ve stopped their watery plunking calls and the dancing on the phone line meant to entice the ladies. The wildlife are settling into the summer child rearing season quite nicely and there seems to be a different rhythm on the farm these days.

The clouds came rolling over the far ridge in time to catch the evening sun, sending a golden light over everything. Two turkeys called back and forth to one another from opposite hilltops. Rain was coming. The air thickened with the dampness that gathers just before the shower begins. By 8:00 last night, as I was writing this, I still hadn’t managed to sleep more than an hour out of the previous thirty-six. I took a walk. A hot bath. I wrote. I meditated. I prayed. And, I am quite sure…I’ll sleep afterwards. Because…here comes the rain. ❤️

“When he speaks in the thunder, the heavens roar with rain. He causes the clouds to rise over the earth. He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from his storehouses.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭51:16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Rose Colored Glasses or Keeping the Faith?

Mon, 29 May 2017 01:55:06 -0600

It’s difficult to keep faith in humanity when the world looks like it does today. There are bad…evil bad people in the world but they are the drops in the ocean. We are tricked into thinking all of humanity has gone to hell in a hand basket when indeed they have not. There are plenty of wonderful, loving people in the world. I’m not going to go on a political rant here. I just want you to keep in mind there is a reason politicians and media keep the pot stirred up. It’s easier to keep control of a fearful crowd. Keep your eyes open. Look for the love. Look for the good. Send out positive, uplifting energy. Raise the vibration of the world. If you are the praying sort, pray with all your might that we are saved from he who would do us harm. We know how this ends. The light banishes the darkness. It is written. It is physics and metaphysics. It is biblical. When I get discouraged I read my bible first. That’s where I find the most comfort and encouragement. Then I look for quotes of famous peace brokers like Gandhi, Rumi and the like. They help me reboot and keep moving towards a peaceful planet. That and calling my congressmen with my concerns. That’s about all I can do.

Today is Memorial Day. Let us look past the angry rhetoric today and honor those who have fought for our freedom. Let us be fully awake and remember. Thank you to all those who have given their all to this country.

In memory of my uncle…George Melvin (Sonny) Chadock, who died in a plane crash 5/5/55 ❤️

“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We're Not in Kansas

Thu, 25 May 2017 01:55:31 -0600

What a crazy weather day in the south yesterday. After a relatively calm morning walk on the beach, the weather continued to amp up till the Weather Channel reported multiple tornadoes. Daytona Beach was under a tornado watch most of the afternoon. Wave after wave of severe thunderstorms drove through the area, blowing the deck furniture all over. I’m glad I got a chance to get out Monday evening and explore a little.

As I was heading south to check out New Smyrna Beach, I saw an antique car restorer and decided to stop on my way back. There were some absolutely gorgeous cars there. This particular beauty is a 1956 Chevy BelAir. Restored in a two tone with black and a striking chartreuse green, it looked so much more impressive than the black and white I remember. There was a woman who lived down the road from the farm who had one of these when I was a kid. I have always loved the ‘56 and ‘57 Chevys. Couldn’t you just imagine a tiny canned ham camper being towed behind one of these babies?

I went out and about again last night. I was driving through a beautiful neighborhood when I saw a sign advertising a small fiberglass camper…a Trillium. It was so sweet and small and would be perfect if it wasn’t $16.5K! Not possible. The lady selling it was lovely and we had a nice chat as she told me of her travels in the little camper. I think she was disappointed that I didn’t take it. I went grocery shopping and stopped at Starbucks on the way home. I love a decaf Americano late in the evening.

As I am writing this, the storms have passed on out to sea. I’m sitting on the deck, a lovely sea breeze rolling in over the waves. It is a sensible 73 degrees and a light sweater is plenty to keep me comfortable as I count my many blessings. I had a wonderful conversation with the powers that be at Sisters on the Fly today and I am signed up to write a monthly post on their website under the branded column they created for me…“Getting Bolder”. I took a little hiatus after the accident in February and it seems they missed me. I’m looking forward to getting back in the saddle, so to speak, and share some stories and showcase some amazing Sisters who are also Getting Bolder. It was another beautiful day! ❤️

“In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭127:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God Moments

Thu, 27 Apr 2017 01:55:03 -0600

Yesterday dawned dark and grey again. Every day I’ve been here has been cloudy for the biggest portion of the day with tons of rain. Have I let it get in the way of enjoying myself? Heck no! It’s actually put me in just the right places at just the right times. After breakfast, I headed to the north end of the island to visit the Currituck Lighthouse. I was amazed when I got there and saw a man dangling from the tippy top. He was bolting down cables wrapped around the top of the lighthouse to secure it for another hundred years. I thought maybe they were not allowing visitors in but that wasn’t the case. While the other two lighthouses were $4 and $5, the Currituck is $10. I did not see National Parks people there so I assume it is not a government facility.

When I got to the top, there was a couple there. I struck up a conversation with the woman. She is an artist camping in the area. She showed me some pictures of her plein air work and she is really quite good! (Her card is in the truck so I’ll have to share her work later.) I shared my blog. We are both faith based and we offered each other loving encouragement standing right there at the top of 222 stairs under cloudy skies. We marveled at our God’s goodness and how He moves in our lives…and the sun broke through the clouds. What a wonderful confirmation!

We could see a large yellow house from the top of the lighthouse. My next stop was a tour of this home…Whalehead. A gentleman’s wife was was not allowed to participate in any of the hunt clubs in New England because she was a woman. Her forward thinking husband bought a large track of land and built his wife her own hunting lodge so she could do whatever she wanted. It was a lovely home and offered alotofinsight into the history of duck hunting in the area.

After the tour, hunger got the better of me and I went in search of great seafood. Fresh blue point oysters on the half shell were divine. Fish tacos were good. Not quite the same at the day before. After browsing through a few shops and remembering I need nothing, I drove back to the condo, changed, and hit the beach. The tide was coming in and I kept pulling further and further back. As I prepared to leave, there were a few people standing at the top of the stairs chatting. I detected a subtle hint of a British accent in the woman. When I asked where she was from, she said Newbury/Thatcham area in England. I about fell over! That’s where I lived in 1973 and 1974! We chatted for a long time and compared notes. It was so exciting. I’ve run into people from England, sure. But never from the small village in which I lived. What a treat!

Finally, I noticed the tinge of gold on the clouds and realized I was about to see my first sunset of the week. I went across the main road to the restaurant and walked out on their back deck in time to catch…this. It almost made me cry, it was so beautiful. It was a day full of God winks and angel kisses. There are no coincidences. I felt so blessed and loved and full of light when I finally strolled back to the condo at day’s end. These are the days that bring me good sleep…the sound sleep of a day well lived. ❤️

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” ‭‭James‬ ‭1:17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Life on the Farm

Fri, 21 Apr 2017 01:55:42 -0600

It’s been a heck of a time the last couple of weeks. A friend had a health scare, my houseguest fell last week and had to go the the ER (she’s great, camping this weekend with the Sisters on the Fly and has a great new campfire story!), another friend fell this week with another trip to the ER, then there was yesterday. Oy.

I went for my followup visit with the neurosurgeon. My subdural hematoma is all healed up but I’m still getting wicked headaches. As I sat in the office talking to her, I had something weird happen to my vision in my right eye. Suddenly I started getting this weird flicker then floaters that swirled around like black tendrils of smoke in my field of vision. Freaked me out a bit, I have to tell ya. I stopped mid-sentence and said “Wait a minute…something’s wrong here.” I told her what I was seeing and she looked in my eye and said I had to see my eye doctor before the end of the day. I got in at around 3:00 and they did a thorough exam. The good news is, it was not a detached retina! It turned out I have a “posterior vitreous detachment”. It sounds a whole lot worse than it is. It’s not dangerous and there’s nothing that can be done for it. It doesn’t affect your vision except as it separates at which time you get floaters and flashes. Over 75% of people over 65 get PVD. I got it a little early. She doesn’t think it is related to my accident since it has been two months. I still was seeing one floater late last night but my brain will soon adjust to that and it shouldn’t bother me. I am at a greater risk of having a detached retina in the next month or two so I have to be a princess for a while and take it easy. The really good news is, it will not interrupt my beach time! I’m leaving today to drive halfway down and the rest of the way on Saturday.

I wanted to share some more of the beautiful spring flowers that are doing their best to outdo each other. I sat on the porch last night and talked to Old Mama Kitty for a while. I heard a couple of very loud screams of a feline nature up behind the barn. It was definitely bigger than one of my farm cats. I’m thinking bobcat but there are mountain lions here as well. I don’t walk around the farm alone at night. I heard a whippoorwill across the road in the woods some time after dark. Hadn’t heard one since around 2013 so that made me really happy!

Happy Friday…Happy Spring…

…Happy Road Trip!!! ❤️

“The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.” ‭‭The Song of Solomon‬ ‭2:12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

TONIGHT'S PEACEFUL MOMENT: RESOLUTIONS

Thu, 05 Jan 2017 18:30:41 -0600

Tonight’s first “Peaceful Moment” of 2017 is about resolutions and how they might not work in one big moment. But…give them lots of little moments and see what happens!

youtu.be/Sn36cBi9v…

TONIGHT'S PEACEFUL MOMENT

Wed, 21 Dec 2016 03:00:09 -0600

Tonight’s Peaceful Moment

This is Christmas!

Tonight’s Peaceful Moment Link

TONIGHT'S PEACEFUL MOMENT

Thu, 08 Dec 2016 03:00:59 -0600

Tonight's Peaceful Moment

We've all seen Laurel Burch's art, whether you know her name or not. But there's more to know about this remarkable woman who wanted her art to bring joy and hope into the world. She would not paint her pain.

https://www.facebook.com/laurelburch/videos/1397768676707/

TONIGHT'S PEACEFUL MOMENT

Wed, 07 Dec 2016 18:30:22 -0600

Tonight's Peaceful Moment

Aside from one bad word, which you'll understand why when you watch, this is the sweetest thing. Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/tU5Rnd-HM6A

TONIGHT'S PEACEFUL MOMENT

Mon, 05 Dec 2016 18:30:29 -0600

This performance reminds me of the talented kids who attended my younger daughter's alternative high school. It was a cross between The Breakfast Club and Fame. Sonja Linman is the amazing teacher who embraces these exceptional human beings who don't learn by the standards preset in an office in the capital. They've been labeled, these kids. They learn different...they look different...they act different...but they blossom under the tutelage of Sonja's beautiful, magnanimous heart. Every spring, she directs her students in a musical that rivals Rock and Roll High School. God bless teachers like Sonja who embrace their students' challenges and steers them toward a meaningful, successful life.

This is one very talented young man. ❤️

https://www.facebook.com/CandyratRecords/videos/10154840788536209/

TONIGHT'S PEACEFUL MOMENT

Sun, 04 Dec 2016 18:30:06 -0600

A poem about grief and the holidays.

www.facebook.com/steve.wen…

Taking a Moment

Sat, 19 Nov 2016 02:30:45 -0600

“Kicking back on the porch at the farm.”

I’m not slowing down till spring! I looked at my calendar yesterday and realized I have no down time till mid-January but that’s when I sit down with my web developer and work on my new website. That’ll take at least two weeks then I’m thinking of heading south for a little fun in the sun and avoid the incessant shades of a grey winter in the Mid Ohio Valley. Today is coffee with the girls and lunch out, tomorrow is church and live music with a gal pal. Next week is travel to visit family for Thanksgiving. The next week I travel to Colorado till the end of the month. So, today I’m chilling out on the front porch. “Chilling” is a misnomer as it is over 60° and the sun is shining. I’m sitting with my feet up and doing the crossword. I’ve set up the bird feeders so I can see them from my front window and I am definitely enjoying their chatter as they jockey for position. They flit back and forth from the feeders to the safety of the nearby snowball bush. Yellow finches, house wrens, chickadees, and tufted titmouse. The occasional cardinal or blue jay for color. The young farm cat sits on the creek bank scowling in frustration at the missed opportunities to grab a snack. I’ve placed the feeders high enough he can’t get to my birds. Asian Lady Beetles drop in as they are attracted to the warmth of the wood on the front of the house as the sun sets. They are especially draw to places of contrast…light next to dark…like you find around windows and doors. I believe the flea spray kills them. They light on the floor of the porch and are dead in short order. It feels good to just stop and sit for a little bit and soak up the sun and the sounds of nature. Before you know it, the world will be blanketed in white and we will wish for a day like this. ❤️

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭NIV

First Frost

Wed, 26 Oct 2016 01:30:50 -0600

I scraped frost off the windshield yesterday for the first time this season. I had to have the truck in the shop bright and early and the sun was just peeking over the horizon when I headed into town...sipping my coffee and watching for late browsing deer. Everywhere you turn these days you catch the bright orange flash of pumpkins tucked here and there. Porches, storefronts, and garden centers are ablaze like a sunset and it reminds me my favorite color is "October"!

The frost and the pumpkins reminded me of this poem so I thought I would share this little piece of autumnal Americana with you for hump day. It seems divinely appropriate for my newfound farm life.

Have a beautiful day!

When the Frost is on the Punkin by James Whitcomb Riley

When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock,
And you hear the kyouck and gobble of the struttin’ turkey-cock,
And the clackin’ of the guineys, and the cluckin’ of the hens,
And the rooster’s hallylooyer as he tiptoes on the fence;
O, it’s then’s the times a feller is a-feelin’ at his best,
With the risin’ sun to greet him from a night of peaceful rest,
As he leaves the house, bareheaded, and goes out to feed the stock, When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock.
They’s something kindo’ harty-like about the atmusfere
When the heat of summer’s over and the coolin’ fall is here—
Of course we miss the flowers, and the blossums on the trees,
And the mumble of the hummin’-birds and buzzin’ of the bees;
But the air’s so appetizin’; and the landscape through the haze
Of a crisp and sunny morning of the airly autumn days
Is a pictur’ that no painter has the colorin’ to mock—
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock.
The husky, rusty russel of the tossels of the corn,
And the raspin’ of the tangled leaves, as golden as the morn;
The stubble in the furries—kindo’ lonesome-like, but still
A-preachin’ sermuns to us of the barns they growed to fill;
The strawstack in the medder, and the reaper in the shed;
The hosses in theyr stalls below—the clover over-head!—
O, it sets my hart a-clickin’ like the tickin’ of a clock,
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock!
Then your apples all is gethered, and the ones a feller keeps
Is poured around the celler-floor in red and yeller heaps;
And your cider-makin’ ’s over, and your wimmern-folks is through With their mince and apple-butter, and theyr souse and saussage, too!
I don’t know how to tell it—but ef sich a thing could be
As the Angels wantin’ boardin’, and they’d call around on me—
I’d want to ’commodate ’em—all the whole-indurin’ flock—
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock!

❤️

“The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen.”
‭‭Job‬ ‭37:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Autumn

Mon, 03 Oct 2016 01:30:50 -0600

The wind is carrying a chill these days. Leaves fly and spin on the breeze and soon they will blanket the floor of our woods like a dark, damp carpet. There is a constant rustling noise in the background and the sound of the dew dropping is a higher pitch than when the leaves were green. The hummingbirds are gone, headed south for warmer climes. Clouds roll over the ridge across the road as chickadees fight over who gets to sit at the feeder.

I love autumn. This year it isn't filling me with the dread of the oncoming winter for some reason. As I sit on the front porch, I still hear crickets. Birds are calling far up in the woods...their songs ringing down through the holler. The rain that woke me at 6:00 has created a small trickle through the creek running alongside the house...the tiny waterfalls plunking out a staccato beat. The farm cats are wandering the hillside above the house looking for a gift to present at my door. If I'm not quick enough to feed them in the mornings, they jump on the screen door to the front porch with a bang!

I'm used to the rapid drop of leaves in Colorado. Like most everything here, fall lingers...meandering it's way through October. Time...sweet time. Nothing is rushed. I seasoned a skillet yesterday morning as I listened to classical music. I drank my coffee on the porch. I read. I wrote. I listened. I prayed...

Thank you, Lord...for your bounty.

❤️

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭118:24‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Exploring

Sat, 03 Sep 2016 01:30:05 -0600

After doing my morning chores yesterday, I decided to go exploring back on the farm. We referred to this part of the property as "back on the hill". There was an old road that we took up there for years but it's hardly even passable in an ATV. Pop-Pop had converted an old Model A into a farm truck and he'd take us back on the hill in it. That road was so steep we had to lay down in the bed of the truck with our feet on the tailgate to keep from getting tossed out. Amazing that we didn't get killed!

I drove back the old oil and gas well road. I stopped at an old country church and looked around then headed for the familiar road leading into the back of the farm. I searched everywhere. Turned around and took another road but before long I realized that wasn't the right one. Turned around again and was heading out when I ran into a fella that lives down the road. I asked him if he knew how to get to the road I was looking for. He was very kind and went to get his four wheeler to show me.

The ground is so grown up back there now, I almost didn't recognize it. It's amazing how quickly the woods will take over land. There's nothing but the roof left of the old home place. And this is me in the doorway of the Strawberry Shed. This farm produced the finest strawberries in three counties. We had quite a production going. My great grandfather built this shed. The workers would bring the flats of strawberries to the big window in the front (on the wall to my left). Women would take the flats, sort and cull the berries, and hand them off to be loaded onto the back of my Pop-Pop's truck for the ride into Parkersburg to the Farmer's Market. I had two favorite parts of the day...being alone with my Pop-Pop on that ride into town and being alone in the kitchen with my grandma cooking lunch for the berry pickers.

I look back now at what a huge amount of work it was to grow and sell those strawberries. After paying for supplies, gas, and hired help, they couldn't possibly have made much money. But any little bit helped in those days. Now that I'm the "farm keeper", I needed to get back here and see what's what. The ground is posted "No Hunting" but there is evidence that hunters have stayed in that shed. I'll go back up in the fall when the colors are awesome and post pictures. Maybe I'll mount a game camera up there and see what kind of critters show up. It turned out to be an absolutely glorious day and I feel tremendously blessed!

❤️

“How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.”‭‭
Psalm‬ ‭104:24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A Room With a View

Fri, 02 Sep 2016 01:30:31 -0600

I'm getting into a routine here at the farm. I wake up, make my coffee, and take my reading to the front porch. This is my view. It is sometimes foggy early and it lends a dampening stillness. I sit and drink my coffee, read my devotional, say my prayers, and read a few pages of a couple of books. By then the newspaper has been delivered. I walk down to the road there and get it, read the news and check the classifieds and obits, read Dear Abby and my horoscope, then settle in to do the puzzles. Once I finish that, I get some chores done around the house or out on the grounds. At lunchtime, I drive up to the cemetery to write my post and read my messages. When I return to the farm, I write on my book. It is so peaceful and serene here.
I was thrilled to have the gas turned on again. Now there's hot water...and plenty of scrubbing being done!

No word from the hotel regarding the roof rack issue.

❤️

“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.”‭‭
Psalm‬ ‭119:18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A Simple Life

Tue, 30 Aug 2016 01:30:00 -0600

I was amazed how easy it was to navigate in and out of Washington, DC. It took me longer to get my truck from the hotel garage Sunday than it did to drive deep into the Shenandoah Valley. I was inside for three days in meetings in the air conditioning so I didn't get out till Sunday morning. I walked around and saw the White House, the Washington Monument, and the American History Museum. I've visited DC many times and I'm always thrilled each time I return. Now that I realize how easy it is to get there from WV, I may go back and spend more time exploring.

After staying overnight up on the mountain at my cousin's, I headed back to the farm yesterday. The very real concern of that roof leak came to the top of my list of things that need doing. I stopped at Lowe's and texted my friend who knows about such things to find out exactly what I needed. Armed to the teeth with paint and brushes, plus a flat of drinking water, I noticed the beautiful mums in the garden center and decided to buy one for the front porch. Mums mean Autumn is near. I love an all white bouquet, so I bought the white one.

It's too hot to paint the roof just yet, but it'll be cooling off before long. In the meantime, I've been on a treadmill for weeks so I'm taking a couple days off to regroup. Sitting on the porch reading...that sounds wonderful. Save my place...I'll be back soon.

❤️

“When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.”‭‭
Proverbs‬ ‭31:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The Barn

Thu, 25 Aug 2016 01:30:45 -0600

As I came around the turn at Pickle Street (yes...it's a real place!), the big red barn caught my eye. The farmhouse looks different now that they added the aluminum siding. (They had to take it off the National Historic Registry for that egregious act!) I first came to this farm as a little girl back when my aunt and her first husband owned it. It had belonged to his grandparents, Grandma and Grandpa Teters. After my uncle died and my aunt remarried, she sold this farm. I was honored she gave me three of Grandma Teters crocks along with the stories on two of them. (The big blue one pulled double duty. The cream was raised in it and the biscuit dough was made in it every morning. They ran a boarding house for teamsters and there were plenty of biscuits made in that crock. The small crock held baking soda. Grandpa Teters had a "sour stomach" all the time so the bowl was filled with baking soda - or "sody", as they called it - and he'd eat a teaspoon of it every time he walked past.) Also, I got a red child's rocker with a woven seat and a curved front oak curio cabinet they pulled out of this barn. It hardly offers basic shelter anymore with great gaps in the wood siding. I wanted to stop and get some pictures while the place is still standing. There is a church a half mile down the road. My great-grandfather donated the bell that is in the steeple of that church. Lots of ties in this area.

I visited my aunt yesterday and she seems to be recuperating nicely. I think she is with it enough to understand she can't live alone anymore. Actually, she seemed happier than I've seen her in a long, long time.

I didn't sleep well Tuesday night. Far too much on my mind and getting excited about the trip to DC and my talk. I had my alarm set for 5:30 yesterday morning to take the trash out. I was going to pack quickly and head out but I laid down...you know, for just a minute. Three hours later I woke up. By the time you read this on Thursday morning, I'll be on my way to Washington!!! Can you tell I'm excited???

❤️

““Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”‭‭
Matthew‬ ‭6:19-20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Home of my Heart

Mon, 08 Aug 2016 01:30:59 -0600

Just a quick note to let you know I arrived safely. I had to run to the next little small town to buy a long distance calling card. I can't be TOTALLY cut off from the world! I'm going to sleep till noon tomorrow! I haven't stopped running since I got to WV. It's so peaceful in this little holler. Can't wait to sit on the porch and listen to the night. Talk to you soon!

❤️

“The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”
Psalm 29:11 NIV

Silver Strands

Mon, 01 Aug 2016 01:30:30 -0600

I'm going to my 45th high school reunion soon. While the event itself wasn't my motivation to lose weight, I must say the timing is convenient. But there's one thing that's not changing and that's my hair. A lot of my friends are talking about their hair and whether they should let it go to their natural color or keep dying it. I spent a lot of years, and a lot of money, trying to cover up who I am. I won't do it anymore. God made me this way. He promised to love me when my hair is white. I'm just going to trust that and keep on being me.

I know that's not for everyone. If coloring your hair makes you feel better about yourself, you should do that. But if you're coloring your hair out of fear, I'd invite you to do some inquiry about that. It can be really difficult to embrace that drastic of a change if you have had a full head of dark hair all your life and your natural hair color is silver. The transition is stark. Asking your hair stylist is moot. She/he isn't going to encourage you to come in less often and spend less money.

Some of my friends say they would love to stop coloring but they're afraid their hair won't be a pretty gray. We aren't all blessed with a natural color that pleases us. For me personally, my hair was always a mousy brown that wasn't particularly shiny. My hair is fine but I have lots of it. Gray hair is a bit more coarse. I'm happier with my hair the grayer it gets. I was visiting friends last weekend. Their houseguest remarked that women would pay big bucks to get the streaks that have shown up as I 'ripen'.

Hair style and color is a deeply personal thing. It's our way of expressing to the world how we see ourselves...how we want the world to see us. If you're happy, I'm happy. However, if you really want to stop coloring your gray and are afraid of what you might find underneath, I encourage you to be brave and walk your way through that transition with courage. You can always go back if you hate it.

❤️

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
Isaiah 46:4 NIV

The 19th Hole

Sat, 16 Jul 2016 01:30:41 -0600

I'm sure I've told you this story, but it's been a while and we have lots of new Ranchers that may not have heard it. Mr. Virgo is buried on a golf course! Well, sort of. This area was a long time ranch. When the land was sold and developed into a subdivision, there was the question of how to deal with the pioneer cemetery up on the hill. Established in the late 1800's, when New Castle was a booming coal mining town, locals and miners have been buried there for generations. The final design has the golf course actually circling the cemetery with a right of way where a street gives access for visits and burials.

Mr. Virgo was an avid golfer. He bought me a set of golf clubs for the first birthday I shared with him. This course is right across the road from the house we lived in. Our first outing was on a wonderful fall day. We were on the fairway you see in the background in this photo. I noticed he was looking up at the top of the hill and squinting against the sun.
"Honey...what is that up there?" he asked.

"Oh, that? That's an old cemetery from the 1800's. They built the golf course around it." I told him.

Mr. Virgo turned to me, dropped his jaw, and said, "You're kidding me....you can get buried on a golf course??? Cooooool!!!" He looked back up wistfully and said, "Wow, I have GOT to be buried up there when it's my time to go!" We had no idea it would be less than seven years and his wish would be fulfilled.

I call his grave "The 19th Hole". He'd like that. He had a wicked sense of humor.

I am so grateful that I'm at a place now where I can enjoy family events without the terrible yearning I felt in the first couple of years. Last night, we celebrated my older daughter and son-in-law's birthdays as well as their 21st wedding anniversary. Dinner for twelve, cake and ice cream, and lots of laughter over family stories. Mr. Virgo would have loved that. That thought went through my mind as I sat there looking at this beautiful family he married into and I smiled. He would have really enjoyed the great food. He would have gotten a kick out of the grandkids and their cousins and how much they've grown. He would have loved our discussion of the Pokemon craze and how the forty-somethings kept explaining "But, they're not REAL." as we tried to grasp how they get there. I smiled. Sometimes I cry...but not this time. And, this is the true nature of grief. The unpredictability and how some events are OK and some are not...for no other reason than grief knocked at the door and I reflexively opened it up.

Today is my special day with Big. Little is next weekend. I'll tell a story or two about her Papa over dinner so she never forgets him. And, yeah...I downloaded Pokemon last night so we can chase those little boogers around town today! I'm a sucker for imaginary creatures.

❤️

“We love because he first loved us.”
1 John 4:19 NIV

Morning on the River

Thu, 09 Jun 2016 01:30:14 -0600

Everyone should have a place they can go to for solace. A place where they can find peace. While I find my love with my family, I find my peace on this river. There isn't a bad moment here. It's alive...a flowing mass of energy that strengthens me and soothes my spirit. This river makes my heart sing. My friend Paul finds his spirit on the shores of Lake Superior where he is gathering his soul up even as we speak. My sister/friend has the beach while my brother/friend has the jungles of Costa Rica. These places act like lightning rods in reverse. The energy comes from the earth itself and flows up and through us and restores something within.

I can find this energy in the mountains of Colorado. I've found it on the beaches of Mexico, rafting in the sea caves of Hawaii, and flying into the sunrise over the North Atlantic. But there's no place where I feel it stronger than on this river. I'll miss it this summer but I'll have an even greater source of energy soon. I'll have my girls!!!

❤️

“He built his sanctuary like the heights, like the earth that he established forever.”
Psalm 78:69 NIV

Fitness Friday

Fri, 15 Apr 2016 01:30:55 -0600

Fitness isn't all about the sweat. It isn't all about the food. It isn't all about meditation and centering prayer. Sometimes it's about rewarding your little piggies for carrying you around for nearly 63 years. I don't splurge on clothes anymore. I don't color my hair. I don't have acrylic nails. I don't get facials. I don't get massages, although I miss those tremendously.

I do get a pedi every other month or so...usually only in the summer during sandal season. If you get them at a beauty academy, you could get a whole summer's worth for a hundred bucks. If that's a strain on your budget, a do it yourself mini spa treatment at home is quite doable. When my toes are pink, I feel like a million bucks!

And speaking of being real, don't you get a little tired of seeing those ads and commercials with the teeny tiny models exercising? I mean, really...real women have curves. We have a little jiggle, even when we're fit. If we have given life to little human beings, that process changed our bodies, as well as our lives, forever. I have stretch marks and surgical scars and wrinkles and folds. I'm real. This video has been around before but I stumbled upon it again and wanted to share it with you today. Don't stop. Keep moving 'cause when you stop is when you get old and that's the beginning of the end.

Positive aging. DO that!

You GO Girl!

❤️

“A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.” Proverbs 14:30 NLT

Cabin Fever

Thu, 18 Feb 2016 02:30:50 -0600

Yeah, it starts setting in about now, doesn't it? I have a bookmark on my phone for a "Countdown to Spring" timer (It's 30 days, by the way!). I want to look at it ten times a day...you know, just in case I discover I have been in some sort of time warp and it's actually next week instead of next month. Sigh.

I did go through my pictures yesterday and paid close attention to this time last year. There were plenty of pictures of snow (Remember "Fifty Shades of White?") and lots of screenshots of my weather app with negative and single digit temps. And, who can forget my weekend of bubble baths and breakfast in bed at the Historic Blennerhassett Hotel after the -25 wind chills froze up my refrigerator and I lost all my food? Yikes!

It doesn't seem like this winter is as bad. I don't believe we have had as much snow here, nor have we had the same prolonged period of sub-freezing temps. Of course, part of that could be because I'm living indoors this year. The luxury of hot running water and a flush toilet are not lost on me and it has made it much easier to bear these dreary months. I DO love my bubble baths!

I'm sure the biggest influence in getting through winter with less difficulty is my continued healing and growth since losing Mr. Virgo. I'm not as lost. I'm not as devastatingly sad. I'm much more awake and alive and aware. This leaves me with an uneasy feeling, like...I'm coming out of a coma or amnesia. It leaves me wondering "What did I DO while I was 'gone'? What kind of mistakes did I make? And if they're big, can I fix them?"

I've already had to come to terms with some of the bigger mistakes. I spent WAY too much money the first year. In my interview with the New York Times (which I have been told will be available online tomorrow and in print Saturday!!!) I tell Kelly that I have regrets making some major purchases in that first year to year and a half. The problem is, when you get to the shallower half of the money pool, you look back and can remember specific purchases and wonder what on EARTH you were thinking. You think of what you could be doing with that money NOW. But, there is no use in crying over spilled milk. It's done...I learned...move on. The biggest lesson I got from that was to be sure to tell you to think about getting any life insurance payout in monthly payments instead of one lump sum to keep you from having a false sense of abundance. Retail therapy is not as good in the long run as say...grief counseling.

I'm taking a break from the book for a few days. I was actually writing in my dreams! Instead, I am working on my brand and networking. I created the spiffy new header you see up at the top of the page here and added a tag line. "Navigating Grief...One Campfire at a Time". I like it. It speaks of discovery and the journey and the hope I have found from it. It speaks of truth.

❤️

“The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.”
Proverbs 21:20 NIV

Full Moon

Tue, 26 Jan 2016 00:30:55 -0600

I love a full moon. It's full of mystery and promise. I am a creature of the light so when it's a clear night and there's a full moon, especially after a snow, the world has an ethereal glow...an other-worldly spirit...and I am enamored.

I see moonrise far more often than sunrise. I'm just not a morning person. There is an optical illusion when the moon rises, making it appear huge when it's near the horizon. I will never forget the first time I saw a moonrise over Denver as I was cresting the hill at Genesee on I-70. It was October, a harvest moon. A friend had taken me to Vail for dinner and we were driving back. We came around a bend and I swear, the moon filled the sky! I made him stop the car and I cried at the perfection of it all. I am touched by the beauty of nature.

I love to snowshoe under a full moon. I love to watch the moon rise through the trees when I'm camping. When Mr. Virgo first moved in with me, he was appalled that I had no curtains. I told him I COULDN'T have curtains....they block my view of the moon! I love when I wake up in the night to the moon shining in my face. It makes me feel safe, for some reason.

Although this picture doesn't do it justice, the moonrise was beautiful Sunday night as it reflected on the icy Ohio River. It won't be long till the river freezes over if this keeps up. As it is, chunks of ice flow downstream and reflect the moonlight perfectly. Winter is not my favorite season, so I make myself search for the beauty in it.

I found it this night.

❤️

“Who is this that appears like the dawn, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, majestic as the stars in procession?”
Song of Solomon 6:10 NIV

An Afternoon with the Wyeths

Thu, 14 Jan 2016 02:30:50 -0600

I spent yesterday afternoon browsing the Wyeth exhibit at the Denver Art Museum. I've always admired Andrew Wyeth's work but was unfamiliar with that of his son, Jamie. Having been trained by his own father, Andrew Wyeth went on to train Jamie, so it is no surprise there are similarities in their styles. I took the auditory tour as I do like to hear the back story of certain pieces of art. This particular tour was a delight as there was quite a bit of audio commentary by the artists themselves thus giving a glimpse into their lives and their thinking at the time a particular piece was created.

From Jamie's pet pig, Den Den, to Andrew's stunning nude studies late in his career, this exhibit was a feast to the senses. I was not wrong when I stated that Western Ohio - Eastern Indiana made me feel I was walking through an Andrew Wyeth painting, even though both artists painted in Pennsylvania and the rocky coast of Maine.

Whenever I come out of an art exhibit, play, opera, musical, concert, or symphony, I walk with a different step...a new perspective, a renewed sense of purpose, an urgency to create some sort of legacy of my own. This always changes something deep within me...a paradigm shift. If you have the opportunity, I would definitely recommend a trip to your nearest art museum or gallery this weekend. Give your brain some soul food and devour some art.

❤️

“He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers.”

Ommmmmmm........

Tue, 12 Jan 2016 02:30:30 -0600

Oh, I was the lucky girl yesterday. After an incredibly busy eleven day stretch of travel, meetings, talks, and interviews, I used my Christmas gift certificate and had a massage. It was heavenly! My massage therapist was delightful and we had a very meaningful, spiritual conversation. I don't normally like to talk during a massage, but it seemed we met for reasons other than the massage itself. Sometimes people are just placed in your path to exchange something...knowledge, information, energy, ministry. We shouldn't pass those opportunities up.

One of the most difficult things about widowhood, after the pain of your loss and missing your loved one, is the lack of human touch. I noticed this after my divorce sixteen years ago. I actually discussed it with my doctor and got a prescription for massage from him for "therapeutic touch". The "feel good" hormones are released during massage and this improves our state of well being.

I really miss human touch. A twenty-second hug releases hormones that can have the same effect as a single dose of an antidepressant. Most people get uncomfortable with a hug that lasts longer than a couple of seconds unless they are in an intimate relationship. There are actually businesses that offer non-sexual, fully clothed (pajamas or yoga pants encouraged), therapeutic snuggles and cuddles for $60-75 per hour. I'm not sure how that would work for me snuggling a complete stranger, but man...I sure miss that closeness.

Most reputable spas and salons offer legitimate massage services. Companies like Massage Envy can be found all over. Sometimes you can snag a Groupon deal for very inexpensive services. Occasionally a spa will offer an introductory rate for your first visit. If you've never had a massage, let me be the first to say how awesome I find them. I know there are people who really do not like massage, but if you find you're craving human contact and you aren't interested in having an intimate relationship with someone, therapeutic massage can be a godsend.

❤️

“Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.”
Proverbs 27:9 NIV

Photo Credit: greatdaymassage.com

Fly Fishing

Sun, 10 Jan 2016 02:30:52 -0600

My father was an avid fisherman. He mostly fished with lures and bait in the local rivers and lakes. But once a year we would go to the mountains and stay with my cousins and he would fly fish. We had very little money so we usually stayed with family but I remember one summer we stayed in a cabin. It was the coolest vacation ever!

My dad tied his own flies. He showed me how and I was fascinated. I would sit along the shallows and watch him cast over and over, occasionally landing a small brown or brookie....maybe a rainbow. I was never allowed to fly fish. The equipment came at a dear price and I couldn't swim. It wasn't even a consideration.

When I joined the Sisters on the Fly, I bought fly fishing equipment. I went to a large Sisters gathering and signed up with a guide for a group lesson. I don't know if it was the guide, or the number in the group, or the equipment, but...I hated it. Hated it!!! I was SO disappointed. I almost got rid of my gear when I downsized, but I decided to hang onto it and try again.
I met a really neat lady yesterday at the Fly Fishing Show. Paula Fothergill was married to the late Chuck Fothergill, the fly fishing guru from Aspen. She now works for Casting for Recovery, an organization that teaches women with breast cancer and breast cancer survivors how to fly fish. It is the main charity Sisters on the Fly members contribute to. In talking with Paula, we discovered we lived in the same small town in Colorado. She asked if I fly fish and I related my experience. She said, "Come with me!" and she took me to meet the general manager of Telluride Outside...John Duncan. I quickly discovered how well respected Chuck Fothergill was, as Paula handed me over to John's capable tutelage. He selected an 8.5' 5 pound Scott rod, a medium weight that is well balanced and excellent for the novice fly fisher.

There is a pond set up inside at the show to practice casting. We took our turn and in 5 minutes, I was hooked, so to speak. I was so excited! All it took was a knowledgeable, patient instructor and good gear to make all the difference in the world. Now I can't wait to get out on the river and catch my first trout on a fly!

❤️

Photo Credit: Sisters on the Fly

“Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds—like the fish of the Mediterranean Sea.”
Ezekiel 47:9-10 NIV

Busy, Busy, Busy

Sun, 20 Dec 2015 02:30:42 -0600

My older daughter has two children. They have school, swim practice, riding lessons, and homework. They are always running from activity to activity. Her mother-in-law and I were talking about this the other day and how different parenting is now. There's hardly an hour of down time anymore. I got to thinking about that. I can tell you exactly why that is and, it's not really much different after all.

When Daughter #1 was five years old, I married Hubby #2. He was in his first year of medical school. I wanted him to study at home so I made sure the house was quiet. But you couldn't keep a five year old quiet very easily so we spent every spare moment on the run. We went to the library and on bike rides, to the park and to the mall, to movies and to museums....anything to make for a quiet environment for my husband to study. My daughter was raised thinking that's how you raise your kids.
There are so many activities for kids to be involved in these days. I think parents are pressured to make sure their kids can keep up and compete with others. Some utilize after school programs as a solution for day care issues. I wish I could tell them all to slow down. Take a breath. Stay in their jammies all day and snuggle on the sofa with good books or a movie marathon once in a while. Let kids be kids. Let them go outside and play. Unplug them from electronics. Reward them with experiences instead of stuff...or worse yet, food. Tell them you love them. Tell them often. Make memories by baking cookies or creating something beautiful together.
I understand it's hard. Parents burn the candle at both ends all the time. It's hard for them to find the energy to do one more thing. It's hard to find the time to nurture your kids, let alone yourself, your spouse, and your marriage. I don't envy young parents today. I'm glad I'm going to be back here to help more. I'd like to make things a little easier for my kids....help them get the rest they need so they can be even better parents and spouses. Right now they are awesome. Imagine what they could do after a few naps or date nights!

This is probably the busiest week of the year for most of us. We are busy preparing the "perfect holiday" when in all actuality, we should be preparing ourselves FOR the perfect holiday. It's easy to get caught up in the hype and commercialism. I missed Hanukkah this year as it occurred before my arrival. (My family is blended and celebrates both Hanukkah and Christmas.) Yesterday, after a very long day at my grand daughter's swim meet, I told them we were all going out to have ice cream for dinner, my treat. My emphasis is experiences before stuff. They'll remember ice cream for dinner as a family much longer than some little tchotchke I might buy for them. As we count down the last days before Christmas, let's step away from the busyness of the season and remember why we are celebrating in the first place.

❤️

“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.””
Luke 10:38-42 NIV

Sharing

Sat, 12 Dec 2015 02:30:06 -0600

As I was leaving the B&B yesterday to head to the commencement, my host told me there was a grocery store not far away in case I wanted to buy my daughter some flowers. I stopped and picked out a graduation card, but as I stood in front of the flowers, it just seemed a waste since she has to fly back home on Sunday. I absentmindedly twirled my necklace and felt the sudden sting of tears. It's not what you think though...not entirely.

Julie's father and I were married when I was not much more than a child. I was 19 and he was 20. He gave me a diamond ring on Valentine's Day our senior year of high school. As so often happens when you marry too young, our marriage didn't last but I got this really great kid. When I married the second time, hubby #2 was in medical school. We had nothing. So we took the diamond out of the old setting, put it in a new one and called it good. When that marriage failed after 21 years, I tried to give the engagement ring to my oldest but she wasn't much into jewelry so she declined.

I dropped the ring in my jewelry box and forgot about it. Then Mr. Virgo came along. When he proposed, he gave me a ring that was very contemporary. I asked him if we could put the long held diamond on one side of the main stone and get one to match on the other. Continuity. When Mr. Virgo died, I had a piece of the ring with that old diamond in it removed and made into a necklace.

Yesterday, when I was trying to figure out what to give my firstborn to commemorate such a milestone as getting a Master's degree...and my hand automatically rested on the pendant at my throat, I knew it was time. It was time to pass this stone on to her now. I wrote my sentiments in the card then tore two little slits in the top edge where I could slip in the chain.

At dinner, the girl at the next table got an Apple Watch. Ooooohs and aaaaaaaahs. I slid the card across the table and she opened it. She was thrilled...in that special non-demonstrative way she has. But I knew. Because she hugged me, said a warm thank you, and showed it off to everyone.

My neck will only feel naked for a while. But I'll get to see that sparkle at the base of her throat now. I looked over at her during dinner. Her hand automatically reached up to touch the necklace exactly as mine always did. And I smiled.

❤️

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
1 Timothy 4:12 NIV

Peace

Wed, 09 Sep 2015 01:30:33 -0600

I had an interesting thing happen. When I was in Deadwood, I got to see and visit with a Sister/friend from Mississippi. Sue is an author who pens romantic mysteries and books about the supernatural. I first met her in Estes Park two years ago at a Sisters on the Fly event. She took us on a ghost tour/investigation of the Historic Stanley Hotel which was really cool. Sue is a hoot and a half and I was thrilled when she took a couple days away from her writing (even though she is pushing a deadline) to join us.

I was telling Sue about having my cards read in May and that the gal finally put them down and said there was a gray haired man there with me. She told me he is always with me, over my left shoulder. She leaned her head on her fist and said, "He looks at you like this. He adores you!" And that made me teary eyed because that's what he always told me. Sue got really excited and said she wanted to contact a woman she knows on my behalf who sometimes receives messages from those who have passed.

Yesterday she sent me a note from the gal. She said she saw a picture of Sue and me on FB and a gray haired man came forward with a message for me. She wrote my name as Jennie, not Ginny, even though Sue had not identified me. She said the man wanted me to know he's ok. Sue called her for more details of the vision she had seen. She said the gray haired man showed her a deck or patio and we were drinking something out of mugs. He told her his happiest times were with me outside. And we did sit out on the porch often, drinking our coffee. I loved those mornings.

I know. It's an easy assumption for her to make. Most couples sit outside and drink coffee when they can. But Sue asked her if he had a beard or mustache. The lady said no, he was clean shaven. That's what the card reader said as well. Mr. Virgo didn't have his beard when he died. Who knows? Maybe it's hooey. But it's comforting to me to receive the same message, with the same description from two different people. It gives me peace.

❤️

"For God does speak—now one way, now another— though no one perceives it."
Job 33:14

Getting Lost

Thu, 02 Jul 2015 01:30:00 -0600

Lost Lake Campground is located high up Kebler Pass. Many years ago, Mr. Virgo and I stopped her for lunch and were run off by the campground host as we weren't camping…just out for a drive. I always swore I'd come back but I couldn't remember how to get there. I was meandering along through the woods yesterday and felt that familiar nudge I get when Mr. Virgo's trying to get me to do something.

"Watch for it. Watch for it."

"Ok, Ok…I'm watching! What am I watching for?"

"Turn. Turn up the hill."

"Ok."

Sure enough, 1/4 mile up the road was the turnoff. It seemed familiar but I still wasn't sure where I was going. Two miles out the dirt road, there it was! That beautiful, glassy green water reflecting the mountains beyond. I pulled over and sat on a rock to take in the views. I had no intention of staying there overnight. I need to get back to Denver because my truck is ready.

"Would you like to stay with us tonight?"

I nearly jumped out of my skin as I turned to see the camp host standing nearby.

"We only have one opening."

I heard Mr. Virgo whisper…."Stay, baby doll. Stay."

"Yes…yes, I'll take that spot. Where's the nearest cell service so I can let folks know where I am?"

"You can go down the road to Paonia. They have cell service. Do you have a card?" she smiled.

"Card?" I asked.

"Are you 62?" she asked tentatively.

"Why yes! I turned 62 two weeks ago!"

"Well, while you're in town, go to the National Forest Service office and get your Senior Pass. Best $10 you'll ever spend. Your entry fee will be waived at all National Parks and your camping fees at Federal Campgrounds will be half off!"

Score!!! So, I'm out of the loop, off the grid, lost in the hills. Just one night…but a great night!

❤

Serenity

Mon, 29 Jun 2015 01:30:00 -0600

This was my view last night as I sat on the patio visiting with my friends. This is such a magical place. I've posted from here many times and its beauty never ceases to amaze me. The mountain you see in the distance is Mesa Verde, home of the Ancient Ones…the Cliff Dwellers. There's good energy here. But alas…it was just a short stay this time as I head out on the road again today. Not at all sure where I'm heading. Footloose and fancy free…that's me!

Sue and I had some good discussions about my book this weekend which will involve some revisions but will make it even better. I'm looking forward to getting this done.

I'll send pics of the sights today.

❤

"He made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down."
Psalm 104:19

Tent City

Sat, 30 May 2015 01:30:00 -0600

This is amazing. Every day more people come and squeeze into any available space in the campground. I've never seen anything like it! I hope to get a panoramic view of the field tomorrow. Thank GOD it hasn't rained. This field isn't referred to as "Mudville" for nothing! We were brilliant…we selected the family camping area so it is really quiet. At least it is right now because the late show is still going on.

I'm sitting outside my "home" as I write this. I'm trying to imagine. What if this was how we all HAD to live? Crammed together in a field. People living in makeshift tents, screen rooms, old buses and vans. Large, energy guzzling RVs and travel trailers like mine. What if this was our real home? Water and food would soon become an issue. As would sanitation. Rains would turn this lovely new-mown hay field into a boggy quagmire. Tempers would soon flair. The sense of peace and love and community created by the joint intention of the gathering would soon be lost…given away to fear and greed and envy. Fight or flight. You see it in third world countries every day. I experienced it in the jungles of Mexico many years ago.

As I'm sitting here, I look at my "home" and I'm filled with humble gratitude. I am positively affluent! I have a clean, safe place to live. I am free to live wherever I choose. I am so very grateful for everything God has blessed me with. Truly.

❤

"Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy."
Psalm 47:1

And...it Begins!

Fri, 29 May 2015 01:30:00 -0600

TOW-Wanda & Free-Da, the Ford...ready to hit the road!
Camping at Nelsonville Music Festival
Live Music
Live Music at Night!

What a treasure it is to gather with a large variety of humans seeking the same goal. Four days of peace, music, and fun in the sun! The vibe is good...mellow. Reminiscent of the early outdoor concerts of the '60s. Aging hippies getting their groove on. Middle aged couples trying to recover a part of the dream. Days when they were filled with love and promise. Days before the pressures of life took away their ability to play. So here, they don their tie dye and walk barefoot, holding hands with hopeful love. And with the right portion of sun, sound, and sensual dancing, sparks are igniting the embers of a long, too cold winter. And it's summer!!! Young people smelling like patchouli and herbal refreshments, dreads, flowing gauzy skirts dancing with that sheer freedom youth allows. Little ones running around blowing bubbles and chasing balloons.

A music festival thrusts you into a melting pot of humanity. It is an excellent opportunity to throw off that coat of conformity and allow you to fly...to allow you to be YOU!

It just doesn't get much better than that. Celebrate life!

❤

"David and all Israel were celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with castanets, harps, lyres, timbrels, sistrums and cymbals."
2 Samuel 6:5

Peace

Tue, 26 May 2015 01:30:00 -0600

What a fun weekend. Busy, busy, busy! A trip to the farm for stuff, live music, coffee with the '71 Divas, a five mile kayak trip around Middle Island, a trip to Blennerhassett Island with a friend, grocery shopping, and a cookout. Only two days left to get everything done. I have always worked well under pressure but this is ridiculous! lol

In the midst of chaos, I found peace on the river. I told a friend of mine how I've always been afraid of water and really afraid of a kayak. Then, the first morning, I just got in and paddled like I've been doing it forever. My friend said, "I thought you were scared of the water?" I called back, "Yeah…well, I'm ok now!" It was nothing like I envisioned. It was smooth and so, so peaceful. Of course, my arms were really sore after the five mile trip, but after 12 hours, they were much improved.

What is a fear you have conquered?

❤

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:7

Wanderlust: a strong, innate desire to rove or travel about

Tue, 19 May 2015 01:30:00 -0600

Travel is in my blood. I don't know if it's the Gemini in me that wants to see and learn and experience new things or if I just get bored easily. Some have accused me of running away from my grief by never stopping for long. While that may have been true early on, I don't believe that is currently the case. I just love the experience of feeling the wind in my hair as I travel with my home following close behind. I love the sound of the world beneath my wheels. I love an ever changing view. I love seeing the microcosms that make up the myriad worlds within the big picture. I dearly love meeting new people along the way…capturing stories like little blue butterflies in the summer sun.

I am rapidly approaching the next shift. I made another trip out to the farm yesterday to gather up a load of things to distribute. OMGosh! It was SO hot and humid out there. Not a breath of breeze and I was totally spent by 1:00. As I was going through stuff, I came across this painted black box. Unfortunately, it was broken but I found a remarkable gift inside. The glass framed picture lining the lid had fallen out. It was a page from an old magazine that someone had glued to the glass. Totally unremarkable on the side that showed. But look what I found on the inside!!!

The moral of the story: You can find some of the most amazing gifts within…once you are broken open.

❤

"Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you."
Psalm 84:12

Wildlife Refuge

Fri, 15 May 2015 01:30:00 -0600

The last few months, I have passed a government facility going back and forth to town. I've always wanted to stop in and check it out. Yesterday was the day. What a beautiful building. The conservancy has purchased, or partially purchased, many islands in the northern Ohio River and have planted flood resistant trees, shored up eroding beaches, and worked to build up and preserve and protect natural flora and fauna. The nice gentleman at the desk told me that Middle Island is the only one in the system that you can drive your car onto. He gave me directions for access and I headed off for a nice little adventure. I spent the better part of an hour sitting alongside the river listening to a symphony of bird song. Now I want to come back with my kayak and circumnavigate the island.

I know, I know...I'm supposed to be out at the farm going through stuff and hauling it to town. I think there just might be a memorial bonfire instead.

I'll bring the marshmallows!!!

❤

"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations."
Revelation 22:1-2

Unexpected Bliss

Wed, 13 May 2015 01:30:00 -0600

I had lunch yesterday with a Facebook friend that I graduated high school with. After four hours talking nonstop, we left as real life friends. We didn't know each other all that well in school which is a shame really. I believe I missed out on a good friend all these years.

I had things to do yesterday but when my lunch hour turned into the unexpected joy of four hours of heartfelt conversation, I felt it was much more important to eat ice cream and get my toes done than to drive to the farm for another load of stuff. I seldom have conversations with the pedicurist but she asked where I live and what I do. So, I set my phone aside and engaged in a beautiful moment of sharing with a woman from the other side of the world with a vastly different cultural background than mine. Her name is Happy...and aptly so. I told her I live everywhere. She was concerned about how I get my mail. I told her I am a writer. She asked what I write about. I told her about losing Mr. Virgo and how I write to tell people there is life after this terrible pain. She went on to tell me she is Buddhist. We spoke about the importance of living in the moment because this is what we have. We spoke of being happy. In her words, "We can go to bed at night with shoes on our feet and wake up the next morning, never to see those shoes again. You must be happy with what you have." I loved her immensely.

My wish for you today is to find your bliss...be happy in your shoes.

❤

"In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality." Proverbs 12:2

Crossing Over

Mon, 11 May 2015 01:30:00 -0600

I conquered a lifelong fear yesterday. I was raised by a woman who saved her baby sister from drowning when she herself could not swim. My mom was deathly afraid of water and kept us away from it at all costs. Therefore, I have feared water since my earliest memory. This fear caused problems for me. Besides the uncomfortable feelings of anxiety, fear kept me from enjoying the social aspect of water activities. When I had children of my own, I made sure they learned how to swim at a very young age.

As I have aged, I've become far less fearful. I learned to sail a Hobie Cat in Mexico ten years ago. And yesterday I learned to kayak on the Ohio River. As I sat on the glassy surface, I thought to myself, "Silly girl, you could have been doing this for YEARS!" I told my friend afterwards that I want to paddle up this river for an hour every morning and float back down with my cup of coffee every day for the rest of my life. I never would have dreamed of doing this before Mr. Virgo died. This experience has emboldened me and made me face down some life long fears. They just fizzled in front of me.

I may be late to the party, but I'm making up for lost time!

What's next???

❤

"I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side."
Psalm 3:6 NIV

Breathe…

Sat, 09 May 2015 01:30:00 -0600

I'm beginning to feel the crunch of time a little bit. There's SO much to do before I head back to Colorado. We went from nice, spring temps to sweltering heat overnight so you have to make a mad dash in the mornings to get stuff done before it's too hot. I don't like the extremes of weather. If it was 65-75 degrees year round, I'd be a happy camper.

The other day I went on a bike ride. It was 85 degrees and there wasn't a bit of wind. I managed to ride 45 minutes and that was enough for me. A little over halfway through the ride, I stopped for water and looked across the creek. The hillside was covered in redbud and dogwood trees. It was beautiful! It made coming out that far worthwhile.

That's the way life is sometimes. You struggle along keeping your head down, determined to get through it. Then, when you stop and take a breath, you look up and find yourself surrounded by beauty. The trick is to keep your head up the whole time.

❤

"But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”

What is GOLD in your world?

Fri, 10 Apr 2015 01:30:00 -0600

Yesterday was laundry day. Now that I have running water in my camper, I can hand wash delicates and hang them out to dry. But that doesn't work for everything so a trip to the laundromat was in order. Doing laundry at home is one of the luxuries of my "former lifestyle" that I have to admit, I miss. But really, the biggest hassle is where to put the laundry basket while I accumulate enough dirty clothes to make a trip worthwhile. On the upside, I can do multiple loads at the same time and a chore that used to take all day is easily completed in a couple of hours. Also, I've had lovely conversations with people while I'm waiting for the machines to do their thing. I invariably learn something…about them, about the world, about myself. Hardworking people who may be struggling in today's economy. The middle aged mom who is remodeling her laundry room. The 61 year old writer who gave up the house with the washer and dryer in order to have a simpler life. Yes…it is my choice to live this simpler version of me.

Ginny…version 61.8. :-)

So far, even with the sacrifices, I'm enjoying it immensely.

I am finding the drive to exercise again. That is SO hard for me because I repeatedly tell anyone who stands still long enough that I hate to exercise. So therefore…I hate to exercise. In my Pollyanna-esque way…I'm changing my viewpoint. From now on, I'm going to go outside to play. When did we stop playing? When we were kids, we couldn't WAIT to go out and ride our bikes or roller skate…running around from dawn till dusk. Now we whine and complain like someone is trying to torture us. Nope, I'm going outside to play. Come join me.

Ollie, Ollie out's, in free!

❤

"They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb."
Psalm 19:10

Recharge!

Wed, 01 Apr 2015 01:30:00 -0600

Most days I have an agenda. I don't necessarily write lists like I did when I was working. Things are a lot looser these days. But yesterday was a totally self-indulgent "Ginny" day. I had breakfast and coffee in bed and read, wrote, surfed, and chatted the day away. Some may call that a day wasted but for me, a day like that is completely necessary on occasion in order to recharge my batteries. I've had some interactions lately that left me disappointed and feeling depleted. That is totally out of character for me and that is always my cue to back off and chill out. If my schedule for the rest of the week were more open, and if it were just a bit warmer, I would have hooked up TOW-Wanda and headed for the hills. As it was, I just hunkered down and enjoyed the sound of the wind rocking my camper and today is a brand new day!

What do you do to recharge when life wrings the stuffin's out of you?

❤

Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.
3 John 1:2 ESV

Being Alive

Sat, 14 Mar 2015 01:30:00 -0600

There's something about listening to live music that speaks to my soul. I love the ambiance of an intimate venue. My brother friend Greg says there are many venues in the valley where I lived in Colorado but I just didn't know about them and probably wouldn't have gone if I did. Consequently, I have experienced far more entertainment in the last few weeks than I have in years. It's good for my spirit.

Todd Burge headlined with special guest, Larry Groce. Todd was debuting his new album. It was a lovely collection of songs written by Todd. It made me want to dance. It made me want Spring.

❤

"They ministered with music before the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, until Solomon built the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. They performed their duties according to the regulations laid down for them."
1 Chronicles 6:32

Mountain Stage

Mon, 09 Mar 2015 01:30:00 -0600

The West Virginia Cultural Center rests on the campus opposite from the state Capital in Charleston. They are celebrating their 32nd year of wonderful Americana music. I went last night with one of my high school friends. It was the best $15 I have ever spent! Five bands plied us with their tunes and it was divine. And, as much as I would love to write a brilliant, articulate blog post, I am way beyond too tired to do so. Suffice it to say…a good time was had by all!

❤

Wintervention

Tue, 24 Feb 2015 02:30:00 -0600

One of my sweet friends sent me a text yesterday morning begging me to come in out of the cold. She was attempting a "wintervention". She was quite alarmed that the temperature had plummeted 20℉ since dawn two hours before. She knew that not only do I not have running water, but now my refrigerator doesn't work. How can any sane person live like this? Ummmmm. Good question.

Am I certifiably crazy? Nope. I've BEEN crazy. This isn't it. Am I wearing a hair shirt and performing some sort of ritualistic scarification that entails facing subzero temperatures and bad food? Not even close. Ever since I read The Boxcar Children, I've fantasized about living in a boxcar and eating wild berries, sleeping the sleep of happy exhaustion from the foraging of the day. Living in a fully stocked camper with a memory foam mattress, luxury bedding, an electric blanket turned up to "toasty" is living the high life comparatively. Oh, yeah….it's a whale of a lot different than anything I've ever done for more than just a few days. It's challenging, but it's not necessarily dangerous. It's exciting, fun, and full of adventures. It's freedom to the nth degree.

Paring and peeling away every layer of civilization that I am willing to give up has simplified my life to the point that I can FEEL things. I feel the seasons, the power of the earth, the flow of the river, the flight of the birds. This is an exquisite gift I have been given. I was so upset after things fell apart at the farm because it didn't work out according to MY plan. Once I finished stomping my little foot and pouting, I sat down. I shut up. And I listened. What I have heard is my own heart beating. Once I stilled my mind, I realized God was speaking loud and clear. "Hush now. Sit here with Me and let's just be still awhile…you and Me, ok?"

Ok.

❤

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 ESV

Princess

Mon, 23 Feb 2015 02:30:00 -0600

I'll admit it. I'm a princess. I think my little foray to a local historic hotel for a weekend of indoor camping proves that. I have stayed in some pretty fine hotels around the country, most notably in Aspen. But I have to tell you, I have never been treated better than I was at the Blennerhassett Hotel this weekend. I walked in, literally dragging my suitcase and briefcase, getting stuck in the door on my way in. From the moment they set eyes on me to the moment they placed that same briefcase carefully in my truck at checkout, I was literally treated like royalty. The room I was given was perfectly lovely. A king bed with a hundred pillows and crisp white sheets was a welcome respite. The tub was the perfect size for soaking my so sad and weary bones after the deep freeze of the last couple of weeks. The only thing that was somewhat bothersome was a couple of dogs in a room down the hall. They did create quite a ruckus when their people went out, which seemed to be quite a lot. When I went down for my morning coffee Saturday, I mentioned this to the front desk clerk and she said she would see about it. I went back to my room to write and by 11:00, the barking had not let up. I called down to the front desk and asked if it was at all possible to be moved. There were no questions asked. They immediately moved me to a lovely room, a bit bigger, on the floor above. The bellman had no sooner left till I looked into the bathroom, and…..no tub! Noooooo! The whole purpose of this exercise was to soak in the tub…as long as possible. I called down and told the clerk I really didn't want to be THAT guest and pointed out the lack of a tub. She remembered me telling her how important that was at check in and immediately set to finding me the perfect room. And she did…wow! I have lived in apartments that were smaller than this room! On top of that, I was given a small box of Holl's chocolates "for my trouble". Are you kidding??? I felt like a member of the family. Thank you so much, Dorinda and the rest of the staff. Honestly, I couldn't have been happier with my stay and look forward to seeing you all again, even if it's just for coffee or lunch.

I have learned a lot on this grief journey. First, you must speak your needs, clearly and without fear. If something is not right, no one is going to rescue you and fix it. Second…you need to treat yourself once in awhile. When you are nearing the end of your rope, make a phone call…for a massage, for a dinner reservation, for a date with a friend, or…if you really need to pull out the big guns, for a room at a hotel for a night or two. I didn't break the bank here. This is a slow time of year for hotels and they are all too happy to fill their rooms and don't mind giving you a reasonable discount. All it takes is a pleasant demeanor…and maybe a note of crazed cabin fever in your voice…and you can have a huge vacation crammed into 48 hours of bubble baths and chocolate. Be good to yourself…you NEED it.

❤

"Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings"
Psalm 17:8 NIV

I'm Tough, But...

Sat, 21 Feb 2015 02:30:00 -0600

Ok, I'm tough. I think you all know that about me by now. But, when I went in the fridge yesterday morning and all my frozen food was thawed out and I couldn't get my feet warm and I realized I haven't had a bubble bath or shaved my legs since Christmas and we're expecting 5-8" of heavy wet snow rain sleet vermin frogs…whatever…I gave up for the weekend. I talked the lovely front desk clerk at the hotel of choice into a reasonable rate, packed my little suitcase, gathered my reading and writing materials, and headed for town. I've already had the first of what I am predicting are several hot baths, I feel semi-human, and I'm going to nap and write to my hearts' content. Thank you, God…for MasterCard and lavender bubble bath. Take THAT, Winter…you're not the boss of me!

❤

“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”
Genesis 8:22

Rest

Tue, 10 Feb 2015 02:30:00 -0600

I mailed fifteen packages of photographs yesterday! I can't tell you what an awesome feeling that is. I decided to celebrate by starting my little renovation project in my camper. I bought a twin sized mattress and box springs. I put them in the space where the dinette sits. I did the same thing in my first camper and loved it. I don't know what I was thinking though. The box springs makes the bed way too high so out they come today. I unhooked the propane tanks today, took them to be filled, and hooked them back up again. I bought sheets for the new bed. I was fortunate to find a twin sized electric blanket and got that as well. I picked up some groceries and headed back to TOW-Wanda. As a reward for getting the scanning done, I slept in my tiny home last night! Today I'm just being still. Life is so sweet.

❤

"When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet."
Proverbs 3:24 NIV

Kindness Matters

Mon, 02 Feb 2015 02:30:00 -0600

You know those cool signs with the sayings painted on them that are so popular? I love those. I have three or four of them and I rotate them around the camper in my décor. One is a big sign with two words…Kindness Matters. I am a huge proponent of kindness. Kindness will change the world. If I slip and do something unkind, I die a thousand deaths till I can somehow make things right. I was raised to be generous and kind….but it has to be done anonymously. If you let someone know about it, it doesn't count. I love when I go through the drive through at Starbucks and the car in front has paid for my order. In turn, I will pay for the person behind me. I often wonder how far down the line it goes.

There are many ways to pay it forward. I love bookstores. I love to browse, read a few pages in the center of a book…and when I find a passage that moves me, I have been known to slip a crisp five dollar bill between the pages with a note that says "You are Special." or "You are Loved." That way, somewhere down the line, someone will come across that and hopefully do a kindness in return. I know of people who buy meals for others in a restaurant. The other day, a friend of mine leaned over when the lady in front of him wasn't looking and he swiped his card to pay for her groceries. I give away hugs to complete strangers…being careful, of course. There are so many ways to show kindness. What will you do today to make the world a kinder place?

❤

"Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality."
Romans 12:13

The Rabbit Hole

Mon, 29 Dec 2014 02:30:00 -0600

Have you ever found yourself in a relationship where your interactions with the other person leave you confused? A remark comes out of the blue, takes you by surprise, hurts, stuns then with practically the next breath, the person turns it around, smiles, becomes sweet and complacent, and you wonder what just happened? You begin to second guess your perceptions. You think surely what you thought was happening really wasn't. It had to be your interpretation, right? It had to be something you said or did that caused that negativity because, see? They're so nice! That is crazy-making behavior. It's a very clear sign that you are in a toxic relationship. I've been there. And fortunately, having been there, I can recognize it when it comes along now. Oh…it took me a little bit this time. I let it bite me three or four times before I caught on.

What pulled me out was sitting down and having a conversation with Mr. Virgo. Bless his heart, he was so patient with me the first year we were together. I would tell him things I believed that others had said. Things that made me feel crazy. Invariably he'd take my hand, look me in the eye, and gently say… "You know that's crazy, right?" And I'd say, "No, so and so said this and they are so much smarter than me. It must be true! It's ME that's crazy!" And he'd just hold my hand and keep telling me over and over till I finally believed him. It wasn't me. It was the toxin talking. Some relationships are just poison to your soul…to your psyche. You have to walk away from them. So I asked Mr. Virgo what I should do. And I got the message loud and clear. I could "hear" him saying over and over…"You know that's crazy, right?" Right. You're absolutely right. Walk away. Walk away. Oh, there are SO many things that could keep me entangled. A sense of obligation. Guilt. Pity. Compassion. Confusing manipulation with love. Thank you, thank you, thank you. For clarity. For courage. For growth.

I prayed for a solution. A quick, healthy solution. My friend from high school was praying at the very same moment. She needs someone to stay at her loft apartment while she's gone for two months visiting her daughter. She needs someone to water her plants and to make sure the pipes don't freeze. She hadn't been on Facebook for days. She had a nightmare in the wee hours of the morning and couldn't go back to sleep so she checked in to see what was going on. While other posts had come through since I posted a plea Saturday night, asking for help finding a place, there was my post…right at the top of her screen! She sent me a message right away. I went over to her place in the afternoon. A second floor loft, high ceilings, lots of windows, a whole wall of books floor to ceiling in the living room, stacks and stacks of quilts all around, plants everywhere, a big airy bedroom, a half block from the river on a brick paved street nestled amongst small shops and restaurants. Perfect! It's only 30 miles from the farm so I can still go check on my aunt and make sure things are ok there, yet far enough away that I am protected. I'll have cell service and internet so I'm connected to my family and friends. A cocoon where I can heal this wound and move on. An inspirational spot to write. This will buy me a couple of months to find another place to park the camper where I can stay for awhile to make sure my aunt gets the assistance she needs and then I can be free to move on. Perhaps my job here was to be more of a facilitator of change rather than an actual caregiver. I can see that to be just as true.

I went to church yesterday with a very special family and went to lunch afterwards at Olive Garden. These people give of their hearts freely and they (as well as my extended and immediate family) salvaged my Christmas. I am forever grateful for the love of family and friends. And of God.

❤

Cozy Cottage

Wed, 30 Apr 2014 01:30:13 -0600

“Cozy Cottage”

In the five years between my divorce and meeting Mr. Virgo, I decorated my house like an English country cottage. After we were married, he put up with my froufrou decorating for about six months. One day he couldn’t take it anymore and said we had to add some testosterone to the décor. So I bought some beautiful used furniture and we decorated so it would become “our” house. I’ve always missed that touch of froufrou though! Now that I’m thinking of selling my house, all these wonderful decorating ideas are coming to mind.

I needed to go to the Apple Store today to have them look at my iPad. Right next door, in the Flatirons Crossing Mall, is my favorite store in the world! Cozy Cottage has everything I could want…and then some. I think when I move, I’ll take just a select few pieces of furniture, and decorate just the way I want…what Mr. Virgo called “English country cottage $#!/”! My girls will roll their eyes. I will sigh and smile!