Jeepers Creepers.... Its Halloween!!!

Have you ever had a moment you were thankful that no one was around as a witness???

Last evening I waited too long to do the evening chores. Even though I carried my flashlight along with me, it only illuminated the narrow path ahead. The eerie sounds of wind blowing the fallen leaves along the ground made me proceed with the utmost caution.

I was greeted by the low whimpers of the goats. They didn't appreciate being left in the savage darkness as coyotes howled in the distance. They followed me into the dimly lit barn. I could hear the brittle tree limbs scrape across the metal walls outside... Jasmine jumped at the sound as did I. Yes, it was a creepy night indeed!

I fed the girls and Milo their evening meal. They chopped their grains and kibble with much delight. Being back at the threshold of safety, filling their tummies, everyone now seemed content.

 I walked  out  of the barn. The wind greeted me with a shivering hello. I snub such a welcome and preceded over to the chicken coop to do an evening headcount. I flashed my light around the room. Everyone was tucked in, safe and sound on their perches.

As I backed out of the coop, I heard a sound in the woods line. It sounded like someone or... SOMETHING was taking slow gentle steps through the woods. "Crunch, Crunch, Crunch". Were the sounds of the leaves crunching from that of the heavy weight of the Boogie man?  I walked briskly towards the house.

I could hear the sound getting faster. I became nervous. What was waiting for me in the dark, I wondered. My heart began to race a bit. My speed hastened.

Then all of a sudden, it gains on me! It grabs a hold of my right leg with its fierce claws and deadly fangs! In the midst of the scuffle, my flashlight flies into the air."Its got me!"  Ha.elll.ppp!", I screamed internally.

 I struggled to steady myself as the ferocious beast attempted to pull my leg out from under me. The flashlight which was resting on the ground shined a ray of light across the arching back of  my terrifying predator, reveling what was his true identity!

 "Damn it, Milo". I said causing him to startle, releasing my pants leg. "You scared the BEEJEEZES OUT OF ME! I thought you were the Boogie Man!". Now realizing my absurdity, I attempted to recover my dignity with  "or a Rabid Raccoon or something"!

I scoffed back towards the house as he playfully rolled around in the fallen leaves.
 Barn cats! Sheesh!

I'm just thankful no one was watching. :-) The trick was on me....

Happy Halloween! Keep the tricks but don't forget to leave some treats for me!

Tomatoes = Atonement

Remember our volunteer tomato plants??? So far they have managed to survive the season. We have even been able to eat a few ripe ones straight from the vine!

The forecast predicted frost for parts of lower Kentucky, being so close to the border we decided to take precautions.

We picked the large ones....

Supposedly if I wrap them up in newspaper...

 And don't stack them on top of each other they will ripen on there own instead of rot... We'll just have to see how this experiment works out.

As I was laying each one in the basket, I prayed that they wouldn't turn out like the maggot filled mess of mushy pumpkins that I had stored underneath the house last year. I had to use a scoop shovel and a barf bucket to get the mess cleaned up. (In case you didn't get that, the barf bucket was for me!)

Anyways, after the tomatoes were wrapped, I covered the existing plants with a tarp. I'm keeping these plants alive as long as possible in order to achieve Atonement for the pathetic garden this past season...

I hope to be eating fresh tomatoes in December!

Home was in the heart of my grandfather....

It was a cold afternoon when I received the call. My mother who was on the other line said its time to go home.The quiet trip up the interstate back to West Virginia was the longest eight hours of my life. We went straight to the the nursing home. My mother and I sat by his bed. I held his hand, fighting back the swelling tears as I swallowed the growing knot in my throat. Crying was just going to make it worse... The end was drawing near. I knew that once his life here on earth stopped, mine would change forever.

My mother and I left, driving just a few miles down the road to the family home. We talked to my grandmother a bit and then settled in for a few hours of shut eye before returning to my Papaw.

I had just drifted to sleep when I was awaken from the ringing phone... I heard my Mom answer it but I didn't have to hear her words. At that moment home died. It was never going to be the same. I already knew the greatest man in my life had just passed away. There would forever be an empty place at the table. The den would remain quiet. His deck of playing cards would go on untouched. There would be no more of the once dreaded bone crushing hugs at the front door. The evening walks after dinner would be lonely. Yes, the sweet comforts of home was lost... I grabbed the keys and headed toward the door. My mom didn't ask where I was going. She already knew.

I solemnly walked through the sterile white halls to his room. I paused at his door. But there was just no hope. A moment to gather myself before entering wasn't going to fix the loss I felt. I huff at the thought now... whats a moment do when you just lost such a large piece of  heart? What can a measly moment due?

I took a deep breath and proceeded to walked in. His face was empty... far more empty than the few hours prior. Inside, the child me was screaming in desperation "Wake up, just wake up, I'll find a way to fix you, if you would just wake up"! I crawled up next to him and laid my head on his still chest. "Please, just squeeze my hand, move your eyes, take a shallow breath, anything, JUST DON'T BE GONE FOREVER"! I had fought it long enough, I shook with tears as the nurse came in and sympathetically escorted me out into the hall. She offered to call someone but I shook my head and sadly walked back down the hallway passing the morgue tech on the way out.

My head pounded as the salty tears stained my puffy face. Finally when morning came I found comfort in the warmth of the sunroom. I curled into a ball with one of my grandmothers handmade quilts wrapped around me.... During my sleep, I saw my grandfather for the last time...

I dreamed that family littered the kitchen and living room, casseroles and deserts lined the table. Everyone was sad. As more guest made their way into the house, here came my grandfather behind them. He was wearing dark brown trousers a white short sleeve button up dress shirt and a brown hat with one single daisy slid in the band. He had the biggest brightest smile on his face! I ran to him and exclaimed "Papaw your suppose to be dead"!? He smile and hugged me tight with his signature bones crushing hugs... "I just did that to get the family back together one last time", he said with a brilliant sparkle in his eyes. Just when I thought I couldn't miss him that much more, I woke up.  I have wished ever since, that I would have had more time with him... even if it was in just a dream.

My papaw was a parishioner at church. He would wear a single carnation penned to the lapel of his jacket each Sunday. During the church services I would find myself tired and full of boredom. The scent of the baking bread from the bakery down the road would seep in through the windows causing my tummy to growl. I would squirm and wiggle in my seat. I would periodically look toward the back of the church. If I  saw my grandfather standing in the back I knew the service was almost over... Every single time I looked back to find him there,  he would smile and shoot me a reassuring wink. I would always smile back. At the end of each service he would give me the flower from his lapel. In my eyes he was the greatest and he never lead me to believe anything different.

I remember as a child siting on his lap with my head on his chest. I would listen to his heart beat until my eyes fell tired for sleep. The night he died and I laid my head on his chest... there was not a  soothing sound to be heard... nothing to put the heart ache to ease... no peace no comfort...

Fast forward two years later... I remember driving to my doctors appointment.There were only three weeks left until his first great grandchild would be born. He lingered in my head the entire trip. As we passed the Kroger's store... my eyes began to once again over flow with grief. Lee pulled over in a panic as I uncontrollably sobbed... "whats wrong" he said frantically. All I could whimper out was, "He would've been so happy". He didn't have to ask, he knew. Lee unbuckled his seat belt and hugged me while I became a slob of emotions. Finally I calmed down and we continued our trip to the doctors.



The thoughts of Papaw still come and go. Sometimes it is a smell, or a deck of cards spread out for a game of solitaire, a blue cloth napkin or a twinkling smile from an elderly man... Sometimes the memories are triggered by a gift of a carnation or the sound of the wheel turning from the game show Prices Right.... There are other times that his memory lingers in my head for no other possible reason than that his spirit is sitting right beside me. Sometimes I find comfort in his spiritual presence and other times just wish he could give me one of those damn bone crushing hugs.... I have never missed something so much in my life...

In my eyes he was the greatest and he never led me to believe otherwise...

Home was in the heart of my Grandfather....

It was a cold afternoon when I received the call. My mother who was on the other line said its time to go home.The quiet trip up the interstate back to West Virginia was the longest eight hours of my life. We went straight to the the nursing home. My mother and I sat by his bed. I held his hand, fighting back the swelling tears as I swallowed the growing knot in my throat. Crying was just going to make it worse... The end was drawing near. I knew that once his life here on earth stopped, mine would change forever.

My mother and I left, driving just a few miles down the road to the family home. We talked to my grandmother a bit and then settled in for a few hours of shut eye before returning to my Papaw.

I had just drifted to sleep when I was awaken from the ringing phone... I heard my Mom answer it but I didn't have to hear her words. At that moment home died. It was never going to be the same. I already knew the greatest man in my life had just passed away. There would forever be an empty place at the table. The den would remain quiet. His deck of playing cards would go on untouched. There would be no more of the once dreaded bone crushing hugs at the front door. The evening walks after dinner would be lonely. Yes, the sweet comforts of home was lost... I grabbed the keys and headed toward the door. My mom didn't ask where I was going. She already knew.

I solemnly walked through the sterile white halls to his room. I paused at his door. But there was just no hope. A moment to gather myself before entering wasn't going to fix the loss I felt. I huff at the thought now... whats a moment do when you just lost such a large piece of  heart? What can a measly moment due?

I took a deep breath and proceeded to walked in. His face was empty... far more empty than the few hours prior. Inside, the child me was screaming in desperation "Wake up, just wake up, I'll find a way to fix you, if you would just wake up"! I crawled up next to him and laid my head on his still chest. "Please, just squeeze my hand, move your eyes, take a shallow breath, anything, JUST DON'T BE GONE FOREVER"! I had fought it long enough, I shook with tears as the nurse came in and sympathetically escorted me out into the hall. She offered to call someone but I shook my head and sadly walked back down the hallway passing the morgue tech on the way out.

My head pounded as the salty tears stained my puffy face. Finally when morning came I found comfort in the warmth of the sunroom. I curled into a ball with one of my grandmothers handmade quilts wrapped around me. During my sleep, I saw my grandfather for the last time...

I dreamed that family littered the kitchen and living room, casseroles and deserts lined the table. Everyone was sad. As more guest made their way into the house, here came my grandfather behind them. He was wearing dark brown trousers a white short sleeve button up dress shirt and a brown hat with one single daisy slid in the band. He had the biggest brightest smile on his face! I ran to him and exclaimed "Papaw your suppose to be dead"!? He smile and hugged me tight with his signature bones crushing hugs... "I just did that to get the family back together one last time", he said with a brilliant sparkle in his eyes. Just when I thought I couldn't miss him that much more, I woke up.  I have wished ever since, that I would have had more time with him... even if it was in just a dream.

My papaw was a parishioner at church. He would wear a single carnation penned to the lapel of his jacket each Sunday. During the church services I would find myself tired and full of boredom. The scent of the baking bread from the bakery down the road would seep in through the windows causing my tummy to growl. I would squirm and wiggle in my seat periodically looking toward the back of the church. If I  saw my grandfather standing back I knew the service was almost over... Every single time I looked back to find him there,  he would smile and shoot me a reassuring wink. I would always smile back. At the end of each service he would give me the flower from his lapel. I felt like his princess. 

I remember as a child siting on his lap with my head on his chest. I would listen to his heart beat until my eyes fell tired for sleep. The night he died and I laid my head on his chest... there was not a  soothing sound to be heard... nothing to put the heart ache to ease... no peace no comfort...

Fast forward two years later... I remember driving to my doctors appointment.There were only three weeks left until his first great grandchild would be born. He lingered in my head the entire trip. As we passed the Kroger's store... my eyes began to once again over flow with grief. Lee pulled over in a panic as I uncontrollably sobbed... "whats wrong" he said frantically. All I could whimper out was, "He would've been so happy". He didn't have to ask, he knew. Lee unbuckled his seat belt and hugged me while I became a slob of emotions. Finally I calmed down and we continued our trip to the doctors.

After Sissy was born I would catch her looking off into the distance smiling and cooing as if she had an imaginary friend tickling her tummy and talking to her. I knew it was him. Other moments I would walk through the hall way of our apartment and I would catch the smell of his laundered shirts, the smell would always trigger the memories of sitting on his lap... I would smile wiping away a few random tears then carry on with my day.

The thoughts of Papaw still come and go. Sometimes it is a smell, or a deck of cards spread out for a game of solitaire, a blue cloth napkin or a twinkling smile from an elderly man... Sometimes the memories are triggered by a gift of a carnation or the sound of the wheel turning from the game show Prices Right. There are other times that his memory lingers in my head for no other possible reason than that his spirit must be sitting right beside me. Sometimes I find comfort in his spiritual presence and other times just wish he could give me one of those damn bone crushing hugs. I have never missed something so much in my life...

In my eyes, he was the greatest and he never led me to believe anything different...

Frightening Weather

I woke up at 1am this morning. I knew the temperature had changed. The hot humid air lingered in the bedroom, like a choking smoke. I kicked off the covers and turned the fan on. Outside I could hear the wind picking up. I knew that I needed to make myself go back to bed but instead I laid awake listening to the sounds outside my bedroom window. My eyes felt heavy but I continued to lay there in tranquil thought.

My alarm went off at 4:45am. I turned if off and laid there a few more minutes. I really needed to at least get thirty minutes of rest. After I turned right and left, kicking the covers to the floor once again, I decided that there was little hope to fall back to sleep. There shall be little rest today.

The children and I walked out to the truck in order to head out to school. The pink rays of sun shown through the low dark clouds. The three of us stood out in the driveway staring at the peculiar colors in the sky. The trees would bend and bow while the wind would rustle the leaves to the ground. My pony tail whipped across my neck as the warm gust of wind danced across my face.
Sis, looked over at me concerned "Momma are we going to get a twister".
"No baby, I heard it storming last night, I think this is just the leftovers", I think she knew that I was lying. Its never this warm after the storm.
"But, why is the wind blowing like its just starting", she pressed on.
"I don't know", I said as I was reading farther into her concern.
She still hasn't forgot sitting for hours in a hot closet with two dogs and her newborn baby brother. She still reminds me about it on days like this. "Remember when we sat in the closet with my blanket and flashlight?", She would ask.  "Do you remember afterwards sitting out on the front porch watching the fire", she would continue.

I never feared storms until that night. We stayed in the closet. It was humid just like my bedroom this morning. I remember looking down at Aubs as he laid asleep in my arms. His fine hair was wet from sweat and Sissy's cheeks were red. I kept my eyes on my cell phone. As soon as I had enough bars I would call my mom to find out what their weather service was saying. After I would get off the phone, if I had enough bars I would call me friend who lived in a trailer in the middle of a field. I remember the terror I felt when she said "O MY GOD, its here", and then the phone went dead.

My friend and her family ended up fairing the storm well, but there were many people who weren't so lucky. I cant recall the body count but there were many. I will never forget hearing about the mother and baby who were found out in a old corn field 3 miles from their house. The baby survived. It still gives me chills just thinking about it.

The fire that Sis reminds me of happened that same night. I'm not sure what caused it but a gas plant exploded in the next county over. We sat on the front porch watching with uncertainty as the flames shot above the tree tops. Was it the Apocalypse?  I half heartily wondered.

As a thrill seeking child I always enjoyed tornado season. That sounds sick, right? But I loved the excitement. I was never scared. When the wind would blow it was like witnessing the environment race to keep up with its people. The things that usually are unmoving take motion. The trees would sway quickly, sometimes cracking and blowing away. It was a miraculous sight. The feeling of the warm air blow across my skin made me feel like I could just spread my wings a fly away. What child doesn't dream of flying?

I don't think Sis has those same feelings. Up until the last five years or so I never witnessed the wrath of an angry Mother Nature. Sissy understands it far better than what I did at that age.

I still love that warm wind that rakes across middle Tennessee (but despise it when its cold)  but now the enjoyment wavers in angst.

 I walked down to the field this morning  to do the morning chores. On my way back to the house the wind hit me just right... I looked around at the sky the trees the animals and then closed my eyes. For a moment, I enjoyed a care free world. There was not a thought in my head. Just the wind crashing against me. And once more I thought I might just take flight.

I then thought of Sis.

I opened my eyes. I hope the weather doesnt turn....

My Girls....

Have you ever heard of a child being abused and then the only thing you could think about was going home and holding your own babies until they managed to squirm and wiggle out of your arms? You shower them with hugs and kisses and thank god that he decided to leave your babies in your care and not with some maniac? Well I have... and not just with my two legged babes either.

I believe that all things have a right to live out their lives healthy and comfortably until their purpose here on earth has been served. Even when we raise animals for meat, that animal has lived the best dang life it possibly could until its final breaths. I believe that's the way it should be. Unfortunately some people do not feel like that about animals, especially with livestock....

Earlier this week I caught wind of animal abuse case. In this economy issues such of these are rapidly popping up all over the place. This is happening with people that you would never think could do something like that. Once I heard of this particular animals suffering, I just wanted to love on my favorite four legged girls!

Sis and I headed out for the rocks. The girls started calling out to us before we arrived at the front gate. We walked over to the stones in the pasture and sat down. Jasmine and Jessica proceeded to rub their bodies against us like two happy dogs getting a delicious treat.

I leaned my head against Jasmines warm full tummy. She turned to rub her nose against mine. I could feel her breath against my cheek...At that moment her happiness and well being put my troubled heart to ease.

I think I even saw Jessica smile for the first time... yep  she was smiling. She's happy to be our goat too.

Jasmine attempted to climb onto my lap a couple times. Goodness, that brought back those early memories with her. When we bought her, she was wilder than a buck! I was in way over my head! I would have to catch her and hold her in my lap for a couple of hours a day while she would struggle to get free. I did this for a couple of weeks until she got use to me. We went through hell. She has come so far. I know that if she would have went somewhere else, there was a great possibility that she would have remained wild and therefor dispensable... We all know what happens to dispensable animals right? They are bought and sold and bought and sold. Eventually animals like that end up in bad places. I feel so lucky that these girls are here and apart of our lives.

Jessica is so much like a baby still... Monkey See Monkey Do. She wanted to give lap time a try too.

Its all fun and games until Jasmine mistakes my hair for hay!

Goats are like children that never grow up.

 When you obtain a goat you are making a life long commitment to raise a permanent toddler....

But like most toddlers they provide hours of entertainment!

How could anyone ever be cruel to this???

Its cold out....

Its cold out... I miss summer...

NAIA Pow Wow 2010

Saturday morning I was awakened by a cool morning breeze blowing through the open window. The air tickled my senses alluring me into the great out doors. I knew from the moment my eyes opened that I wanted to go hiking. I wanted to embrace the cool Autumn air, surrounding myself with life's simple things...
I have really been craving a day at Fall Creek Falls but because making it back in the same day would have been too much for the children I opted to keep it local.

I searched out for new hiking grounds fearing  that the children were bored with our regular excursions at Bledsoe. I found Long Hunter State Park. It was fairly close and as luck would have it they were also having the 2010 NAIA POW WOW. I read off the list of entertainment; Song and Dance, Indian food, exhibits, and demonstrations! Wow I was impressed. "Perfect", I thought. We made a few phone calls and then loaded up the entire family to headed out the park.

Before attending the Pow Wow, I thought this would be something great to write about! I thought that it would be a great experience for my family, (a way to connect with our heritage and such). I was just thrilled.

 I have to say if you were hoping for a deep enriching post filled with spirit and history you are going to be as disappointed as I was at the Pow Wow on Saturday.

We arrived at the grounds fairly early but there was still a  slew of people, Which made me extremely nervous. I was trying to do head count of children every few minutes, giving them enough lead way to enjoy themselves but trying to steer them clear of the vendor booths as well.

There were lines a mile long at each food booth. "Must be good stuff ", I thought. So I walked up to get a view of the menu; Hot dogs, hamburgers, and barbeque! REALLY!?!?!?! But hey the hot dogs were boiled by full blooded Native Americans! Its Indian food right!?!?  I think not!

Moving on... I continued to search out for the demonstration areas. I thought that perhaps there would be a primitive skills area. I just  finished reading Earth Knack and I was inspired by the pottery, basket weaving, hide tanning etc. Surly there would be primitive demonstrations!? Nope, didn't see anything at all. Although I did see a booth set up with a woman selling clay figurines... I was tempted to flip them over and see if "made in china" was stamped on the back but I didn't.

Finally the Dancers gathered in the middle of the field to start the program. By the time we reached the stands, there was such a thick gathering that the only way to get any decent shots of the dancers was to crawl underneath the announcers trailer and take pics while laying on the ground, (thanks for the pics dad).

Needless to say the POW WOW was a big disappointment. Being the types of people who will squeeze life's lemons into lemon aid. We ditched the over crowded, over priced, over rated  POW WOW and headed off towards the woods.

 Long Hunter had some of the prettiest natural landscapes that I had seen in a park. We started walking down a long wooded path surrounded by changing Poplar Oak and Maple trees. It was a beautiful site. We walked on the trails along the bluff of Percy Priest lake. Finally winding down to a small cove where the children looked for shells and magic rocks. It was a fun little walk and a nice change in scenery.

Unfortunately the park hasn't completely recovered from the flooding this past spring. There were piles of debris and trash that has washed up on the parks high banks that have yet to be cleaned up. I also noticed that the park was scarce of wildlife although I did see a squirrel... one squirrel.  As I walked on I remarked how pretty some of these views would be in a different light, perhaps in morning. My father sternly reminded me that Long Hunter is a dangerous place to be alone at, and then the memory hits me. A lady from our town was found murdered and  buried here. After that recognition I got the hebejeebes and wanted to get the heck out of there.

I cant say the day was an entire bust. I originally wanted to go to Fall Creek Falls this weekend but we didnt because I mistakenly thought there was going to be a scheduling conflict. Some other family wasn't so lucky. They were on the trails at the falls and a boulder fell, hitting a child in the head. The child is now in critical condition, please keep them in your thoughts.  I also now know that I don't ever want to go back Long Hunter State Park. I was able to spend the day with my entire family, picked up some great footage, was inspired by some of crafts, And I learned that Long Hunter State Park isnt going to be in my list of favorites. ;)

Tide you over with some Banana Bread?

I think I drained my creativity yesterday by trying to hand craft a wooden bowl.... I know my arm muscles sure are hurting this morning and I am just soooo sleepy! Maybe its just writers block??? O well, I'm going to work on a post about the NAIA Pow Wow that I attended this weekend but until then... I hope some Banana Bread will tide you over.


Banana-Raisin Whole Wheat Bread

2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
       2 cups mashed bananas
1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
      1 cup Raisins (optional)
   2/3 cup vanilla yogurt
      2 eggs
  1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt

1. Move oven rack to lowest position. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottoms of two loaf pans.
2. Mix ingredients together... pour into pan. Bake 1hr (8x4 pan) or 1hr and 15min (9inch pan)

Savoring the moment

This morning I grabbed a piping hot cup of coffee and headed down to the barn to do the morning chores. The heavy dark morning clouds hung down low as a cool breeze swept the barn yard. The leaves rustled and billowed along the brown fall grass. I glanced towards the back property line littered with large Poplar, Gum, and Maple trees. I thought to myself how beautiful this morning is and  how badly I just wanted to sit and savor the moment.

The leaves are changing and it is my most favorite time of year. Its a shame that the changing of the leaves doesn't happen the entire season. It seems like there is just a couple of weeks of the oranges, yellows and reds, and then its gone until next year. Yes... this is the time of year to savor the beauty. Savoring the moment lingered in my mind.

While in my reflective trans this morning, I was thinking about how wonderful this weekend has been. Really, it has been great! In fact so great that I get a little misty eyed thinking about it. Hmmm O where shall I start???? I don't know where to start....

Sat. Lee and I laid new floor down in the chicken coop. Sis carefully peeled away the paper as she helped her daddy lay down the new adhesive tiles. I'm not sure how it happened but some how we all managed to get into a playful wrestling match in the middle of the chicken coop floor. I think perhaps you had to be there to understand that one. Moving on...

While laying the tiles down, my brother dropped in for a quick visit before he was off the be a brides maid in a wedding.... perhaps you had to be here to understand that one as well... Moving on. (I told you I didn't know where to start)

Since the wedding was held only a few miles from our home and instead of my bro having to trek an hour home late in the evening he decided to camp out at the house for the night. While he was at the wedding my father returned from visiting his dear friend and fellow wood worker in N.C. He brought back many treasures for the wood shop. His friend who I will now and forever refer to as Uncle Joe sent me a few Diamond Willow branches to work on for walking sticks. He also gave us a greatly appreciated belt sander. (Thanks a ton!) My father keeping in mind my new primitive wood working passion, picked up a spoon knife and hook knife for the shop. He also found some native Cane growing along the roads of North Carolina. Being always prepared, he jumped out with his ax, and brought home a couple shoots. I cant wait to start crafting!

We all enjoyed digging through the thoughtful treasures that my Dad picked up on his trip. The children greatly appreciated all the interesting rocks and fossils. The children stood around the long shop table with a large magnify glass pressed closely to their eyes as they studied each stone carefully. I don't know how to explain it too you but their enthusiasm made my heart sore with pride. Pride, that my children enjoy things like that. Pride that my father knows that it doesn't take a gift from a gift shop. Pride that we could all sit down together as a big happy family and look at rocks and wood with such  wonder and amazement. Yep, doesn't take much to keep us happy. And that my friends is precisely why I was so thrilled.

We visited with my parents for a long time, discussing our bonds and memories with Uncle Joe. We talked about ideas and dreams we had for wood craft... and even whittled a bit.

My brother arrived back at the house just in time for the after after party. We all sat out in the shop just catching up on our lives, listening to a little Mumford & Sons, some of Pop's favorite bluegrass music, and my newly discovered missing Nora Jones CD. We had a friendly but somewhat competitive game of darts going, and somewhere along the lines a hoedown broke out... but I think that had more to do with the liquid refreshments than the music... Anyways I cant quite explain it but that moment of cheer with my family felt almost magical.. I haven't laughed that hard in a really long time. It was this sense of companionship, camaraderie, overwhelming joy in unison that spilled over. For no rhyme or reason at all that night we celebrated. What we were celebrating wasn't anything other than our deep bond and love for one another. Life is good!

The next morning we were all feeling a little sluggish to say the least. The youngsters going to bed early the night before and rising at the break of dawn didn't make the day any easier. Although it did help because Sissy had to be at school by 7am. Lee jumped up and carted the little one off to school while I sluggishly worked on the morning chores.

Lee came home all smiles. He shook his head as he told me of the tale that unfolded in the car with Sissy. Due to post fall break nerves Lee stopped off at the local gas station to pick Sis up a little incentive to get her back in the mood for school after a long fall break. Yeah he bribed her. Don't act like you haven't done it before! :)

Anyways, so he gets back in the truck, and Sissy curiously asks "Let me ask you a question"? She smiles at the impending answer.

"Why do I have an egg in my pocket". She grins ear to ear as she recovers the egg from her jacket.

Lee laughs "I don't know why", he enthusiastically announces. (long pause) "Why DO you have an egg in your pocket"?

 I don't know!?!?! She says.

I vaguely remember sometime last week Sissy was helping me collect eggs and I guess she put it in her pocket and forgot about it. I couldn't help but to laugh at all the possibilities. Homesteading Tip... Always check your kids pockets for eggs.

After I finished up the chores, Lee and I headed out for the day. We did a little Christmas shopping and drove around the country side for a while. Our ultimate goal was just to enjoy each others company. Monday was our eight year wedding anniversary.... Surprise! We still enjoy each others company.

Lee and I are pretty young at heart. Some of the childish past times still gives us great amusement. For example... we were driving down the road and Lee gives me a gentle punch in the shoulder... Green he shouts as green Volkswagen passes us. Surprised by the playfulness I rubbed my shoulder for sympathy. So here comes a line of cars in the distance... I internally grin!

*PUNCH* "Red", *PUNCH*, "Green", *PUNCH* Gray, *PUNCH*, "White". In complete shock, "What the hell, It has to be a Volkswagen!", he exclaims.  "Oh" I smiled. (mahahaha)

Somewhere a long the lines "Slug bug" turned into "Slug sign" Next thing I knew we were swapping licks over real estate signs. And that my friends is how you celebrate eight years of marriage! ;-)

Just the thought of our day together makes me smile. We had a blast. I am happy to married to someone who doesn't take life too seriously. Lee is the type of guy who can laugh at himself as well as to make others laugh at themselves. Its easy to be around him... guaranteed never a dull moment. ;)

Lee and I finally returned home just in time to pick up Sissy from school. Sissy jumped in the truck still amazed by the fact that her Daddy had an extra day off. We were excited to present her with a new pair of shoes... I handed her a shoe box. "I bought you some new shoes today," I said. She was absolutely thrilled to have a random gift waiting on her . She joyfully opens the box to find her new pair of shoes. The excitement drains from her face. I have to give her credit. She did her absolute best to hold a smile. "Do you like them" I asked. I could see she didn't want to lie but she also didn't want to tell the truth. "Sissy, if you don't like them we can take them back". "Its not that I don't like them"... she slid them on. "I don't think they fit". I could tell she was relieved that they were too big. Hey we have all been there. And frankly the thought is great and never goes unappreciated... but sometimes the thought just doesn't make us like em' any better. "No worries", I reassured her.

After we arrived home. I started not too feel well. I became nauseated, my face tingled and all my energy depleted. After dinner I was hoping to feel well enough to take Sis back to the store so she could return the shoes and find a pair that fits. Unfortunately as we were about to leave I felt even worse.

I looked around for my glucose monitor but couldn't remember where I put it. Standing was making me feel much worse. I finally laid down on the bed while Lee continued the search. Finally I remembered I put it in the dresser. The longer I laid there I could tell that my sugar levels were rising as I started to feel a little better. I decided to check just in case. 88 wasn't a bad number but its not an ideal number. I decided to drink a soda and head out anyways.

I was really dreading the trip. I didn't feel the greatest and I don't like to be in the truck very long but I felt like I needed to go while exchanging the shoes was fresh on my mind. I tend to put stuff like that off. Sis and I drove towards Nashville.  On the way there I checked my sugar again just to be safe. It was up to 120 and frankly I couldn't believe how much better I felt. Its been a long time since I had I felt that bad. I was nervous a splitting head ache would soon arrive like it has in the past after a sugar "incident" but I was pleasantly surprised. I'm happy that didn't destroy our evening.

We drove on. The evening sky crept down on the city. Sparkling lights illuminated the streets. I popped in the Nora Jones CD that my father had previously borrowed (for a really long time). I asked Sissy if she remembered the song playing. "I use to sing this to you, Do you remember?" She shook her head no. I lightly started singing the lyrics as she reached over and grabbed my hand. She didn't talk. She just held my hand and looked out of the window beside her.

We finally reached the store and returned the shoes. Sissy couldn't find a pair that  "fit" so we tried another store. We enjoyed our time together; talking, laughing and singing. Its been a long time since we have just had time alone together with just the two of us.

At the other store we hit jack pot. Sissy found a lovely pair of Twinkle Toes that we both agree were absolutely adorable. On our way home I looked over at Sissy. Her eyes were heavy. It was getting passed her bed time. She caught my glance and said "Momma this has been the best girls night of my entire life". I smiled and reached for her hand... Savoring the moment.

The Non-Garden

I have had several people ask me what I planted in this years fall garden. With my head hung low, I shamefully reply, " Well, I planted Spinach x's 3 in the Non-Garden". With puzzled looks, I explain that this is our 3rd planting of the season. I have planted twice in the far right side raised bed and once in the empty herb bed... and because the large garden was such a bust we decided to just plant one thing this fall... which was the freakin' non-growing spinach... *Sigh* So frustrating.

On a positive note, (seeing how I am just an optimistic positive ray of sunshine on this lovely morning)... *grumbling* Dang, spinach! When we moved soil from the compost to the far back raised bed, I had a few volunteers sprout up, picking up the pace for the lacking spinach....

Tomatoes by late Oct!!!! Don't worry about frost. I have my plastic ready and waiting to go .Just.In.Case!

So, the next time someone is proudly rattling off the contents of their fall garden... Turnips, spinach, cabbage, carrots, peas.... I'm going say, "Well I HAVE TOMATOES "! ;-p

Thank you Brandywine Roma crosses... I love you. Your shining fruit helps me get through the fall gardening season with just a little pinch of dignity...

Tree Identification Class.

This morning the children and I headed to the state park for a follow up on our tree identification class.

 The objective in todays trip was to more or less have a scavenger hunt with the leaves that we had already collected and identified. Sissy was able to use her binder as a reference. It only took her a few minutes and then she no longer needed a reference in order to identify the leaves that we had studied... Mission complete!

Although there were many leaves to keep us busy... We also found other interesting sights in the woods...

When a doe has got to go, a doe has got to go!



We found wondrous trees that twisted and turned...

And deer that napped in the security of high weeds...

Then there was a turtle skeleton that we found not far off the well beaten trail.

Even though I had my eyes peeled for snakes... stumbling upon this little guy still came as a surprise....

I was shaking in my boots, hence the blurry shots. ;) I'm not a fan of snakes.


After our day of excitement... I was ready to get back home to a nice warm cup of coffee... and snuggle in for a nap....

But unfortunately every time I close my eyes I would see this.....

Just a Day

Today we had Leaf Identification Class... I was sort of disappointed in my own lack of knowledge. Identifying a few of these tree became quite tricky. I'm glad I toted along the Audubon Field Guide to North American Trees (Eastern Region).


The children frolicked through the woods searching for any leaf they could find in order to stump their ole' mum. O, they had a blast!

After our treasure hunt, Sissy designed her leaf book, while Aubs counted the stash of acorns from his pockets.

Sissy I were able to identify eight different species of trees in our yard.


Although I feel like the children had fun researching the trees and writing their titles down in the book I think its important for them to understand the potential roles that each species of trees play in their lives. I have noticed that when I teach the youngsters about the outdoors, they understand and appreciate them more when they are able to see how the natural world benefits them. Sissy and I talked about the sugar maples. We dreamed of the day when they will become large enough to tap. We discussed all the uses of the trees from making paper to plywood, for sweeteners to their medicine properties. I confess I learned as much as the children did today!