Garden Tool Quiz

Do you know what this is?

When I was growing up, we called it a hand cultivator.  It was used in our garden from the time I can remember.  Ours did not have the multiple attachments, just the prong thingy that is in the middle of the picture.   Since dad didn't want it anymore, for sentimental reasons, I nabbed it.  I always used it and liked it.  Yeah, I know, how weird is that?  Most people would prefer a "real" tiller.   I still have this darling antique.  The center prong is missing, but it still gets the job done.   Since our little Mantis tiller isn't working (something about gunk and a carburetor), I've been using this old one.  It looks like this only with more dirt ground into the wooden handles and a bit of rust on the wheel.  It is a great upper body workout, for those who are interested in such things. I'm probably just old-fashioned or maybe I just like to live in the past, (sometimes, I still like my telephone and running water) but there is something satisfying about using this old cultivator.  It helps me remember my dad, who taught me about planting and caring for a garden.  Who taught me about putting up fence and burning horns off calves.  He taught me about loving the country.  There I go getting nostalgic. It was a lovely, cool evening.  Perfect for working in the garden.  Garden work is usually preferable to cleaning the bathroom.  Bathroom cleaning is important, too, It's just that I would rather be outside.  I was able to get half of the upper garden worked up this evening. The happy news around here is that my John Deere, while repairs are yet to be completed,  is about done with her surgery and just needs to be stitched up.  That can't happen soon enough. Giver of All Good, Streams upon streams of love overflow my path. Thou hast made me out of nothing,    hast recalled me from a far country,    hast translated me from ignorance to knowledge,                                  from darkness to light,                                  from death to life,                                 from misery to peace,                                 from folly to wisdom,                                from error to truth,                                from sin to victory. Thanks be to thee for my high and holy calling. I bless thee for ministering angels,                   for the comfort of thy Word,                  for the ordinances of thy church,                  for the teaching of thy Spirit,                 for thy holy sacraments,                 for the communion of saints,                for Christian fellowship,                for the recorded annals of holy lives,               for examples sweet to allure,              for beacons sad to deter. I entrust myself to thee, for thou hast redeemed me. I bless and adore thee, the eternal God,    for the comfort of these thoughts,      the  joy of these hopes. ~an excerpt from Comforts, from The Valley of Vision

Somethings I Would Rather Not Do Twice

A couple of weeks ago, I made a large batch of tomato soup.  This is a rather involved process which includes the gathering and steaming of various veggies like carrots, celery and peppers.  There are herbs to be gathered and added as well such as parsley and basil.  Of course, the tomatoes need to be gathered, in our case bought (which is a sad tale of our tomato crop).  I get rather bothered when I have to buy something that is in my garden, but won't ripen or is being eaten by critters.  I digress.  These tomatoes are to be washed and cut and then run through my Victorio Strainer.  I do love this machine.  Tomatoes and apples are no match for it and it makes life a bit easier. 

When I cook, I make a mess (generally).  This also occurs when I can only on a grander scale.  This is because canning includes the use of very large pots and the aforementioned Strainer.  The walls of the kitchen have been splattered with apple and tomato debris most every canning season.

During the making of the soup, I decided I was done.  I don't care if the tomatoes decide to ripen, I'm done with the day-long process and clean-up.  I had hoped that what I had made would suffice.  It would seem to my husband that it was not enough for the winter.

Well, guess what I did today.  Those are seven pint and a half jars, plus a pint of tomato soup peaking out from under their covering.  The pint and a half jars are from Classico spaghetti sauce.  They are mason jars and work great for just the two of us.  We've been collecting them for a couple of years with the help of some other folks.

Sometime ya just do what ya should do.  I'll be glad this winter that I took the time.

Just a side note...one of my Amish friends wrote me a letter last week saying she canned 64 quarts of peaches! and she wasn't done yet!  And she has five boys under the age of seven.  I've never canned 64 quarts of one thing.  She is amazing!!

I am guilty, but pardoned,

   lost, but saved,

   wandering, but found,

   sinning, but cleansed.

Give me perpetual broken-heartedness,

Keep me always clinging to thy cross,

Flood me very moment with descending grace,

Open to me the springs of divine knowledge,

   sparkling like crystal,

   flowing clear and unsullied

   through my wilderness of life.

--an excerpt from The Broken Heart, from The Valley of Vision



 

Bread Baking Day (with a quilt side show as an added bonus)

While I cannot claim to be a bread baking expert, I enjoy doing it.  I enjoy the eating of fresh baked bread even more!  There is nothing like a slice of warm homemade bread with butter or homemade jam or jelly.  It just doesn't get much better.

Baking bread is an art, of sorts.  There is still much I need to master.  There have been times when I have crafted a beautiful brick.  Then there are times when this happens:




This lovely bowl made three medium sized loaves, (of which I should have taken a picture...I'm still getting the hang of this) that turned out great!  Sometimes I like to use the smaller pans since it is just the two of us and there is nothing like putting all this work into something so wonderful and then have it go stale.

You will notice the kitchen towel.  It is from my great-aunt.  After she died the extended family was given the opportunity to see if there was anything they wanted.  There were still old clothes from another great-aunt.  I was able to get this kitchen towel, which needed a wee bit of mending, and an old house dress.  I used the house dress in a small quilt that I made for my Amish rocker.  That way I'll have a piece of her with me.

She was a large, Scots-Irish woman who never married.  Of course, she made her own clothes and to have something that she made that I could use the fabric, makes my quilt extra special.  Here is a piece of the fabric I used in the quilt.

It gives me joy to have pieces, no matter how small, that are part of our family's past.  It gives me a connection.  There is something about a thing that is passed down--not just material things, but a faith that has been passed down as well.  Just as Timothy's faith was passed down from his mother and grandmother.  There is a legacy that is more important than any "thing".

Thou has made known to me
   that to save me is Christ's work,
   but to cleave to him by faith is my work,
   and with this faith is the necessity of my daily repentance
   as a mourning for the sin which Christ by grace has removed.
--from Reconciliation  from the Valley of Vision

Busy Fall Day

O LORD OF GRACE,

The world is before me this day,

   and I am weak and fearful,

   but I look to thee for strength;...

Be thou my arm to support,
   my strength to stand, my light to see,
   my feet to run, my shield to protect,
   my sword to repel, my sun to warm
--an excerpt from God All-Sufficient, from The Valley of Vision

Usually I sign off with something from Valley of Vision or something similar, but today was very busy with cleaning and laundry and cutting grass.  I overdid it a bit.  My legs were pretty wobbly and I was just having a rough time late this afternoon.  This really spoke to me and I wanted to share it with you.

Inversion Update

It is going to be a busy day today.  Sheets are in the washing machine as we "speak" and there is more to wash.  I've also been invited to a Quilt Show this afternoon.  It has been quite some time since I've been to a show, so this will be a treat.  Along with spending time with a new friend.

The Inversion Table that we bought has been very helpful.  I'm trying to use it twice a day for about 3-5 minutes.  The last few days it has only been once a day for about 5 minutes.  The days have been slipping by quickly.  It seems I wake up behind schedule!  Anyway, it seems to give my hip some relief and I am seeing improvement in my ability to walk longer distances.  I hope this helps.  It was beginning to look like I needed an handicap sign for the car!

O LORD GOD,
There is no blessing we implore but thou art able to give,
   hast promised to give,
   hast given already to countless multitudes,
   all unworthy and guilty like ourselves;...
Let us be at thy disposal for the duties and events of life,
   submit our preferences to thy wisdom and will,
   resign our enjoyments if thou shouldest require it
      as our absolute proprietor and best friend....
Help us to be in the Spirit on the Lord's Day,
   to enter upon the sabbath mindful of its solemnities, duties,
   privileges,
    setting all things worldly aside while we worship thee.
--an excerpt from FUTURE BLESSINGS, Seventh Day Evening, from The Valley of Vision

Fall Garden Update

It is a bit chilly!  Down into the 40s at night and not getting up to 60 these last few days.  We have received some much needed rain, though.  No doubt, some time this week my John Deere, Hazel, and I will be out cutting grass.

I seem to be having a hard time this year adjusting to it getting dark sooner.  ACK! 7:30 and it's dark!  It just seems as if it is 9:30 instead of 7:30.

There has not yet been a frost, but we were able to get the sweet potatoes dug on Friday.  They look pretty sad.  It must have been the lack of rain when they needed it most.  There are a few that are decent size, but the majority are skinny and small.  They should make good sweet potato fries!

The carrots were also dug and are all canned.  The ones that were saved to eat fresh tasted great.

There is not much left in the garden at this point.  Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and I am still holding out some hope that the peppers will come through.  As soon as the soil is dry enough, I hope my husband can till the upper (newest part) of the garden under for the winter.  The lower part has the peppers in it.  We also need to plant our seed garlic pretty soon.

Despite the hot, dry summer, God has provided for us--as always.  Just looking at my full cupboards in the basement should be a daily reminder of His goodness, grace and provision.

May I never dally with the world and its allurements,
   but walk by thy side,
      listen to thy voice,
      be clothed with thy graces,
      and adorned with thy righteousness.
--an excerpt from Christ is All,  from The Valley of Vision

Cold Coming

Sounds like temps are to drop around here this weekend and I still have stuff in the garden. 

My pepper crop was sad this year.  There were plenty of blossoms and I was all excited that we got some rain, but we'll have to see how cold it really gets.  My hubby has to help me with the sweet potatoes and they are still in the ground.  I'll need to get the rest of the carrots out, too.  The broccoli should hold out just fine for awhile.

I was so hoping for a few warmer days after this rain.

The seed garlic arrived today, so that will need planted soon. 

This has not been one of my better garden years!

R. C. Sproul has a series on Recovering the Beauty of the Arts that I've been enjoying.   It has been good to spend time listening.  Our culture and the church has lost so much. 

Lord, help me, for I am often lukewarm and chill;
     unbelief mars my confidence,
     sin makes me forget thee.
Let the weeds that grow in my soul be cut at their roots;
Grant me to know that I truly live only when i live to thee,
     that all else is trifling.
--an excerpt from Resting On God, from Valley of Vision

Amish Birthday

Saturday was my birthday.  My dear husband said he would take me anywhere I wanted to go or do whatever (within reason) including shampooing the carpets.  (To be honest, I did consider that one, but the dirty carpet can wait a bit longer.)  While I thought about my options, I went to the Farmer's Market.  It was a beautiful day and if I have a chance to get away, I'll go to my "happy place". 

After unloading the apples I purchased at the market--it is applesauce time!!--I told my husband I wanted to go to New Wilmington and visit Lizzie and Sarah.

We had Chinese for lunch and then headed up to New Wilmington.  Route 19 is a delightful, beautiful drive.  There is not much traffic, thanks to I-79, and the farm land stretches out for miles with amazing views of hills and valleys.  As we drove through Volant, it was easy to see that Christmas time is approaching...the little town was busy.

Of course, a trip to Lizzie or Sarah's unannounced contains a certain amount of risk.  Being that it was a Saturday, I was hoping that Lizzie would be busy at home since she teaches at a one room school during the week.  Sarah has a brand new baby boy so I figured she would be pretty close to home.  The Outlets were our Plan B.

We traveled back the long lane to Lizzie's first to find the clothesline full and the whole family at home.  They were hosting church at their house the next day, so she had already baked about a dozen pies or so along with two trays of moon pies.  Lizzie and I had a great discussion while she braided her daughter's hair.  It seems that we "english" are not always so different from the Amish.  We laughed as we compared the two lifestyles in regard to the healthy feeding of children (Amish kids get fed junk just like our kids), nursing babies (they don't all nurse their babies either) and children with learning problems.  It was a treat to help fold clothes (who thinks this is fun when it is your own stuff??!!) as she took them off her long clothesline.  (I had to have a lesson in folding her husband's pants.)  She offered us some home made bread and jam.  The men joined the conversation and there was more laughter.  Time to head off to Sarah's.

Knowing that it was nearing dinner time and that Sarah now has five young boys, we did not want to stay long.  Sarah was having none of it!  The boys had been playing at the neighbors, who own a boy magnet--a dirt pile.  They were, as any boy worth his salt would be, filthy...and happy.  Sarah allowed me to rock little Henry who has been a bit fussy.  I wish I could say I put him to sleep, but at least he didn't cry.  We had a tour of Sarah's new wash room/laundry room/summer kitchen area.  She is thrilled to have a bathtub now and a place to store hot water.  This new room is so handy for her.  No more running up and down stairs.   Sarah told me she had not accomplished much on Saturday--only several loaves of bread, a big batch of cookies and a huge pan of cinnamon rolls...with a NEW BABY!!  Oh, and the laundry.  It wears me out to think about it.  She was happy to share a cinnamon roll with us.  Oh, yeah, it was wonderful!

On the road home, we happened on a buggy that had broken the axle.  Keith and some of the other "english" helped to get the man's buggy in a pickup truck.  So, even those things break down.

It was a wonderful day and I am so thankful for these dear friends with whom I could spend a lovely Saturday.  And grateful for a husband who thinks it is an enjoyable afternoon as well.

...Yet thou hast of they pleasure created life, and communicated
  happiness;
Thou has made me what I am, and given me what I have;
In thee I live and move and have my being;...

an excerpt from God The Source Of All Good, from the Valley of Vision

Sunny Winter Days

Here in Western Pennsylvania, we value sunshine quite highly. During the month of February, the sun has rarely been seen. (And it is not just winter when the sun is often hard to come by around here.) The snowfall has reached record-breaking levels and that brings with it the seemingly endless gray days. This is when I wish I had a digital camera to show the snow piles! It may be June before my tulips bloom because the snow is piled so high! However, the past two days have been a boost to the mind and spirit. The temperatures actually got above freezing, too! Seeing that the sky is still blue and that the sun is still up there has brought smiles to everyone around. What a blessing it has been. I think God knew we had had enough.

It won't be long until Spring. The days are already getting longer. I'm getting anxious to get my hands in some dirt!

ALMIGHTY GOD,
I am loved with everlasting love,
clothed in eternal righteousness,
my peace flowing like a river,
my comforts many and large,
my joy and triumph unutterable,
my soul lively with a knowledge of salvation,
my sense of justification unclouded.
I have scarce anything to pray for;
Jesus smiles upon my soul as a ray of heaven
and my supplications are swallowed up in praise.

--an excerpt from Assurance from the book Valley of Vision, A collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions

Dorothy Sayers on Work

This quote is on Justin Taylor's blog, Between Two Worlds. It speaks volumes, in my opinion, about the lack of understanding in broad evangelicalism about the sacred vs. secular split that divides the church from the world.

The world needs garbage collectors to do the best job they are able to do. Cleaning up garbage is part of being a good steward of the Kingdom. It keeps things decent and in order. And isn't that a 'Christian' thing?

Work in NOT a bad word!

The Only Christian Work Is Good Work Done Well unto God Posted:

18 Jan 2010 07:00 AM PSTFrom Dorothy Sayers’s essay, “Why Work?” in Creed or Chaos (New York: Harcourt Brace, 1949):

The Church’s approach to an intelligent carpenter is usually confined to exhorting him not to be drunk and disorderly in his leisure hours, and to come to church on Sundays. What the Church should be telling him is this: that the very first demand that his religion makes upon him is that he should make good tables.. . .

Let the Church remember this: that every maker and worker is called to serve God in his profession or trade—not outside of it. The Apostles complained rightly when they said it was not meant they should leave the word of God and serve tables; their vocation was to preach the word. But the person whose vocation it is to prepare the meals beautifully might with equal justice protest: It is not meant for us to leave the service of our tables to preach the word.

The official Church wastes time and energy, and moreover, commits sacrilege, in demanding that secular workers should neglect their proper vocation in order to do Christian work—by which she means ecclesiastical work. The only Christian work is good work well done. Let the Church see to it that the workers are Christian people and do their work well, as to God: then all the work will be Christian work, whether it is Church embroidery or sewage-farming.

HT: Tom Nelson

I need to repent of my repentance...
Grant me never to lose sight of:
the exceeding sinfulness of sin,
the exceeding righteousness of salvation,
the exceeding glory of Christ,
the exceeding beauty of holiness,
the exceeding wonder of grace.

--from Continual Repentance in Valley of Visions

Getting Caught Up.

Happy New Year to all!

As we crawled into the car for church this morning, the thermometer read -9 degrees! By the time we arrived at church about 25 minutes later it was 4 degrees. Of course, it is January in Western Pennsylvania. The trip to church was a pretty one, with the trees all frosted from the clear night air. There are plenty of icicles on many homes that seem to be growing and growing. It is supposed to warm up to above freezing this week--it will feel like a heat wave! The weather guys are saying that there may be a storm hit next weekend so we will see what we get.

With the temps being so low last night, it meant that our kitchen got pretty cold. It was 53 degrees when I came downstairs this morning. When we arrived home from church we put on a pot of chicken soup that I started yesterday and fired up our "Rayo" oil lamp. The Rayo gives off great light and plenty of heat. As of now, it is up to a toasty 64 degrees in the kitchen.

The chicken soup went well with toasted cheese sandwiches on home-made bread. Together they warm the soul. All that is needed is a fireplace or wood burner...someday, I hope.

The vegetable catalogs are arriving. These colorful beauties are a feast for the eyes. This time of year I am tempted to try all sorts of new varieties of vegies in the garden. The pictures make everything tempting to try. I haven't started my list yet, but I'm thinking about all sorts of fun garden goodies. Lord willing, I will be on both feet this year and able to get my hands dirty this summer.

We have been blessed with a new granddaughter, Ada Christiana. She was born on December 9th. We were able to visit her and her mom and dad in Chicago for a week and a half. It was wonderful to spend time with the kids in their new place and help mommy get some rest.

The grandsons were able to have Christmas in Atlanta with the other grandparents this year. They are due to return this week with their mom so we can celebrate a second Christmas with them soon.

"Forgive me if I have tried to add anything to the one foundation, if I have unconsciously relied upon my knowledge,
experience, deed, and not seen them as filthy rags, if I have attempted to complete what is perfect in Christ;
May my cry be always, Only Jesus! Only Jesus!
--from "The Life Look" from Valley of Visions


“It does not take a majority to prevail ... but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brush fires of freedom in the minds of men.”-Samuel Adams

A Different Summer

It has been some time since I last posted. So much has happened and I'm not at all sure how yet to process all of it.

Our summer has been great--temperature-wise--for those of us who melt into grouchiness when the temps get above 86. However, the garden has suffered from the damp, cool summer. We lost all our tomato plants to the late blight, which came early. A groundhog decided to take up residence nearby and ate off our edemame, sweet potatoes and parsley and carrot tops. After he was eliminated, the carrots and parsley and a few sweet potatoes came back.

All this was going on while I was confined to the sofa (later on the porch) with a broken ankle. Yes, it is amazing what can happen in the blink of an eye. One false step on the stairs and you're in the ER deciding on when to have surgery. At least, after all these years, I am finally screwed together!

So, I've had to let go of a great many things. I have been unable to cut the grass. I miss the hours of solitude and the time of prayer. I have had to ask for help...ugh. I was unable to share from our garden, that I so enjoy doing...not much anyway. My husband dug the potatoes. Digging potatoes is like Christmas. When you dig in the ground you never know what you will get! I love the surprise. It made me sad to miss it. We did get a good crop, though, for which I am very thankful. My husband know little about the garden, so trying to explain how some vegetables should look when they are ready was quite a challenge. Also, trying to remember where I planted things was a challenge. He would come back to the house trying to describe a plant in the garden and where it was planted and then I would try and remember what I planted there. Needless to say, there has been some level of frustration. The dear guy picked all the beans! I would snap most of them and then, after a crash course in canning, he was able to can all our beans. He also canned all the beets. I think he was pretty proud. I am so thankful that he didn't just let everything go to weeds.

It was very difficult for me to be on the sidelines. A good friend reminded me that my worth is not in what I do....but it sure feels like it. Since I was unable to be on my feet, dear neighbors and friends from our church supplied us with meals so that my husband did not have to cook anything for a month! I love to bake bread, but have been unable to stand long enough to tackle that task. But, the garden was the big thing. That's my 'job'. Perhaps the garden was becoming a pride issue. I'm not real sure. Like I said, I'm still processing all this. What does God want me to learn? Or are the lessons still in progress.

What I am sure of is that good friends bring great movies and book for you when you're down. They come just to visit, because you are incredibly lonely. They say, "I love you" with food and phone calls and cards full of well wishes. My church family is just that--family. I couldn't be more thankful and grateful for each of them.

So, while I remain on the DL and still have physical therapy to go through, I am looking for the lessons that I need to learn from this particular session of God's school.

I bless thee for tempering every distress with joy;
too much of the former might weigh me down,
too much of the latter might puff me up;
Thou art wise to give me a taste of both.
But thou art all I need.
Let me continually grasp the promise,
'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.'

--excerpt from Blessings from The Valley of Vision

Successful Replanting

In my daily tour of the garden, I was pleased to see that the green beans that I replanted are up! Thanks to a wee bit of rain, a noisy aluminum pie pan and, mostly, The Master Gardener.

It is a relief to see them up. As long as nothing else happens to them, we should be up to our eye balls in beans. I'll need to keep an eye out for critters since the beans are in the new part of the garden and a bit closer to the woods. I've seen a rabbit out in the field, but not near the garden, yet.

While we did not get as much rain as other folks, it certainly seemed to perk things up. The broccoli is looking wonderful. Everything seemed to benefit from the rain we received (imagine that)...even the weeds.

O LORD,
I marvel that thou shouldst become incarnate, be crucified, dead, and buried....
O Lord, there is much ill about me - crucify it,
much flesh within me - mortify it.
Purge me from selfishness, the fear of man, the love of approbation,
the shame of being thought old-fashioned,
the desire to be cultivated or modern....
Give me courage for all the trials, and grace for all the joys.
Help me to be a holy, happy person,
free from every wrong desire,
from everything contrary to thy mind.
Grant me more and more of the resurrection life:
May it rule me,
May I walk in its power, and be strengthened through its influence.
--an excerpt from Crucifixion and Resurrection from The Valley of Vision

Heavenly Scent

In my weed-infested perennial gardens are one of my favorite flowers...Dianthus Bath's Pink. These dainty pink flowers have the most amazing scent. It is almost reminiscent of fresh cotton candy. These flowers have been in full bloom for a little over a week filling the air all around the back patio with the most refreshing aroma. It seems that my Bath's Pink smell especially wonderful this year. The pure joy of enjoying these flowers is so very relaxing.

After enjoying some time outside the other day, I began to wonder if Heaven would have the scent of my Bath's Pinks. How amazing to have a heavenly garden full of fresh fragrances filling the air...with no weeds. It would be most "Heavenly".


O DIVINE REDEEMER,
Great was thy goodness in undertaking my redemption, in consenting to be made sin for me, in conquering all my foes;
Great was thy strength in enduring the extremities of divine wrath, in taking away the load of my iniquities...
Great was thy wisdom in devising this means of salvation; Bathe my soul in rich consolations of thy resurrection life;
Great was thy grace in commanding me to come hand in hand with thee to the Father,
to be knit to him eternally,
to discover in him my rest,
to find in him my peace,
to behold his glory,
to honour him who is alone worthy;
in giving me the Spirit as teacher, guide, power, that I may live repenting of sin,
conquer Satan, find victory in life.
When thou art absent all sorrows are here,
When thou art present all blessings are mine.

--Excerpts from Victory from the book, The Valley of Vision

Feed Mill Memories

I'm sure you've heard about how Spring is a time for renewal, growth and new life, and it is. This year, spring has been a time of nostalgia.

One of the delights of the spring planting season for me is a trip to the Bowser's Feed Store. It may sound like I have no life when a trip to the feed store is a big event, but it brings back fond memories.

The feed store has two areas. One is the "inside" part of the store where one can purchase some horse tack and dog collars and toys and other smaller items. The main part of the store is accessed by a large garage door entrance; about the only light to the dark, wooden interior. Here, the scent of the grains and fresh ground feeds is the first thing that takes me back in time. There is the sound of boots walking on worn, wide plank flooring; neat stacks of bags of dog food, rabbit and chicken feed stacked higher than I could reach on every side. As I walk to the back of the store is the area where the bulk seeds are kept, my eyes adjust from the brightness of the outdoors to the darkness of the old building. No big, bright, colorful display here. Just a well-worn shelf brightened only by a small light hanging above. Sitting on the shelf are plastic containers that are reminicent of canning jars full of smaller seeds with a worn seed label taped to it. Among the choices are carrots, zucchini, lettuce, turnips, radishes. peas and beets. An old, metal scale also sits on the shelf for weighing out the purchase. Underneath this shelf are two rows of bins that contain several varieties of sweet corn and green beans. Each bin has it's own small, handwritten label. There are sacks of onion sets open with the variety written on the side. I'm told the seed potatoes have just arrived.

When I was younger, I would often go with my dad to Roth's Feed Mill in Prospect to get cracked corn and other feeds. Roth's Mill had the old mill workings where you could see them, the wood floors the creaked and moaned under the weight of sacks of flour and grain. The scents were always what I noticed first. Mills seem to have a distinct, sweet aroma. We would walk up the wooden stairs onto the main floor and wait until a worker took our request and filled it. If I was alone, the gentleman always offered to carry it to the trunk of the car for me. To pay for your purchase, you sent up a small set of steep stairs to the office. There, you received a written receipt for your purchase, no matter how small. Growing up, going inside with my dad was never a problem. But going inside alone, was a bit scary. Sometimes it was so loud and the one or two workers there didn't always notice a scared, skinny girl waiting at the door to get some flour or feed. Only one other time did I see another female there. This seemed to me a hard core manly farmer place that women were not excluded, but just rarely darkened the door.

Roth's had a separate building for seeds and farm and garden items. Shovels, buckets and dog food lined the shelves of what was an old grocery store. Much of what I remember about this store building is fading in my memory. I remember the Mill best. My trips to our Feed Mill in Worthington brings back the sights and sounds of my trips to Roth's with dad. He passed away going on nine years this month. He taught me everything about gardening, pitching and stacking hay bales and the cleaning of barn stalls (oh yeah, loved doing that in January-NOT).

Going to the Bowser's Feed Store is not only a trip down memory lane, but a delightful experience when shopping for my seeds. It is hard to leave and I find myself trying to look for excuses to hang around and drink in the scents and sounds. I still need to buy my seed potatoes. Looks like another trip to Bowser's is in the future. Now, what else can I find to buy there??

"Suffer me not to forget that I look for yet greater blessings--
a hope beyond the grave,
the earnest and foretastes of immortality,
holiness, wisdom, strength, peace, joy;
all these thou hast provided for me in Christ.
I grieve to think how insensible I have been
of the claims of thy authority, and the endearments of thy love;
how little I have credited thy truth,
trusted thy promises,
feared thy threats,
obeyed thy commands,
improved my advantages,
welcomed thy warnings,
responded to thy grace;
but nothwithstanding my desert I yet live.
May thy goodness always lead me to repentance,
and thy longsuffering prove my salvation."
--excerpts from a portion of Caring Love a Puritan prayer written in The Valley of Vision

Poking Plants

March has arrived in style to Western PA this year. We have enjoyed some beautiful weather. Many times March gives a snow storms that really dump a ton of snow on us. The snow doesn't last long, but it is a dumping none the less. This year, at least so far, we have been snow-free. Of course, it's not over and it has been known to snow in April. March could go out like a lion.

Our beautiful weather has started things happening in the garden. A trip out the other day to dump compost revealed some "pink" showing from the ground in the rhubarb patch and a neat row of green tips poking through the soil where I planted my garlic last fall. The lilacs are getting buds, too. I am getting anxious to plant peas.

Taking advantage of the warm weather this morning, I hung out clothes and enjoyed my devotions in the sun. I wasn't out all that long, but I managed to acquire a pink nose and cheeks. My skin, along with the rest of me, has to get used to all this sunshine!

The retirement papers were signed today...again. Lord willing, for the last time. The final letter needs to be signed and then there is no going back. We will then see what God has planned for the next phase of our lives.

Teach me to be resigned to thy will, to delight in thy law, to have no will but thine, to believe that everything thou doest is for my good.
Help me to leave my concerns in thy hands, for thou hast power over evil, and bringest from it an infinite progression of good, until thy purposes are fulfilled.
--an excerpt from The Valley of Vision entitled Divine Promises

With all that is going on in our country these days, I need to remember those lines. God is in control. He has a plan, I may not understand it and I am only able to see my small part in the big picture, but I have to trust and hang on to His promises. He wins! He has already defeated evil.

Yeah for Sunshine and Warmer Weather!

Nothing gets me more excited for Spring than a warmer, sunny day in March and placing my seed order.

Today I finally sat down and made out my seed order. One order was to Johnny's Selected Seeds and it contains my seeds for lettuce, spinach, edemame, garlic, carrots and sweet potatoes. The garlic will be shipped in October for fall planting and the sweet potatoes will be shipped in late May. The sweet potatoes will be a new item for us. Russ, who took my order, was very helpful. I still need to see what else I need, or may want to try.

I have green bean seeds left over from last year. The rest of my seed purchases will be made at the Bowser's Feed Store nearby. They have peas, onions, beets, red potatoes and corn that I like. I also like to support the local guy when I can. The owner is so forbearing with me. He lets me purchases five zucchini seeds. I really don't like buying seeds that I end up throwing away. I would rather pay the full price than waste them. He was so gracious to charge me a minimum amount for the few seeds I bought. As you may know, every zucchini seed will grow and produce enough fruit for thousands of people. The neighbors run when they see you coming trying to give them away. One or two plants is more than enough...at least for us.

Another thought I have in expanding our garden is to try red raspberries. This is another new item for us. We'll see if we can get a place prepared for them.

Our yard is a mess from two substantial wind storms we have had recently. I hope to get some of that yard mess cleaned up today. It will take several days to get the pine cones that are strewn all over our front yard, as well as the neighbors.

I also need to get some sewing finished up and get the grapes and apple tree pruned.

I hope you are able to enjoy the nice weather.

O God, the Author of all Good,
I come to thee for the grace another day will require for its duites and events. I step out into a wicked world, I carry about with me an evil heart, I know that without thee I can do nother, that everything with which I shall be concerned, however harmless in itself, may prove an occasion of sin or folly, unless I am kept by thy power.
Teach me how to use the world, and not abuse it, to improve my talents, to redeem my time, to walk in wisdom toward those without, and in kindness to those within, to do good to all men, and especially to my fellow Christians,
And to thee be the glory.
excerpts from Morning Needs, from The Valley of Visions, A collection of Puritan prayers and devotions.

The Struggling Economy Hits Home

I was privileged to see God at work the Body of Christ on Sunday. It was, what most would call 'normal', quite ordinary. There were no bright flashes of light or angels. It was amazing.

Our eldest son lost his job on Thursday. It was totally unexpected. He is the father of our two little grandsons and husband to a beautiful, loving wife. He is a hard-worker and a good provider. He called me on Thursday morning to share the news and said to get the word out. It is important to spread the news early and often. It seems that trying to find a new job is helped by spreading the information among friends and family who would have connections to other opportunities.

Being an obedient mother, I promptly called and emailed some friends and family. Many offered prayers for another position. Some offered ideas of places that may be hiring.

On Sunday, right after church was over, I had two people--ones that I had not called or emailed--offer prayers and one offered employment information. There are two other families that I know of who have also lost their jobs recently. My husband spoke with one gentleman and I called an other's family member with job opportunities that we had heard about that may be best suited for their skill set.

It was one church family member helping another. It was genuine care and concern for the members of the family.

Our church has had a rocky ride for the last several years. Sometimes it has been difficult to see God working. It was so refreshing to be part of how God is working. It shouldn't amaze me or surprise me when God's people do what they are called to do. It happens all the time with no fanfare or bells or whistles. Just people who have the right stuff doing the right thing. These folks never make the front page or get interviewed for the TV news. They are quietly doing God's work.

Often, it is the people with the right stuff doing the wrong things that get all the attention and give Christians and church members a black eye.

Is this a huge deal? Probably not in the big picture, I guess. But for one who was able to witness how the Body of Christ is really supposed to work, it was wonderful.

"My Saviour wept that all tears might be wiped from my eyes, groaned that I might have endless song, endured all pain that I might have unfading health, bore a thorned crown that I might have glory-diadem, bowed his head that I might uplift mine, experienced reproach that I might receive welcome, closed his eyes in death that I might gaze on unclouded brightness, expired that I might for ever live.
O Father, who spared not thine only Son that thou mightest spare me,
All this transfer thy love designed and accomplished; Help me to adore thee by lips and life.
O that my every breath might be ecstatic prise, my every step buoyant with delight, as I see my enemies crushed, Satan baffled, defreated, destroyed, sin buried in the ocean of reconciling blood, hell's gates closed, heaven's portal open.
Go forth, O conquering God, and show me the cross, mighty to subdue, comfort and save."

excerpt from Love Lusters at Calvary from The Valley of Vision

A Life Remembered

It has been some time since I posted last and I am not even sure where to begin.

My father-in-law was buried yesterday. He died on Sunday. While he was ill with cancer and in the hospice unit at the local VA, we did not expect his passing this soon. It is a blessing that he is no longer suffering. Our lives have been full with loving family.

My father-in-law was an amazing man. He could tell stories for hours, and often did. As I grew to know him, I tended to believe them less and less. This is difficult for me to reveal. I loved him, but at a distance. He was in the Army during WWII. A prisoner of war in Germany twice and escaped twice. He was a Purple Heart recipient; sent home to die. He made a remarkable recovery and lived to be 90 years old. He was quite dashing, to hear him tell it, in his prime. Swept my mother-in-law off her feet. They attended the opera and symphonies together. I know for a fact that he was one of the top ten wealthiest men in town at one time. For his profession, he was a chiropractor and a good one. In my opinion, he let his "gift of gab" take his busy practice away from him. My mother-in-law then went to work with six young children in school, when it was not common to be a working mom, in fact it was frowned upon. She is almost always cheerful and optimistic, but I often wonder if she struggles with the loss of the easier, carefree life they once had that was lost. He loved his grandchildren and was proud of his own children, though he never told them--it showed.

His passing has given me a chance to reflect on how I live my life and the improvements that need to be made. Things don't always turn out the way we think they are going to. God's plans are not often ours. We never know when we are going to be called home.

"Lord, give me more of thy likeness;
Enlarge my soul to contain fullness of holiness; engage me to live more for thee.
Help me to be less pleased with my spiritual experiences, and when I feel at ease after sweet communings, teach me it is far too little I know and I do....
Wrap my life in divine love, and keep me ever desiring thee, always humble and resigned to thy will, more fixed on thyself, that I may be more fitted for doing and suffering." excerpts from Longings After God, found in The Valley of Vision.

Seed Shopping in the Snow

If you are doing some shopping for seeds while you are perhaps snowed in, here is a website that you may enjoy. Botanical Interests found me and I have explored their family-owned business on line. The site is colorful and informative. It is a "happy" site. For me that means that the colors are pleasing and the well-done artwork is delightful. A bit of Spring and Summer in the midst of the cold and snow. Please check out this on-line catalog. It may chase away the winter blahs!


There is also a blog to enjoy with recipes and more good gardening info.

Happy Shopping!

Creator and Redeemer God,

Author of all existence, source of all blessedness,

I adore thee for making me capable of knowing thee, for giving me reason and conscience, for leading me to desire thee;...

thou hast moved my conscience to know how the guilty can be pardoned, the unholy sanctified, the poor enriched. May I be always amongst those who not only hear but know thee, who walk with and rejoice in thee, who take thee at thy word and find life there.

Keep me always longing for a present salvation in Holy Spirit comforts and rejoicings, for spiritual graces and blessings, for help to value my duties as well as my privileges.

May I cherish simplicity and godly sincerity of character,

Help me to be in reality before thee as in appearance I am before men,

to be religious before I profess religion,

to leave the world before I enter the church, to set my affections on things above,

to shun forbidden follies and vanities,

to be a dispenser as well as a partaker of grace,

to be prepared to bear evil as well as to do good.



Excerpts from A Present Salvation as written in The Valley of Vision, A collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions, edited by Arthur Bennett