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
Monday, October 4, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
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
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
Invert That!
For years my hip has been bothering me. It began as an ache after aerobics class to lately, it has been difficult to go up stairs, let alone get through the grocery store. Several doctors and chiropractors later, we have invested in an inversion table.
My current Chiro thinks it will help my hip out. We bought a good one, so we are hoping that it will help both of us. I tried it out this morning for a few minutes and my hip seems to be doing ok. I'll give it another few minutes this evening.
If nothing else, it will be fun at Christmas.
My current Chiro thinks it will help my hip out. We bought a good one, so we are hoping that it will help both of us. I tried it out this morning for a few minutes and my hip seems to be doing ok. I'll give it another few minutes this evening.
If nothing else, it will be fun at Christmas.
Monday, September 27, 2010
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
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
Friday, September 24, 2010
Gun Class
It occurred to me that I never reported on my Women's Handgun Safety course I took this summer.
The Sheriff's Department in my county puts in on with help from the NRA. They only accept 50 women each year. The room was full, to say the least! What a wide variety of women, too. One delightful lady sat with me and shared that she already carries a .22 with a laser. She works in Pittsburgh. Several women were hunters, but knew little or nothing about handguns. Most of the women were there to learn about gun safety and were interested in their personal protection.
There was significant time spent on safety issues and handling long before we were ever taken to the range.
We were given a nice lunch (the cookies were wonderful) and then taken in small groups to the range. The deputies were there to help us and make sure we were all being safe. I was given a Lady Smith & Wesson .38. My only complaint is that I only got to fire five rounds. Hardly enough to even get acquainted with the gun. I was able to hit the target, which is saying something--I was shaking to badly!! Some of it was from nerves, I'm sure, but some from MS, too.
All in all, it was a very fun morning and I learned a great deal.
Since then, a more experienced friend has taken me out with a .22 semi automatic (ohhh yeahhh). It was nice to be more relaxed and have lots of time. I hit the center several times!! Several weeks after the two of us went out, we took our kids (young adults...who am I kidding). Oh my! My son gets his target skills from his father! It was as if he was born with a gun in his hand! Her daughter did amazing, too! It was fun to be out with my son, even though he made me look pretty pathetic.
I need lots more practice, but perhaps that will come. It is a great sport and I would recommend it to anyone! My husband is even considering selling his service gun (very heavy, and the ammo is super expensive) and getting a .22....I want a laser, if he does!
The Sheriff's Department in my county puts in on with help from the NRA. They only accept 50 women each year. The room was full, to say the least! What a wide variety of women, too. One delightful lady sat with me and shared that she already carries a .22 with a laser. She works in Pittsburgh. Several women were hunters, but knew little or nothing about handguns. Most of the women were there to learn about gun safety and were interested in their personal protection.
There was significant time spent on safety issues and handling long before we were ever taken to the range.
We were given a nice lunch (the cookies were wonderful) and then taken in small groups to the range. The deputies were there to help us and make sure we were all being safe. I was given a Lady Smith & Wesson .38. My only complaint is that I only got to fire five rounds. Hardly enough to even get acquainted with the gun. I was able to hit the target, which is saying something--I was shaking to badly!! Some of it was from nerves, I'm sure, but some from MS, too.
All in all, it was a very fun morning and I learned a great deal.
Since then, a more experienced friend has taken me out with a .22 semi automatic (ohhh yeahhh). It was nice to be more relaxed and have lots of time. I hit the center several times!! Several weeks after the two of us went out, we took our kids (young adults...who am I kidding). Oh my! My son gets his target skills from his father! It was as if he was born with a gun in his hand! Her daughter did amazing, too! It was fun to be out with my son, even though he made me look pretty pathetic.
I need lots more practice, but perhaps that will come. It is a great sport and I would recommend it to anyone! My husband is even considering selling his service gun (very heavy, and the ammo is super expensive) and getting a .22....I want a laser, if he does!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Life Changes
It has been difficult to get to this place. I have not written for some time because the words just are not able to form. It is difficult to grasp and understand...communicate.
In late January, I spent a snowy weekend in the hospital believing I was having a stroke. Wrong. Turns out, after many tests, that I have MS.
I have gone from being a person who despises going to a doctor, to having three. Taking medicine was never something I liked or did. I was not on any medication (which is surprising these days for a woman of my 50 + years), now I give myself injections once a week. Did I mention that I hate needles. I also take medicine to keep my legs from jumping around all night. At least I am able to sleep so much better.
This summer has been difficult. The things that I enjoyed I struggle to do, let alone find joy in doing them. The garden has been difficult to maintain. The heat of this summer was draining on my energy, which didn't help get things done.
I've needed to "talk" about this situation, but knew that this page was not exactly the place to do that. This is/was a peaceful, happy place. Perhaps it will be again.
I just recently finished R.C. Sproul's book, The Holiness of God. Not far along in the book, Sproul is talking about Jesus and the long list of men in scripture that have been "appointed to such suffering". While I am no Isaiah, I know that God is in control and has a purpose for this. He has not left me.
Right now I need a place to share my feelings and struggles, even if no one is out there. You are welcome...it might not be pretty, but it will be as real and honest as I can. I think if I can write it out, it will help me come to grips with, not only the sin in my life, but how God will use me through this time. It is called Valley Insights at www.valleyinsights.blogspot.com
In Him I have all that I can hold;
enlarge me to take in more....
If driven to the verge of hope and to the pit of despair,
grant me grace to fall into his arms.
O God, hear me, do for me more than I ask, think, or dream.
---excerpt from The Life Look, Valley of Visions
In late January, I spent a snowy weekend in the hospital believing I was having a stroke. Wrong. Turns out, after many tests, that I have MS.
I have gone from being a person who despises going to a doctor, to having three. Taking medicine was never something I liked or did. I was not on any medication (which is surprising these days for a woman of my 50 + years), now I give myself injections once a week. Did I mention that I hate needles. I also take medicine to keep my legs from jumping around all night. At least I am able to sleep so much better.
This summer has been difficult. The things that I enjoyed I struggle to do, let alone find joy in doing them. The garden has been difficult to maintain. The heat of this summer was draining on my energy, which didn't help get things done.
I've needed to "talk" about this situation, but knew that this page was not exactly the place to do that. This is/was a peaceful, happy place. Perhaps it will be again.
I just recently finished R.C. Sproul's book, The Holiness of God. Not far along in the book, Sproul is talking about Jesus and the long list of men in scripture that have been "appointed to such suffering". While I am no Isaiah, I know that God is in control and has a purpose for this. He has not left me.
Right now I need a place to share my feelings and struggles, even if no one is out there. You are welcome...it might not be pretty, but it will be as real and honest as I can. I think if I can write it out, it will help me come to grips with, not only the sin in my life, but how God will use me through this time. It is called Valley Insights at www.valleyinsights.blogspot.com
In Him I have all that I can hold;
enlarge me to take in more....
If driven to the verge of hope and to the pit of despair,
grant me grace to fall into his arms.
O God, hear me, do for me more than I ask, think, or dream.
---excerpt from The Life Look, Valley of Visions
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Deer, Birds, Rabbits: Getting a Grip on Sovereignty
This year the garden has been a source of stress. Not only was the garden late in getting tilled, it seemed that every time I was able to get out to plant, it rained. The plants were bought in plenty of time, but finding a time when the soil was not overly damp was becoming a problem.
Fast forward to June. Things are planted and growing well! (The weeds seem to be doing well, also.) One morning, I noticed that some of the leaves were gone from the broccoli and Brussels sprouts. Nothing major, but it made me wonder. Two days later, most of the leaves were eaten. Ok, now we have a problem. There was still time to go to the greenhouse, but they might come back. I decided to give it a few days. After a week, there were no signs of recovery, so off to the greenhouse. Thankfully they still had some plants...a bit on the "sad" side, but I was willing to nurse them along. I dug up the worst of the poor things thinking that there might still be hope for a couple of the plants. After the new ones had been planted, the one or two plants that I thought might recover from the havoc that had been wreaked upon them, were eaten to the ground. The new ones were left in tact. Just the other day, I noticed that these new ones have been chewed on as well. Although, not badly...yet.
There are foil pie pans hanging for noise and I have used other "sure fire" methods, but nothing seems to be keeping the critters away. Our garden has never experienced much animal damage. A bunny here or there and ALWAYS the Japanese beetles, but this year we have had deer eating the apple trees and edemame (this is only the second time we have even seen deer since we moved here six years ago), I flushed out a groundhog from the asparagus while I was mowing one day, and birds were pulling the baby corn out of the ground (at least that is what I think).
While I can only do so much to keep them away (we may need to consider fencing, but it is a big garden...can you say $$$), I am coming to grips with the fact that I am not in control of this. Yes, I am responsible if I want any produce from my garden, but there are limits to my control and efforts. Ultimately, God is in control of what does and does not grow in my garden.
Yeah, I know, there is a life lesson here. I am broken. Not only spiritually, but physically, as well. Seeing my physical brokenness is helping me grasp my spiritual brokenness. The physical brokenness is not easy to see, but it is becoming more apparent. My spiritual brokenness is often easier to hide...from people. Not from God. God sees my state of "messiness" and still loves me. Physical and spiritual issues are all known and seen by him. He has them under his control. I am in the process of learning that He does have control all the time in my life and in my garden. This is one of those things that, yeah, I've heard a thousand times on Sunday, but when you see it played out in real life, it seems to make more sense. Or, maybe, now that I'm older, I'm paying closer attention. Or, maybe I'm in a better place to learn.
Side note: I'm taking a women's gun class this month!
Selections from Psalm 25:
To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God.
Show me you ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day long.
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.
Fast forward to June. Things are planted and growing well! (The weeds seem to be doing well, also.) One morning, I noticed that some of the leaves were gone from the broccoli and Brussels sprouts. Nothing major, but it made me wonder. Two days later, most of the leaves were eaten. Ok, now we have a problem. There was still time to go to the greenhouse, but they might come back. I decided to give it a few days. After a week, there were no signs of recovery, so off to the greenhouse. Thankfully they still had some plants...a bit on the "sad" side, but I was willing to nurse them along. I dug up the worst of the poor things thinking that there might still be hope for a couple of the plants. After the new ones had been planted, the one or two plants that I thought might recover from the havoc that had been wreaked upon them, were eaten to the ground. The new ones were left in tact. Just the other day, I noticed that these new ones have been chewed on as well. Although, not badly...yet.
There are foil pie pans hanging for noise and I have used other "sure fire" methods, but nothing seems to be keeping the critters away. Our garden has never experienced much animal damage. A bunny here or there and ALWAYS the Japanese beetles, but this year we have had deer eating the apple trees and edemame (this is only the second time we have even seen deer since we moved here six years ago), I flushed out a groundhog from the asparagus while I was mowing one day, and birds were pulling the baby corn out of the ground (at least that is what I think).
While I can only do so much to keep them away (we may need to consider fencing, but it is a big garden...can you say $$$), I am coming to grips with the fact that I am not in control of this. Yes, I am responsible if I want any produce from my garden, but there are limits to my control and efforts. Ultimately, God is in control of what does and does not grow in my garden.
Yeah, I know, there is a life lesson here. I am broken. Not only spiritually, but physically, as well. Seeing my physical brokenness is helping me grasp my spiritual brokenness. The physical brokenness is not easy to see, but it is becoming more apparent. My spiritual brokenness is often easier to hide...from people. Not from God. God sees my state of "messiness" and still loves me. Physical and spiritual issues are all known and seen by him. He has them under his control. I am in the process of learning that He does have control all the time in my life and in my garden. This is one of those things that, yeah, I've heard a thousand times on Sunday, but when you see it played out in real life, it seems to make more sense. Or, maybe, now that I'm older, I'm paying closer attention. Or, maybe I'm in a better place to learn.
Side note: I'm taking a women's gun class this month!
Selections from Psalm 25:
To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God.
Show me you ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day long.
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)