Monday, October 5, 2020

And the days dwindle down to a precious few, September...




 Ok, so my good intentions to post more frequently dissipated with the August heat. Hey, life is FULL right now. And I'm distracted by a little thing called house renovation. (Just one little teaser photo appears at the end of this photo journal.)

Apple season. 





Our trees have never been more abundant. And despite not being sprayed, the quality of the apples has never been better. And it delights us to share them with neighbors and friends.

The vegetable beds have provided so many good things that had to be dealt with like, right now. 



Despite several nights of frost since the start of October, there still is much out there to be put by.

We were able to attend our son's last two tournament weigh-ins at the Mississippi. He had his best season yet.  


I was able to get my Bernina serviced at the quilt shop in Decorah where I purchased it. I grinned when I spotted this poster in a shop window.


We are enjoying picking small handfuls of raspberries from our renovated raspberry bed. The deer have discovered the canes and seem to enjoy them as much as we enjoy the fruit.


Sadly, the two fawns we've been watching all summer may have met their end, too casual about crossing our road. This weekend we spotted a bald eagle cleaning up road kill on both sides of our road and when we spotted the doe on Saturday, she was alone. Nature's cycle of life and death.

We lost one of our funniest hens in September. We called her MeMe because she was always first in line for treats. When she was young she would leap and fly up to your shoulder to get your attention. As she aged she still leapt pretty high to grab at whatever you were holding. Here she is facing the camera. Everyone else content to snack on the kale clipped to the fence. A Rhode Island Red, she was on high alert to see if anything better might be on offer. She was Jerome's favorite and a good pal of mine.

In the final days of September we also lost our grandcat, Pepper. What a sweetheart. He added so much to our lives.

Despite the fact that we removed our pond there have been more frogs and toads this summer than ever before. Each a perfect little creature, the result of living on organic land, I believe. You have to keep a keen eye when mowing. This little fellow was a nice chubby one. Glad to have them feasting in my vegetable and flower beds.

I tried to appreciate all that was going on in the gardens, contemplating them as joy, wonder, grace. Though not always energetic, taking walks and being filled with wonder at what goes on despite our lack of daily observation. Our sweet autumn clematis managed to climb and bloom without my help. Plants I had thought did not survive our drought conditions, surprised me with late season blooms. An abundance of wild aster showed up in the meadow. Our young crabapple brilliant with red fruit. The natural world a balm in unnatural times.

I remembered to check the sunset on the equinox. Yes, there is old Sol, slipping down on the south side of our road. 


And now it's October. The colors here evolving daily. This is a pic I took on our walk along our road yesterday morning. This is the farm of our neighbor (who also happens to be the man whose business did the cement work for our first floor addition.) 



I took this photo of the excavator that dug the hole just outside our back door. Scary, fascinating, this fellow could have used that bucket to hand you a cup of tea, he was that good.
As was the fellow who maneuvered the cement truck into such a tight spot.


It is week 9 of our house renovation. Today the last of the fascia, soffits, and roof trim is being added. The siding has begun. Then the interior work will commence. As promised here is a peek from the outside from the end of week 8. Second floor bathroom addition on the right. First floor family room looking out to the farmland beyond. 

We're waiting for windows but if you look closely you can see dark shadows under the wrap where they will be. The deck will extend out from the house toward this mound of soil, with the house on its north side. Great place to sit and sip, read, stretch, visit. Watch the night sky. 

I have been by turns crabby, excited, nervous, worried, overwhelmed, confused by the chaos in every corner of the house, impatient. I feel selfish spending in a time of world need. I know we are creating a home where we can stay the rest of our lives, in whatever health we may face. Alone or together, snug, safe. 

Yes, September has flown, I suspect October will do the same. 


Monday, August 31, 2020

8.21




Much to my amazement I have arrived at the end of my month of blogging daily graces. Considering all that has been pulling my attention elsewhere, 21 out of 31 posts isn't too bad. 
Now that I've taken the time to pay attention, I can see that whenever I need it grace surrounds me. The air I breathe, the sunshine I feel on my skin, the song of the chickadee, the fragrance of the hydrangeas just outside the window. The warm juices of a just plucked tomato. The yolks of our hens' eggs that rival the hues of the setting sun. Just to wake in the morning and put my head down on my pillow at the close of day, privileges beyond so many on this God's earth. 
Beyond all this, my deepest grace can be seen in the faces of these dear, dear ones. 

Sunday, August 30, 2020

8.20




 Who is that masked man?



Went to watch the FLW weigh in at the Mississippi yesterday. The first we were able to attend this season. Good thing too, as Phil placed 12 out of 102! In typical Phil fashion, he focused his facebook post this morning on his coangler John who came in 3rd as a coangler and had his best finish ever. Oh, by the way, John is 74!

Weigh to go, fellas!

Friday, August 28, 2020

8.19

10 years ago today.




Home is the nicest word there is.

L. I. Wilder

 (photo by Matthias)

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

8.18

My next car would be purchased new. It would have to last a very long time. All of a sudden it wasn't a dream but a necessity. Fortunately I knew just what I wanted.

May 1, 2009. Had to choose from what was available on the lot. No fancies. 

A love affair that's still going strong, even if she needs to remain in the garage nearly all of the time in current circumstances. She never fails to cheer. 




Took photos everywhere we went that spring, summer, fall. Here she is at a serendipitous stop for dinner while on an explore in Genessee Depot, Wisconsin. I miss that little place.




Saturday, August 22, 2020

8.17


house in chaos?

what shall we do about dinner?

garden producing?

ahhh!

courtesy of our super spiffy grill.

thanks kiddos.



Thursday, August 20, 2020

8.16







At times like this it's comforting to be in the hands of three wise men.


Wednesday, August 19, 2020

8.15



 Years ago I bought my first suction cup mini vase. Keeping one on my bathroom mirror, with a tiny bouquet of whatever I can find, brings a smile. Side benefit, I'm not as likely to gaze at my reflection every time I wash my hands.

Little things. They mean a lot.

Sunday, August 16, 2020

8.14

Do you have a favorite time of day? Late day is mine.
The last of the day's sun.




Sunset.


Moon rise.



Dusk.


Twilight.
It's at this time of day I am able to find grace most readily. Can absorb it through my skin. Breathe it in with air that's suddenly gone still. Hear it settling down as I close the chicken house to sounds of roosted hens softly humming lullabies to one another.
"All is well. Safely rest. God is nigh."







Saturday, August 15, 2020

8.13



I uncovered my computer desk this morning. It's been shrouded for a couple of days because of our renovation work. Being Saturday, today the house belongs to Jerome and the cats and me. Such a journey we're on. 

My garden has been providing escape and surprises. While pruning my currant bush I found this little fellow resting beneath the leaves. Texting Anne from the garden with a photo she advised caution. 

Despite its reputed danger, it provided an unanticipated lift to the spirit as the echoing of hammers and saws rang out across the ridgetop. 



Thursday, August 13, 2020

8.12

Today is the 10th anniversary of our closing on our ridge meadow farm. It was Friday the 13th in 2010.

Today is day 4 of our long awaited renovation of this century old farmhouse. 

The team is the best. The weather sublime. Interesting and challenging surprises already. 

to be continued....

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

8.11

three graces

In no apparent order, this month of graces has flowed on its own.

until today

This morning I read Rachel Wolf's instagram post and knew today would be the day to introduce you to 3 young women of the driftless region I call home and whose lives fill mine with grace. For those who cannot see instagram, Rachel Wolf/Clean is her blog site. So much can be said about Rachel,  she says it all so clearly that you should go and meet her for yourself. Local business: LuSa Organics.

The second, Kathryn Ashley-Wright, owns our local wool shop, Ewetopia. She also owns and runs a wool mill in a nearby town, closer to her farm where she raises sheep and beautiful children. During one of our recent historic floods,  her entire mill was under water. Think machinery, think fiber, think heartbreak.Totally restored now, I visited it last year with my fiber arts buddies and was in awe of the "sheep to shelf" processes that go on there. 

The third, has to include a nod to my daughter, Anne. Mygiantstrawberry is the window to her world. I cannot say enough about the joy this beautiful woman brings to my life. But so much more amazing is the ever expanding joy she brings to the world.

There is much to grieve today. These women are reason to celebrate and believe in our future. 





8.10

they  are here

it is happening

is it true?




won't be doing this anymore!



Monday, August 10, 2020

8.9



Spent a relaxing Sunday afternoon in Anne and Matthias' back yard eden, eating lunch carefully prepared with plenty of goodies from their garden, burgers of locally raised beef, and home brewed beer. Sitting under a  perfectly sized table umbrella, the few sprinkles that fell didn't bother us one bit. And then as if by magic, blue skies!

While a female hummingbird spent her afternoon with us drawing our attention to her favorite blossoms, we were also entertained by juvenile blue jays encouraging each other to sip from Anne's birdbath and butterflies floating among more blooms than one can count. Using my phone, Anne took this photo of one of them resting on her kale.

We spend very little time in the company of others right now. Being with a couple of our favorite people out in the open air, just being together, is surely the fullest  measure of grace.



Saturday, August 8, 2020

8.8



Cats!

have been a part of my life for 50 years now.

Happy 3rd anniversary of your rescue, Jolie.

We tried not to love her. Impossible.

Three years later, her big sisters have each adjusted in their own ways.

Dovey is always interested and tolerant of everyone as long as she feels she's in charge of the situation.

Mya, shy and reclusive but the fiercest when provoked or on the hunt, keeps Jolie in her place with a low rumble in her throat or a wave of a paw. Direct but not excessive.

Jolie never gave up her quest to become part of our family. And now we wonder what life was like before she arrived on our doorstep.


Friday, August 7, 2020

8.7


Chickens!

In keeping chickens, you get more than you give. Not in financial terms, as anyone who keeps chickens will tell you those eggs aren't free.

Chickens are easy to keep if you're willing to be home to close them up every single day at dusk. Too many evening and night predators out there.

Their eggs are super nutritious if you give them the best organic feed, lots of offerings from the garden, allow them a large, fenced area to forage. Where we live a good high fence is for their safety during the day and also keeps them from helping themselves to our fruits and vegetable beds.

Each one is an individual and they're all characters. Interacting with them every day allows you to know the state of their health, yes, but also keeps them friendly. A what's funnier than a chicken, really?

I've posted about the chickens a few times in the past. If you need a chicken fix you can check these out.

chicken house 

chickens and ducklings

newbie news

sun sets for Phoebie

of roosters and chickens

big guy

But to really get your chicken fix you need to get the real thing. Murray McMurray is who I recommend.

Thursday, August 6, 2020

8.6



Putting my foot down on the accelerator of this baby takes me off the coronacoaster for sure.