They Never Told Me

Last week I started taking COQ 10.
Have read a lot about the benefits.
Also a blogger friend shared that
someone in her family who also had
 Sjogrens
took this.
When I mentioned this to my daughters
two of them commented they had been
taking it for quite a while.

The only daily prescription I take is
a low blood pressure pill.
3 days ago it was 116/6l - but it
seems whenever I am upset or
stressed it goes very high.
Do have prescription medication that
I take when health issues surface.
Usually about 3 times a year for this.

Wondered what some of my friends
are taking - but 90% of you are younger
and I just started taking most of these
in the last two years.
Before that just multi vitamin and the
blood pressure pill.

 In my past years
I never believed in taking vitamins.
Always of the mindset that I did
not need them that I followed
a healthy diet and lifestyle.

I think lately I should be writing with the
title "What it is like be in your seventies
when in many ways it is not much
different then in the
50' s and 60's  :)

Just looked at my image
and that sure looks like a lot
that I am now taking.

Wonder - is it necessary :)

Country Road Sights

Misty rain
One Woman while driving
the country roads
seems to have taken on a
new interest.
Taking images either
through vehicle window or
standing on the side of the road...

EMBARRASSING

SOMEONE HAS TAKEN MY EMAIL ADDRESSES
AND SENDING OUT PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIAL
LIKE IT IS FROM ME
SEVERAL HAVE CALLED ME
SO SORRY IF YOU RECEIVE THIS LINK
DO NOT OPEN

Evening Smile

After a long day I am
reading my youngest daughter's entry
on Vicks Vapor Rub.  She shares memories
about special childhood scents.

Yes, Vicks is still comforting to her mom.

Reading her comments
She made me smile
she wrote that whenever she smells Murphy's Oil Soap
it reminds her of me .

Well my older daughter's have said when
they smell L'Air Du Temps by Nina Ricci
and Vita Bath, memories of mom arise.

I have memories of Joy and the wonderful scent of roses.

Of course when they were growing up
it was a different lifestyle. Mom was more
sophisticated.    So guess my
youngest with her and I in the old farmhouse
she has memories of mom cleaning, gardening
and the special animals we raised.

Might add that I recently found Vita Bath on
Amazon and ordered.  First time in probably
25 years.  Guess I deserve the treat :) 
It is amazing - with this country
water that is hard and a person who loves
a wonderful warm bath - this product is
great.   Added perk - your tub practically
cleans itself - never a ring
Also the scent is so fresh....

http://blondemomblog.com/

My Rabbits Foot Fern

I have brought the last of my plants inside from the screen porch.
This Rabbits Foot Fern has traveled with me for years from home to home.
Even though I have read they can tolerate the low teens in temperature
I just feel better with it inside.
In a few days I will put it in the garage.
When it is time to once again put on the porch
it will look like it is almost dead.
In a short time it comes back to life.

Are we sometimes like this
maybe thinking we can just not make it
it is near the end
and then
we come back to life....

~~In fall
the cricket beneath the rose bush watches
We call this time of year
the beginning of the end of another circle,
a convenience
and nothing more.
For the cricket's song is surely a prayer,
and a prayer, when it is given.

This is a truth I'm sure of,
for I am older than I use to be,
and therefore, I understand things
nobody would think of
who's young and in a hurry,
The snow is very beautiful,

Under it are the lingering petals of frangrance,
and the timeless body of prayer ~~

In part from    ~~The Cricket and the Rose ~~    Mary Oliver

Another Old Barn

Trip to the big city this morning
As I stood looking out the 8 th floor window
wish  my camera was not in the car.
The Nashville skyline
the one one I left over 2 years ago
looked beautiful.
Good news about hearing test.
Has been 8 years and my hearing has
improved.
12 years ago while caring for my mother
lost hearing in right ear.   Went through a lot
of tests and MRI and they could find nothing
unless it was because of a virus.
Driving home
pass so many old barns and was able
to take another pleasing image.

When I download the image
it seems to look so much more
beautiful then what I see with my naked eye
Wonder why?

Excitement In The Cottage

Yesterday.....

I always keep the screen door propped open
so Callie can come in and out.
Opened the door and like times
in the past a small bird was on the porch.
Sad, just flying from one end to the other
and hitting against the screen.
Picked up my butterfly net and was trying
to catch it - when I noticed the door to
the cottage was still open.
So, a bird is in the house.
She (will name her this) flew against the
window in kitchen  and as luck would have it
on she flew into my utility room and
I quickly shut the door.
Opened that door which goes into
the garage.  Opened garage door
and out she went.

I know there is someone watching over me.

If the bird had stayed in the house with these
high ceilings
I can just image a mess and maybe some damage...

Old Barns

This old barn is still standing
in a field
on a country road that I drive
about once a week.
I always feel a sense of sadness
as I view it.
In past years  a beauty
and  still  beautiful to me.

So many stories you could share.
Now with years of  neglect
 who knows how much longer
you will still be proudly standing.

Always looking your way
while driving by.

Ever aware
 road is winding and
always
glancing to see if there is
a car behind
or one approaching.

Finally was able to take a picture.
Hoping all along that I would
be safe
as I stood in the middle of the road.

The thought
when one has a passion for
the camera and the excitement
it brings from a good shot -
chances are taken.

A Reminder From "Beads of Wisdom"

Yesterday, the twice a month
 4 hour outside help was late.
Since my day begins at 4:30 in the morning
1:30 my slow down begins.
They did not arrive until almost 3:00.
She has tried but never learned to
give instructions and let them carry on.
Always working almost side by side
with them.
But then more is accomplished this way.
When they left, her evening meal,
and after bath the pain began.
Neck, shoulders, knee, ankle and
she can hardly move.
Cleaning small garden, picking turnip greens,
walking the new clearing many times and
picking up limbs, raking leaves, shoveling,
putting summer items up off screen porch,

 she brought this on.

So a new morning
she will move slow
may have to take something to
relieve pain is it does not go away.

Oh, this story is not new.  This is a
repeat of hundreds of times over the years.
But now she is old and still has not
learned to pace herself.

There  is a big difference in
doing all of this in your 50's and 60's
then when you have rolled past
your middle 70's.
But then in her mind - it is only
a number and really does not
describe this One Woman.

She is well aware that much she is
doing is really not that important.
So why - has she not learned?

Jan's words which are sent to me each morning
were especially meaningful this morning.
http://awakened-living.blogspot.com/.

Beads of Wisdom

October 23, 2011

Today ...
We know we should be kinder to and gentler with ourselves--as tender and loving to ourselves as we are toward others. But we're not. We may continue to push ourselves beyond all limits, strive for perfection, work too hard, play too little, and expect more from ourselves than we would ever expect from anyone else. As a result, we continue to exhaust, overwhelm, and burn out at an alarming rate. What can we do?
We can begin by setting healthy, new intentions for ourselves, though, truthfully, intentions are not enough. To make the shift from self-loathing, criticism, judgment or stinginess, actual baby steps are required--small acts of loving-kindness that jumpstart our self-worth. We deserve our own love.

"Beads of Wisdom" is a daily reminder for living compassionately with ourselves and others, sent in the spirit of Metta by Janice Lynne Lundy.


Spread loving-kindness and share this Bead with a friend or have her subscribe by visiting BuddhaChick.Org

Morning Fog As Day Breaks Into Sun

Early morning fog
over the dried soybean field.
In hours a
sunny cool day.
Hoping for  harvest soon
and planting of winter wheat.
The bright green field would
be a delight to view
through the winter snow
instead of a clear earth field.
But then both are beautiful
in their own way.

I guess just like each of us ....

For a change, do nothing.
 Do it without fear.

See how in doing nothing,
everything is somehow done.          

Words from  ~~The Mystic Garden~~  by Gunilla Norris

Painting In The Sky

For a little over two years I have had the blessing of viewing the most beautiful sunsets
from the porch of my cottage.
Last night was a repeat performance
The images I capture with my camera
cannot convey the depth
of the beauty I see.
No words to share how these sunsets
speak to my heart and soul.

Ever thankful for this gift
in the last years of my life...

Beautiful

Returning from errands
I stopped in the middle of
my country road
to take this image.

I found it breathtaking

A cool crisp day that
is real windy.  Soon hours
spent gardening
I can spend inside.  I miss
being able to
curl up in my leather chair
with a book

Soon a time for
needed rest....

Purple

I love the color purple.
This is one of my favorite Fall plants.
The purple Aster was named "the last flower of summer"
by a dear friend who passed away about 15 years ago.
She shared this with me almost 30 years ago and I have
taken a piece of it from home to home over the years.
I have shared it with many people and it never fails to
grow and spread.   Plan on planting it all over these woods.
It has now returned home to where it began growing for me.

A cool and misty rain morning.  The rain will help settle the dust.
 Hopefully I soon feel better
from  allergy symptoms that have plagued me since I did a lot
of mowing of leaves in the dry woods.   It was like driving
through a fog and I should have known better.
With Sjogrens and constant dryness in  eyes
and mouth it makes the allergy symptoms a lot worse.

Wishing you happiness, health, safety and peace

this very day.

Greenhouse Morning

For many years I wanted a greenhouse.
After moving to the farm house
a local store had one they no longer wanted
Excited and a lot of thought about purchasing
and having it moved to the farm.
Now it was big.
As I became more knowledgeable I realized
about the work and upkeep involved.
 Cooling in the summer
and heat in the winter.  There was enough
for One Woman to do with children, home,
vegetable garden, fruit trees and flower garden.

Still I have always been fascinated by them.

My dear friend has  many greenhouses next
to her farm.   I remember about 20 years ago
when this business began.   Now it is huge and
supplies to many local and nationwide big
stores.

She has been wanting me to visit with her to
see the operation.   Having viewed it from
the road I really did not want to do this.
I already knew in my mind what I would see.
But she request so little of me and does
so much for me that this morning belonged to her.

It is rare she can leave her home.  A bedridden
husband that most would have in a nursing home.
She is a 24 hour caregiver for this 88 year old
  Help does come in for several
hours a day to help and for her to run errands.

I saw hundreds  of plants and thousands
of poinsettia's ready soon for the Christmas
holiday.  

No way for me to put into words how this
business has grown.  Greenhouse after greenhouse
and row after row of huge trucks to transport
them to their location.

I soon might receive some pansies that were
beautiful.  My favorite color of different shades
of purple and maybe a yellow or white plant
tucked in.

Introduced to the owner who rode up on some
kind of cart with a huge black dog sitting
beside him.

As he talked and shared
I found myself absolutely fascinated by this
man who will leave for Holland next week
with a trip to Haiti afterwards to visit his farm
in that land

On my drive back to the country
a voice seemed to speak to my heart
and what I heard
made me smile
the words were clear..
 "your not dead yet."

But then the thought came to mind
it was not necessarily this man that
I was fascinated with
but the whole package.
He was part of a more worldly
lifestyle and it reminded me of
years in the past when I
enjoyed much the world had
to offer.

But at the moment I will take the
woods, dirt, gardening, Miss Callie
and my small cottage.

One more day and some thoughts from One Woman who lives in the woods....

My Old Farm Home

 This entry was posted almost 3 years ago.
The visit that brought about the desire to return home to the woods.
Construction on my present cottage began in a couple of months, the city home
was sold and the
rest is history.
I am home.......
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Yesterday was a perfect October day. I wanted to drive to the country and walk in the fields and part of the woods. My son volunteered to drive. We drove past my old farm home. She proudly stands. I remember so well that she did not look like this when I purchased her. She looked like a home that was ready to be torn down. Paint peeling, porch post sagging, roof leaking and on and on. But I recognised that she had "good bones". Several people made the comment "what are you wasting your time for, that homes needs to go". No way I replied. The home was restored, remodeled and a great room and kitchen added on the back of this home. There will be stories and pictures as times goes on. I talk so much about this home I wanted to post a picture of her.

This was the home that I came to 30 years go. A home that my older grandchildren remember.

The home where my youngest daughter grew up. A home where I healed and was almost reborn. The beginning of who I am today. If that makes sense.

Yesterday I was able to walk in the fields and the woods of the land I still own. As I stood under the towering trees and sensed the stillness my eyes filled with tears. I could visualize the seasons, the wild life and the emotion pierced my heart. My thoughts are filled with clearing a spot and making a retreat that I could go to in the Spring and Fall. Summer is out because of the thick growth and ticks and poison ivy. Yes, poison ivy. I had it every year of living in the country.

We visited the small local town and drug store. They have the best sandwiches and milk shakes in the country. Some errands and I headed for home. The thoughts continually in my mind that this was the best gift my son could have given me. His time

Just a preview entry of my previous day. The thought comes to mind that I believe in miracles

Some thoughts from this One Woman on Her Journey Through This Life.

Afternoon In The Woods

Leaves are starting to fall
a ride through the woods
with blade on high and spinning
blows them off the paths.

Callie runs ahead
not a bird or critter in sight
wonder where they are

Found a handful of dill among
the herbs for
salmon that is cooking
and another dozen small turnips

Thinking I am easy to please....

Some More Off To Do List

Another Fall day
Truck serviced
car serviced last week
A new stop
pumpkin latte at Dunkin Donuts
my youngest daughter said "try it"
it was good
Small harvest of turnips
October roses
Because it is the kind of day
that I feel wonderful and
think anything is possible

I picked up a form for a passport....

What Do I See

Looking out my kitchen window
it seems
the leaves turned
this beautiful color
over night....

On This Day

Blessed be the mind that dreamed  the day
The blueprint of your life
Would begin to glow on earth,
Illuminating all the faces and voices
That would arrive to invite
Your soul to growth.

Blessed be those who have loved you
Into becoming who you were meant to be,
Blessed be those who have crossed your life
With dark gifts of hurt and loss
That have helped to school your mind
In the art of disappointment.

On this echoing-day of your birth,
May you open the gift of solitude
In order to receive your soul
Enter the generosity of silence
To hear your hidden heart;
Know the serenity of stillness
To enfolded anew
By the miracle of your being.

For Your Birthday by John Donohue

On this day nothing real special
just my day
another year older
lunch yesterday
lunch today
two daughter's and two granddaughter's
bringing love and smiles
on the big table cards from across
the miles...

Sitting with a book and Miss Callie
by the fire pit
Leaves are falling
My kind of day.....

Who Found Who

I wonder
35 years ago
did I find you
or did you find me?

Two years ago
 moved back to this property
to carve a plot in these
 overgrown woods
No plans of  much clearing
just thick woods almost
outside her door.
But One Woman likes
to create and a vision
came to mind.
Anyone that knows her
well is aware nature is her calling/
First some woods in back
of cottage was cleared.
This Spring some land
next to drive approaching
cottage.
Now
the far side has been finished.
Remains of what was cleared
for a dwelling were
huge piles of brush and tree tops
This now a beautiful site for the eyes.
Huge hole dug and all debri pushed in
and then burned.  Before workers
left yesterday all the dirt was filled
in the hole.
Also made a wide path where
truck can be driven.
Who else would be so excited
over the wonderful dirt that
continues to be uncovered.
So rich and it can hardly be
imagined the hundreds of years
of layer after layer of leaves
forming rich earth.
Could anyone have loved it
 like this one.
I have heard rumors of Indians
once camped in these woods.
I know it served them well.
Handwork continues
many limbs and small branches
need to be picked up
so mower runs smoothly.
But there is no hurry...
Soon the bare earth will
be covered with leaves.
Wonder  what plants,
birds and animals will
emerge through the seasons
Can view them through
the window
or if I am outside.

Sometimes the thought will surface
"am I in Heaven?"

A huge bees nest was discovered so

so glad it was found.

Put small red flags around it

as a warning...           

Lucy

New member of family
http://serotoninforbreakfast.com/

Sarah enjoy
Lucy.....
Love, Grandma

Shadows In October

The October sun is streaming
through different windows.
Love the shadows
there was a time I would
cover furniture.
Not now
This chair is one of a pair
serving me well for
almost fifty years
They are  worn,
faded and comfortable
Full of memories of
different lifestyles.
They were perfect for
the most elegant homes
and now this simple
woods cottage.
I like them just the way they are
They remind me of my

life at this time...

She Comes By It Naturally

My daughter just sent me this picture of my youngest granddaughter reading at the breakfast table this
morning.
The first picture was taken a year ago.
All of my children and grandchildren love to read.
This trait gives me so much pleasure.
Puts a smile on my face
after a night filled with stomach upset,
day at dentist, flu shot and on and on.
The day in the woods has ended....

Bush Hog Work

This is a project I was not going to do.
Along the drive approaching cottage
this area was thick with undergrowth.
Pleased with the outcome.
Beginning to look like a park.
Next many small limbs and branches
will be picked up and some trees
trimmed  -  maybe I will be
able to drive my small lawn tractor
over this area.
Now I really do not need to do this
have enough to do.
But it can be cut once a year
with the big mower to keep it tidy.
A bush hog can do a tremendous
amount of work in a few hours.
Will be exciting to see what wild flowers
emerge next Spring.

Yesterday

Yesterday was a busy day
seems most of my days are filled
with outside work
but would have it no other way.
Bush hog arrived and more land
 edging the woods was
cleared of underbrush.
Ready for the Spring
wild flowers to emerge.
More birds are returning to feeders.
It seems that yesterday it
was summer.
Winter clothes have replaced
the summer apparel on the shelves.
This morning a few degrees from
frost and a heavy sweater feels good.
Leaves are not showing their
brilliant colors
but soon they will be glorious.
Thoughts that it will not be long
that another year ends
and a new one begins.
It seems yesterday I was young
and now old.
Why is it when I was young I
seemed old and now that I am
old the spirit is so young.
Very aware that yesterdays were so
much more abundant
then the days remaining.
Ever thankful this early morning that
I am granted this new day and
I am Home...,.