One Year Ago - Almost

What do you do on a 100 degree afternoon? You feel like doing nothing. The ceiling fan oscilating on the screen porch was really quite pleasant. One look up and the corners revealed all kinds of critters.

So you retrieve the shop vacuum from the garage and go over the ceiling of the screen porch. All kinds of critters on that porch.

A thought keeps coming into her mind - what was going on a year ago. I know it was about the time I moved a few items to the country.

I like this post from one year ago and still feel the same deep sense "that I am where I belong."

It's Happening

I clicked on emails early this morning and it put a smile on my face to see some uplifting "cheering on."

Last night decided - I needed more help both physically and emotionally. Guess who came to the rescue ---- I wonder what would this mom do without him. My special son!! Last night he loaded his vehicle with a number of things I did not want on the moving truck and this morning will bring a cooler to transport groceries to put in my new refrigerator. I truly needed someone with me.

This independent One Woman who for years has always been able to coast on her own has tears in her eyes as she admits her weakness. Guess it is the time of my life and age. I must also add that this is a dream that is becoming a reality. There are all kinds of mixed emotions taking place. The moving people will arrive in two hours and then I am on my way for my first nights in the country.

Where in the world does the "stuff" come from? Especially when I have been continually downscaling for a number of years. This home looks great and I will not miss one single thing that is being taken out of it. Why am I so emotional? Is this normal? I guess normal for One Woman. A dream coming true and I have the thoughts of - how long will I be able to enjoy the life I am headed for. Painfully aware that I am in the gift years. The Bible says we are granted 70 years and anything after that is a gift. Enough of this melancholy sharing. On a happy note is the fact that my 7 year old granddaughter wants to go with me for the day and night. She will be truly welcome. My daughter and husband will be in that old home place area tomorrow and will pick her up. So my first night will be with my little one.

Thank you so much for the continued encouraging. To think I questioned having a journal and revealing myself so openly. Revealing the past, present and what is to come. This journey has been a learning experience and a joy that came with many new friendships. Will be back on line the end of week. Imagine no television, land line phone and computer - I think it will be great!!!

Thought

I stay within my garden small,
I do not wander past my wall,
but someimes, when the moon is late,
I wonder what is beyond my gate

Morning is a Little Child by Joan Walsh Anglund

Gift Delivered

I have always loved a riding mower. Through the years I found it relaxing to cut grass.

This probably seems strange to a lot of people. Especially those through the years that saw me in my upscale cloths and making decisions for a family business. That was not the real me!! Or rather it was just a part of my eclectic personality.

Memories of when my oldest granddaughter was a toddler and would visit at the old farmhouse, I would hold her in the lap as I cut grass. She loved it and many times would fall asleep in my arms.

I have someone cut the grass on the road, up my drive and around my cottage about every 3 weeks. My first plan was to not cut on the road and up the drive - leave it natural. I may return to this.

This is fine on the road and up the drive as I do not want it to look manicured. The small yard is a different story - I want the grass cut more often. With all the rain, it really needs cutting about every 5 to 7 days.

So - with the thoughts going over and over in my mind, and memories of yesterday, I purchased a small John Deere riding mower. I have 30 days to try it out. It could prove to be more then I want to add to my ongoing to do list. I also realize it has been a few years since I owned a riding mower. My other home with a small city yard, only needed a hired push mower and weed eater for about 30 minutes.

One thought surfaces - do I need to take this on. Then the thought of how much pleasure I use to experience from this. I also know that all of my children just look at me when I share this - I know their thoughts :)

So, on my close budget and money that probably could have taken me on several nice trips - I am choosing the riding mower. Will see if I still am thinking straight. I do know I will cut in the evenings when it is cool. In the morning the grass is too wet. Someone will still come with a big mower to cut on the road, up the drive and around the house every 3 to 4 weeks. I can keep around the house continually tidy.

Growing

Yesterday a down pouring rain - soaked Woodhaven - almost 2 weeks without a soaking rain.

Early this morning a sight to behold.
Every plant - grew inches. The corn must be 8 feet tall and the grass not far behind.

Breakfast and tea on the deck, a cooler morning. Because of the railing it is difficult to get a good view of the feeders. I moved my chair to the small terrace and viewed the show being put on - so I now know the birds are emptying the feeder - very rapidly.

Clothes on the line, (downside - my nicest white slacks have been tattooed by a bird) Callie in new dog pen, she is doing fine. I try to be so nonchalant and fool her. as she watches my every move and is well aware that I am preparing to leave. She is one smart little dog.

The door bell was ringing and the neighbor who scarred my tree was standing at the door.

He apologised and told me put something on the tree to help the wound.

All is well in the woods. Enjoy your weekend.

I Am Trespassing

For many years I viewed these woods from the old farm house. Also viewed them from another home that I built on this property. Deep in my mind there was always a thought that I would like to build at the edge of the woods.

The dream came true. For one year - with help - trees have been cut down and trimmed, underbrush removed and still there is cleaning going on in the woods.

It is becoming more and more evident to me that I have invaded all that grows on this land. I am a trespasser. I arrived and started to rearrange and tidy it up. I really did not mean to do it to the extent that is taking place . My intent was to have a winding road back to my simpler home that was surrounded by nature. Not to experience the busyness that has always been a part of my personality. I came to the woods for a simpler lifestyle. A time to reflect, meditate, read, write, pray, and have a simple garden. This evening I keep having the thought - what happened to my original plan - I need to stop...

A neighbor came by with a loader to rearrange some piles of dirt that I found unsightly.

I looked out the window a few moments ago and saw the huge scar on the side of the tree. He scraped it with his machine. Many scrapes on the trees that I am responsible for. In the morning I will put something soothing or rather protective on this wound. Probably cry as I am doing it.

It is bedtime for One Woman, I just took this wonderful evening photo, and I am ashamed. I can go back probably 100 years in my mind and there has been no invasion in these woods that I chose to once again make my home.

I feel like going outside and screaming - please forgive me.

I felt this same sorrow many years ago. Alone, left the city and came upon this land. One section I had timbered to help with the cost of remodeling the old farm house. Later, I wept as I viewed the woods.

Again, I am so sorry. I need to stop this clearing and cleaning for all is fine the way it is.

One Woman does not need to rearrange the woods, she needs to rearrange her thoughts.

Last night these were thoughts that kept me from having a good nights rest!!!!

Busy Wednesday

Her helpers arrived with boards and wire. After looking at wire dog pens that looked like prison enclosures - she decided on using fencing boards with wire inside. From a distance it looks like a section of fence. The next time Callie is left alone for a short time, will see how she tolerates her new part time home.

Through the years, her helpers have always spotted snakes. Through the years on this land all that crossed her path were chicken snakes and small green snakes. She was warned that a copperhead was spotted. She wonders.......

A new day lily bloomed, and a welcome letter from across the ocean.

Just received a phone call that my granddaughter, Sarah - will graduate from Northwestern in Illinois this Saturday with the honor Summa Cum Laude. Congratulations from grandma.

Morning Thoughts From The Woods

Another almost 100 degree day. Watered some plants at dawn

I fill my humming bird feeder with fresh water - and wonder - why is it still full at the end of the day and first thing in the morning the feeder is empty? Are the birds feeding in the middle of the night or at dusk or dawn before I see them?

Banana bread in the oven. I have not baked in a while. Not in the mood for baking or cooking. Think I will make salmon croquet's after breakfast and refrigerate. So easy to cook them for a late lunch or evening meal. They are healthy, tasty and easy. In the freezer are fresh green beans and corn, and that should complete my meal.

Callie has been fed and I did about 30 minutes of yoga. Maybe this will be the morning that I hear a truck pulling in the long drive. The man who is going to build a pen for Callie may arrive. I will be more comfortable running errands with her secure.

Beth and I visited a country eating place yesterday. A nice drive further into the country. Their food is good but I really like my food better. Just did not feel like cooking.... When I go out to lunch once a week it is not for the food but to "just get me out of the woods and around people".

Their buttermilk pie was unusually good - must call and get the recipe.

I can remember years ago that everyone I knew would eat field corn. Have not tried it in years. With the field in front - I am going to watch the corn and when it is just a blister will try some. I do not think it will be missed!!!

Wherever you are on this planet - have a wonderful day and I wish you - Happiness,

Health, Safety and Peace. Hope it bounces back to me.

I will stay inside most of today. Desk work, going through some paper work and books and may do a little ironing. I love ironing my pillow cases and I know not many people do this anymore. Surely none of my girls.

Enough rambling - it is time for breakfast, tea, and the day inside to begin.