Autumn Blessings

Its early morning.  The rising sun in the East is hours away. 

However this morning I am wide awake and overflowing with praise.

My round “yurt-type” house is done. The Wee-bit-bigger-House!

Well, almost.  But as far as I’m concerned, it is finished.  Varnish and paint are nearly completed.  No running water yet, but I haven’t had that in years.  {That’s a whole story in itself, but one you have to experience to fully understand.}  The claw foot tub, refurbished by Russ, was carried and brought in my by a handful of our hearty friends this week.  It fits perfectly.  I can’t wait to fill it! 

Upon hearing that, you may wonder if we have decided to become “city-fied” and have an indoor bathroom “facilities”.  No…we sport a new matching-round-outhouse {awaiting its matching green metal roof}.  Simple living - just the way I like it.  But the tub?  A nice upgrade indeed!

Along the way, those who know me have asked…”why is it taking so long?”  Well, it’s easy to understand, if you realize every piece of wood or furnishing is created here on site by Russ.  There’s no running to a big box store and loading up your truck with pre-cut wood for the construction.  No special deliveries.  Instead, it is cranking on the chainsaw and cutting the tree that would be a “fit” for sewn logs.  Once the tree is felled, it is brought up to the mill for cutting.  {I’m sure Russ would use different terms.}   

Then it is stickered and dried.  This is about the time I would say…why is it taking so long?  Waiting for wood to “dry” is the hardest for me.  {Yes…I have also asked along the way.} 

But now that my home is “nearly” finished, I can rejoice.  

We had our first snowfall last evening, with snow on the ground this morning.  I awoke to a toasty 70 degrees.  {So different from the old cabin.}  It looks to be a good winter in the Wee House.  {Actually…Wee-bit-bigger-House.}   This is a view of our doors facing West.  Hearty big doors, made by Russ.

As for our old cabin, those same “hearty friends” carried in a woodstove into the old cabin.  It was good to {finally} feel warmth emit from the stove when I am in that cabin.  This particular stove has a glass door, which adds a nice visual to the cabin, since there is little else to watch.  

Earlier this week, while doctoring in a nearby “big” town, we stopped and picked up a new "tabletop" oven and some throw rugs.  We had scouted out the oven on a previous trip, and were delighted to find it on sale for $30 less!  The finishing touches are being put into place. 

Upon coming home that day, we raced the impending snow and put up wood into the cubbies that are built into the home.  {Doors closing in the cubby, possibly made from our old dog trailer, are pending.}  It always feels so good to stack firewood – truly one of my favorite cold-weather chores. 

I’m still enthralled with the circular pattern of the home.  Mountain Man, Eustace Conway, goes into great detail about a circular building being “natural”, and I believe it.  

Our woodstove sports an Ecofan (purchased from Tractor Supply), and it really does the job by running on heat.  Just place it on your woodstove and off it goes!  This morning it is whirring silently, sending the warmth throughout the round house.  

So, as I sit on my “indoor swing chair” {pictured below}, handcrafted by Russ, I am content. 

We made it {barely} by the first snow.  Other excitement awaits as winter crouches in closer.  I will be parking my new-to-me Dodge 4x4 truck (maroon in color) in our “circle” about 300’ away.  I’ll try and haul in supplies (canned food, staples) before the big snow banks get formed.  

I’ve also been doing fall training with the sled dogs, using the Honda 4-wheeler.  With my petite fiery-never-stops-pulling “Skunk” in single lead, the boys only have to exercise braun and pulling power and a willingness to follow her lead.  {Actually, I wish they had less braun.}  It is my hope that I will use the sled to get around this winter.  We’ll see if the “normalcy” of this takes hold before winter crushes the idea.  But I do have more hope than ever before.  Skunk has matured and shows a level head, eager to take my commands.  Gee {right turn} and Haw {left} now mean something to her and she is eager to please.  With that world opened up, the limits are endless.  I may just head out the driveway and explore.

My world on our “40” has been very busy as of late, I haven’t traveled much out of Mancy.  {See previous post – Mancy in the Middle.}   

Yesterday I missed a wonderful day with my friends.  “Applesauce Day”  Picture a wood stove-warmed Amish kitchen overflowing with community and family enjoying hot coffee and waiting for kettles of apples to cook down.  The end result is hundreds of jars filled with delicious applesauce, from their own trees.  I was invited to partake, but unable to attend.  Not to worry, as they are holding apples for me.  But it won’t be the same as sharing the day with my Plain friends.   They warm my heart in so many ways, and I've had many a dinner and good conversation in that particular Amish kitchen.  My life and theirs are entwined forever.

Sun is now rising.  I better tend to the wood stove and see what the day holds. 

For now, I’ll go run dogs. 

SKUNK

Until next time friend – Lord willing,

Sherry

October Surprise

 Yes...give Him the glory for all the beauty around us.

Even when the rains come.

Not just when there is abundance.

Or beauty.

This is my view...as I head into the woods.  So you see why it is easy to become a recluse.

However, I've missed you my friend.  I have so much to tell.  And I will...soon.

Know that Jesus is on the Throne.
Keep that knowledge close to your heart as you see all that is going on around you.  I know...it's hard.  But keep in the Word and focus.  On Him.

Until then, Lord willing,

Sherry

Under His Wing

 

We’re in what I call “hang time”.  

The “dog days” are sliding into late August, but I know winter isn’t far off.  You can’t quite enjoy summer, because of the excitement of autumn awaits.  At least that is the case for me.  

I’ll be heading into our local Sport’s Store this week (Lord willing) to buy my hunting license for deer season.  Not sure which “combination” I’ll go for yet.  Last year, I sat in my simple blind watching a buck dance around for circa 20 minutes.  I had the tool to put him in the freezer (Barnett Crossbow), but I lacked the correct license.  So I watched him strut before me, and around me, until he moved on.  This year, I hope to be ready on all levels.

Last week one of our hens hatched out an egg.  Actually, she sat on several, but only one hatched.  It’s a little yellow chick, with lines and blotches of black showing future beauty.  

We have another hen who has been sitting on a nest for way more time than necessary.  Through the hot days and cool nights, she won’t move.  She is determined to hatch out a chick, even though Russ and I shake our heads each day knowing she won’t give up the dream.  She refuses to move.  If you have never been around a “broody hen”, then you may wonder why we haven’t just gone ahead and moved her.  A hen is determined to “take out” anyone or anything that interferes with her beloved eggs or hatched baby.  I don’t want to be the recipient of that anger and fury.   

A third hen also is broody now, sitting on the nest.  It cuts down on egg production, as they are “out of the mix” during this 28-day process, but it provides us with the replacement chicks for our flock.  Our flock is less than 10 now, including our rooster, so it is important to keep these numbers up.  We enjoy seeing them go through this process, and the hens are truly driven to do so. They need no human intervention on this yearly event.  

I love watching the new-mama-hen with her chick these days.  She is so attentive.  She takes the chick throughout the property, staying close to the core cabin.  She walks her by our cat, who wouldn’t dare pounce on a chick.  She takes her on a daily tour, starting at dawn and ending at dusk.  When I put down corn scratch the other day, the Mama called and clucked to her chick to dig in and partake.  Of course, the other hens hear this and come running.  But the puffed-up Mama, feathers expanded and full, are designed to show strength and power and keep the others at bay.  It works.  Everyone, including me, gives this Mama hen a wide berth.  Lord help me if I forget and walk too close, as she will come at you – all in the name of protecting her young.  

I thought of this yesterday, as I heard once again about a child left “by accident” in a hot car.  This nearly one-year old girl was rescued by a police officer, who pried the door open, to save her from a 115 degree car located in Pennsylvania.  Her grandmother and an aunt had gone shopping and “forgot about her”.  Had she died, she would have been the 27^th child this summer to do so.  

So…we have a hen who won’t let a chick out of her sight and fiercely protects her…and humans who are so “distracted” they leave their children to die.  I cannot comprehend.  Simply cannot do it.  The only saving grace for these poor children is to know they are in the arms of Jesus – another beautiful flower in his bouquet.  For eternity.  

For we have a promise.  Jesus will never be distracted…we are told he will NEVER let us go, once we know Him.  Of course, we may get “distracted” and walk away, and therein lies the rub.  We must be obedient.  We must not fall away with the world's distractions.  

Jesus said:  “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.  And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”  John 10: 27-28   

Keep focused on the Good Shepherd.  It’s a beautiful thing…knowing we will be protected like our hen protects her beloved chick.

For Jesus said:  “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her!  How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!  {Matthew 23:37}

Until next time, Lord willing.

Sherry