One Closet Wall up and One Bathroom to go

 This weekend and today have been a great success as far as getting projects on their way. We began to work on our shedroom. (AKA) bedroom again. My hubby got my architect program working for me. That really helped us out as I made three different models of what we could do with the shedroom plans. In the mean time as I worked on plans he began removing the rest of our household goods we had boxes of in the area where our master bath is going to be. 

After measuring and talking over all three plans we have made an agreement of how we will build the room. We had to rethink what we were going to do first as we have a huge pile of plywood to move first. So we decided that building the wall for our closet would be a better option at the moment.

After framing in the wall, we have some miss matched plywood that we used to cover the wall. This plywood was used for shipping purposes but when you are on a shoestring budget trust me it works. I painted it today and need a firring strip to go down the middle of it but that will have to wait for now. I am glad I have a wall between me amd all our shelves and clothes. 

Considering we are staying in line with rustic cabin style it works. We still need to figure out what we are going to put on the rest of the shedroom walls as they are only stubbed in and sprayed insulation. That will be another project in the future. We have all the time in the world to get it done being retired. We need to make our track for the door we have for the closet yet too.  All in all I am very happy with what we have marked off our to do list!

Hurricane Idilia was a no Blow

 After all the weeks worth of prepping before the hurricane came, it was well worth the work because I now have my porch turned into a solarium.  It saved my plants from the low winds we had and a place for our second litter box just in case we have a storm and Moxy stays in. Now I will have to paint, caulk. and rearrange rest of furniture. We are putting in A/C . By the time I finish it will be the best thing that came out of that hurricane! We put up shelves to have my dollhouses a place too. I added a few plants to give it some life. It is one more project marked off my list of to do's! At least I accomplished a great deal of stuff today. I think it will help me sleep good tonight. 

Hurricane a Coming

 So here we go, they are calling for Idalia to hit us early on Wednesday. We are pressed to get our porch closed in to keep all my furniture and dollhouses dry that we have out there. We managed to get half way done by yesterday but the heat index proves to be a real problem. Thankfully the plan is working far better than I would have thought.

After all the windows have been locked into place we will be finishing out the room with insulation and plywood to look like the rustic

look that the rest of the house gives. Repainting the windows and the floor will be the last before I get to set the furniture in place again. We are switching out the good sofa with the pullout couch to give a more formal livingroom in the cabin and a family room with the view out on the closed in porch. We already have electric run on each wall which is a plus and a ceiling fan in place. If all goes well I will be putting the dining room table out there too. 

Powering on to beat the storm and we pray the winds will not be bad but we do have plywood to cover all windows just in case.

Closing in the Porch and Garden Growing

 Today we started to close in the porch with old windows we got on Facebook Market. Making the plan and how to was the hardest part as we have three different sizes of windows and six different screen sizes to deal with. Once we got passed the initial part of of which window would go where we have a basic Idea on how we will be putting it together. We are on a time line too as you may know we are looking at threats of a stormy windy weather from the possible tropical depression coming from the gulf. It is going to hit us any way we look at it but who knows how bad. 

The front three windows will be stationary and easy to put in. One of the side section closest to the main part of the house will be partially closed off with plywood as we only have four smaller windows to use for opening. Those Small windows will be in the middle of the porch to vent cross the room. The bigger windows will be stationary also. 

After windows are in we can use the room as a den area when family comes and it will have the queen size pull out bed a desk and TV. For a while my doll houses will also be out there untill my containers are moved into place.

My newly planted garden is popping up nicely after the rain.

Best Friends

     Have you got a best friend that you truly trust with All your joys and deep feelings or secrets? I am sure we all have had one or more we have really connected with. It may be your marriage mate or your best friend from as far back as kindergarten or it might be someone you just met and you feel they are like soul mates because you really connected right away. We look for certain qualities in our friendships such as loyalty, understanding and someone who listens when you truly need that listening ear. Some one who you share meals with someone who gets your jokes or even someone who loves all the cool things you share in common like a hobby, music or other cool things. Most of all someone who looks out for you no matter what!

    I know I have a few of them. Being able to share all you have to share with someone you truly care about gives you a greater feeling of really being able to face what this world is throwing at us. And even better if you listen to what they have to say about all our life's woes and joys you feel needed. Without that best friend you really have no way to express your true feelings and work through all your fears all by yourself. A best friend is a sound board for the most part. Someone who bounces ideas, cares and more to and from you.

    A best friend can bring you to tears through laughter or through their pain or yours. I know that many times I have got a call when I most needed it or a hug at my breaking point. Having someone to talk to can give us a great deal of feeling wanted and understood or even belonging. Best friends share surprises when you least expect it. They are always there during your darkest of days. Even when you feel like crying, you always find some way to smile or even make each other laugh. Having best friends are one of the best things in the world and I am so blessed with many friends I can call my besties, but one that has been there for me the 15 years is my most dearest friend of all, who's name I will leave out but she knows. Someone I have yet to meet in person but anxiously awaiting that day! The love I feel for her has been more than a blessing as she has encouraged me through so much. Now don't get me wrong my other besties I have known for less time have been there for me too and Oh yes I can't forget my love of my life bestie, but she has saved me in ways I don't think she will ever know!

    To all of those besties out there always send that love back they share with you and always let them know how much you appreciate them in you life. I know they will be ever grateful for you doing so!

To all my besties I love you over the moon and back and through eternity!

Catch up Time

     It has been a few days since my last post but I have been busy doing other things. Saturday I literally had to use this day to reboot myself. After loading and unloading dirt for a few days , I needed it. 

      We got a new to me desk and it was huge! We brought it into the house yesterday. It took me till this morning to get things all put back into respectable order. I still need to glue the door to the front of the desk, when we were unloading it we broke it off. If only I had a bit more room for all my art supplies. That will have to wait till we finally move the containers and create my whole office and art studio. 

     I bought an assortment of flower seeds to plant in my side garden for the hummers and butterflies the other day. I finally got all my fall seeds in the garden along with the flowers. I found some more flower seeds we bought earlier that I had somewhere on my old desk while cleaning things up. I sure hope things grow better than my first garden of yhis year. I did hear from others it was not good for them either. Makes me feel better knowing that too. So glad almost all my herbs did well! I also found some blueberry and elderberry seeds which I handed off to my hubby to start those are his thing he works on. 

     A garden bed for all my herbs is still in the process. Even though my love for gardening is labor of love hauling dirt from one place to another is not. Anyway I look at it, it is my job! I have trees to plant today too. Two Pawpaw trees will be going in by the one side of the shedroom inside the fence. I don't want them to stay in pots like my fig and peach trees because they need the root growth deep in the ground. Things never seem to get done but that keeps our minds healthy and our bodies too.

When Your Soap is a Flop!

     We made soap the other night. We started out later then we should have for the time it takes to stir and get your batch trailing. Trying to get done befre 10 pm was not a great idea. Taking turns stirring is what we do so it doesn't tire one or the other out. I usually take the second half and finish up by adding the scent or herbs we are using. 

     After stirring a bit I thought maybe the batch was just about finished up. I was so tired all I wanted to do was finish and go over to our shedroom. We added my patchouli leaves and stirred a bit more then poured into the mold. I added my patchouli oil and continued to stir a bit more. Wrapping it up in a blanket for the next coulple of days and we should have soap.

     Well when I got up in the morning I peaked in on it to see if it was soap. Well I guess I was wrong the night before and the soap had separated some. The extra oil was floating on the top. So we had to reheat the whole batch and stir some more. We also may have let it cool down too fast the night before. This is the first time we ever had this happen and it is all because we rushed it after starting too late.  

    Soap is something you cannot rush and a well planned out day of it is needed. There are a few other things that can go wrong like not having correct measurements or one or other lye or oils. You may have complete separation of lye and oil. If there is any layering it could mean too much oil. Curdling can occur which happen if you are remelting to milled or even slimy soap both may end up not curing right at all. Lye bubbles can happen too which means you had too much lye but the soap cured and when cut it leaks the hot lye outwhen bubbles are broke. Be very careful cutting it wear glasses and cut on something that will not be ruined. You can use the exact recipe from other times and sometimes it cause turn bad because the oil may be rancid or you changed oils. It is something you just never know until the finished cure is done. Prepare early, measure correctly and take your time to make sure you stir enough. If you try making your soap cold pressed and not melt and pour and you get it right more times than not you can say you are a true soap maker. We have been making soap since 1996 and this is our first time we had a problem so I feel we have succeeded quite well.

      I hope if you are ready to create a really nice bar of soap you have a good recipe and the patience and time to get started and you too will enjoy your creation. 

Garden Duties Today

     A month ago we went to help my son move many truckloads of dirt that was in the clients drive that the city refused to pick up. Due to the fact it was not close enough to the road as they would have liked they refused. Hence the need to move it was now a problem for my son. Three loads went off to the local landfill and one truckload and a trailerful came home with us.

     My raised bed garden are needing more dirt so today is my day to start the unloading as it may from truck to garden. We bought two black mesh garden bags to start out with, which are no more than 4 feet across. We also have these huge recycle circular bags that are about eight feet across that the dirt was in. Three of them to be exact. Perfect for building a very nice size raised bed garden.

     The two smaller ones are placed in the middle of the citrus trees directly out front of the house. I want to build a picket fence around it with chicken wire at base to keep the rabbits out. They picked off my tomato plants I planted along the fence and porch walkway this year not sure if the other few I have in pots will be safe out there yet but we will see.

     The fall garden will find a new home out there instead of being in pots. I tried to fill the one bag but it still needs more dirt. I had some cabbage, peppers and tomatoes planted in it, but it just didn't have enough to hold edges up and some plants died from heat.  I do have a few eggplants and a watermelon plant that made it. I think adding enough to the top edge of the bag will help. When I did it at the start, I ran out of bags of potting soil and money in my budget for that month. Always something !!!!

 

   Loading it up won't be too much. Now on the other hand, shoveling the dirt out of the truck is more manual labor I can do for the moment as the hottest part of the day is here and the fact that I put icy hot on my back last night after I tried to shoo the cat off our bed before she yacked on it, twisting me the wrong way. Ouch! I did manage to plant the few tomato plants and a few more pepper plants in the first one. The second one will have to get finished tomorrow. Then I can plant all my fall plants in the other. I may have to put up a cold frame around the tomato, pepper one if they take off and grow but it gets colder before they produce! 

Praying For Lahaina

      It almost seems like a nightmare in Lahaina Maui as we are getting a glimpse into where this paradise city used to stand. The before and after shots make our skin crawl and brings tears as the news is sounding off on the TV. Nothing but rubble and burned out cars are left. Even the trees have been badly scorched.

     This is one of the worst things I have ever seen as I think of all the fires that have been broadcasted here in the states as it was within a blink of an eye. These poor people had no warning or even a  chance to escape. Power lines are all down and warning sirens never set off. For those who did try to escape they have been left in a parking lot type of wasted gridlock that didn't even allow them to make it out alive even for trying. Many took to the waters to keep from burning alive. Main roads were blocked. 

 High winds from Hurricane Dora are to blame for the blazing inferno and the power company to which somehow failed to send out warnings. Fire was put out at first but as the winds continued to blow the fire picks back up again. Other towns are also included but did not fair as bad as Lahaina!

    The death toll is on the rise as so many have not been able to get answers from loved ones and so many of them may be children. Possibly 1300 My heart goes out to them.  Looking at the map shown in the article below it looks like everything is totally destroyed Lahaina Fire 

     Rescue crews have brought in the cadaver dogs to help find those possibly lost in the rubble. For those who managed to escape there is nothing to go back to and many know they have lost loved ones in the process. Who would have ever thought this much devastation could wipe out such a paradise like this in just a short period of time.  They are now preparing or a rain storm  which could make it even more devastating when trying to recover bodies in the rubble. 

    Prayers are needed and lives will need to be rebuilt, supplies will need to be sent and love can go a long way. My prayers are also with the Brothers and Sisters of the Kingdom Hall in the area. May they all find support from the Society and love of those who are able to donate their time and funds to rebuild lives there for all

(2023, August 16). How the Maui fires consumed Lahaina. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 16, 2023, from https://www.latimes.com/projects/maps-maui-fire-destroyed-lahaina-satellite/Mapping How The Maui Fires

Learning New Languages- Sometimes Scare You

   

  Are you wanting to learn a new language and prepared to do all you can to learn it? Maybe you want to learn for a new job that hires those that are Bilingual or perhaps you are getting ready to go on a dream vacation and want to be able to speak enough of the foreign tongue there to get you by. When you open up the book you want to learn from it looks like this #$^(*&(^&^!% and you shrink back in fear! Eeks what have I got myself into!!!? How am I going to learn this without help?

     Well, I ran across this problem many years ago, yet I have always had this language close by and it really was my own language, English almost. I am talking about a book we all have in our possession or at least our parents or grandparents did in my case. It is the Bible, God's Holy Writings! Sure I have been a church goer since I was a baby yet from what I had learned from my grandmother church was just a few things that were taught over and over. That being, Jesus was a baby and we celebrated his Birth and maybe we see the connection of his death for us as an all time thing that we celebrate too. We sang songs like "He's got the whole world in his hands and the Old Rugged Cross." Little did we know what that truly meant. Who Controls the World.

    Many people have so many things that we have been taught in that church they serve and  they swear by never really digging into that Book of God's Words! Then there are many who read it daily and still cannot get the sense of it. Yeah that was me in the first instance. I never read the Bible clear through only because King James spoke in a way that I was lost and that was just what he wanted us to be. Did you know he even changed some things and added to to many if it fit what he wanted us to believe or fit his purpose? YES, I saw $%#^%#&11!!! I left the church when I was 12 shortly after I was baptized. Wow I bet you didn't see that coming. I know my grandmother never did because I never missed a Sunday in those 12 years I went with her, and I had a pin to prove it! But that was all I had taken from all those year. 

    By that time I had seen my parents split up. My mom having my sister out of wedlock and remarrying. Then I had seen things in the church that were the same. Nothing like goodwill towards all men, like Charlie Brown taught me. I learned of elders running away with the secretary, Drunkards in the bars on Saturday and serving the communion on Sunday. Wait ... There was something very wrong here. I just couldn't see things  that I was taught  in the 10 commandments .

    This takes me 18 more years down the road searching in several other churches. Not much changed and no real understanding and no true answers come with that search. I needed that in my life by that time. After two bad marriages, being raped, molested and just all around low from being beat down by the world, pregnant at an early age and aborted my very own blood, and now with four kids all alone later and no hope. That church  I once sat in wouldn't even speak to me when I cried out for help. I didn't even have my grandmother to turn to any more. Praying things would get better how was that possible?

     In one week from my prayer, I had visits from two different groups. One the Mormons and a Bible they claimed was written after God's word that he  told someone to write (another foreign language!)  I was repotting cactuses that day.  The second two sweet ladies of Jehovah's Witnesses, in which I had never heard of before. Well I bet you can't guess which one I went with. These two ladies ! Just like my grandmother. And the others well when they came I sent them away with their own cactus for their house. They share a scripture I never gave thought to then explained it to me. Wow what was I missing out on! No one had ever done that for me before! They asked if they could come back the following week and I said yes. Well I learned more about the Bible in one months time than I ever did in all my days. I learned that God would forgive me if I learned about him and change my ways? I would see my grandmother in time, right here on earth and all other loved ones I lost that I loved dearly. I ate up every bit of that information because they proved it straight out of the Bible, but not the King James Bible I had, but a New World Translation A Bible I could honestly read and understand. It didn't take me long to see that the Bible was not a foreign language as I had always thought . No more gobbledy gook! I was well on my way to a great understanding of what God's words meant to me and I continue to learn each and every day as I study daily. But If those two wonderful ladies never came to my door to explain what I didn't know or understand I would probably not even be here today.  (Acts 8:26-40) 

    I know God answers prayers because he answered mine all those years ago, and keeps on answering. I learned that a foreign language can be a challenge sometimes but it is well worth all the practice and studies you put into it and who knows you might even find the language was easier than you thought if you find a friend to work with. I am learning more about German , French, and Spanish myself and some times the Bible may scare you if you have no real understanding but think of all the great things you can get out of it if you just have someone help you.  I hope learning the language of the Bible is something you would like to take on in your lifetime. As we see things only worsen in the world we need all the help from God we can get. So give him a try find a great study partner.  Jehovah's Witnesses offer free Bible study courses and I would help you learn too. Please check out Jehovah's Witnesses if you get the chance.

Putting up the Fruits- Pear Butter

         Here we are once again time to put up the fruits of the growing season. My bbf. sent me a bag of pears from her tree this week. Her tree was loaded this year. Since we have just recently moved all of our fruit trees are just starting out and will take a few years before we even think about fruit growing on them. So putting up fruits will not be a thing unless we buy it at the local farmers market or friend send it our way.

      The last batch of pear butter is long gone for the most part as I have shared with friends and family. So it is time to break out the old crock pot and get started. I spent a good part of yesterday peeling and cutting up my pears.   In the pot they went.

 

I start out with the pot completely full. Here is my ingredients list. Note I don't measure in this recipe.

Pears peeled cored and sliced. 

Cinnamon

Nutmeg

Cardamom

Ginger

Allspice 

Clove

A whole package  of brown sugar

A dash of lemon juice

 A cup of water

I turn the crockpot on high and cook it for a few hours then turn it on low and cook over night that way. When I came in to check on it the pot had cooked down 1/2 way. Now I take the lid of and cook it down some more. By this time almost all the pear has broken down and the juice had just about thickened up. I take the hand mixer and pulverized it into a nice sauce. 

Time to get the jam jars ready! Taste yummy!

     There you go!  This recipe can be used not only for pears but apples, peaches, pumpkin or any fruit as long as it is cooked down . If you choose to leave out any of the spices it is up to you. I always just do it to my taste I also use stevia in some of my butters for my Hubby. If you choose to use other natural sweeteners you can do that too. Just cook it down to pudding consistency . Don't forget to add your labels with the date and what fruit it is.

Fall Gardening

     How many of us can take advantage of the fall growing season? I know I will be! I don't know how many of you know what to grow in the second part of the growing season or not but here in Georgia we have a longer growing period so here are a list of things we can grow here in zone 8. If you would like to find out more about your zone you can check out the free information on the Almanac.

    I will just give you the plants that can go straight into the garden as we have just passed the date in which to plant seed outdoors. These are all based on the frost date for your area also.

•  Arugula - Sept. 30
• Beets- Sept. 20
• Bok Choy- Sept. 25
• Broccoli- Aug 21 (seedlings)
• Brussel Sprouts -Aug. 11 if you have plants
• Cabbage- Aug. 11 if you have plants
• Carrots- Sept. 15
• Cauliflower-  Aug. 11 if you have plants
• Collards -Sept. 5
• Broad beans - Sept 5
• Kohlrabi- Sept 15
• Lettuce - Sept. 25
• Peas- Aug. 31
• Radishes- Sept 30
• Spinach - Oct. 10
• Swiss Chard - Sept. 25
• Turnips- Sept. 25

That is a lot of goodies  you can be producing for the fall growing season. 

    There are a few things you can plant if you are in places like up north as far as Ohio that you can grow for the fall. like Arugula, beets, bok choy, lettuce, carrots, collards, broad beans, kohlrabi, peas, radishes,  spinach, swiss chard, and turnips. So anything in between can still have a big crop list too.

Bon Appetite!

World Suffering

     Have you ever thought about suffering in the world? We seem to see more of it everyday  as we have have grown so small in everything as the news hits home for people all over the world and we all have access to it. We have seen all the wars around the world such as that of Ukraine and Russia. Or What about all the fires from Canada to Hawaii! Maybe there were stories that have hit you hard because of what it did to change how you felt about death for people you may knew or how people survived through all the lock downs and sickness in the covid craze. How many more shootings will take place before we see it all come to an end? Love has cooled off so much, it is just a norm for just about everyone. Men themselves have continued to ruin the very earth we need to live on forever! Causing storms  due to pollution. It's not just the lands but the waters also. How many animals have lost their lives or habitats because man feels the need to destroy in some way or another. For many people it will be genocide because someone feel they are more important and deserve to have it all. Will we have enough food for all of the world to survive on? I can go on forever...

                                            https://www.americanoceans.org/facts/hawaii-wildfire/
    

     I don't know about you when thinking about it, but all of these things have been recorded long before we have ever come into existence. From the very beginning we have had to fight to survive because of one person. One thinking that he was owed everything. But as for our time, that one who has tried so hard to take over has now got such a very short time to work and that makes all these things get even worse than it every was and ever will be.  We are dealing with the end of the last last days and we need to take our stand one way or the other here. You know that old saying you can't just sit on the fence and watch the world go by, you have to take a stand for what is good or what is bad. Do you know where you can find the answers or have you fallen into that rut that lets you just spin your wheels and never really get anywhere or you really don't care or think about it? 

    Everyday I wake to live another day, I say thank you for the day of life I live. I spend a great deal of time reading about all the great things I have learned over the years. I always keep busy sharing with others how to have that chance to have an opportunity to be free of all these awful things we have to deal with every day of our lives. Share the happiness for all the great things to come. I am talking about the Bible and how it has changed me and how it can change anyone who really want to change too.   We have so many wonderful blessings to come to see if we truly believe that Our God Jehovah  and his son can bring us great joy soon. (Psalm 83:18)

    I know what this world can do to someone's heart and you might even think that God is creating all this suffering on us but is that really the truth? Far from it. He never wanted anyone to suffer and  he never wants anyone to suffer in the hands of others such as the worlds worst enemy. He has given us the way to come to the know him and be saved through his very own 1st ever son, the one who help create all things the one who died for all of us in order to have everlasting life! -  John 17:3. Thanks for that is something I can never give enough of  also but I continue everyday trying to. 

    This world will not see a time when we can see no more suffering until God intervenes and that time is running shorter every day so once again I will ask you where we are in the midst of things will you still be sitting on that fence or will you choose one over the other?  If you would like to learn more please contact me  at emmadorseyjw@gmail.com or visit the official website of Jehovah's Witnesses for more information and  check out more of what is going on that brings you great joy in this suffering world we live in.

Ready Set GO

      How many of us have been told to have a GO Bag put together and be prepared for any type of disaster? I know we have. We live in an area that sooner or later we will be hit with a hurricane and since we start hurricane season in June we all have to be prepared to pick up and go!  But what happens if we have to stay in place like we did during the last few years of covid? Did you have the supplies you needed to get through that without having to go out every time you needed something? These are things we should all keep in mind as we see every single day on the news about floods no one ever expected or tornadoes, even fires as we see places like Canada, States out west or now even Hawaii being scorched to the ground! Yes we even have to worry about all the unrest of all this worlds people not being in unity with one another. 

    So what exactly should we put in our GO Bag if disaster strikes; 

• Blankets, complete change of warm clothes, and sturdy shoes

• Flashlight, radio (battery or windup), and spare batteries

• First-aid kit and a whistle to signal for help

• Eating utensils, can opener, pocket tool set, and waterproof matches

• Water bottles and Non perishables 

• Toothbrushes, soap, towels, and toilet paper

• A waterproof container with needed medication, copies of prescriptions, and other important documents

• List of emergency contacts and meeting places and a paper local map

• Credit cards and cash

• Extra set of house keys and car keys

• Paper, pencils, books, and games for children

• Don't forget your pets also, Food, water bowl, crate, collar with info and a lead

• Phone charger

• Bible 

Amazon has a huge selection of bags!

Let others know where you are headed and when you arrive to a safe place. 

Now what if you are to shelter in place; 

• First aid 

• Flashlight, radio (battery or windup), and spare batteries or candles

•  4 to 5 gallons of Water per person and toilet flushes or bottles and Non perishables 

• Gas if you use a generator

• You may need plywood for windows if there is a disaster storm 

• A grill if power goes off and charcoal 
• Matches 
• Phone charger

You may want to check also with your government for more information when necessary. Try having deliveries made when necessary for food or meds. where possible.

    Now days everyone should be aware of what is going on around them and if it is necessary to pack up and go or shelter in place no matter where we live. We never know what will be coming our way. So think about how you will prepare for things if and you know when disaster strikes will it be last minute or will you be prepared with your bag in hand? 

I hope this helps you be more prepared and protected in the long run.

    I know we are ready and have made our plans when the time comes! 

Remember too keep in touch with Jehovah God as he will protect you through anything!

Be prepared

Birds of a Feather

      Have you ever sat somewhere and just listened to the birds? I find myself doing that on a regular basis here since we live right on the water and so many different species consider the creek as their home. 

     There are days when I can identify 20 or more birds by their cheerful calls to one another. For instance I love to here my little cardinal family chatter all about the yard every day. There are several pairs and I have seen their offspring . I love to feed them. 

     We have many Great Egrets and Blue Herion that live in the swamp grass among the lilypads. Here in the last month or so I have heard their babies too. I would love to see them swimming around but they are pretty well hidden on the creek. 

     Early in the spring we had several. Canadian Geese and Wood ducks out there. They are some very loud birds too and they honk all hours of the night and day if there are predators around. 

     I love to hear the owls and the woodpeckers. We have several different kinds of them out here too. Many Piliated wood peckers live in our woods and some of the smaller ones too. I call them my jungle birds as they sound pretty crazy calling to each other. We also hear and see a lot of hawks calling to one another. 

     We used to raise parrots of all kinds when we first moved to GA but my only bird I have left is my parakeet and she loves to sound off to all the birds in the area. I guess I am still like a wild bird at heart because they all still fascinate me. 

 There are so many different kinds of birds here from very small to cormorant size I love to record them using the Merlin app. Then I know what I am really hearing. I saw my very 1st hummer the other day this year and oh what a joy that was as they are one of my favorites of all. I love that birds of a feather do flock together.

Do You have a Fear You Just Can't Get Over?

     Do you have a fear of something you just can't get over? I know I sure do and it is something that has been with me all my life . No matter how much I prayed about it or how hard I tried to get over it, it just puts me into a real tail spin and my anxieties are pushing me right over the edge. You see I love to read and I can read very well but when it comes to reading off the written page out loud, I see the letters jumping around the page and changing into words that they are not. Been that way as long as I can remember. Also I have a fear to speak in front of my peers and my tongue gets totally tied. I have been working on being able to speak without starting to shake from the inside out. My brain seems to not match up to my mouth. Funny thing is I can write in somewhat of an eloquent way when I need to and I never have any hard time putting words to paper so I don't understand why I can't speak.. I even ended my college days with a 4.00 GPA which just makes no since in the matter at all. Thankfully I never had to speak in class as it was all online.

    I have always written great letters to let folks know exactly how I feel. I just felt it was something very easy to do. Today I am working very hard to raise my hand in my worship and answer questions and no matter how hard I try even when I have prepared my answer well in advance I just can't spit it out like I planned it to come out and I always feel so stupid and feel everyone wonders where the heck I was going with that answer. Most times I leave out the most important thought all together. 

    I am suppose to be a good example of a well polished person and I still feel like my edges never seem to shine as I open up my mouth. It really makes me feel very small and a huge failure. I hope that some day I can express myself in word of mouth and by pen and paper in the same way. But for now I continue to feel that churning in my stomach and the anxieties coming up in my throat every time I open my mouth. How  in the world I taught classes for so many years is beyond me. I would love to have a Bible study one of these days again with some one who really wants to know what it really teaches. It has been a long time since I really had one that lasted any thing passed the first 5 chapters of whatever book I was teaching out of, so maybe I wasn't so hot after all. Lord knows I do my studying and research. That is what got me through college. 

    Maybe one day ... 

    I did some research, and it truly is really a thing and it is called hyperstimulation  and it takes the body about 20 minutes to go back to its normal self. So I feel better knowing I am not crazy as I thought I was!

Boy it Really is a Challenge

     Here I am working on the 9th day of the month and I realized I have not hit every day as I tried to do. This writing is a challenge when you have not been doing it for a while like I used to do. Yesterday I got side tracked (which I do a lot these days) ;)  because it was bill paying day and Monday was well Monday I reckon. Not living on the farm anymore where there was always something going on each and every day seemed to be way easier to write on a daily basis. 

    For the last few days it has been rainy and we have not really got out to get anything done, not to mention the heat index is still three digits for us. I do know for certain that soap making is one of those things that need to get done while it is not pouring down rain. Just like baking a cake the weather can screw up a batch of soap and I just can't afford to let that happen. I sold my last 5 bars of patchouli soap last night. Everyone seems to love it and we call it our hippy soap. I cannot keep it in supply even for myself and that is the only soap I use. Pop on the other hand will add whatever scent I might throw in his as long as it is not girly smelling. Funny thing is all the guys love my hippy soap too. I am glad I bought plenty of patchouli leaf to add to my soap so I don't have to worry about running out real soon. 

    I still have a truck load of dirt and a trailer full to unload off into my garden beds but with the rain we have had it will be waterlogs and heavy so I will pulse on that for a moment  but I do know sooner or later it is something that needs to get done. I have several herbs that need to be planted in their permanent space before too long. 

    Yes finding something to write about every single day is a challenge but I will try hard to get as much of the 30 days done even if I have to go into the next month. But for the rest of the day I will call it a day for my blog page.

Empty Nesters Again

     Here we are once again childless and kind of sad to see my babies off to go back home to their mom. We had a great time together in just the few days we spent together. I only wish the time had not flown by so fast! I hope they come back in September with their momma. and Poppa Jimmy and the rest of them. We can make the trip to the beach again. We had a great game of Beatles Monopoly the day it poured down rain all day even if Jacob cheated by collecting all of Grace's money and properties when she decided to quit and go back to what she does best: playing Roblox. They brought their kitten down with them and they played with the cat toy. Stella was pretty wild when she got here but after being here for a few days she had settled down quite well.   

                                                                    Savanna and Stella

    I just texted the kids to see where they were and they said they were in Savannah. taking in the sights! I told them they had to stop in and see their uncle, if they are that close. I know they are all teens and thinking they are adults but... and they want to do their own thing but going off and not letting anyone know they were going is no being responsible in no shape or form. There are folks that pray upon children with no parents! Danger Will Robinson Danger!!!      All in all though I look back at all the times I left home to visit Ohio University when I was 15-17 years old by myself to see my boyfriend and I will let things slide. But these kids are my babies and I do worry still. They're all growing up way to fast. Empty nesting is great but I do love to see the g kids. Time passes too fast and we see them far to less than we used too that is for certain.  

Everyone is Ready to Go

         Today we are all off to the beach! This is what the grands have been waiting for! So off we went in 2 different vehicles. We started off by going to the drift wood beach but the kids didn't like it so we drove on up the way to the place Pop and I were last year and it was just what the kids were hoping for. Not too many folks crowding and plenty of beach space to set down our beach rug. lots of space for the kids, ha! but little did we know they would take off on down a ways away from us and we couldn't find them until almost the time we packed up to go. Well you know how kids are they find adults boring and no fun. Pop and I went out into the water together for a short time but being in the water is not Pop's thing, so I stayed out all by myself for most of the time we were all there. Pop sat on the beach basking in the very hot sun and turning 5 shades of red in doing so. I came out for a short time to hang with him then he went to eat. Me back tot he water I went which is fine with me as I love how the water makes my broken old self feel. As time passed I could tell it was time for me also to get out of the sun. Packing up we finally found the kids and asked if they wanted to eat and there were no takers so we bit them farewell and told them not to stay  too much longer. As we drove off the rain started to fall. By the time we got home the kids were not far behind us. Everyone on tired and a bit weathered from the sun we all called it a great day at the beach. 

Downpours of Rain

 The rain started late last night, but not before the marshmallow and graham crackers and candy bars came out and the fire was lit. It is so great to have my g kids here a visiting. We had a blast roasting marshmallows and having pop make up long forks from serving forks and duck tape and bits and pieces of an old couple of pieces of an old lawn umbrella. Great minds think on their feet, Recycle, Recycle, Recycle.

    Now for today it has been raining all day. We were planning to take a trip to Savannah to go visit our son but being there wasn't anything that he could figure to do cheap or free and his work schedule didn't allow too much time so we decided not to go. One of the kids went to have a dinner date with her boyfriend and the other has opted to hang with us and play her game on the computer. 

    We can't let the day be a total washout though, Pop is going to go pick up a couple of IBC tanks to build a nice little chicken coop when it is not pouring down. I have wanted to have a few chickens here since we moved I so miss my farm. Gardening is great and all but it is not the same as having live animals to help feed you. We use more eggs than you would know especially when we make homemade ice cream every other night. Since we live in a nice little subdivision in the country but live at the very end of it all and have a wooded acreage between us and the rest of the street  chicken may be the only thing we can keep as farm life is concerned. I would give anything to have my goats again though. Using the IBC tanks will give me just the coop size and grazing area I need. Recycle is great!

                         (Mother Earth News Photo by Mary Whitcomb)

   The rain has come and gone but will be popping in again later in the afternoon through the evening So things need to get on the ball. 

 

Can You Believe it 33 Years and Counting

     It has been 33 years since I married the love of my life! I  can tell you now that I broke the life expectance record  by three years being married too. I never thought 30 would be a year in my life until I met Thomas! 30 was a great year even after stressing over turning 30 at 29. Here I am passing the 33rd mark of marriage with Tom. And I remember hearing it will never last from oh so many of my family members.

    After raising our kids together and dealing with all the pitfalls and unpleasantries of life, we have finally come to a time in our lives that many never get to either due to breakups or lose of a loved one. I am very grateful to have such a loving mate that supports me in all things. You see, I almost lost Tom in 2019 to a heart attack and if it weren't for the fact I have been so into natural health and wellbeing I may have missed all the signs and lost him. That was a scary few days for me too because it was at the height of covid 19. Thank God I was home and retired by that time or I may have found him in the front yard as he was mowing. 

    We have made some bold moves since then and moving was one of those things. Moving so far from family to a place we knew no one to boot. We scaled down from a 3 bedroom place to 390 square feet of living space on the most beautiful 3 acres yet right on Goose Creak. Granted all our children found it to be a far away but enchanting place but too far for them to just drop in whenever. Now days we have to coordinate the times in which we visit and that in itself is a true task. We really thought since we were so close to the beaches they would find it easy to come visit. Not always the case!

    We have added space to our living area with our 12x32 shedroom master suite and created a living room on our closed in porch with a great view of the creek. We also have added our greenhouse and carport. We are still working on scaling back on things we brought from  the old house to make room for an office /craft /guest space in one of the 2 containers we have purchased. The other is a work space for tools and shop for Tom.

    Together we have planted gardens and trees for the future and are working on a few other projects this year that include closing in the front porch  with windows and building a covered walk way between the shedroom and the house to weather proof the journey back and forth. Oh yes and the deck and dock is needing some attention also. But all in all we have made the change and the jump to a new place a success and we love what we have. I couldn't ask for a better 33 years. Oh yes the grands are coming to spend the weekend with us too!

Happy Anniversary My Love and a Eternity More!

Brutal Heat, Extreme Weather and More All Over

     As we travel from one place to the next we have seen some very hot temperatures all over the place. It has left many in dire straits as far as safety is concerned. Temperatures soaring as high as the triple digits and no end in sight. This is not just here in the US but around the world. This heat is causing droughts to continue and in some places storms that have been said to not have ever happened in our life times or for many many years. We have had fires raging out of control because of the droughts or lack of rains in some areas and landsides in others. 

    How did we get this far in the way we have treated our earth? I guess many do not see that we only have one place to live and it is being destroyed faster each and every day. What are some of the damages that man has created during his time of ruling himself? Many trees have been cut down and lands have been stripped of all its fertile substances. More highways and more cars sending off gasses, trains carrying toxic waste have derailed and polluted water ways and air ways just to name a few. Plastics were meant to help us in our every day lives yet the oceans are full of them and our ocean wildlife has paid a high price for this. We are losing wild life left and right as we build and take over the lands that these animals have been privy too for centuries. 

    Have you ever thought about all this suffering we are causing one another? Or who really is responsible for our suffering? How many have lost loved ones,  dealt with unbearable sickness,  lost homes, jobs and other things and blamed it all on God? We suffer and struggle to see where all of this pain stems from. Maybe we are looking to blame others for all our short falls. Maybe we haven't even truly thought of the answer at all. One scripture comes to mind here found at James 1:13 "When under trial, let no one say: “I am being tried by God.” For with evil things God cannot be tried, nor does he himself try anyone. So how can we blame God for all the crazy things that happen to us? Think about it, Jesus gave us the answer when Satan offered him the whole world to rule over. Satan just wanted him to bow down to him and worship him and not his heavenly father Jehovah.   Have we made the mistake and taken up sides with Satan or are we on the side of God? 

    There are so many other things we have seen with our very eyes that prove things are not going well for us like; wars, famine in many countries now and threatening our country too. Disease, we just dealt with a huge epidemic of Covid19 which is still prevalent, How about deteriorating attitudes or even family breakdowns. Searching the world over people refuse to see the warning signs of what is about to come in the very near future, destruction that no man has ever witnessed before. Who's side will you find yourself on at that great day. I know exactly who I will side with I have great faith in the Grand Creator in saving me.  God will “destroy those who are destroying the earth.”—Revelation 11:18 this includes Satan. 

    God “did not create [the earth] simply for nothing, but formed it to be inhabited.”—Isaiah 45:18 In the beginning he wanted Adam and Eve to be fruitful and fill the earth and his original plan has never changed.  “The meek will possess the earth, and they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace. The righteous will possess the earth, and they will live forever on it.”—Psalm 37:11, 29. I am looking forward to what wonderful plan we have to look forward to in the coming days. Just think we will no longer have to worry about the extremes of course if you count extreme happiness due to enjoying life forever in a new paradise earth!  Who will be going with me in this wonderful prospect of life? If you want o learn more please let me know I will be glad to help you find the answers to a happy fulfilling life of peace forever. If you want to check out more please got to JW.org