Category Archives: Photos

Watch any plant or animal

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and let it teach you acceptance of what is, surrender to the Now. Let it teach you Being

Eckhart Tolle

Jack, Palomino paint on the left, and my line-back dun Bebe enjoy grazing

Three years ago one acre of ground was turned from a wooded lot into pasture for Jack and Bebe. As soon as they were let out in the grass, they kicked up their hooves and raced around the space before settling down to graze. Eventually, due to overgrazing the upper space turned into dirt and was reseeded this spring with Bermuda. The sprouts are just beginning to cover while the horses spend time in the lower section where they were turned out the beginning of spring. Despite the lush greenery pictured below by now they have eaten every scrap of grass and mostly inedible weeds remain.

Lower section

Bebe

Before this section was overgrazed

Jack

Alfalfa pellets are supplementing the square bales of hay they are fed just until this growing season produces enough hay for purchase. It was a poor growing season last year, much like this one: rainy far too long. Last year when the sun arrived it scorched the earth. Local hay farmers were lucky to get two cuttings when in a good year they get three.

Normally hay farmers begin cutting after Memorial Day but it has been too wet this season to start. Anticipating a week of hot weather (summer has finally arrived) I am hopeful the upper pasture will be ready for the horses to move back soon. If I move them too early, they will pull up the new shoots leaving nothing but bare ground.

Platform deck

Whether from the interior of the cabin or outside on the small deck, one of my great pleasures is watching both Jack and Bebe. It is easy to be present when around them.

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A man’s heart plans his way

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But the Lord directs his steps. Prov. 16.9 NKJV

Prior to a mandatory four-day annual conference, my plan was to have the new cabin plumbed, wired with heat and air so we, my pets and I, could move in. That was my heart’s plan.

By conference time our custom tiny home had water so the cats were moved. This allowed a caretaker to easily come and feed them. The dogs were kenneled. A new light pole with an amber light was installed.

However, to take the next step, provide underground wiring to the tiny house, a 1977 mobile home must go to its new owner who has put $100 down. The unsightly mobile is sitting in my front yard blocking a clear path from the light pole to the cabin. The person hired to haul it 12 miles has a backlog.

Today I looked for a drop-leaf table and chairs for a small space adjacent to the kitchen and electric heater, as well as a new tiny recliner for my writing desk. The two piece desk will be situated in the living room. My former, well warn chair is going in the dogs’ room.  Buying time, I am, and waiting to be directed as to the next steps, the Lord has for me.


For you have need of endurance

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so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.  Hebrews 10:36 NKJV

After living in my cabin-on-wheels for 10 months, my option to buy the land beneath my tiny house was nearly exhausted. Then the couple who had privately financed my cabin agreed to carry a mortgage on the land. The mostly treed 5.88 acres included two mobile homes on either side of me. Both were occupied with long-term tenants.

A month after the purchase one of the tenants moved. It was then I learned the furnace was not operational and there were electrical and plumbing issues which needed repairs. Once the repairs were completed, back-to-back families lived in the home and moved out. Finally, the third couple to move in turned out to be great neighbors and tenants, and now there is a baby too.

The home on the north side of me was vacated last March by a tenant who had resided there for almost two decades. After his departure, I discovered so much was needed to make it tenant-ready, it would be better to sell the mobile and have it moved off. A new tiny cabin, already designed, will go in its place once the damaged mobile is sold and moved. The story behind selling follows:

It had been 26 years since I had been back to my birthplace, Seattle, and God opened the doors wide to make my visit possible. In September, with the help of four families who volunteered to take care of my critter crew, I spent 10 days in the Northwest seeing family and good friends, taking in the sights and sounds of tides and waterfowl.BeachInn4bright13

God informed me this was not simply a trip to be with loved ones or to read my poetry open mic night and display my artwork. My instruction was to photograph nature, and being compliant I obliged posting here and elsewhere the beauty all around me.

Just as the Apostle Paul said, I count all as blessings, the gifts and the tribulations. Before my trip to Seattle the cabin’s “on demand” water heater failed. The “on demand” heater rarely delivered “hot” water. I could anticipate lukewarm during summer; but winter, well it was too cold to dip even my toes.

Upon my return, I purchased a 30 gallon hot water heater and had the cabin cleaned and stained.

Northside full view stainedEventually my current tiny house, or cabin-on-wheels, will be moved to the south side of the property and sold with an acre of ground. My projects list includes putting up a few sections of a privacy fence, getting the land surveyed to split out the acre creating two lots and adding a new tiny cabin for me and mine to move into on the north side.

Recently, I picked up the banner for the “As Is” mobile for sale and hung it yesterday. In God’s time, I expect it to sell. My assignment is to be patient and wait, keeping the faith. Broadmore for Sale CU

 

Rejoice always

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pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 

1 Thes. 5:16-18 NKJVNorthside with porch stained

The staining is complete and the cabin-on-wheels has a new look.Southside stained

 

If you have faith

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like a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you. Matt. 17:20-21 ESV

View from Barnum Point

View from Barnum Point

Enthralled by the beauty of Camano Island from Barnum Point to Utsalady Bay, my camera fingers and eyes danced. During my entire 10-day stay in the Pacific Northwest, I felt cradled by God; and I was home.

UtsaladyBay4bright14clean

View of Utsalady Bay

The trip was nothing short of miraculous from the friends who volunteered to care for my covey of pets in Tennessee to family and friends who opened their homes and hearts during my visit. Most had not seen me in decades.

When I left with my husband in 1989, the Greater Seattle population was around 660,000 and it has grown to 3.61 million. Brick and mortar may have changed, but not the culture, my culture, the one that nurtured me from infancy to adulthood.

Friends and family have grayed, as have I. Yet, seabirds still swoop and perch on rocks in saltwater at high tide and Mount Rainier and Mount Baker jut skyward, holding court with angels. I will return, God willing, with critter pals in tow.

BeachInn4bright13

Port Susan

The Lord is near

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to those who have a broken heart… Ps.34:18 NKJV 

SonnyEatsHayCrop

Oh, how I miss you, Sonny. Would love to be able to wrap my arms around you, feel your raspy tongue lick me, and let your soul touch me one more time.

Goodnight my dear friend, until we meet in spirit.

Reminding myself: “When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.”  Micah 7:8 NKJV

JackSonnyBebe

See I have given you

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every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth… Gen.1:29 NKJV

Closecroptrailerw_hay

Just as the horses’ and cow’s hay supply was dwindling, farmers were harvesting this summer’s crop of Bermuda. Hooking up the trailer, I drove to a 50-acre field and purchased fresh green squares certain to delight my crew.

Toyotaw_haycrop

For everyone who asks receives

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I_2_15_15_Red66_32ShouldersCopyrightand he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, it will be opened. Matt. 7:8, Luke 11:10 NKJV

Isn’t it curious these words spoken by Jesus in both the Gospel of Mark and of Luke, are identical while accounts of healing and miracles in other books and verses vary slightly from one Gospel to another?

If  both the authors of Matthew and Luke repeated Jesus’ message verbatim, which it appears they did, then I for one, believe these words carry significant weight.

And, I am knocking on the door of a publisher based in London with offices in France, Germany and the United States to pick up my art only edition of Whippoorwill Calls. To the acquisitions editor, I submitted my publication story May 11, along with the book cover, my curriculum vitae and two drawings.

Additional drawings are here: G_12_15 FINAL BrownContecopyrightK_12_15 FINALHandHip54_15_4_0copyr

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Not that we are sufficient of ourselves

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W_12_15 FINALBeStillBrownWashcopyright_Page_07to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God  2 Cor. 3:5 NKJV

The buyer for the Booksellers at Laurelwood, an icon independent bookstore in Memphis, purchased two copies of my large format, art only edition of Whippoorwill Calls. His plan is to display it where the book will be seen.

Art Only front singlepg

 

For this weekend’s art exhibit at Church of the Holy Communion, only one of my pieces made it into the show. The book cover was pulled.  Since the nudes were considered a bit to revealing, the gesture drawing of the dancer was the one included.

And I read the title poem, Whippoorwill Calls, rather than two smaller ones, at a well attended reception Friday evening. I am grateful for the opportunities God is providing.

The fig tree may not blossom

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Nor fruit be on the vines…Yet I will rejoice in the Lord… Hababkkuk 3:17-18 NKJV

plumcrop

 

Last year I planted several fruit trees: two peach, an apple and a plum.  Two plums were produced. This year the tree branched into a perfect Y with good foliage and the promise of abundant blossoms.

 

Alas that was until Holly, my pet bovine, walked through a “natural barrier” of underbrush during the night and feasted.

May2Hollyrearcabintreetrailer

 

Taking the puppies out before daylight I found Holly contentedly lying beside her handiwork a few feet from the cabin. It doesn’t look like we will have a crop of plums this season.

Turning to the Lord to keep me calm, I went about creating a place to lure her to safety and still be in Memphis by 8:30 a.m. for a writers’ workshop.

Once I brought the puppies their food she stood up and followed me to a corral where water, shade and hay awaited her. May2Hollylongview_pups

When You said, “Seek My face,”

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my heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” Ps. 27:8 NKJV

Church of the Holy Communion at 4645 Walnut Grove Road in Memphis is hosting “Alleluia Be Our Measure,” A Festival of the Sacred Arts, May 1-3, and two of my drawings will be part of the art exhibit. The festival is bringing together artists, musicians and writers to attend workshops throughout the weekend.

God has opened the door for me to read two of my poems: “When Work Ceases” and “Silver Strands” Friday evening, May 1, as part of the opening ceremony. This will be my first public reading of poems from the pocket-size edition of Whippoorwill Calls, A Collection of Poems & Art.

Recently, I produced a large format, art only edition of Whippoorwill Calls. The interior paper is slick and does not absorb the ink resulting in drawings equal in quality to glossy prints sold earlier this year.

Art Only fullcover (1)

The local printing company responsible for the pre-press package of the first pocket-size book produced this edition titled, Whippoorwill Calls, Figure Studies & Gesture Drawings. It measures slightly smaller than 9×12 inches, and contains 23 drawings in this 30-page paperback. I am handling the distribution, currently with a 30% discount to retailers.

The task now is to get in front of people to sell books, individually, as well as identify a global printer/distributor to produce books of the same caliber, with a similar profit margin. My preference is to print the art only edition in Europe and distribute to independent booksellers in England, France and other countries.

Lorsque vous l’avez dit, Cherchez ma face

mon coeur vous a dit, “c’est ta face, Seigneur, que je cherche.” Ps. 27:8 ma NKJV

Église de la Sainte Communion à 4645 Walnut Grove Road à Memphis est accueillant ” Alleluia être notre mesure “, un festival de la arts sacrés, mai 1-3, et deux de mes dessins fera partie de l’exposition d’oeuvres d’art. Le festival rassemble des artistes, musiciens et écrivains d’assister à des ateliers tout au long de la fin de semaine.

Dieu a ouvert la porte pour moi de lire deux de mes poèmes : “Lorsque le travail cesse” et “Silver volets” vendredi soir, 1 mai, dans le cadre de la cérémonie d’ouverture. Ce sera ma première lecture publique de poèmes de l’édition de poche des appels Whippoorwill, une collection de poèmes & Art.

Récemment, j’ai produit un grand format, art Whippoorwill uniquement edition des appels. L’intérieur du papier est lisse et n’absorbe pas l’encre résultant en des dessins de qualité égale à tirages papier glacé vendus plus tôt cette année.

Art Only front singlepg

La société d’impression locale responsable de la trousse pré-presse du premier livre de poche produit cette édition intitulée, appels Whippoorwill, Figure Études & Dessins de geste. Il mesure légèrement plus petit que 9×12 pouces, et contient 23 dessins de ce 30-page livres brochés. Je manipule la distribution, actuellement avec un rabais de 30 % pour les détaillants.

La tâche consiste maintenant à aller au devant des gens pour vendre des livres, individuellement, ainsi qu’identifier une imprimante global/distributeur pour produire des livres du même calibre, avec une marge bénéficiaire comparable. Ma préférence est pour imprimer l’art seulement édition en Europe et à distribuer aux libraires indépendants en Angleterre, en France et dans d’autres pays.

Let your conduct be without covetousness

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be content with such things as you have. Heb. 13:5a NKJV     

Hollyheadcrop4_28_15

Holly is 15 years old and never been spanked until this morning. Why, now? Well, because she pushed her big head through fence wire forcing me to rearrange the fence line, not once but twice. On her third try, with open hand, I spanked her quite substantial bottom as many times as she had attempted to move to “greener pasture”.

Holly front4_28_15clonecrop

It worked. She turned around. Funny thing is: her current space is far greener than the additional spaces she wanted to explore. Cattle are not the only animals who think the other side of the fence offers better prospects. My horses, Jack and Bebe, behave similarly. Puppies Stephen and Jude do likewise.

Humans are much the same. Often we are tempted to explore greener pastures: better job, better relationship, bigger and better houses…

But are they really better?

We can take a lesson from the Apostle Paul who said he could be content no matter his circumstance. We, too, can choose to appreciate what we have in this very moment and let go of hungering for something “out there”.  And with contentment comes peace, a peace that surpasses all understanding.

Now may the Lord of peace Himself

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give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.  2 Thes. 3:16 NKJV

Holly CU in buttercups

The fence line was opened for Holly, the last of my bovines, to allow her to come close to the cabin both to provide some greenery for her to munch and to meet her companionship needs with the loss of Sonny, her mate. In a few days she had cleaned up the new space and was looking for better offerings.

Thus, she walked through her new fence line three times in a row.

Each time I coaxed her back with grain until finally she ignored her dish in preference for clumps of tall grass in an open area. With natural borders on nearly three sides, the Lord nudged me to grab what was left of the welded wire and t-posts to secure her, finishing late that afternoon. The danger was in her wandering into the neighbors’ yard or the street out front.

1_cropHolly eats mid Bebe

There are plans to get rid of a 1977 mobile vacated in February by a long-term tenant and in need of major interior restoration. A for sale sign is posted.

Once gone, the horses will be moved from the back hill (where the mare Bebe can be seen in the above photo on the right) to graze alongside the cabin and include land stretching north which still needs to dry after a very wet winter.

While waiting on the Lord for the sun to scorch the earth, with the help of a local printer, I produced a large format edition of Whippoorwill Calls containing art only, which will be discussed in future posts.

The days of a human life are

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Scene2Northcroplike grass: they bloom like a wildflower, but when the wind blows through it, it’s gone, even the ground where it stood doesn’t remember it. Ps. 103:15-16 CEB

The psalmist could have said as much about a snowflake. Like twinkling stars they cascade downward, never touching another frozen flake, until they reach ground. When the sun shines and earth warms they melt and become rivulets of water traveling a path of least resistance and are no longer remembered  as snowflakes. We humans often flow with the current, taking the path of least resistance, fighting no one. At times this is the best route. Other times, it is those humans, even divine ones, who took a stand, met resistance and brought light to the oppressed whom we remember as peacemakers. Pressing onward for a vision of the world where suffering would cease, and ultimately giving their lives, we observe and honor them starting with the Prince of Peace followed by Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. In between the path of least resistance and the path these extraordinary peacemakers took are many gradients. While we may not be remembered any more than the snowflake or the wildflower, we can make a difference by the path we choose, being bold and stepping forward in faith.

Scene4Southcrop

Les jours de la vie de l’homme, sont comme l’herbe : ils fleurissent comme un wildflower, mais lorsque le vent souffle à travers elle, il est allé, même dans le sol où il se tint ne se souvient pas. Ps. 103:15-16 CCS

le psalmiste pourrait avoir dit autant sur un flocon de neige. Comme scintillantes étoiles ils en cascade vers le bas, jamais toucher un autre gel paillette, jusqu’à ce qu’ils atteignent la masse. Quand le soleil brille et réchauffe la terre ils fondre et devenir les ruisseaux d’eau qui parcourt un chemin de moindre résistance et sont ne se souvenait plus de flocons. Nous, les êtres humains souvent le débit avec le courant, prenant le chemin de moindre résistance, combats personne. Parfois il s’agit de la meilleure route. D’autres fois, c’est de ces êtres humains, même divine qui, eux, ont pris un stand, a rencontré de la résistance et a tenu à les opprimés dont nous nous souvenons en tant qu’artisans de la paix. Appuyant sur onward pour une vision du monde où la souffrance cesserait, et, finalement, donner leur vie, nous observer et les honorer en commençant par le Prince de la paix suivie de Mohandas Gandhi et Martin Luther King Jr. En entre le chemin de moindre résistance et le chemin ces artisans extraordinaires pris sont nombreux dégradés. Alors que nous ne sommes peut-être pas oublier non plus que le flocon ou le wildflower, nous pouvons faire la différence par la voie que nous avons choisie, être audacieux et avancer dans la foi.

 

The Sun of Righteousness shall arise

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The flashlight reveals Buff reclining in the grass

The flashlight reveals Buff reclining in the grass

With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves  Mal.4:2 NKJV

The youngest of my bovines, Buff, has been battling health challenges of late. After contacting several large animal vets, none would come out to treat a bull without a cattle chute. I could bring him in, they said. But Buff is not very compliant. On a good day, it could take eight hours to load him. He balks at trailers. Spending weeks cajoling and medicating him to the best of my ability, Buff was not improving. The last week he began shedding pounds with a complete loss of appetite.

Inside Chuteclone_0064

Unnerved I approached a neighbor and friend who raised cattle most of his adult life. Either I needed to trailer Buff and take him to the vet or create a temporary chute I told him and asked which he advised. So my friend created a V-shaped cattle chute using two of his 12-foot cattle panels and a small bull gate of mine. We reinforced fence line around two adjoining spaces, one with the chute, and opened it to Buff who graciously entered. TempChute_0061

The vet came out. Buff received subcutaneous penicillin, cortisone and B-12 injections, bloat release, bicarbonate boluses and pour-on wormer. Immediately he began eating hay and grain, as well as consuming water. He is continuing to eat and hydrate, sitting in sunlight in between helpings. The vet took a blood sample and so the chute is remaining for the time being.

I praise the Lord for Buff’s improvement and am grateful my big pal is responding to treatment.

…God is love and he who abides in love

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abides in God, and God in him 1John 4:16 NKJV

With 15 new t-posts outfitted around the circumference of his space, Sonny is secure in his treed environment. The laminated 18×28 inch gesture-line drawing of a dancer from Whippoorwill Calls was placed beside his fence line. After eating some hay Sonny meandered over to investigate the piece created for a future book signing.

1_19_15TighterCropCloneSonnyDancerDSC_0054

1_19_15CropCloneSonnyDancerDSC_0056

But seek first the kingdom of God

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and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matt. 6:33 NKJV

Cutting back on Sonny’s and Holly’s grain ration to avoid health problems has not suited the Brahma. For the last five days he has pressed his weight against four strands of barbwire and snapped them. Not satisfied with remaining in the heifer’s space, which rings his confine, he has gone over her fence to munch on leaves and whatever he found pleasing to his palate. I don’t blame him. He lives in the trees.

The entire reason I published Whippoorwill Calls is to earn income to buy pastureland for the Brahma Sonny, Holly, the baby bull Buff and the two horses, Jack and Bebe. Yearning for my home state, to visit with friends and family, I wanted to move the entire kit and kaboodle east of the Cascades ideally in view of Mt. Rainier, providing it was in keeping with God’s Will for us.

398Entrance East15EastPasturefrmpadThis latest wrinkle and some health challenges facing Buff have led me to look closer. From our home just 3.2 miles along country back roads or seven miles by major streets is a bank owned property. There are numerous amenities specific to our needs with electricity, septic and well water, not to mention a rudimentary barn and outbuildings right down to a cattle chute.

In the meantime I have secured a radio interview with our local arts and entertainment personality with public radio for February 13, but do not, as yet, have a scheduled book signing with a local independent bookstore. Signs measuring 18×28 inches of several drawings are laminated with a gloss finish just waiting to be set on an easel for such an event. Yes, I am following my cues taking steps within my arena and waiting for God to do the rest.

 

 

Fill us full every morning with your faithful love

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Howdy, Jack says

Howdy, Jack says

so we can rejoice and celebrate our whole life long. Ps. 90:14 CEB

Links to YouTube video of Jack, (R), and Bebe, (below L), have been added to this site and a link to my blog was placed this morning at my Amazon.com  Author Page for Whippoorwill Calls.

 

Bebe in halter

Bebe in halter

 

Life is filled with joy!

Be still before the Lord

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and wait for him.  Ps. 37:7 CEB

 

FB_WordPressMe

 

 

Patience has never been easy for me. At times I have infinite patience; and other times not so. Yesterday, Will took pictures of me for my book cover. The work progresses slowly as I continue photographing renderings and re-paint old drawings with new tools. For a break, I post. Then I am still before the Lord, hushing mind chatter, listening, breathing.

 

Author&Jackbefore

 

 

 

Behold I will do a new thing

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now it shall spring forth…  Isaiah 43:19 KJV

In retirement and after a lifetime of fulfilling commitments I am living my joy, creating art.  Whippoorwill Calls, A Collection of Poems & Art, a thin read, features 22 figure and gesture drawings with seven poems. Paperback and hardcover editions will be available soon.4Ffinal7_31APrintcopyright

I spent two months preparing the photographed art for publication. Several are black charcoal figure drawings and others are in red Conte’ crayon. Two are faces. In the book the leg in black and white in this post is in golden tones in Whippoorwill Calls.

 

Thanks be to God for His

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BeautyWildflowers at mailboxPurple starbursts  indescribable gift!  2Cor. 9:15 NKJV

 

 

The earth is the Lord's

The earth is the Lord’s

Snowball blooms brightly

Snowball blooms brightly

A closer look at wildflower visitor

A closer look at wildflower visitor

First hosta bloom this year!

First hosta bloom this year!

White carnation and gladiola blooms grace tiny space

White carnation and gladiola blooms grace tiny space

Mock orange bloom

Mock orange bloom

You have made known to me the ways of life

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You will make me full of joy in Your presence.  Acts 2:28 NKJV

 

Full bloom tree top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crab-apple tree blooms. Winds come. Petals float and drop covering the earth—a short life.1 crabapple w sky

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance You are teaching me is preeminent. Walk the beam of life hands outstretched.

 

but whoever drinks from the water

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that I will give will never be thirsty again. The water that I give will become in those who drink it a spring of water that bubbles up in eternal life.  John 4:14 CEB

Water with branches

This wet weather pond is not nearly as full as in previous years. With spring approaching perhaps the water level will rise before the dry, hot summer months.

Each season brings a new look, a new adventure. Frogs croaking in alternating rhythms greeted me late this morning. A few days ago wings flapped overhead.

Winters past the scene was totally different. Snow draped the tree branches and covered the ground. I wait with delight for each slide in the show to advance revealing yet another beauty.

snow on the pond

Pond long view

Ask, and it will be given

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to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  Matt. 7:7-8 NKJV

Sonny L of trees

Abba, Father, I am asking, not for myself but for the animals: abundant green pastures, winter and summer shelter, no piles of limbs and broken trees brought down by storms, no ankle-deep mud, no barbwire.  Instead please provide pipe fencing which safely allows the horses and cattle to commune again, and bless me the pleasure of telling their story, Your story. I delight in all that You are and You have promised to give me the desires of my heart (Ps. 37:4). You said nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37). I believe.

Sonny finishes grain with down trees behind

The Lord is near

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The Lord is near.  Phil. 4:5b CEBBebe Jack wait for breakfast long view

Three minutes before midnight the electricity flickered, then shut down–heat and lights. Having called in the outage to the power cooperative, at 4:00 a.m. when the alarm went off, we were still in the dark.

Taking Sam by flashlight out for his constitutional I checked on the horses. Jack came up to me, got his nose kissed and I could see Bebe was OK too. The night’s deluge of rain, thunder and soft snow drifts had stopped, but the wind was high. Outside it was 20 degrees. It could have been so much worse.

Sonny in snow 2

Inside the cabin the temperature was 64 degrees. Crawling back under the covers was the best of all options. Later I heard the whir of the refrigerator. What a terrific sound. I rose, turned on heat, lights and brewed coffee before sitting down for my devotional time.

Holly Bebe & Jack in distance

Thank you, Lord, for Your protection for me and mine.

There are persons for companionship

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but then there are friends who are more loyal than family.  Prov. 18:24 CEB

Bebe and Sonny

Bebe licks Sonny (2)

Living in adjacent spaces the horses and bovines became grooming partners. It all began when Buff, the copper-colored Charolais-Angus bull, started licking Bebe’s mane.  Soon Jack, the Palomino paint, began grooming Buff and then both horses included Sonny, the Brahma bull.

Jack licks Buff Mon 5_24_10Bebe hugs Buff

Those who make peace

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sow the seeds of justice by their peaceful acts.  James 3:18 CEB

Closer Jackie straddling Sonny w_his face

Not only did the Great Dane Jackie pal with the baby bovine Holly, she also became friends with the Brahma Sonny. In addition to straddling the bull who was OK with her presence, she also climbed on top of him. A few years later all the critters took up residence in Tennessee.

Sid w_Jack eating 5_10Siddhartha, the wanderer, just showed up one day and made fast friends with Jack, the Palomino paint. Sid stayed on the Tennessee farm with the other canine rescues, two horses and three pet cattle.

God is love

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and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16b NKJV

Holly L w_Jackie R full views

Jackie, (R) a Great Dane and runt of a litter of 17, was all energy, play and love. She became pals with the bovines with ease. Here she and Holly, a  less than three-month old heifer, are searching the gravel for some nuggets that only they could find.

Below: When Sonny, the Holstein-Brahma, was adopted at 11 days old he was the only bovine in the company of 30 rescued canines. He was eight months old when Holly, who was 45 days old, came to live with us. For Sonny, it was love-at-first-sight. The amour remains today.

Pet cattle

When Holly joined the farm at 45 days old she turned Sonny’s head

In whose hand is the life of every living thing

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And the breath of all mankind?  Job 11:10 NKJV

A closer look at wildflower visitor

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Be fruitful and multiply

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and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on earth  Gen. 1:22 NKJV

Doe and twin fawns help themselves to crapapples

Doe takes note with twin fawns nearby

After eating crabapples off the ground twin fawns look my way

Fawn stops eating crabapples to lick self

Jesus came and stood among them and said…

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“Peace be with you.” John 20:19 (NOAB)

Sonny close up at gate

Sonny peers over gate after trees removed

Recently Sonny brought down several two-inch diameter trees, 15 ft. tall or more. From the cabin the crunching of branches under hooves and backside scratching on hanging debris rang, “I’m looking for a way out!”

This morning with axe and loppers I loosed remnants from root and stump. Next they were thrown outside of Sonny’s space.

When finished I sighed. Now he can amble around clutter-free and peace filled me.

This God—his way is perfect

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the promise of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.  Ps 18:30 (NOAB)

For three days I cut grass with a push mower and delivered the cuttings to my farm pals: Sonny, Holly, Buff, Jack and Bebe.

Hay is scarce. Following droughts in neighboring states farmers and ranchers learning of available supplies in West Tennessee traveled with their trailers and hauled full loads back to their animals.

Following breakfast grain Bebe diness on hay

The local farm supply held out serving locals until there was no more.  Last weekend I found someone who had older rolls of mixed grass. Two rolls were delivered the next day. While it lacks that fresh, sweet scent my group is accustomed to at least the cattle will eat it with a sprinkling of green. Except for the edges it is too rough to feed the horses.

Jack eats Bermuda with breakfast

Buff washes up while standing in the morning sun

Yesterday I connected with the person who delivered nine square bales of Bermuda a week ago, and he brought us 15 squares.

We have hay. We have fuel. We have grain and chow for all of us. Everyone is in relatively good health.  And we have a safe place to sleep and good tenants for neighbors.

Life is good on the farm thanks to God’s grace.

For thou hast delivered my soul from death

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yea, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life. 

Ps 56:13 (NOAB)

You are in the wilderness now but not for 40 years, I vow.  You are safe.  We are blessed to have this land. The trees serve not only as fence posts but shelter as well. And soon there will be warm, dry weather.  We can plant grass. You’ll see.

In the forest looking toward Jack and Bebe

Jack flanked by Bebe

Holly, our beautiful heifer

There is no market for pine,” he said—“Nothing here but pulp and fence posts.  Lumber harvested after Katrina is still plentiful and construction is down, you know“ from one among an extended family who still logs with horses and mules. “Since you just want to create pasture, perhaps you can find someone just to take if off your hands.  I recommend heavy equipment to clear the rest.”

Every now and then I peer through the brush to glimpse the golden hue of Shangri-La less than 100 yards away.

Shangri-La

Happy Birthday Jack and Bebe

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may you enjoy many more years in excellent health

Jack, the Palomino paint, will be 10 years old Mar. 20, and Bebe celebrated her seventh year of life Feb. 8.  Plans to move them both to higher ground was delayed by alternating frigid then wet weather. Also there was the threatened eviction countermanded by the miraculous land purchase.

On a bed of pine needles Jack and Bebe eat Bermuda

Finally both Jack and Bebe spent their second night on a bed of pine needles among the trees. While it took Jack seconds to decide to enter and dine on fresh hay, Bebe needed coaxing to walk between two trees, pawing the ground between them then following a waving fist full of Bermuda grass.

Space between the trees is entrance to a bed of pine needles

Welcoming the New Year

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with peace and joy

 

Fed grain to lure her into the new space Holly rests

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Seeing art

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 in stacked rock

Tennessee Department of Transportation workers have been moving earth and heavy rock beside a road that crosses a river and bottomland. Recently someone stacked several pieces at the westside entrance  to the road construction, depicting art in the balance.

Longview of stacked rock at beginning of road construction

Rock sculpture

Challenges open the door

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for dreams

We are in the rainy season and flooding has begun. With insufficient shelter save for some trees I dream of completed fencing on high, dry ground and adjoining fields of pasture with run-in shelter for my big pals.

Flooding behind Sonny's space with more rain expected

Between Christmas and New Year’s Eve the coffee shop will close, a perfect time to work on my e-book. If in keeping with your will for me, God, may such be well received providing for those in my care?

Day one of rain

This is my prayer leaving 2011 and entering 2012.  I acknowledge 2011 has been the best year with your abundant gifts.

Sonny believes in sharing

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as long as the sharing is with Holly

Holly has learned Sonny gets two helpings of grain

In an effort to stimulate weight gain Sonny has been receiving two helpings of grain in the morning along with a cup of alfalfa pellets.

Sonny shares his grain with Holly

Foxy Holly has learned when she finishes her ration and meanders down Sonny’s way he will share with her. And she does not really need any extra. Workers installing our HVAC system said they had never seen a bovine with such a flat topped backside.

Getting every last pellet

Another September day

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just before a sprinkling of rain                                                               

Jack comes downhill to Sonny to see if more food is on the way

Cooler weather brings relief

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and Bebe’s bandage is removed

What’s a little barbwire between friends?

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Sonny’s share of hay captures Holly’s interest

Holly is welcome to Sonny's hay and even his grain

A lick of the ear shows appreciation

Outdoor water arrives

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with perfect timing

For nearly a week we have had a superb outdoor faucet thanks again to Rev. Jim and one of his grown sons, Jake.

Jake prepares outdoor faucet

When we moved to this new location a previously installed faucet leaked in two places. Wanting to avoid pushing it to a gusher, I opted to fill buckets from the kitchen sink and haul them outside including up the hill to provide water to Bebe, Buff, Jack, Holly and Sonny—outdoor large farm pals.

Jake completes installation of new freeze-proof faucet

All this week with temperatures hovering around 100 degrees and higher heat indices (117 yesterday), oh how thankful I am to run a long hose out to three and just haul buckets from there to the Charolais bull and filly.

And Rev. Jim, who grew up in Arkansas and knows about farming, has been instructing me in best uses of fertilizer, i.e. for the garden, as well as helping me plan for planting seasonal grasses for rotating my horses and cattle.

Rev. Jim rakes equine manure for garden

This former suburbanite may one day be a real farmer!

Rolls of hay protected

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by a blue tarp

Improvised tie down

A large roll of hay lasts a week since the horses and cattle do not have any pasture on our new farm. For close to a year now the nutritional value of the hay we have been receiving has been minimal. Despite a reasonable price, the hay was a year old and had been left uncovered. In some cases, I had to remove half the outer hay to get to clean, dry layers.

Changing the animals feed to a higher quality grain to compensate for poor forage helped but was still insufficient nutrition. And at the end of each week I became anxious about where we were going to get the next roll of hay and what the quality would be. Each roll seemed to vary in the amount of waste.

Rolls of hay delivered

Through a gracious gift from friends Jimmie and Dee we received 21 rolls of freshly cut hay last week. Jimmie and Dee own a nearby farm where much of their land is in pasture. Without animals they just wanted the grass to be cut and hay not left in the fields which is what happened last year when a contractor cut and baled but never returned to collect it.

After a year with the hay left in the fields to rot, using a tractor but no spear Dee pushed the rolls off into outlying gullies and treed areas. Once again, it was Rev. Jim, their minister and mine, who put us together. For arranging to have their grass cut, baled and hauled, I could keep whatever percentage the new contractor would agree to share and deliver.

Grass cutting on Jimmie and Dee's farm

It took me a couple of months to get someone to do the work. Yet, in the end, 67 rolls were baled, and we received 21 rolls which will last us through November. More than likely there will be another cutting this summer.

Relief, joy, grace and hay abound.

Hay bale released

July has been

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a busy month

Pulling poison ivy vine from tree

Rev. Jim and son Tom arrived early one morning and began stretching three strands of barbwire up the hill expanding Buff’s space among the trees and ground cover of pine needles. Buff did not have a clean, dry square-foot of ground before Rev. Jim and Tom went to work. After a very wet spring Buff’s previously fenced area was tramped down and muddy.

The men pulled vines from trees, helped remove large fallen tree limbs and did not leave until Buff was released into new quarters. By day’s end Buff had repositioned himself and sat in every corner, tasted the foilage and rubbed against sapplings, scratching his backside. A content bovine is he.

Buff tastes foilage

A spring greeting

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from rural West Tenn.

Tommy, you are

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a mench

Jack and Bebe savor blades of ryegrass

The land between the cabin-on-wheels and my neighbor to the south looks much better since you arrived this afternoon with your tractor and bush hog.

As you and I both realized the blades of grass would make a choice meal for the horses and cattle. So, using a pitchfork and tarp I retrieved the clippings and fed them to my pals.

If you get one of your mowers functional for me to use that will be fine. However, I placed my name on a list with a local small engine repair shop owner for a pre-owned push mower. In this way I have a back-up plan.

This day I am grateful for life and the sweet smell of ryegrass cuttings.

(Note: Link to video of Tommy on tractor at right sidebar Tommy arrives.MP4 under YouTube)

Cabin will now keep us cool or warm and cozy

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as weather fluctuates

 

Brahma bull and dogs

Not only canines Peek and Sam watch the HVAC installation but so does The Brahma Sonny

 

While the cabin has a fireplace unit that has provided some heat when the temperature drops as it did last night, it has not been sufficient to make our home toasty.
And during the last few days temperatures have reached the mid-80’s. Even with windows open and two ceiling fans, it was a  might too warm inside.
All that was remedied today when the heating and air conditioning installers attached an outdoor unit to our small living space.
Yesterday I created a dog run with the gate yet to be mounted knowing the installers would need access to the bedroom with the electrical panel where canines Peek and Sam stay.  The dog run was secure enough for the work to go forward and be completed today.

dogs

Peek and Sam watch HVAC installers from their newly created outdoor run

Placed and ready

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for tie-down

Placed and ready for tie-down

 

After eight days of waiting for the ground to dry my cabin-on-wheels that has been sitting in the circular drive now awaits tomorrow’s tie-down. A crew of five took several hours pulling up old stablizers, placing tracking pads, spotting, backing up, pulling out, re-aligning and making another attempt at the tight space to get the unit to fit like a glove facing the woods.

Happy talk, keep talking happy talk

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from South Pacific repeats and repeats

Oscar Hammerstein’s lyrics and Richard Rodgers’ melody have been repeating and repeating in mind ever since learning that my cabin-on-wheels is being delivered this week: “You got to have a dream, if you don’t have a dream, how you gonna have a dream come true?”

So what is my dream? To write and do photography from our new 400 square foot home while caring for my large and small pals on the farm, as well as listen to Spirit and follow as guided.