This Year at The Acres: A Recap December 30. 2014

The Year of the Vortex and the Monsoon Spring is all but over.  The Acres seemed somewhat unaffected although the iris did not have a good year at all, and a beautiful redbud did not comeback. The Lenten Roses lost their leaves, still bloomed wonderfully, and are now in full leaf again. A few of the flowering trees and shrubs did not bloom as profusely as "normal," but still added some beauty to the treks. The Monsoon did make for a weedy year in the beds, but the flowers didn't seem to mind the competition.
The Four Landmarks seem oblivious to it all. The Sentinel stands guard serenely. The ancient red maple hid the cave from the passerby out on the road all spring and summer, majestically domed the turn in the driveway, and gloriously turned the autumn red. The bog-swamp excelled. Yellow flag and blue flag and Louisiana iris bloomed wherever they were planted, spread even, and colorized the environs. Who knew a swamp could be so beautiful? And its sister the pond is now an aquarium. Perhaps I should call this The Year of the Goldfish? And, of course, the last Landmark, the wild area--was as lovely as ever--if not more so. No doubt in its history there have been many a cold winter and many a flooded spring. It just goes on blooming. In fact, there was a delightful increase in spiderwort and monarda. Don't you just hate it when there's more and more bluish purple flowers in your life? Me, too. And "cosmetically" I believe I have found a pathitis that I love, and I have no inner voice urging me to change the layout. I believe I am cured.
Other random highlights?
The first iris in Mom's bed bloomed--a dwarf yellow blue. And the bed itself is doing wondrously.
A couple more pussy willows have taken root in wet areas, and a weeping willow somehow got started in the middle of the bog. Needless to say, it loves wet feet. Either I didn't notice it last year or it grew ten feet this year. Both are possibilities.
Peaches for the first time. Pears by the zillions. Blueberries. Blackberries, Apples. "Treats" for my walks on The Acres.
New bed experiments. Well, they will be a highlight if they do well. Iris pot bunkers! If they excel and turn May, June, and October into Iris Heaven, I may turn the entire Acres into a pot bunker.
Disaster was avoided when the tree fell on the side of the house. Three of the walnut trees are now gone because of it. The "forest" behind the house will now have a great deal more sunlight. That should create some interesting surprises in 2015. Disaster turned into triumph. Fascinating how that all works out. Hey, in fact, it was the guy cutting down the walnuts that alerted me to the goldfish "infestation."
Yep, all in all, the Lord blessed me with another beautiful year at The Acres. Now, I must fight the dreaded Anticipation Disease until spring rolls around. Well, the pussy willow by the pond, as I love to remind you every chance I get, is already budding.  (If you have a pond, plant some pussy willows!) The daffodils are surreptitiously spreading under the frozen sod. The new Arbor Day striplings that I planted are waiting to come alive in the spring a promise of the future beginning anew at The Acres--members of the "we'll be blooming long after the old man's gone" club.
All in all, I can only thank the Lord for another year of beauty on The Acres.

Thank You Father. Can't wait to see the surprises my Gardening Angels have in store for 2015!

Today at Iten's Acres: Huh December 24, 2014

Huh. Sixty degrees today with thunderstorms. Snow flurries tonight. Single digits by next weekend. Lord, we need a nice snowfall between now and those single digit temps. Say, three to five inches would be nice. A lovely, warm blanket for The Acres. Just asking.

Huh. Gas is below two dollars in Mount Gilead this morning. Naturally I just filled up yesterday. So, let's see--couple round trips to Cleveland maybe? " Oh, look I need gas. And it's under two dollars! Wow. Cool."

Today at Iten's Acres: One Day in the Life of The Homesteader December 24, 2014

A Day in the Life of The Homesteader
My servant is outside busy walking and moving a few things--I think I saw him trudging toward the front of Homesteader's Acres a few moments ago. That boy sure likes spending time outside. Oh well, it can't hurt him at his age I guess. He needs all the exercise he can get. Chubby old thing.
Anyway, I spend my evening and nights sleeping on Mom's old pink blanket at the end of my servant's bed. I love that thing. Comfortable!! Occasionally in his restlessness he knocks it on the floor so I sleep down there. Once in awhile I sleep in the green chair by the front doorwindow so I can keep an eye on the nighttime activity on my acres. It's amazing what you can see with two good eyes--unlike my servant.
At around six every morning I have to work on getting the slave up. He thinks I can't tell time--brain-dead human. (I wonder how he thinks I wake up at the same time year around no matter how often the humans keep changing the clocks? Slow learner, I guess.) Usually a cold nose in the face and a few choice words about the danger of laziness gets him moving. Sometimes he rolls over moaning as if that will deter me from my work or rouse some form of pity in me. Duh, I don't think so. (He is a slow learner remember.) My anti-rollover strategy? Two actually. Claws in the back. Heh-Heh. Or I just slip under the bed, go to the other side, and begin the cold nose lecture all over again. He has no chance.
Once he's up, I flop down in the middle of the doorway to be sure he understands who the boss is as he has to walk his way around me. I let him turn on the light--as if I need it--and plug in the computer. Of course, I let him pet me while he's doing that. That is why they put the sockets down low, you know. Then, I let him go upstairs to play around in the water for awhile. Silly humans. I do make him pet me half-way up the stairs and at the top of the stairs. The proper training is such hard work at times. Being a good master, I sit quietly while he plays in the water and dries himself off. I even let him shave off his fur without too much fuss. Why in the world someone would do that and then go outside in the cold is beyond me. Humans make such little sense. When he gets dressed, I'm quiet. As the socks go on his feet, I let him pet me again. Hey, his hands are down there anyway. Once he's dressed, I let him have it if he continues to dawdle. It's time for my breakfast, I've been kind and patient, let's get with it chubby old hairless one. I give him a loud, firm lecture all the way down the stairs. Such a slacker!
While I'm at breakfast, he's allowed to play on the computer. Heaven knows what he does on that thing. ( Of course, if he tries to sneak a bite of pound cake for his breakfast without sharing that deserves the scolding I give him.) Otherwise, I just sit there--well, maybe I softly remind him that I'm sitting right next to him in easy reach--and let him pet me. Who needs two paws to run a computer?
Then, most days he goes somewhere. (after he cleans my litter box). And, of course, he must throw out the bird seed so I can have some entertainment while he's off doing who knows what. Nothing important, I'm sure. He certainly does nothing important when he stays home. Other than provide a lap for me to sleep on while he pretends he can read.
How do I spend my days? For exercise I race up and down the stairs--elephant races he calls them when talking to his friends. I call them keeping an eye on the enemy. Front doorwindow, side window, downstairs' back window, upstairs' windows. I need to keep an eye on those mongrels in the neighborhood. Can't be lax with the enemy around. He probably thinks they're "cute." Stupid Human. Anyway, I spend most of the day sleeping--the green chair is lovely on a sunny day. Ahhhh. When he gets home from wherever, I greet him magnanimously at the back door, tell him all about my day, let him sit in the green chair and supply me with the lap to sleep in after a few moments of letting him pet me. I think I have the slave pretty well trained by now--just took a couple of years. If he gives me any trouble, there's always the shed. He should be somewhat comfortable out there as long as he's nice to the squirrels. Well, that's my day at Homesteader's Acres. I had best get down from the computer before he wanders in. Humans. Such smug, gullible creatures.Think they rule the world. Ha! Until next time, this is The Homesteader pawing off. Oh, yeah. Have a great Christmas. My mom told me that you can trace our line back to one of the cats that was in the barn in Bethlehem. (Well, it was a cave of sorts actually) Anyway. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. Don't you wish you could be the cat's meow?

Walking Iten's Acres: Winter Is Here December 21, 2014

Yep. Winter is finally here. And I have two weeks at The Acres to enjoy it. The walks are a tad on the chilly side, but more than worth it. The serenity is healing for my old hermit soul. Homesteader enjoys having me to boss around all day. She's still quite the conversationalist. And wake up time never changes. She is insistent and unrepentant. The pond/aquarium isn't completely frozen over yet, but there is no sign of any creatures. No muskrats even.
The ground is frozen--or at least starting to. Even the mole mounds are stone-like. The woods are no impediment to my ability to step out the back/front door and see all the way to the back of The Acres. The pines and spruce show up dramatically. All the green stuff is having its "day." I admit: I am reading for a good snow. But it's going to be in the fifties early next week. Ahhhhh well. One of these days.
I will enjoy the break. Tons of reading to do. Tons of grading to do too. Lots of walks. Maybe a little work. Servitude to the little white master. Birds to keep fed. A letter or two to write. Many hours of silence and solitude. Good times indeed.
Three months 'til spring!

Walking Iten Acres Ignoring the Work December 14, 2014

Another wet fall day at The Acres. I haven't stumbled onto anything new this week. Of course, I didn't get a ton of walking in. Busy time of year as first semester winds down at WC. I did make the mistake of going by Lowe's on Thursday. Actually, I was stocking up on food for my feathered friends. I don't feed them as much as I did when I moved out here--I'm too cheap (or is it cheep?). But I do have several feeders scattered here and there around the frontback of the house: a soot feeder, a couple thistle socks, and a couple "bar" hangers. And I throw some stuff on the ground behind the house every morning. There's just something serene--not to mention beautiful--about having lots of bird activity as I begin my morning walks or take an after school cruise in the early evening. It's just right--is all I can give you for a reason to do it. By the way--a huge increase in snowbirds the last week or so. Read what you want into that.
Well, back to the "mistake." Lowe's still has boxes of iris for sale at a dollar a piece. And some of them have green shoots still.  So, I can't help but pick a few up as I enter the store. Have no idea what color they are. Planting them this late--even iris--is probably not a bright idea. But for a dollar? The queen of flowers? Come on. Definitely worth the risk. Can't resist. If the box is still there, I'll most likely be planting iris in February. And they are being planted in the most unlikely of places. I mean, it's already a risk, so . . . Hey, if they survive and bloom, I will be my hero. So, take that. And then wait 'til you see how many one dollar iris I by next December.
I also ordered my ten "save the planet" ten cheapo trees from Arbor Day for next spring. You know those trees that will beautify The Acres for whomever comes after me. (Lord, don't let it be a Rehoboam--or even worse--a Walmart.)  What? Oh, I ordered the following--a mixture of food for the birds and autumn color for me if I live to 99 like Mom: a red flowering crab apple, a serviceberry,. a Japanese red maple, a real red maple, a beech, a sassafras, a sweetgum, two hazelnuts, and a dwarf crepe myrtle for a huge planter I have inside the house. They'll arrive in mid-April or early May, and I'll get to plant them still in their dormant stage probably and get the thrill of anticipation on my spring walks.
One week until winter, you know. After that early blast of cold, it has been a fairly typical wet, chilly, frosty Ohio autumn. As I walk around and make note of all the work I need to do, I procrastinate by saying I'll do a lot of it over Christmas break. I'll need a new excuse in January so if you have any good ones please pass them on. I've got some good ones already though: "It really won't take that long to do the work once I start" (same excuse I use for not grading papers); "I don't want to encourage Arthur by working in the cold or wet"; "When I find gold on my property, I can hire someone to do the work while I supervise" (I'll bet I could be a great "backseat" gardener); "I don't want Homesteader to be lonely--who will she nag if I'm not inside with her as a ready target?" That said, I am more than open to any good ones to be used later.
Yep, I enjoy my walks. There's just something refreshing about putting off work until another time. So restful. Let's see. Where would be the best place to dig for gold? Well, where would be the best place to encourage Gus to starting digging holes to look for gold? Hmmm. I'll let you know how it works out--or not.

Walking Iten's Acres: Discoveries December 6, 2014

Cold. Rainy. Windy. A December day at The Acres. Good day for a walk or two. Gus joined me for the morning walk totally oblivious to the weather. He bounces regardless of nature's attempt to slow him down. The little hound whooshes by on occasion trailing who knows what in this water-soaked landscape. Homesteader rushes from door to window to upstair's window to keep an eye on her furry neighbors. Little do they know that they are being spied on by the CIA--Cat Investigative Association. Nosy is as nosy is.
I find this time of year humbling and informative. Surprises arise every fall and winter once the foliage is gone. I have planted so many things in the last decade that I forget where everything is or even if it still is. The vision provided by this season leads to discoveries. Six things so far this year. I have stumbled upon two small iris in places where I had no expectation of stumbling. Now, you know that's proof of senility. The old man forgetting where he put an iris? Impossible--except it is obviously true. The most humbling find occurred in mid-November: a twenty-five to thirty foot tall redbud in the canopy area. Almost thirty feet tall; right by the house; right by where I park the red wagon every day. I've walked by it a thousand times. Didn't notice it. Such powers of observation--stunning, eh? I'll be looking for its blooms in April. How did I miss them? Ugh.
The three other surprises are "understandable" and exciting. Hey, come on. You know I'm the strange old man that gets excited about discovering new flowers. These three were all in shady, tree areas. I can forgive myself for not noticing them. I can even vaguely remember putting them there once upon a time. Under the canopy (okay, under the once invisible thirty foot tall redbud) I discovered a Lenten rose. Small but healthy. Love Lenten roses! And they stay green all winter! And then, way out in the back forty "woods," I discovered another one! An even larger one! Two Lenten roses to hopefully colorfy early 2015. I wonder what color they are? The last find was in the trees. A huge patch of lungwort. Ugly name I know. Petite, beautiful blue, pink, white flowers on the same plant. And in the shade! They, too, stay green in the winter. I knew I had one patch; had no idea another patch was about. And it's larger than the one I knew about. Isn't in amazing how many marvelous encounters with beauty one can have in the starkness of life's journey. I, of course, will still be looking--even on rainy, double-hat days at The Acres. (A stocking hat under a baseball hat in case you were trying to visualize double-hat days). There is never a time in our walk when beauty is not waiting to be discovered. Hope you find some, too. It just takes expectant looking. Promise.

This Week at Iten's Acres: Three Days November 28, 2014

Three days at The Acres. Ahhhh. Actually, it has been a good week. Had "dinner" with one of my students from the past on Monday. Enjoyed the time immensely. Katie and her husband Mitch are presently in Canada. She and Joel Walton were classmates back in the days. Rabblerousers all in that crowd.
But the long weekend at The Acres is marvelous. Planted ten trees from the Arbor Day folks. Do that every year. Usually, half of them or more will make it and come to life in the spring. I, no doubt, will be Home before they grow to maturity--but I will add trees to the world every chance I get. This year it was redbuds, hawthorns, crab apples, and dogwood. All will one day bloom and provide food for the creatures at The Acres--whoever is walking them 15 years from now will be a nature lover even if they aren't. Sneaky, eh? Actually, of those four types of trees that I've planted in the past all of them usually do fairly well except maybe the dogwoods. I was surprised with the softness of the soil considering how cold it has been already. I also added a couple of iris to the place as well. Lowe's was practically giving them away so I rooted around in the pile until I found a couple that still had green on them. Worth the risk. Actually, this is a great time of year to plant seeds as well. Nature's way--the first snow knocks them to the ground and spring brings them to life. I've been throwing phlox, coneflower, sunflower, dianthus, snapdragon, morning glory seeds everywhere. I'll give you an update in May. Just call me Al the Seed Spreader--if only my name was Johnny.
I am also thinning out the flower beds and getting ready to put in a new bed for next spring as well. In reality I'm just moving one of the old beds that has become too overgrown. I will spend the spring, summer, and fall moving whatever blooms from the old to the new. The new will be raised some to hopefully help with keeping ahead of the weeds. Then in the fall, I'll re-do the old bed--raise it as well. That will be a goal for every year that the Lord allows me to stay here. So, let's see, if I live to be 90, I should have all the beds redone by then. Throw in the ten trees every year and a pot bunker or so--The Acres could be even more spectacular. Accepting applications now for future ownership.
Well, I need to getting ready for the plumber. The cave needs a little work as well. And I need to get out on the land for a walk and some work. I wish I could hire myself to work for me. And Brad's coming over for some duck tomorrow--I need to get the bird out of the freezer. You folks enjoy your holidays. Ignore Black Friday. My lovely students--don't worry about your homework until Sunday evening--if then. Love you all!

Today at Iten's Acres: Thank You November 26, 2014

Thank You Lord for The Acres

I spent much of my life dreaming of life in a cave. Ten years ago the Lord gave me one.

I love the quietness. Oh, the birds sing all day. And hoot all night. The wind whistles, moans, rustles, claps--and loves to slam the door on the shed. And, wow! what it can do with a snowstorm!

I love the solitude. Oh, people drop by and visit once in awhile. I get to chat with my neighbors from time to time. The neighborhood dogs howl at the creatures of the night and kill skunks on my front patio. (No common scents.)
Occasionally they try to out siren a siren. Successfully in my opinion. Once in awhile my gun goes off when a rabbit or squirrel just happens to be traveling by. Mean spirited gun!

I love the beauty. And the place has such a multitude of "environments." Bright meadow. Glorious wild flower fields. A stand of trees. A bog. A pond. Lots of shady areas and dappled shade areas as well. The variety of the gorgeous is amazing. And though I have added a great deal to the beauty--and continue to do so--it came lustrous. The magnificent pine in the very front and the ones around the house; the ancient maple at the bend of the driveway; the old apple tree, the loveliest of dogwoods and the red crab apples up near the house; the quartet of white crab apples besieging the pond; the wildness of the pond and bog and wild area; the fern, bleeding heart, magic lily rock garden up by the house, and of course, The Sentinel--the beauty of impressive starkness. The Acres came beautified. Myriads of wild violets of every color, spring beauties galore, hawkweed's orangeness, monkey grass in the bog, a wild area full of dozens of unique beauties--all were here long before I came. And, no doubt, will be here long after I'm gone. The birds and the butterflies have prior claim as well. I am an interloper.

It is a perfect fit for my nature. As Wendell Berry would say "My place on earth." And, Lord willing, will remain so until my place on earth is empty. A gracious gift in my old age from the Father who is the Ancient of Days. And "above what we ask or think," it was the ideal place for Mom to spend her last few years on her journey Home. She loved it as much as I do. The unforeseen gift wrapped up in a gift. So much grace in life!

Thank You, Lord, for allowing me to find a quiet, lovely place to mediate on your beauty, your still voice, and your abundant goodness to the undeserving. I celebrate this gift you've given me every day. Thank You.

I love the quietness. I love the solitude. I love the beauty.

Walking Iten's Acres: Snow Walk November 17, 2014

Two hour delay this morning. Perhaps I'll actually eat breakfast. Definitely take a snow walk! It's a lovely snow--the limbs are covered in white fluff. Have to be sure to give myself a little extra time to get to school. Clean off the car. Slither up the backroads of Morrow County. It will be a gorgeous drive until I get to the freeway. Maybe I should give myself lots of extra time and take the backroads all the way to school? Hmm. Have to see how much snow we get out here--already have at least a couple inches, or so it seems from the chair in the library/bedroom. Beautiful!

Today a Iten's Acres: FAS Syndrome 2014 November 16, 2014

My Farmer's Almanac Syndrome is trying to deal with a puzzle within an enigma. I have not seen many snowbirds this year. I mean, there are a few of them hanging out, but not in the numbers to which I have become accustomed. The syndrome is this: Does that mean that the rest stayed up North because the winter isn't going to be so bad? Or does that mean the rest of them kept going farther South because they know the winter is going to make the Vortex of last winter seem like a heat wave? I hate my FAS.

Walking Iten's Acres: A Warm Chill November 15, 2014

Walking Iten's Acres. A cold day in November means a brisk but lovely walk. The pond has a thin layer of ice. Goldfish are happily nestled in the mud on the pond's bottom I would assume. I wonder what kind of crop I'll have next spring and when they'll "bloom"? Gus dropped by to join me on my trek. It has been awhile since the old guy did that. He's as bouncy as ever. His little sister Beagle is around often, but she's too busy chasing whatever it is she scents to do much but stop for a moment, jump up on my legs, and disappear into the brush "singing." Man, does she have a high soprano yelp. Gus just kind of shrugs and meanders on. It's a dog's life. Sure do miss Bonnie.
The bird feeders keep getting more and more customers. Are you strange if you find serenity in the "carry out" eating habits of the chickadees and titmice? Or the muted goldfinch and their gurgling brook song? Or the squawkish antics of the blue jay? Or the burst of color when the cardinals suddenly arrive in force? (May the force be with you.) Or the "I can eat lunch upside down" demonstration casually performed by the woodpeckers on the suet feeder? And, of course, I love the black and white beauty of the snowbird/juncos. I repeat one of my favorite quotes: "simplicity carried to extremes is elegance." The stars of this morning were the five or six pileated woodpeckers flitting--well, more like soaring--through the dead trees in back of the house. No matter how many times they drop by I am still impressed by their size--and beauty.
Believe it or not, some phlox still refuse to give into the cold. Aromatic pink is still available in a couple of places up near the house. Snow on the ground this week. I don't mind. Nature doesn't either from what I can tell. The pines and Lenten roses don their white sweaters indifferent to the chill. When the layer of snow melts, the iris in the pot bunkers are still there unimpressed it would seem by an early winter blast. A walk in the wild area is as quiet and still as always. Peaceful--gorgeous even in its winter garb of greens, browns, red thickets, and a dash of white sprinkles here and there. I'm sure the daffodils and crocus and other bulbs are busy spreading under the already frozen earth. I can see where the deer have been traipsing through the wildness on their way, as always, to shelter in Aaron's pines. Ella and Gage were out playing this afternoon--when has cold ever intimidated a kid's energy genes? Still love their "Hello, Al"--"I want to be your neighbor" in a small child's lingo. I have no doubt a soul can smile--no matter how old it is--at a child's friendly banter.
Life at The Acres. Can't think of anything I would trade it for--except Home, of course. Here, the cold of a November day cannot defeat the warmth.

Walking Iten Acres: Chill of Autumn November 8, 2014

Chilly day at The Acres. The birds are active at the feeders--usual bunch: cardinals, chickadees, snowbirds, downy woodpecker, nuthatch, sparrow of various kinds, not so gold goldfinch. Homesteader loves the show.
No sign of the goldfish in the pond. I guess they're heading for the bottom and digging in for the winter to come. Going to get a real shot of winter later this week if the weather folks have it right. Cold enough already for the birdbaths to freeze over; they did thaw out by afternoon. Been scattering seed--especially phlox, morning glory, sunflower, coneflower, and dianthus. It's always a pleasant game of expectations to sow seeds where those particular flowers have not bloomed before. Check back in the spring to see what took the hint. I have my eyes on the new pothole bunkers to see how the iris I moved are doing as well. So far so good. Another game of expectations. The one tree that is still brilliant is the pink dogwood on the edge of the back meadow. Gorgeous solo. Anyway, The Acres are at rest--unless you figure in the winds. (God doing some raking.) Still a delightful walk--even spent some time on the green throne. Just have to bundle up a little--mainly a stocking cap. It was a beautiful day. I'm ready for a good snowfall.

Today at Iten's Acres: Hallucinations November 1, 2014

I think I must be hallucinating or something strange. I have this thought in my old, tired brain that on Monday Tuesdayish it was 70 degrees . . . But tomorrow it's going to snow . . . Someone must have slipped some coke in my Pepsi. Weird dreams.

Today at Iten's Acres: Last Work Detail October 25, 2014

What a gorgeous day for working The Acres. Finished up most all of the "big" projects just in time for Indian Summer. Seventy degrees next week? Ohioing again. Finished up the pot hole bunkers--now I have to wait until spring to see if it was a good idea or not. I'm honestly not terribly worried--my two earlier ones seem to have done well last winter--vortex and all. Redid parts of a couple beds as well. It's all about the iris, of course. We haven't had a frost yet so I still have plenty of blooms. The indefatigable phlox are still busy. Some flowers have decided to go another round--cone flowers in particular. Still have the morning glory--and the annuals. The wandering Jew just bloomed--my favorite blue. Electric. And the monks hood are fabulous. Tall, deep blue, spreading. May their tribe increase. The wild area by now is just green. I still love it. In the evening when the sun is setting, the green throne is a magnificent place. The changing sky. The darkening. The evening breeze. The emergence of the stars. A sliver of moon. The bats busy--flying shadows in the deepening gloom. One of these nights I'll just sleep out there. Let the owls serenade me. A mellow, echoing lullaby.
Had a former student drop by this evening. That was enjoyable. Had a nice chat. Walked The Acres--gave a tour. Two humans do not make a crowd at The Acres. And The Homesteader gave her seal of approval.
I still have small things that need to be done, but they are things I can manage all winter if need be. Ten minutes here. Ten minutes there. Builds the anticipation. The gold fish are still active, so maybe, winter is a little way off. I wonder if gold fish in a pond are part of the FA's dire predictions? Should be.
The Homesteader is delighted with all the plants that have been brought inside for the winter. Pots to climb on. Plants to chew on. Leaves to swat. Occasionally a bug slips in with the foliage. Makes a nice snack--supplements her diet. She has let it be known in no uncertain terms that when the sun is shining on the green chair in the library/bedroom--the seat is hers. I imagine that that must be where she spends her afternoons when I'm off at school making enough money to keep her in cat food.
Weekends at The Acres. Restoration for my old soul. Thank you Lord for the perfect place to be still--even while working. Stillness is a heart and soul thing you know. You can be still before Him anywhere. I can't think of anything more enriching than a life of stillness. We would know Him so much more deeply if we practiced it on a daily basis--on an hourly basis. Practice His presence.

Today at Iten's Acres: Autumn Artisty October 17, 2014

Only had half a day of school today--parent-teacher conferences. So I took the long way home--one of them anyway. An autumn cruise along the backroads of Ohio. I love the winding roads--the windier the better. If only I could paint . . . Beautiful colors everywhere. And I love this time of year for its "openness." Crops are being harvested and as the leaves fall, too, hidden old farm houses, the trees on the far end of the fields, the antique red barns reappear after a summer in seclusion. And the contour of the land is evident again. I walk it in my imagination. In the fields the green monsters send up plumes of chaff as they take a turn on the far side of the acres they are reaping. Some fields already harvested have been plowed for another planting of some crop. Spring and autumn mingle in the landscape. I drive slowly--as you know. Roll down the window. The smells of fall are as invigorating as the living canvas. The aroma of burning in the air. And it smells as if rain is coming. Love that fragrance. Wonder why no one has ever bottled it? It was a good journey for the soul. And then, at home, a few hours of working on The Acres, sitting on the hilltop, walking through the wildness. I was so tempted to just lie down in the grass and sleep away a lazy afternoon. A lovely day for an old man in love with solitude and a life of quiet reflection. Someday, perhaps, Lord willing, I can make my entire life a meditation. He is the God of Wonders; and this afternoon, He allowed me to immerse my body, soul, and spirit in His artistry.

Walking Iten's Acres: October Musings October 12, 2014

Mid-October and the morning walk is chilly--but invigorating.  Lots of beauty still around--phlox everywhere, fall crocus--white, pink, yellow starting to bloom; no lilac yet.  New England aster is pretending that it's Ohio aster--as always.  Heath aster is ubiquitous as well.  The hardy cyclamen and monk's hood are always mid-October beauties--pink and blue wonders.  As the leaves fall, the berries on the dogwood and hawthorn become evident, as well as the crab apples.  Some trees have lost their leaves, the maples are just about in prime time--the ancient red maple at the bend in the driveway is the star. Burning bushes are on fire. Dogwoods are turning. Here and there are scattered late bloomers of other denizens of The Acres--Rose of Sharon, hibiscus, sneezeweed, morning glory, sunflowers--even a banana yellow day lily. The annuals in the container gardens are doing well--especially the dianthus, snapdragon, zinnia, begonia, and geranium.  Some pots in the trees--I suppose since they are more sheltered--are still overflowing with impatiens. Flowering beauty is still present, autumn beauty is coming to the trees, winter beauty can not be far behind. Yes, winter can be beautiful--stark at times, exquisite in the white and black contrasts of snowfall, myriad shades of green on the conifers. I know, it's cold too.
I need, at least, three more good weekends to get everything accomplished that I want to:  two more pot bunker beds, re-do Bed 5, mulch, dig up the gladiolas. (I could really use a couple of weeks off school, but I admit--I would miss the kids too much. Whatever you do, don't tell them. I'll hide it in parentheses.)  Life will never give you all the time you think you need.  Anyway, I hope I can get those things completed before the cold of winter arrives. They are predicting, as I'm sure you know, another frigid winter. Fortunately, The Acres have shown this blooming season that they are a match for whatever comes its way. And, of course, the path to the glories of spring, summer, and fall always pass through winter. The winters in our lives only make the times of beauty more breathtaking, do they not? They make the beauty more resplendent. 

Today at Iten's Acres: Ohioing October 4, 2014

I always look forward to the weekend when I can get outside on The Acres and do some more "work." I still need to put in a couple pot hole bunker flower beds, plant a few bulbs, mulch--that kind of stuff. However, today I have been relegated to providing a seat for Homesteader and watching the weather. Cold rain, sleet, hail, snow have made for a wonderful day to think about working outside. To commemorate the occasion, I am creating a new verb. (I'll even let Meteorologist Jennifer Myers--our Texan weather star borrow it if she wants). The new verb is "Ohio." as in someone asking you "What's the weather like today?" and you say, "It's Ohioing." They'll know exactly what you mean. "Stay inside" will be the response if they truly love you. Excuse me--back to my lap service.

Tonight at Iten's Acres: It Was a Cold and Rainy Night October 3, 2014

A cold rainy night at The Acres. Tomorrow a high in the 50s. The lows tomorrow night--high 30s. God will have His paint brush out. The maples which have turned already may lose some leaves. Others will change this weekend for sure. Fall's colors rain from the limbs. Better start practicing kicking my way through the piles of leaves--a touch of childhood in my journey through The Acres. The beauty of every day life surrounds us. Heaven and the new earth will be glorious. But I confess--I love the beauty of this old one well.

Tonight at Iten's Acres: Majesty September 24, 2014

It's almost 10:30 on a Monday evening, and I just got home from school--open house night. It's a clear, cool night in north central Ohio. I slid out of the car and looked up: "The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the works of His hands."
And He calls them all by name!!!!!
O Lord,our Lord! How majestic is Thy name in all the earth, who hast set Thy splendor above the heavens!"

Yes! "Our Lord."

Today at Iten's Acres: Work Detail September 20. 2014

oday at Iten's Acres: In a word--tired. No, more than tired--spent. No, not spent, I got some change for my labors. Exhausted. Aren't you delighted that God came up with the idea of manual labor? Work is such a balm for the soul.
Actually today at Iten's Acres started on Thursday. We had two days of teachers' meetings this week. (Thirty minutes listening to Troy, Tom, and Buzz is worth a year of ACSI meetings. Food for the brain. Food for the soul. A good two days.)
But having the meetings changes my daytime hours--8-4 becomes 9-3. What that means is that Thursday I got back to The Acres early enough to mow the back of the property--meadow, orchard, wild area, back 40. That gave me at least two hours of time that I didn't have to use today to do the mowing. (Sadly, though I still enjoy it, it is merely mowing this time of year. The blue velvet jets must have headed South already.) And Friday I got home early enough to move a ton of the stones I used today to re-do and to create new beds. Another two hour gift of time.
How did I use it? A lovely lazy morning--in preparation for my afternoon toil, of course. Sat for awhile by the front window. Homesteader joined me. Read. Always a good time. Walked The Acres. Had a delightful chat with my neighbor and friend Dennis. (Pray for him as he tries to sell his house and move closer to Columbus.) Pontificated awhile on the green throne at the top of the hill. Even though the leaves aren't changing yet--well, one third of the ancient red maple is on fire--beauty is everywhere at The Acres. Phlox, morning glory will grace the place till frost. Hibiscus and Rose of Sharon are still blooming some. The annuals in the planters are holding their own--in fact, the begonia, snapdragons, and petunia are exhilarated by the chillier temps. I have no idea how long the pond will be "blooming." And the autumn wild area is still wild--yellow, purple, pink, blue, white. If I didn't have work to do, I could have spent the afternoon on--or would it be over--the hill.
My goals for this fall were to expand the rock garden and one of the pot bunkers, re-do one large bed, re-do four pot bunkers completely, and add three more. (And, of course, there are always flowers to move and bulbs to plant. Hey, I have a whole new area next to the house to fill in where the pine tree once stood.) Today, from about noon until four or five, I managed to get some of that done. Rock garden. Done. Two pot bunkers re-done. One new one added. The re-doing is the most difficult--even after the stones have been moved to where I need them. Whew. Aches and pains to remind me of my ancientness. But I feel like a newly restored antique. No, no. Nothing you would see on the Road Show. But next week--you will find this old soul still working--creaking around--on The Acres. (In the afternoon anyway. Mornings are for lazy.)

Annual Report 2014 The Year of the Vortex Part Three: Wild Things

Annual Report 2014 The Year of the Vortex Part Three:  Wild Things

My favorite area on The Acres is, of course, The Wild Area--an acre or so of God's artistry.  I suppose some of it is perspective.  The beds on the front area of the property are filled with wild flowers by this time of year.  For some reason that irritates me some and makes me think that I need to just re-do all the beds; raising them, I tell myself (who else would listen), will make it easier for me to keep them weeded.  I have no idea whether that's true or not, but it sounds good. Meanwhile, I am thrilled at the plethora of those same wildflowers gorgeousfying my wild area.  Weird human, eh? Thousands of goldenrod--over my head--in some areas are dazzling as I meander the paths of wild things.  Purple and pink clumps of asters, tall deep purple iron weed, even taller pink thistles, patches of blue lobelia and verain, patches of pink monarda, and a border of thousands of white heath asters makes autumn the glory days of The Wild Area.  Throw in some honey bees for background music, lots of butterflies and dragon flies for fluttering ribbons, and it's a marvelous place for a slow stroll on a September afternoon--as slowly as possible is the only acceptable "speed." Obviously The Vortex had no impact on the wilds of autumn. 
In fact, I would assert that the wild area smirked at The Vortex's attempt to freeze her out.  The crocus came up in mid-March as always. 500 (or more) daffodils danced their way through April--even the miniature golden bell daffodils returned after a couple years of hiding.  A dozen hyacinth added their color--with a little of their aroma therapy.  In May the wild hyacinth--camassia is their regal name--graced the wettest spots. In June the spiderwort quadrupled itself from last spring and summer--blue everywhere. A great number of daylilies spiced up June as well--even some new ones that the Gardening Angels must have added to the area just to spite El Vortex. July brought coneflowers, phlox, black-eyed Susan, pink liatris (for the first time ever), and three times as much monarda as in 2014. And from August to frost will be the closing symphony described above.
Ah, poor, poor Vortex.  Not only were the wild things e. e. cummings splendiferous this year--they were even more spendiferous than last year!
I wonder what my Gardening Angels look like when they smirk? 

Today at Iten's Acres: Decisions, Decisions September 7, 2014

I keep looking at the grass and thinking, "I really need to mow." I keep looking at the stack of papers I need to grade and thinking, "I really need to stay on top of my grading." I keep looking around the house and thinking, "I really need to vacuum and clean up a little bit (a whole lot actually.)" I keep reflecting on next week and thinking, "I really need to finish up my lesson plans." Decisions, decisions, decisions. What's an old bald hermit to do? Go for a walk in The Acres, of course. And spend a little time relaxing on the green throne at the top of the hill enjoying the beauty I love easy decisions.

The Annual Report for 2014: Part Two The Year of the Vortex: The East--Land of the Rising Sun September 6, 2014

Annual Report:  The Year of The Vortex Part Two:  The East

The eastern side of The Acres from County Road 25 to The Bog is also a wet zone.  At least once or twice during the spring and summer, I can't even mow part of this area as it approaches The Bog--way too wet.  Splashy wet when you walk wet.  I'm sure that in one summer if I decided to become the ultimate hermit and quit mowing, The Abode would be swallowed by the Bog.   Hmmmm.  Just one summer . . . Ah well, God it would seem has a different assignment for me--more students to torture. 
Anyway, my greatest paranoia in this area was that the witch hazel would be a victim of the Vortex. (I worried, too, about the hardy hibiscus.  How hardy are they really?)  The witch hazel hasn't bloomed, yet; in fact, it hasn't shown much growth, but I have my dreams for it.  I'm waiting for an early spring outbreak of yellow.  Who won the winter battle, you ask?  Witch hazel one; Vortex zero.  Yep, it came back--still no blooms, but where's there's life, there's hope.  Next spring, perhaps? 
Several trees of various sizes grace this area.  And their age seems to have little impact on their height. A white paper birch that has been around for years is barely over a foot tall--if that.  If I live to be a hundred--perish the thought--it will probably still be a foot tall.  At least, maybe by then it will turn white.  Two river birch reside here as well.  One is, at least, twenty feet tall and the other three. The taller one already has its winter brown papery look--lovely.  The smaller one--looks like a stick.  Two willows live here also.  One I just planted this summer so it is understandably small. The other is impressive.  Fifty feet tall, slender and lithe like most willows. Loves the wet, I'm sure. In the summer when the wind is blowing, it sways and the leaves have a silvery flickering sheen. Beautiful.  I promise.  Is it possible to watch a tree dance in the breeze or cavort to the blast of a summer storm and feel serenity?  Yes.
Bloom wise, there are three distinct flowery times down east.  In May, a delicate pink flowering almond begins the show.  Next to it is a flowering plum--small, but full of delicate white blooms that enhance the deep purple of the tree's leaves. The Master Designer knows how to blend His colors.  Late in May, the thicket near The Bog turns pink--a curtain of everlasting sweet pea, planted by someone's Gardening Angels before I even arrived--beautify the area.   The deep green of their leaves adds to the display.  And they last into late July!  Phase two begins in late June.  An ever expanding row of orange daylilies spring to life in front of the thicket impervious to the competition.  And at the same time the red swamp milkweed enters the picture.  They should continue to spread too. Deep pink, red--nice combination as well, eh?  Phase three? In early August--and still going strong are the hibiscus--five or six of them (I've lost count). White with maroon centers, pink, deep red. Four or five feet tall--playing in the Morrow County breeze.  A delightful way to end the summer.  And hardy hibiscus they are--everyone of them ignored the Vortex; and they are even more immense this summer than they were last.
And there are three lovelies that have yet to bloom here on the eastern edge of The Acres:  a still growing hawthorn (white in late April when its time comes), a tiny Rose of Sharon to help the hibiscus in August, and two more orange daylily for more June color.  {And there's a pot bunker bed over here as well, but that's for another story.)
All in all, The Vortex, frigid, wet, wild was completely ignored.  Take that FAS.

The Annual Report for 2014: Part One--The Front September 1, 2014

The Year of the Vortex:  The Front 2014

Winter 2013-2014 was ugly.  Cold doesn't even begin to describe it.  And the cold was accompanied by the winds of Antarctica.  Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.  Naturally, being the eternal anticipator, I had visions of a flowerless spring, summer, and fall at The Acres.  Naturally, my fears were ungrounded--for the most part.  Nature is tough!  Tougher than a chubby, old bald man I know. I thought in celebration of The Year of the Vortex, I would run through The Blooms of the Year area by area at the old homestead.  No, advice from The Homesteader is not included in these ramblings, though plenty of advice has been offered as always. 
Let's start at the Front. The problem with the front of the property is always the same:  it is so wet.  And since The Vortex was followed by The Monsoon of Spring, my paranoia was magnified.  Not to worry old faithless one.  The corkscrew willow, of course, loves the wet.  Sitting on it's little island surrounded by water, the beauty grows magnificently every year. It is a beauty.  The maples are doing acceptably. If I had the equipment, I would probably move the two smaller ones--they are not enamored with wet feet it appears.  The taller of the three seems to be just fine.  Soon they will all add a little color to The Acres.  Autumn is coming, you know.
I had hoped the largest of the hawthorn would bloom this year, but alas, not so.  Ten years old now, healthy, but no blooms.  The cardinals and robins will have to wait at least one more year for a feast of berries. The hawthorn and I have been here from the beginning.  When it happens, I anticipate a celebration of fruitfulness.  A plan coming to fruition, so to speak.  The other wee hawthorn is years away from contributing.  I doubt if I'll see that happen.  The Rose of Sharon that endured years--yes, years, of battles with the lawn mower is healthy, but no blooms.  I think that it is trying not to draw attention to itself lest the mower attack again.  I must reassure it that the mower is not the enemy; it's the numbskull that operates it. And he knows you are there, and has no intention of repeating his stupidity in cutting you down.  Bloom my friend, bloom!  Carry on Mom's legacy on The Acres.
The color of The Front is lovely,  It starts in May with the yellow flag iris.  Stunning deep yellow and the blooms hang around for weeks.  Then, in June come the lilies and Siberian iris.  A combo mauve and cream starts the show--I love that lily, and it is expanding like mad.  It almost always the first of the day lilies to bloom anywhere on The Acres.  (Yes, I have hidden a few elsewhere--duh).  The rest of June belongs to the "common" orange daylily.  Lots of those, too, up front--and spreading.  For variety, a lovely blue Siberian iris blooms in mid-June.  Ruffled Velvet is its name--which says it all.  July belongs to the double orange daylily.  Yes, lots of those as well--and spreading.  And there is also one banana yellow day lily behind some of the double orange.  (The orange and double orange are part of Mom's legacy, as well.)  The last thing--other than wild flowers--to bloom up front this year was a white hibiscus. It doesn't come along until the end of August--just as the double oranges are calling it a summer.  So, the color scheme for The Front is:  brilliant yellow, followed by islands of mauve and cream, followed by the archipelago of orange and double orange islands with a touch of deep blue center stage, followed by over-sized white beauty. And those islands in the seas of The Front are widening every year.
And I, of course, never content in the world of flowers, have added a few things in hopes of an even more colorful spring, summer, and fall in 2015.  I've added a blue flag iris for May, a few more lilies, and another Siberian iris--red (yes, red!) for June and July, and a rose mallow--think wild version of hibiscus--for August. Now if the hawthorn can add its white blooms in early May, and the Rose of Sharon can add its double pinks in August and September, the panorama will be complete.
FAS suggests that another vortex is scheduled for this winter.  We--the old man, the trees, the flowers, and The Homesteader--are unafraid. (She, of course, never fears anything.)  

Today at Iten's Acres: Random Ricochets August 30. 2014

Random ricochets from The Acres:

Three days to bask in The Acres: Hundreds of morning glories everywhere. Morning walk--morning glory. Again--walking by the phlox is like being sprayed with perfume. Going to Feed the Swallows this morning. Still a hibiscus, rose of Sharon festival. The wild area is a sea of yellow--amazing. And a few dabs of purple iron weed, pink obedient flowers, and blue lobelia. No asters yet. Yet.

Non-related news:
Yadi is back for the stretch run!!!!
If they gave pitching coach awards, the guy for the Pirates has to win. Volquez doing well. Really? Volquez?

Marylynn Robinson has a new novel coming out: Lila. You had best hurry up and read Gilead and Home or you'll never catch up.

What? Yes, Homesteader is fine. Yes, she's still the Boss. Yes, she's still ornery as ever--and knows it. A cat is a cat is a cat.

Walking Iten's Acres: Saturdays at the Park August 16, 2014

School days mean that I have to invest a whole week's worth of wandering The Acres into my Saturdays. The sacrifices an old man must make.
It was a dewy morning. Boots were soaked before I got far on my meanderings. The wild area is still mostly greens--love the greens, with tall sprinkles of yellow clover. The lobelia are starting to bloom--spires of blue are on the way. And it won't be too long until the goldenrod takes over, and the wild area turns into a sea of yellow to be followed soon after by a sea of white and purple asters. As gorgeous as the wild area is all year, autumn reigns. The pink obedient plants are reaching for the sky as well. Every year more of them. Beauties.
The stars elsewhere are the cousins hibiscus and rose of Sharon. (And the phlox are ubiquitous, as well; bumble bee and hummingbird fast food.) I don't know who Sharon was but she must have been lovely. Miniature hibiscus. I have about forty or so of the "regular" hibiscus--as if they could ever be called "regular." Both sides of the front of the property are loaded--whites, pinks, reds, plums, all kinds of colors. Bed number two by the old Scarlett pine has fifteen or twenty all by itself--mostly whites with a few shades of pink Others are scattered throughout the front of The Acres, and one even handles the competition in the wild area with aplomb. And I never knew they were such spreaders. To be honest, I never even knew they could thrive outside in northern climates until I moved onto The Acres and became a part time resident at Oakland Park Nursery.
I had a nice chat with neighbor Dennis today as well. Bonnie has been missed. I still keep expecting to see her as I wander. Gus and the little hound join me on occasion--but they are not Bonnie. I also managed to Feed the Swallows this afternoon. Skies were gray, a soft misty rain for most of the two hours. I loved it. The meadow looks like a park again. Forced myself to walk back through the area and admire the transformation. And, of course, some time on the green throne was required later as well. Also, checked on the pond residents. They have certainly been a prolific bunch! Can't count them all. They are especially noticeable in the sunshine. Who knows what they eat? Must be plenty of it!
Anyway, Saturday at The Acres was lovely. My body, soul, and spirit were refreshed. And think of it. probably three more months of blooms to go--unless the vortex comes early of course.

Walking Iten's Acres: Nuance July 29, 2014

The last couple of days have been nuanced walks at The Acres. Misty rain, sunshine, shadows as it slips behind a bank of clouds, slate gray as a storm moves in to erase, temporarily, any hint of light. Beautiful changes--almost minute by minute. As always--rain or shine--there is color everywhere. Double orange day lilies everywhere--all along the front of the property, in some of the beds near the house, by the pond, along the driveway, in the meadow and the wild. Other day lilies as well--reds, maroons, creams, whites. Mom's tiger lilies are "kicking in" along the property line. The bog has its mallows and monkey flowers. The gladiolas--what a perfect name for a flower--are really starting to make glad The Acres. Such rich colors and height. Impossible to ignore, not that you would want to. The blue of the balloon flowers--everywhere. Cone flowers--such a subtle variety of pinks and reds are scattered in many places. I especially like the little pockets of them in the wild area. Their pink companions liatris are everywhere as well, in the beds and in the wild--tall, "fuzzy" pinks that bloom slowly from the top down. Still some bee balm--shades of purple. Roses blooming again--white, pink, yellow. Phlox--less than normal--but still plentiful, every shade of pink and white. Even have a couple patches of them in the wild area. Sunflowers and black-eyed Susans add the yellow. Queen Anne's lace dominates any open area. Mom's planter garden grows more luscious hour by hour I think. Somehow a hosta ended up in one of them. Rose of Sharon are starting to bloom as well--mostly pink and double pinks from Mom's to The Acres--special delivery. Morning glories living up to their name on the early walks, and rainy days fool them into thinking it's an all day morning. No complaints here. Expectations: hibiscus by the dozens, obedient flowers, magic lilies by the house, butterfly bush (surprised it survived the vortex), lobelia, cardinal flowers. They should all be blooming before I return to school--except for the cardinal and lobelia perhaps.
I even encountered a fawn yesterday. Seemed small, young--all spots still. Curious. No mom in sight. Eventually, he bounced into the thicket between Dennis' place and mine. And, of course, now that I am wise to them--the pond is sprinkled in gold. A nice colony of turtles as well. And the bull frog men's choir. Singing lustily each night to the cadence of their living strobe lights--the lightning bugs. July is almost gone. August will be here in a moment. The beauty of The Acres needs no calendar. They bloom when ready--the nuances of nature's loveliness, no apologies given, or necessary.

This Week at Iten's Acres: Gone and Back Again: July 25, 2014

I have returned from the tip---the very tip--of Ohio. George Washington and I both could have hurled a silver dollar across the river and into Kentucky. Shawnee State University was new to me. For a university, it's rather new as well--25 years old.
You missed your opportunity--at least for one week. The Homesteader is still here--and as demonstrative as ever. You will have at least one more chance to claim her as I will be on the road again for four days next weekend.
The Acres seem fine--phlox and rose of Sharon adding to the beauty. I do have some mowing to do. Feeding the Swallows later this afternoon; Feeding the Bluebirds tomorrow. Is it supposed to rain? Doesn't look as if it did while I was away. That has to be a miracle for this summer.
I survived my return to student days. The information was good and well-presented. Thirty plus hours of school in four days in one class was--different. Now, the tension sets in. And I hope it will be good tension. I have, as an old timer, an aversion to "teaching toward a standardized test"--even if it's an "elite" such test. And this is an entire year's course designed to focus on one standardized test. Strikes my soul as being very anti-education. And, of course, my prejudices lead me to believe that there is some literature and the ideas therein that the seniors should interact with and think critically about. I am not saying that the critical thinking lessons encouraged in the AP approach are negatives. They are certainly worthy approaches and writing techniques that all of our students need to confront. So the tension will be finding a way to allow my seniors--yes, I adopt each and every one of them as my own--to master the AP approach and still interact with literature that I deem important. Twill be another year of much planning! But I have some extremely useful tools to begin erecting a course to challenge the kids--and the old man.
Oh, loved the murals portraying the history of Portsmouth, Ohio, on the flood wall along the river. Fascinating. And I had a great reuben sandwich while I was there. I wonder where the name comes from?
Thanks for the prayers. The Acres and her feline boss both survived my absence. I am tired but enjoyed the brain work. Made the acquaintance of several fine educators and two fellow Christian educators from the Columbus area--one from London, one from Mansfield Christian. You never know who you will run into and where. Tried my best to convert WC fellow educator Trevor from the evils of science and mathematics to the joys and intrinsic goodness of literature. Alas, no conversion yet. Appreciate your prayers as I continue to prepare for the new school year--three weeks until start up. Egads! Did I just type "three weeks? Ah well. Off to the swallows I go!

Today at Iten's Acres: A Fish Story July 16, 2014

Another interesting tidbit from the tree guys encounter with The Acres. By the way, my house is so much brighter!!! Anyway, a couple of years ago my sister and brother-in-law, just for fun, put some goldfish in my pond. "Yeah right," said the bald headed skeptic. No sign of them--at least from my vantage point for the last year-and-a-half. So the tree guy is up on his lift, and he can see the entire pond from his sky view. "Hey," he says, " you have a huge school of goldfish in your pond." Amazing.

Today at Iten's Acres: The Tree Guys July 15, 2014

Well, the tree guys are here. Cutting up the fallen timber and the pine it destroyed--better than the house though. Then taking down three walnut trees! Have I ever mentioned how much I HATE walnut trees? There will be three less of them when the day is done! I will do my best to hold back the tears at their passing. Meanwhile the Homesteader is going a little insane. All that noise.

Some flowers and shrubs are smashed, but that was inevitable. Most should return next year as good as old. A couple are probably "history." It is more than worth it to get rid of those walnut trees.

I will save hours picking up nuts in the fall.

I can throw away my hard hat.

I can see down my driveway, and there will be tons more light on the flower bed by the house.

I don't have to worry about the monster behind my house falling on the roof.

Less food for the tree rats.

I will miss that beautiful pine though. It was a wreck thanks to the fallen tree. Oh well, lots of light now in the windows on that side of the abode. That's a plus, eh?!

I can always plant more stuff where the pine used to be, Heh, heh.

Today at Iten's Acres: A Plan July 12, 2014

After much agonizing, totally selfless, soul searching and deep contemplation, I have decided--the vote was unanimous--that we should just pretend to start school in the middle of August. I mean, some of us are busy with our families. Some of us still need to take a vacation. Some of us are busy doing nothing. Some of us have tons more reading we need--really, really, really want--to do. Some of us have more flowers to watch bloom. Mid-September is fine, isn't it? I'll come in one day a week and use a bunch of fobs at the necessary times, turn on the lights, walk back and forth across the street (slowly in order to irritate the drivers as required), even put fictitious stuff on Renweb. The Ohio Department of Education will never catch on. The kids can still do the fall sports stuff--it would greatly aide the coverup in fact. And coaches, think of it. No school work to interfere with practice. Nice, eh? (I know, some of us are losing touch with reality and dressing up like cows and stuff, but the extra days may help recovery.) What do you say? Anyone else want to volunteer to fake a day a week? I'll give you a case of Pepsi? Cold! A dozen donuts, too, if it will help persuade. Huh? Huh? Come on now . . . you were thinking it too.

Today at Iten's Acres: Serenity July 10, 2014

Today at Iten's Acres:
Began with an early morning amble. Dewy grass; sunshine turning the meadow into a sparkling sheen. Am I walking on a cloud? Ah, no. Blue sky above me punctuated with cloud puffs moving slowly, looking for company. The swallows are about. Field sparrows busy being watched by God. Song sparrows bragging. Robins trying to drown them out. A cat bird on the very top of a dead tree practicing his mewing. Met the doe for the first time this summer; Twins again. She checks me out. Leaps through the brush and into Aaron's pines. The twins, curious, stutter their way after her--eventually. Strangest thing. A small fox squirrel--okay, they're all small--scampered away from me and went down the muskrat hole. I suppose the "rat" has moved on. Are they vegans? Anyway the squirrel is moving down in this world. I sat on the green throne for awhile to embrace the stillness of the wild area. Lovely breeze this morning. Another singularity. Here I repose surrounded by white clover, and there is only one honey bee. Just one. How can that be? Must be too many "goodies" out here in the country to need the whole hive. They have by the way returned to The Sentinel. Their old branch is gone, so they've set up shop in a lower branch. Good for them. And The Acres. They will be out in force in September when the heath aster are abloom by the literal thousands. The wild area buzzes then.
Today, the wild area is still mostly greens. A few day lily here and there--orange, yellow, pink, purple polka dots here and there. And the blue patches of spiderwort are still active. A patch or two of black-eyed susans. A patch or three of bee balm--purples and the white loner. Additional whites--Queen Anne's lace, daisies, yarrow, the clover, of course, Mounds of meadow rose still--all the shades of pink. Makes for a lovely walk--like strolling on the Artist's canvas.
As always, you can be anywhere on The Acres and see His artistry. The day lily are the stars for now. Waiting in the wings for their cues are the morning glory and gladiolas. They have just started to "warm up" in the green room for their days to shine. Purple and soft reds ones are blooming in the bed by the house. (Can't reds be soft?) The first gladiola started blooming this morning--a rich deep purple. (I know purple can be rich. I asked Lydia.) This was the time of year when Mom early in the afternoon would have to be helped out onto the patio to sit among the container garden in her pink floppy hat, sunglasses, and swivel chair to enjoy the day and the beauty. The containers, of course, grow more gorgeous every day. The bed by the house is luxurious: a couple dozen sun flowers of different types, dozens and dozens of blue balloon flowers, tall red and even white coneflowers, a sprinkling of pinkish purple bee balm and hollyhock and day lily. She loved that bed. (Though she could never remember the name of the balloon flowers.) And then she could swivel and look at the day lily bed. It already has a dozen or so different varieties enjoying their day in the sun. A couple dozen more to come. I'll enjoy the loveliness for her--enhanced by the rich beauty of memory.
A day of slow meanderings, a still, quiet rest on the hillside, surround sound and surround sight beauty, the activity of God's creatures, and treasured memories--sounds like a "splendiferous" day to me.

Backroads of Morrow County: Knees July 8, 2014

I took my annual knee-high tour of the back roads. My FSA demands an inspection. The Summer of Thunder has done a marvelous job. The corn fields of Morrow County are way past the knee-high by the fourth of July cliche. The houses at the back of the fields are already starting to disappear into the green landscape. Going to be a banner year for the farmer. There are a few low spots in some fields that have been flooded into mud. The soy beans are doing well too. And the wheat appears to be ready for harvest--at least to this non-farmer's eye. I imagine, though, that the fields are a little wet for harvesting. I suppose the farmers will plant something else in those fields once the wheat is in? The only field in all of Morrow County that looks pathetic is the one across the road from my place. They planted it late per usual, and the rains have turned a great deal of into one of those mud holes mentioned above. Anyway, FS has been vindicated again. To your knees world.

This Week at Iten's Acres: He-Man July 2, 2014

Actually did some manual labor at The Acres today. Yep, real he-man work. Physical. Won't be able to walk for a couple days probably but . . . No, it wasn't mowing the grass--that's not really work. I just sit there, guide the beast, watch out for honey bees on the clover, try not to get stuck in the places that are still wet. Almost got stuck a couple of times. And left a part of the front unmowed. Way too submerged. No, the work I did today was rebuilding one of the pot bunker beds--raising it, moving some plants to better locations, and mulching. Hey That's hard work for an old man--my three score and ten will be up in a year-and-a-half. Old. Almost decrepit. I even did the hard stuff as well as taking my daily treks around The Acres You can start calling me The Incredible Bulk.
What did I move? Some iris and hibiscus to the wild area. Some lilies and hyacinth to the new bed I redid. Some blue flag iris to the front of the property. Some yellow flag iris to the bog. The lilies are really starting to show off. The bed by the house is turning blue with the hundreds of balloon flowers. Yes, hundreds. And this year there are a dozen or more sunflower islands in the blue sea. Quite striking. This week my Gardening Angels surprised me with some sunflowers in the wild area and by the pond. They've never been there before. I need to get some of those night cameras and see if I can catch the Angels on film. They have also planted a new kind of mallow in the bog of all places. Reddish. Love color in the bog! The great thing is that it's only the beginning of July--three months left of beauty to go, at least.
Anyway, I probably won't be moving around very well tomorrow. The old gray just isn't what he used to be. Of course, all that really means is that my treks will take a little longer and the green throne will come in handy. Going to be another fall day in July they say. Can't wait.

Homesteader Update: Sigh June 28, 2014

Sigh.

Sadly, I must confess that all semblance of freedom has been lost. And it didn't even take a full month. Whichever room I'm in, she's in. There is no quiet if I am not up at the proper time--her morning breakfast time. To sit in the green chair is to offer up my services as a lap. Reading is allowed as long as it doesn't interfere with her comfort. When I escape out into The Acres for a walk or work, she meets me at the door when I return==petting is required; demanded, not asked for. If I go upstairs, she precedes me, two or three steps ahead. I am not allowed passage until I have petted her on each step. If I'm sitting at the computer, she sits next to me and gives me a lecture on ignoring cats. Earth has no fury like a cat scorned.

This Week at Iten's Acres: Trespassing June 25, 2014

I have seen my neighbor Mr. Muskrat twice this week--in the middle of the day. Not very muskraty of him. He quickly retreats to his lair under the flower bed by the pond. As far as I can tell he's not doing much if any damage though I'm told they are fans of water lilies. Mine are still there and thriving. If his eating habits change, so will his life expectancy. Plenty of room for a muskrat blind. I don't know why he's coming out in the daytime. Maybe with all the rain his home is inundated, and not being able to hold his breath for twenty-four hours, he comes out for a breath of air. So far, I will tolerate his trespassing. So far.

This Week at Iten's Acres: Miscellany June 14, 2014

A week of rainy days and good books. And rainy walks as well, of course. Why do misty rains turn into downpours when I'm all the way at the back of The Acres? Ahh well, storms always seem their worst when your farthest from home. I did get to actually Feed the Swallows this week, A pair of them joined me as I mowed the pasture and wild area. A pair now means a family later. Can't wait. Shouldn't a family of swallows be called a Gulp?
Rose-breasted grosbeak are here. They stay for a little while and then move on. The catbird is back. He'll be here all summer. When the Homesteader is sitting in the window and hears its mew--drives her insane. I should get a tape recording. The real avian highlight of the week was the Baltimore Oriole. He shows up every spring for a day or two. Exquisite. Wish I could convince him to hang around all summer. I wonder if changing his name to Morrow County Oriole would work? All in all, a gloriously fowl week.
Kind of in a transition week flower-wise. A few Japanese iris have yet to bloom--a few being four. Not sure they'll all bloom--two are loaded with buds. The last Siberian iris bloomed--blue ruffles is its official name--a perfect fit. First time it's bloomed for me here at The Acres. Lots of spiderwort, as I mentioned earlier--and showed you in the pictures. Some dark blue, some paler, some more purplish than blue--all gorgeous. The wild area is a sea of greens with islands of blue, yellow, and white. Spiderwort, poppies, daisies. Not much on the lily front yet, but they're getting ready. And the future looks bright for the hibiscus and morning glory. I was a little paranoid about the hibiscus, but they are flourishing! Everywhere! Going to be a colorful August! Especially with the morning glories coming up everywhere as well. Nice little annuals that seed themselves magnificently. Oh, one triteleia finally bloomed--little purple and white beauty. Six weeks late!!!--But bloomed; so all is forgiven. No detention.
I think I may be cured from pathitis. I love the new configuration of the highways and byways in the wild area. I can't imagine changing it. Hey, don't raise your eyebrows at me! Really. I love it this way. I may cut a little path here or there just to have some daisy stripes next spring. But nothing permanent. I promise--sort of. Honeybees on the clover, too! Not many, but some. I still need to get that bumper sticker for my mower--"This vehicle stops for honey bees."
One last addendum and I'll let you go off and pout because you don't have an Acres. I found a backroad route from my place all the way to 36-37. Doesn't go anywhere near the freeway! Winding route right through farm country. Ooooh, nice. Very nice.

Okay, go and pout now!

Backroads of Morrow County Update: Mystery June 9, 2014

It's great to have the time to just wander the back roads again. No need to be anywhere--let alone anywhere on time. The roads, of course, are more patch than pavement in many places. The wet spring has created some new potholes of its own to add to winter's destruction. I don't mind. As always, "go slow" is my favorite motto for wilderness meanderings. The fields are quite a patchwork themselves this spring. For some reason winter wheat is the favorite of my Morrow County neighbors. Must be a run on it on the commodities' exchange. Easily twice as much as usual. I am patiently waiting for amber waves of grain. Corn and soybean fields as well, but they are just starting to grow. Wet spring made for late planting. A lot of fields are still unplowed, and some farmers have resorted to night time plowing. Huge bright-eyed green monsters stalking the fields under starlit skies has been a regular occurrence this spring. There should be several hay crops! The grass in some fields is already deep and luscious. Can't wait for the haying to begin. I love those round bales decorating the hillsides on a sky blue canvas. The old cemetery across from my favorite little white-steepled Methodist church has been spruced up--even more inviting for a stroll. Several sheep "farms"--ranches?--dot the county. One has a llama guard; one has a mule. Cattle herds in places as well. One has black angus. One has black and white cows--I can never remember their name. Not many independent thinkers in a meadow of cows. They do like to hang out together. A few calves as well. One herd--the biggest--has a mixture of breeds, and a beautiful hillside pasture to wander. There's a copse of trees on one hill for loitering under on hot, sunny days. A stream runs down from the woods at the top of one of the hills. Huge red barn way at the top of another hill. Postcardish.
I have a few new roads picked out to wander later on this summer. But I do love those old ones I've grown accustomed to. And there's still the mystery road. Will the old man ever have the nerve to take it. It looks like a path trailing off to someone's house hidden behind the trees. Just one lane. Traveled. Has a stop sign though. That's the mystery. It must be a "real road." Who puts a stop sign on a driveway--even a long one to nowhere you can see? I've never actually seen a car on it. There's no mailbox at the end to signify a homestead. No street sign either. Mystery. Do I dare? Eh, Prufrock? Do I dare? If I disappear some day, and you can't find me at a dive drinking Pepsi and eating a fried bologna sandwich look for me on
the mystery "highway" of Morrow County. If you can find it . . .

Walking Iten's Acres: Bad News, Good News June 8, 2014

It was another wet, sloppy day at The Acres. Some reflections from my misty, at times, soaked excursions.
First the bad news: My most gorgeous red bud has ceased to exist. I kept holding on to the hope that since most of them weren't blooming this spring, it was just delaying getting its leaves. But, alas, still no leaves, and all the others are quite green. So long my beauty. And it looked so magnificent right next to the huge white crab apple every spring. More bad news: my friends from Future Venison of Morrow County have been eating some buds off the lilies. Deer season cannot come too soon. May they rest in piece--in someone's crock pot. And, of course, my beautiful pine tree by the house has taken a major blow. I console myself in the truth that that is a better scenario than having a tree grace my living room and upstairs.
The good news: The water lilies survived the frozen pond. They look marvelous. The flag, Siberian, Japanese, and Louisiana iris have survived being in the frozen bog as well. Wild hyacinth, too. In fact, all except the Louisiana have bloomed profusely. And since this is the first season for the Louisiana iris, maybe they bloom later. Or it could be they just need another year to settle in. But for something from "Louisiana" to survive the vortex winter--obviously, they have been misnamed.
And my Gardening Angels have been busy--and it's still spring! They "revived" the tiny golden bell daffodils in the wild area, some mountain bells along the edge of the bog, a dwarf iris that I brought up from Mom's--all returned to blooming even though I had given them up for lost. Especially pleased to have Mom's iris back! I even had a lilac bush come "back to life"--and bloom. And I was sure the roses and daffodil shrub had been slain by the evil vortex, but they have all revived and look as if they, too, will bloom and add their beauty to The Acres again this year. The last thing the GAs have been up to is spreading the spiderwort, bachelor's buttons, and the dianthus in the wild area. Several new batches of spiderwort--how can you not love that blue? And several patches of dianthus--everyone a different shade and pattern of red are displayed in the wild too. White and red bachelor's button in a couple of small spots as well. (No, I don't know the difference between a "patch" and a "batch." It just is.) Hats off--halos off?--to my friendly Gardening Angels. Great year for the peonies as well--three bloomed for the first time.
Yes, beauty everywhere and it's not even summer yet. Sure, the last iris has bloomed. Sure, the lilies are budding--deer not withstanding. But spring is heading into its final two weeks. Can't wait for summer's showcase!

Walking Iten's Acres: Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh June 5, 2014

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. It's hermit time.A cool, wet walk to start the morning. I need to mow the back, but it's way too wet for that today. We got even more rain yesterday than I imagined. The flower of the hour in the wild area is the daisy. Not a lot of them so far. They always give away the paths I let grow back into wildness. White stripes in a sea of green And there was one miniscule patch of dianthus. Deep red or I wouldn't have even noticed them. The lilies have started--an orange Asian one in the bed by the house, and a small yellow one in the rock garden out back. Buds are appearing on others. Buds on the roses. A few German iris hanging on. Lots of Japanese and Siberian iris. And the blue flag iris have just started to bloom; their yellow cousins are still around as well. The bog of all places is the most colorful here in early June--lots of deep dark yellow, a few purples, some pale yellow with white flags, soft lilacs, yellow mountain bells. (I hope the mosquitoes appreciate the decorations.) A couple peonies have started to bloom, and pink in The Acres is provided by the sweet pea on the edge of the bog and the plethora of pink columbine in several of the beds. If I could view The Acres from the sky, I think it would look like an artist's palate with his or her dabs of paint ready for the completion of the masterpiece. The planters by the house and around the pond and in the trees would only add to the vast variety of paint colors to choose from.
I do have "work" to do. The Feeding the Swallows that I already alluded to, wild flowers to plant, Lots of weeding to do. I don't really "weed" anymore--hands won't allow it--but I do try to "trim" some of them back. Takes a lot of time!!! But I enjoy being outside. I will miss Bonnie's help and supervision this year. School work to do as well this summer; it will be nice, though, to have my own class so to speak. To have the time to prepare and to teach the literature I enjoy the most. Anyway, hermit time is officially here. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

This Week at Iten's Acres: Green May 26, 2014

Green. That is the dominant venue at The Acres this time of year. There are a few iris--not many, it's been a down year. And there are a few clumps of columbine. Some white and red bachelor's buttons in the wild area.The stones in the rock garden are draped in bluish-purple periwinkle. Other than that--acres of green. (Oops, forgot the yellow flag iris in the bog.--and it's staring right at me. Duh.) Not that the green is all one color. Myriads of shades and leaf shapes, and plant heights make the green wildness gorgeous. By the end of the week, the daisies should be blooming and before long the day lilies and Siberian iris will add their colors to the palate that is summer time at Iten's Acres.
I did, of course, force myself to go to Baker's Acres so the house is surrounded by planters filled with annuals. They will be my companions until fall, growing more and more glorious as the days pass. Sometime this week or next I should get my yearly pallet of wild flowers from Prairie Moon Nursery. I love planting those--naturalizing is one of the primary directives of The Acres. And what could be more serene than a delivery from Prairie Moon Nursery. Love that name. This year I've ordered wild flowers that appreciate the shady and dappled shady areas of the place--as well as a few lovers of wet, boggish areas.
I spent a couple days this week Riding the Acres. With teaching I've not been able to mow except on the weekends, and the weekends have been wet. Ergo: the grass was very high. Had to double cut in some areas. If I had waited another week, I could have sold it for hay. Of course, I and the mower may have very well disappeared into the wilderness never to return. I do love the mowing though. Time
for introspection and reflection. Time to rejoice in my addiction to pathitis. Time to just sit for awhile and watch the bluebirds feed behind me. Sadly, the air corps of barn swallows sat this one out. Hopefully, they will escort me on future ridings.
All in all, a lovely time at The Acres.

Yes, of course, you may be green with envy. I will forgive you.

Today at Iten's Acres: Timber!!! May 11, 2014

Interesting surprise when I arrived home at The Acres. A huge tree collapsed right next to the cave. Fortunately it was impeded by the lovely white pine right next to house, and ricocheted a little to the left. As it is, parts of the top of the tree are right up against the house. I assume that without the protection of the pine, I would have a tree in my house. It either happened just before I got home or the poor Homesteader has been in panic mode all day. When I came inside, her tail was in puffed up I'm paranoid mode. She has since relaxed. I guess she figures the old man is already too far out on a limb to be frightened by tree attacks. Guess I shall have to go shopping for a tree removal company. Alas. The joys of owning a cave. To be honest, I would just leave it there if it wasn't messing with my lovely pine.

Walking Iten's Acres: Legacy May 11, 2014

Mom left me a legacy at The Acres. Myriad of iris from her place. And day lilies galore.. A lifetime supply of phlox. Wild ones, too. And a rose, a lilac bush, a red bud, a dwarf conifer, a cedar, a couple Rose of Sharon, a dogwood, some grape hyacinth--even some of her violets made their way here from South Carolina. A few, I'm sure, could trace their way back to St. Louis. And--it's only fitting--more Love-in-the-midst than you could ever count. The rock garden was her idea. The white iris bed by the pond as well. Yes, it's always Mother's Day at The Acres.

Walking Iten's Acres: Time May 4, 2014

There is never enough time to do all the things that I would like to do here at The Acres. And as I walk, the list grows. I did mow the back of the property yesterday afternoon, added a couple new paths in the wild area, still mowed the paths I intend to allow to return to wildness--I have some flowers I want to put on those paths before I let them go; helping out nature, so to speak. I also "rearranged" one path to give some daffodils and wild hyacinth some safety from a concentration lapse by the chubby old mower later in the summer. Oh, the wild strawberries are here! The robins will be happy. They have discovered that there's a little fruit in the food I throw out for their winged confederates and have been joining the morning feed. Now, they can get their own.
There have been several surprises so far. One redbud finally bloomed so I'm hoping that the others will just be late. The roses that I thought were vortexed are coming back. Perhaps they will even bloom later on. At least, they have survived. Looks as if there will be a nice (small) batch or two of trillium. The May apples are are going to be a "bumper crop." As I mentioned yesterday, the daffodils are at their peak--five hundred blooms at least. And such colors and variety. Marvelous show. Where's Wordsworth when you need him? The best news of the day? The iris that is usually the first to bloom has a bud. But wait, there's even better news. While walking today I came upon an iris in the wild area that will, no doubt, be blooming by tomorrow or the next day. It's never bloomed before--the first real surprise of 2014. It looks as if it will be some kind of yellow beauty. At least, it has yellow in it. Hopefully, I will be able to show you a picture next Saturday on This Week at Iten's Acres. Let's hope some voracious creature doesn't stumble upon it.
All in all, The Acres are on their way to a lovely 2014 parade. I will be doing a ton of walking I assure you. And, as always, maybe even a little of the work that needs to get done.

Walking Iten's Acres: Sightings April 30, 2014

Sightings: Meadowlarks are back!!

Bluebirds are back! 

Barn swallows have set up nests in Dennis' "barn." It's always nice to have someone to help you mow the Acres. Feeding the Swallows will be another joy this summer.

I think Homesteader's time living in my shed has made her a fan of thunderstorms. When one comes rolling over the Acres--like last night--she goes to the window and watches it all. Quite entranced. Yep, she's weird. Could be a case of brain dead.

It's tulip time!

Gus has escaped his electric prison again. Guess I'll be a dog owner for a couple of days.

Walking Iten's Acres: Weekend Wonders April 27, 2014

What a beautiful weekend! Two such lovely days have a host of things deciding to check out the sunshine--even the ferns are coming up. No buds on the iris--yet. Sigh. And I'm getting a little paranoid about the old apple, old dogwood, and the many redbuds. Only one redbud is even thinking about blooming so far. The pear trees and apple trees in the orchard are blooming though--place your orders now.
God is certainly a lover of the beautiful. Yet, He reminds us of its fleeting nature. The external beauty of the natural world is so temporary. Only the soul grows more and more lovely as time passes.
The wildflower of the week--in case you missed the picture show--is the violet. So many shades of purple blue, multicolored beauties too, and myriads of white, and even an occasional yellow. The shady parts of the Acres are a veritable carpet of violets. And as you can infer from my cover photo--love those Johnny Jumpups as Mom used to call them. May their tribe increase!
I moved a few things this weekend--as always. Planted a couple new things as well--there's always room for more at The Acres. Weeded some--the rain has made that a little easier. But it's an eternal job--or at least, an until I go Home job. And I'm losing. Lawnmower Guy Dave got the old beast primed for another year. I've even picked out where I plan to succumb to my pathitis this year--two new paths in the wild area coming up. And one path is going to be re-worked. I will in a sense of fairness let two paths go back to wildness--after I put some more wildflowers in them, naturally. I guess I really should have mowed this weekend since the forecast for tomorrow is rain. Ah well, too late now. Next time, I'm going to buy a mower with headlights. Can you imagine how glorious it would be to mow The Acres under the stars? Just imagining it gives me "chills."
Anyway, it was a great weekend to be a country living flower lover. And the promises of summer and autumn are springing up everywhere. Thank you Lord for allowing me this place and the beauty that it gives me each day! Amazing gift!