This Week at Iten's Acres: Three Days November 28, 2015

Two beautiful days at The Acres. Couldn't have asked for better weather. And tomorrow should be great too--until the evening showers. And I love showers. My soul is overwhelmed with the serenity of God's creation--and its gentle quietness. Thank You, Lord. Now, I was thinking that for Christmas break . . .

Day three is "in the books." Strange, I know, but I love walking and "working" in a soft rain. (Even sitting on the green throne.) I could, of course, use another month or so to get the things done I'd like to do, but a day at a time. It's a while til spring. And it is amazing as I clear some of the wildness in the front of The Acres how many things that were in "hiding" have been doing just fine. Unlike we humans they don't need to be noticed to keep on being faithful--growing and spreading, waiting for their season to bear fruit. The goldfish, too, seem to like the rain. Tons of them at the very top of the pond seemingly enjoying the showers. Different kind of wet, I guess. And I still have a crab apple that refuses to surrender its leaves. I won't complain. By the way, one of my new neighbor's dogs is named Annabel Lee. He's a Dublin policeman, so I (judgmentally) assume he's not a Poe fan. Maybe his wife is an English teacher? Wouldn't that be scary for the hopes of Morrow County. Two English teachers living next to each other. Horrors!!! I wonder what the other dog's name is? Pendulum? Pit? Ah, well. The three days are gone. Loved everyone of them. Well, I do love just about every day. Gifts to be thankful for, are they not? Don't forget to tell Him.

Today at Iten's Acres: Rest November 22, 2015

I am thankful for Saturdays. Time to roam The Acres. Do some last minute mulching. Move a couple things. Fill up the bird feeders. Clean out one of the beds. Imagine what spring will bring. Sit in the chair in front of the doorwindow, lights off, watch and listen to the rain. Enjoy the pile of white fur sleeping contentedly in my lap. Rest. Thank You, Lord, for rest. May I never become addicted to busyness--especially spiritual busyness.

This Week at Iten's Acres: Thankful November 19, 2015

I am thankful that for the last decade or so the Lord has allowed me to live my days at The Acres. The solitude is perfect for my timidity and "aloneness." The silence is perfect for my melancholy and meditative spirit. The beauty is perfect for my, well, my love of the beautiful in His creation. The variety of environments has allowed me to add a variety of shrubs and flowers to its loveliness--from shade to bog to pond side to sunny meadow to dappled hideaways, He has beautiful glories for every site. And the Gardening Angels He has assigned to "labor" at The Acres are masters of the stunning surprise. It was, in addition, the perfect place to bring Mom for the last five years of her journey Home.
He has given me a host of feathered friends as well. And lately a flock of cats for entertainment. Not to mention the white dishrag, Nosy Rosy, Homesteader to rule over the cave. He knows how to give good gifts.
Often He and I have had a conversation as I meandered in and out among the beautiful. Often I speak to Him aloud--without neighbors thinking I've lost my mind. I'm sure I do more talking and less listening than I should, but He is a loving, patient Father. Weeping and rejoicing have both been sown here as well. The soil is fertile. Each day I sense His presence Yet, He is wise enough to send me out into the "world" to love and be loved--I hope--by that most spontaneous of creatures--the teenager. I "try" to make sure they know that He is my constant Companion--even in the halls of man-made buildings.
It has been quite a marvelous decade. One I could never have imagined. Above all I could ask or think. Yes, good gifts are His specialty. And I thank Him each and every day, each and every walk, each and every bloom, each and every each and every. I have been truly blessed.

Today at Iten's Acres: Out of Hiding November 15, 2015

Now that they have come out of "hiding" and are basking in the sunlight in a pond that has lost its reeds to the now departed muskrat, I would say that there are at least--at least--150 goldfish in my little pond. All sizes--some not really gold, but active everywhere. Where were they hiding all summer?

This Week at Iten's Acres: Mid-November Musings November 14, 2015

A mid-November day at The Acres. Chilly but enjoyable. Planted a few seeds--if that's the proper term for sowing seeds. Filled the bird feeders that only get filled on the weekends. It gets dark too early now to do much once I get home from school. Walking in the twilight on week days is good though. Believe it or not a few flowers are still hanging on. Phlox under the eaves, liriope, hardy cyclamen, a few asters and even a small patch of goldenrod. Still have some mulching to do--well, lots of mulching to do. And clearing out beds and other areas. The "fun" work of late fall and winter. The pussy willow by the pond is getting ready to shake its fist in winter's face. Still a few gold fish enjoying the sunlight. They spread out all over the pond. I hope we get some more rain before winter's freeze. Just to make sure the pond is deep enough so the orange floaters can survive the frozen pond. Still two cats hanging around--both calico. One is older; one is just a kitten. They now come running whenever I leave out food--once I "go away," of course. Scaredy cats. The kitten and Homesteader exchange niceties at the frontdoorwindow. Who knows what they're plotting. Lots of birds feeding when the cats are elsewhere--sparrow of many kinds, goldfinch, snowbirds, cardinals, blue jays, chickadee, nuthatch, titmouse--even an occasional robin. Woodpeckers adorn the suet feeders. And it was a relatively calm day today. The last couple of days the wind was howling in the dead branches--though I actually love the moaning. There is never a time of the year when the serenity and beauty of The Acres is not good for my old soul. Thank You Lord for the beauty of the earth that you have allowed me to rest in (and Mom) these last few years. My soul rejoices in the quietness of Your artistry. Your still small voice whispers everywhere. Shhhh. Listen. Slow down. The Lord is at hand.

Today at Iten's Acres Dear Feathered Friends November 5, 2015

Dear Feathered Friends,
I am not trying to set you up, I promise. You see, someone dumped some kittens on The Acres, and I'm just putting out a little food each day so the little things don't starve to death. No offense. It is not my intention that you become "dinner." They will just eat and leave, and then you can feast on the bird food I put out for you. Fair enough? Good.

Dear Chipmunks. Please come to "dinner."

This Week at Iten's Acres November's Bloom November 4, 2015

Even in November new flowers bloom:  behold, the gorgeous fall crocus.

Walking Iten's Acres News Flash November 4, 2015

News Flash from Iten's Acres: It appears the water got so low in the pond that the muskrat has moved on to deeper waters in some other pond in Morrow County. Ergo: When I took my twilight stroll after school--myriads of goldfish enjoying the evening with me.