Life at Iten's Acres: Fair Trade Practices December 30, 2016

Fair Trade Practices: While the Posse is out back rummaging through the bird food for peanuts, the birds are out front gorging on the left over cat food. Winner take all.

Today at Iten's Acres: April in December December 26, 2016

The best laid plans of mice and chubby old bald men often . . . You know. Today was supposed to be grade all the papers day so I would have the rest of vacation to do as I please. But . . . who knew it would be a spring day in December? And it was a surprise in a way. The trees were doing their moaning song last night and early this morning--I was sure it was cold moving in. But when I went out to feed the Posse--behold, warmth. How could I possibly spend this day inside? Not a chance. So, extra long walk this morning. Then, spent most of the day outside working. Well, "working." I'm still not doing any heavy lifting, but this evening with the lifting I did do, I feel fine--for an old man. I love the curse of physical labor. And I had two advisors. The Posse made sure I didn't do any loafing or take any cat naps. Midnight is as bossy as his alter-ego. Man, did I get an earful all day long. Psycho just sits and looks--gives me the "what do you think you're doing dumb human." I endured the criticism, loved the labor, and am not the least bit sorry that I didn't get the papers graded. Thank You, Lord for the Christmas present--April in December. O H

This Week at Iten's Acres: The Present December 21, 2016

And so we celebrated the shortest day of the year by declaring Christmas Break. Winter has arrived. And on the first day of winter I have water. I have a creature who is looking forward to bossing me around for a few days. I have the Posse who have added old popcorn to their strange addictions--first peanuts, now popcorn. Who knew? I mean I knew cats were strange, but . . . I have much to do on The Acres. Some of it will have to wait--things are still frozen. Some I can do regardless of the weather. The most strenuous thing I will do today is take multiple walks. There are school things to be done as well. And countless books to read. Lunch with the family on New Year's Eve. Pace will be the key. As one of my favorite poems proclaims:

"Suppose we did our work
like the snow, quietly, quietly,
leaving nothing out."

My feathered friends are active. Scolding the Posse, "stealing" their cat food, mostly in blacks and whites and grays, although the raucous blue jays and the magnificent cardinals are around as well.
Otherwise, spunky chickadees and their cousins the titmice; black and white of the woodpeckers, nuthatch (though I sometimes think they, too, have a touch of blue), snowbirds aplenty, sparrows of various persuasions make up the flock.
The pond is frozen--I assume the gold is safely hidden at the bottom. The Sentinel has contributed another of its massive limbs to the middle of the pond as it slowly continues its journey toward decay. Soon it will limbless--still magnificent, but a spar on a ship--guardian of the pond and its minions. I hope it waits to fall until after I am gone.
There is, of course, some green around. Conifers, lungwort in the trees, Lenten roses everywhere, the green of the iris, azaleas. Hints of life to come again. In places the hardy cyclamen are still producing their miniature pink flowers. Life at The Acres. a gift from The Ancient of Days for an ancient human. May I remember each day to whisper a "thank you." And then enjoy His present in all its wondrous wrapping.

Today at Iten's Acres Ice Follies December 18, 2016

The backroads of Morrow County would have been perfect for a Blue Jackets game this morning. All we would need would be a couple of nets. Even the Posse and my feathered friends were having brake problems. Slip sliding away. i confess to having church at home. The preacher was a little boring--the other member of the congregation fell asleep on his lap. Special music? Depends on your definition of special--and music, I suppose. Let's hope the road crews can clear things off a little. I may have to leave tonight in order to get to school tomorrow. =) Sleep over in Room 9, oh yeah. I think if I just give the trash can a little shove it should make it all the way down the driveway to the road--the bend by The Ancient Maple may be a problem. The water is still working!! I got the doors on the little red wagon open--without having to use a hammer! And, of course, I absolutely hated having to be a hermit all day. Hope I survive. A stroll through The Acres should be exciting. I will have to take it before the thermometer crashes though. O H

Today at Iten's Acres: Water!!!!! December 11, 2016

Ah--the water is back at least for this evening. Didn't come on until after 5, so I thought I would be a desert dweller again tomorrow. The strategy is simple. First, fill up the containers. I have 21 one gallon containers--enough for 7 days. Then, do the laundry and the dishes. Need to get everything clean. Finally, shower and shave regardless of what time of day it is. The water is usually more tepid than hot, but clean is good. Now, when your pipes freeze, you will know the survival technique. =) No charge for the advice.


On a totally unrelated not--Midnight loves the snow. Psycho--not so much.

Posse Update November 18, 2016

Posse Update:

Midnight--dark as a moonless night. Going to be panther-size. A friendly, affectionate fellow. Homebody. Greets me whenever I come home at night. Ever been attacked by a shadow? Fills me in on his day. Walks to the real back door with me. Likes to sit in the chair on the patio. Make a great pet if someone's interested. Hint. Hint.

Psycho--A tiger that has no concept of the word "still." Runs in circles when I feed them. Appears to spend the day exploring. Loves the pond area, the trees, even the shed out back. His mouth is as active as the rest of him. Little tyke compared to Midnight. Feisty might sum him up best. (Though Psycho works.)

Little Momma Gorgeous calico. Has been showing up most mornings at breakfast time. I wonder where she keeps her clock? Not ever in panic mode, but always in leery mode. Won't come to breakfast until I'm back in the house.

All seem to be healthy. Wildness in their blood, though Midnight--as mentioned--has decided to be friendly--a long as he initiates it. Wonder how winter will impact them? It will be the first for Midnight and Psycho. Maybe having found the shed will help?

Strangeness--they love peanuts. Whenever I throw out the bird food, they gulp down the peanuts. Hey, it's not my fault. Homesteader did the same thing. She, of course, loves sitting in the doorwindow--no, loves luxuriating in the doorwindow--flaunting her indoor status. Queen of the Cave has now become Queen of the Universe. Don't believe me? Just ask her.

The Posse is fine for those of you who worry. No outlaws dare roam The Acres. Nothing living dare try to run the cave.

Walking Iten's Acres: The Last Picture Show November 13, 2016

The hard frost has come--this year's blooms have met their match. Here is the last flower show of 2016: all of these were in bloom--annuals and perennials as I wandered The Acres this first week of November: Enjoy the last picture show--for this year.

Walking Iten's Acres: Lessons November 4, 2016

Lessons from The Acres:

When as I walk The Acres after an early March snowfall, and encounter the purple, yellow, lilac, and gold of the first spring crocus, I am reminded that hidden under all the cold spells of life, God's beauty is waiting for just the right moment to cheer the soul.

As I sit on the patio among the containers of perennials, I am reminded of the joy of memories--Mom, in her floppy pink hat, delighted with the country breeze, the beauty all around her, sitting in the same chair, enriched--and thankful--for every moment of life her Father gave her. I am a rich man--a millionaire of memories.

Often, coming home late at night, as I slip out of the little red wagon, I find myself under a ceiling of stars on a pitch-black canvas. The God who created such a universe is the omnipotent God of promises. He who has named them all, calls me by name--as His child, forever. He is my Father who is in heaven.

When I see the sparrows feasting on this morning's bird food, and when I walk among the lilies, lovely as they are, I rest in the truth that He loves me so much more than these. "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." And He lives within this old clay pot that the loveliness of His presence might be seen in me. In me! Amazing love.

From spring to first frost, I walk The Acres in the bright sunshine of the meadow, in the dense lushness of the wild area, in the dappled shade around the pond and under The Ancient maple, in the deep shade of the line of trees, in the dryness of the hillside, in the miry bog, and everywhere I encounter His beauty. There is nowhere I can walk, nowhere, and not find evidence that His hand has been--and is--at work there. Everywhere I walk . . .He is.

As I sit in the chair in front of the doorwindow and watch the snows of winter cover the bareness of the branches with the flakes of pearl, I remember that in the winters of my life, He has always made His presence known--and He has given me the pearl of great price that no storm of winter can ever take away. And as I have said before, every winter has been followed by a spring. "He restores my soul."

And as I walk The Acres and am suddenly surprised by a flower that I was not expecting--the work of my Gardening Angels--I cannot help but smile, whisper another "Thank You," and anticipate with great joy, the surprises of His love that await me just around the corner.

I suppose, it's actually not the lessons of The Acres, but the lesson of The Acres. "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Thank You, Savior--that day-by-day-by day, You speak into our lives and remind us of Your presence--the presence of Your loyal love.

This Week at Iten's Acres: Mysteries November 1, 2016

The Mysteries of The Acres:
The gold fish are back. Not that they ever leave; they just disappear all summer. Where do they all go? When they suddenly reappear on the surface--tons of them. And how do they know that the "predators" have all gone south by now? Do they have an insides connection with someone at the Audubon Society?
So many re-blooming iris this year! (Not that I'm complaining). The white/rose-tinted one bloomed off and on for a month or so. I've had at least eight yellow dwarf that have been blooming and blooming. They won't quit. And I have two more iris that have just budded. If there's not a hard frost for a couple of weeks--they will bloom as well. If it stays warmish, will more join the parade? I've never had so many.
And the last mystery? Will my FA Syndrome come true? They are predicting a cold, snowy winter. Ah, life at The Acres. Better start working on my snow shovel muscles. I think I have one or two? And The Posse had best start scouting out places to hunker down. There's only two left--six inches of snow will bury them. Midnight should be easy to spot--a black puff of fur under a drift. Little Tiger--I don't know. Maybe they'll be smart enough to hide out in one of the sheds. If Homesteader ever got out in the snow, she'd be invisible just in flurries. Well, maybe her one blue eye would stand out.
Mysteries. Mysteries. Mysteries. Everybody loves a mystery. Or two. Or three. Or . . .

Backroads of Morrow County Update: The Art Gallery October 31, 2016

Backroads of Morrow County Update:

From orange to red to crimson to yellow to colors only an artist could name--the backroads are magnificent. Even the greens of the conifers seem to be perfectly placed on the canvas of autumn's art show. Admission is free. Straggling is encouraged. The only thing in a hurry was the huge buck slipping from the meadow toward the stand of white birch. The steepness of the hill seemed irrelevant to his gracefulness. Flocks of sheep feeding in the midst of the hay mounds cast waves of serenity toward the old chubby man in the little red wagon. Yes, I can feel it. To the horses in some of the fields, I am invisible--at least, not worth looking up from the feast of grass. The fields have been mostly harvested. The beans leave a field as smooth as a walkway. The corn leaves a field of stubble and ruin. Some fields have already been re-planted with something--they have been brushed with a blanket of green. As I always confess this time of year, I love after-harvest time. The contour of the fields has returned. The horizon has returned. The hidden houses and barns have been "chased" out of hiding by the green and red monsters who devoured their hiding places. I get angry at the cars that suddenly appear in my rear view mirror. I will not be rushed. Think me strange if you wish as I pull over and let you pass. I know. Autumn, too, will pass. But I will immerse myself in the beauty of another October painting created by the Master's hand--beauty given to me to enjoy. I pray you haven't been too busy to take the time to meander through the "art gallery." 

Yes, pray.

Goings On at The Acres October 15,2016

Goings on at The Acres:
Fall has arrived, but the leaves aren't changing much. Dogwoods--and the burning bush are just starting to light up. The pond has risen a little--water hyacinth are blooming like crazy. No sign of the goldfish yet. A huge heron dropped by yesterday--and I do mean huge--pterodactyl size.
The Posse is down to two--Midnight and Little Tiger. Midnight is a constant resident. He has decided I am completely safe. On rare occasions Little Calico drops by. The other two greet me at night when I come home regardless of the hour. And, of course, sit looking in the doorwindow every morning demanding breakfast. Homesteader enjoys the show. She was limping a little--at least when I'm watching. Got a paper bag caught around her neck last week and went into extreme panic mode. Destroyed the house until I caught her and took the bag off. She has been holding up one paw since--unless, of course, she's racing around the house, jumping up on things, flying up or down the stairs.
Since we haven't had a frost yet--close a couple nights ago--several things are still blooming. I'll let you have a look at a few of them.

Walking Iten's Acres: An October Parade October 1, 2016

October has arrived--but The Acres are still abloom.  Leaves are waiting to change, the Posse's Midnight and Little Tiger are still hanging around, this week's monsoon has raised the level of the pond, autumn's chill is in the air--what could be better?  Here are some of October's beauties--and a few things have yet to even bloom.