This Week at Iten's Acres: War and Feast June 30, 2016

It is a time of contrast at The Acres: War and Feast. The scourge of the insect invaders have arrived--Japanese beetles. I am doing my utmost to have them annihilated--with joy in my heart. The Feast? The blueberries are ripening and the wild blackberries. I walk and feast at the same time. I am surprised my feathered friends allow me to have a blueberry or two. (They will not let me have any elder berries.) The blackberries are in the millions. Tiny--but sweet. Much better than the hybrid ones up by the house which are huge but virtually tasteless (unless baked in a cobbler by one's sisters). Ah yes, to walk and to feast and to kill. Lovely days at The Acres..

Today at Iten's Acres: The Incident with Midnight June 29, 2016

The Incident with Midnight

I have on my front patio one of those plastic chairs that has "columns" on the back--slats--that narrow as they reach from the top to the bottom. Well, about nine this morning I hear this horrible caterwauling. I thought some creature was attacking the Posse. But when I looked out the window, most of the Posse members were just sitting there eating and glancing at the side of the house. So, being the cattamanarian that I am, I went outside to see what was going on. It seems Midnight had somehow got his front paws stuck at the bottom of the slats on the chair. He was not a happy kitten. And they were stuck. I had to cut off the slats in order to free the little rascal. Was he grateful for the help? Was there the slightest thank meow? Right. He called me every fowl--I mean, foul--cat word in his little vocabulary. (Cat's don't know fowl language, do they?) And he hissed at me the entire time I was cutting him loose. And took off like a streak of black lightning once he was out. Interestingly the rest of the Posse just watched the entire rescue. MC's indifference didn't surprise me--I am accepted into her world. But Tiger and the two baby Tigers had to come and watch as well. Normally, they run like crazy when I come out. Oh well, when Midnight hit the bushes the whole Posse went with him--even Momma Calico. Ah, the joys of country living. There are just no thankful cats in this world. Sigh.

This Week at Iten's Acres: The Power of Rain June 25, 2016

The Power of Rain

This Week at Iten's Acres: Reflections June 24, 2016

Reflections from this week at The Acres:

1. Rain. No matter how faithfully I cart water around The Acres to water what appears to be struggling flowers, God's watering just changes everything. The flowers "stand up" straighter. Those that have been waiting to bloom, burst into beauty. There's no comparison--it's not even close--between the impact of the watering I do, and the rain God sends. God's blessings are so much richer than man's blessings. Always.

2. Honey bees. So few. I have enough clover alone to feast thousands. I'm fortunate to see twenty-five in a day's walking. The hive in The Sentinel is still there. I suppose that's where they come from. But there's not many. It seems we have put stuff on our crops to supposedly ensure a good harvest. And in doing so are killing off the bees whose gift of pollinating makes a harvest even possible. As a kid I can remember honey bees being everywhere. And we still had harvests. Man's brilliance is just amazing, eh? My lawn mower always stops for honey bees. I suppose if my neighbors knew, they'd want to lock me up.

3. I am in awe of Momma Calico. How did she manage to keep those kittens safe and hidden out here in the "wilderness"? Had to have been for five or six weeks. And why did she decide that this week was the week to introduce them to the world? They are still such tiny creatures. Entertaining. Scared to death of me. Fascinated with Homesteader sitting at the doorwindow watching them. They come up--right to the glass--to check her out. The curiosity is mutual. At night they all cuddle in a ball of fur on the patio chair. Mom and the three kids. I am amazed MC.

4. I have spent a lot of time this week sitting on the green throne at the top of the hill. It may qualify as addicting. Quiet. Still in a natural way. Serenading from my feathered friends. Always a breeze. Sometimes I stand up and hold out my arms to try to catch it. Dreams of flying perhaps? Eyes closed listening and being still. One of my favorite places on earth. Serenity. Peacefulness. God has given me such a gift in my old age. Thank You! What? Bring your own chair--my extra one is immersed in fur--and no talking. Just sitting quietly, listening, meditating. That's all that permissible. Anything else would be heresy. And you know what they do to heretics, right? =)

5. Ephemeral. As gorgeous and breath-taking as the beauties of nature are, they are ephemeral. Gone, faded, in what seems like a moment. Beautiful moments that I cherish--but brief. I always contrast it with the beauty of the human soul in love with Him. Mom was a lovely young lady--I have photographs to prove it. But after a lifetime of walking with Him, she was never more beautiful than when she was 99 years old. Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me. What a lovely promise He gives us that He will one day "make all things beautiful." He will replace the ephemeral with the eternal. Beautiful..

Walking Iten's Acres: A Mixed Bag June 18, 2016

A mixed bag at The Acres this week.  One last German iris is hanging on.  The Louisiana and Japanese iris are blooming.  The yellow flag iris continues to bloom as well.  Day lilies and Asian lilies have joined the "chorus."  Lots of stuff.  Enjoy your walk.