A Week's Break December 2019

Well, we are into week two of Christmas break. The first week was spring-like. Time was spent grading exams, walking to break the monotony of grading, and running an errand or two. The most difficult one was forcing myself to go spend some time at Half-Price books. Terrible, terrible chore for an English teacher as you can imagine. But I forced myself to spend an afternoon with books all around me. Sigh. The walks were lovely; the rain Saturday a delight, the week was proverbially too fast. This week I will spend most of it outside doing what looks like work. Yesterday I moved things around so I could get the things I really want to do done later this week. Today, I'll spend time at school putting all my grades on the computer and printing the stuff I need for next week. Once I get that stuff all finished, the rest of the week will be mine. I had hoped that with all the ice off the pond the goldfish might make an appearance, but, alas, it looks as if they are settled in for the winter at the bottom of the pond. The feathered friends are still active, and you can tell it's not spring--the male Cardinals are tolerating each other. I am off to play teacher. Hope you have a marvelous day. Get outside! Winter is in the air!!! We need that cold to make spring beautiful.

Christmas Morning at The Acres 2019

Christmas morning at The Acres. Up early--the Alarm Clock insists. Watched the light of day emerge. Breakfast--eggs, sausage, and English muffin. Orange juice to drink. Never fear the Pepsi came a tad later! Slow and quiet beginning to the day--perfect for The Acres.
My Lap Top and I spend part of the morning admiring our feathered friends at breakfast. The only service she can provides is purring. Christmas bells were provided by the blue jays. I don't know what you would call the staccato of the chickadees. My tree ornaments keep moving from tree to tree to the patio. None of them break when they "fall." Reds, olive greens, black and whites, a touch of yellow in the tails of the goldfinch when they fly off, purples, slate blue gray of the nuthatches, lots of browns, white vees as the snowbirds take flight. Yes, my ornaments are always on the move. And I never have to put up or take down the trees. =)
I do have a little tree that stays decorated year round. I set it up when I read the Christmas story on Christmas Eve. A memory tree if you will. Some of the ornaments on that tree have to be over a hundred years old--maybe the tree itself. Add a few candles (Hanukkah candles!), and it creates a beautiful aura especially with the lights turned off. Can't leave it up long--someone I know likes to play with dangling things.
The morning walk was peaceful. Nothing, of course, is blooming--a couple of months til that starts up again. But I'm sure they're thinking about it. Greens, though, everywhere--firs, pines, blue spruce, Lenten rose, grasses. Blue-gray sky. Browns and blacks and whites. The pussy willow by the pond is already budding. The pond itself is ice-covered.
I love my Christmas at The Acres. The silence. The calm. The subtle colors. The movement and brightness of my feathered friends. Even the purring of my Lap Top. Serenity is probably the best word to describe my morning. The Creator who is my Savior always makes His presence known here The Acres. The King is on His throne.

Backroads Update December Lights

Backroads of Morrow County Update:
Dealing with a flat tire yesterday eventually led to a late night trip home backroad's style. I ended up with one of those little fake tires, and since they told me to not go over 50 on the way home, I eschewed the highway and wandered home the good way. The best part was that no one was on the roads but the chubby, old boy guy so I could meander at any speed I chose. Slow, slower, slowest---even stopped once to take in a marvelous manger scene. That was the beauty of the trip last night--Christmas lights everywhere glowing in the darkness of a dark country road. Some of the homes were just lights--some simple and elegant,, some abundant in light but beautiful, some just gaudy. Not many manger scenes, but some glorious ones. It was my visual "high" for the season. I may be tempted to try some other roads or re-do this trip from the other direction. Peaceful. Serenely shining out of darkness. Myriad colors. I wonder if anyone has ever done a study on Christmas displays revealing the person's character? Anyway, I love the meandering. Some folks are supreme artists. And going slow made it all glorious. Who knew a flat tire had so much potential for a beautiful late evening excursion? Beauty from ashes. And I had a nice little Christmas conversation with the young man who changed my tire. Seeds in the darkness may grow in the light If watered with a little prayer. Find the wonder in your "flat tires" today. It's good for the soul.

Thanksgiving at The Acres 2019

It was a good break at The Acres. Almost got everything finished--two small remakes to complete. Hey, I have to have something to do in December. And I needed to work on my procrastination skills.
Loved the rainy days. My pond needs about six to eight inches before it freezes up. Have to have plenty of room for my goldfish to sink deep for the winter and stay warm. They are up and about every day lately. Cold weather lovers I guess. Sluggish, but up and about. Orange clouds in the water. Perfectly still--but they can disappear in a second.
Had the duck dinner with part of the family. Sadly, the other part had to work. Duck, dressing (fake), veggies provided by Brad. He's becoming a chef. And they took the hour to drive to my place!!! Can't beat that. Even Dumb Animal hung out with us for awhile giving us her opinions on the state of the world. Good conversation and shared love. Isn't it amazing that you can just quietly sit in a room with those you love, and it's a delight. Never underestimate the joy of presence. Or fail to take advantage of it. Who knows what a day will bring--let alone another year until another Thanksgiving with family. Got my Christmas stuff up =). Takes a second to say and a second to do. My trees are outside. God will decorate them with snow. And the stars make great ornaments. Use the moon for the top of the trees. So easy to do. And gorgeous. And then after December's celebration, two months until the crocus and orchard iris and snowdrops start signalling that spring is on the way.
The best part was being outside almost every day. The tragedy was the loss of the main part of the Sentinel. Fell in the Bog thankfully. It was huge! The wind has provided a haven of rest for some creatures who like to live in the swamp. Someday maybe, or maybe not, I can just hide out at The Acres year around. Until that becomes His will, I will by His grace keep trying to somehow show young people His love and His grace and how--whether they like it or not--He wants their minds filled with His truth and their lives filled with His grace. Discipleship we call it. Loving the Lord with all our hearts, souls, mind, and strength is the calling of each of us--regardless of our age.
Thank You, Lord, for a joyous week at the haven you've given me. Empower me each day to take your presence with me into the classroom. May Christ be seen in me. And remember a thankful heart is spontaneous in the daily life on one filled with the Spirit.

The Loss of a Landmark at The Acres

Yesterday's wind was ferocious. As I worked outside in it, it nearly blew me over--no exaggeration. I know I'm old and unsteady, but still. Yet, its real victim yesterday at The Acres was the Sentinel. The guardian of the pond is no more. I knew it was inevitable. I could see through it. And yesterday--the winds completed the dismantling. It will be missed.

Duck Hunting

I went duck hunting today. I had been everywhere with nary a sighting. Got close last night, but the guy at Meyers said they had just sold their last one. But . . . He also told me that he had seen some at Aldis where he does his shopping. (Don't tell Meyers) This morning, off the Aldis I went. Success! They had a whole flock of them.
I also got to travel the backroads to get there. Took County Road 24 backwards again. Perspective is everything. Drive all roads in both directions--backroads anyway. So much to miss if you just see it from one vantage point. And this is the best time of year to wander. All the leaves are down, and you can see forever. I have to be careful that I don't just spend the entire day meandering. I could see the river/stream in the hollow. Old barns came out of hiding. Old empty houses as well--wouldn't I love to explore both of those. An ancient cemetery I had never seen before. It would be great to walk the "aisles" and say their names again out loud to the world they new and walked in. "Do you remember them, oak tree? Sycamore trees by the stream? Stones in the flowing water?
So much of life surrounds us, and we get so busy with the nonsense of the present tense that we forget the history of the small and ordinary places and the people who walked there. Thankful that I have been blessed with being a part of the history of Iten's Acres. I wonder if the history of this place is recorded at Home. Wouldn't that be marvelous?! Love those backroads. And having a successful duck hunt. =) Now I know where to go to find my celebration birds.

Wonders

Day 14:
"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God . . ."

The nine days of Thanksgiving break have begun. Early this morning a small herd of deer came meandering through The Acres. They took the exact same path as Tom, Mom and the Seven Young Turks took all summer into fall. Slip out of the trees near the driveway up near the cave. But stay just on the edge. Move quietly across the driveway past the hickories, swing through the side yard, and slide through the trees into the meadow. Is there some kind of invisible animal "road signs" that I can't see. "Come out here from the woods." "Linger and munch for awhile but stay close to the shelter of the trees." "Cross here by the hickories. Turn left past the blackberry bush." "Enter the meadow here." Strange--but fascinating.
Nature in cahoots?
And why is it the goldfish in the pond love a thin layer of ice on the surface. When that happens "word" must get around quickly because up they come by the hundreds. They just float there under the ice--beautiful but content. Why is an ice roof so valued?
And when I feed my feathered friends in the morning, there is a natural pecking order. A few minutes of bird chatter--blue jays must be in charge of the megaphones. Then, first and always first are the hit-and-run feeders--chickadees, titmouse, nuthatches. No one else stops by and settles in until they have first made their incursions multiple times. Are they the scouts of the bird world? Do their tactics make them safer than the other birds--draw out any predators that are in the area but too slow to nab them as they flit in and quickly out again?
I do not know how it all works. But it is fascinating and beautiful. Follow your paths and road signs creatures. Bask in your cold tub of ice. Send in the scouts. Ah, the beauty of the earth and its creatures spoken into existence by the God of Creation who cares for them all. And the old man watching them!

A Year of Beauty

A Year of Beauty

"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God . . .

January: A lovely snow to track through under a clear blue sky. Amazing, all the creatures that were out and about the night before--tracks everywhere.
February: the first crocus peaking through a light snow--purple-blues, pale yellows, and bright yellows. The first "surprises" of the blooming season.
March--Daffodil time--thousands of blooms all over The Acres--up front, on the edge of the bog, surrounding the pond, behind the cave, everywhere in the Meadow and Wild Area. Whites, yellows, pinks, reds, even orange--they love to dance in the country breeze.
April--Hyacinths--bright colors and a beautiful scent to add to The Acres. Love the deep purples and bright yellows. Hundreds of little bluish grape hyacinth everywhere. And bleeding hearts filling up the shady area with glorious reds and pinks--even a
May--Iris time! My favorite time of the year--such matchless beauty. Every color imaginable. Dwarves, mid-size--tall and lustrous. Some will re-bloom in the fall.
June: Here come the day lilies--one day of beauty at a time. The Asian/Oriental lilies bloom as well--bright colors that last for weeks.
July: By this time the Rose of Sharon and hibiscus have made their appearances--from pure white to dark red. Huge flowers--hummingbird magnets.
August: Here come the phlox--everywhere! The Acres smells like a perfume counter at the store. Bumble bees get intoxicated on the phlox.
September: This is highlight time for The Wild Area. Flowers everywhere especially the asters and goldenrod. Waves of white, purples, and yellows. An ocean of color.
October: By this time the annuals are reaching their peak. They've been slowly sneaking up on the annuals and now is their time to shine! And shine they do until frost.
November: It depends on how soon the frost comes. Leaves turn. The goldfish return to the surface for a daily swim. Some flowers will last until frost. The monkshood waits until now to bloom. A final burst of deep bluepurple.
December: Winter is here. A landscape of black and white beautifies The Acres with touches of the green pines and spruce. God always seems to lay down a blanket of white before the really cold days.

I am thankful for life at The Acres. Color everywhere all year round. Daily strolls of beauty. Thank you, Lord. Your creativity is evident in every area--shade, sun, rain, snow, the bog, the dry Wild Area, the pond itself. Nothing escapes Your paintbrush.

(And this is just a commentary on the major bloomers each month. There is much more!)

"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God . . .

November Beauty

"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord."

Thankful for the beauty of The Acres in November

Standing by the pond as the day dies watching hundreds of goldfish paint streaks of orange on the surface of the black pond.
Laughing at the calico cat as she thinks she is successfully hiding under The Last Ride. Orange and white is not exactly good camouflage against the backdrop of a black car.
Sitting in awe as the first wet snow of November crystalizes on the branches.
Creeping down the driveway in the early morning darkness under a canopy of ice covered limbs leaning over the path.
Being entertained by Homesteader's fascination with all the feathered-friends feeding on the patio.
Amazed by a baker's dozen of male cardinals ornamenting the brush by the house. Who needs a Christmas tree?
Slowing meandering through the Meadow and along the paths in the Wild Area--brisk breeze, birds flitting through the tall grass and briers, blue spruce adding their deep winter color to the browns and blacks, the red leaves of the blueberry bushes and oak trees and burning bushes competing with the sun at twilight.

"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God. . ."

Backroads of Morrow County Update October 26, 2019

Backroads of Morrow County Update:

Fall is here--cool, colorful, and changed. The trees along the highways and byways are gorgeous. Oranges and reds everywhere--some yellows and maroons as well. And with the rains and wind a storm of leaves caught up in swirling tornadoes of color as I drive by. And, of course, the greens have settled in to being the stars of winter waiting for their coats of white.
The change as always is in the vistas. Almost all of the soy beans have been harvested. They leave fields that look as if nothing was ever there. You can see the hills, the dips, the faraway houses and barns that have been in hiding all summer. It's picture postcard time. Farmers have started on the corn as well. Row by row leaving behind a meadow of stalks and on the backroads husks fleeing for safety from the hungry green monsters? Many fields have been plowed already--more than I remember from past excursions in the fall of Morrow County. One or two even have something coming up, long green parallel lines stretching across the panorama. Is it some strategy to prepare for next spring if it happens to be as wet as this spring? I have no idea.
Not much in the way of wildlife along the roads. I've seen a few deer feeding. They give me a wary eye and go back to dinner. Some have simply crossed my path and into the woods. And even though the woods are "thinned" out, they seem to disappear into thin air themselves once they've reached the edge of sanctuary. Some flocks of blackbirds and starlings litter the fields. They seem to have a fondness for spending time with the cows. And the domesticated beasts of Morrow County seem unaware of fall's coming--except for the bundles of hay that have already been set out for their snack times. One huge black Angus escaped from somewhere and was meandering aimlessly down County Road 20. No one would want to run into that monster--huge and fearless. He claimed the road for his own.
When I swing back into the driveway leading up to the cave, there are still some flowers hanging on. Still some brilliant purple blue monkshood, Still some annuals--the marigolds stand out. Still some phlox. And the birds are active at The Acres feeding stations. And the calico feline beauty is stalking out the place though I thing she likes the peanuts more than the birds. Anyway, the backroads are bright and lovely, and the last "road" leads home. And I have promises to keep.

Autumn at The Acres

Autumn is beginning to take center stage. The dogwoods have gone purple; The Ancient One--the old red maple at the turn of the driveway--is beginning to show its colors, as well as its smaller brothers in the Meadow. The bit of rain we got last week--what a lovely day--and the cool, crisp air is working its magic. I won't complain about another rainy day. Flower-wise just a few beds are still blooming--though, here and there, there are some solo showoffs. Mom's Memorial Garden at the turn of the driveway is glorious. Deep purple monkhoods, tons of blue forget-me-nots, still some marigolds--she would love it! I turn the corner at The Ancient One to head up to the cave and--a postcard in blues, purples, and yellows greets me. An anticipated surprise every time I come home. The container garden is lovely as well. Tons of annuals daring autumn to throw some frost its way. Pick a color--pick just about any color--and it's shining forth from the container garden. The third bloomer is the one I put gladiolas in at the middle of September. Must be six or seven beauties in there, and they have a background canvas of monkshood, pink phlox, and bluish-purple spiderwort. The Wild Area still has some yellow goldenrod and purple New England asters--and butterflies everywhere. Still some good walks at The Acres each day.
I also started bird feeding for this fall and winter. It takes awhile for them to hone in on the catering service--but not too long. As always the chickadees are first. Then, their playmates the titmice and nuthatches join in. By twilight a sparrow or two will have gotten the message and even a lone Cardinal. My feathered friends will keep winter in colors.
Delighted you've decided to visit Autumn. I always enjoy when you drop by.

Reflections

Autumn 2019 has officially arrived.  Time to reflect on the spring and summer goings on at The.  Acres---not that things have quit blooming.  There is still plenty around--the monks hood and fall crocus haven't bloomed yet--not to mention a few re-blooming iris.  But some musings on the last year are in order.
The weather was enigmatic.  All spring and early summer it rained and rained and rained.  I don't think I actually cut the grass until mid-May.  It was a hay field by then.  Tried to mow several times, but got stuck in the mud over and over again.  I wonder if the saturation of the soil had anything to do with the almost total absence of Japanese beetles this year.  Usually i have to battle thousands.  This year barely any showed up--a dozen at the most.  Did they "drown"?  Hope so.  I didn't miss them except in my paranoia that they were just going to arrive late this year.  I also wonder if the iris crop had any connection to the rain.  I had a great iris year which you know makes me ecstatic!  But it's puzzling.  Iris--at least the German ones--are not fans of wet feet.  Yet, they bloomed everywhere.  I expected a small bloom time--so many beds had been redone last fall, and iris usually take a couple years to bloom.  But not this year.  Whatever the reason a re-run next year would be fantastic.
I will give my Gardening Angels credit for five works of art at The Acres in 2019.  They planted one completely new wild flower up near the house--a tall bellflower.  It looks nothing like a bell, but it is tall--and a lovely blue.  Supposedly it's biannual so I'll have to wait two years to see if it returns--or, dare I hope--spread.  A second thing of beauty was The Bog.  There had to be at least two dozen cardinal flowers in there this year.  Now, that's spreading.  They mix in the crowds of hibiscus--from white to dark read, and with the yellow sneezeweed.  You have "to see it to believe it."  Third masterpiece--they brought back some poppy mallow--beautiful.  I have had some before but not for a couple years.  This time it bloomed literally all spring and summer at the crook in the driveway near The Ancient One.  And it was surrounded by a dozen bluish purple lobelia.  Lovely--wine read and purple blue go good together.  Fourth was the blooms on the white magnolia in the trees.  In the past it's been two or three blooms at best.  This year in the midst of the monsoon--loaded!  Finally, I'll give them credit for a brand new iris in Bed F.  Very little has bloomed in there for a couple of years, but this year a majestic iris bloomed that I didn't even know I had.  All in all, it was a good year for the Angels.
Work-wise I only added one new bed this year--up front; very small.  But I re-did a lot of beds, and still have a few more to go before winter gets here.  Should be fun and always adds to the expectations for next year.
The second half of summer has been the exact opposite of the wet spring and early summer--no rain whatsoever.  The Wild Area didn't mind--and I don't know yet who did, but I'll find out next spring.  Right now, The Wild Area is the show--waves of yellow goldenrod, islands of purple and pink New England Asters, a border of hundreds of heath asters, and small clumps of pink thistles.  Add a touch of blue lobelia, lilac bee balm, yellow sneezeweed, and darker pink coneflowers and you have another masterpiece--one I'm blessed with every year about this time.
All this to say that it has been another marvelous year at The Acres--weird weather and all.  Lots of walks yet to come--the leaves will change, the late flowers will bloom, the goldfish will re-appear for awhile, and snow walks will be here soon.  Too much beauty is impossible.  Thank you, Lord, for a lovely old age.

Impatience

I confess: I was too impatient. First time ever! The Wild Area is filled with purple islands of New England asters, and white islands of heath asters.

side note: if The Acres are any indication the monarch butterflies are making a comeback. A huge comeback. Never saw so many!

September at the Acres

Goings on at The Acres:
This afternoon was spent mowing the back meadow and paths in the wild area. I love to mow. A couple hours of solitude meandering through nature--even if by mower and not by feet--is quite peaceful. Just meditate, relax, and take in the beauty. This time of year the wild area is a yellow sea waving in the breeze. Here and there are islands of pink thistles loaded with butterflies and bees, small ponds of blue lobelia and hibiscus--white, pink, and red. Lots of purple iron weed as well. It seems to be a down year for asters though--unless I'm just being impatient (imagine that). Not many dainty white heath asters and even fewer purple and pink New England asters. Maybe I'll get a few more later. Tomorrow. I'll mow the front. The big mystery of 2019--other than the asters--is the almost total disappearance of the Japanese beetles. Usually, i have hundreds upon hundreds. This summer I don't think I've seen even a dozen. Now, don't get me wrong; I don't miss the pests. May they never return! It just seems a little strange.
The goldfish are back. I was a little leery because all summer I had a family of green herons hanging out at Iten's Pond. But today when I wandered by the pond--hundreds of the little golden beauties in huge schools. How did they know the green hunters had moved on? Must have an ornithologist on the payroll. The heron were too gorgeous and sassy to chase away, but it appears no damage was done--to the goldfish population anyway. The weather was magic as well. Crisp.
After a week of days at school and several evenings cheering on the Warriors in their athletic endeavors, home for the weekend restores my soul. Lazy days, lazier walks, refreshing ride on the mower, cool weather, beauty in all forms--blue skies with white clouds, flowers here and there (phlox and goldenrod everywhere), my feathered friends, the return of the golden stars of the pond in the midst of islands of water lilies, my soul dances. Thank you Father for the gift of beauty you've allowed me to enjoy on the last steps of my journey. Grace indeed!

Toleration

Tom, Mom, and the Young Turks have decided I can be trusted--well, at least tolerated. They stop by often, look me over, and go about their journey through The Acres. I must not be scary enough. They parade out of the trees, by the pond, pass by the cave, and then wander through the Meadow, into the Wild Area, and off to who knows where. Until tomorrow afternoon. I wonder if they want to celebrate Thanksgiving with me? Hmmmm.

Rain

Ah, a rainy day at The Acres. I have been waiting and praying for one of these. What a strange spring and summer. Two months of daily rain--at least it seemed that way; two months with no rain at all. But, today, it has been raining all morning! I love the melancholy grayness. I love the soothing sounds. I love the fresh smell. I love the cleansing. Sure, it will set me back a day on my reconstruction projects, but at The Acres time is not relevant. Things get done when they get done--if they get done at all.
The flowers--and weeds--will be ecstatic! I expect The Wild Area and The Meadow to burst into bloom--yellow, purple, white will be everywhere. Golden rod and asters will be waving in the gentle breezes of late summer and autumn. The Bog and The Pond will be ecstatic as well. Free refills. The Bullfrog Choir has been quiet two nights in a row. Get your tickets early for tonight's performance.
Rainy days and Mondays always make me dance for joy. The Lord and Creator of life gives rain to the just and unjust. And rainbows. And cleansing. And growth and new life. Showers of blessing!

Feeding the Swallows July 2019

Yesterday was feeding the swallows. No matter how many times I do that, it's a delightful way to spend part of an afternoon. There fearlessness always amazes. I know they won't, but I am always convinced at least a couple times that a collision is coming. Velvet jets, impeccable maneuverability, one of God's creations to make engineers jealous. I have no idea how they connected with humans and lawnmowers somewhere in the past, but I am thrilled that they did. Who knew that mowing the back of The Acres could be an aerial art show? And with the rain coming today, the timing was perfect for me. And for them as well, I guess. The meadow will need cutting again soon. =)

Homesteader Update July 28, 2019

For those of you who were wondering--both of you--the Homesteader, aka Dumb Animal, aka Dish Rag, aka The Boss is doing quite well. She's still just as beautiful and brilliant as she thinks she is. And she's still very much at the center of the universe--her universe. Though it is summer, and she knows it--I'm home just about every day--she still insists on waking me up at 5:30 in the morning. Sweet nothings in my ear, paws in the center of my back, no mercy until I rise and shine. Shine meaning feed her.
As always the chair in the doorwindow is hers when she wants it. Occasionally, she'll share and sit in my lap--as long as I pet her. When I get up to do anything, she just plops in behind me. And woe to the human who tries to sit back down then! I am glad that I am still not proficient in Catonese. Her days are spent loafing around the house, sitting in the windows upstairs, making the motion light at the top of the stairs flash on and off. For exercise she can still fly up those stairs or fly across the upstairs floor and leap into one of the windows. And if she sees something of interest, she races down the stairs to check things out. Her greatest pet peeve is if I sit in the chair and read--newspaper, book, anything. She jumps into the chair, pushes whatever I think is more important than paying attention to her out of the way, and starrs me down until I do as I've been trained to do--spoil her.
Anyway, she's doing fine. Ask her and she'll be delighted to let you know. She'll greet you at the door, flop down and pet herself, just so you know that wherever you've been, you should have been home petting her. I should have named her Ego.

Menagerie July 2019

Afternoon observations from the doorwindow at The Acres.

First, the yellow warblers showed up. Up to something in the hickory trees by the pond. Flashes of yellow--furtive but busy. Then, the small calico had an encounter with a groundhog at the edge of the patio. She was under the Last Ride, and he decided to crawl under there as well. Both came out nervous but not afraid. She was impressed by his size, I guess. Sat and observed him but didn't run. He was not impressed at all. Kept right on munching the Queen Anne's Lace. After he left, she came and sat at the door and just watched me. Yawned.
Scratched. I think she knows how beautiful she is. More impressed by the groundhog than me I imagine. Finally, the family of wild turkeys meandered by. Tom, Mom, and eight little ones--if turkeys are ever little. Paraded everywhere--down the driveway a bit, up to the pond, around the hickory and out into the side yard. Stealthy, observant, always looking around--well, Tom and Mom anyway. The clan just followed wherever the adults led them. Spent more time bumping into each other than anything else. The Acres has its own menagerie. You just have to be still and observant. Let nature have its way--beauty and entertainment follows. And it's all free.

Backroads of Morrow County Update July 2019

Backroads of Morrow County Update:

Though it's a tad late, the corn has reached, if not surpassed, its "Knee high by the fourth of July" mantra. Very little of it had made it that high by the fourth, but it seems to be making up for lost time. And there's more than I imagined. Some of those fields overgrown with grass and weeds actually had corn in them. Now that it's growing the secret is out. Some of the soy beans are doing okay as well--nice green carpets as one traverses the backroads. A lot of them are, however, pretty pathetic. The wheat has been harvested though there was very little of it this year. Nevertheless, patches of gold pop up here and there along the roads. As always the most beautiful fields are the ones with hay bales doting the small green contours on a canvas of blue sky and white clouds--some with a touch of gray. More rain coming perhaps.
The usual suspects adorn the wires. Lots of doves, red-wings, a meadow lark or two, squadrons of barn swallows, even a hawk or two checking out the menu. On rare occasions--thankfully today was one of them--a flash of indigo bunting thrills the old man's soul
Flower decorations on my journey? Tons of orange day lilies. Even more white Queen Anne's lace, and still a sprinkling of daisies. Some tall yellow flower I'm not quite sure what it is--likes the areas around the streams and one lane bridges. Pink? Some pink/red clover; a tad of tall pink flowers--blazing star perhaps.
Not much human traffic today. Some of the gravel roads have a new coat of fresh tar--to keep the dust down, I guess? Just one deer running through a field of sheep. The doe was in a hurry; the sheep, not so much. Meal time for them. All in all, it was a nice cruise through the backroads. Beautiful scenery in its simplicity. Quiet solitude and silence. Perfect vacation trip for an old hermit.

Musings July 2019

Musings at The Acres:
I never thought I would say this in the summer of 2019; but, a little rain would be nice--especially since I just replanted some things yesterday. The heat affects me some, but I can handle four hours or so--the mosquitoes, however, have been vicious. Yesterday, they weren't too bad, so off to work I went. I walk no matter what, but feeding the insects deters me sometimes. I know, the rain may bring them back, but The Acres really does need it in most places. A couple places are still too wet to mow, but they're not big spaces.
Next on the agenda will be re-doing some beds. That's work, but alas, it must be done. Lots of other stuff, too--but I've given up trying to catch up with the weeds. The flowers don't seem to mind; they just bloom away anyway. I notice them and not the weeds. =) Lots more blooms to come. I am especially anxious to see how many cardinal flowers show up in the bog. Last year there were over a dozen, and I am hoping for even more this year. They are lovely things. The two main surprises this year--there were several--were the poppy mallow and the tall bell flower. Thank you Gardening Angels. It has been years since any mallow bloomed, and the bell flower is completely new. It only blooms every other year so I'll have to hang around a couple more years to see if it comes back.
In other news the birds with no song finally showed up--small green heron and kingfisher. What a racket they make--and the goldfish disappear. They, of course, will return in late autumn or even early winter. Oh, the rose-breasted grosbeak are still hanging around. Lovely feathered-friends. The Acres are doing well--rain would be nice--and the old man is enjoying his seclusion. And the boss is enjoying bossing me around. All things remain the same.

Tall bell flowers

poppy mallow

July Swoon 2019

Goings on at The Acres:
July is here--red hot, humid July. I never thought I would be happy for a rainstorm in 2019--but I was. The grass had been cut so that's not an issue. Some of the plants in the planters had been feeling the heat. And the beds are so overgrown with weeds already, I'll never catch up anyway. Turned out the lights, listened to the strumming of the rain with Homesteader, reveled in the lightning, awed by the power of the wind in the trees. Quite a lightning bug display as well. Who needs man-made fireworks?
The creatures have been up and about. Had a skunk welcome me home one night. A family of raccoons drops by once a week or so--parents and two young ones. The big one--I assume dad--tries to climb the bell tower to get into the feeder on the back patio. Trouble is, he's so fat that he always rings the bell so I know he's there and can send him on his way. Possum comes by too on occasion. God can do ugly. =) I have a new Posse. Psycho is still around--has to be at least three years now. And the little calico. A new black-gray has shown up as well. Likes to sleep at night in the chair on the front patio and in the shade out back by the big shed. Have no idea where he came from. Today a couple of kittens showed up--one black, one orange. Probably belong to Psycho. But she's not a very good mom. Ah well, no! I will not feed them. Wild things.
A few of the goldfish are up and about nearly every day, so that's good. Not all of them--just 40 or 50 little ones. Active little things. And, of course, my feathered friends show up every day. Color everywhere at The Acres not even counting the flowers.
The life of a hermit. Ahhhh. God is good to this old man.

Backroads of Morrow County June 2019

Backroads of Morrow County Update: 

Water, water, everywhere. It is not a good spring to be a farmer. So many fields have not been planted--and there is no end to the rain in sight. Even the fields that have been sowed are flooded. I am used to seeing growing crops this time of year as I traverse the backroads, but there is very little to see. Everything is green obviously--perhaps some fields will just yield hay this year--the grass is plentiful and high. One or two places have already done that. I don't know how it got dry enough to make into a bale.
I have seen more meadowlarks than usual. Perhaps they knew a summer of grassy fields was coming. A few of the orange daylilies that grow even in the ditches are blooming. Lots of yarrow. The red-wings are active. Lots of "new" ponds. A couple or more weeks of dry would be marvelous though I don't know how much it would help the farmers at this stage.
Prayers are needed for our physical sowers and reapers.

Pathfinder

Pathfinder:
Well, the rain held off--so far. So I went searching for the old paths in the Wild Area. I am fairly confident that some of the paths I mowed today are in the same general area as the old ones. Some are undoubtedly brand new. Some areas that hadn't been mowed before have now been mowed. Some areas have returned to wildness. The height of everything is already at August levels--with two months to go. When I walk--or even mow--in the Wild, I will disappear. If you happen by and can't find me, and the mower is not in the shed--go out back and listen for the noise. If the mower is still in the shed, send out the search teams. It's a brandneworld Wild Area. Oh, yeah, it is and will be beautiful!!! I am going to have to mow every day that it doesn't rain for awhile. I don't mind--I love the solitude of mowing--if you can imagine me liking solitude.

More Iris Time 2019

2019 Iris Time Part I

This year my hopes for iris blooms was muted.  I had redone so many beds.  Others were overgrown and in need of rescue.  The rain was incessant, and they don't like wet feet--or so I thought.  But it has been one of the best iris times in years!  You just never know!  Enjoy the walk.