A New Neighbor

 One of my neighbors must have thought that in order to be a real country dude he had to have a rooster. This rooster is apparently brain-dead or at least has no idea of time. He certainly loves the sound of his beautiful voice at all hours of the day and night. I'm hoping a fox or coyote has a stomach for his melodious singing. Hmm? I haven't used my slow cooker for awhile.

Backroads of Morrow County Update November 2020

 Backroads of Morrow County Update:

And they thought I was slow before. I've heard some people call this the Ugly Fall. All the leaves are gone leaving only bare limbs. I, of course, have a different view. The soy beans are almost all harvested. It looks as if a huge vacuum came by and whooshed them up. It always seems to be an invitation to stroll the contours of Morrow County. Or just put a chair on the top of one of the small rises and peacefully survey the hillsides as far as one can see. They have begun to bring in the corn. Stubble everywhere. Loose cobs litter the gravel roads. I'm sure the critters are ecstatic. If it was sweet corn, I'd be ecstatic too!!!

in the midst of all the stark contrasts are the red barns, rusty silos. flocks of sheep and goats, small herds of Steak n' Shake. (I wonder if I can eat that?) Guard mules here and there among the herds of sheep. Don't see too many of my feathered-friends along the backways. They are busy traveling from house to house enjoying the free meals. Meals on Wings, Inc. The owners are enjoying the visitors as well--maybe more so.

Scattered amid the barren trees are the evergreens. More shades of God's favorite color than you can imagine. Hidden or in disguise among their "brothers" all summer, this is their time to shine. And in sunlight they can be torches of flames. And wait until God brushes on the blue-silver snow!! Now, the blue and gray of the clouds adds movement and change to every moment. The songs of their barren neighbors--exquisite moans synchronized in the winds of autumn. brings the woodwind section of the orchestra to the beauty of the country ride. Please, roll those windows down!

We should all be so ugly.

September at The Acres 2020

 September at The Acres. Cooler days, gray clouds mingling with the blue. Still need lots and lots of rain. The pond--my own personal mud hole--is way too low. And though the Wild Area is a luscious yellow--still waiting for the asters--it's not over-your-head tall like it usually is. Those flowers have lived so long out there, I doubt that the weather can slow them down too much. One of the wonders of 2020 is another dearth of Japanese beetles. Last year there weren't many; this year I've just seen one. One! My Gardening Angels must have gone into the extermination business.

There are still lots of things blooming, just not much on the new side. But being a fan of old, no complaints. The monk's hood and fall crocus are sure to bloom later and perhaps a re-blooming iris or two. I don't know how the lack of rain will impact them. Ah well, I will enjoy the walks and live off the expectations. Would anyone like some white iris with a touch of orange/yellow on the flags? They need morning sun, and they spread like crazy. Dry soil as well. I have a few I'd be willing to pass along. I have some seeds I need to mail as well. And always some work to do.

Two months I imagine until the first killer frost, but who really knows. Until then I will walk, smell the phlox, wait for the asters, and try to avoid the ragweed--unsuccessfully. Then, I will stroll through fallen leaves, banks of snow, and wait for the cycle of growth and beauty to return again. Lord willing. Oh, I've started to feed my feathered friends again--no one has caught on yet. I'm sure it won't take the chickadees long to recognize that the catering business is open again--and then the parade will begin. Entertainment for the Homesteader.

Backroads of Morrow County July 2020

Backroads of Morrow County Update:

Hot. Humid. Dry. Some of the backroads have been tarred to reduce the dust, I suppose. One short section was being repaved today. It's maybe fifty yards of pavement in the middle of six to eight miles of gravel road. Someone must have clout. Or else everyone else loves their munificent red barn as much as I do. It's a lovely little farmhouse too. No fields, unless they own the massive hilly tract around the corner. Knee deep in corn this summer. I love the hills as well. When I grow up and become a farmer . . .

The roadsides are still green for the most part. Some sprinkles of blue chicory. Lots of orange day lily hangouts. Feathered friends on the wires of course. Red-wings, the loyal mourning doves, cardinals, hawks, a redheaded woodpecker or two. And myriads of barn swallows--my velvet jet-propelled friends. Some of them joined me as I mowed the front of The Acres today. Not a whole lot of human traffic, but as always, everyone has the waves--even the road workers.

Crop-wise, most of the corn looks good. Soy beans--not so much. This week--especially today--must have been wheat harvest time. I miss the golden grains once they are gone though the fields retain the golden strands until a couple of good rains. First, they reap the wheat, then they make hay of the stubble--nothing wasted. I love wheat fields, then the corn, and last the soy beans (a distant third.) Many fields dotted with hay bales as well. As you know. I love that scene. If only I could paint. My Ziff cousins got all the talent in that area--and it's considerable.

Perhaps some rain is on the way to rescue the soy beans and get the Queen Anne's Lace up and about along the sides of the roads. The mosquitoes were active today. Maybe they know some is coming. I certainly contributed all I could to the continued thriving of the species.

A few surprises at The Acres in addition to the return of the elderberries. Blue flag iris in one of the beds--who knows from where and why a month late. Astilbe in the swamp itself. (I am worried about my cardinal flowers.--I hope the late freeze this spring didn't get them. They were spreading like crazy across the bog. All those red beauties surrounded by numerous hibiscus in every shade from white to red. Tall pink Queen of the prairie--think meadow sweet in hazy pink instead of white. Yellow sneezeweed mixed in. Lots of milkweed. Makes for a lovely fall vista.) I do have some hair allium in the meadow--exotic and beautiful. If it rains, it will be "exciting" to see what responds. Needless to say, The Acres and the Backroads are as gorgeous as ever--different gorgeous each year--but always gorgeous.

Talking Turkey

This summer I have come to a walking agreement with Tom, Mom, and the Young Turks. I don't see them as often as last year, but occasionally we cross paths in the Wild Area. The agreement came about serendipitously on our first encounter. I was walking one afternoon in the Wild Area when suddenly the whole family flushed out of hiding, and I was surrounded by wings. Tom, headed for the trees. (He still does whenever we meet. Macho man!) Mom flew a few yards and settled back down out in the open, and several of the Young Turks joined her. I was about twenty yards away, and she just looked at me and gave me a lecture in Gobbly-gook. I am even less proficient in Gobbly-gook than I am in Catonese, but I got the message. So, I turned and walked away in the other direction from her and the Turks. Now, whenever we meet up, she just gives me the same talking to, and I turn and walk in another direction while she and the Young Turks continue on their way. Tom still heads for the trees, but the rest tolerate my presence--at a distance and headed in a different direction. In fact, I can be headed in the same direction as long as I'm a couple paths over. I hope the agreement lasts all summer. Maybe by August we'll be talking turkey.

Green June

Update at The Acres and Beyond

First, the confession. I haven't even pretended to do any work so far this week. So much to do . . . Sometime I will at least get started. I have three beds that need re-doing and, at least, a little mulching. I'll do it--probably. Some of it . . . probably. A little bit of it anyway . . . probably. I am, of course, getting my walks and my moments at rest on the top of the hill. Alas.

The last two rains seem to have been the catalyst for the fields along the backroads to perk up. Yep, things are starting to come up--"things" being soy beans and corn. As you know, I love to cruise the backroads and check things out. Green is the color of June. Not much else is going on--but, ah, does green have its colors. To just say "green," seems unworthy. There's soy bean green, corn green, varieties of tree green, more field greens than you can count, pine tree greens. "Green." The Creator must have a separate--huge--palette just for His greens. If I was an artist, I could give you the name of all the greens--but I'm not. So, the world is magnificently "green" in Morrow County and The Acres. Best I can do--use your imagination. Or go for a walk and count the "greens."

The Acres are pretty much dried up--so rain must be coming. The cool breeze of country is always at work--especially pleasing on humid days. The Toad Bass Choir is in full voice in the evenings. The morning symphony is a cacophony as usual--beautiful. It's as if they were having a soloist competition, but everyone had to sing at the same time. No choir director at work here. Unity of purpose, praise for a new day--harmony, not so much.

The last iris has bloomed--well, at least, until re-blooming time in the fall. It is beautiful!!! (join me Saturday for a walk and I'll show it to you) It is, however, not anything like I expected!! Mind must be going--well, faster than normal anyway. Though I did get three books read since Sunday (Started a new one, today.) and added a memorized poem to my summer collection (26 now!) And wrote a little bit on facebook. So the mind is not completely gone! The day lilies are starting to take over now. There will be a wondrous variety there as well--now it's mainly just yellows and peaches. Always a few other things as well.

Life in the slow lane is a marvelous thing. The world can "offer me its busyness" all it wants--I'm not buying. Or selling.

By this time in the summer, the days no longer exist--it's always just today. It's a good thing The Acres aren't paid for or I might just disappear forever into a life of Today. Probably not--the Lord's calling is impossible to resist.

Pictures Saturday of this week's walks through The Acres. Love you all. Embrace the green!

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Al Iten

Summer Begins

I had a student write me a note of thanks and encouragement. Yep, a real letter--none of that tech stuff. Is there hope for the world?

I was asked how the quarantine would impact my summer. As I thought about it, it dawned on me that it won't at all. I spend my summers in isolation anyway.

And so it has started. I confess--the first couple weeks I sleep in a little bit. Lazy. Homesteader is not a fan. She thinks I'm home all the time so I can spoil her more. But I do eschew 5:30 wake-ups for a bit. Other than that--same old, same old, says the same old man. This first week I walked of course multiple times each day. (The ticks are awful!) I take my pictures for your Saturday walk while I'm indulging my own ramblings. It's been a down year for iris, but don't feel sorry for me--they're are still plenty of beauties out there. A lot of buds shriveled up--the rain maybe?--and some beds just took this year off I guess. One bed with nearly thirty plants--one bloom. What you going to do? Lots of other things are starting to join the promenade as well.

I've been doing some mulching. Should have the first loads used up in a couple days if it doesn't rain. Then, I'll have to order some more. Going to be a mulch/Roundup summer. I hope to get a lot of clearing done as well. Mowed the front and back each once this week. The only normal thing that hasn't started yet is my cleaning up the cave a bit. Well, I am a male--let's call it straightening up the cave a little bit--very little bit. And I did have a surprise encounter at the new nursery. The Hassey's were there. Sorry John for mentioning the place on face book.

Two Gardening Angel moments so far. A lovely red iris in a bed I didn't remember having a red iris. And a yellow flag iris showed up at the exact opposite from where I planted some near the pond. I have no idea how it got there. Can flag iris swim?

The only strange thing going on is that I have been memorizing poems. No, I have no idea why. Something more to forget later on I guess.

In family news everyone seems well. Moira graduated from Illinois University. Evie graduated from Dublin. No comments about getting old were asked for thank you. Oh, and Ben and Jamie bought a house.

Hope your summer is marvelous!!! I don't know if I can stand being quarantined at The Acres all summer. Life is tough.

The Poor House May 2020

Brad and Mindy May have doomed me to a life of penury. On Saturday after I had spent most of the morning at Baker's Acres, those rascals came to see me. Now, their coming to see me was not rascally, we had a lovely visit and Homesteader has decided she likes them, But after the visit they said they had found a great place to buy flowers--a place with the poetic name Groovy Plants Ranch. Hard to beat that name, eh? Well, I was sure they wouldn't have a thing I wanted since I had just been to the Baker's. Being a kind old man and enjoying my time with them, I decided to go along so I could shake my head in despair that such a place could rival my favorite haunt. But behold! the place is marvelous and worst of all, they have a completely--well, almost--different set of flowers. And to make matters even more despicable, they are like ten minutes from my house! I didn't even know they were there. I am doomed--two lovely nurseries with different sets of plants. Poor house here I come.

So now I sit waiting for May 15th with a billion flowers to plant once the frost fear is gone (did you know it's going to frost at least twice this week!) There were a couple of rich moments at The Acres today, though. A Baltimore Oriole on the hummingbird feeder. Now, that's a gorgeous bird! A couple of rose-breasted grosbeak were hanging around today as well. And I"m fairly certain I head the catbird. I love those shadows. And even better--the iris started to bloom today--five dwarf beauties. And--wait, wait,--the goldfish came back up--the little ones anyway. With the emergence of the water lilies they have a place to hide, and their courage has been bolstered.

All this to say, if you need a beauty walk--The Acres is the place to be despite the weeds. And if I'm not here, just check the poor house--the chubby old bald guy will have been bankrupted by flowers--I wonder how many years you get for loving beautiful things?

Snowflakes in May 2020

Hmmmm? snowflakes at The Acres in May. Interesting. I only hope the cold tonight and tomorrow and Monday do not do too much damage. And, of course, the iris are what I worry about the most. I already have a dozen dwarf iris blooming, some more budding, and even some of the German iris are starting to bud. Not much you can do about it, I suppose. Most of the astilbe are up as well. I have no idea how they respond to cold? Tomorrow, I will know.

April Showers 2020

Well, the April showers have slipped into May. I did at least get half of The Acres mowed last week. I did the back half--Wild Area and paths first, of course. Love those walks through the meadow and wild area. My neighbor probably wishes I had done the front where everybody driving by can see. Ah well. The iris have not yet begun to bloom. I did at least see a couple buds on the dwarf iris. They will bloom first, and then away we will go--hopefully--with a barrage of iris blooms. My favorite time of the year.
Right now, some daffodils are hanging around--a few are just starting to bloom. The tulips are blooming. The bleeding hearts should be right behind. And though the red buds and dogwoods in town that I drive by are all arrayed in purple and white, mine are just starting to think about dressing up. I even have a few crab apples--red ones and white ones biding their time though several have bloomed already.
Tomorrow morning it's off to Baker's Acres to buy the annuals for this year though I'll have to wait until the 15th to plant most of them--that's the cutoff day for frost in Ohio. Only once in my years in Morrow County have we had a bad frost after that date. The annuals, of course, are a necessary part of the beautifying of The Acres--they reach their fullest beauty as the perennials start to wind down later in the year--well, except for the phlox.
Whenever the Lord decides to take me home, I always pray He'll wait until June when the iris have finished their show, and the annuals have been planted. It's a good time of year at The Acres. Need to get the throne out at the top of the hill, books ready. I'm prejudiced, naturally, but it may be one of the most peaceful places on earth--at least, for this old man.

The Pond

The Pond--of course, it's THE pond--is one of my favorite places at Iten's Acres. In spring it puts on a hem of daffodils--many of them immigrants from Mom and Pop's in South Carolina. They are not intimidated at all by the cold weather in Ohio. Every year they expand into larger and larger bouquets. And, of course, in spring the goldfish make their annual appearance until the herons and kingfishers show up. They will be back in late fall--and even seem to enjoy the early thin ice that late fall and early winter bring. By this time the water lilies are beginning to rise out of the dark waters--by mid-summer they will decorate the pond in huge blankets of yellow, red, and white. The music in spring comes from the peepers--an all soprano choir in perfect synchronization. In summer the bull frogs take over--basses every one--and soloists every one. By early summer the pond becomes a 'grotto" of leaves, reeds, overhanging branches, lily pads, and fussy red-winged blackbirds. The heron have a nest somewhere near by raising another gorgeous family. They only complain if I surprise them. The Sentinel--what's left of it--still stands guard. The weeping willow is the queen. The white crab apples add a tinge of color in late April and early May. Winter, of course, brings a layer of white, beautiful in its own way. Yes, though the pond may be more of a mud-hole than a pond, she knows how to dress up impressively. I used to have a bench there next to Narnia's light post. I will have to replace it this summer. It is a restful place to spend an afternoon, almost invisible, noticed only by the dragonflies in a rainbow of colors. Yes, I must get myself a small bench to place in the shadows and disappear on a hot summer's day. How can you not love a pond?

Expectations

The theme of late March at The Acres is "Expectations." Not my favorite theme--makes patience a labor of love. Once the orchard iris, aconite, snowdrops, Lenten roses, and crocus show up, there's a break in the "action." (Some crocus will keep popping up for awhile. They are the masters of surprise. One morning walk--nothing. Afternoon walk, crocus parties. No social distancing among those gorgeous rascals.) The tulips come up, but they are just a tease. Their early rising is just a reminder that it's time to feed the iris. The daffodils come up, bud, and then say, "I'll just wait a little while, thank you. You want flowers, send some sunshine." Now, how am I supposed to control that? Hyacinth always poke their heads out as well, even look as if they are ready to bloom, but they just linger at ground level for awhile. The iris, of course, have me thinking in late February and early March that I'll be lucky to have a bloom or two of my favorites--but it's not looking good. And then, a burst of growth. Up they come, and the old man's expectations soar. They must be keeping an eye on the tulips. See if they're up yet. But------I still have to wait until May for any blooms; maybe a dwarf iris or two will beat the rush in late April. Maybe. Six weeks of expectations! Expectations, expectations, expectations!? What's an old impatient man to do? Pray for a little sunshine. Feed the iris. And, oh yeah, wait.

And I wonder when the goldfish will bloom this spring?

Day Two Spring Break 2020

Day Two: I keep trying to explain to the cat about the need for social distancing. She won't have it. Ah well, the Boss is the Boss. I am enjoying my days outside and my daily walks--though it's still a little soggy. Lots of things are up--not many are blooming yet. Spent most of the day cleaning out beds and feeding the iris. Still have more of that to do (I have a lot of iris) --I think I will run into school for a few moments early tomorrow; I want to try posting another video or two. One will be a short introduction to Amos; the other a 10 minute or so "lecture" on Thoreau's concept of civil disobedience and the humanism it's rife with. Help them to better understand King Jr. and his view of the concept. It's the 10 minute one I"m worried about.
Social distancing won' be an issue. I'll just be in my car alone, and then in the school alone. I may hear from it when I get back home. Then, I"ll just escape outside to work again.
"More secure is no one ever than the loved ones of the Savior."
Yep, that's me. Loved by the God who is love for no other reason than that He chose to love me. Grace, grace, marvelous grace. Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt." That's a lot of grace.
"For me, to live is Christ. And to die is gain."

Day One Spring Break 2020

First day of spring break--unless you think it starts Monday. Nothing out of the ordinary. Read some. Wrote some. Worked outside some--it was chilly. Had to do short bursts. Sat in the chair by the doorwindow with the Boss and watched the birds feed all day long. First day I've been home all week. Been at school trying to increase my expertise with online teaching. Thanks to the Burn's-Kraynak-Roads triad I'm actually making a little progress. There may be hope for my students. =) If it ever warms up a little bit without a deluge, I may also get some work done on The Acres. Social distancing as most of you know is not a problem for me. Being a hermit comes naturally. Now, I'm just waiting for the daffodils to start blooming. Maybe if the sun comes out? Oh, no goldfish yet. Love you all. Stay safe--or in other words--pray. And not just for yourself!!! Be good!

The Ides of March 2020

Today's walk through The Acres. Still crocus and orchard iris and Lenten rose. Different ones from last week, but lots more of them are popping up here. One new variety--squill.

Beginnings 2020

And so it begins.  Lots of crocus of different colors.  Aconite always one of the early bloomers.  Lenten roses have begun to bloom--finally.  And the first orchard iris.

Snow Day February 27, 2020

Snow day. Not much being accomplished--I didn't bring any papers home because I was at the Lady Warriors' game last night. Impressive victory girls. So, no papers to grade. (Not that I would have wasted a snow day at The Acres by grading papers--but it sounds like a legitimate excuse. Right?) A couple walks were in order, but that's not work. it is cold--temps may not be real low, but the wind is biting. To be expected, of course. The Creator likes to spread His nice warm blanket over the earth before He sends some winter cold. It has continued to snow off and on all day out here in Morrow County. Lovely. Right now, in fact, it's snowing quite heavily.
Mixed signals on spring's arrival. Primrose bloomed. Yellow violets it seems have re-seeded themselves and are blooming way up near the house. Other things are coming up and looking around, but not adding to the beauty yet. I imagine the snowdrops and aconite will be next. I'm surprised the Lenten rose haven't bloomed yet. Crocus won't be too far behind--and the orchard iris. Spring is coming--but only when it wants to. Feathered -friends-wise mixed signals, too. The red-winged blackbirds are back; there's a hint of gold on the finches, but tons of snowbirds feeding today, and the male cardinals are still tolerating each other.
It has just been a lazy day. Homesteader and I have been bird watching. Watching it snow. She does have to charge the doorwindow on occasion. Hey, she's a cat. And I did have a nice long chat with my sister Janice. Thanks for the prayers. She seems to be in good spirits, notwithstanding her disenchantment with her arrogant heart doctor. Oh, I got a little reading in too.
I was, of course, already up and ready to depart when the snow-day news reached me. That's what I get for believing Ben Franklin. "Early to bed, and early to rise" and all that stuff. Not a problem. Sat in the darkness with the Boss, watched the beauty of the snow, then shoveled a place and put down the first catering service for my flying friends. They are probably delighted that I"m home all day. More food; same price.
Anyway, a perfect day for the old hermit. Up early. Enjoying God's art work. Bird watching. Catonese lessons. Reading. Walking. Talking with Jan. Work, work, work. It takes a lot of self-discipline to do nothing all day. What's the forecast for tomorrow?

Beauty January 25th, 2020

it was not a deep snow yesterday at The Acres.  Yet, it was beautiful.  Wet--it stuck to everything.  When I came home last night in the dark it was luminous--the car lights reflecting of its whiteness magnified by the dark.  Once it warms up, it will all be gone.  But i will have the memory here.  A late January snow that made The Acres wondrous.