Today at Iten's Acres: The End of the World? January 2, 2016

The End of the World?

I am fairly certain that just for a moment I saw this bright shiny thing in the sky?
And--the birds are eating the cat food I put out for my calico strays.

End of the World?

(Well, school starts again on Monday.)

Walking Iten's Acres: Mythology December 31, 2015

I heard some interesting mythology today--at the gas station. I mean, where else can you find such stories? They said that there used to be this bright yellow thing up in the sky. No, really, Even on the coldest days it would make things warmer and, of course, brighter. There were times during the year that it would make all these little colorful things pop out of the ground--some of them even had aromas! I know! Man, fantastical stuff. It would even turn your skin brown if you were out in it too long. Whoa, does that mean prophets would have had to cover their bald heads? How would you know who they were? Scary! They said sometimes it made things so hot you had to turn on these machines called air confusers or air conflicters, or air . . . conditioners. Yea, that was it--air conditioners. To cool off buildings and stuff. They called it the sun--I guess because like sons brighter up your day. Now, now, I'm not saying daughters can't be bright--I'm just discussing the mythology. Gee, don't be so sensitive. Anyway, it's just a myth. I've seen such things that might make you want to believe. I've seen pictures of those pretty things that supposedly come out of the ground. There's this strange box like machine outside my cave that someone could imagine to be one of those air things. But hey, I've lived in Ohio long enough to know a myth when I hear it. Especially coming from a couple guys in a gas station. And I'm not wearing anything on my head! Sun. Humph. The things people come up with. Well, off for another gray walk under the lovely skies of Ohio. Enjoy your day!

Today at Iten's Acres: Frightful December 28, 2015

Blustery day at The Acres. The walks were, shall we say, "brisk." I loved them. Feathered friends were quite active. Calico didn't come out until the rain stopped. She sits now by the "bowl" until I come out to put some food in it. She still slithers away and waits for me to go back inside before she'll eat. But she knows that if she just sits there, the old man will feed her. The drops on the trees were freezing today--beautiful sight and even a lovely crackle in the wind at times. The tree tops are howling and moaning, singing the wind's song. The pond is as deep as I've ever seen it. It has gone from a mud hole to a new Great Lake--Lake COBG sounds good to me. The inhabitants are still clustering in the middle. Swimming a little deeper but still leaving a golden tint. An almost winter day. All we need now are some flakes. If all this rain had been snow . . . I'd have been safe in my cave until April. Oh, the trials of being a hermit. "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow." Frightful is good.

Walking Iten's Acres: Winter Decorations December 26, 2015

Another nice "perk" of living in the country is that God does my winter decorations. Green pines stand out everywhere against either their blue or gray background. As soon as you enter The Acres, "Hester" looms before you covered with the deepest red cones. Red and green every Christmas! And other conifers are scattered everywhere--along the sides, around the pond, up by the cave, in the meadow and wild areas. Green everywhere no matter how cold it gets. And there are little green ornaments throughout The Acres too--Lenten Roses scattered here and there. And along with Hester's gorgeous red "ornaments," I have the "reds" streaking or congregating on the waters of the pond. sometimes under a film of ice. And the flying red beauties are ubiquitous--and on warmer winter days they even burst into song--:"pretty, pretty, pretty." Flying musical ornaments. Are you jealous? And the lights!!! True, on cloudy days they don't shine. But, oh, on clear days! The skies are stunning. Breath-taking. And, on occasion, He decorates everything with beautiful white crystal lace. Beauteous even as He "sprinkles" them on everything, everywhere. He does icicles, too. He is quite the decorator for my winter times. And, even cooler, He never takes them down.

Today at Iten's Acress: Spoiled December 22, 2015

Observations from another day at The Acres:
Actually, it started last night. Being a light sleeper, I was twice awakened by rain drops falling on my head. I think it may possibly be as restful as sleep to lie in the darkness and listen to the falling rain. One of these days I need to get a tin roof.
I think the two calico cats must be Mom and Daughter. They look so much alike. Hang out together. Mom always lets the kid eat first. Beautiful creatures. Fearful. They need to learn from Homesteader. After I fed her a couple of times, she followed me around whenever I came outside. And gave me a piece of her mind, of course. That hasn't changed. Bossy.
What a luscious day to sit on the green throne at the top of the hill. Way too warm for winter. I'd like some cold please--and snow. But I can't complain about today. In quietness will be your strength. I should be the strongest man in the world. Sigh. Reality, reality, reality. I'm just an old man who likes quietness. Shhhh.
The blue pincushion flower that wouldn't quit blooming must have drawn attention to itself. Something ate most of it. Beware of the danger of showing off.
The home of the red polka dots is getting deeper and deeper. They certainly love the rain and the warmth. I think 150 may have been a little low when it comes to the pond dwellers. They apparently don't take a break from schooling.
A possum can run pretty fast when it's being pursued by an old man with a shovel.
Pileated woodpeckers like the feeders in the trees. Shy things for being so monstrous.

Another day at The Acres. God certainly knows how to spoil His children.

Today at Iten's Acres: Day One of Christmas Break December 20, 2015

Day One of Break:
Awakened early by the furry alarm clock--cold nose, whiskers, incessant caterwauling. There has to be a button to push that says "This is not a school day." Ah, well.
Fed the boss breakfast. You didn't think she was looking out for my benefit did you? Huh. Fed the feathered friends. Takes awhile. There are several feeders spread throughout The Acres. Fed the flock of cats--it's down to two--calico both. One is kitten size. One is Momma size--in more ways than one. Beauties both. Still a little scaredy cat in both of them. The kitten not so much. She comes right up to the doorwindow and exchanges stares with The Homesteader. Reading minds maybe? You never know with cats. Interestingly, I had a whole flock of city dwellers at The Acres today--house sparrows. There's nothing remotely resembling a city within miles of here. Must have followed me home from Worthington.
Film of ice on the pond. Goldfish undeterred. Several large schools in attendance all day. They, were, however, more toward the middle of the pond than the edges. Lovely sight.
Took several walks naturally. I still have one flower that refuses to give up--a blue pincushion at the front of the property in one of the pot bunkers. I am expecting the pussy willow by the pond to start "blooming" soon especially if the weather stays warm--it was a little chilly today with a snow flurry or two.
The challenge for today was writing sixteen devotionals for the school project. Tomorrow I will have to go to school after church and enter them on the computer so they can be "harvested" by the folks in charge of the project. That will take most of the afternoon.
All in all, a good day one. Now, if I can just do something about the alarm clock.

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.