blueberrypatch

Fire at the Fort.

2010-08-04T09:35:00.000-04:00

A few evenings ago the local grandsons were over for much fun riding the small electric truck and playing on the trampoline and swings. After hotdogs, SSIL, GM3, GM4, GM6 and I went down to Fort Gruntmonkey at the pond. It was dark and even though it was still very warm we cranked up a small bonfire within the Fort walls – made of stacked firewood.

They were fascinated by the fire but more interested in throwing rocks in the pond. A major effort on the GMs part was to be able to skip a stone. The oldest, GM3, finally got a few to skip and he was appropriately proud of his achievements. The other two young ones were just happy to see the splashes. May they always enjoy the simple things of life and not complicate everything like grownups.

The GMs were quite fascinated by the several toads we found hopping about in the dark. I’m sure these insect eaters were wondering about the bright flashlight shining on them while they were on their evening hop. SSIL even espied a shoulder-less creature that slithered into the firewood stack when it was discovered.

It was quite likely non-poisonous since it didn’t get all belligerent and such – I will be on the lookout just in case. If it is poisonous, it will likely wake up dead one day soon – if not it will be live and let live. It was soon time for the young ones to crash but I got the distinct feeling that they enjoyed their stay on Blueberry Hill.

All relationships, particularly the family ones are such a blessing from God. I equate relationships more to wealth than I would any monetary consideration – I consider my family and friends real riches. ec

BBH 486

2010-07-31T12:53:00.001-04:00

Blueberry Hill report #486 – Even in the midst of summer’s heat I have found many bright and encouraging spots, not that the dark places are absent; they are just not worth mentioning. To start with my blueberry harvest was phenomenal but I finally quit picking because the rest of the fruit was scattered, small and of poor quality.

The final tally of blueberries was 137 zip-loc quart containers in the freezer. The same day the blueberry picking was called off I picked 10 gallons of figs – from one tree. Four of the remaining fig bushes are very small and the medium sized one hasn’t been picked yet. Most of my fig and blueberry bushes/trees need to be weeded and mulched – on a much cooler day.

One of the four paw-paw trees bore fruit this year and now I have finally tasted this slightly odd delicacy – it’s like a mild fruity custard. The three hazel nut trees on the south end of the house are struggling, too much sand and not enough moisture I think. The three pineapple quava trees are OK but still too young to bear fruit, as are the three pomegranates.

The two jujube trees are a different story. They are bearing fruit this their first year – they were purchased as larger trees. This is another fruit I have never tasted but am looking forward to doing so. The single pear tree has some fruit but not loaded like last year, this is because I pruned them so severely last winter.

The hazel nut trees on the northeast end of the house are doing well – much better soil. Just below them, the muscadines have many grapes but are not quite ripe – that happens between now and Labor Day. Little work has been done at Fort Gruntmonkey due to the heat – even though I did work about three hours down there a couple mornings ago, splitting and stacking firewood. Afterwards I came in soaked in sweat.

Praise God for His provision, I enjoy this place we call Blueberry Hill and am grateful for it. ec

BBH 479

2010-06-03T12:10:00.001-04:00

Blueberry Hill report #479 – Things happen fast in the spring around here. The garden is doing well and near production of veggies – small cukes and green tomatoes are nearing ripeness. The squash are blooming and the okra is growing well but will be a few weeks in putting out the pods – they like hot weather. The blueberries have many berries in place but are about a week or so short of ripeness.

The thorn-less blackberries are mostly ripe and many have been consumed – showing the true meaning of the phrase ‘living hand to mouth’. The hazel nut trees are doing well as are the pomegranates. This latter will be a couple more years before they achieve fruit bearing. The jujube trees are well and I noticed small green fruit thereupon – one more than the other. I planted larger trees and I may get to taste the fruit this year.

The pear tree was in a condition of misshapenness back in the winter due to the huge amount of fruit last year and I pruned it back severely for the health of the tree. It is now doing well and a small amount of fruit is in evidence. The main fig tree has green figs galore but it will be several weeks before they get ripe. The muscadines have bloomed and set fruit – they get ripe in the latter part of August.

Down close to the pond a small hickory tree had began its life under several large pine trees. These pines have been cut and the small tree pruned – it is now flourishing because it no longer has to compete with the larger trees for nourishment. I’m letting three wild persimmons grow just to see if they will bear fruit – don’t know all I need to about them. The three small fig trees I moved down into the ‘wild’ area are doing OK.

For various reasons I have cut many trees this spring and brought the wood down to Fort Gruntmonkey. A redoubt wall is being built to take care of the excess wood – it is built with some of the wood split and the rest un-split. It will be a cluttered area until the stacking is finished. The new sunroom is completed on the outside (with the storage room beneath it) but the inside will have to wait a few weeks.

Life is good because God is good. Heartaches and/or other bad things may come but God has always helped us through the rough places and He always will because He doesn’t change!!

BBH 472

2010-03-01T23:19:00.001-05:00

Blueberry Hill report 472 – Wow, it’s hard to believe it is nearing spring again and I haven’t finished pruning all the fruit or nut bearing entities. Over the last month or so I have finished pruning all 7 of the muscadines. The vine growth from last year was trying to take over that part of the ‘hill’. Many of the vine runners that were cut off were up to 20 feet long.

The lone pear tree was severely pruned as it had been so heavily laden last season that the limbs were weighted to the ground. The fig tree was also cut back harshly because it was growing too big. This tree almost always is a heavy bearer; the only exceptions would be the few times that a late freeze has hit the area. All three of my blueberry patches need attention and there seems to be too little time in the day.

The hazelnut bush/trees have yet to be started on and they are way overgrown – they put out shoots and these have to be cut back to 5 or 6 main branches every year. The pineapple guavas seem to have survived their first year on the place with one actually blooming last year, although no fruit resulted. Only one of the pomegranates is left alive – I plan to replant these shortly – or it will be too late.

My main occupation (or preoccupation) at the moment is repairing and rebuilding the back porch. The end goal is to make a sunroom out of it and since it is on the upper floor level this will also recreate the storage room beneath the porch. This area of the house had been neglected for years now to the extent that much of the support lumber had rotted places in them – to the point of having to be replaced.

My bro and I had constructed a cement pad and a room beneath porch several years ago and that part was still good since the studs were out of treated lumber. Almost all of the upper support parts had to be torn out and this has been done and some wood has already been replaced and braced to the point that it’s almost ready for the floor joists – it has taken much longer than I thought at first.

Still and all, spring is my favorite season by far because God’s creation really puts on an awesome show of buds and blooms – God is so good to me, and to us all. ec

battle

2010-02-04T17:28:00.000-05:00

Just beyond the well cared for shrubs and such of the doctor’s office parking lot – in which I waited for the Spice – was a whole other world. This was an untended strip of land betwixt and between several commercial plots. This area was a war zone of epic proportions, albeit the actions were very slow moving – or more accurately, slow growing – and it seemed that none save I noticed the desperate struggle.

Many species of trees and plants were involved in the conflict – types of coniferous, evergreen and deciduous growths were in the competition. My main focus was the four large trees in front of my vehicle. Three of which were of the same species and the other was a pecan – seen so because of the remaining nut hulls on the limbs after the drop of the trees nutty produce.

These trees were being set upon or attached to by at least three kinds of vines. One of these had attached itself to the bark and was probably more of a threat to people than to the trees – this since I took it to be poison ivy. Another type of vine was a briar, which had grown its way nearly to the top of all the trees and was competing with the trees for sunlight.

The third and most ominous of the vines was wisteria – identified by the legumes still attached. Wisteria is a deadly beauty because the flowers are beautiful but left to its own devices it will eventually grow to the top of the tree and choke – or shade – out the sunlight necessary for the life of the tree. This truth was shown because one of the trees was already dead with most of its limbs rotted and fallen.

The irony was that the dead limbs couldn’t even fall to the ground because they were so tangled in the vine growths. But this is the way God made these natural formations – only the strongest survive. I am always amazed at the way God created this natural world to continue no matter what we humans do. I’m also awed by the way He loves us and made a way that we could be saved from ourselves – and our wrong doings. ec

TX 0110-5

2010-01-31T00:28:00.002-05:00

Looking back in time to finish the narrative on our TX trip, we awoke on Tue., Jan 12th, without a lot to do except to wish our visit could last longer. The Spice and I did go back to the acupuncturist for treatments but spent the rest of the day just being together. Next morn was the one of our departure and we arose to do last minute packing while OD got GM2 off to school. We took GM5 to K4 on our way out of town.

It was a sad leaving day from our TX dear ones but just one of the emotional speed bumps of life. We did our serious hugging before we left the house and applied the finishing hug after OD deposited us at the airport gate at Hobby-Houston. We went through security without problems – except for long lines. Then on to Atlanta and enough time to get a bite to eat – not thinking to check to see if our gate had changed.

We went over to another concourse only to find the gate had changed back to just a few gates from the one at which we had arrived from Houston. We did not miss the flight but we were one of the last ones to board – the up side was that we got much exercise changing gates. It was then on to Augusta and BIL transported us home from the airport. Our SC home place really felt good that night.

Fast forward to Friday, Jan 29th, to the arrival of our 7th grandchild - a girl weighing in at 8lb and 3oz and 19 1/4 inches long. Our youngest daughter was the Mom and the Spice and I took the two oldest of her young ones to see the babe.

On Sat, Jan 30th, We went to the hospital in the afternoon and took all of YD’s progeny to see their little sister. They all got to hold GM7 as did Granna and Pop pop. It had been many years since our girls were born and several since the last gruntmonkey came into the world and it seems that I had forgotten how quickly a very small human can wrap it’s tiny fingers around my heart.

As I held this precious one in my hands and gazed into her miniature face I was awestruck with emotion. It doesn’t take much to rattle my cage in that respect and I couldn’t help but think that if I had actually witnessed her birth moment I would have been a real basket case. When my girls were born the fathers were locked out and were just accessories after the fact – I would rather have been there. God still does all things well. ec

TX 0110-4

2010-01-28T18:23:00.001-05:00

Still relating the TX trip. With the Spice and I having our various grunts and groans on Thurs. we both went to an acupuncturist that she had visited on a previous trip – my hip had been cramping the whole time we had been there. The change was slow but it did seem to help and it started to get back to somewhat normal. Other issues of upper respiratory natures had started to manifest themselves to me as well.

Friday came with an opinion expressed from TX that there should be a rule somewhere that a person can’t be afflicted with the upper respiratory crud when they are visiting this far away from home. It’s no fun trying to play with the “grands” while feeling like tepid toad spit. Not that I am an expert on amphibian salivary excretions or the ramifications of the various temp thereof, it’s just the worst thing I could think of.

Saturday, Jan 9th, came and I was glad to be feeling some better – also glad that toad spit didn’t have to be in the description of my condition. Chinese herbal meds really helped my throat. Even got a few of the small projects completed for OD that PM. Sun, Jan 10th, happened and although nobody was feeling like going to church, I received my pastor’s sermon via computer. Awesome word concerning relationships.

Our church’s web page is a real blessing in that one can not only receive the sermon live but can also enjoy other recent sermons at any time. I had to chuckle at myself in that the Sun sermon showed a pie chart for an illustration – great chart but I found myself thinking of the fruity dessert from which it got its name. I refocused quickly and got back on track with the message.

Monday came and though still a bit snorky I was feeling much better and charged ahead to complete all the projects on my requested to-do list. The last and the most time consuming one was completed in the PM. With the loan of a motorized miter saw from their friends I was able to custom cut some braces for their rickety ottoman. The braces worked when installed and it was sturdy once again – God is good! ec

TX 0110-3

2010-01-28T00:03:00.001-05:00

Reaching back once more to the annals of our recent TX trip, I bring more details to light. It magically became Monday, Jan. 4th and I did a solo walk today – OD had errands. It was cold in TX but not as cold as back home. Later I finished taking down the outside Christmas decos and started the storing process. With this and keeping company with GM5 the day sped by.

Chilaxin’ is defined in the urban dictionary as a combination word that carries the meaning of chilling out and relaxing. On this trip I was searching out the depths of the word to see if anything can be more laid back than that – I didn’t find anything, unless I made up a new word – I have done that before. But somehow I did miss the outside work back home – I think Ethyl (the chainsaw) is just pining away for me.

Then another relaxing day burst into the present tense in TX even if I did get up feeling a little below par – I came close to achieving metaphorical par later in the day. Two thirds of my lady folk in TX went shopping this day – two young ones were in institutions of learning and FSIL is still out of town. The afternoon contained a few chores, sitting with GM5 and the holding down of the home fort.

The most difficult of the things accomplished this day was the cleaning out of burned residue in the bottom of a pot used for rice pudding cooking – and no, I didn’t do the burning. I tried comet cleanser, pot scrubbers, scraping with a knife and finally got the last of it with a sharp putty knife – tough stuff! Didn’t walk this day – got enough exercise with the scrubbing. Besides I was not feeling very perky.

“God’s call on a life is specific, extensive, thorough, and eternal. A life set apart by God cannot remain the same. Moreover, when we respond to God’s call, the kingdom of God will not remain the same.” We are all called to be a witness of what God has done for us. We don’t need a PHD, a lot of money or to be very talented – simply do what you can, use what you have, say what you know and start where you are. ec

TX 0110-2

2010-01-26T22:18:00.001-05:00

Still relating past history of our TX trip. Saturday, Jan. 2nd, came as another work day for FSIL since he is in the accounting area of his firm and the end of year/beginning of year stuff had to be done. After b’fast OD and I went for a walk using interval training methods – i.e. – rotating normal walking with as fast as possible – in intervals of course. It was invigorating even if I did have a hitch in my gitalong.

The ladies went shopping for most of the afternoon with GM5 and I holding down the home front. Interaction was involved, as was college football and snacking – the young lad was not as much into football as I but he definitely enjoyed the snacking. In fact the snacking is the secondary reason I do the walking. If I snacked without the walking then I would not be able to get through the door to do the walking.

Sunday, Jan. 3rd, arrived and was only lighted by indirect sunlight due to the overcast skies and that lasted the whole day. FSIL left for a busines trip to his company’s headquarters this AM and we will be keeping OD and clan company for the next week plus. I didn’t leave the house except to go on a two mile walk with OD – was able to walk despite the hitch still being in my gitalong.

The evening meal was great, OD being the good cook that she is, but as usual there was something missing at the end of the meal. I knew this would be the case so I had made a banana pudding to fill in the missing part. Is there anything that can fill even the slightest void in the stomach like an old-fashioned, made from scratch, warm banana pudding? My stomach and I both smiled during the filling of the void.

Got a hitch in your spiritual gitalong? Could it be that you are focusing more on your faults and failures or even on what a rotten sinner you were in the past? Follow through with God’s forgiveness through Christ and forgive yourself. Only then can you walk forward in victory and be the spiritual warrior you were created to be. Fulfill God’s purposes and not those of the enemy. ec

TX 0110

2010-01-25T23:36:00.000-05:00

Looking back in time just a bit, the Spice and I had been on an emotionally exhausting ride since the passing of her Mom. So many things to do and so many things to bring to a conclusion concerning that. With most of the urgent matters taken care of we put the rest on hold and were going to get out of Dodge – actually Clearwater, SC. We were going to TX to visit with OD and clan for about two weeks.

On the last day of ’09 we loaded up our luggage in the van of BIL and he drove us to the airport. I was a bit apprehensive about going through security after the scare up north but we breezed right through. The plane out of Augusta was on time and we arrived in ATL on schedule. The flight to Houston was uneventful except for being a little rough in spots. The view was awesome above the clouds – God does all things well.

OD, along with GM2 and GM5, met us at Houston-Hobby and drove us the hour south to their home. 4PM Texas time found the Spice and I in Lake Jackson for a 13 day visit with our TX clan. This would be the first time in several years that we would welcome in the New Year with these loved ones. We watched the ball drop in NYC – on TV – and I crashed for the night, even though it was still only 11PM in TX.

We celebrated the first day of 2010 in a very low-key manner, even though we did use part of it to also celebrate the Christmas we missed with them. I mostly just sat around and ate – OK, I did watch a lot of football. I didn’t mind the great vittles but some more moving around would be necessary for the maintenance of the physical parts of me. Also involved was much needed relaxing.

I entered the new year with the thoughts in mind of Phil. 3:13b-14 – “. . . forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” In Christ alone do I find hope for tomorrow. ec

Mema

2009-12-12T00:51:00.001-05:00

This was the honorary title given to the Spice’s Mom when her first grandchild – our OD – was born. She was also known as such by our YD and the two daughters of the Spice’s bro. The title continued as the great-grands came along – our six and BIL’s three. My two daughters basically felt like she hung the moon and there wasn’t anything she couldn’t do – and there wasn’t a lot she wouldn’t do for her grands.

Before she was Mema I knew her as the Mom of the first girl I ever kissed – the girl that today is my wife and the Spice of my life. Our family moved to the Augusta area in 1949 and a few years later I started seeing the Spice’s family at church. A few years after that I started to notice that girls were different from boys, a fact of which I greatly approved – although I was scared witless of this “fairer sex”.

The future Spice and I started dating sometime in 1957 and I got to know the future Mema a little better and held her in the highest esteem. Through a misunderstanding with the future Spice, I fell to the bottom of her dating list but I still came around to chat with Mema when I had a chance. Then came HS graduation and with the army draft looming in my mind, I chose to join this branch of the military for 3 years.

Mema and my Mom had been friends for years and both wrote to me – Mema would notify my Mom when she got a letter from me and vise-versa. The Spice would write me polite letters because it was expected of civilians to write to service men they knew. My wondrous army experience concluded in 1962 and I started coming around again to chat with my future MIL. She was like an older sister and we talked of many things.

During this time the Spice would hardly give me the time of day. It seemed that her best friend had claims on me, feelings that were not mutual – and the Spice would not trespass. When I shared with Mema about a new girl I was seeing, she passed this along to her daughter, along with the advice that if she wanted to see me she had best get a move on in that direction. This happened and we were wed June of 1963.

Five years later our oldest daughter came along and the title of Mema was given to the Spice’s Mom. She carried the title well and joyfully through the other three grands and all nine “greats”. Then Mema had to journey through the passing of her life-long companion in March of 2006. Then almost imperceptibly her health started to wane also – although it happened slowly until this year.

In April of this year Mema went into the hospital, and then until September she was back and forth from the “skilled nursing facility” to hospital. Then we purchased a hospital bed and she came to our house. It was then back and forth from here to hospital until November 16th when they sent her home because they could do nothing more for her. On November 17th she was put on hospice until her passing on November 24th.

The day of her death was her 85th birthday and although she couldn’t respond, several had called to wish her happy birthday and the phone would be held up to her ear. Our oldest daughter had just sung happy birthday to her by phone when she breathed her last – OD’s voice was probably the last human one she heard on this earth. Her passing has left a large void in all of our lives but God is faithful to comfort.

In the 46 plus years the Spice and I have been married – and even before that – I have known Mema as a godly woman and faithful Christian and we are looking forward to seeing her again on a day of our Lord’s choosing. Even in the sadness of our loss I say with heartfelt conviction – God is still good, all the time! ec

A fire

2009-11-12T00:51:00.001-05:00

Several months ago I purchased an odd looking torch, it was made for burning grass and weeds in the cracks of sidewalks and such. It has actually been used for that purpose but only in a minor part of its role. The major part of its usefulness has been in the control and extermination of a very annoying and painful species of pismire – better known as the fire ant. This process irritates them very much – but not for very long.

A new role has emerged for this tool. It is now also used as a fire starter, or sometimes in my case, a bonfire starter and has been used many times for this. Sometimes the fire comes from the burning of a pile of weeds, grass and pruned limbs – I wait until the pile is dry and no kindling is needed. But for the campfires down at Fort Gruntmonkey, kindling is necessary – it is split into small sticks and placed under the other wood.

My normal method of campfire prep is to place some larger chunks of wood on the ground, put kindling on top of that and build a sort of tepee over that with smaller sticks. Then once the lit torch nears the kindling, a roaring fire is just minutes away. The kindling I use under the wood for a quicker start of the fire is “fat lighter” – found here on the property in the stump holes of long dead and rotted pines.

The local gruntmonkeys are out of town this week but after my evening walk a couple of nights ago I got a hankering for a fire. I changed into bummy clothes, got the torch, a folding chair, some cutting tools and wandered down to the pond all by myself. In the lingering light of sunset I pulled some large fallen branches up from the water’s edge and chopped up part of these to put atop the pile of wood already in place.

As darkness began in earnest I unfolded the chair and placed it in the midst of Fort Gruntmonkey. The torch was fired off and shortly the kindling was ablaze with the rest of the wood following posthaste. Then the fire enjoyment started. I just sat and watched the dancing flames, soaking up the sounds and warmth of the fire. If I had been troubled with stress it would have been dissipated in the peacefulness of this ancient scenario.

I watched the sparks fly upwards with the breeze carrying them toward the pond that I could just make out in the darkness behind the fire. The crickets were giving a serenade all around me and occasionally I could hear a frog trying to break into the song with a bass note or two – even though it is a bit late in the year for this noisy critter. Soon all that remained were glowing embers so I gathered my stuff and headed back to the house.

It was a good time of reflection, pondering many things and communing with my very best Friend. How else can I say it but – God is good, all the time. ec

PS: The photo is of the ‘burner of grass in the sidewalk cracks/ant torch/bonfire starter’.

Fort GM

2009-11-10T13:18:00.002-05:00

Fort GM
On our side of the pond there is a small point of land that in the past has been known as Stump Peninsula – I hereby change this to Gruntmonkey Point. The reason for this is because I have started building fires down there for the “grand” ones – better known as the gruntmonkeys. On an evening a few days back I had GM3, GM4 and GM6 over for one of these fires, to just sit around it and tell stories.

As we made our way down to the point the young ones noted that my stacks of firewood looked like a fort. We went on with the adventures of the evening but the thought stuck in my mind. After the fire and their efforts at defending the ‘fort’ we went back up to the house and did some late night swinging and sliding. They later went home very tired but happy little boys – I remained at my house a very tired but happy old man.

Time slid on through Halloween, the dawgs lost and we had exactly zero little goblins come to our door to get treats – both bummers! We live in the last house on our side of the street and the candy we would give evidently is not deemed to be worth the energy expended to take the extra steps to get to our place. It also poured down rain during most of the best time for those ventures.

Time wandered on through Sunday with a combined service – with inspired singing and a very meaningful message. We then exited to the upper parking lot for what we called Hope Fest – our substitute for Halloween festivities. We also had a chili cook-off and I was one of the many tasters and sampled several before I cast my vote. This voting narrowed the chilies down to six with three judges deciding the top one.

The event was massively attended with many events for young and old – also with lots of food. The Spice and I visited with lots of folks – some for the first time in a while. We finally wore down and headed for the house. Later that evening my stomach questioned my wisdom of tasting so many types of chili.

Monday arrived and I decided to act on the thought I got from the GMs – to build a ‘fort’. Three large trees shade this particular shore of the pond so I used these as supports for the firewood I stacked to make walls for the fort. I simply restacked the wood that was already there – I did so but still needed more to complete the ‘construction’. The solution was to split more wood to finish up the walls – so I did so.

The completed project was three walls stacked about 5 feet tall. The forth side was left open in order to feel the warmth of the fire. It has been named Fort Gruntmonkey. They were over again a couple of days later and imaginations ran wild. They had stopped by with pizza; we took it down to the Fort, chowed down and built a fire. With the amount of firewood down there this tradition could continue for a while.

Even though we as Christians are front line soldiers in a spiritual warfare, we need a ‘fort’ or safe place to go to rest or find help in time of need. We have this safe place in the presence of God and He wants us to come to Him anytime but especially when we have reached our limits of endurance. I’m so thankful He is always there to comfort and guide – we sometimes hesitate to go to Him – not sure why because God is good, all the time! ec

splitting

2009-10-26T22:47:00.000-04:00

Today was a day like many others but only in the respect that the sun came up and was actually visible for a short while until it clouded over again. It started out with the taking of nourishment of physical and spiritual natures. Then I loaded up the trash and ‘trucked’ it to the gathering station. I stopped by the post office for the mail then it was on to Wally world. Upon arriving I tried to find a cart without bumpy wheels – almost did.

Picked up several odds and ends and a few grocery items – came to over 30 bucks – cheap from the usual. Back home the Spice and I dined on leftover chili – still very good. Then I kicked back in the recliner, had a dessert of vanilla frozen yogurt with walnuts and apricot preserves on top – yum! Then I had a cup of hot Ovaltine in their chocolate malt flavor and gathered my thoughts and energy for some outside adventures.

I decided to split some firewood – I do this by hand – or more correctly said, I use a manually operated splitting maul and wedge. This went well but the stack was getting tall and a bit shaky, so I went to find a scrap pipe to drive in the ground to steady the stack. I found one with the diameter of 1½ inches and picked it up to see if it was long enough. To my great surprise and shock, a snake fell out the other end!

My brain instantly recognized that it was non-poisonous but my feet were not listening to the message sent to them and they were doing their weird little escape dance. By the time I had got them under control I was unable to find the snake and was never able to see it face-to-face to identify it – if they really have faces. With the heartbeats back to normal I drove the pipe into the ground and it braced the stack nicely.

With the light nigh unto fading, I quit this effort, went in the house, changed to walking gear and went for my evening walk. With a near perfect temp for this endeavor, I put the legs in nearly top gear and finished my three miles in a second under 45 minutes. Exercise of this nature helps keep a person active – even if it does take a few minutes to recover from it. A little later I went to the basement for exercise of a strengthening nature.

FYI – The Spice’s Mom is still in the hospital and still needs prayer. She seems to be slightly better but has a long way to go to get back to where she was. If you didn’t know, she is living with us now and went to the ER last Wed. Not a fun time but a part of life and you never regret the time spent with loved ones like this. Even in this God is still good, all the time. ec

summer 09 recap continues

2009-09-04T00:37:00.003-04:00

Our Florida kin departed for home on Saturday, June 20th and on Monday the 22nd OD and her young ones arrived from Texas – FSIL was unable to come due to work. Then the massive family type stuff began with all the gruntmonkeys. GM1 spent several nights with us to be with GM2 and they seemed to have the most fun that could be had in the allotted time in which they had to have it.

All the gruntmonkeys had a great time together with much loudness and laughter, as is the norm. We had several occasions of family times during the week and as much fun as a barrel of monkeys – or more accurately, a basement full of gruntmonkeys. Their time together ended on Saturday when YD and crowd left town for MI to visit with SSIL’s folks – an annual event of siblings gathering with their parents.

It was determined that I should take GM5 on his first adventure of fishing. The rods and reels had to be dusted off and prepared for the venture with hooks, weights and floats applied. Having not fished for some time and not wanting this to be a fruitless adventure, I called our neighbor and she suggested a certain spot on their pond where bream could readily be caught. Then it was to the bait store to purchase some crickets.

With all the prep made, I put the equipment in my garden cart and included a 5-gallon bucket for the caught fish – an act of faith. GM5 and I made our way down to the pond and a baited hook was cast forth upon the waters. Our wait was short and with my help the young one was soon reeling in his first fish. After the 3rd or 4th fish, the attention span of the 4 year old started to wander and after a total of 7 it departed for other adventures.

OD came down for some photo ops and we asked the young one what he wanted to do with the fish. He didn’t want to eat them or throw them back in the pond from which they came and finally decided to put them in our pond – just below the one in which we fished. I carried the bucket down and he poured them out to be re-caught another day. We gathered all the gear and trekked back to the maison, happy for the event and photos.

A smile is the quickest and best way to improve your looks – I don’t think I have ever seen an ugly smile. TBC ec

PS – Photos are of GM5 with one of his ‘catch' – and the other is of all our gruntmonkeys.

son of summer recap 09

2009-08-29T22:25:00.002-04:00

If the events of a summer are not written about, did they really happen? June 15th arrived, as did our aunt, her daughter, her SIL and grandson. This aunt is the sis of MIL and she came to visit with us and check up on her sis in the “skilled nursing facility”. They stayed the week with us and it was a hoot!

This was the same week that “the saw” came to Blueberry Hill to stay. The aunt’s SIL, my cuz, helped in the putting together of “the saw” and after purchasing oil and fuel, we set about cranking this new chain saw. We were unable to bring it to life that day, next day I found out that one step in the instructions was misunderstood and when I tried the proper way, it roared to life with a vengeance.

Of course any important tool at Blueberry Hill has to have a name – and one this awesome had to have a special one. I ‘saw’ right off that this tool was a real ‘cut up’ so I named it Ethyl – no particular reason for this choice, it just seemed to fit somehow. Ethyl’s first victim was an oak that was hollow and leaning over the pond. With my Florida cuz aiding and abetting, we managed to pull the tree sideways and dropped it on the pond bank.

The saw was working great and was cutting the tree like a hot knife through butter. That is it was until I got the end of the bar into a small, unseen mound of dirt – if anyone ever asks if dirt will dull a chainsaw, you can tell them that it definitely does. The day of cutting was finished out with a dull chain and next morning, with the help of the same cuz and BIL, we dropped a large pine that had been troublesome for years.

The troublesome part was the fact that it dropped pollen, sap and pinecones on the driveway and car parked there. The tree was just over the line in the neighbor’s yard but with their permission it was cut. The somewhat amazing thing is that it fell in the exact spot I wanted – this was due to planning, two people on a rope and maybe a little luck. It was slow going with a dull chain, so I took it to the equipment place for sharpening.

With a sharp chain again, the large pine was disassembled limb by limb and the slow process of cleanup was started. The whole tree was hauled – piece-by-piece – to a large pile down next to the pond to be used for campfires with the gruntmonkeys. It took about a week to get the limbs, straw, cones and such cleaned up.

If what we chase in life is happiness, it will not be caught – but if we follow hard after God, He can not only be found but also will abide with us – and then the happiness we chased will overtake us. TBC ec

PS – The photos are of “Ethyl” and one of her ‘victims’ – and two Florida cousins, the twins and son of NWT

summer recap 09

2009-08-23T23:01:00.003-04:00

The filmy, flimsy wings of summer are beginning their whisper beats of departure and yet my personal narrative of such has not been completed. My hope is that my busy time is mostly over, at least the part that precludes writing about it. There is still plenty to be done about the place but some of the most pressing issues are past.

Going back to June 12th – we returned from the beach shortly after my cousin and her husband arrived to stay a couple of days with us – YD came over and allowed them entrance. They came to attend our annual family reunion out at my bro’s place. We had a great time renewing kinship and even laughed a fair amount.

Next morn we arose to put the finishing touches on the dishes we were to take and I constructed a banana pudding by “popular demand”. We loaded up and made the 30-minute ride to the bro’s. Some kin were already there with others arriving all along. Dishes from loving hands populated several long tables and none asked which were low calorie – those concerns were mostly suspended for the day.

During and after the time we were possibly eating a bit too much, we talked and laughed followed by conversing and chuckling – we even did some gabbing and guffawing with a bit of chatting and chortling thrown in. The crew was a little smaller than usual but just as much fun anyway.

All good things seem to come to an end and this happened to us as folks had to leave for home. We headed back home also and continued enjoying the presence of my cuz and her hubby another night. Next morning they went to church with me – the Spice went to stay with her Mom at the “skilled nursing facility”. Excellent service as always and after we came home and had lunch they departed for their Tennessee residence.

In everyday life we tend to overlook the extraordinary things because they are so well mixed with the ordinary. Plus some of the ordinary is in fact part of the extraordinary. Make an effort to find these really great things and give God a chance to wow you. TBC ec

PS – The photo is of the whole “motley crew” at our June ’09 reunion in Augusta.

MB 0609 2

2009-07-28T23:56:00.002-04:00

Although our beach trip is ancient history now – many very busy factors being involved – I feel compelled to finish the story and narratively get us back home.

Tuesday, June 9th, found me on the 7th floor balcony of our temp residence overlooking the beach and ocean in Myrtle Beach, SC. And although I was looking intently eastward, I still was unable to glimpse Europe – has to be fog or something. The time was early afternoon and the day was clear. I was ensconced on the shaded side of the building and just soaking in the fresh air and enjoying the sounds of the ocean.

One could hear the occasional calls or squeals of young ones enjoying the beach – and even the voices of older ones urging them to not do what they were doing because they would hurt or do away with themselves. Many games were being played, waves were enjoyed, skimmer boards were ridden and/or fallen from and birds of several types were flying and calling to each other – probably discussing the human critters on the sand.

Kites were flying to one degree of expertise or another. One particular one was ‘piloted’ very well indeed, with loops and swoops toward the sand, yet without colliding with the beach or any occupier thereof. A game was being played on the shore – Bocce ball – and this reminded me that I intended to buy one of these for the home front last year. Of course my normal tendency is to straightway forget this after I return home.

This was another relaxing day for us both, the weather was sunny with a light breeze and although I had a garden to tend and blueberries to pick back home, I just soaked up the peacefulness. Several small planes flew by, paralleling the beach and towing advertising signs behind them. Also an old red bi-plane flew down the beach and back a couple of times – probably rented by someone for the ride.

A full moon rose over the ocean on Sunday and Monday nights and was absolutely awesome. Tuesday evening found the moon hidden by clouds and showed the lightning of an approaching weather front – awesome also. The balcony contained two rocking chairs and if properly employed these can be much of a stress reliever.

We ate out a few times but mostly ate our meals at the condo – more relaxing. The rest of the trip seems a blur now – we did go shopping another day – relaxing for the Spice, not so much so for me. Early afternoon on Friday, June 12th, found us packed and headed back to our home once again, having enjoyed the getaway but needing to continue our normal lives back at the home front.

During this trip I found and viewed with awe many extraordinary things – these amazing things are hard to find because they are so mixed in with the ordinary parts of a day and have to be searched out. I remain convinced that some of these were made by God just for me to enjoy – God is good! ec

PS – The photo is of a small island of landscaping between the condo and beach.

MB 0609

2009-07-08T00:16:00.002-04:00

The busy summer season thus far has come to pass in the following manner. Pre-summer began back in April and May with the planting and tending of the garden – with the Spice occupied with her Mom, first in the hospital – one month – and then moved to a “skilled nursing facility”- six weeks now. Besides mostly taking care of the home front I have been a backup sitter and/or caregiver for MIL.

Then with the garden well on the way and a full schedule of sitters arranged for MIL, we took off the first full week of June for Myrtle Beach. Leaving early afternoon on June 6th, we stopped by to see MIL and then eastward and beach-ward we went. We stopped in Columbia at Fuddrucker’s for a hamburger and to relax a while. Then uneventfully we continued on to the ocean-side condo for some much needed R & R.

We checked in, moved a van full of “stuff” inside and shortly headed out to Wally World to get some groceries. Arriving there it suddenly dawned on me that this might not have been the best plan in the world because it seemed everyone else within many miles had the same idea. But I have learned over the years to go into vacation mode and even wall-to-wall people couldn’t upset my peace of mind.

Back to the condo and just simply relaxation – the Spice had been under much stress caring for her Mom and my main goal was to see to it that she rejuvenated during our time away. It probably didn’t help that our dishwasher “bit the dust” the morning we left. We called and ordered another on the way down to hopefully be delivered when we got back. We had replaced the trash compactor just a short time before this.

We put all that aside and just enjoyed doing nothing for a while – we just vegged out that first night. On Sunday we didn’t leave the condo except to go out on the balcony and once to retrieve something from the van. This seventh floor view was outstanding and very calming with the waves and light breeze. This balcony faced east but try as I might I never could see Europe – probably smog or something.

We arose on Monday morn, took nourishment and headed out for a day of light shopping – not shopping for lights but as opposed to heavy shopping – although any shopping is heavy to me. On one of the few occasions I was able to get on the web, I determined all the places she wanted to go were roughly in the same area. We stopped by McAllister’s for a bite to eat, then to Hamrick’s, Kohl’s and on to the mall for Belk’s and others.

My dislike for shopping comes from the fact that I don’t have a meandering gait – unless it is a place selling hardware and such. I wandered about to find something to interest me and we kept in touch by cell. And though I tried to stay with the Spice in her last place of shopping, it soon became too much for my feet and back. Then just outside this store, what to my wondering should appear but a couple of recliners.

These were left there for advertisement purposes and we had one very similar at home so I found great joy in ensconcing myself in one of these until the return of my dear one. As we made our way back to the condo I could tell that the Spice was starting to unwind. Unwinding is good and God is good in allowing us a time and place to do so. TBC ec

PS – The photos are of the beach and of the fresh water stream that runs beside the condo into the ocean.

sprouts

2009-05-10T15:44:00.002-04:00

The definitions of sprout addressed in this writing are – a) a new growth from a seed, rootstock, or the like or b) something suggesting a sprout, as a young person. As mentioned in other writings of bygone days, my favorite season is spring and a large part of this favoriteness is the sprouts that burst forth on plants, bushes and trees. And a major part of the sprouts that are looked forward to are the ones coming forth in my veggie garden.

This garden is always a part of my year and I only remember one year in the last 39 that I didn’t plant one. The year was 2000 and I was working a lot of overtime plus the fact that my ancient tiller was very non-cooperative in the area of cranking. Next year a new one was purchased and the gardens continued. This year the garden was planted and every time I glanced that way I was expecting sprouts to be breaking the ground.

About a week after the planting the first seeds started doing just that – sprouting. Unless you are or have ever been a gardener, it is hard to imagine the feeling this gives the planter thereof. I guess it would be a feeling somewhere between the emotions of Christmas and July 4th when the seeds germinate and send their shoots exploding slowly upwards through the soil – of course there is the disappointment if some don’t sprout.

So far this year the okra seeds and cucumbers have started out well with hardly a missing plant – the squash are another story with about a fourth of them needing to be replanting. The tomatoes are also being troublesome this year with several of them dying straightaway. I planted 24 of them and had 4 spares, now the spares have been planted and it looks like I am going to need a few more – not sure what is causing this.

The 4 new pomegranates are also having some difficulties – I was told when they were bought that they were very late to sprout leaves and they truly are that. I am now seeing sprouts on two of them and possibly a third but the fourth one looks to have bitten the dust. I gave them all this past week to come to their senses or they will be replaced – my nursery has agreed to replacement plants but I wanted to be sure of their demise.

This brings us to the other definition of sprouts under consideration. These are the locally residing and Texas living gruntmonkeys of OD and YD and they are sprouting well – of course their sprouting takes a lot longer and many more emotions are involved. Some of these are good and others not so much so. Our desire for all our sprouts is that they grow up healthy and produce good fruit – or veggies. Sprouts are good and so is God. ec

PS – The photos are of cucumber sprouts, okra sprouts and boy sprouts.

BBH 465

2009-05-02T13:35:00.003-04:00

Blueberry Hill report 465. Much has happened in the last couple of weeks in the vast (?) and joyous estate I like to call Blueberry Hill. The spring prep has been so occupying my time that I have been mostly away from the computer – and away from any writing. Meanwhile spring has definitely sprung in spite of a light scattered frost that threatened several of my plants but only nipped back my fig bushes – one of these is tree size.

About two thirds of the leaves of my largest fig were killed but now, a couple of weeks later, new ones are even forming on the limbs of the dead ones. This is a common spring ailment of figs since the leaves are very tender and susceptible to a late frost. The blueberries have blossomed, been pollinated by the bees and now the little green berries have formed – they were unaffected by the frost and normally ripen in the first part of June.

The paw paw trees have now put on leaves – they are always late to do so. Most of the blooms are gone and several fruits have formed – all of the four have at least one small fruit forming, with one having several. Big hopes that this will be the year that I get to taste a paw paw fruit. Both the Cornelian cherry trees have leaved out but they still haven’t made an effort at forming fruit. The Juneberry trees have blossomed and leaved.

The very tiny pecan tree has yet to put on a leaf – it is always late to do so – hopefully it hasn’t croaked. The hazelnuts on both ends of the house had to be extensively pruned back and they are now in almost full leaf. This brings me around to the spot in which four fig bushes resided and were struggling due to last year’s frost. I decided to move them down the hill toward the pond and put other plants in their place.

Three were moved and one was discarded. In their place I purchased and planted four pomegranate bushes and three pineapple guava. They are very small and it will be two or three years before any fruit is realized. Still on the bedroom end of the house there are the two blueberry rows. Major efforts have been made in the last couple of weeks to get all the weeds and grass out and straw placed. Also a border around one row is now complete.

The weeds and grass had quite a hold on this area but they had to let go – the bushes that have been cleaned around are starting to look healthier. Behind the house the pear tree has bloomed, leaved and fruit has started – I may have to cull some of it so the branches won’t break. The muscadines are putting out new leaves and vines and seem to be doing well. The older blueberry patch needs some attention but that will come later.

Meanwhile the garden has been tilled and was planted on April 17th. The cucumbers came up first, with the squash close behind – the okra is even breaking through now. The tomato row has 24 plants residing therein but several of them don’t seem to be doing well – I have four spares if they croak. The two varieties I planted this year are Celebrity and Better Boy. Today I saw a few blooms already formed – the plants are still small.

Have I mentioned to anyone that spring is my favorite time of year, the time when all of God’s creation comes back to life and I am constantly awed by the viewing thereof. ec

PS - The photos are of green blueberries, baby pears, fig tree with leaves of various sizes due to the frost and the blueberry beds on the bedroom end of the house - with one row cleaned out and strawed - the second row has barely been started.

MS 0409 3

2009-04-26T22:56:00.003-04:00

This is to bring the saga of the MS trip to a close – about time since we have been back for over two weeks.

We had found out a bit of history on Sunday while chatting with the cuz about a hill on the way back to the sis’s place – it had been a confederate army camping area. SSIL went hunting in that area for bits of memorabilia on Monday and I helped him a bit in the digging when his equipment indicated something but we found nothing significant. There was actually a hand-drawn map of this area but we must not have found the exact location.

GM1 went back to my aunt’s with us to spend that night and come Tuesday morn the Spice and GM1 slept in while the aunt and I caught up on conversation. My aunt had someplace to go, so while the Spice and GM1 were showering and the young one was doing some homework, I went back over to my sis’s. YD and crew had gone down to the community center, SSIL to hunt for buried stuff and the young ones to the playground.

Tuesday was a good day of “family stuff” that most families either don’t have time or at least don’t take the time to do. We ate supper at the sis’s that evening and we went back to the aunt’s in time to catch the only TV show I watch regularly, American Idol. After this I had to get to bed for a hard day’s driving next morn – Wednesday, April 8th. The ladies stayed up and chatted about many things and details – much longer.

My aunt was to wake us up next morn in time to get ready and YD’s crew were to drive over and all would leave together. Wouldn’t you know that I woke up about an hour ahead of time and couldn’t get back to sleep. I finally got up and had my devotions early. We were all packed up and ready when the other bunch arrived. YD was determined to clean up everything at my sister’s place before they departed.

The two other GMs that didn’t ride in our vehicle on the way down loaded up with us and we departed. A pit stop and a fuel/pit stop found us in Birmingham once again. After we got back to I-20 we didn’t try to stay together – except by cell phone – and met back up at the Georgia welcome center for another picnic lunch. The young lads were able to let off a little steam and this oldster enjoyed the restful break of the trip.

We loaded back up and once again headed for our respective SC homesteads. We arrived at YD’s shortly after they did - our only ado was a couple of rest stops and a minor traffic delay when we got back to the Augusta area – Master’s Golf tournament congestion. We dropped off the two GMs we had and headed home – the trip was good but as always, it’s good to walk into one’s own premises. God is good! ec

PS – The photo is of YD’s young ones at the tombstone of my Mom and Dad. GM4 is on my Dad’s side of the marker because he was named after him (as well as some other family members). If my folks could have seen this scene I know they would have smiled much.

MS 0409 2

2009-04-19T22:01:00.002-04:00

Monday morn (04-06-09) came and I went over to my niece’s – now living in the old home place – to fire some weaponry on a range the nephew had set up out back of their house. This nephew is ex-army and ex-law enforcement, hence the interest in weapons. We fired a couple of .22 pistols, a rifle of the same caliber with a spotting scope, a 9mm Glock pistol and an M15, the civilian version of the M16 army weapon.

It has been a long time since my army days and I was a bit rusty but did OK for an old codger. It was a good outing and a type that I don’t get to do much at home because of the nearness of civilization. I have fired my shotguns down around the pond, but the pellets don’t travel far at all and wouldn’t endanger others.

Later in the afternoon I took GM1 back over and she got to fire most of the same weapons – she was very impressed – she had been babysitting the first session. Between these two sessions of exploding ammo we took the young ones to my cousin’s saw mill to show them what this was like. The GMs and I hiked back through the woods on the aunt’s property to get to that location. YD and SSIL drove the van to bring them back.

The last time I saw his business it was not operational since it was still under construction. This time it was in full operation and the young ones were very impressed as well as mesmerized by the operation of this large piece of machinery. My cousin operated the saw with joysticks in a control room overlooking the saw. The logs were loaded on a frame that pulled them in to be loaded into the sawing clamps one at a time.

I had not seen one of these saws in operation either and very was impressed as well. The width and thickness of the sawed planks were determined by a computer and were only limited by the size of the log from which they were sawn. The logs are bought by weight and the boards sold for several purposes. One of the main products he cuts is crossties for railroad tracks – other products depend on the size of the sawed boards.

All rode back in the van except for GM4 and I – we hiked back through the woods just for the adventure and exercise of it. They met us at my aunt’s and after a visit there; they went back to my sister’s. Betwixt and between all the adventures, I chatted much with my aunt as well as my sister. My uncle passed away a little over a year ago and although she is 88, my aunt is managing fairly well and lives there alone.

Family relationships can be a wonderful blessing from God and our visit continued to be blessed. TBC ec

PS – The photo is of GM4 – the adventurer – up an old plum tree.

MS 0409

2009-04-16T23:35:00.003-04:00

YD and her family wanted to go to the area in Mississippi from which I emanated – on what would have to be considered a “roots” journey. She wanted me to go to show her family many of the places I knew back when I was a young sprout – as well as visiting some kin that are starting to get older. We decided to take two vehicles because one would be too crowded and nobody wanted to ride tied to the top of the van.

When we arrived at YD’s on Saturday AM, April 4th, two young ones were appointed to ride with us on the way out and the other two would do so on the way back – which was fine with us. Our route was via I-20 most of the way and by some sort of miracle, our first stop was at the Alabama welcome center, about 200 miles from home. YD had packed some items for sandwiches and we had a picnic there at one of the outdoor tables.

This stop also allowed the young ones to expel some of the pent up energy that is always part of a long trip for young ones. Next stop was for fuel and other necessary functions just on the other side of Birmingham. Only one other stop was made, this was about 10 miles from our destination and it was to allow GM1 to drive the last few miles for practice, since she is approaching 16 and time for a driver’s license.

Our first stop was at my aunt’s house to let her see the three young lads that she had never seen – she had seen the younger version of GM1 several years earlier. After a while we went on over to my sister’s place for an evening of visiting and had supper with her. YD, SSIL and their four young ones stayed there for the night and the Spice and I went back to my aunt’s place to bunk.

On Sunday afternoon we went to the country cemetery where many of my kin are buried. We started at my Mon and Dad’s grave site and continued with my grandparents and great-grandparents. Several great uncles and aunts are also interred there, including one great uncle that got killed along with a friend of his in some sort of train accident. There were possibly traveling as hobos and were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

We wandered all over the cemetery looking for kin for several hours. SSIL had brought his metal detector and searched around the old adjoining church for any lost objects underground. The young ones tired of this adventure and since we brought both vehicles, the ladies took them back to their place of stay and I took SSIL to the rural community center built on the site of an old grammar school to check for buried stuff there.

In the evening we visited with my cousin – the one that years ago introduced me to the girl that later became Tammy Wynette – she was an excellent singer even back then and we saw each other most every day for the two weeks I was down there. We spoke of these things and many others, past and present. The day ended with a multitude of memories tumbling through the mind. But God is still good and that all the time. TBC ec

PS – The photos are of YD and family seated on the hearth of my aunt’s fireplace and of GM3, 4 and 6 clowning it up a bit at the old home place. The aforementioned fireplace is made from field stones found on their property years ago.

Spice's BD and outback

2009-03-29T23:36:00.002-04:00

A couple of weeks back the Spice had a birthday and it was mutually decided that we should spend that day together out and about town. We left the ‘maison’ that morning to eat b’fast at a very good local spot – the Sunrise Grill – a good spot for a birthday breakfast or anytime. After that we had a couple of errands to run and then we took off for the Augusta area to generally do what struck our fancy.

We decided to go to a movie, admittedly a ‘chick flick’ but after all it was her birthday. Then we went to about three stores shopping for furniture, lamps and etc. In the late afternoon we went to the ‘Chop House’ for her special meal – a very nice restaurant, belying the image and idea that the name might conjure up. They were so high class that they wouldn’t even gather round and sing “Happy Birthday” – did give her some cake though.

The freebie birthday dessert was a piece of double or maybe even triple chocolate cake with ice cream. The small bite that I got to taste was very yummy – I was too full for a separate one. It was then decided that we should go to another movie – we try to go to at least two movies a year, whether we need to or not. This one was “Race to witch mountain”, a remake from years ago.

The flick was a fun sci-fi and a sort of knock-em-down-drag-em-out type but with no gore. When the movie was over it was way past dark-thirty so we headed on home, having thoroughly enjoyed our day together.

It occurred to me that I had not sent any photos of the completed “outback” storage building. Let me remind that my older bro and I poured the cement, laid the blocks, put up the frame, rafters and OSB. After I trimmed out the eaves and installed the drip edge, bro came back and helped me put on the shingles. The siding was installed with help from SSIL and BIL. Recently completed outside caulking was the finishing touch.

One photo is taken from the front with the other from the back, this latter one shows the retaining wall I built to help prevent erosion. All remaining to be done now would be some racks and shelving on the inside, about which there is no rush. It is a great sense of accomplishment to realize that the only thing that any outsider did was to install the door – I just didn’t want the hassle of that.

I’m so much enjoying the flowers and new green leaves of God’s creation – Spring is my favorite season, with all the other ones very high on the list. God is good!! ec

GM snippets

2009-03-27T23:13:00.003-04:00

All grandchildren seem to do funny or endearing things, at least deemed so by their grandparents, and my gruntmonkeys are no exceptions to these type antics. GM5 recently was riding with the family and once again told his favorite “knock-knock” joke, his sister gave a somewhat tired laugh that indicated she had heard this one too many times. GM5 told her not to laugh like that but to laugh like someone was tickling her.

Another time GM5 (keep in mind that he is 4 years old) had been sent to his room for misbehaving and when his Dad went up later to have a talk with him, he was saying, “I’m just so angwy, I’m just so angwy”. His Dad asked him who he was angry with. He said, “With myself, because I keep getting in twouble evewyday”.

GM3 (in first grade) seems to have some artistic tendencies that are expressed with crayons or any other coloring medium – some of which bleed through to our countertops – much to the consternation of the Spice. Many of these colorful offerings have come to us over the past couple of years. The latest is now taped to our frig – by him – probably to make sure it was put in the right spot.

GM4 has skills in hunting/gathering, this shown by the things he finds outside and wants to “save”. Some time back he brought me seven tiny pebbles that he had found on his kindergarten playground and asked me to save them for him. These are now in a small plastic envelope and resting on the note pad beside my laptop. I think of him every time I see them – how could I throw them away – even if he forgot these ‘precious stones’?

GM1 is in the high school band – plays the clarinet – and we went to a concert by their band just last week – outstanding quality sounds. She is also into texting, ‘face-book’ and other teen ‘thangs’. GM2 is a studious one and any grade below an ‘A’ is just not acceptable. This leaves GM6, a charmer with a shy smile almost constantly and normally very calm – unless he is sick or very sleepy, and then it’s volcano time.

I consider our ‘grands’ to be joys and blessings, even though occasionally they do make me lonesome for peace and quiet. Our God is an awesome God, and good, all the time. ec

PS - The photos are of: OD and GM5 (doing his 'see no evil, hear no evil') I didn't have a good one on file of GM2. And the other is of the SC GMs - L to R - GM1, GM4, GM6 and GM3 (notice the blue icing around the mouth of GM4).

muddy

2009-03-25T23:50:00.004-04:00

Since being back from Texas my life has sped up considerably due to the many tasks needing to be completed before spring arrives. On one of the days that had intermittent showers my task was to go to the block place to get more concrete blocks for the building of retaining walls in my garden. These blocks weigh about 33 lbs. each and I limit my load to 30 per trip – about 990lbs. I hauled three loads that day and unloaded by hand.

My garden is made up of four beds on a slope that are 37 feet long and 6 feet wide. To this point I have built three retaining walls of blocks stacked two high and an upper border of one layer of the same material. The only wall remaining to be done is the bottom border wall that will be several layers high. This wall has been postponed until next dormant season because of many other tasks demanding attention with time running out.

Somewhere in the mix were sinus problems that slowed me to about half speed and several sessions of rain. After getting some bales of pine straw I re-strawed the blueberry bed down the driveway and have started on the berry beds on the bedroom end of the house. These require much more time because I am cleaning out all the weeds and grass as I go. This requires screening to separate the dirt from the weeds and grass.

Although a good start has been made in the bed cleaning out process, it is necessary for the dirt to be relatively dry to fall through my screen or a muddy, gummy mess results. This means that I have to wait 3 or 4 days after a rain to start the screening process again. After several rains now I have had to go on to other chores. One of these was to go to Wally World to pick up a “few items” – ha – I was lucky to have enough money!

On a long ago Friday night, GM1 spent the night with us – as did MIL and you might say that we stayed up much too late. Next morn we were dragging around a bit but finally got it together by the PM. The Spice and I attended the wedding of a friend from church – it was a time of joining together – OK, you know what I mean. The reception afterwards was fun on two counts – 1) food and 2) lots of yakking with friends.

Keep in mind this writing is from the past as I am trying to catch up to date. This catch up is because I have been putting max time into the yard and garden and min time into email – not good. Will fill in on more recent times later. God has been good even through sinus problems and feeling crummy – I’m glad. ec

PS - Still new at this - the photos are: Paw paw flowers (strange little blossom) - blueberry bush in bloom - the blueberry row down the driveway - the garden showing the block walls.

SC GMs

2009-03-09T21:37:00.004-04:00

Photo on the left is of GM6 at his family birthday party. Next, L to R is GM3, GM6, their cuz and GM4.

GM pix

2009-03-09T21:10:00.002-04:00

Still learning how to do this - the photo is of GM5, the Texas 'grand' and he doesn't look very happy - a)because he doesn't want to wait for the photo to be taken before he slides down the slide and b)his young friend wants him to get out of the way.

TX 0209 6

2009-03-09T00:29:00.000-04:00

This installment wraps up our Texas trip narrative – just as well since we have been back home over a week.

All too soon Wednesday the 25th of February came into recorded history and we finished packing, loaded up and headed to the Houston airport. I sat in the back with GM5 so we could talk about ‘guy’ stuff. On the journey my mind once again went to thoughts of earlier in the week about the lack of pine trees in their area.

Only a very few pines were noted between OD’s home and the airport. It’s not that I am such a fan of pine trees because they are so easily damaged in a storm but they are so much a part of the landscape around our home turf that it was very different. Many years ago we had all of the ones near our house taken down for safety sake. We do have a few along one property border and down near the pond.

When we arrived at the airport main entrance we put the finishing touches on our good-byes and went in – the main hugging and all was done before we left her house – to minimize the time of unhappy partings. We got checked in and made it through security OK. The flight to Atlanta was routine and we even had a layover at that location – not a problem at all considering our rush there on the flight out.

We had plenty of time to relax and get a bite to eat, even if the hotdogs did have the toughest skin either of us had ever encountered – not bad other than that. We checked when we deplaned and our departure gate had changed and by the time we finished eating it had changed again – not a problem as long as we do leave. We just sat back and relaxed a bit. Ask me sometime about the loud flirting a guy was doing in the hearing of all.

The Augusta flight was on time, short and uneventful. Our airport is not a huge one and we were surprised that we actually walked across a ramp to get in the terminal – usually we go down the steps of the plane and back up into the terminal. When we landed we called YD and she was in route. We got our checked luggage, went outside and after a short wait, YD and her young crew came for us.

They were glad to see us and of course the feeling was mutual. We did see many pines on the way home, a landscape that was familiar and welcome. It was so good to get home and each return seems to get better as I get older. I don’t think the trip was long enough to result in jet lag but we were both very worn around the edges. As the Word says, “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” ec

TX 0209 5

2009-03-04T00:16:00.002-05:00

Though we are home now, the trip narrative continues.

The day somewhat magically became known as Sunday – February 22nd – and as is our custom we attended church. OD and clan went earlier because both of the adults teach a Sunday school class and we came later for the morning worship service. The service was youth related since they were finishing a weekend youth gathering – Disciple Now. The music was from a younger group but even us oldsters enjoyed it.

The youth minister gave the sermon and it was outstanding. The theme of the whole weekend was “The Born Identity” – a takeoff from a movie by a similar name and the message was somewhat related to that. The movie, “The Borne Identity”, depicted a man that did not know who he was, why he was there or where he was going. He wasn’t aware of the things he could do but found out he could be very dangerous.

The minister's main point was that many Christians do not know who they are in Christ and from scripture he told who Christians really are in a spiritual sense. I also received that some Christians don’t know why they are on earth or where they are going. And further, many Christians aren’t aware of the full extent of their abilities in Christ nor do they realize that they can and should be very dangerous to satan and his hordes.

Left unsaid by the youth pastor but occurring to me was the fact that a Christian that doesn’t know who they are can cause more harm than good. FSIL and OD showed us around the church after service – quite a large facility. We went home to a great meal from the hands of OD and afterwards just enjoyed being together the rest of the day. I find much amusement in the antics of young ones and that day was no exception.

On Monday the ladies had some errands to run so it was just GM5 and me again for a while, so it was “guy stuff” once more. All the meals have been good, as have been the desserts but the apple pie OD prepared on Monday evening was one to praise from high atop a soapbox. I don’t know exactly what was in the pie except for the apples but on top was pecans and caramel – it was good enough to make my lips slap each other silly.

On Tuesday OD kept a friend’s two-year-old daughter for the morning for her mother to attend a funeral. The girl and GM5 really had a great time on the swings, slide and the sand table. It was a bit tricky to make sure they didn’t hurt themselves, particularly the two-year-old but a good time was had by all – so much so that when her Mom came for her, she was ‘reluctant’ to leave – or maybe you could call it a bit of a meltdown.

After the evening meal on Tuesday I asked if we could all have prayer together, they agreed and we stood in a circle, held hands and communed with our Lord a few minutes. It’s not that God can’t hear long distant prayers; it is just different when we are touching as we pray. As the evening wore on, the Spice and I started packing for our departure on Wednesday – the leaving is the saddest part of the trip. TBC ec

TX 0209 4

2009-02-24T00:27:00.001-05:00

Thursday and Friday were days of just hanging around their home place, spending family time and watching after GM5 a bit while the ladies ran various errands. The weather continues to be very nice with daytime temps hovering in the low to mid 70’s and mostly just right for the little one to play outside. They seldom get a frost in the winter down here – the normal frost line is about an hour or so north of the location.

Saturday, February 21st, was a big day because this was the day they had GM5’s birthday party – the closest Saturday after his actual date of birth. OD had hired the “Big Bouncy Bus” for the occasion. This was a school bus with all the seats taken out and several foam based pieces of play equipment put in. It also had a zip-line that went from the front to the back of the vehicle and ended in a pool full of foam blocks.

In attendance were 12 young ones, a few of their bros and sisters and a fair amount of parents. They all seemed to have a huge hoot of a good time with the bus – plus GM5 had received a large inflatable tube in which the little ones could roll or be rolled across the lawn, and many of them did just that – in gales of laughter. It was all too soon – for the young ones – time for the bus to leave, so they gathered for cake and ice cream.

The cake was OD’s creation, she has been baking and decorating cakes since she was a teen – and making spending money from it – this one was a Mickey Mouse depiction – good one too. Then it was the opening of presents, more play on the swings and in the sand/water table GM5 had received earlier in the week. Then it became meltdown time when the parents decided it was time to leave and the young ones didn’t want to go.

One of my jobs during the party was self-appointed, that of trying to make sure the little ones didn’t get hurt – even though there were a few close calls, I was mostly successful at this. The other main job was that of photographer when OD was busy with other things – I got several great shots – accidentally? Things quieted considerably after their departure and even though the noises were happy ones, I still enjoyed the quiet.

I mentioned in an earlier missive that I received a small digital camera for Christmas but the learning to use it was delayed in my working to finish some chores before going to Texas. I finally got some few shots with it on this trip but the resolution was set too high and disc was too soon full. Another disc with more memory was purchased, the resolution was set lower and soon there will be photos coming from Blueberry Hill – hopefully.

With our trip rapidly coming to a close, we are squeezing as much out of the last little while as we possibly can. Our last Saturday in Texas – on this trip – ended in quiet hours spent with our familial loved ones. How else can I say that God is good except just that way? TBC ec

TX 0209 3

2009-02-22T00:57:00.000-05:00

The day was Tuesday, February 17th, the place was a small lake in Lake Jackson, TX, the folks involved were the Spice, GM5, OD and I, the material involved was a loaf of bread and one of the missions was to feed the water fowl. The larger mission was the entertaining of GM5 and to a somewhat lesser degree, the adults of our party. When the winged, swimming critters realized what we were about to do, they headed our way en masse.

Wading through these expectant ones, we made it to the dock and started tossing pieces of bread to the waiting beaks. The birds involved were at least two varieties of ducks, a few geese, two varieties of sea gulls and a good many black, duck-like swimmers that I believe to be coots. Our part of the scenario was to toss pieces of bread, their part was to try to be the first to get to the bit of sustenance and we were both good at what we did.

My main activity was tossing pieces in the air for the gulls to catch on the fly. This did happen, a low percentage of the time, but the ducks, geese and coots were all afloat and waiting for the tidbits they missed. We only took one loaf of bread and this was depleted long before the young one desired. As we departed to the recreation equipment, the birds went back to whatever they do until the next bread-tosser comes along.

The really significant event for this particular date is that it is the birthday of GM5, he turned four. And as is the custom of this Texas clan of kin of ours, the birthday person gets to choose the evening menu – the choice of GM5 was pizza, not with pepperoni or hamburger but “cheese pizza” – or what we would call plain. FSIL picked this up on the way home from work and the little one was a happy camper.

OD made him a cake and he helped decorate it with sprinkles and such. He wanted blue icing and before it was all over his mouth and tongue was this same color through the tasting process. After the pizza we had the blowing out of the candles and he had a bit of trouble with this – as the old saying goes, he wasn’t holding his mouth right. He got them extinguished and we sang happy birthday, some more melodiously than others.

Then he opened his presents and was awed – then we went out to the garage for him to see the sand/water play table that had required a little assembly earlier in the day. We carried it out to the screened porch and placed sand on one side and put water in the other – the adults in the group figured that these two elements would soon be mixed anyway. He enjoyed this so much that the adults had to tell him when to come back inside.

Next day was Wednesday and FSIL went to work, GM2 went to school, OD and the Spice went shopping for the day, so it was just GM5 and me doing guy type stuff. After b’fast, we went out for him to play with the sand table and for me to open up another gift for him – moon sand. This is a sand-like material that is formable in the molds that came with the kit – a little like play-doh, only more crumbly – definitely an outdoor adventure.

After this we went out in the yard for him to play and for me to install another gift on the end of the swing set. Taking down the worn piece of equipment located on the end of the top support, I installed a rope swing with a plastic disc on the end that one could sit or stand on while swinging. This was a little hard for him to get used to but he still enjoyed the activity. Wow, time is flying by but God continues to be good, all the time. TBC ec

TX 0209 2

2009-02-18T00:30:00.001-05:00

One of the definitions of the word dynamo is: an energetic, hardworking, forceful person. This definition does not state the size of the person so described but in this case it would suit GM5 almost to the point of having his photo beside the defining words. Meaning five of the word dynamic – of or pertaining to the range of volume of musical sound – leave out the musical part and leave in the upper range of volume and again it’s GM5.

I realize that these definitions would also fit many, many other young lads, including my other three grandsons residing in South Carolina, but my present visit is with GM5 and family. Enduring and possibly at times suffering under the tutelage of GM5 is Jasmine – the younger of the family’s two dachshunds. On occasion, the tutored has to be the tutor with a warning growl or nip when GM5 has trespassed too roughly on her person.

The older of the canines, Bogey, at 14 years (98 in human years) simply endeavors to stay out of the way of the energetic one – an example that old dogs can learn new tricks. It has been said that TV dulls the imagination of young ones but that hasn’t seemed to influence this young one – maybe because he only gets it in small doses. And of course this may be because he doesn’t stay still long enough to be greatly affected.

Among other things today, we have built a “tent” from the couch cushions, played an energetic game of tag – more energy on his part than mine – and have stood enthralled as the trash truck picked up the household waste of the neighborhood. As mentioned in a missive long ago, there was possibly more enthrallment about this on the young one’s part than that of the old codger – maybe – though I did enjoy him enjoying this endeavor.

The Spice and I are watching our Texas ‘grand ones’ today – Monday – for our daughter and hubby to have a day together – something all couples need on a regular basis. After nap and play times we took GM2 and GM5 out to Fuddrucker’s for supper. We didn’t know it but that was the night that “Sweet Potato” the clown made his appearance at that establishment and was a big hit with all the kids, especially GM5.

The clown made balloon animals and such for all the kids and his antics brought gales of laughter from GM5, so much so that the clown commented to us that he really loved his ‘from the toes up’ laughter. By the time we came home we had collected a balloon lion, a sword, a bow and arrow and one long plain balloon. He enjoyed his mac and cheese but by far the clown was the best part of his dining experience.

We continue to have a great visit and it shows in still another way that God is good – all the time. TBC ec

TX 0209 1

2009-02-15T23:45:00.001-05:00

Saturday – 02-14-2009. Upon checking the stats on Lake Jackson, Texas, I found the elevation to be 13 feet above sea level and about 12 miles from the coast. Freeport, Texas, on the coast, is the area in which FSIL works and its elevation is 0 feet (sea level). These stats piqued my curiosity about my own home turf in South Carolina and found it to be located 148 feet above sea level – not quite as elevated as I had thought.

So far on this visit we have not been bothered by the normal hordes of blood-sucking insects but I don’t want to speak too soon as they may hear me and swoop in for a raid. The temp is usually a few degrees warmer than back in South Carolina and thus far has been very pleasant with only a couple of showers on Valentine’s Day.

We arrived in Texas on Wednesday and the next day, the 12th, was OD’s birthday. The celebration was low key with just the family but very meaningful nonetheless, I will not go into the number of these events she has enjoyed – she might frown on that. Then came Friday the 13th, this is a day considered unlucky by many.

Luck is defined as: the force that seems to operate for good or ill in a person's life, as in shaping events or opportunities. To those that hold too this belief in luck, Friday the 13th is the ultimate of the bad luck side. According to studies some people are so paralyzed by fear on this day that they avoid their normal routines in doing business, taking flights or even getting out of bed. This writer does not hold to a belief in luck.

When one has a personal relationship with the One who made and still controls the universe, One who also loves those persons of His creation and desires the best for them, there is no need for another controlling force in one’s life, especially a pseudo or guess-work one such as luck. Anyway, this supposed unlucky day was a wonderful one of family time together, with a few chores thrown in for good measure.

One of these chores on my part was to drive over to a large retail outlet to obtain an item or so to express my affection for the Spice of my life on the morrow. Valentine’s Day dawned and upon her arising, I presented the Spice with my meager offerings. First there was the appropriately mushy card – appropriately appreciated – then I gave her a tin of cashews – her favorite – and told her this symbolized that I was just nuts about her.

Then, I gave her a small, pink stuffed monkey and told her this meant that I still go ape for her. Her large smile told me that I had chosen well; also saying that one doesn’t have to break the bank to show true affection. We are enjoying our relaxing time with family, with a few household projects thrown in to make it even better for me. Life is good and God is even better. ec

in flight

2009-02-12T23:02:00.001-05:00

When I began this missive we were mid-flight between Atlanta and Houston on a trip that so far had been a bit of an adventure. Of course, for the seasoned flyers among us it might seem a normal part of the experience. All was as expected when we arrived at the Augusta airport Wednesday A.M. for the beginning leg of our trip to Texas. Because of a computer glitch we were unable to check in on line but that process flowed well on arrival.

We checked in and were on our way to the security check-point when the Spice decided to go back to check on our sky miles. She saw the TSA agent doing a thorough exam of my checked bag. He had arrived at the quart jar of Duke’s mayo – the Spice explained that we usually take OD (older daughter) a jar or two – it’s not available there. The agent said that he had a ‘saying’ – “There’s mayo and then there’s Duke’s” – we agreed.

We went through security without a hitch – we boarded the plane in a hitch-less manner – and had taxied out to take off when the hitches started. The pilot told us via intercom that we were waiting 30 minutes before take off because of heavy traffic in Atlanta – our first destination. This would not be so bad except for the fact that we only had a short layover in Atlanta before our flight for Houston departed – normally a great thing – not today.

We finally got in the air and the tension began – not on the pilot’s part but on mine, because I didn’t want to miss our flight from Atlanta to Houston. We landed, got off the plane and still had to get the Spice’s bag that was checked planeside in Augusta. By the time we got her luggage unit and headed to our departure gate on the other side of that very large airport, we had about 14 minutes until the next flight departed.

Then, it was a fast walk to the escalator on concourse D, to the tram, two concourses over to B, up the escalator and then I went as fast as the legs would go with the Spice coming behind. As I rounded the corner to our gate, the attendant asked in so many words if I was the one they were waiting on, I responded in the affirmative. The Spice caught up, he scanned our tickets and followed us down the ramp to tell them to depart.

The plane was pushed out of its resting place shortly after we were seated; we were grateful to have made it and set about trying to catch our breath. It took a while for the heart rates to return to normal and the rest of the flight was uneventful – thankfully. OD and GM5 met us in the Houston/Hobby airport baggage claim area; we loaded up and headed to their home. I sat in the back with GM5 and we shared conversation and gummy candy.

This trip was rescheduled from January – when the Spice had pneumonia – and the timing is good because our time here spans the birthdays of OD and GM5. We are grateful for the time to spend with our family here and blessed for the safe passage granted by our Lord – God is good! ec

redirect

2009-02-01T23:43:00.000-05:00

In the grand scheme of things pertaining to my to-do list it is getting down to crunch time concerning all I want to get done before our trip to Texas. As previously mentioned, the “outback” building has been completed and I spent the better part of a day trying to fit the various pieces of equipment into said building. The difficulty involved was to be sure the seldom used ones were in the back and the oft used ones in front.

When this building was in the planning stage, I asked my bro what size structure I should erect and he said that it didn’t matter, whatever size would be filled up – and there was much wisdom in the answer. It has rained since the landscaping was completed and this has shown me a couple of flaws in relation to the drip line. One spot in front needs the dirt rearranged to redirect water away from the foundation – and some gravel added.

When I complete these finishing touches, all remaining to be done will be the caulking of a few cracks – the material for this has been procured, just remains for it to be done. Another large item on the list is the building of a soil retention wall in the garden. This is done with concrete blocks in a loose lay manner (no mortar) and after a couple of days labor, layer one of two is in place – mostly level and somewhat straight.

In the midst of this very productive labor – at least my achy back thinks it was productive – appointments and the other duties of family life interrupted my time. Saturday was a very productive day in the areas of gruntmonkey entertainment – this concerning the three local lads that call me Pop-pop. FYI – gruntmonkeys are what I call my “grand’ ones – with the designations of GM1 through GM6 – the eldest being GM1.

An object at rest tends to remain at rest unless acted upon by an outside force – in this scenario I was the object at rest and GM3, GM4 and GM6 were the outside forces. One can only listen to “Can we go outside now?” so many times without putting on one’s shoes and jacket and venturing forth with them. First stop was the swing set/trampoline area and a short while later it was on to the pond to cast many small stones therein.

During this latter, efforts were made at teaching the art of skipping stones across the water but they are still a bit young to get the knack. Next stop was the sluice that feeds water from the neighbor’s pond down to the one in which we have a small share. The adventure of the day was to push pinecones down the sluice into the catch basin and then let the force of the water push them through the pipe and plop into the lower pond.

Then we were off in the direction of the hill overlooking the highway to watch the traffic, making a brief stop to try to climb a eucalyptus tree – this was discouraged by their elder because: 1) there were no suitable limbs on which to climb and 2) I didn’t want any abrasions, contusions or fractures to happen on my watch. Further along we “knocked” on several anthills to see if anyone was home, many entities answered the raps.

Reaching the traffic-watching pinnacle, we all marveled – to one degree or another – at all the passing vehicles. When we returned to the inside, they were happy for the adventure and sad because it was not long enough – it never is. I pondered later how much easier and more predictable it is to redirect rainwater from a shed roof than it is to influence young lives in proper and Godly directions – but so much worth the efforts. God is good! ec

process

2009-01-27T23:52:00.000-05:00

As I am wont to do, especially when on the cusp of writing about most anything, I look up the meaning of the word(s) in question, even though I know the meaning(s). The word ‘process’ has several definitions and two of these seem to be going in the same general direction of this writing. These are: 1) a systematic series of actions directed to some end – 2) a continuous action, operation, or series of changes taking place in a definite manner.

With these two in mind, I have to describe myself as in process whereas it pertains to a list of chores that I want to have completed before Spring, with most crossed off the list before going to Texas in February. The pressure to do these is self applied but pressure nonetheless and what I seem to find necessary to get things done.

The beginning of the process was to make the to-do list – the start of planning. Then it is necessary to obtain needed material – if necessary. Two biggies on my list were to build retaining walls – one in the garden and the other in the rear of “outback” – the storage building. The necessary cement blocks were obtained – plain, ordinary 8-inch blocks for the garden and more decorative, yet smaller ones for behind “outback”.

The reason for the walls is erosion – both the garden and the rear of “outback” are situated on slopes. The wall behind “outback” was completed on Friday past – the same day a contractor installed a garage-type door to complete the building. All that remains to be done with the wall is to fill in some more dirt and a bit of gravel. The building is complete except for some caulking in several spots – and then placing my equipment therein.

All remaining to be done around the building is to make a swale to divert water flow away from the structure, level the ground in front of it and eventually pour a cement apron in front of the doorway. Then I can start on the wall in the garden – to be finished before tilling and planting in the spring. Meanwhile, much pruning is to be done – about half of the muscadines have been done and none of the hazel nuts – both need it before spring.

Also most of my blueberries need to be cleaned out and re-strawed – a slow but necessary job for good fruit production. Several other fruit producers need to be cleaned and pruned – figs, paw paws and a single pear tree. In the beginning stages of cleaning out the blueberries, I was also able to supply a young friend with some excess blueberry shoots to form a berry patch for his family.

Meanwhile, our trash compactor crashed into the past tense – must have been cheaply made – only lasted 28 years. With the aid of BIL, it was loaded on my small pick-up and hauled to the dump. Remains to be seen what we will install in the opening left in the cabinets – most of the newer compactors are smaller.

Mixed in with all the other processes were some baby sittings and other odd jobs. One of these was to install some lights and an outlet in the crawl space under YD and SSIL residence, not necessarily a hard job except for the cramped quarters involved. The recovery of the Spice is also in process – a long drawn out one. She and I are also in process – a beautiful one that has lasted more than 45 years thus far.

My personal relationship with Jesus Christ is in process and according to His Word; this will last for all eternity. ec

nominal

2009-01-25T23:16:00.001-05:00

The word nominal is interesting to me in that I only remember it being used in one context. I’m not saying that it has no other applications; I just don’t remember any other common ones. Among other definitions, this word has the meaning: being such in name only, or: so-called, or: putative. Breaking down so-called, it means: called or designated thus or incorrectly called or styled thus. Putative is: commonly regarded as such; reputed.

For most of my adult life I have heard this descriptive adjective used in reference to Christians. Very zealous exhorters would spit out the phrase, ‘nominal Christian’; much like one would forcefully and pneumatically expel a bug that had accidentally entered their oral cavity. It was an either ‘us’ or ‘them’ situation, with the ‘them’ being the ‘nominals’. But I wonder how many of the ‘us-es’ are really ‘thems’ in disguise?

But to determine the real from the pretenders, one would have to determine what a real Christian should be and what actions would come from the life of this forgiven one. The book of definitions gives several of these concerning a Christian, but the one I like best is: a person who exemplifies in his or her life the teachings of Christ. Or as a short verse in Matthew says: “Therefore by their fruits you will know them”.

So what are these fruits? These have been expounded upon many times but in one message of long ago, every category of Christian fruit was covered. These are: 1) Character – who and what you are. 2) Conduct – how you act. 3) Contributions – what you give (money, time, love, etc.). 4) Communications – what you say. 5) Converts – Actively striving daily to win someone to Jesus. Is the fruit of your life what Jesus desires?

When it comes down to pronouns in conjunction with being a Christian, it is not an ‘us’ or ‘them’ situation but it’s whether or not we are His. ec

crux

2009-01-20T00:29:00.000-05:00

It is almost a sure thing that I have committed non sequitur-isms but I do not remember ever using that word/phrase in a normal conversation – but then, am I really normal or have normal conversations? This last question comes about because quite possibly only one person in the whole world in really normal and everyone else is either below or above that median condition – and I don’t think I am that person today.

But getting back to the word/phrase that started all this – which is defined as an inference or a conclusion that does not follow from the premises – and/or a comment that is unrelated to a preceding one. Following this line of reasoning, would it be a non sequitur to say that we had a youth encounter/retreat at our church this weekend and I was one of the ones there – since I am not a youth but an oldster?

Our spiritual event started on Friday evening at 5: 30 and continued until Sunday morning, concluding in time for all of us to attend the AM service. As mentioned in earlier writings concerning several previous similar events, this one was also an awesome time of drawing away from everyday distractions to concentrate on matters concerning our Savior and the personal relationship possible with Him.

Nitty-gritty is defined as: the essential substance or details of a matter or the crux of it. Crux is defined as: the central or pivotal point or a perplexing and unresolved difficulty. Considering these defining words, especially the latter ones, the nitty-gritty is what the young participants in our retreat got down to. They were given the truth of the Word compared to the lies of our self and material seeking society.

Crux also carries the simple meaning of: a cross and this was what all of our weekend sessions were focused on. Not the cross itself but the true meaning of what took place on a certain cross about 2,000 years ago just outside Jerusalem and what it means to us today. A choice was necessary and urgent.

From outward appearances, most made the choice to follow the Savior. We offer follow up classes to reinforce the truths that were learned in the sessions. I do know for a fact that this oldster gets much of a blessing from being a part of these youth efforts – again the non sequitur appears on the close horizon and possibly this is another one of those – so be it. ec

not yet

2009-01-12T20:34:00.000-05:00

A phrase is a sequence of two or more words arranged in a grammatical unit – and entering into this arena of verbiage is the small phrase – not yet. These two small words tend to be very disappointing to the questioner, especially if the curious one is a small child asking if the day is Christmas.

In the olden days, when men were not allowed in the delivery room at the birth of their children – they were “in the way” – they too were disappointed when the nurse told them over and over again – not yet. This answer would also displease our young ones when they ask for the umpteenth time, are we there yet?

This answer also applies when I wonder if the local highway construction is completed. Not yet. This answer is definitely in the negative because I am really wondering if they will ever finish up – no matter what completion dates they keep publishing.

Although these two words are in the negative sense, they can show an amount of faith. The ‘yet’ in the phrase means: at the present time, or up to a particular time, or thus far. To me this means that although an event is eminent and expected, it hasn’t occurred at that present space in time. Or else we might think that we would never have Christmas again, or the child will not be born, or we won’t arrive.

Continuing with this phrase in the positive sense and folks ask me if the Spice is well, I say, not yet, because even though she is improving and is expected to fully recover, she has yet to arrive at well city.

Also if one were to ask me if I was through with the outback storage building, I would have to say, not yet. As far as the building is concerned, it is completed as of Saturday when I placed the last piece of siding but I have not had the door installed, so it cannot be used. Also I have some grading to do in front of the structure and a retaining wall to build in the rear, as well as pouring a cement ramp in front.

I received a small digital camera for Christmas and someone might ask how many photos I have taken already and I would have to say none – at least not yet. To go further, if I was asked as to whether I had read up on how to operate this small instrument my answer would have to be – not yet.

If one were to ask if I had caused enough smiles or joy to be in the lives of young ones – especially our gruntmonkeys – I would have to say, not yet – though I strive mightily in that direction. And if the question to me was – have you encouraged enough folks or tried to lighten some one else’s load enough, again the answer would have to be, not yet – though that is my continuing effort.

Am I ready to meet Jesus, either by my death or in His second coming? YES!! If faced with the same question, my hope is that you would not have to say – not yet – because Jesus is ready to receive you anytime you call on Him. ec

crossing

2009-01-05T00:33:00.001-05:00

It was Sunday AM and I was on my way to church. The weather was dreary, foggy and cloudy with drizzling rain. This was a solo trip since the Spice has been sick for over a week now. My mind was pondering many things about word definitions and such. The blues was one of the ponderings, as was gloom, discouragement, downheartedness and one that I really didn’t think of right then, melancholia.

Of course there is always the old catchall, depression – a condition of general emotional dejection and withdrawal; sadness greater and more prolonged than that warranted by any objective reason – this is straight out of the dictionary. Mind you, I wasn’t feeling according to this or any of these definitions, I was just pondering them and wondering why they rule and ruin the lives of so many people.

While considering these deep thoughts and conditions, I was on I-20 about to cross the bridge entering into Georgia. As the crossing occurred, a small opening in the heavy clouds appeared and the sun lighted my passage all the way across. Then the clouds reasserted their rule of the sky all the rest of the way to church. I considered this short view of sunshine somewhat odd but also very meaningful.

Since the definition of epiphany is: a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into reality or the essential meaning of something – often initiated by some simple, commonplace occurrence – I guess that is what I had. Considering the words I was pondering, what I drew from this occurrence was that God is able to bring His light into any depressing situation and dispel the darkness of the gloominess involved.

It naturally follows then, since Jesus is the Light of the world, that by inviting Him into our lives and into every situation, all darkness would have to flee. The relief may not be instant at times but at least we have Someone to be with us to help work out a solution, because no matter the problem, Christ is still the answer. ec

postponed

2009-01-03T00:59:00.000-05:00

January 2nd was to be the day that the Spice and I were to fly to Texas to visit with OD and crew but it had to be postponed. It seems that my favorite lady has come down with pneumonia (Dec 31st) in both lungs and I am sticking close to home to ‘nurse’ her back to health – this while fighting off some sort of bug myself. I am grateful that she did not have to be hospitalized but she is still one sick lady.

New Year’s Eve marked the date of our play presentation – ‘the money in Uncle George’s suitcase’ – and it came off without major incident and from all reports was hilarious. I was a bit busy during the play but the laughter sounded great. My bro and SIL were able to attend and enjoyed it. YD and GM1 were also there – they approved of the performances, especially that of their ancestor – me, aka ‘Uncle George’.

Even though I was very concerned, the Spice also attended – with her doctor’s reluctant permission – but only if she wrapped up and sat in an isolated spot. Our play director sent one of the backstage help with a chair and she sat on the walkway that overlooks the gym/fellowship hall – she also enjoyed the event.

The play made me glad on several accounts – I was glad that I was able to learn my lines, glad that I didn’t forget my lines, glad to have been a part of a talented and hard-working team, glad that it brought laughter into many lives and finally I was very glad when it was all over. I will remember most of the lines for months and will probably never forget a few of them – funny how the mind works.

The cast stayed around to welcome in the New Year along with about half of the audience – the place had been pretty much packed out. We counted out the old year and welcomed in the new one – I with mixed emotions since the Spice had to go back home after the performance, she had ridden with YD and GM1. I got home about 1am and was much too keyed up to sleep – I finally wound down about 3am.

On Jan 1st, I went out to the airport to tell them that we would not be able to make our flight. This fact was entered into the computer and the date will be changed when I go back out Monday with a letter from our doctor validating the Spice’s condition. We plan to go back sometime in February.

Many winter weeds are in our garden, but the only thing growing on purpose is turnip greens and I had picked, washed, cut up and cooked some of these for our PM meal, aka supper. Then I also cooked up some black-eyed peas, potatoes for mashing and a pone of cornbread – this latter required a trip to the market since our meal had gotten stale. The Spice felt well enough to mash the potatoes.

We thoroughly enjoyed this traditional southern meal that typically starts our new year in this locale. We welcome the New Year with some concern, much hope and absolute faith that God is still in control of our world, no matter what the news networks are reporting. ec

Christmas 08

2008-12-30T12:15:00.001-05:00

Christmas of 2008 came to pass in the following manner. In the days leading up to Christmas, as mentioned in the last missive, there was plenty to do inasmuch as I am still involved in the outback building program as well as striving to learn my lines for the play on New Year’s Eve. In spite of all this, Christmas does come and will pass whether one takes notice of it or not.

Of course I did take much notice because this day just happens to celebrate the birthday of my “best Friend” and “elder Brother”. This is the same Friend that sticks closer than a brother. Also one would not have to be super observant to see the excitement building in the eyes and actions of the local grunt monkeys. Sure enough, Christmas Eve arrived, which usually comes just before Christmas Day.

We are known for family gatherings around here and Christmas Eve was the occasion for another one. This one mostly involved the same crew that was here for our Thanksgiving festivities – minus the Texas crew and a few more. The number came out to be 18 at our supper and joyous gathering – seven of which were of the younger variety, 4 were our grunt monkeys and 3 belonged to NWT – (niece with twins).

We started our family celebration by reading the Christmas story – the one in Luke’s gospel – and then we held hands in a circle and had prayer together as a family. Then we descended upon our feast, consuming it with great to medium gusto. As per usual it was a joyous gathering with much laughter and happy clamor, one could almost hear the needles click as the family was knit even closer together.

The event finally started to wind down and several were standing outside saying goodbye when an odd thing happened. Suddenly a pony walked across the lawn of the house across the street, across the pavement to our yard then back across and on down toward the highway. NWTH, being in law enforcement, saw the danger and with another nephew headed out to try to keep it out of the highway.

The local law was called but the animal’s owner was not forthcoming. They were able to herd the animal into a neighbor’s unused tennis court that still had a good fence around it. The thought crossed my mind that this could possibly be one of “Santa’s” gifts gone astray. As it turned out, it belonged to folks about a quarter of a mile away and had just gotten out of its fence. They retrieved it the next day.

We didn’t get to bed until the wee hours but were able to sleep in on Christmas day since we had no little ones in residence. We later went to YD’s to see the grunt monkeys, all their gifts and have a meal with them. Christmas is a wondrous season and I gathered many smiles to add to my mental collection. The best gift of all times has always been that of God’s Son as our savior – God is good, all the time. ec

engrossed

2008-12-22T00:14:00.001-05:00

The first definition of the word engross is to occupy completely, as the mind or attention – or to absorb. And the word absorb means to involve the full attention of or to engross. It also means to occupy or fill, as in time or attention. All the subtle nuances of these meanings are true in the area of my time and attention of late. So what are the things that are so engrossing, absorbing and occupying?

The number of these engrossing things would be exactly two. One would be the construction of our ‘outback storage’ building and the other would be the effort of desperately trying to memorize the lines of my part in the play to be presented at our church on New Year’s Eve. You may or may not have come to that conclusion already since these two things have been mentioned a few times in past missives.

So how are these things going? ‘Outback’ is progressing well, though not as well as I had hoped since we are planning a trip to Texas on Jan. 2nd. The basic building is complete, as mentioned before, but now the vinyl siding has been placed on all soffits and the facia has been wrapped. Then the metal drip edge was placed around the edge of the roof and the shingles have been installed – along with a ridge vent.

Along the way I have had the help of SSIL, BIL but mostly my older bro. The outer walls are now partially ‘wrapped’ in a moisture barrier – I ran out of this – and Saturday afternoon we made a start on placing vinyl siding on one of the vertical walls. This latter, while not extremely difficult, is nonetheless time consuming. Another roll of the moisture barrier was purchased on Sunday – that stuff is expensive.

My goal is to have the siding mostly completed by the time we leave for Texas – it remains to be seen whether this will be realized. The second engrossing item – the play – is getting more and more urgent as the time of performance approaches. The reason for concern is that I still draw a blank occasionally during rehearsals. I take no comfort in the fact that this also happens to others.

These engrossers have almost totally cut out any ‘spare’ time I might have had, whatever ‘spare’ time means. You also may or may not have noticed that I haven’t written anything in a while – now you know the reason. Our family time also must be worked into the picture. I am still taking time for the “Word” and still declare that God is good, all the time! ec

control

2008-12-04T22:28:00.001-05:00

Monday morning arrived right after the most important day of the week – Sunday. My bro came to help me with the outback storage building. We started about 9am and by the end of the day we had the stud walls in place and the opening for the door roughed in. Tuesday was a called rest day since the Spice and I both had appointments with our heart doc – these were check-ups and were OK.

We then went out to get a bite to eat, something we had not done together for a couple of weeks. We then went to see the new baby of a young friend of ours and though it was not my grandchild, it was a very cute baby. On the way back home we made a stop at YD’s to consult on a leakage problem at their house. This was a bit out of my expertise but was glad to offer my advice.

Soon enough Wednesday came and bro and I started on the outback again. We were able to get the OSB on all the walls except for around the door area. OSB stands for oriented strand board – I didn’t know that until I looked it up on the web. Similar to plywood, this product is becoming a mainstay in newer homes and other buildings. We also built and put in place the header over the doorway.

Keep in mind that neither my bro nor I are as young as we used to be and for my part, evening exhaustion was the norm after one of these hard days. Thursday came into being and this was the day to put up the pre-fab rafters and nail the OSB on top of that. All the construction was helped along by one of my prized possessions, a pneumatic framing nail gun – it did speed things along.

This construction project and trying to learn my lines in the play that I am in on New Year’s Eve have left very little time for anything else – TV is almost totally gone as well as email and blogging, which I rather enjoy as well. Oh well, it’s only a few more weeks before both projects will be completed and I’ll get back to normal, whatever that is. God is still in control, no matter what anyone says. ec

shopping

2008-12-02T23:42:00.000-05:00

Still on Thanksgiving, I made my way home from my bro’s place to help prepare for our gathering on Blueberry Hill. This was to take place at or about 5pm with our immediate family and the Spice’s extended family. I arrived in plenty of time to help with some cooking, house prep and the construction project of another banana pudding for this happy gathering.

A cousin and spouse from Florida, along with their two young ladies had arrived just before I did. I started a video for the girls in the basement – a favorite hangout for the young ones and invited the couple into the kitchen to watch my construction project. We chatted much as I, aided and abetted by the kitchen equipment and utensils, worked the wonders of my pudding recipe.

I neglected to mention that 17 folks were in attendance at the bro’s noontime Thanksgiving feast. We were expecting more, so the prep for that was started. Our dining table comfortably seats 8 and 4 can eat at the bar – we also set up two tables in the den that would seat 8 each. All the kin came in a few at a time and the final count was 29 – 11 of these were of the younger variety.

When all the dishes were set out, we called the young ones up from the basement for the meal. The little ones said grace and we began the consumption – for some reason I wasn’t nearly as hungry as I was at noon but I got a plate anyway. The meal was a lively, joyous, somewhat noisy and very filling event. The young ones soon finished and headed back downstairs to play – it did get quieter.

After the main eating was done and we were down to some coffee and an extra dessert or so, we began the event that we started several years ago. Instead drawing names to buy for extended family, we pool our funds to buy for a disadvantaged family or young ones. Then the ladies gather all the sales papers to shop for these folks and make lists for said shopping the next day.

The folks we buy for come to us through one of our churches and the gifts are given anonymously and this has been much of a blessing to us in the giving thereof. The ladies set out next morn to get all listed gifts – they have a blast doing so. OD did not get to go since they were to fly back home that day. The Spice and I sadly delivered the Texas clan to the airport for their return flight.

After the goodbyes, I took the Spice to meet YD to help her finish her shopping quest. They were to meet back up with the other group for lunch and then go to other places in town. I came back to Blueberry Hill to complete a cement related project on ‘outback’ storage. This task was to fill the cavities in the concrete blocks with cement. I started at noon and finally finished about 7pm.

The job was completed under lights and in the drizzling rain. Then it had to be covered with plastic to keep the rain from damaging it until it was hardened. I was very tired but happy to be through with the job before the rain hit. I continue to walk in the goodness of the Lord, grateful for His blessings. ec

occupy

2008-11-30T23:51:00.000-05:00

Wow, if busy was a minute I’d be two weeks. It just goes to show that if you don’t write about stuff as you go, especially in a journaling sort of way, then you leave out a whole lot of events. I have been thoroughly occupied, a bit pre-occupied and maybe somewhat post-occupied in the last week or so. And this caused me to have not written a single word on my computer writer thingy.

As on occasion I am wont to do, I looked up the word occupy to (1) make sure I was using it correctly and (2) to further explain the depth of the word in context. The third meaning was to fill up, employ, or engage – that would certainly explain why I have been worn out. The fourth definition – to engage or employ the mind, energy, or attention of – finished explaining why I have been leaving stuff out.

The things that have been the greater parts of my ‘occupation’ have been family events and the construction of ‘outback storage’. We had enjoyed the presence of OD and GM5 since November 18th and then in the late evening of Friday, the 21st, we picked up FSIL and GM2 at the airport to enjoy their presence as well and to bring all their Texas based family back together again.

Mixed with all the family preoccupation was two whole days of working on the outback. On Monday past the bro picked up the pre-fab trusses for the roof of said building and stayed on to lay one course of concrete blocks around the outside of the previously poured concrete pad. Bro left after the laying but it was dark when I finished cleaning up and placing plastic over the blocks in case of rain.

On the evening of Tuesday past, both daughters and clans had supper with us and then we celebrated Christmas for OD and all, since they will not be able to come back for the real one. We exchanged gifts and the young ones squealed with delight at all the appropriate times. We enjoyed our ‘first Christmas’ of 2008 – and tried not to think about their upcoming absence.

We tried to crowd in as many family things as possible since the ‘Texas crowd’ doesn’t get out this way very often. Then Wednesday came and we started meal prep for the upcoming Thanksgiving meal. I would be attending two of these meals, one at my bro’s house and then another at our house at 5pm. The Spice didn’t go to the bro’s since she was occupied with prep at our place.

Thursday morn came and I began my day with spiritual and physical nourishment and then started on the two dishes I was to take to the bro’s. The first was a squash casserole that we had prepared for baking the evening before and the pièce de résistance – my ‘famous’ banana pudding. With the casserole baked and the pudding constructed, I set out to my bro’s place.

Being among the first ones to arrive, I was able to get a head start on the talking and laughing that is always a part of our gatherings. All the dishes were brought, lined up on the long table row and after all had arrived, grace was said and the consuming began. It was a peaceful and jolly gathering of just enjoying being together and as mentioned, much laughter.

All too soon came the leaving time but God is good to have allowed us to gather once again. ec

outback

2008-11-20T23:07:00.000-05:00

The day was Monday and it was to be a busy one. It started in the usual customary ways but was different in that this was the day that my bro was to come over and go with me to get lumber and such for the construction of our storage building – that reminds me, I need to come up with a name for this structure. My bro came and we took his pickup truck, it is big, mine is little.

We purchased, loaded up and brought home the lumber to make the forms for the pouring of the cement slab on which the structure will rest. We also got bags of cement and the studs for building the walls. Once home we started putting together and leveling the forms for the cement. We finished mid-afternoon and drove over to Augusta to order the pre-fab trusses for the roof of the edifice.

Since the building is 10 feet by 16 feet, it only requires 9 trusses and these were paid for and will be picked up by bro on Monday next. It is so good to finally get serious about this necessary storage place. Tuesday came and it was the day to get stone from MIL’s to be fill in the soon to be floor – this required 4 trips with my small lawn-tractor trailer. I was mostly used up when the hauling was done.

Then it was time to clean up and go pick up OD and GM5 at the airport, they are to stay until after Thanksgiving. We retrieved them and happily brought them home. They were to install their luggage at our place, then pack an overnight bag and go spend one night with YD – she wanted to stay there the first night and then settle back in at Blueberry Hill.

We took her and the young one there and stayed a short time as well. We then left in spite of the fact that all the lads wanted me to stay and “play with them”. Then Wednesday happened and I spent almost the whole day in the placing and spacing of the stones I had hauled to the form, making sure they were low enough for the poured cement not to have rocks protruding above the surface.

The three young lads came by for their parents to go on errands and when they got up from their nap it was necessary that I play with them. Fortunately I was through with my tiring task and I played for a while. When they left I trucked back over to Lowe’s for a few more necessary items for the building.

Thursday was the big day of pouring the cement. We started shortly after 9am and went till after noon. We did stop for lunch, happy to break from our backbreaking job. I thought that I had stocked up enough sand for the job but I still had to go back for two loads more. We finally finished about mid-afternoon and were both ‘worn to a nub’. Bro went home and I started cleanup.

A few places had to be touched up in the concrete and when it was mostly ‘set’, I finished ‘sweeping’ the surface. It was sundown by the time I finished cleanup and put away all the tools and such. It was good to have the hardest part of the construction behind us but I had muscles hurting in places that I didn’t remember that I had places – I limped inside for supper and hopefully, recovery.

Incidentally, I decided to name the storage building “outback”, since it is behind the house. God is still good, even when most every muscle I have is aching. ec

showing

2008-11-18T23:57:00.001-05:00

The day was Thursday and I rose early to take GM1 to school because her parents and siblings were still out of town. I ate a small bite to carry me until I could get back home and start my day in the right way. The trip was successful and she was deposited at school – back home I began my day in the proper sort of way. Being a rainy day, outside work was nixed so I spruced up some inside.

Going down to the basement rec room, I found it to be a wreck, with toys strewn about in a helter-skelter manner – these were then put back in proper order. The weather later dictated that a nap would be a good thing to do, so I made a successful effort at that as well. Then the Spice and I made efforts at cleaning out a closet and then I retrieved GM1 from her institute of higher learning.

The rain had finally stopped so I went for a walk as it neared sundown, though this time was hard to tell with all the clouds. It struck me that it was eerily quiet while I was out, the only things being heard were the background noises from the nearby highway and my rhythmic footfalls. The geese were ‘out of pond’, the birds were silent and it was too cool for crickets and cicadas.

The trees were in various stages of coloration with a few already having dropped their leaves. We have some very obstinate oaks in the area, hanging on to their leaves to the bitter end and then instead of the leaves coloring properly, they just turn brown and fall off – probably just to be irritating.

In spite of the fact that it rained a good portion of the day, the pond was not showing any signs of turning around in its quest to become ‘the incredible shrinking pond’. It rained more through the night and the next day I saw ‘stump peninsula’ turn back into an island and later disappear altogether.

Friday evening the Spice and I, along with GM1, went out to eat and then went to the youth service of our missionary conference – excellent speaker and very challenging. Saturday came and I did get to watch my college football team fight through to a victory and later we took GM1 to a birthday party at a local restaurant and we just stayed over and ate at another site ourselves.

We hung around to take GM1 back home – by this time her parents and young ones had returned to the area. We did this and later welcomed them back from their week’s vacation. Sunday was a multi-event day – 9AM play practice, AM worship, home to eat, back for 4PM play practice and then for the PM worship service – all were great but tiring – then we went out with friends afterwards for a bite.

How can something be so uplifting and tiring at the same time – could it be my age showing? Nobody has to convince me that Christ now is and forever will be the most important thing in my life – and by the way, God is good, all the time. ec

appts

2008-11-18T00:01:00.000-05:00

Tuesday was a day of appointments and our first was with the seniors for a luncheon together. We ate at the “Honey in the Rock Café”, a restaurant sponsored by a church in Augusta. It was cafeteria style and was good, we left full and also satisfied with the friendly fellowship that was involved.

Back home, I had an appointment with the kitchen to make a dessert for our monthly OTP meeting. The particular dessert is called “Blueberries in the snow” and it is as yummy and interesting as it sounds. The Spice had baked me a couple of small angel food cakes the evening before, so with these and great care I constructed the dessert and placed it in the fridge to cool.

Next appointment was to pick-up GM1 from school and get her started on her homework and a short time later I left on my next appointment, to meet and eat with the OTP guys. This meeting was at one of the guy’s homes and the feast of the evening was catfish stew – it was excellent. I think we all consumed at least two bowls – I had two and a half and wished I had room for more.

Between us we ate over half of the blueberry stuff and I brought the rest home – I was not too unhappy about that. It was cool but we ate outside, circled up around an outdoor fire pit, having a great time just watching the fire and laughing and talking together.

I finally left because I had another important appointment – with my bed. The appointment was short-circuited when I sat down in my comfy chair and promptly conked out. I kept the appointment later when I regained consciousness. Wednesday morn I awoke to another round of appointments – the first one being with breakfast and scripture – I kept them and felt better by having done so.

Next appointment was with the collection bins at the landfill – I took our garbage. Next on tap was one with Wal-Mart to pick up some grocery items. After returning home and putting these items up I left on the next appointment – to keep the young ones of NWT (niece with twins).

NWT had an appointment and when I got there the twins were down for a nap and this lessened the energy needs considerably on my part. But upon walking in the door, her young lad was desirous that I should make paper airplanes. This was done and they flew many trips across the den before he tired of this enterprise. Then we went on to dinosaurs, of which he had many.

Then it was to play-doh and he wanted me to make more dinosaurs out of that – like the ones in his book. I did so and although they didn’t look like much to me, he said they were ‘perfect’. After several of these creations, he wanted me to make them each one a fish so they would have something to eat – they love to eat fish – says he.

NWT came back from her appointment, so I left on my next one, which was to go home to sit down for a while. I need to find something to fill my spare time. It is so good to be healthy enough to be involved in many things – God is good! ec

blessed

2008-11-14T23:59:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite trees for fall color is not in my yard but in a yard that I pass on the way to church. The last time I went that way it was in full color and absolutely stunning – I believe it is a variety of maple by the shape of the leaves. I do have some colorful foliage down near the pond but the most attractive of these trees are not large – one, a small hickory, was very yellow with all it’s 20 leaves.

I will wait in expectation for these to grow and further expound upon their beauty in the years ahead. These autumnal changes end with something stark and bare when all the leaves drop. But even this gives us a comparison and causes us to more appreciate the new leaves put out in spring.

Some changes come even slower than the seasonal ones – the interstate highway construction in and around Augusta for example. Ever so slowly progress seems to be made but it almost makes me wonder if I will still be able to drive – or even be above ground – when it is all completed.

I have consented to be a character in a play that our church drama group is presenting on New Year’s Eve as a form of ministry. We meet to practice on Sunday AM before the worship service and starting this Sunday, in the afternoon as well. I keep getting the vague feeling that maybe I have bitten off more than I want to chew – but the commitment has been made and it’s for a good cause.

Sunday AM service was great and we were challenged by a message by the pastor’s son – an excellent speaker. GM1 is staying with us while her parents and siblings are away for the week. She was sick and the Spice stayed with her – I went solo to church. Back home and after lunch I developed a bad headache – all headaches are bad but I endure – or enjoy – these less than most.

The result was my non-attendance of PM church and crashing in bed with cranium still throbbing some. Though I wondered if it would, Monday morn came and I woke to find that I had lived through the ordeal. Later in the day I wandered outside to try to get the body moving again.

As the sun was making its farewell appearance for the day, I headed out for my evening walk. It was a bit later than usual and I got to witness the illumination of all three security lights along the way – thrill! Even in the semi-darkness I was able to make out many colors of the leaves. It was cool and perfect for walking – I felt blessed by God to be involved in this endeavor – and headache free. ec

gravel

2008-11-08T23:19:00.000-05:00

In the afternoon of the day in question, I finally got the physical cobwebs of the previous several days of heavy activity cleared well enough to get outside a while. A place to put the gravel for my building project was needed so I dug out and formed another earthen basin and also lined it with plastic to hold the gravel and keep it clean – after all the twigs, leaves and dirt are filtered out of it.

After cleaning out some gravel, I quit and went for a walk a little earlier so that I could get back to shower before dark because I would be awaiting the arrival of hobgoblins, since that was the night for such. The Spice was helping out with YD’s crowd since SSIL was out of the country on business.

As it turned out we had no hobgoblins – or any other creature – to come by to receive their treat. My theory on this is since we are at the end of the street and separated from other houses a bit, the effort/reward ratio of walking that far to get a small amount of candy was not maximizing the young ones potential. I remember from back when that I wanted maximum houses – minimum walking.

The Spice came in later with the three youngest of the local gruntmonkeys. They were to stay with us overnight and the next day because their Mom was going out of town with their older sibling on a school band competition. The three were still in their costumes with bags of candy in hand. One would think that they would have run down by that time of night – possible candy high?

GM6 was not too hard to get to sleep but GM3 and 4 were full of themselves and not at all desirous of snoozing at that time. With some effort, sternness (?) and some several short stories later they finally conked out. Had I been a sane and reasonable person, I would have gone straight to bed at that very moment but such is not the case – especially at times – and I was up a while longer.

I went to bed late knowing that I had three ‘alarm clocks’ – in small human form – set to go off at dawn. And next morning, to loosely quote Job, the thing that I greatly feared came upon me. Then I drug out of bed, drug into the kitchen, drug out the cereal, drug out the milk and started three young men eating their morning sustenance. If you got the idea that I was dragging, you would be correct.

The first request voiced after the cereal intake was to ‘go outside’. I put them off for a while for the temp to warm a bit and the dew to evaporate. We did go out a little later for a round of their usual activities – swings, trampoline, the incineration of ‘ant underwear’ and tossing rocks in the pond. Then came lunch and the cajoling of them to enter into nap city.

I was able to watch some college football while they were in the arms of Morpheus and some more, in fits and snatches, after they got back up. We took them back home later to put them down for the night. Their Mom came back from her trip, dropped off GM1 and headed to the airport to get SSIL – returning from his business trip abroad. They got back OK and we went home to rest.

The leaves are coloring, my tiny turnip greens are growing, God is good and all is well. ec

sand

2008-11-06T17:18:00.000-05:00

My plans for constructing a small building for the storage of my lawn and garden equipment are progressing ever so slowly. My aim is to mix the concrete on site with my small mixer and with the help of my older bro, to pour a concrete pad on which to erect said building. The aforementioned bro has been out of town last week and will be leaving again next week, hence the delay.

The four elements necessary for the concrete mixture are cement, sand, gravel and water. The water is readily available, cement can be purchased at Lowe’s, gravel is on site but the big need was sand. Not wanting to have some hauled in, I had three other possibilities – from the stump peninsula, from a spit of sand on the other side of the pond and the last resort was from a spot in the front yard.

When found, the sand would have to be moved from where it was to where it needed to be. This would require the use of the small trailer that came with the lawn tractor. I had not used this device since it came into my possession and when I drug it out of storage, both tires were flat. Fortunately, with some effort, I was able to get them re-inflated and I set out to find the sand I needed.

The sand from stump peninsula was found to be mixed with too much dirt, clay and organic matter but the sand from the spit on MIL’s side of the pond was perfect. The first load was gathered, brought back and dumped into the earthen basin I had previously dug out and formed near the building site – and then lined with plastic to keep it from mixing with the dirt.

The most difficult part of getting the sand was due to the fact that I could only get to within about 50 feet of the source. Then it had to be hauled back up an embankment to the trailer. I used buckets for the transporting – larger ones in the trailer and a couple of smaller ones to haul it up the hill and fill the larger. The sand then was taken back to my place and dumped into the basin.

My day had been busy with the digging of the basin, re-inflating the trailer tires – one of which was tubeless and broken loose from the rim, a real pain – and then hauling four loads of sand. I used the small amount of energy I had left to stow all tools and such and drag my ancient frame back into the house. As is my custom, I promptly collapsed in the floor – to straighten out the old back.

Eventually transmigrating to the recliner, I slowly got my physical act back together again. On the next day I did some sitting with young ones and later hauled three more loads of sand to complete the amount that I thought was needed for the project. Then the next day oozed by into the recesses of time with miscellaneous activities. Next morn, I crept slowly around the “maison”, trying to recover.

At times I seem to forget that I’m not as young as I used to be but God is still good, all the time. ec

behind

2008-10-31T00:46:00.001-04:00

I’m behind times again but I have experienced a most awesome weekend and still want to get it into words. We had another ‘Youth Encounter with the Cross’ – it started at 5:30pm on last Friday evening and continued straight through till 11am on Sunday morning – in time for the AM service.

The young participants – along with their adult leaders – stayed Friday and Saturday nights at the church – this old codger went home both nights and came back next morning. The weekend consisted of training sessions about many confusing issues youth are facing every day. After most of these was a session of prayer with the individuals by their adult prayer leader.

The sessions were a comparative study of the lies of media, hedonism and materialism compared with the truth of the Bible. The sessions were awesome and also the results in the lives of the youth. The focus will now shift to the future discipleship training of the ones that will continue in these truths.

The last session ended in time for all to attend the Sunday AM service. Toward the end of the service I was feeling great spiritually but feeling very rough physically – not sure of the cause but it was either exhaustion or old age – or maybe I had just not totally recovered from my recent illness. I made it home and we had lunch. After lying around all PM, I missed evening church and just went to bed.

I crashed into bed feeling like tepid toad spit – not that I am an authority on amphibian saliva and the ramifications of the different temperatures thereof, that was just the worst thing I could think of at the moment. I awoke Monday morn feeling a bit kicked and walked on in body but better than the night before. After cranking the body in the usual ways, I decided to go outside to stir around a bit.

Not wanting to get into heavy labor, I took up the remaining tomato baskets left from when I pulled up the last of the plants a few days ago. I then de-brambled the tomato bed – the last one with these thorny interlopers showing. After I stirred and burned a few fire ant beds, I drove tree food spikes around some of my trees and bushes – these are hard fertilizer stakes meant for slow release.

Back inside, I felt better for having used the muscles a bit – certainly better than when I got up. At sundown I went for a walk and it served to clear out the remaining cobwebs of whatever was bothering me. The temps have certainly cooled off and I am glad. Whether I’m feeling bad or good, God is still good, all the time. ec

battery

2008-10-24T23:58:00.001-04:00

From high atop the vantage point of Thursday evening I look over the edge of the precipice of the ago times and got a glimpse of Tuesday. I remember that I started the day in much the same ways as others in the past. Then I started to peel and cut up the remainder of the pears left in the bucket. This was a good thing since an unpleasant aroma was starting to arise from that container.

During this operation I did find two or three that were totally mush and had to be tossed. Others had spots to cut out but when all was done I had again filled the 6-quart pot and started them cooking. The next event of the day was a visit to my dermatologist for a regular checkup.

She checked the usual suspect areas and then with ray gun in hand; she froze 5 or 6 spots that would require surgery in the future if left untreated. I felt fortunate that only one of them was on my scalp since several spots there will give one such a freeze headache – been there, done that. I came home and I know I stayed busy but I’m not actually sure with what.

Wednesday arrived and I was up and starting my day when the doc’s office called and said they had a cancellation and could I come in earlier. I was only too glad to change the afternoon appointment to the late morning since we had another PM appointment and other errands. This first appointment was to keep check on an ongoing condition and all turned out well – I was glad.

After leaving the office I got stopped by a train for about 10 minutes but things like that don’t seem to effect me much anymore – I’m glad of that too. I stopped on the way home to check our mail and after retrieving it, discovered that my truck wouldn’t start. I had noticed a little bit of weakness in the sound of the starter for a while and put it off till the future – Wednesday was the future.

The Spice brought the van to jump-start the engine and I drove it across the parking lot to the auto parts place. They checked the battery and my suspicions were confirmed – it was bad. I bought one from them and I do like the part of their service when they also install it at no extra charge.

Back home we got a snack to eat and then headed out for our appointment. We would have made it in plenty of time but were delayed twice by the seemingly eternal highway construction around the Augusta area. We did make our appointment exactly on time – I normally like to be early. After this we went over to Sam’s Wholesaler to get stuff for us, MIL and YD – we had to get two carts.

We loaded all that up in the van and went to get something to eat. We enjoyed the one-on-one time and the meal also – she and I need to date more – after all, she is my favorite wife. God is good!! ec

cutting

2008-10-22T23:42:00.000-04:00

Sunday arrived and it was everything that Sundays should be – encouraging, uplifting, invigorating, challenging, strengthening and informative – and that was just the AM service. The PM meeting was more of the same and made me glad that we went. Of course that’s what church should be like.

To say that my Monday morning started off with a bang wouldn’t exactly be correct but neither did it begin with whimper. Somewhere between those two I got up, fueled up, scriptured up and headed outside to get a few things done. Going through the garage, I picked up my work gloves, handsaw and landscaping axe – Dmitri by name – and we headed out for adventures.

The exploits started on the east end of our property. Limbs were trimmed, scrub trees were uprooted and all these were carried back to the burn pile. After about an hour there, the tools and I headed to the north border to cut back more tree limbs and small trees. These were shading out one end of the muscadines but mostly they were offering a place for the vines to climb and grow.

Every year when the muscadines are pruned, I have to pull vines down out of those trees. While cutting and trimming, I found a wild muscadine vine in the midst of the underbrush. I cut a couple of the vines of this and pulled them down from the trees. One of these was 22 feet long but the rest of the wild vines will have to wait till another day because I tired of the cutting, chopping and pulling.

Going back toward the house I stopped to clean out a flowerbed just to rest. Upon entering the sanctuary of the house, I followed my custom of getting a pillow and crashing on the floor – especially after very vigorous activities. I did so and even dropped off into the arms of Morpheus for a while.

The Spice came back from some errands and while she continued working I whipped us up some late lunch. I broiled up some small steaks, cooked some rice and warmed up a can of black-eyed peas. This was joined by slices of some of the last tomatoes of the season and turned out to be a fairly good meal. I can cook enough to keep someone alive and life is important.

The Spice’s Mom is not doing well so she went to stay with her and I gathered up the trash and took it to the landfill. Then it was on to the grocery for a few items and back home. Still having a little time before sundown, I picked all the green tomatoes of any size and pulled up the last three tomato plants. I forgot to mention that my turnip sprouts are just now breaking the soil – exciting!

Going for my evening walk, I admired the foliage changes that are just starting in this location. I am constantly enthralled and amazed by God and His creation, we only have to really open our eyes and take a little time for this to happen – plus it is relaxing and invigorating at the same time. ec

Fireproof

2008-10-21T23:06:00.001-04:00

It is still Friday and the bramble war continues – and the prickly ones were losing.

As at other times one could almost hear these soil breathing plants gasping for dirt as I gleefully yanked them from the good soil and tossed them on the withering discard pile of time. As I finished the garden bed I noticed several dead limbs on one of the blueberry bushes. I cut them off, along with a few more on other bushes and discarded the limbs on the bad pile.

Then I noticed that there was an undisturbed fire ant bed close to another bush – I prefer that all of the ant beds on the property are either disturbed or empty. After getting my propane torch, I explained by show and tell why they shouldn’t bed where they were and most did not live through the explanation. They have to have this explained several times before they form other plans.

Notice how one thing just leads to another. I was planning to get the tiller out and break up the last garden bed I weeded but it started raining so I came in and began peeling and cutting up the last bucket of pears. I filled a 6-quart pot and put them on to cook before I crashed in a heap on the floor.

The Spice had wanted to see a movie and she reminded me of this later when I came back to semi-consciousness. I just had time to jump up and get ready and head out the door. We went to see the movie “Fireproof” – a movie that I would highly recommend to any married couple or anyone planning or even thinking about marriage – it was the best movie that I had seen in quite a while.

It was getting late when it was over and we wanted to get a bite to eat so we went by the Waffle House. It was packed out, probably from local football game attendees, so we just came on home and fixed some grits and eggs. A bit late to eat but it was very good.

We stayed up late and as a result I arose late on Saturday morn – the Spice didn’t arise at all in the morning. She had arranged events so that she could sleep as late as she wanted. I started off the day with sustenance of physical and spiritual natures – then by the time I had checked the news and weather, it was time for the football game to start. That would be the UGA game of course.

It was on past 1pm when I started to get concerned about the Spice – she said she was OK and promptly went back to sleep. She was up by the conclusion of the game – Georgia did win – I was glad. The temp had moderated so I went out for a walk a little earlier than usual. Back inside I went downstairs to exercise – this in an effort to keep this old body in decent shape as long as possible.

Then I hung on the inversion table for a while to decompress the spine – seems to be very important to my backbones. We ate, got ready and left to take the Spice to a baby shower and to make it a multi-purpose trip, I went to the grocery after I dropped her off. I went back to pick her up and they were not finished, so I spent some time in the side room with the guys.

It had been a good day even though I didn’t get much done – I did get to spend time with the Spice and that’s a good thing. After all, the two of us are one in the eyes of God and I am glad about that. ec

NWT

2008-10-20T23:59:00.001-04:00

Thursday dawned as a different sort of day inasmuch as the Spice and I arose somewhat earlier than usual. Let me define ‘earlier than usual’ as any time before 10am. The reason for the time was that the Spice and I were to go to sit with our niece’s twin girls for her to go on a field trip with her son. Our nephew is in law enforcement and our niece obviously is mostly in childcare.

Shortly after our arrival NWT – niece with twins – departed with GN – great nephew – for the field trip. The Spice helped one twin and I the other and we were soon finished with their breakfast. They look so much alike that I don’t even strain my brain to try to tell one from the other, plus the fact that they have changed in growth and facial features almost every time I see them.

We kept them entertained and kept the TV on Fox News, the only source that I really trust – oops – I gave myself away there. I must have mentioned it before; we are so conservative that we even sit on the right side of the church. I did get a fair amount of exercise following them upstairs and down and all around the house. They just want to pick up and play with anything and everything.

They just recently turned two and are very active – but as long as they were happy, we were happy. NWT returned shortly before lunch and we departed. We went by Kroger to get a rotisserie chicken and some other items for our late lunch – the late part seems to be the norm for us. We went home and cooked what needed to be cooked and warmed up what needed that and had a very good meal.

We got ready later and both went to our small group meetings at church – hers is at 7pm and mine is at 8:30, so we go together and one waits on the other before or afterwards. These meetings are not only uplifting spiritually but build bonds between fellow Christians as we encourage each other.

When Friday morning arrived, I started my day in the usual ways, with most of these ways were mixed in with slow. Then it was outside for another bramble war on the last bed that had not been de-brambled. The brambles were joined in their obnoxiousness by several kinds of weeds and grass that were aiding and abetting in their plot to spread their offspring all through the garden.

It was a fight to the finish – not for me but for them and more than once a bramble took a swipe at me with its thorn filled branches. I was ever so grateful when I was able to pull these annoying brambles up with ALL their roots intact – because I knew I wouldn’t have to fight their offspring on another day. An attitude of gratitude not only does good to the one that shows it but to all they meet.

Gratitude reigns with me because God is good and I am glad. ec

turnips

2008-10-19T23:26:00.001-04:00

Wednesday morning arrived a little later than usual – at least for me – but I finally managed to drag out and start my day in the usual ways. It was about noon when I went outside and my intentions were to crank the tiller and till up at least one garden bed and plant turnip greens therein.

When I got the tiller out, it did not seem to get the idea that it was supposed to crank when I pulled on the start rope. After enough pulls to start wearing on the arm a bit, I decided that I had best go beneath the surface to see what was wrong. I took off and checked the air cleaner, then took out the spark plug and they were both OK and I was getting spark – this told me that it was not getting gas.

When a machine runs on gas and it does not get gas, deductive reasoning tells me that it won’t run and that was exactly what it was doing – not running. After taking the gas hose loose, I blew out the carburetor, put it all back together and it cranked on the first pull of the rope – possibly had a bit of congealed fuel. It was one happy gardener that putt-putted out and tilled up the garden bed.

Then the seed was taken out of the freezer and I planted a row of turnips about 25 feet long. I always leave my leftover seed in the freezer and when I take it out for planting, the seed concludes that it was just a long winter. I have kept some seeds for several years and they still came up.

I finished hoeing out another bed that I had de-brambled and then took the tiller down to the future storage-building site. The site had parts so hard that it was difficult to level off – several passes of the tiller softened the soil considerably. Going back up to the garden, I got tiller happy and tilled up the bed that I had just hoed out as well as making a couple of passes at the bottom of the beds.

Then I took my shovel back down to the building site and tossed dirt around from the high side to the low side. The site still has to be raked out and fine tuned but that was about the time I ran out of steam, put my tools and tiller up and came in the house. It was also about then that I remembered that I had run right past lunch, which very well explained the lack of energy that overtook me.

Time just flies when a person is having fun and while this may not sound like fun to a lot of folks, it was to me. I ate, rested a while and just as the sun was going down I went for my evening walk, a somewhat tiring and yet invigorating venture. I feel blessed to have a garden, yard and tools to work with – but better still is having the strength and stamina to use them. Yes, God is good, all the time. ec

pears

2008-10-17T00:44:00.000-04:00

My neighbors have pear trees and when I checked with them, they said to come get all I wanted since they had already picked all they intended to use. A short while later I had picked two five-gallon buckets full of the fruit. My intention was to cook the pears and put them in the freezer.

On Monday evening I peeled and cut up a large pot of the fruit. I cooked them on low heat with no added sugar or water – tasty to me though maybe not to everyone. It got late and the cooked fruit was too hot to containerize so I took the whole pot to the downstairs fridge to cool for the night.

Tuesday morn somehow appeared via the mystery of time and my awakening was a bit earlier than usual since I was to keep GM6 for YD to go to a doc appointment. I’m not sure I was much awake when the young one arrived – that happened shortly after. Normally his entertainment desires are far ranging but on this day his main want was for a video.

This suited me and I watched along with him, since that is the only way he would stay there. This was to be a day of several more activities, so I enjoyed the quietness while I could. The next event of the day was a luncheon at 11:30am with the seniors from church, so when we got ready and loaded up, we took GM6 back by his home on our way to the restaurant.

A good representation of the group showed and we ate Tex-Mex for lunch. The food was good but the fellowship was better and we enjoyed conversing for quite a while. We finally parted ways and went back into South Carolina toward our home turf. We checked with YD on the way and since it was nearing time to pick up GM3, and GM6 was still napping, we went by to pick him up.

We went to the school and got into car line for him and it was a good thing the Spice was with me because I had not a clue about the workings of their car line. We had a wait of about 45 minutes so we chatted and relaxed until we finally got the signal to come pick him up and take him home.

My next event was to go out to supper with some old friends but having spare time, I containerized the cooked pears and put them in the freezer. I cooked them in a 6-quart container but they cooked down and only rendered 3 quarts for the freezer. The Spice went to her Mom’s and I went to supper with the old guys.

The five old friends finally wound up at a place called Wild Wings out near I-20 and the place was packed out – it seems that Tuesday is double wings night. We ordered and had to wait quite a while for the food, so we just discussed most any world situation we could think of – we didn’t discuss anything that we couldn’t think of – that’s a bit hard to do.

The talk was good and when we finally got the food it was good. When our raging appetites were sated and the talk ran out, we departed to the parking lot. After deciding where we were to meet next month, we went home. I left the place grateful for old friends and memories – God is good. ec

abhorring

2008-10-16T00:37:00.000-04:00

Monday began in ways similar to many other days, inasmuch as the sun coming up and me starting my personal day in the ways of usualness. After these the day went in a different direction in that I went outside to work, something that I had not done or felt like doing in more than a week. As soon as I exited the house I noticed that nature was in the midst of abhorring a vacuum.

The abhorring was taking place in the garden bed that I had cleaned out a week or so ago and took the form of many tiny shoots of weeds and grass just beginning to spring forth from the soil. I foiled the plot by taking my trusty hoe in hand and ending all the hopes and dreams of the garden invaders. This action is to be followed later this week by tilling the soil and planting turnip greens.

Rain had fallen a couple of days before and this caused the fire ant beds to come to the surface in an abundant, growing and prospering manner. Some moments were taken out of the day to interrupt their plans for taking over the property. This was done with my butane torch – I do not poison because of the chance of this getting into the garden, fruit bearing entities and nut trees.

Without going into graphic details, there are several thousand less ants in at least a dozen hills in various parts of the yard. There is always the danger of receiving the revenge of the ants and this happened several times. After causing havoc in the ant communities, I went on to the main project of the day, that of striving to level off the ground at the future storage building site.

After a couple of hours of this manual labor, not to mention some sweat, it suddenly dawned on me that I was not exactly in good condition for this after being inside for more than a week. I wised up and brought my efforts to a halt for the day after expending the last available calorie. When I came inside I didn’t collapse in the floor but I did lie there for a while to recover.

After some rest and a bite to eat, I went back out to finish some minor things that I had been meaning to do. One of these was to clip and save some dried flower heads for seed for next year – both zinnia and marigolds were gathered. Then I collected the dried okra pods, also for seeds for next year. I also pulled up the zinnia plants as well as a couple of exhausted tomatoes from the small bed.

After also pulling up all the okra stalks, I changed to my walking clothes and went for a much needed walk on my usual track. This was only my second time to walk since we have been back from Texas due to a couple of ailments and it was tiresome but felt very good. One might say that my intentions have been good but the actions didn’t follow – that sounds vaguely political – maybe.

Although not back to my usual self, it is good to feel well enough to do what I did do. I enjoyed God’s creation and critters on the outside and that’s a good thing. ec

process

2008-10-12T23:42:00.001-04:00

In the process of trying to get caught up chronologically I managed to get two weeks behind in real time. Since that bugs me to be behind time, the abridged version of those two weeks follows.

The project of cleaning out the garden was an ongoing theme for several of the days as was some inside work and babysitting. The big project of the week of was preparing a spot for the erecting of an outbuilding for lawn and garden equipment. This is to be a small building in the neighborhood of 12 feet by 14 feet. The main problem of this was the location that I choose for the construction.

The level part of our back yard is not extremely large and then it drops off to a slope down to the pond. On the brow of this decline was the spot chosen – the area that had contained our firewood stack for about 25 years. It was relatively simple to remove the remaining firewood but the small trees, vines and brambles growing amongst were not so easy and somewhat of a prickly situation.

Add to that the concrete blocks under the firewood, the scrap bricks, various pipes of metal and PVC, several steel cables and even a stack of glass panes. OK, I admit I have difficulty throwing things away. Over the process of a couple of days, all the loose material was moved and I started on the natural growths. This work involved manual labor and a fair amount of sweat.

I fought the dragginess of this old body until about Friday evening (October 3rd) and finally realized something else was going on. Saturday was rough but Sunday was rougher and the Spice had to attend church without me. By Tuesday it was plain to me that my medically repressed natural resistance was not fighting off this sinus/respiratory ailment. Hardheaded? Maybe.

I called first thing Wednesday morn and was able to go in to have the Doc confirm my need for an antibiotic. The visit and confirmation was made in short order, I went by the pharmacy for the meds and even that was quick. The bounce back was not quick but the recovery was started. By Saturday I was able to sit with the three local gruntmonkeys for the parents to be involved in a school function.

Sunday (October 12th) found me well on the mend and we attended AM church services. It is so good not be hacking away and better to be rid of the sinus headaches – which you probably know are not fun. Even though I have lost a week of prep work outside, I’m looking forward to continuing on the morrow. In the midst of whatever, God is good, all the time. ec

draggy

2008-10-09T23:53:00.000-04:00

The first few days after returning from Texas were a bit foggy – not the weather but the physical and mental parts that make up the old codger that I am. Everything seemed to be in slow motion and I really felt draggy. Was it jet lag, trip decompression or just a part of being old? It was hard to get anything done, even getting unpacked and back to normal was quite a chore.

We came home to the problem of a dead battery in our main vehicle – the van. As the next day slowly oozed by on the annals of history I managed to take the battery out and to the auto parts place to have it checked, even though I had already tried unsuccessfully to charge it at home. The official check came up with the same diagnosis and I needed to replace the battery.

Further checking found that the battery was purchased at that location and that this all-important source of cranking power was still under a three-year full replacement warranty for a couple more months. It was with great joy and satisfaction that I exited the place of business with the new battery in hand, having paid only the government mandated fee of less than three dollars!

My expertise in the area of motor vehicles is not great but I do have enough smarts to replace the battery and reconnect the electrical leads. Everything worked fine – except the radio. It requires an anti-theft code to make it work. After much searching on both our parts, the Spice finally remembered the numbers and all was back to normal. The number is now written in a prominent place.

Then Friday evening marched onto the pages of time and presented us with the opportunity to witness the wedding of a young couple in our church. After a beautiful tying of the knot, we traveled to another location for the reception. We felt blessed to sit at the table with a couple that we only knew slightly because we were able to get much better acquainted with them.

After dragging out of the house on Saturday AM, I set forth to clean out one of the garden beds with the eventuality in mind of planting some turnip greens for the winter. It occurred to me some time during this operation that I wasn’t feeling very spry. The normal joy of hacking the trespassing grass and weeds from the good ground just wasn’t there but nonetheless their roots all bit the air.

In the PM, I came back in the house to watch some college football – that was about all I felt like doing. Sunday, September 28th, came and although both of us were not feeling well, we attended the AM service and as always we were glad we did. Even when we are not feeling well, God loves us and cares about our well-being, I am grateful for that. ec

TX epilogue

2008-10-01T20:51:00.001-04:00

Lake Jackson, TX is the town in which OD and family reside and though it is nice enough, it does have some problem areas, at least what I see as such. The first and main thing is that it is just a little bit over a thousand miles away from our home. Then it is hot and humid, just right for the mosquito population to grow and prosper. And prosper they do, with certain seasons worse than others.

As you might have guessed, the time right after hurricane Ike was one of these bad seasons. When one had to go outside, it was necessary for it to be a quick passage because even going to the vehicle was a fight. These flying bloodsuckers seemed to station their entire air force just outside each door, waiting for some unsuspecting, slow moving victim on which they could feed.

If the young ones wanted to go outside to play, they had to be sprayed down with repellant or suffer the consequences for several days. The lay of the land is very flat and one would normally think that it would flood in the heavy rains they get at certain times of the year but such is not the case. The founders of the town thought ahead and put a very good drainage system in place.

Something that was not a problem but was amusing to me was some of the street names. Circle Way, Center Way and Winding Way were not too odd but they also had Parking Way, Any Way, That Way and This Way. This Way was one of the main downtown streets and on one corner of it was a Subway – which could have been on the way to heartburn city.

They even had a Success Street and a Lazy Lane – I surmised that it would have been hard to move to Success Street if one was happy on Lazy Lane. Due to the odd names they have the intersections of That Way and Any Way as well as This Way and That Way. Most other streets not ending in Way were named after some form of flora. They even used Jalapeño, Tangerine, Mango, and Habanero.

Mr. Dow of Dow Chemical was responsible for this plan for street names when he layed out the town in the 1940s and it was formed to preserve as many trees as possible. The primary damage of hurricane Ike was due to Lake Jackson’s love of trees - 95% if the power was taken out by falling limbs and trees. In spite of this only 80 homes were majorly damaged.

The U. S. Census of 2004 gives the population of Lake Jackson as 27,022 – hopefully this did not include some of the large mosquitos that lurk about the area. They have a fair amount of restaurants and shopping areas plus Houston is only an hour away. That still leaves them there and us here but such is life. God was good to them (and us) during the hurricane and for this I am grateful. ec

TX 0908 6

2008-09-29T20:18:00.001-04:00

Although we are home now, I wanted to finish the narration of the trip and this post brings us to that point.

The day was still Monday, Sept 22nd, and we were in the shopping center located in Pearland, TX. The area is not a mall but a retro area that somewhat mimics the downtown shopping of years ago, with shops on both sides of the street and down the side streets. Many of the shops were still under construction but it will be almost like a small town when they are completed – with condos on the floors over the shops and a hotel in one section.

Toward the end of our shopping adventure the young ones and I went to a toyshop in which they were allowed to play with toys in certain areas. OD and the Spice were finishing their last shop and later met us at the toy store to go to Red Robin Restaurant for supper. After this we made the 30-40 minute trip back to OD’s home and this old guy sat for a spell, weary of meandering on merciless concrete sidewalks and hard floors.

Tuesday dawned – our last full day in Texas – and the day started with the ladies having to make a trip out to the grocery, GM5 and I stayed to hold down the home front. Later in the day I finished up the main projects I wanted to get done – replacing three light fixtures – and then did a couple of minor ones not on the list. With the exception of FSIL – still on a business trip – we all had supper together and crashed for the night.

We arose on Wednesday Sept 24th – our return home day – to finish the packing started the night before. We were all ready by the time OD returned from taking GM2 to school so we loaded up and headed for the Houston-Hobby airport. The trip took a little longer than usual because as we were coming into Houston most of the traffic signals were still not working due to power outages.

We arrived at the airport, unloaded, said our sad goodbyes and went to check our bags. This was a breeze and even the annoying security checkpoint was not bad. We went to our gate and waited for our departure time to come into reality. Loading and departure of the plane was on time and we arrived in Atlanta without serious incident. We had a half hour wait after we found our gate to depart for Augusta.

Our flight to Augusta was on a turbo-prop “puddle jumper” and somewhat noisy. We hit a few pockets of rough air and seemed to be on an amusement park ride but we made the trip safely. We deplaned and headed for the baggage claim – and our bags were there! That part always makes me happy. YD was coming to get us but was delayed by school traffic – it didn’t matter, we were almost home!!

She came shortly and took us home. It had been a grand adventure but these two old folks were glad to sleep in our bed that night. God was good to us all through the whole trip and I am thankful. ec

TX 0908 5

2008-09-23T16:35:00.001-04:00

Sunday arrived and as always it was a day of worship despite the fact that the electrical power to OD and FSIL’s church had been knocked out by Ike and had not been restored as yet. They had received word that only one morning service would take place, so we readied ourselves and attended. To our surprise the church was almost totally full and much gratitude was expressed to God for His protection and care during the storm.

It was a time of singing, reading of scripture, prayer and information about opportunities for helping their neighbors with cleanup and the distributing of food and such – the type things churches should be doing. The service was a flashback to my youth when churches did not have air-conditioning and many in the audience had hand fans in an effort to keep themselves cool – back then the fans were advertisements for funeral parlors.

We went back to their home, had lunch and then had family stuff the rest of the day. Whether a family is close or not, it’s possible to improve relationships with time together – if that is what is desired by all parties. The day passed and it soon became time to crash for the night – it somewhat crashed on me that we only had just a short time left to be with them before we went back to our own stomping grounds.

With the passage of what seemed like a few moments it became Monday morning – Sept 22nd – and with a bit of effort, I arose, broke the fast and got the day cranked – at a low speed. OD had to make a trip to the doc with GM5 for a terrible cough he has had for a few days. The doc found no infections and prescribed a cough med to settle down the hacking of the little one.

After they returned, OD and I went to Lowe’s for a part to repair the sink drain and to get the meds for GM5. We were able to get the part but the meds were not on hand at the places we went. When we got back I started on drain repairs and OD called around and finally found an independent drug store that had the meds prescribed for GM5. She retrieved the meds, happy to find another source for med needs.

After repairing the sink drain I replaced a light fixture in the den area. Keep in mind that the projects I do to help out are at my request and are a satisfying part of the trip. The lady folks had already determined that the afternoon was to be a shopping time for all and had further determined that I should accompany them. This was not necessarily the best part of the trip for me but it did enable me to be with the family.

FSIL had to leave on a business trip as we were leaving for our shopping. GM2 is still out of school due to the hurricane and resultant power outages – she is due to start back on the morrow – Tuesday. While they were shopping I mostly held down the benches along the sidewalk, at least until we got to Macy’s. They were in the clothes sections and I wandered off to house wares.

Checking out pots and pans, blenders, mixers, crock pots and such has a limited amount of interest to me and finally a salesclerk directed me to the comfortable seating area in the men’s department that just happened to contain a large TV as well. Another man was already there and we conversed at great length and although we were from different backgrounds, we found much in common concerning families and relationships.

Real wealth is measured in relationships and not material “stuff” – God first, then family and others. ec

TX 0908 4

2008-09-21T22:07:00.001-04:00

Thursday, September 18th came into being in the normal ways with things slowly getting back to somewhat normal. About midday OD and I took off to make efforts at restocking their fridge – the Spice stayed with the young ones – FSIL had to go back to work. Many areas in the city still do not have power but the roadways are mostly clear of debris. We had heard that Kroger had power and we went to get what we could.

That was one crowded place but they did have re-stocked produce, dairy and limited frozen food departments. We were able to get the essentials and most of everything else on her list. While we were grocery shopping the Spice was scrubbing out the fridge to receive the new supply of perishable food products. The schools and most businesses are closed due to lack of power. Only 25% of the area and 14% of the city had power today.

We were able to get some ground beef and OD cooked up some lasagna for supper, the first home-cooked meal we have had since before Sept 10th. While we didn’t go hungry, home cooking is just better – the lasagna was yummy. Friday dawned and FSIL had to work again – about mid-day OD and I went back out to Lowe’s to get some supplies and hardware to complete needed fix-it projects around their house.

We got back home and I completed a couple of projects when it became time to make a banana pudding for supper. OD had prepared meat to grill and we had oriental burgers for the evening meal. I finished the pudding and put it in the oven to brown the meringue about the time the burgers were grilled. After the topping was brown we went out on the screened in porch to eat our burgers and salad.

We then had the pudding for dessert and it certainly was the best one that I have ever made – at least on that day. Even after at least two of us had second helpings, there was enough to have some for breakfast – hopefully I will be able to sleep with that wonderful prospect on my mind all night.

Saturday dawned into the pages of recorded history whilst I slept and subtlety greeted me upon my awakening. After breaking the fast and clearing the cobwebs FSIL and I went out to repair their damaged fence gate. We got it repaired as best we could without going into major operations and came back into the house since the weather was hot and humid – and also very sweaty, OK, the people were the sweaty ones.

FSIL and I then replaced three light fixtures and were doing well with our chores until the Georgia – Arizona football game came on and most all ceased but that – we did get the fixtures installed though. It was a good day of the family being together. God invented the family and I’m glad He did. ec

TX 0908 3

2008-09-17T21:24:00.001-04:00

9-17-08: Since Sunday the weather has been beautiful, with clear skies and a somewhat moderated temp in the Dallas area. We decided that we had enough of Dallas and FSIL and I packed up his truck with all the larger luggage and stuff and headed south toward their home territory. The further south we got, the more damage was evident along the highway. Mainly signs were blown down, limbs broken and some whole trees uprooted.

We passed one apartment complex in which a large tree had fallen and crushed one side of a building. All this made us a bit apprehensive as to the condition of the home place. When we pulled into the driveway no damage was evident other than many small limbs scattered over the yard. The first thing we checked was the roof for damage but we didn’t even see a loose shingle. The power was back on and all the appliances were working.

The first thing to be done was to clean out the freezer and fridge – the garbage man was passing by so we hurried and got all the freezer stuff and gave to them. We then cleaned up the front yard and piled the limbs at the curb. FSIL was then going to mow the yards but had no gas, so we cleaned out the fridge and he took it to a pickup point and got gas for the truck and mower. Fortunately he found a station with no lines.

As we came down from Dallas we started noticing that past a certain point the gas stations were either closed or had long lines – one queue was even wrapped around a large parking lot. Our theory on this was that many of those in the lines were evacuees and folks around Houston and by the time we got down as far as Lake Jackson – their town – most all the traffic was local folks with very few just passing through.

By the time the ladies and young ones arrived all the yards had been cleaned up and mowed, the freezer and fridge were cleaned out of the stinky food and the table and lawn furniture were back in the screened-in porch. We then got all the stuff out of their van – pictures and such as well as luggage. A little later we picked up pizza for supper since most restaurants were closed and a limited amount of grocery stores were open.

We closed the day out very grateful for the protection of God for us and their property. A couple of shrubs were laid on the ground but we pulled them back up and staked them in place. Minor damage to their fence gate is repairable and will be fixed by the weekend. The evidence is in; God is good, all the time. TBC ec

TX 0908 2

2008-09-16T21:18:00.001-04:00

Wed PM, Sept 10th. We – OD, GM5, the Spice and I – were in their fully packed-out van headed north. We kept in touch with FSIL and GM2 by cell phone; they later caught up with us and we followed them on to our destination in the Dallas area. He had a GPS device in his truck and it guided us straight to our place of abode for the next unknown length of time – TowneHouse Suites by Marriott in Irving, TX – a suburb of Dallas.

We got checked into two separate rooms across the hall from each other and later went out for a bite to eat. We were keeping a constant check on the weather and the closer the storm came, the nearer it was to the center of the town in which OD and crew reside. We finally crashed for the night, happy to have a good bed in which to sleep. Next morning we went down for the limited hot breakfast that was included in the price.

They had a waffle iron that made a sort of Belgium waffle in the shape of the state of Texas. After watching several waffles being made I tried it myself and it turned out fairly well with one problem. The waffle was perfect except for the fact that a corner of it was missing – the corner that represented the area in which Houston was located – the area the storm was supposed to hit. OD’s town was also in the missing piece.

Was this an ominous portent of events to come? Maybe it was a ‘battered’ warning from the waffle iron? Or was it simply a half-baked prophecy? No photos were made, I just smiled, shared this oddity with a few and ate the slightly incomplete waffle with relish – actually with strawberries – and it was quite good. Sometimes a bit of light-heartedness helps in times of real concern.

The days seemed to go quickly by with various trips around the area – for necessary shopping and to various restaurants. The worst thing to me and most likely to them was the uncertainty of what they would find when they returned home – concerning structural and/or water damage to their home.

We met several families that were evacuees and each morning at breakfast we would speak of their status, especially after the hurricane made land fall. Several of them were from Beaumont, TX and it seems that the town was hit pretty badly. They were thinking that it would probably be several weeks before they could go back to their homes because of electrical outages but some of them left this morning – Tuesday, September 16.

It seems that they lived in the same electrical grid as the mayor, superintendent of schools, etc. They were still concerned about water damage in their homes but they wanted to get started with the clean-up. FSIL got word that from all evidence their house was in good shape when viewed from the road. We got further word today that the power in their neighborhood came on as well. We are leaving for their home tomorrow.

FSIL and I are leaving early in the morning - Sept 17th - with a fully loaded truck to try to get back and start whatever cleanup there might be, with the lady folks and young ones to start out a little later. We are hoping for the best but will have to face whatever is there. Still in all, God is good, all the time. TBC ec

TX 0908

2008-09-15T10:31:00.002-04:00

For several months the Spice and I had been looking forward to a trip to Texas to see OD and family. We had our flight reservations for some time and were hoping for a snag-free trip. Since we have been making these treks several objects of trepidation and/or irritation have emerged. One is whether or not we will have a plane waiting for us to depart for Atlanta – this because we had one previous flight cancelled.

Another was if all of our luggage would arrive in Houston, TX on the same flight with us – because one trip they didn’t. Then there was the irritation of delayed or changed flights – all of these so far have been the leg of the trip between Augusta and Atlanta. The delayed flight thing almost happened to us but we checked in on line and discovered the schedule change. After this close call the trip was as they said it would be.

If these minor/semi-major items were the only issues involved in this trip, it would have been a breeze – but then hurricane Ike raised his ugly head. The closer the date for our departure came, the more this storm loomed toward Texas. But we decided that even though we may have to evacuate with them we would go. Even up to the eve of the trip OD was in doubt as to whether they would have to head for parts of Texas further north.

About 2am on our morning of departure (Sept 10) we learned that they would indeed have to evacuate but we decided to go anyway to be with them and maybe help them clean up after the storm. BIL took us to the airport – our flight from Augusta was on time and we landed in Atlanta without a hitch. We only had a short wait for the flight on to Houston and that too was safe and uneventful except for a few bumps due to rough air.

We had deplaned in Houston and were on our way to the restroom when Jim Cantore of the Weather Channel – and his cameraman – walked right by us. They had been on our flight but we had not seen them until all had deplaned – they were in first class. I had seen the tall guy with the large video camera but didn’t know who he was. We saw Cantore a couple of days later on their channel – he was broadcasting from Galveston Island.

We had called OD as soon as we landed and she was on the way to the airport. The Spice picked us up a bite to eat and we met in the luggage pickup area where I had retrieved our checked bags. We had just finished our snack when OD arrived to get us. We loaded our stuff in her van, departed and headed north to safer territory. GM5 was with her and FSIL and GM2 had packed and left later in their pickup truck – with their two dogs.

We knew when we left home that this visit would be quite an adventure and also knew that God is good – all the time. TBC ec

PS - As you may have guessed computer access has been spotty - we are still in a hotel with no promise of when we can return to their home. We did get word that their house was relatively uneffected as viewed from the street.

reminder

2008-09-07T22:56:00.001-04:00

As I look around this world is in one big mess.

The words formed in my mind – “You can change the world for the better”.

My mind seemed to whine back – How can I change the world when I have days that I can’t even get my own act together?

The words came back – “You already have everything you need to change the world”.

How can that be, I really don’t have that many talents or abilities?

“I am not looking for ability but availability – your availability to Me”.

How can You really use me, I’ve made so many mistakes and failed so many times?

“No matter the mistakes, the failures or the downfalls – what matters is that you get up and try again”.

How will I know what to do?

“Have you tried reading the Instructions?”

I have read the Instructions but I need someone close to talk to – to explain them so I can better understand.

“But I have already said in the Instructions that all you have to do is to come close to Me and I will come close to you”.

Yes Lord, thank You for that reminder. ec

mixture

2008-09-05T00:04:00.001-04:00

For a couple of days this last week the Spice and I helped a single Mom move. In the process of this move I have shown several misjudgments in the areas of known scientific rules and principles. These had to do with the fact that no two physical objects can be in the same space at the same time.

In the most serious of the mishaps, the two objects in play were the top of the doorway of my van and my head – this happened several times during loading and unloading operations. In other incidences one object remained the same – my head – and the other object changed according to the space that the rest of my body was occupying.

One of these was the top of the closet doorframe while I was helping install a shelf. Another was the top of the window frame while I was installing blinds. Each of these left an “impression” on me and let me know that I could actually grow something on my head, even if it’s nothing but scabs and scars.
>>>>>>>
The water level of the pond is down again to the point that the islands of the stump have once again emerged. We have received a few rains during the summer; enough to help keep my garden going fairly well but not the long soaking precipitation sufficient to maintain proper pond levels.

Speaking of the garden, I picked a bag of the worst looking tomatoes of the season. They still taste good but there is a lot of waste in the trimming of cracks, spots and such. I also picked a half-dozen cucumbers – which is six more than I expected. At my first opportunity the rest of the squash are to be pulled up and I’m letting the rest of the okra go to seed for next year.
>>>>>>>
I had previously juiced the muscadines and stored the juice in the fridge downstairs - today was the day for the making of jelly. Working with only two stove burners, I sterilized the jars and put the juice on to boil – in the process adding sugar and pectin (Sure-Jell). Somehow I had a premonition that I was going to make a mess but just didn’t know how big it would be.

The container of juice and other ingredients was really too full so I was watching it carefully to keep it from boiling over. I turned to the sink for just a moment and this was the moment it picked to boil over – on the stove, in the burner and even some on the floor. I was not a happy camper but I got it all situated, turned the burner down and continued the process – cleaning up what I could at the time.

Anyway, I came out with seven pint jars of jelly and some leftover to put in the fridge for first eating. I got a taste of the jelly when I ate the foam I skimmed off and it tasted pretty good to me. I had made pickles years ago but this was my first successful jelly venture. I smiled when I heard the first couple of them pop to the sealed position – checking later, they had all sealed.

It may have been cheaper to buy jelly but where is the adventure and sense of accomplishment in that? This summer has been quite an adventure but I continue to realize that God alone is good! ec

fading

2008-08-28T00:12:00.000-04:00

Wow, what a week! I’ve been as busy as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Several doc appointments were mostly of the check-up type and all came out OK – that was important. Some baby-sitting appointments also came out OK – that’s very important. Chopping weeds and grass out of the garden came out OK – even though they didn’t want to leave their place of encroachment.

Even though the garden is fading fast, a few veggies are still available for picking. The squash are almost totally gone but I did pick a couple of them the other day. To my surprise the cukes are still producing a few of the green veggie tubes. Tomatoes are still coming in but I can tell that they won’t be around very long. Even the okra is starting to slow down – getting late in the season.

The figs tend to have two seasons – the early one is about over and the late one has yet to start. I picked the last of the pickable blueberries a few days ago. Most of these were put in the fridge to eat with my morning cereal. Then to my surprise I noticed that the muscadines were getting ripe. These are mainly of two types – a dark purple and a bronze variety – I picked 12 gallons the next day.

Muscadines are described as wild southern grapes and I have 7 vines that produce all I can use. In fact, I passed a couple of gallons or so along to my neighbor – they are heavy into making jelly and preserves. The rest are to suffer under my jelly making experiments. In the few days that have passed, I have squished, cooked and strained the juice out of all the ones I had.

This juice is now stored in the fridge downstairs, waiting on me to get enough time to finish the project. My quandary at the moment is that I cannot find the pint jars in which to place the jelly. There were plenty of quarts but those are just too large. I will continue hunting but it may be too late in the season and they are all bought up – that happened to me a few years back.

Over the years I have employed various means of entertaining the young ones that I sit with and the latest of these is paper airplanes. This diversion arose recently with the three local gruntmonkeys and they enjoyed it immensely. The first papers of flight were from long ago memories and were just OK. The next ones were from another memory, they were modified a bit and these flew much better.

Then I had the brilliant idea of looking on the web and lo and behold there were many foldable fliers. I tried one and just as advertised, it simply floated across the room. The problem was that it wasn’t tough enough and did not stand up very well to the punishment of active young men. They would have to be steel to withstand the rigors but steel is hard to fold by hand and would be hard to fly.

It really flaked me out when I realized that it had been well over a week since I had written anything – that is just being too busy. But God has been as good as always and for this I am very glad. ec

first photo

2008-08-18T21:28:00.003-04:00

This is my first effort at posting a photo - this is a family group shot taken a few days before Thanksgiving 2007. The little ones in front are - L to R - GM6, GM4, GM3, and GM5. The rest of us L to R - YD, SSIL, GM1, me, Spice, FSIL, OD and GM2. ec

stepping

2008-08-14T23:56:00.000-04:00

It was a walk after sundown on another day, the only semi-comfortable time to walk during this season. Several senses were active during the exercise time. The scenery was so familiar that the eyes only notified me if something unusual came to their attention. But all was about the same as in other days – the pond water was calm on one side and the trees were green on the other.

The ears mostly held sway and the main sound was the songs of the cicadas. I had to wonder why were they singing – was it to attract a mate, brag about some accomplishment or just for the joy of singing? I don’t know the cicada songs well enough to determine if I was hearing the same cicadas as yesterday but I’m sure the other cicadas knew the singers quite well.

In my imagination I can almost hear a group of lady cicadas commenting to each other about the quality and tonality of the songs. One would say, would you listen to old Fred, he thinks that just because he is loud everyone enjoys his singing. And another would chime in, yes, it just makes me want to fly somewhere far away but it would have to be very far to not hear all that.

Then another song came to their instruments of auditory perception – it was Sam cicada! His song was the most beautiful and romantic they had ever heard and they went all atwitter – or the cicada version of that action. When the ladies came back from their cicada swoon they all agreed that this song just made them glad that they were cicadas – and probably made a few crickets jealous.

A few birds were chirping occasionally, probably getting ready to roost for the night. Then in the background one could hear the traffic noises filtering through the trees. There were other perceptions but they were internal – it was my body talking to me. It was complaining that I was walking too fast, the muscles were aching and wanted to slow down to get more oxygen.

I just ignored their complaints and walked on at my regular pace. Then there were all the thoughts tumbling through the brain, so many that they were stumbling over each other. One had hardly begun when another started and collided with the one ahead and built into a thought pile-up. Then there was the sorting out process and trying to determine which thoughts went with which.

I knew that some of the thoughts were serious but it was hard to tell the serious from the not so serious and those from the silly and then the silly from the absolutely ridiculous. Thoughts were bumping around like sneakers in the dryer. As the walk neared its end, the rejoicing of the body parts drowned all that out – the walk was almost over and they were going to get to rest for a while.

It just feels so good to be able to get out and do some quick stepping – God is good!! ec

BBH 458

2008-08-12T00:20:00.001-04:00

Blueberry Hill report. The season is getting late, the garden is “long in the tooth” and its production of veggies has slackened considerably. Even though it was uncomfortably hot today I was out cleaning out some of the very opportunistic grass that had invaded the good soil. Along with the grass and a few weeds, some brambles were trying to make a comeback and also institute a takeover.

Clad in my sun-blocking hat and shirt, this kind of work gets hot in a hurry and today was no exception. After a couple of hours I was soaked through and decided to go back inside while I could still walk. I had filled my large garden cart full of grass, weeds, brambles and dead or semi-dead squash plants. Their fate was to be dumped on the dead plant and decayed veggie pile.

The squash have almost quit producing entirely with just a few vines still alive. At the last picking only one squash was brought inside. I waffled back and forth about pulling the rest of them up and planting some winter greens – in a few weeks of course. In times past a few of the vines have come back for a small harvest late in the season – this event remains to be seen.

The cucumbers are on the downhill slide but are still giving forth a few of this green salad and/or pickling veggie. YD has made a good number of jars of pickles from this row of cukes. The okra plants are still doing fairly well and seem to love this hot weather. Tomatoes are still coming in but these late season taste orbs are getting smaller and losing quality – still very tasty though.

The blueberries are mostly gone now with only a few still remaining to be picked. I lost some of the harvest when I made the trip to MS for the reunion but not enough to be concerned about. Much work of cleaning out and mulching of these berry producers needs to be done in the dormant season upcoming. Of course then the temperature will be much more comfortable for the job.

The figs are right in the middle of their ripening season and are producing like “gangbusters”. In the latest picking session I took the 6-foot stepladder out to get the uppermost limbs but picked all I could reach from the ground first. This was fortunate because about halfway around the tree I chanced to spy a large wasp nest on a branch about 3 feet into the tree and 5 feet off the ground.

This would not have been pretty had I been on a ladder and not seen these emissaries of sting-dom. I went for the water hose, sprayed them and just reached in and plucked down the nest. By the time their wings had dried they came back to defend a home that was no longer there. I do pick figs with latex gloves to guard against the oozing sap and that helped in my bravery of tossing the nest.

On a walk-around of the place I noticed that the muscadines were just starting to ripen and I picked a handful to munch on while I surveyed the rest of my “estate”. Amazing is the only word that I can think of to describe God’s creation in the area of the plant world – well, maybe awesome would also be in there. But greater still is that He loves us humans and gave to us the best gift of all – Jesus! ec

MS reunion 2008 2

2008-08-06T00:09:00.001-04:00

Saturday, August 2nd – Itawamba county, MS. For many years now our reunion has been held in this rural community center, a somewhat plain but functional cement block building that is the venue of many events of the area. It is about 2 miles down the road and when I pulled up to the front door some of the guys already in attendance helped me unload all the goodies we brought.

We added these taste delights to the growing number on the row of serving tables. More and more folks came in and we began to renew our kinship and friendship with hugs, greetings and such. I will confess that I am a hugger and anyone that will allow themselves to be hugged, I will hug them – it just seems the thing to do. I failed to get an accurate count but attendance topped out at 50 plus.

I knew that this reunion would be tinged with a bit of sadness because my uncle that was always in attendance and for years headed up this event, had passed away at the end of March this year. My niece had taken over for the last several years and saw to it that all went well. Soon we were called to order, grace was said and we started the consumption of the feast.

I was so busy talking with all the different ones that it occurred to my Spice that I didn’t have a plate in my hands and since this was very unusual, she reminded me that I might ought to eat. I did soon fill a plate and sat a short while to enjoy the repast. Then I visited the dessert end of the long row of tables and sampled several of the sweets – this as I visited with folks from table to table.

Except for spouses and in-laws, all were descended from one man called “Hairy John” – this name came from the fact that he didn’t cut his hair or beard. He passed away in 1912 and was my great-grandfather. From one or another of his eight children came the whole assembly that met and celebrated being a part of this large family.

About the last thing we do is to take photos of each family group in attendance – this since it would be hard to make photos of the ones not in attendance. This was done and the crowd gradually started to depart to their places of abode. The group was small when we loaded up leftovers and headed back to my sis’s place. Much conversing was still to do so we got at it until bedtime.

Sunday morning came and we had a bite to eat and loaded the van back up for the trip home. Just before we left my nephew came by for a plumbing repair for his Mom – my sis. He had not been in attendance the day before and I was glad to get to see him before we left. We finally got on the road and finished listening to the book on CD that we had started on the trip down.

We had a good trip back, enjoyed the book and even started another one called “The Gift” – we were so involved in it that we had to finish it up when we got home. Our return trip took 3 minutes longer than the trip out – very close. We were tired but as always, glad to be home. God is good! ec

MS reunion 2008

2008-08-05T00:05:00.001-04:00

The sun had just gone down, I was out for my evening walk and all was calm and peaceful in my world. As I approached the pond, the surface of the water was as smooth as glass with the only ripples coming when the medium-sized water bird took off as I neared. The cicadas were still singing their songs and if the crickets were chirping, they were drowned out by the louder calls.

Since these walks are one of my times of pondering and sorting things out in my mind, I thought on the events of the last few days and made sure they were filed away properly in my memories. This major happening in my year began on the morning of Friday past. We were to travel to a rural area of the northeastern corner of Mississippi for an annual family reunion.

We finally got the van loaded and the trip underway about 10:30am. The mileage from my home in SC to my older sister’s place was almost 430 miles and it took us 7 hours and 17 minutes to make the journey. This included two stops, one for food and one for fuel. The driving was not as tiring as it would seem because we took two books on CD to enjoy in route.

The one we listened to on the way out was “The Wedding” and was a sequel to a book that was made into the movie “The notebook”. We were only about 2/3 through the book when we arrived. The miles had melted away and we were much fresher than usual because of the interesting literary distraction – it even helped with the white-knuckle driving through Atlanta, GA.

The sister we stayed with was my oldest one and she had moved to MS with her family while our Mom and Dad were still alive and later became their main caregiver until their passing. On arriving, we immediately started talking, laughing and catching up on things and events in the family. A short while later we got supper on the table and joined by my niece and her hubby, we took nourishment.

Major laughing, talking and enjoying each other’s presence continued through and past the meal for quite some time. I find this nephew by marriage quite interesting since in times past he had been an army ranger and then in law enforcement for years. We spoke of guns and other weaponry of our knowledge – his mostly – and the ladies spoke of many wonderful things of their interest.

The evening wound down, the niece and hubby left and I crashed into the bed, leaving the Spice and my sis still conversing. Next morn we arose, some more slowly than others and had a minimum bite to eat so as not to interfere with the coming noon feast. We then put the finishing touches on the sis’s dishes; cut up a good amount of tomatoes and cucumbers I brought from SC and headed out.

Will continue this in the next posting – God is good. ec

sawdust

2008-07-31T20:38:00.000-04:00

On another day I wandered down to my basement workshop to make some sawdust – that wasn’t the end goal but I did make a lot of that saw by-product. The goal was to build a platform on which to place the clothes dryer in the basement and thus raise it to a more comfortable level. This appliance is a cast-off one as are many pieces of furniture and such in the “lower regions” of our home.

This platform was built entirely out of scrap wood – leftovers from other projects of mine or someone else. One of my oddities is that I have trouble throwing away any wood that might possibly be usable. Only when wood is down to small scraps or is too warped to use does it get cast out and burned in the scrap pile – something left from my upbringing I suppose.

It was built and reinforced enough to possibly hold up a small truck – the norm for my projects. When I was finished I decided to try to raise the dryer up on the 18-inch platform alone just to see if I could do it. The hardest part was to get one corner on top – then I got another and finally the whole thing – fortunately a dryer is not very heavy or I might have strained something.

When I get involved in a project I tend to forget anything else. Along about this time I realized that I had forgotten to have lunch. When I went back upstairs and saw the time, it dawned on me that I had also forgotten to make a banana pudding as well as cut up some tomatoes for a church group cookout and I had started on neither of the jobs and time was running out.

In a short length of time I had constructed a double recipe of banana pudding. Then I sliced up tomatoes from the garden – the final count of slices of this veggie was about 100 – these were to garnish hamburgers. We rushed to get dressed and went out the door only about 10 minutes later than we wanted to be. We were not the last ones to arrive at the appointed site and I was glad.

40 plus were in attendance, we were called to order, grace was said and we started devouring hamburgers, hotdogs, side dishes and desserts. It was a great time of eating, laughing and having the joy of fellowshipping together – the way church folks should do. Next day was Sunday and the service was everything church should be, rejoicing in the love and presence of God.

It is a good thing when a plan comes together, especially when the plan is to worship God in spirit and truth – and that did happen in great abundance. ec

glue

2008-07-27T23:08:00.000-04:00

It was another day and somewhere in our world a group of people or just individuals were engaged in sidesplitting laughter – mirth to the max and there I was with only a sly grin. Oh well, I’m sure I’ll find something hilarious before the day is out, even if it is nothing but myself.

As I was about to be involved in my evening walk, I found a whole congregation of geese down in the front corner of my yard. They were grazing and conversing in goose language and as I walked toward them they started to get a bit fidgety. As I neared, they started to nervously goose step in the direction of the pond – and then in unison they wingedly broke the bonds of gravity.

Their splashdown was on the near side of the pond en masse. On the far shore of the pond was another group of geese that also went to the water as I approached them. I did notice later in the walk that the two groups were still separated, possibly different political factions. I do know that some political factions are just about as silly as these flighted fowls – and maybe just as foul.

As I walk and weave my way along the asphalt driveway so as not to step in goose “deposits”, I ponder the vicissitudes of life and why we at times feel like that “deposit” laden driveway and then like the geese at other times. We live and work in a world filled with all sorts of “deposits”. One of our duties is to be careful that we don’t track these “deposits” back into our homes and family lives.

The only glue – and “deposit” repellant – that can hold our lives and/or families together is love and the only true source of love is God, in fact, He is the personification of love. Know God, know love – no God, no love. ec

blessings

2008-07-23T22:28:00.000-04:00

The sun had gone down, as it usually does at the end of the day. The light was starting to fade, as it usually does when the sun goes down. The cicadas were singing, as they usually do in the summertime and I usually notice them this time of the evening. I was doing my evening walk as I usually once did but have not done regularly in a couple of months because of a physical problem.

This problem, though relatively minor, evidenced itself in enough pain to discourage walking. I will not discuss the possibility of laziness being mixed into the conundrum to a tiny degree. A solution was found in the form of a small foam pad between two toes – and I am walking again. I have missed these times of reflection and discussing things with my heavenly Father.

This morning and early afternoon were spend picking blueberries – I had thought they were almost gone but I picked three containers full and it appears I have several more to go. Then more time was spent bagging these up for the freezer. The total for the day was 7 quarts of berries – this bringing the total to 61 freezer bags full of deliciousness.

It would appear that the cucumbers of the garden are plotting a takeover of the kitchen and they were doing fairly well at that until YD came back from vacation and I gave her a massive amount of them. Along with the gift was the hint that maybe she could make some pickles. She is considering this seriously and at the very least the evil plot of the cucumbers has been foiled – at least temporarily.

The tomatoes are doing well except several of them came down with some sort of disease. These diseased ones had to be removed from the good soil and discarded on the burn pile. Plus the tomatoes do not look very pretty, thanks to some bug bites and cracks on the stem ends. But as the old folks say, ’they eat mighty good’. At least I am an old folk and I say that.

We have been eating tomato sandwiches for about a month now. A day or so ago I sliced a large tomato into a couple of slices that were about a half-inch thick. The first bread I noticed was some hamburger buns – I took one of these, slathered it down with mayo and placed the slice on the bun. It fit the bun just perfectly and was very delicious. So much produce – so little stomach space.

The squash have been doing well even if I have lost several plants to borers. I have put about a dozen quarts in the freezer. I have also put a few quarts of okra in our cold storage, these plants are just now coming into full production – they are a hot weather veggie.

As you can see, I have been ‘berry’ blessed with things plants produce this year. The blessings have spread into everything that I can think of at the moment – God is good! ec

treasures

2008-07-16T22:09:00.002-04:00

When a man gets up out of a comfortable bed and drinks a cup of beef bouillon soup for breakfast, there’s got to be something wrong with the picture. Tuesday was the day and clear liquids were the diet of the day. The two big-ticket items on my menu were the bouillon and ginger ale. I did try a can of chicken broth and while it was OK, my taste buds seemed to detect the flavor of feathers.

Mucho veggies were picked on Monday so I set about putting some of these in the freezer – to keep my mind occupied. Okra was cut up and brought to a light steam in the oven – then cooled and bagged. Then the squash was cut up, blanched, spread to dry and cool and then they were bagged. There was only one bag of okra but I got 4 quarts out of the squash.

At 4pm it was time to start drinking the “to-go” juice that I mixed up that morning. The regimen was to drink 8 oz of the cleaning out fluid every 15-20 minutes. This was done in the back bedroom that just happens to be very close to a porcelain fixture that we all know and use. Several hours later I was feeling very “washed out”. That room does have a TV, for what that’s worth.

Wednesday began for us at the surreal hour of 5:45am and we got up and headed to the hospital for the colonoscopy. We checked in and went up to the proper department for the “look-see” to be done. I was soon called back to get into the proper attire and to have my vitals checked. An IV with tubing was inserted for the “don’t care” juice to be administered later.

Two of the nurses that took vitals and information and input it into the computer did little to reassure me that all the staff was highly qualified. The thought crossed my mind that these two just started that morning and their first patient didn’t make it. One of them pushed the gurney over to the procedure room and when we started moving I knew we were going to collide with something on the way.

We were almost to the room and I was starting to think I was wrong when we hit the wall – so that’s what those rubber bumpers are for. The doc arrived and these two tried to get the “out like a light” juice to flow a couple of times before it finally went. One moment I was happily chatting with them and the next I was back in the recovery stall with the Spice – having some terrible gas pains.

The report was good, I was glad and we headed back to the home front with only a few scattered memories. There were no diet limitations now and the first thing I checked out was to see if the leftover banana pudding was still good – it was – the whole bowl. I was a man on a mission with a lot of catching up to do. Several leftovers and a fresh salad later, the raging hunger was sated.

Many things in life are not appreciated until they are no longer available to us – this is true for food and also for family relationships. I find it so sad when families feud and don’t realize what they are missing until it’s too late. Relationships are way more important than pride, money or anything money can buy. My relationships with Jesus and with my family are my greatest treasures. ec

other days

2008-07-14T23:26:00.000-04:00

Saturday began as a regular day and evolved into a “working outside and mowing till you drop” kind of a day. This particular kind of mowing was with the push mower and it involved mowing what the riding mower couldn’t reach. I wound up mowing a couple of areas that the riding mower could have gotten to simply because this mower was out and running.

Energy was expended, grass was cut down and I came inside to collapse. The collapse was postponed when it became a “cut peaches up for the Spice” day. Then I realized that I had some over-ripe bananas that needed attention. This attention came in the form of changing the day into a “make a banana pudding so the bananas won’t ruin” day.

Changing into my somewhat amateur chef’s hat – metaphorically speaking, whatever that means – I very carefully constructed a masterpiece, at least I thought so and my taste buds later told me so. I left it in the Spice’s care and in the oven to brown the meringue and I went in the den to have my delayed collapse in the floor on an ice pad. This usually involves dozing off and it happened again.

When I came out of the semi-coma, the Spice informed me that it was a perfect golden brown and ready for consumption. Extenuating circumstances caused me to eat three helpings right away. These were in the form of diet limitations that excluded any fruits and veggies after midnight on Saturday – for a medical procedure on Wed. This will be the notoriously un-fun colonoscopy.

Several other restricted things as well as another helping of pudding was consumed before the deadline – I’ll have to see if the leftover pudding will last until Wednesday. On Sunday the breakfast was bland but the scripture was refreshing. AM church was great and inspiring but the lunch back at home was again bland, one doesn’t realize how they miss veggies and fruit until they are forbidden.

Sunday PM church was again good and we went out with friends afterwards. The friends and fellowship were great but the food had to be bland again – fruitless and veggie-less. Monday arrived as another forced bland day and I made do with what we had available. Of course even the bland is better than the clear liquid day I’m facing tomorrow – not to mention what happens tomorrow night.

I did get some veggies picked today before the rain, many cukes, squash and tomatoes with a fair bit of okra. The rain started not five minutes after I came inside. Later I went to the grocery – anything to keep my mind off the BLAND. This is not the first of these procedures for me but I still don’t find them to be very much fun. Still in all, God is good and I am so glad. ec

two days

2008-07-13T00:46:00.000-04:00

Thursday was a “go get peaches on a rainy day” day. Our day began in mostly usual ways and doing routine things but we decided in the early pm to head north to get peaches in Johnston, SC. About 8 miles from home the skies opened up and rained all over our peach “parade”. The wipers were doing their best but even when I slowed the car, they were not doing the job very well.

We finally came out of the rain and continued our 30-mile journey to the peach packing facility. In times past we have gleaned the rejects out of the sluice that exits the plant but we went big time that day and just purchased 4 boxes already prepared. It was past lunch so we stopped on the way back and got a bite to eat at a semi-fast food place that we were familiar with along the way.

As we got closer to home the skies got very angry and threatening and finally burst forth in rain that was a cross between a gulley washer and a frog-strangler. Slowing way down we finally made it through the downpour and by the time we pulled into the driveway it was barely sprinkling. We had driven the old Honda for better gas mileage and I managed to unload the fruit without getting soaked.

As the day changed to evening, we got ready and it changed to a “go to church for group meeting” evening. After the meeting we went to our friends house and the evening changed again to an “enjoying conversation with friends” evening. By the time we got home it had changed again to “the wee hours of the next morning” day. We finally got to bed after a very changeable day and evening.

Next morning, Friday, after I wandered sleepily down to the kitchen and looked out the window at the world, I discovered that it had become a “what are all these geese doing in my yard” morning. It’s not that I dislike geese; I just dislike all the poop that they leave everywhere they go. In fact I found myself wondering if there were some good recipes for cooked goose on the Internet.

We were having friends over for supper and the day transformed into a “pick up all the clutter and vacuum” day. We got everything cleaned up, cooked up and ready for out guests. When they arrived the evening became an “enjoying baked spaghetti and salad” evening. We topped off the meal with blueberry cobbler and homemade vanilla ice cream – does it get any better than that?

After supper the evening changed again to an “enjoying conversations with friends and laughing and acting silly” evening. What greater wealth is there than having good friends? It has become a habit of mine to have prayer with our friends before we part company and upon their leaving, we joined hands and prayed together. If we honor God, He will honor us, because He is good. ec

good

2008-07-08T23:47:00.001-04:00

I could tell yesterday was going to be a good day even before all of it had arrived. This was the day I was to get my stitches out from my skin cancer surgery and that was good. Another good thing was that it had rained some two days in a row and really had the garden perked up. Eating my cereal this morning was a good thing because for years I couldn’t do that because of milk allergies.

Several years ago I found soymilk – Silk by name – and was able to once again chow down on cereal. My laptop has much Bible software and I’m able to do my scripture reading during b’fast – good. When I finish reading and exit the program it stays at that spot and goes right back to that spot when I enter it the next morning – saves having to mark the place each time.

I got out the door and got to the parking deck in plenty of time and got a decent parking spot – that was good. Walking in to the doc’s office I was able to view some beautiful red crepe myrtles in bloom – good again. I signed in and didn’t have to wait very long before being called – good. The stitches were quickly removed and the doc said that the report came back and she had gotten it all – good.

Left the area with several errands to run and the fact that I can afford a little gas is also a good thing. The day was overcast and moderate in temp and we were supposed to get more rain, this would be a slight miracle around here – it’s been so dry – and I’m in favor of miracles too – those are good.

Being allergic to regular toothpaste – particularly the fluoride ones – I found toothpaste at the health food store that does a good job and this is good – one of my errands was to pick up some of this. Next was to go by Publix to pick up some of the barbecue sauce to which YD had introduced me and it is somewhere in the neighborhood of wonderful – and it is also good.

Another good thing that I just realized was that since I am retired, I take more time to enjoy my surroundings, particularly those colorful ones of God’s creation. During some of these observations I have to hold on to my socks because the beauty thereof will almost knock them off. Whole rows of crepe myrtles were in bloom and some mimosas with their pink powder puffs were showing off.

As each errand item was checked off it got warmer and more humid, if that was possible but hot humid weather was better than no weather at all. I had driven the Honda because it got better gas mileage – this was good – but the AC was inoperative and this was not quite so good. One might say that there is good and bad in everything, I just choose to pick out the good.

The one good thing above all is that God is good, His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to all generations. ec

briars

2008-07-06T23:34:00.001-04:00

As I stood in the shade of our largest fig tree, briefly resting from the rigors of blueberry picking, I thought of many things. Many of these thoughts were cast aside for the lack of interest but there remained two – briars and brambles. I’m not sure which of the two is the most invasive and harmful to the good plants – but I do know that I don’t like either in my garden or blueberry patch.

The brambles are irritating because there are so many of them and hard to get rid of because if a single small piece of root remains in the ground, a new plant will grow. The only good thing I have found about them is since they are in the blackberry family and do produce small berries, they have caused many smiles on the faces of the local gruntmonkeys as they ate the found delights.

The briars, while not as numerous, produce much more length of vine (and longer thorns) and the roots are much deeper and harder to finally get rid of. It is hard to find anything good about them. Some folks make pipes out of the knot of the briarroot, if they are of a smoking persuasion. The only other good thing I have heard had to do with an old southern tradition.

Years ago an older friend of mine was telling me how much trouble he was having getting rid of briars that would grow around his front door and all up on the porch. After chopping these out several times he finally found and dug out the large root of the plant. It was only afterwards that he found out it was a southern tradition to have a briar to grow up on ones porch to have some greenery.

He was a bit outdone at himself for not knowing this so he went to the woods – he was a logger by profession – to find another briar and replant it at the edge of his front porch – he lived in a rural area. Traditions are strange things at times. What brought this whole subject up was the several briars growing in one of the blueberry bushes at the end of the row.

I had to do some briar trimming to even pick the berries. I made a mental promise that once the berries are harvested; mister briar is going to have to see if his roots can breathe air. The problem with this particular endeavor is that briarroots go so deep that the digging can be very unsettling to the roots of the blueberry bush – I will have to be very careful.

I’m of the opinion that these briars are direct descendants of the thorns that troubled Adam when he got booted out of the Garden of Eden. In spite of all this I got more berries picked, bagged and put in the freezer – the total now stands at 49 quarts of blueberries. Blueberries are a blessing from a good God. ec

July 4

2008-07-05T01:08:00.000-04:00

It was a July 4th like no other since this day had never been before and in which I had not previously lived. The Spice and I had unwisely stayed up late – or perhaps I should say early – and as a consequence arose late. I sprang out of bed – more like slowly sliding out from a position that I was familiar with – prone – into a position that I wasn’t sure I was ready for – standing.

I left the Spice sleeping until she was good and ready to get up. Being the low maintenance husband that I am, I set about taking my familiar and usual morning nourishments – those of physical and spiritual natures. Then I went on the web and checked the weather and found that it was going to be hot – no surprise – with a chance of pm rain – shock.

Not that I really believed about the rain – they have told tales like that before – but it did at least give some hope. In the early pm I left the cool house and went into the hot berry patch to pick some more blueberries to store up for the winter – or for any other time that a blueberry notion happened to strike me. Most of the main crop has been harvested so I was doing ‘hard time’ picking.

It had been binging on my brain that we ought to have something special for supper just because it was the 4th and that sustenance ought to at least vaguely resemble barbeque. I’m not much into pork so when the Spice said that chicken breasts were on sale at BI-LO I knew it was a go. She picked up the chicken parts while I was putting the finishing touches on exhaustion in the berry patch.

The chicken was then boiled, de-boned and broken into small pieces. It was then that we doused all these parts in a sauce that YD had left with us when their crowd went on vacation last Saturday – for two weeks. Now you see why the gruntmonkeys have not been mentioned in the last few writings. Then the pan of pieces that had been completely coated with the sauce – Sweet Baby Ray’s – was put into the oven for the simmering thereof and to slowly become part of the meat.

Also parts of the meal were field peas w/snaps, corn on the cob, sliced homegrown tomatoes and cucumbers and bread slathered in real butter. We had hardly taken thought for the noon meal since we were so late in arising, so we were very hungry and ready to consume this meal. Let me state for the record that all was delicious, especially the chicken pieces with the sauce simmered into them.

I will also state for the record that this particular sauce will be used again in this household – applied to whatever meat that we may prepare – I’m deeply in like with it – love sounded a bit much. It was just the Spice and I and it was very nice. We had rented a DVD and watched this after the meal – it was a very good holiday, meal and movie – and the companionship was excellent. God is good! ec

cotton

2008-07-04T00:13:00.000-04:00

There is a line that I have heard many times in everyday life and even a few times in the movies – albeit old ones. The line is: “Now wait just a cotton-picking minute!” It seems to me that I heard Jimmy Stewart use it a few times in old movies. It started a thought process in my mind that made me wonder just how a “cotton-picking” minute related to a regular minute.

I was born and raised to the age of 6 on a poor dirt farm in rural northeastern Mississippi and I remember that we mostly raised or grew what we had. And I remember the family raising cotton, not a lot because the farm was only 80 acres. I recall not long before we left the farm that I was starting to do a little “practice” picking of cotton and in another year of two it would have gotten serious.

Perhaps this lack of real cotton-picking experience left me with a defective perception of what a minute was, or possibly changed to, during the picking operation. I have come to believe that a cotton-picking minute was much longer than a regular one. This conclusion occurred to me during a session of picking berries because a berry-picking minute seems much longer than a regular one.

Picking berries is tedious and a bit hard on the back but has the advantage over picking cotton in that one can taste a berry every now and again – just to check for ripeness, of course. Tuesday still found me waiting on UPS to pick up the defective TV to haul back to Dell, so I finished picking the driveway berries and just hung around the house. “Brown” finally showed about 2pm and I was freed at last.

We had a friend couple over for supper on Wednesday so most of the day was spent cleaning up the place to be presentable to company – inside and out – and preparing the eats. We got the place spiffied, the eats ready and just had time for a shower – good thing! Our meal for the evening was tostadas and for dessert was “blueberries in the snow” – made from berries grown on the place.

I consider one of the many joys of life to be conversing with good friends and sharing smiles, it was a very good evening all around. God is good, all the time!! ec

UPS

2008-07-01T00:08:00.000-04:00

On Saturday afternoon the Spice and I attended the wedding of the daughter of some friends at church. It was a beautiful ceremony with one of the highlights being the song sung by the bride’s brother – it sounded absolutely professional. The flower girl supplied comic relief when she entered and spotted her Mema. She exclaimed aloud “There’s Mema” several times until everyone knew who her Mema was – the lady with the very red face.

The reception followed at another location and it was all that a reception should be and after much conversing with friends we finally departed for the home front. Sunday came into being and we attended AM church although neither of us really felt very well. My feelings improved as the afternoon went on – had to do with my surgery site – and the Spice’s went the other way.

By Sunday evening the Spice was a very sick lady and she did all the things that very sick ladies do in the bathroom. She was up and down all night and got very little sleep. It was kind of a helpless feeling for me in that all I could do was supply sympathy and a cold cloth for her forehead. By Monday morn she was feeling a tiny bit better but still had to stay close to the plumbing.

We had bought a TV from Dell on line and it had a defect – they replaced it and we packed up the defective one to be picked up by UPS. Having missed them on Friday I stayed close to the front of the house so as not to miss them again and chose this day to pick the blue berries in the bed down the driveway. My picking container is almost a gallon in size and I filled it four times during the day.

The evening found me bagging up these morsels of delight in quart Ziploc freezer bags. By the time I finally tired of the venture I had brought the total to 38 quarts in the freezer and there are still many more berries to be picked. Even blessings can be a lot of work but I am grateful to the One that made blueberry bushes to produce such delicious bounty. ec

PS – UPS never did show and the Spice is finally over her “ups”.

removal

2008-06-29T23:21:00.000-04:00

When I opened my eyes to the dawning of this last Wednesday I knew it was going to be a good day because all of them are, some are just better than others. I also knew that it would have its challenges because all of them do, some that we are aware of and some that we are not. The challenge that I was aware of on this day was that I was going to see my dermatologist.

The challenge part was that I already knew this visit was not going to be one of those “howdy, how are you” kind of check-up visits. Due to a previously taken biopsy I had been informed that I had a basal cell skin cancer on my head that had to be removed. This removal would just be the latest in a series of a dozen or more over the past 10 years or so.

I seem to have no trouble growing these maleficent and malapropos clumps of skin cells with proficiency and a certain amount of profusion. And I do think this ironic inasmuch as they seem to be the only thing I can grow on my head except for scars – certainly not hair. Still I would deem the visit good and bad, bad because it was there and good because she found it and can remove it.

My main concern was whether or not she would have to do a skin graft because the only one she had done thus far reminds me somewhat of a patch one would put on the knee of worn out blue jeans. After only a short wait I was called back and set up for the surgery, an event that I neither dreaded nor looked forward to. About an hour later the growth was out and I was stitched and ready to go.

After instructions and an appointment to remove the sutures I headed for home. She had told me to take it easy for the rest of the day and I didn’t have any trouble doing that especially when the deadening agent wore off and the pain started tapping on my consciousness – more like clubbing me on the head. Since I am loath to take pain medication I just bore with it – Spice calls me stubborn.

Thursday found the wound still very sensitive but I did get out and about a little. On Friday I got some veggies and blueberries picked, didn’t feel like doing much else. More berry picking was done on Saturday and by the end of the day my total quart bags of blueberries came to 23 in the freezer. It seems that I will have to pick most every day of the next week or so to gather all of them in.

I consider the berries a blessing from God, especially since I lost my whole harvest last year due to a late freeze. But God is still good, whether I have berries or not. ec

control

2008-06-26T21:50:00.000-04:00

Monday morning arrived and I knew that I had to get the garden back under control, at least as far as the weeds and grass were concerned. With my UV protection shirt and hat guarding my skin I set about sending these maleficent garden invaders into outer deadness. This took some time because it seems that I missed a few bramble roots and their spawn were rearing their ugly heads.

While ripping the unwanted growths from their places of encroachment I noticed that the cucumbers, squash and okra had started producing their table gracing and taste bud awakening delights. These were picked and brought into the house to be prepared for use or the freezer. The plants are struggling because of lack of rain and I have been using the sprinkler to keep them alive.

On the way to and from doc appointments I have noticed that the crepe myrtles are starting to bloom, I noticed the white ones first and now the different colors are starting to show forth. When these plants bloom one knows for sure that summer has arrived – if the temps around here were not enough to bring one to this sweaty conclusion.

At the nearby intersection of Hwy #1 and I-520 the state has planted a fair number of palm trees – or more than likely Sabal Palmettos, the SC state tree, AKA the Cabbage Palmetto. These are normally found along the coast and lowlands and I’m sure they are very confused in that they are not even close to any lowlands or salt water – they are also not growing very well either.

Tuesday morning found me bagging up three more quarts of blueberries – bringing the total now to 18 quarts already in the freezer. It also found me defrosting the freezer, something that I should have done a month or so ago. This involved moving the contents of this appliance to other cold locations, unplugging the freezer and leaving the door open for the ice to melt faster.

Then in the early afternoon the Spice and I went by to pick up GM1 and we all went to the back cracker. After a thoroughly cracking and manipulative visit we left the doc’s premises feeling on the better side. We three then went by Logan’s Roadhouse for a late lunch/early supper. After a very enjoyable meal together we were in route to YD’s place to return GM1 to her home territory.

When in route along a particular section and thinking the speed limit was higher than it was, I was pulled over by an officer of the local constabulary, as was the driver behind me. I felt very fortunate to receive only a warning ticket for my inattentiveness and went on my way determined to pay closer attention. We delivered GM1 back home with this lesson in mind when she starts driving soon.

The frost ice that had not melted before we left home had done so and was puddled on the cement garage floor. After drying all this up and washing off the shelves, I plugged the freezer back in and now it is ready for the produce of the season. God is good for making veggies. ec

blur 2

2008-06-25T14:52:00.000-04:00

One complication that I forgot to mention on Sunday the 15th was that just after we got home from church to have lunch the power went off for several hours. Fortunately our lunch was in the crock-pot and was already done and still warm. After our guests left on Sunday afternoon we just relaxed and rested up from all the hustle and bustle – plus we knew that we were going to start over on Monday.

The start over was due to the fact that we were having another reunion on Saturday the 21st with the Spice’s family and it would be at our place. On Monday we got the linens washed up and replaced on the beds that were slept on. We were also planning the Saturday reunion meal and several other meals on days before the reunion.

Our kin from Florida came in on Sunday the 15th but stayed with MIL until Tuesday. These guests were the Spice’s aunt, her daughter and husband and their son. The aunt was the Spice’s mother’s sister and she stayed over at MIL’s and on Tuesday the cousin and her son came here – her husband went on up to North Carolina to visit with this sisters.

Then on Thursday the 19th the Spice’s uncle came to stay with us along with his wife, her mother and their son. Then on Friday another cousin and her husband also came to stay with us. This was the first time in several years that all beds on the place have been more or less occupied. We have two extra bedrooms upstairs and two downstairs.

Along with this hustle and bustle, I was trying to keep the garden up and running in addition to picking some blueberries. Several gallons of these have been picked and minus some for fresh eating, I have put 15 quart containers of these delicious little morsels in the freezer. Also gathered were a few veggies that were just starting to become mature enough for picking.

On Saturday the 21st we all met at our place – we had 27 persons of all ages. The main dish was tostadas with all the trimmings of one’s choice. To this we added several desserts items, not the least of which was one of my homemade banana puddings, constructed from scratch ingredients. I was hoping for a bit of leftover pudding for b’fast next morning but none was remaining – bummer.

Our in-house guests all too soon dwindled away, two on Saturday, four on Sunday and the three remaining on Monday. We had enjoyed all the laughing and talking and then there was silence. One has to wonder why all the good events in life pass by so quickly. Anyway, God is still good, all the time! ec

blur

2008-06-22T23:59:00.001-04:00

The days of a week and a half ago including the weekend were filled with so many things that these time segments seem like a blur. The keeping of the young ones and cleaning up of the outside parts of Blueberry Hill have been mentioned but we also wanted to get the inside of the house spiffied up since we were having overnight guests come in for our reunion on Saturday the 14th.

We were getting things done but only had Friday in which to finish the rest when things started going awry. The Spice’s Mom was ailing and she took her to the doc – this evolved into a trip to the ER and this is almost always a marathon event. I had to go into high gear to finish cleaning and such alone.

Our guests were to arrive about 6pm and I didn’t finish the house prep until about 5pm. Then it was straight into supper prep and I was only about half through when our guests arrived. They unloaded their bags and we chatted while I finished up supper. As per the Spice’s wishes we went ahead and ate since she didn’t know how long she would be involved at the medical facility.

Though we thought they might keep MIL at the hospital, the tests were good and they let her go home. The Spice got back home just as we were finishing up our meal. As she ate her warmed-up vittles we sat around and chatted about our lives since last year’s family gathering.

Saturday morning came and we arose to start a fun, yet very busy day. We finished our dishes for the reunion and my cousin, her husband and I left to go to my bro’s place about 20 miles away – the location of the reunion. The Spice was feeling a bit leftover from the events of the preceding several days and decided to drive out a while later.

When we arrived some of the usual suspects were already there and more came in until we had the non-exact count of 30 plus in attendance. About half past the noon hour we were called to order, grace was said and we started the feasting event – of food and chatting. The young ones were a little taller and the adults might have had few more wrinkles but it was a fun time together with our kin.

For the first time in several years all of my siblings were present – there are six of us – three guys and three gals. As all good things must do, our time together came to an end and we started departing for home. Another cousin and his wife came home with us to stay the night – the brother of the wife part of our other guest couple. We enjoyed much conversing and finally crashed for the night.

Both couples went to church with us next morning and the services were very meaningful. The guy cousin and his wife left for their home near Atlanta right after church but the other couple came back for lunch before departing for their home around Knoxville. The reunion was great but the partings were mixed emotions – some day we will not have to be separated again – because of Jesus. ec

BBH 451

2008-06-10T12:38:00.000-04:00

Blueberry Hill report 451. The garden is going great guns with most all of the tomatoes having fruit of varying sizes. Of the two plants I had to replace, one of them seems OK but the other may not make it. It is a little late and hot to replace it again, there may just have to be a gap in the row. If I didn’t mention it before, the two small beds have been combined and are occupied with more tomatoes.

The first large row down the slope is one of cucumbers and several of them are blooming – the green veggies can’t be far behind. We haven’t had a lot of rain so I have had to put the sprinkler on them a couple of times already but as you may know, this is just not the same as rain. Next down the hill is the main tomato row. Bed three has squash plants and they too are blooming. The last bed has okra plants this year and they are coming along quite well, it just takes them a bit of time to get going.

The early ripening blueberries are coming along very well with the gruntmonkeys happily munching on many of these delights over the last several days. The thorn-less blackberries have also made these young ones very happy as well. I also took note that the figs were putting out fruit on the two larger trees but these will be several weeks in the ripening process.

Much mowing needed to be done but my large mower had been out of service due to what I found out was a battery problem. I took this in, had it checked – it was found to be defective and another one was purchased. I was a bit surprised and disappointed that the warrantee on these batteries is only for three months for full replacement and a year for pro-rated replacement – wimpy batteries.

When the Spice took the gruntmonkeys to VBS for the evening I pumped up a couple of low tires and cranked the newly battery-ed riding mower. Off I went around the yard arrayed in my sun-screened hat and special long sleeve shirt to cut the grass and weeds down to size. All went well until I got down to the problem area growing over the septic drain field line.

This was so thick that I had drive the mower like a tank to get through it and then go back over the area a couple of times. Evidently I destroyed a home in the process because I saw a not-so-happy field rat scamper away. After this I still had a bit of daylight left, so I cranked the weed eater to trim up all the edges that the mower couldn’t get to. I finally ran out of string in the waning light and quit.

I was a bit worn around the edges but very happy to get this large job accomplished to make the place look better for our coming visitors. Though it takes a lot of work to keep the area looking decent, we are so blessed to have this home and spot of ground we call Blueberry Hill. God is good – even when we don’t think so or realize in which ways. ec

unabated

2008-06-08T23:59:00.001-04:00

The weeds, grass and seedling trees fighting for survival on the slope behind the house descending down to the pond had an easy time last year. Evidently their little plant minds thought that something had happened to their main enemy – me. While recovering from several health problems last year this work just didn’t get done. Parts of the plant misconceptions were corrected a few days ago.

My main weapon in this plant warfare has been called by different names in different locales of the country and probably others in other countries. Around here it is called a weed eater, weed whacker or a string trimmer and I use mine to cut down anything possible. This gasoline driven machine was not cranked at all last year and in fact I wasn’t sure it would after setting up that long.

I got it out, cleaned off the spider webs, gassed it up and gave the cord a mighty yank. On the second pull it fired a few times but with a couple more pulls it reluctantly fired off and in about a minute was running smoothly. I started on the bank below the garden, worked my way through the main blueberry patch, all around the hazelnuts and trimmed around and through the muscadines.

I knew that my cutting string was getting low and about halfway through this job I lost the last piece of string while trying to cut a young tree. This requires a restring of the nylon cord and after a bit of hassle this was done and the labor continued. This job was pushed by the urgency of (a) we were to keep the local gruntmonkeys several days for YD and SIL to take a few days away.

Urgency (b) is that we are expecting some of my family next weekend for our family reunion. And (c) is that we have some of the Spice’s family coming in to stay for the week after that. I do enjoy having folks stay with us for several reasons: (a) we have plenty of room, (b) for the fun, fellowship, laughing, talking and just catching up on what their life has been like and last but not least, (c) it gives me incentive to catch on some cleanup projects that I have been putting off.

Most productive work ceased on Saturday when the four gruntmonkeys arrived – except for keeping them healthy, happy and entertained. They will be with us until Wednesday evening and they really seem to be enjoying themselves so far. The keeping them healthy part was tested today when the Spice had to take GM1 to the clinic – as it turned out she has a case of strep throat.

The Spice had been home about 30 minutes from that ordeal when GM4, while playing, ran by an open door and struck the latch just below his right eye, causing a small but fairly deep cut. The Spice took him to the ER while I once again stayed with the rest of the crew. Instead of a stitch or two the medical staff opted for super glue, probably a good choice for an active 4-year-old.

Besides these small breaks in the action, the playing, swinging, jumping, throwing of rocks in the pond and such has continued unabated – except for naptime and when we finally get them to bed. They have way more energy than I do but we are managing. They are fascinating little beings and such a blessing – most of the time – the other times are not worth mentioning. God is good!! ec

firsts

2008-06-03T23:35:00.001-04:00

Yesterday was June 2nd and it was a very unique day, in which occurred several firsts for the Spice and I. First of all that date is our wedding anniversary and this is the first time I have ever been married to anyone for 45 years. She is my first (and only) wife and we determined that we would celebrate by spending the entire day out and about, just being together.

We had intended to get a little earlier start but finally did head out the drive at about 11am. About halfway down the driveway I stopped for another first. One of the blueberry bushes looked to have some ripe berries so I disembarked the van to check it out. Lo and behold there were the first ripe blueberries of the season. I picked a handful to check out the flavor and found them yummy indeed.

For reasons that I don’t totally understand, the Spice doesn’t care much for blueberries in their raw form. On the way to a late breakfast I enjoyed these delectable delights. Some were still a little tart but tasted great – made more tasty by having lost the total berry crop last year to a late freeze.

The restaurant in which we ate our lunchtime breakfast was also a first for me and although the Spice had eaten there before, this was the first time we had eaten there together. It was a bright and cheery place, good food, friendly waitresses and not nearly so noisy as many breakfast spots. It is called the Sunrise Grill and it was a very pleasant dining experience.

From there we went on to Augusta to the movie complex to view – for the first time – a Chronicles of Narnia film, “Prince Caspian”. We enjoyed the movie and the only bad thing about the experience was that the Spice was too full from b’fast to get popcorn – a real bummer for her.

It was a long movie and we were ready to eat again when we got out. We headed out to another part of town to a restaurant that was new to us to have our evening meal. Stonecrest Steakhouse was another first of our day and we had an excellent meal there as well. It might have been a bit pricey but this too was a very good dining experience and after all it was our anniversary.

After this we went over to a sporting goods store, Academy Sports. The Spice had been in before but surprisingly it was my first visit in the place. We wandered around a while then went over to Kohl’s for some items for the Spice. We then headed back to the movie complex to do another first. This was the first time this year, maybe several years, that we had seen two movies in one day.

This second movie was “Iron Man” and we both enjoyed it very much – great special effects. It was somewhat violent but the good guy – though at first he wasn’t so great – won in the end. It was a very good day with this favorite lady of mine and we returned home feeling blessed to have shared these last 45 years together. God is good, all the time!!! ec

notes

2008-06-01T22:04:00.000-04:00

One of my small labors of this last week was to compile the comments from my blog and responses from those I email concerning our daughter’s loss of the little ones. After the compilation, I printed these out and presented them to my younger daughter – there were five pages. She was brought to tears by these words of encouragement yet uplifted by them. We thank all of you very much.

On a less serious note, I was thinking about physical conditioning and trying to stay in shape – round is a shape. I was doing very well with my walking routine until I hurt my little toe and haven’t been able to walk (for exercise) since. In the meantime I have been “exercising” in the yard and garden and at night doing some work on my abdominals as somewhat of a supplemental fat burner.

The problem isn’t the abs of steel, it’s the layer of flab that I have covering them up. But this layer does cushion the steel so it doesn’t get dented and maybe helps in rust prevention. Then the other day while I was shaving, I noticed that my earlobes jiggle when I move my head certain ways. It’s bad enough to have a jiggly middle but the last straw is flabby earlobes.

I remember the earlobes of my youth; they were toned, firm and without any wiggle at all. What can one do to get their lobes back into shape? Then I realized that I had never seen a single publication that has mentioned earlobe exercises. I assume that part of the reason for this is that the lobe has no grasping digit to hold tiny weights, could this be why some pierce and put small weights in there?

Even if I wanted to put small barbells in my lobes I think the Spice would frown on it. I have done sit-ups and pull-ups but I can’t figure out how to do lobe-ups. Could the answer be to wear earlobe braces to hold them in place so they could firm up? Do they do botox in earlobes? Maybe just regular clothes starch would keep them firm. If you have a solution please let me know.

On another note, the garden is looking very good. Several small tomatoes are in place and starting to grow. The cucumber vines are just starting to run and the squash plants are not far from blooming. The “hills” of squash that didn’t come up were replanted and sprouts have now broken the ground. The okra, as per usual, is growing slowly – being a heat loving plant they should already be in love.

The gruntmonkeys have been eating some of the wild blackberries around the place and I found a ripe orb of delight on the thorn-less plants the other day. The blueberries have started to color so it won’t be long before they will be at their delicious best. On a sour note, two of the tomatoes in my main row got some kind of disease – I pulled them up and transplanted two others in their stead.

Meanwhile, it is just another blessed day here on blueberry hill – God is good!! ec

healing

2008-05-28T23:53:00.001-04:00

It was a day similar to many others and the Spice and I had kept the local gruntmonkeys for most of 3 days and 2 nights while their Mom was in the hospital. I set out with the three young ones to get them out of the Spice’s hair, since she is the only one of this married couple that actually has hair.

This adventure with the grunts was almost like a biblical epic. I played the part of Moses, with a staff in one hand and a fire in the other (a propane torch) and the three young ones played the part of three members of the tribe of Joseph (their Dad). We did several of our regular things, not the least of which was the burning of enemy hordes (torching ant underwear).

The swings played a part in the adventure, as did the trampoline and then it was on down to the pond. We made many splashes with the small rocks we tossed in and another stone skipping lesson was thrown into the mix – they are still a bit young to get the concept. We hiked up to the brow of the hill on the large adjoining lot to watch the traffic – the lot is vacant except for a cell phone tower.

We finally called a halt to this episode and came back inside to the air-conditioning; it was very warm and humid. We played much inside before their parents came for them.

On another day I was out in the garden, hoeing out the weeds and grass, which so easily besets it. While doing so I was working my way through some of the emotional trauma that had been a part of my life for the last several days. Even though I am not the parent of these babies we lost, I am the grandfather and I had already started envisioning the good times I would have with them.

My eyes burned as I thought about never getting to hold and love on them or carry them around blueberry hill. I wanted to show them the pond and the various trees and such around the place and maybe get to show them some future goslings. I wouldn’t get to see their faces as they ate their first blackberries, or taste blueberries or maybe even figs or muscadines.

Above all I wanted to see them smile and hear them giggle and I wanted to be the cause of them doing that but such was not to be. As I grieved I also thought of the pain my daughter must be feeling because the little ones did not miscarry and since they were too far along to do a standard D&C labor had to be induced. The twins were delivered after over 19 hours of labor.

The staff cleaned them up and brought her the two little girls, each tucked into a small pink knit blanket. I was hesitant to view them but I knew my daughter wanted me to so I went to the hospital and there they were, lying at the foot of her bed. They were so tiny, one six inches long and the other 51/2 inches, yet so well developed for their four months of growth.

My daughter even named them, to help in her grieving process. She is leaning heavily on the Lord and said that she didn’t know what those do that know not a loving God to comfort them. I came home with a leaden heart, yet knowing that while I could not show these tiny ones the love I feel for them, I can continue to show the grand ones that are in this life the love and care due them.

Thanks to the ones that have expressed care and concern – it will just take some time and much of God’s love to heal. ec

leaning

2008-05-23T22:02:00.000-04:00

It is with a very heavy heart that I report the fact that our younger daughter has lost their twins. We do not know what caused them to cease their journey toward birth at about 4 months and we may never know in this life. While we have many more questions than answers, we are continuing to trust the One that knows what is best for us and are leaning on His strength, comfort and guidance.

Please remember Deana and the family when you pray. If you have any words of encouragement, send them to me and I will pass them along to her. God is still good, all the time. ec