tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28190485195909168752024-03-06T15:00:50.480-05:00 Homestead Hill Farm The journal of a small farm in the Shenandoah Valley of VABarbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03599739740886087571noreply@blogger.comBlogger1034125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819048519590916875.post-64831137562994184462022-10-09T11:06:00.005-04:002022-10-09T11:53:46.794-04:00From Here on the Hill 10-9-2022<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTYkplX1J5__zfwfWA-m3tXm4_0bk6_ZLblERYSJT4vQOzuT9oJkn5AfPRVu1ZwziEXBOsX_vD9BRZJ0DhrGWtvGVefR1gH00rHxv7eWOJWbwkJDVfOTx_USDU1M7a-ufgH1hI8vXZ4Udt7nygZKuFr1lAjjhi5PIjRPdOKwelNtQ5VPzeWGTA9vI/s1514/last%20cherry%20tom%209%2027%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1514" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTYkplX1J5__zfwfWA-m3tXm4_0bk6_ZLblERYSJT4vQOzuT9oJkn5AfPRVu1ZwziEXBOsX_vD9BRZJ0DhrGWtvGVefR1gH00rHxv7eWOJWbwkJDVfOTx_USDU1M7a-ufgH1hI8vXZ4Udt7nygZKuFr1lAjjhi5PIjRPdOKwelNtQ5VPzeWGTA9vI/w640-h444/last%20cherry%20tom%209%2027%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cherry tomato remains on the hoophouse floor</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b></b></div><b><br /> </b><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">“Trust your crazy ideas”</span><o:p></o:p></b><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The little sign hangs above my desk in the office, a relic
from some near-forgotten bit of retail therapy. I have no idea why that little
sign on the clearance shelf spoke to me, maybe it was the type used, maybe it
was the $3 price tag.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Maybe it was that “crazy ideas” are pretty much the story of
my life.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Oh, I don’t mean crazy like bungee jumping, parasailing or
anything truly outlandish. But, more than one of our “valley adventures in
farming” have been deemed CRAZY to say the least. Our very being here might
seem crazy. Making this little piece of rocky hillside show a profit definitely
seemed crazy…or a long-shot at best.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Those stories and many others have been rattling around my
mind as I try to organize memories and essays into some sort of coherent and
meaningful narrative in the continuing attempt to make some headway on my long-delayed
book project.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Twenty-five years ago, we (or I should say Tom and a couple
of helper-dudes) were putting up hoophouse #1 in one of our early “adventures”
here on the hill. We had made what at the time seemed a huge investment in what
was a seriously “crazy idea”. We knew nothing about hoophouses. Not how to
build one, use one, or whether or not to write hoophouse or hoop house. Maybe hyphenated…should
it be “hoop-house”? (I still don’t know the answer to that one)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We had no idea at the time that this hoophouse would become
the single most productive place on the farm. Housing hundreds of chickens,
growing a huge variety of crops, providing a subject of conversation for an
entire season at the hardware store, allowing us to sell fresh greens
year-round for nearly a decade…and becoming my “happy place” when things
elsewhere seemed somewhat dark and dismal.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ppg7LjhUlN7TLCIk0clTlU-MvXcx1ef9O8y31uluy3iJfebe95_tECwAP9wUCl4c1DAOPyFz_oIJLHXeGq0eWOlGpE_4dVKUs206LnN323Kxej3Xn94DW2MsqB2K2XwAMj4b2xiCyFo_p9wTJCyomW5oER2NVethm1x76QeOrDQA9ESPno-elEmc/s1400/hummingbird%20morning%20glory%20hoophouse%209%2014%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ppg7LjhUlN7TLCIk0clTlU-MvXcx1ef9O8y31uluy3iJfebe95_tECwAP9wUCl4c1DAOPyFz_oIJLHXeGq0eWOlGpE_4dVKUs206LnN323Kxej3Xn94DW2MsqB2K2XwAMj4b2xiCyFo_p9wTJCyomW5oER2NVethm1x76QeOrDQA9ESPno-elEmc/w400-h300/hummingbird%20morning%20glory%20hoophouse%209%2014%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not only is the hoophouse productive<br />it offers great photo ops!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This week, we “re-skinned” the hoophouse, replacing the old
plastic with a beautiful, smooth new cover. It seemed like a pretty big job for
two somewhat broken-down old folks, and unbeknownst to me, Tom was dreading it.
Maybe it was a crazy idea to think we could do this by ourselves. But, our completed
job stands as a testament to teamwork and perseverance. Just like everything
else around here.</p><p class="MsoNormal">I honestly don’t know when we did this job last. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Surely it
wasn’t 2011 when I last posted pictures of the job. That really would be crazy.
(the plastic is only rated for 4 years) I do know it had been at least a couple
of years of us saying “we really need to do this job” and something else more
pressing coming up…surgery, the pandemic, the year-long “kidney saga”. The
hoophouse was full of holes that were covered with tarps secured by ropes. It
sprouted a couple of new rips in this past spring, and we just hoped that the
shadecloth would hold it together until a real repair was possible. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Because you don’t just pop some plastic over it and call it
good. Well, I suppose you could, but living on our hill where the wind is
always a factor, you’d be pretty sure of some sort of weather-related disaster.
You need a warm-ish day so the plastic is somewhat stretchy and pliable. A
tight fit is imperative for longevity. It also has to be relatively still. I
don’t think I need to explain what might happen to anyone involved in such a
venture if the wind got hold of a 70 x 30-foot piece of plastic. Like I said,
I’ve never had any inclination for parasailing… <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With those factors, finding the perfect day to do this
somewhat daunting task is somewhat like finding a needle in a haystack. And,
since we’ve aged considerably since the last time…Tom planned for a <b>two</b>-day
event. No point pushing our old bones TOO hard…we might not finish at all. And,
I don’t suppose I need to point out that a hoophouse without any cover is of no
use to anyone.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">First, I set about pulling down the morning glory vine in
front. That may have been a not-so-good “crazy idea”. It grew like kudzu and
threatened to take over the entire village of Mbrk. And, never had even one
blossom. Then, we pulled off the old plastic. Since it was full of holes, this
wasn’t too hard. But, where it was attached to the frame had stayed wet and
warm for the duration and hundreds (maybe thousands) of bugs had met with their
sad fate, resulting in some sort of primordial goo that had to be removed
before the new plastic could be applied. Gross! While Tom set about other
repairs, I attacked this job. The “jet” setting on the hose nozzle took care of
the goo. But, that meant everything was soaking wet, so<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we left everything to dry overnight. (fine by
me, I’m here to tell you “primordial bug goo” is not a great skin treatment)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Applying the plastic was a job for teamwork. I held tension
on the sheeting, and Tom installed the “wiggle-wire” that holds the plastic in
place. The “wiggle wire” fits inside a track that runs along the perimeter and
adds tension to the new skin. A couple of skinned knuckles and seriously achy
muscles and we’re done! (we do need to make a dump run at some point to dispose
of the worn-out plastic)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The new hoophouse skin is a thing of beauty. All clean and
tight and completely hole-free. Here’s to a long, long life. Because honestly,
that was WAY harder than the last time we did it. And, I'm not looking forward to a repeat performance.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHmMyHDSs6qixo5Gh2ejzy3L3RlBuL0J8xAGWxeimhve8PrWdGnQSycXemkSUFHmeoC1n18QmklJXVtam92QZxJKUk2lIx1fZzz6Oc9-Cm1ealPPHbLdLBxI-MngdpHH0xaoBCleUwbR7_5wb-JNN8QD94YiH_3MD8nCAD-UgKxIyh6ljrnjmUnXh/s1385/morning%20glory%20thru%20hoophouse%209%2022%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1385" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHmMyHDSs6qixo5Gh2ejzy3L3RlBuL0J8xAGWxeimhve8PrWdGnQSycXemkSUFHmeoC1n18QmklJXVtam92QZxJKUk2lIx1fZzz6Oc9-Cm1ealPPHbLdLBxI-MngdpHH0xaoBCleUwbR7_5wb-JNN8QD94YiH_3MD8nCAD-UgKxIyh6ljrnjmUnXh/w400-h304/morning%20glory%20thru%20hoophouse%209%2022%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">morning glory on the hoophouse</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBnzBV0xXXybbffWJRtuYdwu3Rwp5oyl72jkkp1t5dON00NIdCgPBaurn2jQkGyTfBKW958vrqrilwbD5sKvWa8r1hXoN_ErdAI1DY5dOemmjkyIR959jmMaZ27QPOZbRESnBU91voi41X3ILepCUsWH0cY2pZZUmZ6rzhjCfLU3kGOWLO380rrIE/s1050/hoophouse%20beans%208%205%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBnzBV0xXXybbffWJRtuYdwu3Rwp5oyl72jkkp1t5dON00NIdCgPBaurn2jQkGyTfBKW958vrqrilwbD5sKvWa8r1hXoN_ErdAI1DY5dOemmjkyIR959jmMaZ27QPOZbRESnBU91voi41X3ILepCUsWH0cY2pZZUmZ6rzhjCfLU3kGOWLO380rrIE/w300-h400/hoophouse%20beans%208%205%20(Copy).JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the "re-purposed sheep feeder" bean planter<br />was a success</td></tr></tbody></table><o:p></o:p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTyrX3PEZWdJIgrWFYW2O-rko24Hvrhjm1tGRps_HEk-uCai1rtS_etg7DPdA1U7gC0uOr0Q0mEb6NXaOt4-A1Cz0mwh8cOJBFR-lzVtLPHzFxvtsVCrdArApp04AYvUQ9XWTnvX6i2kDG2BWj-VoHVX1NIRxwjLbvJKtf04NdvsbyBwVJDlbngQr/s1400/okra%20flower%20hoophouse%209%2019%2022%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTyrX3PEZWdJIgrWFYW2O-rko24Hvrhjm1tGRps_HEk-uCai1rtS_etg7DPdA1U7gC0uOr0Q0mEb6NXaOt4-A1Cz0mwh8cOJBFR-lzVtLPHzFxvtsVCrdArApp04AYvUQ9XWTnvX6i2kDG2BWj-VoHVX1NIRxwjLbvJKtf04NdvsbyBwVJDlbngQr/w400-h300/okra%20flower%20hoophouse%209%2019%2022%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Bubba Okra <br />was also a success</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywQVYjXIKlGyDM8V9D8y0OvL1IaZDQNHbC6VT_ZuRLCstjp0ChdHPraPtcPEwJxfGrCTVdOcfDGGVNC4E-r7o3GxbRDdB7t9QUtwHfDkxZvCFnqXLnfMiVpZ2G-Le1b5ql4tgGBHTiK4Z2z05NT3jndtNpcXeT2svstSrYIFouiv2xcL2qH_cxLjn/s1400/minnesota%20midget%20melon%208%201%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywQVYjXIKlGyDM8V9D8y0OvL1IaZDQNHbC6VT_ZuRLCstjp0ChdHPraPtcPEwJxfGrCTVdOcfDGGVNC4E-r7o3GxbRDdB7t9QUtwHfDkxZvCFnqXLnfMiVpZ2G-Le1b5ql4tgGBHTiK4Z2z05NT3jndtNpcXeT2svstSrYIFouiv2xcL2qH_cxLjn/w400-h300/minnesota%20midget%20melon%208%201%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">as were the Minnesota Midget melons</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61iOmvTQiCpSXF3Zguok_WowfxyuCmUitFxaXwiuyPAn9CxqxTCgQmhcO6FV4erAwiU6crWxzHhdyaWh6Q12XoqzVTco2yfLod2hYXSkPv1VrYAtgpmqvH3TyCctXC38WDrNeTVVzkOlzLOsX9CxSI-wR-175G7-KBEX_IQ4rVYY_mz6rKdM2qhEO/s1050/hoophouse%20greenbeans%209%2015%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61iOmvTQiCpSXF3Zguok_WowfxyuCmUitFxaXwiuyPAn9CxqxTCgQmhcO6FV4erAwiU6crWxzHhdyaWh6Q12XoqzVTco2yfLod2hYXSkPv1VrYAtgpmqvH3TyCctXC38WDrNeTVVzkOlzLOsX9CxSI-wR-175G7-KBEX_IQ4rVYY_mz6rKdM2qhEO/w300-h400/hoophouse%20greenbeans%209%2015%20(Copy).JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DELICIOUS!<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-K7QjSNxcZGgZnc9KAAGTqgsKCaUU_Zn-Y0jq9nuIxADUbGrJnmwi6OXpde4VhmZAvClyTptuNRhiJ0Ot6pJrNPamm9e4ERYqDqAAugqKyIuzjJBwuK0o-p0iEQfWsfVsUT8I0kFSZAlNTsT_ov0wPVAISH7JGu-nohjtSlBIFIbhDI8dLehnG4Ui/s1379/ganja%208%203%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1379" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-K7QjSNxcZGgZnc9KAAGTqgsKCaUU_Zn-Y0jq9nuIxADUbGrJnmwi6OXpde4VhmZAvClyTptuNRhiJ0Ot6pJrNPamm9e4ERYqDqAAugqKyIuzjJBwuK0o-p0iEQfWsfVsUT8I0kFSZAlNTsT_ov0wPVAISH7JGu-nohjtSlBIFIbhDI8dLehnG4Ui/s320/ganja%208%203%20(Copy).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">even tried growing a little ganja...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">In trying to find out just when we covered it last, I found
myself rummaging through a lot of old blogs,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">looking at old photos and being
awed by just how much work we’ve done around here.</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Because, somehow, we had this crazy idea that we could make
this place work.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And, we did.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">While we’ve downsized and changed course dramatically…the
hoophouse remains my “happy place”…and perhaps one of the best “crazy ideas” we
ever had.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgXUgoQDlR6_b6qzhoAi0iRbxGvK-xD-PL6JP0KSjZSbkCbMe8Q8GXIxpP6daFuMWSqvEiBrvdvUzZiWUHjXfB4WarMgsgGQjTKKLCNcVLKAVcFY1iGzE8bAIM3AV0iYeKHhood0aOFcRbU4X7O_peCvY8zbH76wQyj6FrR3OEvCCOFDmU4pky8jT/s1400/10%209%2022%20collage%20(Copy).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgXUgoQDlR6_b6qzhoAi0iRbxGvK-xD-PL6JP0KSjZSbkCbMe8Q8GXIxpP6daFuMWSqvEiBrvdvUzZiWUHjXfB4WarMgsgGQjTKKLCNcVLKAVcFY1iGzE8bAIM3AV0iYeKHhood0aOFcRbU4X7O_peCvY8zbH76wQyj6FrR3OEvCCOFDmU4pky8jT/w640-h480/10%209%2022%20collage%20(Copy).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a few shots of the hoophouse project<br />thanks to Karma for her "invaluable help"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The job got finished just in time, too. This weekend, the Valley
is under a “freeze warning”. We’ve had a couple of light frosts already, but
tonight is probably going to kill off any sensitive vegetation that remains in
the field. So much for the flowers.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But, the plantings in the hoophouse will remain frost
free…all we have to do is roll down the sides and shut the doors. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We can sit back and enjoy the fall (and even the winter)
knowing the hoophouse job is complete.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With the first day of work behind us, I was gazing the birch
tree just outside the kitchen door noting how it responds to the cooling temperatures with
its lovely fall foliage, I got to thinking about another one of my “crazy” ideas…</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIk0kd-9rdExAC-gd1rLDtzUKtYfQt5-pf_hmrEeHWTqul8xeGnTIY8S_ikq5NXdd1nVDgCFBTRxRtKq1HVH3wdyArY8SLJxtr5VnRRDU_YzAjSp8FkKHFz8tmAFoxGgwIj7sH5v4pLot0agZCIRsLrdrh29UW3c1AB64JcultmWUr7OS4Ke4Le5a/s1050/birch%20thru%20window%2010%207%2022%20(Copy).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="543" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIk0kd-9rdExAC-gd1rLDtzUKtYfQt5-pf_hmrEeHWTqul8xeGnTIY8S_ikq5NXdd1nVDgCFBTRxRtKq1HVH3wdyArY8SLJxtr5VnRRDU_YzAjSp8FkKHFz8tmAFoxGgwIj7sH5v4pLot0agZCIRsLrdrh29UW3c1AB64JcultmWUr7OS4Ke4Le5a/w206-h400/birch%20thru%20window%2010%207%2022%20(Copy).jpg" width="206" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">birch tree through the window</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When the house was completed back in 1997, it was painfully
obvious that we needed some sort of landscaping. Desperately. But, landscaping
is expensive, we were broke and there were far more important things demanding
our limited funds. So, maybe someday…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Somewhere in my reading, I found an ad for a clumping birch
for something like 5 dollars. I’ve always loved trees, any trees, but birch
trees with their white bark and gold leaves against an October sky has always
been a favorite. I envisioned that beautiful tree in our front yard. So, I
found the five bucks and sent away for said tree. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To think I could get a TREE for five dollars was crazy, I know.
But, I was looking to the future.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When the Post Office called to tell me there was a package,
I had no idea it would be my tree. So I took a little walk down to the office. When
the postal worker handed me an ENVELOPE (even though it was a fairly large envelope)
…I was certain there was a huge and horrible mistake. As I walked back up the
hill, I got more and more irritated. (I was certain I had just wasted five
dollars) No way that was my tree! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But, inside there was my tree. Not much of a tree, mind you,
but a tree, nonetheless. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We planted that little tree, consisting of three little
twigs, in what we were calling our front yard, surrounded it with some big
rocks excavated from the foundation and hoped for the best.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I didn’t hold out much hope when one of the little twigs
succumbed shortly after planting. But, the other two twigs seemed to like it
there. As it grew, we added some flowers. It made for a pretty little spot that
the girls began to refer to it as “the oasis”.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And, twenty-five years later, I’m here to tell you that the
white bark and golden leaves do indeed make a stunning view against the October
sky.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEboOVMmMr1pGCZ6dIu7mZwhnjVgixNcu2s5TRL_xn_hxaJZed9BpK50BMRrxRTcpawBh1jtMp3Sg2swXZsbdvYoAzbFdWKzYpRZZvqolsLyI6VpbLLemD3-T-lYKhGBA5lJ0q0DpnEsB2HN74W-efvvOaJl56kpkU2CCnfRM8Xs6ZvYzfbAlA6TJc/s1050/birch%20tree%2010%208%2022%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEboOVMmMr1pGCZ6dIu7mZwhnjVgixNcu2s5TRL_xn_hxaJZed9BpK50BMRrxRTcpawBh1jtMp3Sg2swXZsbdvYoAzbFdWKzYpRZZvqolsLyI6VpbLLemD3-T-lYKhGBA5lJ0q0DpnEsB2HN74W-efvvOaJl56kpkU2CCnfRM8Xs6ZvYzfbAlA6TJc/w300-h400/birch%20tree%2010%208%2022%20(Copy).JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">still pretty even after the torrential rain and wind<br />from the remnants of Hurricane Ian</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6dt3QrpvpAAnEnsIh_f7d2OY6KSXhMypnoI0X9gM-3f9oPjFSsMOBWdfY5DDRGvPuHo20_RtiSXIzlULcRSiRKEWHspe-oIbuF8-t0Yqk3BrXM3iT2XD-5V7Hg_LiL6y05y2WRI1Keh8JeDfUXUmKgUTDCcYiVhe9TrrCNljCRgZjm0bU2du-GMX/s1400/birch%20leaves%20against%20october%20sky%2010%208%2022%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6dt3QrpvpAAnEnsIh_f7d2OY6KSXhMypnoI0X9gM-3f9oPjFSsMOBWdfY5DDRGvPuHo20_RtiSXIzlULcRSiRKEWHspe-oIbuF8-t0Yqk3BrXM3iT2XD-5V7Hg_LiL6y05y2WRI1Keh8JeDfUXUmKgUTDCcYiVhe9TrrCNljCRgZjm0bU2du-GMX/w400-h300/birch%20leaves%20against%20october%20sky%2010%208%2022%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">beautiful October skies</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’ve got loads more of those stories…although I don’t want to
give away my project by telling them all today. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But, about those “crazy ideas” …you should definitely trust
them. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Seriously.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’m glad we did.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifb1vpnMqS4x0zjiJp4ZXIMrJERQZan0AGvUD1BroqOPCiIlgUiGUiHCtvNnYwhAk4iNgV7cMTVKR_tSu2rIG3shEdTJAlEyf2M3-1PS1MVRiQ_o3FuQKUasjYXRTl2y81rlefnbA3zfMkOq6K7k4PsoF9n5zhmtdnLjxMbpSm3w_5-rmcniDuirh/s1400/frosted%20morning%20glory%2010%209%2022%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifb1vpnMqS4x0zjiJp4ZXIMrJERQZan0AGvUD1BroqOPCiIlgUiGUiHCtvNnYwhAk4iNgV7cMTVKR_tSu2rIG3shEdTJAlEyf2M3-1PS1MVRiQ_o3FuQKUasjYXRTl2y81rlefnbA3zfMkOq6K7k4PsoF9n5zhmtdnLjxMbpSm3w_5-rmcniDuirh/w640-h480/frosted%20morning%20glory%2010%209%2022%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FROST on morning glory<br />definitely the end of the growing season</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks for reading.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I hope you’ll drop by again soon.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03599739740886087571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819048519590916875.post-78761483572683818812022-06-05T12:02:00.000-04:002022-06-05T12:02:53.839-04:00A Day In June<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0HSulEoGCt0GZiD3kAyX46YqRWXQsQOvW5vqwhbTcIm5bsOIraTisGRchYFnV07HLRnYyF000YI-N36VjoagYwgh313cDN4qHK8_kwc15c5Q5qUxmEw3R7db5d2sOpNzzRpYOHobuL5bzmJUuIOp-q-qYqCPgoLLzZQSdlEoOxU05TkzTEf1bwf7/s1400/june%20day%206%204%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0HSulEoGCt0GZiD3kAyX46YqRWXQsQOvW5vqwhbTcIm5bsOIraTisGRchYFnV07HLRnYyF000YI-N36VjoagYwgh313cDN4qHK8_kwc15c5Q5qUxmEw3R7db5d2sOpNzzRpYOHobuL5bzmJUuIOp-q-qYqCPgoLLzZQSdlEoOxU05TkzTEf1bwf7/w640-h480/june%20day%206%204%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">“what is so rare as a day in June…”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is nothing quite like a beautiful June day…the
brilliant blue of the sky, dotted with puffy white clouds that float by as the
scent of freshly cut hay or the perfume of honeysuckle wafts through on the
gentle breeze. Birds singing, flowers blooming…ah, yes!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is summertime in all its golden promise, before the
heat and humidity send us scrambling for a cooler spot and the bugs and garden pests
cause us any sort of aggravation and discouragement. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This year first of June seems significant in another way…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We spent June 1, <b>2021 </b>at the hospital waiting and
waiting and waiting for the first surgery. (after his initial emergency room
visit on mothers’ day and subsequent unsuccessful treatments) He wouldn’t be
discharged until 12:30AM. (which made for a truly “interesting” trip home) This
began the seemingly endless saga that included countless scans, visits to the
Emergency room, surgeries and doctor visits. If he wasn’t IN a procedure, he
was recovering, or awaiting the next one. It was an arduous ordeal, to say the
least, with little opportunity to do anything else. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eventually, he was referred to another surgeon at another
medical center. This meant more tests and another surgery…that’s where we left
off last month. He had the planned surgery, but they needed to wait a couple of weeks to decide what was next.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And, then on June 1, <b>2022</b>, he went for yet another
scan. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This time they were looking to see what the kidney function
was after all the procedures and without the stent in place anymore. It was
almost certain that they would not do the involved surgery that had been
discussed (and the reason for going to the university specialist) but, there
had been talk of removing the kidney, if it had failed completely.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Long story, short…the kidney is still functioning…although
barely. But, there is no reason for any further surgeries. No kidney removal,
no major surgery…he made it through. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When you get to the “we’ll just check on this in six months”
stage of an acute health issue…it is cause for rejoicing, believe me.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So…June 1<sup>st</sup> this year is cause for some sort of
celebration. Or at the very least a big sigh of relief. We did it! We reached
the end of yet another saga. Now, maybe...just maybe we can think about other things for a while...</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3J5ThfnVkYC7ETA6FTu8oruLzjYqybhQjEaPS0AnuX8lzzHz4c1kEeesXjq4w7oi-hk9ogG7ZpfE_jWK_i-aJyypp9K20471ZDwpiSZGc99zEBm5YeMtjgckr842IfFMOAP3D3B739klQDTuw-M-3jZPO0rj1Aim-jcC7-bH19iFnl2JIT5JzZNq/s1400/fuschia%20in%20the%20morning%20light%205%2028%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3J5ThfnVkYC7ETA6FTu8oruLzjYqybhQjEaPS0AnuX8lzzHz4c1kEeesXjq4w7oi-hk9ogG7ZpfE_jWK_i-aJyypp9K20471ZDwpiSZGc99zEBm5YeMtjgckr842IfFMOAP3D3B739klQDTuw-M-3jZPO0rj1Aim-jcC7-bH19iFnl2JIT5JzZNq/w400-h300/fuschia%20in%20the%20morning%20light%205%2028%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">morning light on fuschia blossom</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">While we are in the odd place of adjustment to a life
without the Market…still. We haven’t come up with any great and interesting new
plan. (maybe we won’t) Between the pandemic and a year-long illness, things
still feel unsettled and strange. The world in general seems a hostile and
hateful place. However, there are still amazing things in the natural world
that surrounds us.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is said that being in nature grounds you…puts you in
touch with yourself and the earth and just makes you feel better.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am grateful that I live in a place where this is possible…that
I have a life where this is part and parcel of every single day. A place where I
can make a conscious decision NOT to focus on the awful, horrible, very bad
stuff that is happening in our world today. A place of peace and beauty…and quiet
tranquility.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Where I can acknowledge this “one perfect moment”. Enjoy it.
Savor it. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So…I want to share that with y’all today.<o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1F35nrj3uM5wiHFW44bdWo-fy1l9SDUboo7apdmj7cjG4ShsDonroVEgokk4YyxLq8GSndW_ZaWNbpiH9f8SWbH71Hi3YzaPdqumRKwgRG5mahGkEh_pkcHvWWFqCCSbHC0yQOi-Ia5nsPScxG62W-Sd2qk0T-visr0hwlOe8emkKB4UivT-9IP2/s1400/1%20baby%20grapes%205%201%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1F35nrj3uM5wiHFW44bdWo-fy1l9SDUboo7apdmj7cjG4ShsDonroVEgokk4YyxLq8GSndW_ZaWNbpiH9f8SWbH71Hi3YzaPdqumRKwgRG5mahGkEh_pkcHvWWFqCCSbHC0yQOi-Ia5nsPScxG62W-Sd2qk0T-visr0hwlOe8emkKB4UivT-9IP2/w400-h300/1%20baby%20grapes%205%201%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby grapes</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXIhGyxJX0lf5xnEK21LBmEttR2JDajICtOBM9EbZwMih3_eX7GFoHEYKQG5h5ndzms9JE5-BMe4jvSbeXKY21ZGYmW6PytWV_boNi4hUWi0uYSiCI2NVwJh-deY5f2ug44gjVZ53MK7kAQdbdtyDqVuWZeQXKlkfLiOjkQp1dCV5B51zc--d5_Vd/s1050/2%20forest%20primeval%205%2030%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXIhGyxJX0lf5xnEK21LBmEttR2JDajICtOBM9EbZwMih3_eX7GFoHEYKQG5h5ndzms9JE5-BMe4jvSbeXKY21ZGYmW6PytWV_boNi4hUWi0uYSiCI2NVwJh-deY5f2ug44gjVZ53MK7kAQdbdtyDqVuWZeQXKlkfLiOjkQp1dCV5B51zc--d5_Vd/w300-h400/2%20forest%20primeval%205%2030%20(Copy).JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the "woods" beside the farm</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44I1lIXxnrw0or5tJAusvmSzZgstJEgQjH0thfLhWmwWurGwpQfyU2eAZw1XOuOq4DKyo5oKOkTHcmwHq9kwAJo6OdYvxyUEGMCyis54WX4lEK4-_CBnSkxjE0g-Ak0HDYCXYc3gwSqqrI2lmY1o8i-Q8q1CiB6m9xQEIOOoo3_UlX6g1VRojwCWA/s1400/backlit%20fern%205%2019%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44I1lIXxnrw0or5tJAusvmSzZgstJEgQjH0thfLhWmwWurGwpQfyU2eAZw1XOuOq4DKyo5oKOkTHcmwHq9kwAJo6OdYvxyUEGMCyis54WX4lEK4-_CBnSkxjE0g-Ak0HDYCXYc3gwSqqrI2lmY1o8i-Q8q1CiB6m9xQEIOOoo3_UlX6g1VRojwCWA/w400-h300/backlit%20fern%205%2019%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">backlit fern</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKot-EH8yfrKJF8XnoLQED8D7zNAsBcI0Eq1NhGy7sceQNkqGaPAdYmWFnnAC8H_OxMSuZUxMH7d-4T56KhxnWK-GmlYy-KdmO66wiL1RwESPzMolEsTVcWqhD_4J-9bkl3FTm6S6CQyelvIIzqY7RV5ssN0ro_hl8g5s4Bf6uPO0r_evp0QGa89_/s1400/begonia%20thru%20railing%205%2026%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKot-EH8yfrKJF8XnoLQED8D7zNAsBcI0Eq1NhGy7sceQNkqGaPAdYmWFnnAC8H_OxMSuZUxMH7d-4T56KhxnWK-GmlYy-KdmO66wiL1RwESPzMolEsTVcWqhD_4J-9bkl3FTm6S6CQyelvIIzqY7RV5ssN0ro_hl8g5s4Bf6uPO0r_evp0QGa89_/w400-h300/begonia%20thru%20railing%205%2026%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">begonia on the front porch</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYsO9j4j21nBiotHhQraIHttcHQwHzGklskFQZyKhJC7bHrzkk07NqJmQv7-F6mrSy9F4pxsx4XQ3ZD7SHxWTSh6meTxDUIiK18-JCtsgkbQcC93dc_mB_46uz9zMhourtXOVCdQ4D22wsVaeEi5VFkSYKqtdRqwB_T7hfbdRXXRH4oKaFZUHL1mB/s1439/big%20mama%20sunday%20morning%20swim%205%2022%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1439" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYsO9j4j21nBiotHhQraIHttcHQwHzGklskFQZyKhJC7bHrzkk07NqJmQv7-F6mrSy9F4pxsx4XQ3ZD7SHxWTSh6meTxDUIiK18-JCtsgkbQcC93dc_mB_46uz9zMhourtXOVCdQ4D22wsVaeEi5VFkSYKqtdRqwB_T7hfbdRXXRH4oKaFZUHL1mB/w400-h291/big%20mama%20sunday%20morning%20swim%205%2022%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">angus cow taking a Sunday swim</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvbDkGwHITF2YbZwnFFI2SfRzx4C0WrotqKD75bfWNEXgt4KPeuhNVwo4OrqiTg_C6DN2NOaUdQCBT1L2Fi-HIavlmgKUe_j2jo6iR7zQN0EGGVEZB4Eb7M39e3gLsGOO88J03rJbRxi2oHg6ole81aM0jXVJsb7JVqSv0WIGy941Vx0RGvcLPn_A/s1400/bumble%20bee%20comfrey%206%203%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvbDkGwHITF2YbZwnFFI2SfRzx4C0WrotqKD75bfWNEXgt4KPeuhNVwo4OrqiTg_C6DN2NOaUdQCBT1L2Fi-HIavlmgKUe_j2jo6iR7zQN0EGGVEZB4Eb7M39e3gLsGOO88J03rJbRxi2oHg6ole81aM0jXVJsb7JVqSv0WIGy941Vx0RGvcLPn_A/w400-h300/bumble%20bee%20comfrey%206%203%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bumblebee in the comfrey</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibww_tPm8KH1-SGfNv2LZbQQcNn6WDXGBj8Rq9TJTsnJDW8hqtRbymEx6daUemc1eCiQ_cI7x85arrsZrQzz7PdxRhjTMKewMkZ6CcNevpAtF544I8GPO2SR5b2-5JsA5G8zeHjcSaEcZ8e84me6psyONScI1B0hmVLornWcwO-K0pgYlM82n5MUSn/s1268/button%20buck%205%2030%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1268" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibww_tPm8KH1-SGfNv2LZbQQcNn6WDXGBj8Rq9TJTsnJDW8hqtRbymEx6daUemc1eCiQ_cI7x85arrsZrQzz7PdxRhjTMKewMkZ6CcNevpAtF544I8GPO2SR5b2-5JsA5G8zeHjcSaEcZ8e84me6psyONScI1B0hmVLornWcwO-K0pgYlM82n5MUSn/w400-h331/button%20buck%205%2030%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(excuse the quality-it was 6am)<br />button buck in the barnlot<br />yes, he IS sticking out his tongue<br />and he very possibly went INSIDE the barn</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchL8563HJ2c77NCGAFIHsYSNIY3fB3gXMdf55i1d3IZhQeVy_FHzdhjEo508cv_tNL5rSaLM15HwDDZHIJue3G06ERQswFQPVnnKs2bTS_UZ8aC16rIDoRjqFlXlCVojcip0jykyljA-eOKMRNULAPILLcsEd4Owv1VUvL2jTUAdp8CQaK1tDwlX1/s1078/calf%20pond%205%2029%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1078" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchL8563HJ2c77NCGAFIHsYSNIY3fB3gXMdf55i1d3IZhQeVy_FHzdhjEo508cv_tNL5rSaLM15HwDDZHIJue3G06ERQswFQPVnnKs2bTS_UZ8aC16rIDoRjqFlXlCVojcip0jykyljA-eOKMRNULAPILLcsEd4Owv1VUvL2jTUAdp8CQaK1tDwlX1/w400-h390/calf%20pond%205%2029%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">calf reflected in a pond</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6o-sCalkZ334fKLiwWOJ4zOh1c7hJGYAKOStT1ztxtKIzPqD6Vihy6hsHxBzOOVS1sR_McquwR7co0AEdee6Tfo_iNy14H5JnUN_qI6ofxCKVSz-hi7K0mzHGqAufwtpcFnT-oWGPKHf7LagLUVK_2LbtCt9h8O5GlUAuoJsbbjRScAKpOBxO4tM/s1400/catchfly%205%2030%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6o-sCalkZ334fKLiwWOJ4zOh1c7hJGYAKOStT1ztxtKIzPqD6Vihy6hsHxBzOOVS1sR_McquwR7co0AEdee6Tfo_iNy14H5JnUN_qI6ofxCKVSz-hi7K0mzHGqAufwtpcFnT-oWGPKHf7LagLUVK_2LbtCt9h8O5GlUAuoJsbbjRScAKpOBxO4tM/w400-h300/catchfly%205%2030%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">catch-fly plant under the birdfeeder</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCeb8evkE3Nd6E053vZKKVWq6TKbB34uEIPGAly5WlpQG0R1H2e3LQJf8GRKrryawURykJZv2m8EMFYXGlV-Cc5PAYTgNwF974xZHtwON6pK74B3wLUGyliFpBT5fSOgHgI4WpZHwpLi54fpq76K4jdzG5ITGuSy9-Fpv3SVPtNtNdK5LUv7RHPRiv/s1426/country%20kittie%205%2029%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1426" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCeb8evkE3Nd6E053vZKKVWq6TKbB34uEIPGAly5WlpQG0R1H2e3LQJf8GRKrryawURykJZv2m8EMFYXGlV-Cc5PAYTgNwF974xZHtwON6pK74B3wLUGyliFpBT5fSOgHgI4WpZHwpLi54fpq76K4jdzG5ITGuSy9-Fpv3SVPtNtNdK5LUv7RHPRiv/w400-h295/country%20kittie%205%2029%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">country kitty</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCEh7dY3dDnrT9rD1OsHLaAO0bDeptQtBQEEnjYb_pYLKsOCTJArRePLRBhEGh82g2ebnDKZ3ZBUmvnmKVEozg6Tv3nSsznl4aP5FaGm8GMqsJGMMeP4AAGZxdAT9blTxZApaw_sKrj3diYgBKoIjvtcqW7H8tq2dwCTW94iN6VxEDffPTtl4WakF/s1670/cute%20little%20garden%2056%203%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1670" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCEh7dY3dDnrT9rD1OsHLaAO0bDeptQtBQEEnjYb_pYLKsOCTJArRePLRBhEGh82g2ebnDKZ3ZBUmvnmKVEozg6Tv3nSsznl4aP5FaGm8GMqsJGMMeP4AAGZxdAT9blTxZApaw_sKrj3diYgBKoIjvtcqW7H8tq2dwCTW94iN6VxEDffPTtl4WakF/w400-h251/cute%20little%20garden%2056%203%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our "cute" little garden<br />this is the smallest the garden has ever been!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpMimjOtubiDPig3JbVNvhipu_eli4jEJP9rNPnfYjvSzV__TC3PmHAvqtjiTOUpWOGyoNox8qHRJasqSao2rqd0DPR0Yhu4tRCMzlXGHIBWME4eJzKu-gts4BP_EP9Ju1CGWmPDBs5X_6_2Arnh34aOX8Vvx8KqhzLPtWbR1BtlXxpPcZChydO_7/s1400/cutting%20hay%206%204%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpMimjOtubiDPig3JbVNvhipu_eli4jEJP9rNPnfYjvSzV__TC3PmHAvqtjiTOUpWOGyoNox8qHRJasqSao2rqd0DPR0Yhu4tRCMzlXGHIBWME4eJzKu-gts4BP_EP9Ju1CGWmPDBs5X_6_2Arnh34aOX8Vvx8KqhzLPtWbR1BtlXxpPcZChydO_7/w400-h300/cutting%20hay%206%204%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">making hay across the valley<br />been watching this process, in this field for probably 20 years now</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLm03ayObV2FXNRJXyb5WSUbD-qI_G-4fWeRCpBxWtqs7NHAfToR25zPdQdjKCc7oylOkTdwoSdczM5cjrPPrVkL1rBdGr3JicmZMzSKENALG-rtsWaXN0wnjomtRJkMUL093lAV2axzDwZ87Ol2ol5_au9I_y1K3aQfjCBZUNrXkgOymnPuCsYN2L/s1400/downy%20woodpecker%20post%205%2019%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLm03ayObV2FXNRJXyb5WSUbD-qI_G-4fWeRCpBxWtqs7NHAfToR25zPdQdjKCc7oylOkTdwoSdczM5cjrPPrVkL1rBdGr3JicmZMzSKENALG-rtsWaXN0wnjomtRJkMUL093lAV2axzDwZ87Ol2ol5_au9I_y1K3aQfjCBZUNrXkgOymnPuCsYN2L/w400-h300/downy%20woodpecker%20post%205%2019%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">downie woodpecker in a fencepost</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6dQFPUXqMc9FFGRSxIRsK4aFLGzl3n7sMd6cJSq9GgQzM4p8qCQ3csWLIIglv_an7T_LFhDvEBCwgO89D1TvYRsgNlg0JlhcdTs09QHN2fbpm_CY390qzODz6DGgYsh3HuqgP8pITw4nO-iXGQSXWfGtPlE0vLA8eJBVTQjiDQJzNvzgC9s4D4iE/s1400/frozen%20dandelion%205%209%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6dQFPUXqMc9FFGRSxIRsK4aFLGzl3n7sMd6cJSq9GgQzM4p8qCQ3csWLIIglv_an7T_LFhDvEBCwgO89D1TvYRsgNlg0JlhcdTs09QHN2fbpm_CY390qzODz6DGgYsh3HuqgP8pITw4nO-iXGQSXWfGtPlE0vLA8eJBVTQjiDQJzNvzgC9s4D4iE/w400-h300/frozen%20dandelion%205%209%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">late frost on a dandelion</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeqnKVhe3tiaLdrDaWLr8bfQKvBnLec0Cf7hKJ1AhMK4qjLEwCIiQLhAvwrD9BOXuuOw9jxKzx4QPljQ4UgrAMpkuh0KXYKxpsn9_H6g3lFMtLR95mXQE76Qz441cndNILqiUjY87_DJCN2U3OFzfnRJn6wwTrdCfHMYVPZnpXKTvCR68LSi5n7BF/s1400/fuschia%205%2019%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeqnKVhe3tiaLdrDaWLr8bfQKvBnLec0Cf7hKJ1AhMK4qjLEwCIiQLhAvwrD9BOXuuOw9jxKzx4QPljQ4UgrAMpkuh0KXYKxpsn9_H6g3lFMtLR95mXQE76Qz441cndNILqiUjY87_DJCN2U3OFzfnRJn6wwTrdCfHMYVPZnpXKTvCR68LSi5n7BF/w400-h300/fuschia%205%2019%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fuschia on the front porch</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VYMoGcm84F-djj9OXmgOtH48N7gqh8U9HbLhhJiS3vsdBjiORVWFIv6X3vKbApSKt-6sf6YYcr8J_8bQ5svSMTa_gQxIobUk0Kwvtorbr1LBGj7B36qWe6f1WBBaaYfdNuX51YPUvqj6Rp_nCM85YXt_UOgEmJTrvUKRX-t5lVolcl0aL3yAALEv/s1400/hanging%20basket%205%2026%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VYMoGcm84F-djj9OXmgOtH48N7gqh8U9HbLhhJiS3vsdBjiORVWFIv6X3vKbApSKt-6sf6YYcr8J_8bQ5svSMTa_gQxIobUk0Kwvtorbr1LBGj7B36qWe6f1WBBaaYfdNuX51YPUvqj6Rp_nCM85YXt_UOgEmJTrvUKRX-t5lVolcl0aL3yAALEv/w400-h300/hanging%20basket%205%2026%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hanging basket flowers</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oDC0PGXhrwDXO3iZOld66gWCWDFzB8I0MohlTr7NdSDZafoSvxb26Ro1H19ReDrehYii74XCyFshDhozNxLdCjg1y2-mVuq6tZG8uN2B0zvy4fBwZoCNFrbyXNOgATVscR0Ig-NoAiLEFUBjwYxMvV_oKokCJLjVlhDRoHAMsJqxsI7F5hvWBuuF/s1134/indigo%20bunting%20feeder%205%208%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1134" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oDC0PGXhrwDXO3iZOld66gWCWDFzB8I0MohlTr7NdSDZafoSvxb26Ro1H19ReDrehYii74XCyFshDhozNxLdCjg1y2-mVuq6tZG8uN2B0zvy4fBwZoCNFrbyXNOgATVscR0Ig-NoAiLEFUBjwYxMvV_oKokCJLjVlhDRoHAMsJqxsI7F5hvWBuuF/w400-h370/indigo%20bunting%20feeder%205%208%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">indigo bunting </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0w8BSJetFy4i00xGqleOfEf0aD33P2wfvi1XZ46Tkv89Xi7lQJ0024zN8xKcbritoh7QB76r4HbUwoKtubBsFmnI3cGqBjULDx01e0e1wgKvTnBeul0Z9x65Rat8DB4ydEhnUKlna70FPdCl2x5gIrMIeIKgFSWx0MOmSmQ-L9Hcyqg02-vSQ2mCU/s1050/inside%20a%20chard%20leaf%205%201%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0w8BSJetFy4i00xGqleOfEf0aD33P2wfvi1XZ46Tkv89Xi7lQJ0024zN8xKcbritoh7QB76r4HbUwoKtubBsFmnI3cGqBjULDx01e0e1wgKvTnBeul0Z9x65Rat8DB4ydEhnUKlna70FPdCl2x5gIrMIeIKgFSWx0MOmSmQ-L9Hcyqg02-vSQ2mCU/w300-h400/inside%20a%20chard%20leaf%205%201%20(Copy).JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inside a chard plant</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yF7jO0pJf5m9hJL420e4ZMXCThSjgA75l6xqIIM88h0xtZtHr4nD5WoZojnH16SkWTVsE3jHgvgCQKw-X2YDlDFWCXXZe40m-jaEHbm58rz1hqzyLaOGjwgqDvkg43HMvCGGjPhJ8X3W9QTLlUVLM1t4PwqpxcRy6PmsZlgzGjfb1ttvwzhrvhkV/s1400/locust%20blossoms%205%2019%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yF7jO0pJf5m9hJL420e4ZMXCThSjgA75l6xqIIM88h0xtZtHr4nD5WoZojnH16SkWTVsE3jHgvgCQKw-X2YDlDFWCXXZe40m-jaEHbm58rz1hqzyLaOGjwgqDvkg43HMvCGGjPhJ8X3W9QTLlUVLM1t4PwqpxcRy6PmsZlgzGjfb1ttvwzhrvhkV/w400-h300/locust%20blossoms%205%2019%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">locust blossoms</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQP3amsBA69Ai7BINP5gUjTR7Mc2TbVRv_ZZaULEqdlAK168NN0WsPVH6KCT_fGxZY1lcYfyTe-ub_5UKSBZRpre-JHAIJE0GeT3B9W73oQWLmSesp47lnSMoK5S3Vr8lxcW6O2KcX8zjPGLBSQWjLj1enBUl1D6O8RBcJ2EmY_dnp3HmqACqrVNm/s1400/look%20closer%205%2029%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQP3amsBA69Ai7BINP5gUjTR7Mc2TbVRv_ZZaULEqdlAK168NN0WsPVH6KCT_fGxZY1lcYfyTe-ub_5UKSBZRpre-JHAIJE0GeT3B9W73oQWLmSesp47lnSMoK5S3Vr8lxcW6O2KcX8zjPGLBSQWjLj1enBUl1D6O8RBcJ2EmY_dnp3HmqACqrVNm/w400-h300/look%20closer%205%2029%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looks like I wasn't the only one checking on the fruit at the lane...<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gtnybjPJmNjqofL4smYtLUqkdddT6Hdnr-iXJr529hB_x5Iou4cFECbCTemr41u8CBKqn3P_thYk-aWLx7LyKtYNP-gvRo9c1ciBLCxTqUrtoVAC0Xaz-iTkuQRKyzVbJkLWd-XeE_Psk6Zlt_c2ORW1ikXPqOVjxolVdr_1fTmJWZkMXMKpDYhG/s1400/mulberries%205%2029%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gtnybjPJmNjqofL4smYtLUqkdddT6Hdnr-iXJr529hB_x5Iou4cFECbCTemr41u8CBKqn3P_thYk-aWLx7LyKtYNP-gvRo9c1ciBLCxTqUrtoVAC0Xaz-iTkuQRKyzVbJkLWd-XeE_Psk6Zlt_c2ORW1ikXPqOVjxolVdr_1fTmJWZkMXMKpDYhG/w400-h300/mulberries%205%2029%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mulberries in the sunlight</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2SCxwQ6u4Yxxnq8ntZNhrtICUqHgax0szHpe7I4L3u64QX_-_LoYusBMwS1RxXPYBZpdu8mjSZAsXBTqBWpYiUD5icFAqCmO1G04Uw9IO6a6zyEMYr9yNkMrRbUJf1oz0hVqElGc8_IhCpeyqLVSRlF-hLIxM8rVY3PxTaShtImHvcAFDF677cvr/s1400/2%20deer%20dales%205%2029%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2SCxwQ6u4Yxxnq8ntZNhrtICUqHgax0szHpe7I4L3u64QX_-_LoYusBMwS1RxXPYBZpdu8mjSZAsXBTqBWpYiUD5icFAqCmO1G04Uw9IO6a6zyEMYr9yNkMrRbUJf1oz0hVqElGc8_IhCpeyqLVSRlF-hLIxM8rVY3PxTaShtImHvcAFDF677cvr/w400-h300/2%20deer%20dales%205%2029%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">oops, they saw me!<br />then they disappeared</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQ8sSctADIQ9ZGiByylfVhUGMJQIqjgl6BhybvrPIvRAmXjdBhvJgWLi0WFSZmtnjCeXP46QoxWxsqukwxc0-kOggMPezwdm2EonOP7oUOLZsemWGinHHSdEMVmlNueFaqlg7KmLRcOuicoWaSN3w7D3njwgX9qUZK6YRyPCrNUITntaqsX0tjvN1/s1050/multiflora%20rose%20post%205%2029%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQ8sSctADIQ9ZGiByylfVhUGMJQIqjgl6BhybvrPIvRAmXjdBhvJgWLi0WFSZmtnjCeXP46QoxWxsqukwxc0-kOggMPezwdm2EonOP7oUOLZsemWGinHHSdEMVmlNueFaqlg7KmLRcOuicoWaSN3w7D3njwgX9qUZK6YRyPCrNUITntaqsX0tjvN1/w300-h400/multiflora%20rose%20post%205%2029%20(Copy).JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">multiflora rose on the fencepost<br />I don't care if this is a "weed" <br />it's so pretty and smells SO good</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWPD_Oe2KAmbtQPh1lG5-31UyAv1tJXJ_qfq-mb8i0WPQu9PqmDvUJ-v9CA-7g89L_T1uhgASbFqi3NBqjmAvwrFj4s9NdbIKT7dJpPpEpgt5ji17fX5IVBrQUOuaVvEXAo685MVld5kwHe1ytit9Vc_L8pFrPa4s0s4ImtMIy0Wh-dViunL02nxj/s1400/sunlit%20rosebud%205%2031%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWPD_Oe2KAmbtQPh1lG5-31UyAv1tJXJ_qfq-mb8i0WPQu9PqmDvUJ-v9CA-7g89L_T1uhgASbFqi3NBqjmAvwrFj4s9NdbIKT7dJpPpEpgt5ji17fX5IVBrQUOuaVvEXAo685MVld5kwHe1ytit9Vc_L8pFrPa4s0s4ImtMIy0Wh-dViunL02nxj/w400-h300/sunlit%20rosebud%205%2031%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunlit rose in front yard<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal">Come what may…the beauty of nature is always here…all around
us…just waiting for us to notice. (or sometimes, not notice...like the deer, the bunny and the birds)<o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aoyKtB_kQSLOSA8m_pI7H86gxtSRsAYNYuT_H8GVxQ3-MIh4vEFB8jObAY7avZy0E7Cf1iUp2ryaq1cV2e7T4Fzi0uW9kUU3z3WRTPyjpKI2qBMKb52YUs9-g9MPOMQCk_t-pW63Dhp0ZiMnoC_xOriofF6-eIMxA2e9GmNAjhSbPl7UvT_qQ9Uq/s1400/baby%20asparagus%205%201%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aoyKtB_kQSLOSA8m_pI7H86gxtSRsAYNYuT_H8GVxQ3-MIh4vEFB8jObAY7avZy0E7Cf1iUp2ryaq1cV2e7T4Fzi0uW9kUU3z3WRTPyjpKI2qBMKb52YUs9-g9MPOMQCk_t-pW63Dhp0ZiMnoC_xOriofF6-eIMxA2e9GmNAjhSbPl7UvT_qQ9Uq/w400-h300/baby%20asparagus%205%201%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the first asparagus</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYA3wkLpLyktXK631Byd5_7Qv5B1d5wBKDoY3nVN2wf9oHKso6fNt7riZgyBeB90j-i69rD77zNZmDlBnOlLkabaRtdcxE2g3-_Kis9e186qLRiHFoVbbd1q9V4cUzjbzrCGVpritFnniSNRWCH5kbssV2Fs3mi_3s6dwDCEMGumjuC6v0b2USA5iS/s1114/bunny%20washing%20his%20whiskers%204%2028%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1114" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYA3wkLpLyktXK631Byd5_7Qv5B1d5wBKDoY3nVN2wf9oHKso6fNt7riZgyBeB90j-i69rD77zNZmDlBnOlLkabaRtdcxE2g3-_Kis9e186qLRiHFoVbbd1q9V4cUzjbzrCGVpritFnniSNRWCH5kbssV2Fs3mi_3s6dwDCEMGumjuC6v0b2USA5iS/w400-h378/bunny%20washing%20his%20whiskers%204%2028%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">little bunny washing his face</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79lj1I3LO_huVm-q1-Y4YHyWDFdkSe-cSA9wYRjAJfvmxAb0ZJRCJ7hAbLxkQ4Ov5UpS68_lxy_HvqrHTnlsEWB4snGeGe50bF5kLvLiSHUJkbxCn7UGXtP9INtLk9CScV39ZrIhC6SM-yybHQyCTxXiPY1toFykFWiCFM7PdpuhlByMFka_tOdkJ/s1331/catbird%20watching%205%2030%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1331" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79lj1I3LO_huVm-q1-Y4YHyWDFdkSe-cSA9wYRjAJfvmxAb0ZJRCJ7hAbLxkQ4Ov5UpS68_lxy_HvqrHTnlsEWB4snGeGe50bF5kLvLiSHUJkbxCn7UGXtP9INtLk9CScV39ZrIhC6SM-yybHQyCTxXiPY1toFykFWiCFM7PdpuhlByMFka_tOdkJ/w400-h315/catbird%20watching%205%2030%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">catbird watching me</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXH8MaRS74y04c2DxXFG89hws8pxsu_O56xF7UjAKjEST9LeN1WzYLhA2MoLlnIB125ShTHmYf9SYrt5_w2YHKWH8LJ0QlUwY572jYguf1vwqVvHsFK2FzV_QRxJmUybcv_b7EcExT8tFThfXDGHTe2sB_47NC8aqMz4wEElEYL-1LHxtYggId44E/s1400/columbines%205%2026%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXH8MaRS74y04c2DxXFG89hws8pxsu_O56xF7UjAKjEST9LeN1WzYLhA2MoLlnIB125ShTHmYf9SYrt5_w2YHKWH8LJ0QlUwY572jYguf1vwqVvHsFK2FzV_QRxJmUybcv_b7EcExT8tFThfXDGHTe2sB_47NC8aqMz4wEElEYL-1LHxtYggId44E/w400-h300/columbines%205%2026%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">columbines</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDNeEA5-mytlfgBFZhCb4bKi59R_i79AXE6sND0XRONHVzXo6vibV7wMJynDn5dM4cYcqyeijPYapL2A51DJc729f0MFm1TYsDzd1vxU8Rz88bz2fJAIaMttgcJzU4jTJo0AT645vIFgYzHo0ILQiBvEXOl5ASo9nqGi_VFTwfeF_DtH73qQV6Jdo/s1400/fuschia%20raindrops%205%2024%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDNeEA5-mytlfgBFZhCb4bKi59R_i79AXE6sND0XRONHVzXo6vibV7wMJynDn5dM4cYcqyeijPYapL2A51DJc729f0MFm1TYsDzd1vxU8Rz88bz2fJAIaMttgcJzU4jTJo0AT645vIFgYzHo0ILQiBvEXOl5ASo9nqGi_VFTwfeF_DtH73qQV6Jdo/w400-h300/fuschia%20raindrops%205%2024%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fuschias after the rain</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTFKqk_rXXTItcSXVoKlObVR0Mx7OdlI49nlbGElFhpXj1JI2vOnJMUcmYCqsGVv4NN1AqJW37s3HGyaRu8Fwrk52QYikGT7jfZnLMV81pnyF8Y6Z1Qe_kjWghesn8ABmQn-QWPzG8kMG3X5Gzm2qBlTKqAEbSeKkzK4MoyzJpth5sUOwGaLMLi_D/s1050/hidden%20mushrooms%20spinach%206%204%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTFKqk_rXXTItcSXVoKlObVR0Mx7OdlI49nlbGElFhpXj1JI2vOnJMUcmYCqsGVv4NN1AqJW37s3HGyaRu8Fwrk52QYikGT7jfZnLMV81pnyF8Y6Z1Qe_kjWghesn8ABmQn-QWPzG8kMG3X5Gzm2qBlTKqAEbSeKkzK4MoyzJpth5sUOwGaLMLi_D/w300-h400/hidden%20mushrooms%20spinach%206%204%20(Copy).JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tiny mushrooms in the spinach</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XgyyunyNsn-_EvJc8zZTrzFOSmuzoqVZkX9HxDG6i-h4DtNGSEGbZZrJka6UjlwqrWZd6H3ISggA0qkaSrnV_6kG09KoNYkRhR3SDGNt5w9lbJ9otzS9l_5_JZBbODSnrBPfmb70wuN6-ZkId-jeTKKC6EG6T3_3K2kZiR0xBMLwAKWlqSb-AlHC/s1400/karma%206%203%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XgyyunyNsn-_EvJc8zZTrzFOSmuzoqVZkX9HxDG6i-h4DtNGSEGbZZrJka6UjlwqrWZd6H3ISggA0qkaSrnV_6kG09KoNYkRhR3SDGNt5w9lbJ9otzS9l_5_JZBbODSnrBPfmb70wuN6-ZkId-jeTKKC6EG6T3_3K2kZiR0xBMLwAKWlqSb-AlHC/w400-h300/karma%206%203%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karma<br />being Karma</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7iCuRyR_MYPGNDJ0jIV31EiYOd5-3m5LFpoxZkYhG8NbMi_smFcVC5_VwmNrhGnjX82u9T9YW0GckqQ-MwqZwsWQ9Do1E-9aLQ1T6ed_p3sYObKFC_U3h010kh1w-T_IU5YF4EktfHge7zxD3XrjdUggLLw3ofXHNZdRCro7-W6EXINBafHtWlzw/s1400/ladybug%20baby%206%204%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7iCuRyR_MYPGNDJ0jIV31EiYOd5-3m5LFpoxZkYhG8NbMi_smFcVC5_VwmNrhGnjX82u9T9YW0GckqQ-MwqZwsWQ9Do1E-9aLQ1T6ed_p3sYObKFC_U3h010kh1w-T_IU5YF4EktfHge7zxD3XrjdUggLLw3ofXHNZdRCro7-W6EXINBafHtWlzw/w400-h300/ladybug%20baby%206%204%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby ladybug</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3knEEqLy8GYT-WElhM7JDHzT0DLXahPilJr34gL8sNSGCsAWar604CO-MGf6tHxY4iWYmgqINA4Bn2oT0f3C3xtmHNNi2orWPed7AAoL-9STovGOsAVfNMYoWqYNqeyO4BTTwewO-Bg6C97FDHOrp6MSWKbi4dAhq6QTKjwVJBtyfs1igvrb1amId/s1400/melon%20blossom%205%2030%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3knEEqLy8GYT-WElhM7JDHzT0DLXahPilJr34gL8sNSGCsAWar604CO-MGf6tHxY4iWYmgqINA4Bn2oT0f3C3xtmHNNi2orWPed7AAoL-9STovGOsAVfNMYoWqYNqeyO4BTTwewO-Bg6C97FDHOrp6MSWKbi4dAhq6QTKjwVJBtyfs1igvrb1amId/w400-h300/melon%20blossom%205%2030%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">melon blossom</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE53VtWXW29xqiPjr3Wqdsm5ZAS0hF9HPOUPdmTImu0O0af49LFD7fBwVrT71SIONv5Kg4vj0aFtFw_ROHp7nfas5Zbr6tHXv4wvC6UINYfLUMUT7-EzAjft9942Q5J7qD0CGvtgux7GqzhrJxPlVOerKl-2GgVNQlgMKpkGom54QpYUR0kFtShXOO/s1400/miniature%20petunias%205%2026%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE53VtWXW29xqiPjr3Wqdsm5ZAS0hF9HPOUPdmTImu0O0af49LFD7fBwVrT71SIONv5Kg4vj0aFtFw_ROHp7nfas5Zbr6tHXv4wvC6UINYfLUMUT7-EzAjft9942Q5J7qD0CGvtgux7GqzhrJxPlVOerKl-2GgVNQlgMKpkGom54QpYUR0kFtShXOO/w400-h300/miniature%20petunias%205%2026%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">miniature petunias</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghE5RYnWKSj3JYPCoWnLUS-NF5m8IQSwcT1hcY2XvDS6CkSTsm2nCM8WLzzyuul4td9smSrpOM-Rsvew4S6YReYSqK_nHEruNKv5YILBRTrFMTBgyzQMLtYvXtTRHUNZvrGFzpqK3iW44lKs7ysTIpfjZGAdSIB1OGQQPKAGvQXbI_9kE7iEq-CFnw/s1400/morning%20sky%205%2010%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghE5RYnWKSj3JYPCoWnLUS-NF5m8IQSwcT1hcY2XvDS6CkSTsm2nCM8WLzzyuul4td9smSrpOM-Rsvew4S6YReYSqK_nHEruNKv5YILBRTrFMTBgyzQMLtYvXtTRHUNZvrGFzpqK3iW44lKs7ysTIpfjZGAdSIB1OGQQPKAGvQXbI_9kE7iEq-CFnw/w400-h300/morning%20sky%205%2010%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">morning sky</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0xErefZtLqtd2Eg62urhsIENDnuRvr9iWUn_ORQ5dvN47DryvTvq8EtuY4DRJji2mmGGlocSSJYc-PfLSocaQpBIbzKVprxioMNPPUL7q_V-Tlcl92Md5EpoXg-RcSF78xi2s5g5mxZQHS_qoc8c8Uqrsob4j7eLEbn87lRctXWLrSH2zMjK4lTn/s1400/petunia%20on%20a%20post%205%2029%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0xErefZtLqtd2Eg62urhsIENDnuRvr9iWUn_ORQ5dvN47DryvTvq8EtuY4DRJji2mmGGlocSSJYc-PfLSocaQpBIbzKVprxioMNPPUL7q_V-Tlcl92Md5EpoXg-RcSF78xi2s5g5mxZQHS_qoc8c8Uqrsob4j7eLEbn87lRctXWLrSH2zMjK4lTn/w400-h300/petunia%20on%20a%20post%205%2029%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">petunia on a post</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks for reading! Have a wonderful day!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-xkyRBqQmiUgU2gHqcN1VS_FyLIhrMLlmakBj4TbpW-YZVHTI_xE4cDbccqbqZQkV7OLe2DSIQmettg4e2SMYPAPlMEBZW-1okxzL_I0d8Gtsbe497XuCv-Z6UbySF6IQkyU6ucEwtROXtYxETvW7DnuGqKHrMD7qEr8JudMCshg99htGqVWgyzm/s1400/goose%20family%20sunday%20stroll%205%2015%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-xkyRBqQmiUgU2gHqcN1VS_FyLIhrMLlmakBj4TbpW-YZVHTI_xE4cDbccqbqZQkV7OLe2DSIQmettg4e2SMYPAPlMEBZW-1okxzL_I0d8Gtsbe497XuCv-Z6UbySF6IQkyU6ucEwtROXtYxETvW7DnuGqKHrMD7qEr8JudMCshg99htGqVWgyzm/w640-h480/goose%20family%20sunday%20stroll%205%2015%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canadian goose family out for a Sunday morning stroll</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br />Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03599739740886087571noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819048519590916875.post-85413400396899527662022-05-01T11:30:00.030-04:002022-05-01T13:47:02.079-04:00A Sunday Walk in May 5 1 2022 <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VojXSfb-wz4x5NcflY8ZRDU_xX54AjkQMWfNLNUwO--2oQ1fWaoWai89usCNTTqmT-gi__o0LCJmd4ONje8Ti6XIZvwRkqVTzB6_y-2zFjWEUyeAH8IYirvgBvwNmlJTFclTolr-rR6SAyUyL5i5rEXinoYmHBcM7jQMZg5x2mD-IBfUxag7X1sr/s1400/dogwood%20flower%204%2027%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VojXSfb-wz4x5NcflY8ZRDU_xX54AjkQMWfNLNUwO--2oQ1fWaoWai89usCNTTqmT-gi__o0LCJmd4ONje8Ti6XIZvwRkqVTzB6_y-2zFjWEUyeAH8IYirvgBvwNmlJTFclTolr-rR6SAyUyL5i5rEXinoYmHBcM7jQMZg5x2mD-IBfUxag7X1sr/w640-h480/dogwood%20flower%204%2027%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div> It’s the first of May! </div><div><br /></div><div>Are you celebrating International Workers’ Day? May Day? getting ready for Cinco de Mayo? </div><div><br /></div><div> Maybe none of those seem quite right for you. Here is an interesting article on the origins of the holiday. <a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/04/30/1095729592/what-is-may-day-history">May Day history</a> While I will try not to get on my soapbox or go off on a political rant, I should say I am incredibly grateful for the people who fought (some literally died) to make sure the rest of us had reasonable work hours and weekends. While I didn’t have a weekend off for a large portion of my adult life, I am truly glad some people did. And, I am glad those folks spent a portion of their time (and paycheck) at the Farmers’ Market. Without weekend shoppers, I do not know how we would have made a living from this tiny piece of land, or had the opportunity for life-changing experiences.</div><div><br /></div><div> Whether you’re observing a holiday, or catching up on chores…I’m going to guess that no one is where we are right now. The one year anniversary of what I have begun to refer to as “the kidney saga” is rapidly approaching. In “celebration”, Tom has yet another surgery scheduled for this week. </div><div><br /></div><div> Yep. STILL in the midst of the “kidney saga”… </div><div><br /></div><div>If someone had told me a year ago that we would spend over 12 months trying to get Tom’s kidney stone issues righted, I would have laughed…or at the very least argued with you. I thought I knew what they did for kidney stones. I had a kidney stone years ago, I felt horrible and thought I would die from the pain, threw up a few times, drank a lot of water, passed the stone and went on with life. I credit going cold-turkey on my caffeinated power drinks with the fact I haven’t had to endure that again. Truly THE worst pain ever. And, I’ve done the whole “un-medicated” childbirth deal. If it was any more serious, they would just “blast” it and the patient would be good to go. No real big deal. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, such is not always the case, sadly. </div><div><br /></div><div>While everyone else is “getting back to normal” and putting the pandemic anxiety in the rear-view, Tom has spent the past year either in excruciating pain, going to the hospital, in the hospital, having another test or scan, on his way home from the hospital, recovering from surgery, and/or anticipating another test or scan. He has literally been to the hospital campus 25 times… </div><div><br /></div><div>That’s how we found ourselves heading “over the mountain” the other day for yet another pre-surgery testing/registration in anticipation of this Thursday’s surgery. </div><div><br /></div><div>Going to UVA medical center is never good news. From here it means that our local hospital cannot provide the level of care necessary to potential healing. All too often it means things are dire. (and dire is NOT a word anyone wants to use in relation to their health and/or well-being)
While I am truly grateful that such care is possible and that we have the ability to obtain it, I can think of innumerable ways we would rather spend our time. (and money)</div><div><br /></div><div>And, it’s beyond difficult to be grateful when you are worried, and have been worried for…well, a year. (just with this particular issue) Although, for the most part, we’ve endured the “self-isolation” fairly well. Meaning that our sanity is more or less intact, (although that was somewhat questionable before) and we’re still getting along. We’ve found plenty to do to keep us occupied. And, in case you wondered, among the FOUR pages of pre-surgery instructions is a paragraph that tells the patient (and anyone else living in the home) to “self-isolate” for 14 days before a procedure. With so many procedures in the past 12 months, it’s needless to say we are now probably perceived as total hermits. </div><div><br /></div><div>On the other hand, it’s Spring. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxxRTjDkf6YrsS0261eqCotel5_Lc5G-ZLYnG-8pNf7Ds3ISito6iiclnc_Yv5sT0NLlDScjy6GHkvASC3J2HqPmESIZ-bWsa5BIookt_yci73sc9KxG71DtDm399Z8gSOMrmPRyPsrcngu5RDRgvSzbicyykqKETfG35eFj2QZhnU3q8FXBABJI5/s1400/apple%20blossoms%204%2016%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxxRTjDkf6YrsS0261eqCotel5_Lc5G-ZLYnG-8pNf7Ds3ISito6iiclnc_Yv5sT0NLlDScjy6GHkvASC3J2HqPmESIZ-bWsa5BIookt_yci73sc9KxG71DtDm399Z8gSOMrmPRyPsrcngu5RDRgvSzbicyykqKETfG35eFj2QZhnU3q8FXBABJI5/w400-h300/apple%20blossoms%204%2016%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nothing says spring quite like apple blossoms</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Glorious, beautiful Spring… </div><div><br /></div><div>Spring that included an unexpected snowstorm not quite two weeks ago that left about 3 inches or so of wet, sloppy ice/snow/sleet all over everything. Then, it got brutally cold…well below freezing. Then, it got SO hot. And, last week, the first severe thunderstorm of the season spawned a small tornado not far from here and dropped nickel sized hail that covered the ground in some locations… </div><div><br /></div><div>Here are a few shots from the unexpected snow:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgYiXBbq8OOFz5LXFQM7EUrFSZ1DIU3pGX28HZ4RuYns6B2JTjsThxc0a6i8F0hIF-AtjzkmkFogMQmza92iu4LDJtBJBm8ipPU0xcCHOnNA-3tUxBfuCLOPISpjYzcejYG8wBzVdY6LtIuBUulB2oe3Yd8qkQ7AkKN57uVp7o4Kb3xc_OBtSMmNn/s1238/backyard%20tulips%204%2019%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1238" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgYiXBbq8OOFz5LXFQM7EUrFSZ1DIU3pGX28HZ4RuYns6B2JTjsThxc0a6i8F0hIF-AtjzkmkFogMQmza92iu4LDJtBJBm8ipPU0xcCHOnNA-3tUxBfuCLOPISpjYzcejYG8wBzVdY6LtIuBUulB2oe3Yd8qkQ7AkKN57uVp7o4Kb3xc_OBtSMmNn/w400-h339/backyard%20tulips%204%2019%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWpCd1PxJgrg53Qmm70Pgo_u5mVxjClnjGo7qASLJ912V3ljDlsoLdh3uW9-RgjMAfD1kKmK13J3Ejm2XqvLO1Xi-m3JvaCIEFPxhCf4BYMwJ7fcZJ3VSJlh7M8EA2siq_Bv0z_IrpzMZJNL41roEbobb8qCeGqso2wYgvQpDoJAqKyCZe8X4U1Je/s1400/cardinal%20in%20redbud%20snow%204%2018%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWpCd1PxJgrg53Qmm70Pgo_u5mVxjClnjGo7qASLJ912V3ljDlsoLdh3uW9-RgjMAfD1kKmK13J3Ejm2XqvLO1Xi-m3JvaCIEFPxhCf4BYMwJ7fcZJ3VSJlh7M8EA2siq_Bv0z_IrpzMZJNL41roEbobb8qCeGqso2wYgvQpDoJAqKyCZe8X4U1Je/w400-h300/cardinal%20in%20redbud%20snow%204%2018%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPD2y5GLv--o4kGZrk0pzPNuUrLJetmGTpg-a19llsbP4LICFyKKF5YmttbiCJDdAjdWuGC68av5yEcaN9ScHVhwK81avnkJUeNWJPQ2wfmQeoU9-UJ6immG-NLWxePVvskLar3-L8xcW4-jm572YAwORcHkT3YmrW_z9G4ki5-47qC1HpIdaQf_z-/s1400/daffodils%20windowsill%20snow%203%2012%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPD2y5GLv--o4kGZrk0pzPNuUrLJetmGTpg-a19llsbP4LICFyKKF5YmttbiCJDdAjdWuGC68av5yEcaN9ScHVhwK81avnkJUeNWJPQ2wfmQeoU9-UJ6immG-NLWxePVvskLar3-L8xcW4-jm572YAwORcHkT3YmrW_z9G4ki5-47qC1HpIdaQf_z-/w400-h300/daffodils%20windowsill%20snow%203%2012%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvledULGdPFWZUJo2HhB8tMG1drWUbJtjKzYw6CYeVkr66LV7L4llW8T_tTFNsyQ9_8ZJOKqkYuWD_79gAK4d2scj30yEBQQzHh04PIx3nQ1oER2oZlxBbQbueXQCBGuiQodBuWXNkyqxHA51wUR4gkK-RgdJy0LqhwroHUWi3B-8ON-2fdiSvEPYf/s1177/ice%20glazed%20apple%20blossoms%204%2018%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1177" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvledULGdPFWZUJo2HhB8tMG1drWUbJtjKzYw6CYeVkr66LV7L4llW8T_tTFNsyQ9_8ZJOKqkYuWD_79gAK4d2scj30yEBQQzHh04PIx3nQ1oER2oZlxBbQbueXQCBGuiQodBuWXNkyqxHA51wUR4gkK-RgdJy0LqhwroHUWi3B-8ON-2fdiSvEPYf/w400-h356/ice%20glazed%20apple%20blossoms%204%2018%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_d0BjEiwPoJVbbncymTKq9mGwEmQwmLxthAE3oOuQdNxGolZa6m77YgHWGwEavMZ-TUCC_g5QOx1hV2gE24MPbQeEV5AQWfX5O4Q_x1FZPAHOCopfPBOJYTN_HrQOs-4APZlTHsjwF216fdJOrArt-qLSpBHW0Yvb0KJyZcE5H5JpUlGUNk9aUvyE/s1400/iced%20redbud%204%2018%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_d0BjEiwPoJVbbncymTKq9mGwEmQwmLxthAE3oOuQdNxGolZa6m77YgHWGwEavMZ-TUCC_g5QOx1hV2gE24MPbQeEV5AQWfX5O4Q_x1FZPAHOCopfPBOJYTN_HrQOs-4APZlTHsjwF216fdJOrArt-qLSpBHW0Yvb0KJyZcE5H5JpUlGUNk9aUvyE/w400-h300/iced%20redbud%204%2018%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>So…maybe spring is not so glorious after all.
Or, maybe it’s just not what I (or anyone else) was expecting. </div><div><br /></div><div>That’s it. Expectations are the single biggest cause of disappointment and heartache. Maybe we should lower our expectations, or at the very least be far more open to other possibilities. </div><div><br /></div><div>Recently I took a course in “Writing through your Trauma” with <a href="https://lisacooperellison.com/">Lisa Cooper Ellison</a> . It was a GREAT course. Part of the assigned reading was a chapter from Dr. Fred Luskin’s book, <a href=" https://www.amazon.com/Forgive-Good-Proven-Prescription-Happiness/dp/006251721X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2VXAMFXTQNEO2&keywords=forgive+for+good+fred+luskin&qid=1651414857&sprefix=forgive+for%2Caps%2C160&sr=8-1">Forgive, for Good</a>. The one chapter was so enlightening that I had to buy (and read) the entire book.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have read a LOT of books in the past year, but this one is at the top of my recommendation list. Dr. Luskin talks a lot about our “unenforceable rules”…those things we demand or expect from ourselves, life, other people. By allowing these rules to dictate what we will accept, we set ourselves up to be miserable and have problematic relationships. It has given me a lot to think about. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, I suppose the imposition of this “self-isolation” has been a good thing in some ways. </div><div><br /></div><div> While life is nothing like I expected it to be at this point…I have found that accepting it as it is (or at least attempting to) and finding the small positives here and there make it far more bearable than if we simply railed against it all the time. </div><div><br /></div><div>In that vein, here are some of the sights from here on the hill… </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ISok-0SGPG5b9pe1R5GmdqhismyYb7wddbxHec6DHB78P3KgSrxe7vitBqndT7FYx8VRIVI-mTT0elYwWuiiAC8RY6YxT0ef4n6K5jGLl6XbRftFFQAyzgzQA1ucnzr46U_qaASudDJH5jHSol_fsHbj8oByrmV1ygJKiCPGKwVgfrxQxlW1_Cwm/s1400/1peach%20blossom%20sun%203%2025%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ISok-0SGPG5b9pe1R5GmdqhismyYb7wddbxHec6DHB78P3KgSrxe7vitBqndT7FYx8VRIVI-mTT0elYwWuiiAC8RY6YxT0ef4n6K5jGLl6XbRftFFQAyzgzQA1ucnzr46U_qaASudDJH5jHSol_fsHbj8oByrmV1ygJKiCPGKwVgfrxQxlW1_Cwm/w400-h300/1peach%20blossom%20sun%203%2025%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">peach blossom</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHym3Ou7tJoxjGvyRNnIQtHbpoGjy_y23nmfjVI0-HGqiguSV7UBOL0ZnvtmNRhAbPyzzjlBzrLqOvah0wk0kYY5V1rswcRMq7RlWu_I03fiUNZNg_kd006pWO9MB_6-k3B4wF-rGGF-sA8CMJ6YVLFFJ2vM-Mbtgym9w2bT5fnyAq1t99QrkNUyn_/s1400/1st%20purple%20crocus%203%208%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHym3Ou7tJoxjGvyRNnIQtHbpoGjy_y23nmfjVI0-HGqiguSV7UBOL0ZnvtmNRhAbPyzzjlBzrLqOvah0wk0kYY5V1rswcRMq7RlWu_I03fiUNZNg_kd006pWO9MB_6-k3B4wF-rGGF-sA8CMJ6YVLFFJ2vM-Mbtgym9w2bT5fnyAq1t99QrkNUyn_/w400-h300/1st%20purple%20crocus%203%208%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">crocus</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-GtswjaG9gEGuF8GUOL3WrD6ASyiMy-8PiB5nhzvUc--KxjxiN1vBq2KT-9tTyd1qmn7TuRjM46tAnMXA0y9lVbtiNxoFqpBgEM53OmvF5T6vsiVy1MsyQIyPE7CgFVECXe6ewKSdIjDbrfiHDOjkyNCVhJqukPBWrP6MP2wtnVXalpCEIrBmLB-/s1400/backyard%20tulips%204%2016%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-GtswjaG9gEGuF8GUOL3WrD6ASyiMy-8PiB5nhzvUc--KxjxiN1vBq2KT-9tTyd1qmn7TuRjM46tAnMXA0y9lVbtiNxoFqpBgEM53OmvF5T6vsiVy1MsyQIyPE7CgFVECXe6ewKSdIjDbrfiHDOjkyNCVhJqukPBWrP6MP2wtnVXalpCEIrBmLB-/w400-h300/backyard%20tulips%204%2016%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tulips</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxy4m7SwmeCQzoLUhx8syU84xI9VMomHfh_HTX5XGb7UGbBEvBoCWBeq80t-Kn03hyGMYldsPZ3hHRGfYjy7LZX-fJinED5X39-rhEI5ySefH3XCWDsniU4toqBnGKjmKZ9BnhvEcue9GJyVzuHcpaFD54KKvCgY1BlTmQuXPhtLwM_yTsFVI0gfMk/s1400/birch%20catkins%204%2015%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxy4m7SwmeCQzoLUhx8syU84xI9VMomHfh_HTX5XGb7UGbBEvBoCWBeq80t-Kn03hyGMYldsPZ3hHRGfYjy7LZX-fJinED5X39-rhEI5ySefH3XCWDsniU4toqBnGKjmKZ9BnhvEcue9GJyVzuHcpaFD54KKvCgY1BlTmQuXPhtLwM_yTsFVI0gfMk/w400-h300/birch%20catkins%204%2015%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">birch catkins</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmUflLVRGS8Sis7rAAdI4yrTFy-qy5qx_4EYs2g8klhS98a-7uGy5QTGyQDz1pi8RbSsYHgOG7sGquCppv3j29ZDqnnd8vV8tP_P_vZjzJ1kFKHWbmYo4wft1R3x8hHmxTQ6KsbcS7RoEpR1-UDSXOjk2ylOMZs9xFoDAR4tyL5I6OtSSQGklQztx/s1400/callery%20pears%203%2027%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmUflLVRGS8Sis7rAAdI4yrTFy-qy5qx_4EYs2g8klhS98a-7uGy5QTGyQDz1pi8RbSsYHgOG7sGquCppv3j29ZDqnnd8vV8tP_P_vZjzJ1kFKHWbmYo4wft1R3x8hHmxTQ6KsbcS7RoEpR1-UDSXOjk2ylOMZs9xFoDAR4tyL5I6OtSSQGklQztx/w400-h300/callery%20pears%203%2027%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pear blossoms</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZ55xUmk31cx4pxK1FnihrzR-skWSQ-0UmvArxHN4ELoQVMd1Tf_YQOQ6LGxUpujpX84acnjQ8VlEVKypCa0lLzh59wXW2bchtOUeLqwQQX8mrObOfsgJDuTerzxp5cSnZCSaNzfM209rgoXp0NgtgqSLfDeePliZooSHQEipRJ2lKmLAlFrCV4-g/s1090/chickadee%203%2022%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1090" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZ55xUmk31cx4pxK1FnihrzR-skWSQ-0UmvArxHN4ELoQVMd1Tf_YQOQ6LGxUpujpX84acnjQ8VlEVKypCa0lLzh59wXW2bchtOUeLqwQQX8mrObOfsgJDuTerzxp5cSnZCSaNzfM209rgoXp0NgtgqSLfDeePliZooSHQEipRJ2lKmLAlFrCV4-g/w400-h385/chickadee%203%2022%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chickadee</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGT2WF2RybnWdzcp78LhftrxnKYI1I9uQPaCeKgB71j2-Ym6iPMNgh8QZgJsHoRuZoQmKAwzfcqDpO_1bFKTWCwSAPFnWhfXno_NgNZKPS3HVbEA12PugYjvGb3cpiC7N9rzX8nbswTZ1B06sh2IjvYMZffS9f43lZ7zOnwfFfrYkn8_S1bWHCNxTn/s1134/chipping%20sparrows%204%2019%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1134" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGT2WF2RybnWdzcp78LhftrxnKYI1I9uQPaCeKgB71j2-Ym6iPMNgh8QZgJsHoRuZoQmKAwzfcqDpO_1bFKTWCwSAPFnWhfXno_NgNZKPS3HVbEA12PugYjvGb3cpiC7N9rzX8nbswTZ1B06sh2IjvYMZffS9f43lZ7zOnwfFfrYkn8_S1bWHCNxTn/w400-h370/chipping%20sparrows%204%2019%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chipping sparrows</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhic1Hhcd2BjupRlhMpL0LwgSaD7ha0BFpuijjBcC5YEEdZf5ECRi6Q12JBjX0xBI_6hIRaqJurWOgTPq13ZmwiNOuFKPN7R9U7s1NznG1EmitMWhKs5Ns4I3eoK9k6wmkReyAJ1Unn9SaJLGjihY0Zf5HrmU8z_1xYNjJfh04-iQjT4K5es09wz4/s1400/close%20daffodil%20birch%203%2022%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhic1Hhcd2BjupRlhMpL0LwgSaD7ha0BFpuijjBcC5YEEdZf5ECRi6Q12JBjX0xBI_6hIRaqJurWOgTPq13ZmwiNOuFKPN7R9U7s1NznG1EmitMWhKs5Ns4I3eoK9k6wmkReyAJ1Unn9SaJLGjihY0Zf5HrmU8z_1xYNjJfh04-iQjT4K5es09wz4/w400-h300/close%20daffodil%20birch%203%2022%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">daffodil</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgA9DNgNIx19AQNyGP7utnUX6ESXXm30IVs5KC2ZewTU50qeA_Up2K_MBLSMf--K-N8uTOnT63dDugfowPN4o4CUePsowNQtH6UqnWfbYb-xiPaL4TZ0eWL5VfyvHrdaKITKf2BWnViUbJs9umSn6647QtaedIk16CyOO95SyZi3gi4_mq0rHpW9qx/s1400/crabapple%20tree%204%2020%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgA9DNgNIx19AQNyGP7utnUX6ESXXm30IVs5KC2ZewTU50qeA_Up2K_MBLSMf--K-N8uTOnT63dDugfowPN4o4CUePsowNQtH6UqnWfbYb-xiPaL4TZ0eWL5VfyvHrdaKITKf2BWnViUbJs9umSn6647QtaedIk16CyOO95SyZi3gi4_mq0rHpW9qx/w400-h300/crabapple%20tree%204%2020%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wild crabapple tree</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9L39ETnyQ1eLZH1C8SUl6p4mgKFRaqiUmZ9qZ81ZhHmn8Wk9HqMEnj9TOz2KNV_VWI59v5HFs8GpgauC6GcccwaS6dudpdCEpmJwCfg9hDByPqf3vtUd8_hkX9ordCDoLo3ezeoSlzxWO-jnhwY9v7T089UtCvuJIk6rjf7r67E2vqfDJOiMKq5L/s1210/early%20spring%20maple%203%2027%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1210" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9L39ETnyQ1eLZH1C8SUl6p4mgKFRaqiUmZ9qZ81ZhHmn8Wk9HqMEnj9TOz2KNV_VWI59v5HFs8GpgauC6GcccwaS6dudpdCEpmJwCfg9hDByPqf3vtUd8_hkX9ordCDoLo3ezeoSlzxWO-jnhwY9v7T089UtCvuJIk6rjf7r67E2vqfDJOiMKq5L/w400-h348/early%20spring%20maple%203%2027%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">maple "helicopters" in the making</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpZH5bODWhiRT-aD-qN9LSfmFrc98eoeigAWguBYfwIcK_3pNntg_exi2KdpVrop07bLtFQnaoOHraFjDKgrPr84qn2Tg3U-e8kn2WM-joMTFmcF_8THwGGFGfdw6wHbeHEG1qgo9X6yR_GY0W8obRjFvLQ-ba-qe2qIIkLSDaLEvTNtAtFCbQbbt/s1400/feather%204%2016%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpZH5bODWhiRT-aD-qN9LSfmFrc98eoeigAWguBYfwIcK_3pNntg_exi2KdpVrop07bLtFQnaoOHraFjDKgrPr84qn2Tg3U-e8kn2WM-joMTFmcF_8THwGGFGfdw6wHbeHEG1qgo9X6yR_GY0W8obRjFvLQ-ba-qe2qIIkLSDaLEvTNtAtFCbQbbt/w400-h300/feather%204%2016%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chicken feather</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FFMqc6QpmBISy_5UzimkvtVWg6PmesflNCk2gLwgLCmZ6o1_SXbwqMjTllicRGXZC4BLlXyHYatBm-OroDyTw-ZdfvKcjUVWO5ngvIXqBvS8Pa3mpenqCCE5pLG4-HUNr5UQiuURC-TIDLwDQ6vJAYGkuEGqp8d6qM3_6DPIAhEFOkbXDuJOE38W/s1400/first%20strawberry%204%2017%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FFMqc6QpmBISy_5UzimkvtVWg6PmesflNCk2gLwgLCmZ6o1_SXbwqMjTllicRGXZC4BLlXyHYatBm-OroDyTw-ZdfvKcjUVWO5ngvIXqBvS8Pa3mpenqCCE5pLG4-HUNr5UQiuURC-TIDLwDQ6vJAYGkuEGqp8d6qM3_6DPIAhEFOkbXDuJOE38W/w400-h300/first%20strawberry%204%2017%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first strawberry</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-vzlmFsesfS2zv6CmlMNkONB8Ovf9-b1Aaw3-0dF3wKnxB5fC1U-x6c0aApyjlJkfYA6Jup9Tjq6g48OBaYxN7nk2Cb49FLIJVpKYKJVzdSUXbQnEp22jJruZhB8R3ETLm-STG7XNN-vF8p5uqPefwafh6KZDTEVfKbvmS0l7s4Wska9sXy_hOM7/s1400/first%20tulip%204%203%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-vzlmFsesfS2zv6CmlMNkONB8Ovf9-b1Aaw3-0dF3wKnxB5fC1U-x6c0aApyjlJkfYA6Jup9Tjq6g48OBaYxN7nk2Cb49FLIJVpKYKJVzdSUXbQnEp22jJruZhB8R3ETLm-STG7XNN-vF8p5uqPefwafh6KZDTEVfKbvmS0l7s4Wska9sXy_hOM7/w400-h300/first%20tulip%204%203%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first tulip</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguR0ZVsID32LWHhBWt1H2EmhW5uv9cRWRfE0f10POtqZdLoBjQSYrD5kSlBoGU9LIqTKnW4VwgAzRedEwa0uaKm--0KbdwrmCrcJbjvyhPHOFpkvmObWlT8XA_QVkdTGJ7cp4ZTB9kYuelr4R5z1SP8buipe7kk8NJBBi0YKVd6kLT7kamDNeAK9LZ/s1400/front%20yard%20tulips%204%2015%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguR0ZVsID32LWHhBWt1H2EmhW5uv9cRWRfE0f10POtqZdLoBjQSYrD5kSlBoGU9LIqTKnW4VwgAzRedEwa0uaKm--0KbdwrmCrcJbjvyhPHOFpkvmObWlT8XA_QVkdTGJ7cp4ZTB9kYuelr4R5z1SP8buipe7kk8NJBBi0YKVd6kLT7kamDNeAK9LZ/w400-h300/front%20yard%20tulips%204%2015%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">glorious tulips</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1a6Ww2gTqKd94WfSQHwLszwX5Hp1Ca-t541oZy2sW7qPBA7PtxqtUWRs1RGxjKihhYaAzewjpEWzhZOS0jzO0zDYgcBFbGGn7lRXEgMwWZbTaKksbs7xs7ImVbxNtgpixecWq7X8YAtURpqlHw8Fu9UUlYRYT9_sWIxTkERilmTrL2mbZ3DVgBTd/s1221/goldfinch%204%2021%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1221" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1a6Ww2gTqKd94WfSQHwLszwX5Hp1Ca-t541oZy2sW7qPBA7PtxqtUWRs1RGxjKihhYaAzewjpEWzhZOS0jzO0zDYgcBFbGGn7lRXEgMwWZbTaKksbs7xs7ImVbxNtgpixecWq7X8YAtURpqlHw8Fu9UUlYRYT9_sWIxTkERilmTrL2mbZ3DVgBTd/w400-h344/goldfinch%204%2021%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">goldfinch</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhD8R2gHLxIodNtBXLgtoihTku9X8DZCUnJ4RV789Tcc6vjSvWPhL5OJU4t-k37S9CwkZJw5FZgmdlzBN8UutZ3QPJ4hxcsgmDaRt-hS8XTvyTypxp39CgI7UZ7aYopSD7eKAHCo8fskfcJPxV0tAELYZFa1BxQ19lbxSHuthtOXnHFlNTAfdkwkP/s1400/honeybee%20dandelion%204%2011%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhD8R2gHLxIodNtBXLgtoihTku9X8DZCUnJ4RV789Tcc6vjSvWPhL5OJU4t-k37S9CwkZJw5FZgmdlzBN8UutZ3QPJ4hxcsgmDaRt-hS8XTvyTypxp39CgI7UZ7aYopSD7eKAHCo8fskfcJPxV0tAELYZFa1BxQ19lbxSHuthtOXnHFlNTAfdkwkP/w400-h300/honeybee%20dandelion%204%2011%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a HONEYBEE!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihs9In5QyJ0Bcc51GY81by4xfeIkrB4AwGDmo0CgRh8WQ6Vou1GKI7yyxBoFfZnS1CWNPzBSirK6rYq2atPpJid1lAI1njzXWWcOc9CHkOeeg6bCCyP5vzoYozi_hdvNrbWL961m64ip9QzzostB8aOpYMpmgqUIuu7RSon9yEfJl6gPahhmceOR9E/s1400/mailbox%20daffodils%203%2022%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihs9In5QyJ0Bcc51GY81by4xfeIkrB4AwGDmo0CgRh8WQ6Vou1GKI7yyxBoFfZnS1CWNPzBSirK6rYq2atPpJid1lAI1njzXWWcOc9CHkOeeg6bCCyP5vzoYozi_hdvNrbWL961m64ip9QzzostB8aOpYMpmgqUIuu7RSon9yEfJl6gPahhmceOR9E/w400-h300/mailbox%20daffodils%203%2022%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">daffodils after the cold</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4bz5pGJU1dviGVXrMPUo2JOWl0ClpC0Tr-9_XxJhpVsBfc4HHDqRrog20f2s9ituWIRNFDP-X3bE2AbjkUUfnjJxTfblIyRiPqh4Hx_s9_zNu7mnl2rWqfuoqrxDZXAvYFRmm-fmVw_7DKSItxbTXGrUY7YJynB65iZT3kb5u1Leikv1JbYEKJfT/s1050/mr%20bluebird%20checking%20out%20a%20house%204%2010%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1039" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4bz5pGJU1dviGVXrMPUo2JOWl0ClpC0Tr-9_XxJhpVsBfc4HHDqRrog20f2s9ituWIRNFDP-X3bE2AbjkUUfnjJxTfblIyRiPqh4Hx_s9_zNu7mnl2rWqfuoqrxDZXAvYFRmm-fmVw_7DKSItxbTXGrUY7YJynB65iZT3kb5u1Leikv1JbYEKJfT/w396-h400/mr%20bluebird%20checking%20out%20a%20house%204%2010%20(Copy).JPG" width="396" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Bluebird checking out the housing market</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVoun8qxwNEd83GR-IRG2XhxJSggo6de6bd9b2G82NcHQspOfiBLTErvwFEhSdr6fSwC_cFkg-KO1T7rcJ5ikwUfcGCoJSUU1QtDsu-3yqdDDGjUnf1FyuchL2y2ztc2Ovm9n9jyAOUSmJpdoLJIsKinu3nljdfpG7rWGijsZgDtKkvNCIHUir3Tw_/s1400/open%20apple%20blossoms%204%2016%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVoun8qxwNEd83GR-IRG2XhxJSggo6de6bd9b2G82NcHQspOfiBLTErvwFEhSdr6fSwC_cFkg-KO1T7rcJ5ikwUfcGCoJSUU1QtDsu-3yqdDDGjUnf1FyuchL2y2ztc2Ovm9n9jyAOUSmJpdoLJIsKinu3nljdfpG7rWGijsZgDtKkvNCIHUir3Tw_/w400-h300/open%20apple%20blossoms%204%2016%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">apple blossoms (before the cold)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE65IaTbpmlUBXbhQlkH41V3ZBVUi4g5XuZyg6sQxkxEJ3Zn6sBo_VaM1lW4KU-okXzw9pB9S9EgT0z-JOOndwzJj9M66YZZtXy4-5cjUphiqOX5LLDZAFh9hDUfexIwsFgcg8vTGZeIagoOt8ZGZzfDRe74x05usc9OEoSOPs-j-KDUxfllM92NjL/s1400/peach%20blossom%203%2025%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE65IaTbpmlUBXbhQlkH41V3ZBVUi4g5XuZyg6sQxkxEJ3Zn6sBo_VaM1lW4KU-okXzw9pB9S9EgT0z-JOOndwzJj9M66YZZtXy4-5cjUphiqOX5LLDZAFh9hDUfexIwsFgcg8vTGZeIagoOt8ZGZzfDRe74x05usc9OEoSOPs-j-KDUxfllM92NjL/w400-h300/peach%20blossom%203%2025%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">peach blossoms</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogMQRL_lyYRiVpCVxYhVxSOG9bFimfGez1zVJ789L-OhiVpMtVAPI554SMDG45FUYVt2gHKMJMBqkEipmSoCMeW9tLGLsdT8ajoZXBRos_yjzW74XzlE8YTI43sQAbdK_icGzUAwwFrgcN-S9OR2Hl0YvQHjmkC4rWxn-E7uHKGMmWojU5sVwNVMV/s1400/redbud%20tree%204%2016%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogMQRL_lyYRiVpCVxYhVxSOG9bFimfGez1zVJ789L-OhiVpMtVAPI554SMDG45FUYVt2gHKMJMBqkEipmSoCMeW9tLGLsdT8ajoZXBRos_yjzW74XzlE8YTI43sQAbdK_icGzUAwwFrgcN-S9OR2Hl0YvQHjmkC4rWxn-E7uHKGMmWojU5sVwNVMV/w400-h300/redbud%20tree%204%2016%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">redbud</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGfniDSmYlU6OfXCDZh827Y9Zj3kne0Hkgvs1ms75mpSAaXtDPEQE3sT8LkJEe64278gpvuQQQnBEbWIILCIKjF1aQDY1sTcDrR1xSTv7LIOWed78JzuiFmA-C5OacQD0SyKS_p4DfE5yEXCXDXug9XVqiTWfAPHAWSGaaiCt3htxmmmKEnbFlUMx/s1400/robin%203%2020%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGfniDSmYlU6OfXCDZh827Y9Zj3kne0Hkgvs1ms75mpSAaXtDPEQE3sT8LkJEe64278gpvuQQQnBEbWIILCIKjF1aQDY1sTcDrR1xSTv7LIOWed78JzuiFmA-C5OacQD0SyKS_p4DfE5yEXCXDXug9XVqiTWfAPHAWSGaaiCt3htxmmmKEnbFlUMx/w400-h300/robin%203%2020%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American robin</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzpCa4YBnepWoI7pmz-mvqzMVQ-HTwFwVTjQNmycnp-h4T6HV2_ZbxHYEFwfWdrm-KmpijnLqJnwBGhRR7CHRqoC08ho44O_tJn1KLLKlavOZIatDufKiRlHx20i9w_IEFaLc-WRC3GLzLd39iafrvXsdadq8kHBXjnxEdv9MkTfaQaO0RizXrimR/s1166/rufus%20sided%20towhee%20singing%204%2015%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1166" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzpCa4YBnepWoI7pmz-mvqzMVQ-HTwFwVTjQNmycnp-h4T6HV2_ZbxHYEFwfWdrm-KmpijnLqJnwBGhRR7CHRqoC08ho44O_tJn1KLLKlavOZIatDufKiRlHx20i9w_IEFaLc-WRC3GLzLd39iafrvXsdadq8kHBXjnxEdv9MkTfaQaO0RizXrimR/w400-h360/rufus%20sided%20towhee%20singing%204%2015%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rufus-sided towhee</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslLw_5ejBnSeJZdCMAifFB7VUsBEd6bJ_buGS5XpN-wTI0U_bqENZLgTN10KljVGoHc9fgx4WnrNdz5EssUG-ggwdAAV6TF41LLZZS7o-BuIAnk7r7cbK0MTyue9T3B4S_9JJoGCllkblI-9DCMxYsMn9Lm3IsQP0UUv36TS9aJCgDRSzSSe7rQDI/s1349/worn%20tulip%204%2019%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1349" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslLw_5ejBnSeJZdCMAifFB7VUsBEd6bJ_buGS5XpN-wTI0U_bqENZLgTN10KljVGoHc9fgx4WnrNdz5EssUG-ggwdAAV6TF41LLZZS7o-BuIAnk7r7cbK0MTyue9T3B4S_9JJoGCllkblI-9DCMxYsMn9Lm3IsQP0UUv36TS9aJCgDRSzSSe7rQDI/w400-h311/worn%20tulip%204%2019%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">end of the glorious tulips</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>If nothing else, Spring is beautiful and full of possibilities. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglK1uOk3M0tjIHEbNIQQxHxYfbh6duM_hld3mMUJb0soCM4ZL6_O2F_RgI-adN5tV4lVlYjyCeSti66GAsQhphkPid6DvnGOpa7j-MRUVfaWUJIteLU7eq0PpFsxLTyfF96NZw_ssv29Hi44fJospDkou8M6voDY0Ybcfk1b4lunucK1GxuFiRj3jr/s1400/1%20baby%20grapes%205%201%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglK1uOk3M0tjIHEbNIQQxHxYfbh6duM_hld3mMUJb0soCM4ZL6_O2F_RgI-adN5tV4lVlYjyCeSti66GAsQhphkPid6DvnGOpa7j-MRUVfaWUJIteLU7eq0PpFsxLTyfF96NZw_ssv29Hi44fJospDkou8M6voDY0Ybcfk1b4lunucK1GxuFiRj3jr/w400-h300/1%20baby%20grapes%205%201%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby grapes</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6wVd5FMmSiIU_vokiMTsJ2EL7VXDO6f26yge8GduUMvIczKmWSJ9u-MUVdOqBPGBL7pDiim9SAeWiPZOULN_kd69PhHqG5hquarqkj6zxeSX6sLAXjnhD9qOlkLOm9yLbJKftGKPMcGWlKuvUEmCHZzRRJjh2jmG7y0lE4EsjlAZGGHc7jCbcCgw/s1400/apple%20blossoms%20baby%20apple%205%201%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6wVd5FMmSiIU_vokiMTsJ2EL7VXDO6f26yge8GduUMvIczKmWSJ9u-MUVdOqBPGBL7pDiim9SAeWiPZOULN_kd69PhHqG5hquarqkj6zxeSX6sLAXjnhD9qOlkLOm9yLbJKftGKPMcGWlKuvUEmCHZzRRJjh2jmG7y0lE4EsjlAZGGHc7jCbcCgw/w400-h300/apple%20blossoms%20baby%20apple%205%201%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">apple blossoms with what I hope is a baby apple</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETY_bBiijUVWZ5bbF9y3pC-3bDCODDlt1U8G_2IBM1YFvaryXSgIyFm20LhXGf6iTXU7qNq81MLkO98_nEv9DmpFxmy2D0rFRE8YDCXHLyWuTIYhgpBC_wsUSjzaIWhSkNLO6z_1mzOJR157n3B5HHbHqSqBJjMN50YLHFflNPuhUi8GucjLa6O3J/s1400/baby%20asparagus%205%201%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETY_bBiijUVWZ5bbF9y3pC-3bDCODDlt1U8G_2IBM1YFvaryXSgIyFm20LhXGf6iTXU7qNq81MLkO98_nEv9DmpFxmy2D0rFRE8YDCXHLyWuTIYhgpBC_wsUSjzaIWhSkNLO6z_1mzOJR157n3B5HHbHqSqBJjMN50YLHFflNPuhUi8GucjLa6O3J/w400-h300/baby%20asparagus%205%201%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">asparagus is coming<br />(don't mind the weeds)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1IUuBS-bDv6ALaS4yHloiPbfpnZB6CrQ8-Ic4AkxtAwF-i8i4FtJ1ZhmOLg6Tx7R08oMbLgrRcmzQo77S1H9Cr4d1R3NCjwPK-GUPEX27-d4GiFUQ0S8w81mINMbPuJGvTXsHjFdo-lkWhWqt-t5318CVB0C_vMyTumrkHai2JrgIPMnZrYjdWI5/s1400/baby%20mulberries%205%201%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1IUuBS-bDv6ALaS4yHloiPbfpnZB6CrQ8-Ic4AkxtAwF-i8i4FtJ1ZhmOLg6Tx7R08oMbLgrRcmzQo77S1H9Cr4d1R3NCjwPK-GUPEX27-d4GiFUQ0S8w81mINMbPuJGvTXsHjFdo-lkWhWqt-t5318CVB0C_vMyTumrkHai2JrgIPMnZrYjdWI5/w400-h300/baby%20mulberries%205%201%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby mulberries</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5mxrQScd24mlSQF3kcDlQnAkua2GkasApc7j5v4jxyjNHiVqo3G5iJdfjVTkNqX7fvzDQ59BieMQf4bz7Dqdbyh6_EEtleLSr9Ii30Vh8f2UAUoohlX9pvgAm8tUk_u1ou5oV_Wcj92lFFqO0C2zPxiDZXi3yRar-C0ZsNWsoEcJDbMSAQoXphxN/s1400/snap%20peas%204%203%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5mxrQScd24mlSQF3kcDlQnAkua2GkasApc7j5v4jxyjNHiVqo3G5iJdfjVTkNqX7fvzDQ59BieMQf4bz7Dqdbyh6_EEtleLSr9Ii30Vh8f2UAUoohlX9pvgAm8tUk_u1ou5oV_Wcj92lFFqO0C2zPxiDZXi3yRar-C0ZsNWsoEcJDbMSAQoXphxN/w400-h300/snap%20peas%204%203%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">snap peas <br />(Yay,the mouse didn't eat all the seeds!)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> I truly hope you’re having a <b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%;">Happy
Sunday! </span></b></div><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCExn0pCULOHL9QpiJSiJBgZpl1bGUszzYIEQpUWumNKq4iWf1SfESXHC1XqCUG9HcGI9ng7IY1HPgWvgj4Y2m-CD6t7K8YNEdEF9fRcUbWgIl7f20uxtFh_8Bne_WV5BjTK-7CCNMRxBRPlH4kZzKjPusJeSwG-FbfDNeBU5fAiJBh4egIqXIgya/s1400/mama%20cow%20and%20baby%204%204%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCExn0pCULOHL9QpiJSiJBgZpl1bGUszzYIEQpUWumNKq4iWf1SfESXHC1XqCUG9HcGI9ng7IY1HPgWvgj4Y2m-CD6t7K8YNEdEF9fRcUbWgIl7f20uxtFh_8Bne_WV5BjTK-7CCNMRxBRPlH4kZzKjPusJeSwG-FbfDNeBU5fAiJBh4egIqXIgya/w640-h480/mama%20cow%20and%20baby%204%204%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">new life at sunrise<br />(calf at the farm across the way)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div> Here’s hoping you’re finding some little bits of happiness and encouragement along your way. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for reading. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03599739740886087571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819048519590916875.post-10010002455724653932022-01-30T10:19:00.002-05:002022-01-30T10:19:25.875-05:00A January Walkabout 2022<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsC8DgYwmx_vMXId9VxhG1enuw3U0KuzS5yX_26C5rC-U3oGEQyGTQoHPvgXrc7-qOhrv3VKHpqT1gU60jQqrZLWxbKEAAh1jTO3vqhHat-WazVFqAYbGdXgsu2SvBmb2GivF7SLGheKQ12Myw7_I6rg6QCrl-vblOzXUohu9fcy4w-_OR6s8qPoh9=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsC8DgYwmx_vMXId9VxhG1enuw3U0KuzS5yX_26C5rC-U3oGEQyGTQoHPvgXrc7-qOhrv3VKHpqT1gU60jQqrZLWxbKEAAh1jTO3vqhHat-WazVFqAYbGdXgsu2SvBmb2GivF7SLGheKQ12Myw7_I6rg6QCrl-vblOzXUohu9fcy4w-_OR6s8qPoh9=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SNOW!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </div></div><br />January 30<sup>th</sup>.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wow…time sure flies…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I meant to write a year-end post. You know, a look back at
the year’s accomplishments? But, in some ways the end of the farm as we have
known it seemed too depressing. It’s hard enough to watch the landscape slowly close
in and erase any signs of productivity now that the animals are gone and the
gardens are dormant, I felt no real compunction to document it as well.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, I didn’t.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then I thought maybe I would write a new year’s post. You
know, one with hopes and goals for the upcoming year? But, that seemed to tempt
fate in some way…what with the pandemic numbers surging and Tom’s health still
somewhat precarious. Figuring out our “third act” during what seems like an
endless pandemic is daunting to say the least. Add our recurring and chronic
health issues and it’s next to impossible.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, I didn’t.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now, here I am 30 days into the new year and wondering if
it’s too late to ask for a refund on this new year. This is surely still the
trial period…right? Maybe an exchange? If these first few weeks are any
indication, 2022 does NOT meet with my expectations.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlI0BWLO-47Iz8Vqem5kx388IzojTwSvr7hBXuFWtiaBA15R10yaDa77HlxO3aO-0t-BV_P_-CyPL3vtzyvCBT6qnlQen5J4nGVIsXDyuGAsE-oCewXkG6WVh7sXcmQlFKoU9eSPPj8RVDiqJkdQmGgfD5knIpIRJm11Q9Pdl1QmSR0lUDCkl0P2PU=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlI0BWLO-47Iz8Vqem5kx388IzojTwSvr7hBXuFWtiaBA15R10yaDa77HlxO3aO-0t-BV_P_-CyPL3vtzyvCBT6qnlQen5J4nGVIsXDyuGAsE-oCewXkG6WVh7sXcmQlFKoU9eSPPj8RVDiqJkdQmGgfD5knIpIRJm11Q9Pdl1QmSR0lUDCkl0P2PU=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So.Much.Snow.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lest you think I am just whining...</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7bIhdIv4qu2dVwd0jAMbTILfMfI60s9rktSSY_5WheQY7mjAsJGRv1r51-pVlEBzcuDib_Uc3W8f4jZ4jQvS46JRngVZ0-CwbgTZU1oFdSbRiJdKBIRARyB1CxV9EMMkj2RDcb4uSbTQP1SOPCWZ3YaVcvTnG7iA9KCHNIYc_7wJkKKOTrpabchKn=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7bIhdIv4qu2dVwd0jAMbTILfMfI60s9rktSSY_5WheQY7mjAsJGRv1r51-pVlEBzcuDib_Uc3W8f4jZ4jQvS46JRngVZ0-CwbgTZU1oFdSbRiJdKBIRARyB1CxV9EMMkj2RDcb4uSbTQP1SOPCWZ3YaVcvTnG7iA9KCHNIYc_7wJkKKOTrpabchKn=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">at first Karma loved it</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAQwbKmm0YnnVeCbNLZ2UetGJQx2DTVx155Gub-2sHP76vdgXAuVIzNpo-V_E9x6qo9bqvUnGxexL63zpAT91XHDUFt-Xu2cYqAi4lQxWah4jxp97_-ARC6oCib7s-fGuXU7RmXu7dM6LZIjfFu0RCirBOvnjg6bsJ8hifM5R6zWIIaPleYVG4C11T=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAQwbKmm0YnnVeCbNLZ2UetGJQx2DTVx155Gub-2sHP76vdgXAuVIzNpo-V_E9x6qo9bqvUnGxexL63zpAT91XHDUFt-Xu2cYqAi4lQxWah4jxp97_-ARC6oCib7s-fGuXU7RmXu7dM6LZIjfFu0RCirBOvnjg6bsJ8hifM5R6zWIIaPleYVG4C11T=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">then she seemed a little disgusted by the icicle on her feet</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPWvFnRHCdsm-elU06sOZBnYRFPR670FQd0KE0Y8JFYNpHyj3AgqLYQ-1QzaN7rnmP6GnWqwbWrnX8cCqYMXuKyiAM10kv-ssdFnEy2AbkwI-m4KCB1rdkbqynxGc7_w6epuT7ttcHHDkbxki9Mo8fTbxcYcfxG9te05XjBKgXQmGDV0GNCEjuNOMi=s1159" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1159" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPWvFnRHCdsm-elU06sOZBnYRFPR670FQd0KE0Y8JFYNpHyj3AgqLYQ-1QzaN7rnmP6GnWqwbWrnX8cCqYMXuKyiAM10kv-ssdFnEy2AbkwI-m4KCB1rdkbqynxGc7_w6epuT7ttcHHDkbxki9Mo8fTbxcYcfxG9te05XjBKgXQmGDV0GNCEjuNOMi=w400-h363" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">now she's started hanging out in the barn<br />napping with the cats</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj55Do--LrugYbzJ48JXNHNVelPSZO9QZCMZl6EQiucmdlBNH91GLCTpN4RH-YvcoZlUdfs718wg3R2NaPYx4Y9jWy-9tGBroJTrElmsmfbT4XPMzieCUAvBhKl5n60XnZVzOzS9e-QXr8hMU_dPIsfQwSqiIdHQxlaMVi8Wy6J_Yd9jt8u7_7bEeBy=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj55Do--LrugYbzJ48JXNHNVelPSZO9QZCMZl6EQiucmdlBNH91GLCTpN4RH-YvcoZlUdfs718wg3R2NaPYx4Y9jWy-9tGBroJTrElmsmfbT4XPMzieCUAvBhKl5n60XnZVzOzS9e-QXr8hMU_dPIsfQwSqiIdHQxlaMVi8Wy6J_Yd9jt8u7_7bEeBy=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ice crystals on top of the hoophouse</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-58b9hMCZJnIYT7NrpopZAmP2tVghqkP9A9rDav0ZG2BjfzPLr_I-m2Jg7lBSZelFL-f7XhnnKRh2A-SKD96mWOY8Be4c9AMnU7nq6BmVqQh3KdArWYvlx6V3gfghE6Lq2jshwBje66Vynsd2qLFDsgtZAf6luovZC8gmcodVrCuyfXsl7WpkmgW7=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-58b9hMCZJnIYT7NrpopZAmP2tVghqkP9A9rDav0ZG2BjfzPLr_I-m2Jg7lBSZelFL-f7XhnnKRh2A-SKD96mWOY8Be4c9AMnU7nq6BmVqQh3KdArWYvlx6V3gfghE6Lq2jshwBje66Vynsd2qLFDsgtZAf6luovZC8gmcodVrCuyfXsl7WpkmgW7=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more hoophouse ice crystals</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyGFiu6iG3QY1sMYMg04dzGt7ZN6i3XxZlNL-m2kCZbvMWjDKrVZNYK7tEOiO5sD02EQYIdJjdIIKyxaRmtsq23G1H7DhEovWAZ2-8Tj2GXbbrsFd2mwEalb27jVDK6Y38RHZlq1wv-Kg0M9DidxYr4nMculGwqzcIgUo4Ydd61K70tv3wl1Rwvc1V=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyGFiu6iG3QY1sMYMg04dzGt7ZN6i3XxZlNL-m2kCZbvMWjDKrVZNYK7tEOiO5sD02EQYIdJjdIIKyxaRmtsq23G1H7DhEovWAZ2-8Tj2GXbbrsFd2mwEalb27jVDK6Y38RHZlq1wv-Kg0M9DidxYr4nMculGwqzcIgUo4Ydd61K70tv3wl1Rwvc1V=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chicken feather frozen into the water tank</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVtYqu26TscLD3CCo95BmViBZ7_8jIYzJhPX1Ztvty_bOhOPqr7ocpFtg9D7ouOCn8AQ-JMxGRRJkzmwDVYNDkpUaskj0PhCSTeMTDVlO5XiOmXzujFUYi9IENF9GLeyO0MQ2KMW2cY_II54oBVcZTgf31rl28VuKtsb3EKpnMj1nUmpi8RHCVVVvw=s1317" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1317" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVtYqu26TscLD3CCo95BmViBZ7_8jIYzJhPX1Ztvty_bOhOPqr7ocpFtg9D7ouOCn8AQ-JMxGRRJkzmwDVYNDkpUaskj0PhCSTeMTDVlO5XiOmXzujFUYi9IENF9GLeyO0MQ2KMW2cY_II54oBVcZTgf31rl28VuKtsb3EKpnMj1nUmpi8RHCVVVvw=w400-h319" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">icicles under the wolf moon</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAiCfUuuNH9dSvw1sG7597xKa0Ys4CC2nceH88uC5Y2DcXDZh7Rxt12BCcNdTxi4gmZI2lum3Va3LZrtspEGpWzu69ab8YEO4NCsutpJugkKCTw7cdZrumbaBItPrUn7LM-lCFzXMRxEdgDIwuUhVyai7uI_L5ov8EJMLXWsKn0ITm7_6cghNbEuhZ=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAiCfUuuNH9dSvw1sG7597xKa0Ys4CC2nceH88uC5Y2DcXDZh7Rxt12BCcNdTxi4gmZI2lum3Va3LZrtspEGpWzu69ab8YEO4NCsutpJugkKCTw7cdZrumbaBItPrUn7LM-lCFzXMRxEdgDIwuUhVyai7uI_L5ov8EJMLXWsKn0ITm7_6cghNbEuhZ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more icicles</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjOaXXiRc8a-y2IUxS2QNUD83lsiGoyM59IbOTCk6NUAEPtxa7tVqUsHAHMpiz004hHMPZNV8M7CMfSwbKx_qNwWredcGp4c_rAkSDeoPgb-0NNkgcUHkjO9QzfKWpRUw128i2hQkF7jvA4-LTPekevfcs2rFagSWluieYB4DG71rHKfj91LyBRzoA=s1050" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="775" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjOaXXiRc8a-y2IUxS2QNUD83lsiGoyM59IbOTCk6NUAEPtxa7tVqUsHAHMpiz004hHMPZNV8M7CMfSwbKx_qNwWredcGp4c_rAkSDeoPgb-0NNkgcUHkjO9QzfKWpRUw128i2hQkF7jvA4-LTPekevfcs2rFagSWluieYB4DG71rHKfj91LyBRzoA=w295-h400" width="295" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">front porch milkcan in the snow</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTw3lKRueeGECtszwqoTSFiMwZjE40afSln4mCFk8HyK8FcJtfA1fJz7MS9wKtIzN7r8xIefHttMV7kXxbqwTzgKGXyBv2B8IVjDsm1EvqpLR1x8_ca_DkcsWTSppE45OfSnxf6gG377WaLRprwvKRm96KDXfrMguxeIKvR7ID29jA87KUDj6xIbDe=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTw3lKRueeGECtszwqoTSFiMwZjE40afSln4mCFk8HyK8FcJtfA1fJz7MS9wKtIzN7r8xIefHttMV7kXxbqwTzgKGXyBv2B8IVjDsm1EvqpLR1x8_ca_DkcsWTSppE45OfSnxf6gG377WaLRprwvKRm96KDXfrMguxeIKvR7ID29jA87KUDj6xIbDe=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">snow across the valley</td></tr></tbody></table><br />So far this year (in the last 30 days) we have had more snow
than all of last winter (over 26 inches so far), experienced near record cold
temps. (-1*) repaired the hoophouse twice (in the snow), made three trips to
the hospital…one of those included emergency surgery AND an overnight stay (potentially
more lie ahead). The pandemic is still raging locally, and our state government
has essentially lost its mind. And, I’m certain I’ve missed something…<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Yep. I definitely want a refund. Or at least some sort of
credit… 2022 is off to a rocky start. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAmkHvyz_uNg0ZyW0IFKTWXS9QT4B8SxLNcThpNjHpCHjilOSJHn1a8-WjPYDRsIASZhSbXpMfhvu0YuhUyywH6EBBxLfynJ5UfzgO_9Q0d7GwXByEXJ1AVA4TjHzdLnKbZBALORni7qLhUI3v16zKK0JY9XWUUrkVncnk2qK8Aw3wHqOiLtSaywDG=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAmkHvyz_uNg0ZyW0IFKTWXS9QT4B8SxLNcThpNjHpCHjilOSJHn1a8-WjPYDRsIASZhSbXpMfhvu0YuhUyywH6EBBxLfynJ5UfzgO_9Q0d7GwXByEXJ1AVA4TjHzdLnKbZBALORni7qLhUI3v16zKK0JY9XWUUrkVncnk2qK8Aw3wHqOiLtSaywDG=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">despite his pain and surgeries<br />the snow must be blown</td></tr></tbody></table><br />On the other hand, without the animals and/or market garden
worries…we are somewhat free to address the issues at hand. So, I suppose there
is some silver lining to all these clouds that seem to be hanging over us of
late. More than once we have looked at each other and said “well, at least we
don’t have lambs!”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In past years, we would be smack-dab in the middle of
lambing season with its round-the-clock barn checks and potential emergencies needing
human intervention. Between the weather, my physical limitations, and Tom’s
trips to the hospital, I am certain there would have been numerous losses, and I
would hate those. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, anyway…I don’t want to be “Debbie-downer” here…let’s
look for something positive in all of this.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I suppose you could say that “all’s well that ends well…”
although nothing has actually ended yet. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We were really hoping that the kidney saga that started LAST
year (May 9<sup>th</sup> to be exact) was finally coming to an end. He had one
more scan and we were hopeful that would tell us everything had improved.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Two days before the scheduled scan, he started feeling bad.
Really bad. Figuring it was just another stone, trying to avoid the ER on
Sunday, and the weather was a little sketchy, he decided to ride it out. When
he was no better on Monday, the clinic told him to come in for a check.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The next thing I heard, he was in the emergency room, headed
for surgery! The doctor said something about possible renal failure…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">**just an aside here…COVID precautions mean that I cannot go
inside the hospital with him for his appointments. I have spent the equivalent
of <b>days</b> in the hospital parking lot…just waiting. I’m getting a lot of
great reading done-even a little writing…so I guess it’s not all bad. However,
this time they forgot about me…and the only information I got was straight from
the patient. (that freaked me out just a little bit)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As a precaution, they kept him overnight and released him
the next day. There was some talk about a trip to UVA (the medical center over
the mountain) for a more serious surgery if things didn’t improve…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">**another aside…I did go home rather than slowly freeze to death
waiting in the car**<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The second surgery (still at our local hospital) went better
than expected and while we still don’t know if the trip over the mountain will
be necessary, at least Tom isn’t in excruciating pain anymore. And, neither one
of us has gotten sick (so far).</p><p class="MsoNormal">That’s a good thing, because after each of the month’s big snowstorms, I’ve found a big rip in the hoophouse. While we aren’t growing for market anymore, the hoophouse makes it possible to (theoretically) have greens year-round, get a jump on the season, and gives me a place to play in the dirt and think when it’s too cold or windy out in the elements. I don’t think we’re ready to give up the hoophouse just yet.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8nfQVAvI1jy7jKAfkvYDUqVO5bP4UBxyZ_b4u3As6ftm9P4-zfG6fSn32YXO7iBRcDGY93ogd8eE-1XvpO0ToO8xsfDvPJXGjNdsKrR-zMf3nRGt384Iy2oD0XC6UbSIldK5kd1FdzY3AcTrdgrP5Q5sRLA8-RfiMyk6i_8IWI0SnUmOecLvirtAo=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8nfQVAvI1jy7jKAfkvYDUqVO5bP4UBxyZ_b4u3As6ftm9P4-zfG6fSn32YXO7iBRcDGY93ogd8eE-1XvpO0ToO8xsfDvPJXGjNdsKrR-zMf3nRGt384Iy2oD0XC6UbSIldK5kd1FdzY3AcTrdgrP5Q5sRLA8-RfiMyk6i_8IWI0SnUmOecLvirtAo=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hole in the hoophouse</td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1FMVWivSerf_ghHiLRO7XNuRHkfmBGNoTzmsbRYFJK63IyXWHnf09iWCcfqtU23vxN2Ba2qLP0CePM9OAltIptfCFCfIcp60phBbmSNcTJ_sOhoX5MyUdQlZUlXjysXLG0MTQ3J4kwvUjMly5Pa6Nds2oH4OPl_Px04SmRvVHRzOOrkCJLRrNE1K_=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1FMVWivSerf_ghHiLRO7XNuRHkfmBGNoTzmsbRYFJK63IyXWHnf09iWCcfqtU23vxN2Ba2qLP0CePM9OAltIptfCFCfIcp60phBbmSNcTJ_sOhoX5MyUdQlZUlXjysXLG0MTQ3J4kwvUjMly5Pa6Nds2oH4OPl_Px04SmRvVHRzOOrkCJLRrNE1K_=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another storm<br />another rip</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgX3cF8eA-ZquzFVDGNYV49yXc4__EXU2fyJjP7p19YGPII-_9VRpye-luOxWkCFccMhNOEy8SzmhsJnip0fs8b0fblIMVKI2ONeXwbUyxlvVhEIqM2QHpFh4POaG0GP1hDRo5ZR4iAr1ytb1g8w1f_6GQpQ3fMBtiKfOREpXLRasWGfIAJUqd6JjWG=s1050" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="579" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgX3cF8eA-ZquzFVDGNYV49yXc4__EXU2fyJjP7p19YGPII-_9VRpye-luOxWkCFccMhNOEy8SzmhsJnip0fs8b0fblIMVKI2ONeXwbUyxlvVhEIqM2QHpFh4POaG0GP1hDRo5ZR4iAr1ytb1g8w1f_6GQpQ3fMBtiKfOREpXLRasWGfIAJUqd6JjWG=w220-h400" width="220" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first hoophouse repair</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7yeI-4zYEh3KP7_DG7Crt82CM_6rk44rM8s6aonXKhKYovd9ej3wM6uUf08PesRtGbrw6IF8bl4XvzPQdD4Mx8ZmHMAVjC5LLvAk8klAA_EHk7PvMZl-zTVp2Qi8DWMvQ6CvyP5dqTdiRg087NGGf_arLcq6yufuokUFGR0n-SYkvRr7smCpiSI-5=s1050" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="497" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7yeI-4zYEh3KP7_DG7Crt82CM_6rk44rM8s6aonXKhKYovd9ej3wM6uUf08PesRtGbrw6IF8bl4XvzPQdD4Mx8ZmHMAVjC5LLvAk8klAA_EHk7PvMZl-zTVp2Qi8DWMvQ6CvyP5dqTdiRg087NGGf_arLcq6yufuokUFGR0n-SYkvRr7smCpiSI-5=w189-h400" width="189" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">second hoophouse repair<br />the snow really is THAT deep!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We bought new plastic to “skin” the hoophouse last summer. But
things being what they were, the job never got done. Which, again, is a good
thing, I suppose. At least we’ll be ready to “re-skin” as soon at the weather
breaks. This means the hoophouse is still a viable growing option. In the
meantime, we’ve done a couple repair jobs with some old tarps and a bunch of
rope. It looks awful and there will probably be no more off-season greens…but, at
least it’s not ripped to shreds and blowing around the county. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We’re quite the pair…” the halt and the lame” …or however
you’d describe our disabilities. Again, we’re fortunate (I really hesitate to
say “blessed” because believe me…it is SO hard to find gratitude for one’s afflictions)
that there is nothing that absolutely requires our undivided attention and
effort.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Although, the hens did put me to the test when they decided
to camp out during one of the big snows. With the wind whipping and the snow
coming sideways, the dog and barn cats still needed their supper. I just
happened to peer through the white-out to see a bunch of little dark lumps in
the chicken yard. Those stupid hens were all sitting there, snow piling on
their backs and icicles forming on their combs and little eyelashes (chickens DO
have eyelashes). Only one hen remained in the house, cackling to herself that
she didn’t have to share the feeder. She looked a little perturbed when I dropped
the first snowy chicken next to her. One by one, I managed to capture them and
put them inside, where they seemed surprisingly “chatty” and happy to eat. Of course,
the last one freaked out, went under the henhouse and required me to “army-crawl”
in after her (through the snow, of course)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrIppwXU3Fp7IX4AvGJnqhCBpCFcuQcJPuP72XxItEyoZDG0BzBSp1_WSOv7GmtTMGo2_NH1LSrxRzY_TU1egWIr6WGFpx-O8V0enHe1fQUAXqqjjH1Nuzq3z-X8KKH2PSYWmCX8CJUpj9tbha9lddwFqhUBByuVL6vSu3D-e2MmxgOT4o_Ui3YyLd=s1050" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="743" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrIppwXU3Fp7IX4AvGJnqhCBpCFcuQcJPuP72XxItEyoZDG0BzBSp1_WSOv7GmtTMGo2_NH1LSrxRzY_TU1egWIr6WGFpx-O8V0enHe1fQUAXqqjjH1Nuzq3z-X8KKH2PSYWmCX8CJUpj9tbha9lddwFqhUBByuVL6vSu3D-e2MmxgOT4o_Ui3YyLd=w283-h400" width="283" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">seriously...they had icicles on them!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But, again, “all’s well that ends well”. They were none the
worse for wear, and Tom still has eggs for his breakfast.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That little adventure gave me a new appreciation for my prescriptions,
though. The cold weather doesn’t do anything good for my fibromyalgia. Definitely not.
The fascia (connecting tissue) that is usually somewhat stiff, becomes almost totally
immobile with the dropping temperatures. It takes real effort to maintain any
level of activity. I would be all for human-hibernation if that was a thing. I try
to walk everyday (except when it’s extremely wind and frigid…or super icy) to
keep all “the juices” flowing. (and because I know the cardiologist will ask)
that at least gets me out of the house and into nature for a little bit.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Although, nature is all around us. It’s an endless parade at the bird feeders, as I can tell from my photo files.<o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDCMNMjclalRL9p6N1L_AIaqAkPiN6WnFn20J_ZNiYiF6OAbuMPs8spS0Aa_7ZbJYQee-6YH67XTEp9L7FxZS8zDcYasZ8WK9qVyfLG3_xxAmipWw8DF7iU5yKv8IxyXoNZn51baREbAQYuCN0Z8bgLG69LAf5G4MWJsh6IMq1ND-QhzQUJhk2Fm3G=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDCMNMjclalRL9p6N1L_AIaqAkPiN6WnFn20J_ZNiYiF6OAbuMPs8spS0Aa_7ZbJYQee-6YH67XTEp9L7FxZS8zDcYasZ8WK9qVyfLG3_xxAmipWw8DF7iU5yKv8IxyXoNZn51baREbAQYuCN0Z8bgLG69LAf5G4MWJsh6IMq1ND-QhzQUJhk2Fm3G=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was kind of surprised to see this girl looking at me from just beyond the mailbox</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUPJpX0fwatQIs1BUtfN4Fd3YhU9JCrtZ7NAIVAnkjTmYyGl0BOXDfz_kvXRY1_zGJH7OXB1puFiOdngjSw0UFSsSMCqCg92jZyZLHkfYzstI5ADvdTSXFpk4KpJ3v6UMV7WMIrIB5GkeSqORQ3XRYIG4EkVKSr22ZvAmYdnY9pyEI0Q6ymuum491u=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUPJpX0fwatQIs1BUtfN4Fd3YhU9JCrtZ7NAIVAnkjTmYyGl0BOXDfz_kvXRY1_zGJH7OXB1puFiOdngjSw0UFSsSMCqCg92jZyZLHkfYzstI5ADvdTSXFpk4KpJ3v6UMV7WMIrIB5GkeSqORQ3XRYIG4EkVKSr22ZvAmYdnY9pyEI0Q6ymuum491u=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this little squirrel was traversing the creek paddock with a nut</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHvHBq5c-CWE_yf2bPs7900Lh4YTALW0wdOqBlsjyberHoGtzA7b_3uT9KvMvOsUoN4Ha2TaTJ_bg05B58BIhxEkxpQ02YDuFwQW-4Ht36szkUyh75tkNqT5cnTRqU3nbt3ReHaxXs051Do4s70UwUV_t4Re1HdEQIIwMoqMPNo9-ysR3NdpnfE3o4=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHvHBq5c-CWE_yf2bPs7900Lh4YTALW0wdOqBlsjyberHoGtzA7b_3uT9KvMvOsUoN4Ha2TaTJ_bg05B58BIhxEkxpQ02YDuFwQW-4Ht36szkUyh75tkNqT5cnTRqU3nbt3ReHaxXs051Do4s70UwUV_t4Re1HdEQIIwMoqMPNo9-ysR3NdpnfE3o4=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">barberries</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUv0DXf__DGI3uxw6eLap9HEONnbFeuI0s_MMcnKoPhfYvsO7K0lEBNmO7_NzytEAckYayBYhpDb32-xRb1KtmM6cjwJOLuusmDvnHVQSk5556QoyUwFtqqUHY3eFrdLSGzhMBqyAh__3nS9GLwQFI61dJaw1hccfzq6nTc2DAByORoul8yPMXNx52=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUv0DXf__DGI3uxw6eLap9HEONnbFeuI0s_MMcnKoPhfYvsO7K0lEBNmO7_NzytEAckYayBYhpDb32-xRb1KtmM6cjwJOLuusmDvnHVQSk5556QoyUwFtqqUHY3eFrdLSGzhMBqyAh__3nS9GLwQFI61dJaw1hccfzq6nTc2DAByORoul8yPMXNx52=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bittersweet</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFlYXmKNZn_sGZ30rsa_CPuxlGOVVyrBTknCuWJm5H33q0fuJtIwf5mKwntrd2X4tQCObCUbtlZWp65LQNekzUP2AIZpfYXHHhZxJNkmMfealSX67P6hyMykKbBR-OvSHneSl8AKlhwZaYE-L_vXQg6fVjVNRgyC1xq741EvtB8fgkAbeoPamYutgc=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFlYXmKNZn_sGZ30rsa_CPuxlGOVVyrBTknCuWJm5H33q0fuJtIwf5mKwntrd2X4tQCObCUbtlZWp65LQNekzUP2AIZpfYXHHhZxJNkmMfealSX67P6hyMykKbBR-OvSHneSl8AKlhwZaYE-L_vXQg6fVjVNRgyC1xq741EvtB8fgkAbeoPamYutgc=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the creek looks magical in the early morning frost</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiG7Ij5nHDPWKramhPuT_gnJizVRBZwwuIuPo471b0m0uoiwTxZjw1hOju67zPE48V7_LsExEfSn-phlnGqeETXeA7PT4TBiAuiGBqmjiDrE72DXlYogoVYGFAi5sLlv_V8U4Y0g3rF845oSaVGzVjLoJ5d0Ux14ngj9h08HGLRDkiBPRl0sGeZbO5X=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiG7Ij5nHDPWKramhPuT_gnJizVRBZwwuIuPo471b0m0uoiwTxZjw1hOju67zPE48V7_LsExEfSn-phlnGqeETXeA7PT4TBiAuiGBqmjiDrE72DXlYogoVYGFAi5sLlv_V8U4Y0g3rF845oSaVGzVjLoJ5d0Ux14ngj9h08HGLRDkiBPRl0sGeZbO5X=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fungus on a fallen tree</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIFjQ2AwzkCM09kcscTdjO3ak7Igk-o9iPvEIEuNTApuklI_Xmaf-Ofsitpp5_SIw9k48ZPSYSQEZY_Lm8vD5JtpR_4ALPmQuMhjTSjclSo8Zpr8Adw73sdkFdLz2SW4VsW86Qta8STBZMHLHGxQHAsfbcul9MERURkLyWgPO8HEcZ4vm-Q_TWej5X=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIFjQ2AwzkCM09kcscTdjO3ak7Igk-o9iPvEIEuNTApuklI_Xmaf-Ofsitpp5_SIw9k48ZPSYSQEZY_Lm8vD5JtpR_4ALPmQuMhjTSjclSo8Zpr8Adw73sdkFdLz2SW4VsW86Qta8STBZMHLHGxQHAsfbcul9MERURkLyWgPO8HEcZ4vm-Q_TWej5X=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dry thistle heads looking kind of moody</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguc_YNJGCul4BXnT7faMjGTiOLm_uXbfF_Ec_uw4d5icjQOcZPzSufFs0D_6F82G3EtsCqUPwYj1Z1uSkp3mERR7yY-qM5Cyv1RbqJSKi9rB9aasHxQzmSKZAoS6JqesnhNQw0whwte6I0DRPl4sUG0oFyvKuE13qq3HhLs6xo9wKT09yK2CKDwX5d=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguc_YNJGCul4BXnT7faMjGTiOLm_uXbfF_Ec_uw4d5icjQOcZPzSufFs0D_6F82G3EtsCqUPwYj1Z1uSkp3mERR7yY-qM5Cyv1RbqJSKi9rB9aasHxQzmSKZAoS6JqesnhNQw0whwte6I0DRPl4sUG0oFyvKuE13qq3HhLs6xo9wKT09yK2CKDwX5d=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">now I know why I have to buy bird seed so often<br />that woodpecker has atrocious table manners!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKIaaEpjm2EqxwZVsBULt4GSDwUWxp6SQ0fp-209crp40F2r76H9lHJv3bX4EE2qjYqeuA2tCizOzx0j_U31QxAJL-9khaU8S9fB7nhqlcCUiJd4m81Fc-CVyambDklm2s__B3UpzMraWsuTuSPclu5hOFXfp9hfqFEkP3vH16rnAh4GQqHlJakRPF=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKIaaEpjm2EqxwZVsBULt4GSDwUWxp6SQ0fp-209crp40F2r76H9lHJv3bX4EE2qjYqeuA2tCizOzx0j_U31QxAJL-9khaU8S9fB7nhqlcCUiJd4m81Fc-CVyambDklm2s__B3UpzMraWsuTuSPclu5hOFXfp9hfqFEkP3vH16rnAh4GQqHlJakRPF=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it's WINDY!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrngdg0FEla9hwdWVds3quSrzo2730RTjwu9279f6VVsgFkwptDJoxK0S4qUHbCKoyE3bETiaSaF7Ye1P0hV-tCAsiKEodIq9xkSK8FuLy4zNQUcThJrXTexu-4HKY-D7s5nd-OsqrT5_SEkil8qiT7yti8WJyK3lhE13oJnmz-pHQ8Db9hW_aZf08=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrngdg0FEla9hwdWVds3quSrzo2730RTjwu9279f6VVsgFkwptDJoxK0S4qUHbCKoyE3bETiaSaF7Ye1P0hV-tCAsiKEodIq9xkSK8FuLy4zNQUcThJrXTexu-4HKY-D7s5nd-OsqrT5_SEkil8qiT7yti8WJyK3lhE13oJnmz-pHQ8Db9hW_aZf08=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some wild times at the bird feeder</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOJtl8BohbYR368C5IhqGg_gdUToZKWJ3WG6TyzNOVU2g_3HbK289zee1wYRFhSukrVFSMvnkabqVIRh2MIDknRnoh3Lt8jsrCrsv0txKZf5FhDcx6XVf8Qdpjumhfqajq0SWeYqNlTvllEw0UEOV_VkbX8XRqScwPlLkCk9ShJOLbVpJXcAQ358WC=s1520" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1520" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOJtl8BohbYR368C5IhqGg_gdUToZKWJ3WG6TyzNOVU2g_3HbK289zee1wYRFhSukrVFSMvnkabqVIRh2MIDknRnoh3Lt8jsrCrsv0txKZf5FhDcx6XVf8Qdpjumhfqajq0SWeYqNlTvllEw0UEOV_VkbX8XRqScwPlLkCk9ShJOLbVpJXcAQ358WC=w400-h276" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this sparrow looks cold</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgm8fFDhv05167akF9R9k9V3UUeSTwMrNtDdawwp5sXXhTxH4HwMkroxhJ8WBkoT1pBnC5PUOC1MoP4EIrXvjl_BY-G9QMoEvvxNcOQDUq5gY8PhYIzYXkt1CA80HZ3byht5vMHhFw328D6fZcWigwWAByBGsxpncV1dq36XC-aLVxmRQCqso7tCjEj=s1050" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="936" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgm8fFDhv05167akF9R9k9V3UUeSTwMrNtDdawwp5sXXhTxH4HwMkroxhJ8WBkoT1pBnC5PUOC1MoP4EIrXvjl_BY-G9QMoEvvxNcOQDUq5gY8PhYIzYXkt1CA80HZ3byht5vMHhFw328D6fZcWigwWAByBGsxpncV1dq36XC-aLVxmRQCqso7tCjEj=w356-h400" width="356" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">okay, everybody looks cold</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheG-PlqPIZZ7fGiDwA_pChp_0j7eXh-X8vduY05Leb5kCoeR-l7iIHpzYOlIyzMEoNXQqmpEcFvi-bX53VE-1c5jc1GM_lMwyShrWLjG1IX3v1NBNmnPMF2Y95HIfsRGerNEhVTBJTtseacCFKOQ0HBglejeaC4Wk6Jqpa76uKVmy0OywZAPJ720bd=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheG-PlqPIZZ7fGiDwA_pChp_0j7eXh-X8vduY05Leb5kCoeR-l7iIHpzYOlIyzMEoNXQqmpEcFvi-bX53VE-1c5jc1GM_lMwyShrWLjG1IX3v1NBNmnPMF2Y95HIfsRGerNEhVTBJTtseacCFKOQ0HBglejeaC4Wk6Jqpa76uKVmy0OywZAPJ720bd=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there are SO many cardinals!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiS5LJ72KvRT1ljLLcdquQyWREQItLJcQRCSlRrF4gSnWBhK1mB6MabUhJzbIClYfLheGizpF_-5-9OjDjqX9ZAqqSkWwJEskiBdsZYLDO7cgXZ1dOsgXyC27JG1bvnJJKWauLVHF108C6-Y5GzacEH8EsW1-cHOigMikbAA_9hLV8xXqQ--jUNesea=s1050" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1002" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiS5LJ72KvRT1ljLLcdquQyWREQItLJcQRCSlRrF4gSnWBhK1mB6MabUhJzbIClYfLheGizpF_-5-9OjDjqX9ZAqqSkWwJEskiBdsZYLDO7cgXZ1dOsgXyC27JG1bvnJJKWauLVHF108C6-Y5GzacEH8EsW1-cHOigMikbAA_9hLV8xXqQ--jUNesea=w381-h400" width="381" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama Cardinal</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnyP4qY63vHgVjy_L56g_3jRA9QF5VlwdCX-npKM5wyhDmMYtV_rSGFkpGjvVvx0coLuLPyBq4kNPIj-UirkqK7kfeD3IgfyjJgxSzsUdyhU0G0FQNU5AaLAKejWYyBiNQO3nM8u_EQicGLTrZs6uv_CX7swtRmF21VJu09GwWTjatVaQrzibMUCZd=s1067" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1067" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnyP4qY63vHgVjy_L56g_3jRA9QF5VlwdCX-npKM5wyhDmMYtV_rSGFkpGjvVvx0coLuLPyBq4kNPIj-UirkqK7kfeD3IgfyjJgxSzsUdyhU0G0FQNU5AaLAKejWYyBiNQO3nM8u_EQicGLTrZs6uv_CX7swtRmF21VJu09GwWTjatVaQrzibMUCZd=w400-h394" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">house finch</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXCqMuk8tJx8R4OgAShg5uJskBjTVUS9A8sez619I7tnOGF8aeaZ8k-3X0VfPO7RMcKBKb70MvHbXIX9ViNxZkU61AmXTII5NUPM3n1JkOZDZ-3wPDVTx8LzSv3LOLiTqeIfXDN3l68-Hy1PVR4LeRL4sj8PriINfHeCSe1PKH5mPX7O5N0jXpOoes=s1089" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1089" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXCqMuk8tJx8R4OgAShg5uJskBjTVUS9A8sez619I7tnOGF8aeaZ8k-3X0VfPO7RMcKBKb70MvHbXIX9ViNxZkU61AmXTII5NUPM3n1JkOZDZ-3wPDVTx8LzSv3LOLiTqeIfXDN3l68-Hy1PVR4LeRL4sj8PriINfHeCSe1PKH5mPX7O5N0jXpOoes=w400-h386" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this looks like it should be an album cover<br />"the four cardinals sing...something..."</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgrob_45w6KgnqghFYjBc5k2Af5SQo_EkYO2OhyK596CXpV7qKrPYvKK-_P1Ocel1UQfdVBosSw9BL6xRVIdBXwh9IV8fEPqubSyqQlropMGtsfGVq6QacfPX_zKT8Wu3F0n2qcRerVH2h9md5VAWwc3O8S8yuBrD80MRuKRKWqqk867ohxv_F4X0S=s1430" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1430" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgrob_45w6KgnqghFYjBc5k2Af5SQo_EkYO2OhyK596CXpV7qKrPYvKK-_P1Ocel1UQfdVBosSw9BL6xRVIdBXwh9IV8fEPqubSyqQlropMGtsfGVq6QacfPX_zKT8Wu3F0n2qcRerVH2h9md5VAWwc3O8S8yuBrD80MRuKRKWqqk867ohxv_F4X0S=w400-h294" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chipping sparrow</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWm7t4eykkcFxJrdJrhUivFjcFMbZWTxK8R_rz9yivQD4wEArbC42cOZ_E4PEzTAkWJt3FGKpQb_XuAFKUBHz9eizUYlYUp4qRSoFogWdtXPRL-9yPDP3mPzupYwWXmqZ3ilTKOqyffegXy-Ilj0OhSLaBudSU8ocqy00tNZFeZaJHrFJbhUtvLbiV=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWm7t4eykkcFxJrdJrhUivFjcFMbZWTxK8R_rz9yivQD4wEArbC42cOZ_E4PEzTAkWJt3FGKpQb_XuAFKUBHz9eizUYlYUp4qRSoFogWdtXPRL-9yPDP3mPzupYwWXmqZ3ilTKOqyffegXy-Ilj0OhSLaBudSU8ocqy00tNZFeZaJHrFJbhUtvLbiV=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it's so cold he has ice on his feathers!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Not too long ago, there was a huge flock of turkey vultures "<span style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Cathartes aura"</span> (more commonly referred to--at least around here---as just plain Buzzards) that roosted in the trees out front. It was a little eerie to see at least 2 dozen buzzards sitting in the bare branches, and then swooping and flying overhead. They made a frightful sound when they landed on the house.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJMOmSQt9sRUWlNRkpm8nV2ceieLfGgV0THbL6bcif2hdJXzqSz5cRdHF18Hjbf70tllVHguNRd9XCgqbefDmyS2vOqRbMW743_h0CvjZsKe3UjJwPWNraLqzftjvfVNkkYsRNHl1_zgEAdIBSfL3xmUWrg7zH5pbrUu1lKHjHyBM3IMHhjvbU_l-u=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJMOmSQt9sRUWlNRkpm8nV2ceieLfGgV0THbL6bcif2hdJXzqSz5cRdHF18Hjbf70tllVHguNRd9XCgqbefDmyS2vOqRbMW743_h0CvjZsKe3UjJwPWNraLqzftjvfVNkkYsRNHl1_zgEAdIBSfL3xmUWrg7zH5pbrUu1lKHjHyBM3IMHhjvbU_l-u=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">buzzards in the trees</td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8UVSS6kQzY_9s3bzTJD5-XIh8bEoDAq2J1EbRKLrivb-O_c3PYGrDwD4aP_iph0JmSqDmsBYD8EZNUrYb87MHMtbGTkxr-Q_pcSAsYhMa9EDL4nhrMysq2aTaQpW69Objz6WVCJDdQN8HDohA03twVUitzHzyydzVQL0cpS-4tKGsL5uslJCHGZZY=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8UVSS6kQzY_9s3bzTJD5-XIh8bEoDAq2J1EbRKLrivb-O_c3PYGrDwD4aP_iph0JmSqDmsBYD8EZNUrYb87MHMtbGTkxr-Q_pcSAsYhMa9EDL4nhrMysq2aTaQpW69Objz6WVCJDdQN8HDohA03twVUitzHzyydzVQL0cpS-4tKGsL5uslJCHGZZY=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I counted 26 one day</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0PMLbkQI1doR60dvJcqmTM2tozZZY3PtEqb_wA55oe9qBbW1EJrUlTuZTjm-s6NgrZ5gr__fFm8UI6u03sJFixb9SFL6EB28cHzO3f2tINpx__MWLKl8rGnd8Rty4ha_mmxKAabJk-hrGqie_HsgV3oJIO8agH6d-OnEXOxdAbqEsOF6jT8q16FYz=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0PMLbkQI1doR60dvJcqmTM2tozZZY3PtEqb_wA55oe9qBbW1EJrUlTuZTjm-s6NgrZ5gr__fFm8UI6u03sJFixb9SFL6EB28cHzO3f2tINpx__MWLKl8rGnd8Rty4ha_mmxKAabJk-hrGqie_HsgV3oJIO8agH6d-OnEXOxdAbqEsOF6jT8q16FYz=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">getting settled for the night</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidduuHw4hNhHM_afPki6MIp3auG2MmOWpo1DI5ds0QeCab06dtUUJ13EMc8yGv14571VOxl_8gPqpNOK9j7RIGOTEA7kTVzYXGlzyy-gGjFXoQ51cYFlFSWwyozp3zAUFE59ZAHq_3dWqV2c-3VTSo8PEM-pUqJQ8_PDnwg4dHkrNLAUpH5Qt_zvZQ=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidduuHw4hNhHM_afPki6MIp3auG2MmOWpo1DI5ds0QeCab06dtUUJ13EMc8yGv14571VOxl_8gPqpNOK9j7RIGOTEA7kTVzYXGlzyy-gGjFXoQ51cYFlFSWwyozp3zAUFE59ZAHq_3dWqV2c-3VTSo8PEM-pUqJQ8_PDnwg4dHkrNLAUpH5Qt_zvZQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">taking off at daybreak</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was the first time I’d ever seen such a large group here
on the hill. it reminded me of a story a friend used to tell…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He spent summers building fence with his dad around the
county. When the day got hot and work slowed to a crawl, his dad would look up
and say “Son, better get a move on…we’re movin’ so slow, you’re lookin’ a lot
like lunch to them buzzards!” for some reason, I have always gotten a chuckle
out of that story. …and felt the need to keep moving…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Which, I suppose I should be doing now.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfAQ9xC7yuSFp0qlBJCP9rBy_GGZvLStan8l3iJNvUndk3ObHBIpyML1R0-P9gYnySaTQkXnEdFEEyreHtSjWOhJr5QLE_scTrmROek3P3nVAoSD0_OKh_NDRnzlrjckHUYEA8e9v6j3jUx5cyDrgei9TXN0yedVd8lEepFkA_6uv4tSDJC5USrneT=s1050" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfAQ9xC7yuSFp0qlBJCP9rBy_GGZvLStan8l3iJNvUndk3ObHBIpyML1R0-P9gYnySaTQkXnEdFEEyreHtSjWOhJr5QLE_scTrmROek3P3nVAoSD0_OKh_NDRnzlrjckHUYEA8e9v6j3jUx5cyDrgei9TXN0yedVd8lEepFkA_6uv4tSDJC5USrneT=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wolf moon at sunrise</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZ-Kz3o5DFSS96n88_K1xRphpq7Ux5sLnPxSNlNaLqkD2TiQc6R_93TlVqWd70fPLGP8JpWpMX6253EPMGwJj_3mJbIYHrCGi43UJSmupJVD0btY-MkvXO9CPZWpzmKTL4nNX3UCv0driPP6LZlJS_25kREvvugFSf2GV8k1auA0t3KnzO52XYNHKc=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZ-Kz3o5DFSS96n88_K1xRphpq7Ux5sLnPxSNlNaLqkD2TiQc6R_93TlVqWd70fPLGP8JpWpMX6253EPMGwJj_3mJbIYHrCGi43UJSmupJVD0btY-MkvXO9CPZWpzmKTL4nNX3UCv0driPP6LZlJS_25kREvvugFSf2GV8k1auA0t3KnzO52XYNHKc=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spectacular sunset</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcG4SYNRjMouoFAhn5b1iS8kyiK8e3mnpbXRIQFywdE_JDmsVD1xplt6mGjMYzxLjrpaE7Q26mszcLyWMosq0ikoFacjegEFaMf2uVWOVSKdhbKQnkeTBZW18WGcssTV9lcrDj84XsP10aVGKc0_iFh64xhmJdQ8r23oqZhI_K5YTNr_dSDiaXWK-q=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcG4SYNRjMouoFAhn5b1iS8kyiK8e3mnpbXRIQFywdE_JDmsVD1xplt6mGjMYzxLjrpaE7Q26mszcLyWMosq0ikoFacjegEFaMf2uVWOVSKdhbKQnkeTBZW18WGcssTV9lcrDj84XsP10aVGKc0_iFh64xhmJdQ8r23oqZhI_K5YTNr_dSDiaXWK-q=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">amazing sunrise<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDy_b8mF8Iq_3Iaw3tDKGVyWMArw_GHuiNKaC4w6Ca4_JfqCCjk1jt9K3SgFEhSYt_6oY7xNegU7Mr8rUko_XgY5LcyvhTYegbEVi_m2vZGNC2yCK-TQgaF2fNPWkMs7cHdxV6vbHEXTbYhaAlgny70i3syemffDf8eFVlEukNuVAs8cDS6sIoNeKh=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDy_b8mF8Iq_3Iaw3tDKGVyWMArw_GHuiNKaC4w6Ca4_JfqCCjk1jt9K3SgFEhSYt_6oY7xNegU7Mr8rUko_XgY5LcyvhTYegbEVi_m2vZGNC2yCK-TQgaF2fNPWkMs7cHdxV6vbHEXTbYhaAlgny70i3syemffDf8eFVlEukNuVAs8cDS6sIoNeKh=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">crescent moon at sunset</td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<p class="MsoNormal">Like another friend used to say at the end of his radio show…”nothing
much happened in our town this week…”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here’s where I sign off as well. Because as you can see…nothing much <b>ever</b> happens around here!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks for reading! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Happy
Sunday!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Lucida Handwriting;"><span style="font-size: 32px;"><b><br /></b></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_LiIxmvygEFy12X9vPne_wqRyixEvgVDBcGcASmFtdPMkUUF6709lc4GuHfXqMLvImGa5IHUCJrrDfjABh_jcWd1Ou39vecHUvfAw2gloq_Ob4MkwCcQTLolOpm_l8C9McuvhvuVVlKcohUEkRGOTbe7fOCyDeXrBveVtDzejHSDf3yiJsgpA1HYZ=s1400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_LiIxmvygEFy12X9vPne_wqRyixEvgVDBcGcASmFtdPMkUUF6709lc4GuHfXqMLvImGa5IHUCJrrDfjABh_jcWd1Ou39vecHUvfAw2gloq_Ob4MkwCcQTLolOpm_l8C9McuvhvuVVlKcohUEkRGOTbe7fOCyDeXrBveVtDzejHSDf3yiJsgpA1HYZ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></b><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></p>...and yes, that is a turkey buzzard soaring away there in the early morning light...kinda pretty, huh?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br />Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03599739740886087571noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819048519590916875.post-17030217992463069612021-09-26T11:05:00.003-04:002021-09-26T11:09:55.296-04:00September 2021 Walkabout<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic43we6M2LGcmUG1qSkXVf58Z4SufEaUCTrzjzKlozmKxFZf774o-JIxMd0d2aXZzEOcB4y7R8sYB_dNKspJmUjXX65WQNtP3Xvm5MBse-9J4TTYIQvhLhJK7Jir4YksarBX_0mVYTt_o/s1509/humming+bird+8+30+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1509" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic43we6M2LGcmUG1qSkXVf58Z4SufEaUCTrzjzKlozmKxFZf774o-JIxMd0d2aXZzEOcB4y7R8sYB_dNKspJmUjXX65WQNtP3Xvm5MBse-9J4TTYIQvhLhJK7Jir4YksarBX_0mVYTt_o/s600/humming+bird+8+30+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="600" /></a></div>It took a message from the other side of the world to get my attention.
Wow! It really had been “ages” since I posted. More than six months to be exact.
So, thanks to Virginia from New Zealand for the wake-up call. <div><br /><div>I meant to keep posting, I really did. I made more than a few attempts. But, between some ill-timed internet hiccups (that only occurred just as I was ready to post) and unexpected life events…it got easier and easier to put off posting and wait for something “more interesting” to happen, for things to get “better”. </div><div><br /></div><div>Spoiler alert—things did not get "better" or "more interesting". </div><div><br /></div><div>When I last posted, everything was good.
Lambing had been successful. We were just waiting for spring. We knew this year would be a new “adventure” as it would be our first time without the Farmers’ Market dictating our schedule in any way. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoIfjhfBuocwNgTQdT6-RwJTVD8d8eHHwSR6YpvRuW_LrvXlJNwAdmqqf0xqQxh8JRaZBYESc8ZVk8OyMZjX3kAEkIXRePpnpuIUkY2d5F-7C3M-yk_tI7E_uNKo-Jcn17JSGxH8etMY/s1367/1+rainbow+3+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1367" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoIfjhfBuocwNgTQdT6-RwJTVD8d8eHHwSR6YpvRuW_LrvXlJNwAdmqqf0xqQxh8JRaZBYESc8ZVk8OyMZjX3kAEkIXRePpnpuIUkY2d5F-7C3M-yk_tI7E_uNKo-Jcn17JSGxH8etMY/w400-h308/1+rainbow+3+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rainbow over our Valley</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>We were eligible for vaccination fairly early and were looking to enjoy the whole “retirement” thing despite the continuing pandemic. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUcSlHEf6UX-c2bWi1P-7v18k6bKKcflSGi8gayhzfoNMZ4Sf6UdBffJU-g-uZ5C5FxBpotRj70N_-SQ_iZF_vKiAdiOFa2ey1VXzu7p9FS38a9bfet25d2B1e6bMRzdIXSKuUWzdwDo/s1400/1+baby+cardinals+7+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUcSlHEf6UX-c2bWi1P-7v18k6bKKcflSGi8gayhzfoNMZ4Sf6UdBffJU-g-uZ5C5FxBpotRj70N_-SQ_iZF_vKiAdiOFa2ey1VXzu7p9FS38a9bfet25d2B1e6bMRzdIXSKuUWzdwDo/w400-h300/1+baby+cardinals+7+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby cardinals</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BVZjXI0UZWsw_kxVGhh3MIUXmDNyEVWCHfdnGbxJhLgDUHZHFG8fGRjodoTtQBDDjj5m_UABGRSQgQP2J7dI4wDGGpieYGfGpj_1sRxV8jN3gGxHbRIcEEu5ftTSA8BnsLh1ggu6Wvc/s1463/1+beautiful+summer+sky+farm+6+29+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1463" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BVZjXI0UZWsw_kxVGhh3MIUXmDNyEVWCHfdnGbxJhLgDUHZHFG8fGRjodoTtQBDDjj5m_UABGRSQgQP2J7dI4wDGGpieYGfGpj_1sRxV8jN3gGxHbRIcEEu5ftTSA8BnsLh1ggu6Wvc/w400-h288/1+beautiful+summer+sky+farm+6+29+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">beautiful sky over the farm</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOFd9HKaX9iAS9IhrJ46G2W6HZ1wLKUfF6RBVoxKY-iQWluR6-UPEzsXm-8ORdLwiIbKnfvZDzAOb1OSbeaiCIUfe61dmS9zH_L-CDM8p5hBM6B6lQmAq7ebAlZys_yZH3i-CNzqcFTg/s1400/1+close+wet+ladybug+lettuce+5+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOFd9HKaX9iAS9IhrJ46G2W6HZ1wLKUfF6RBVoxKY-iQWluR6-UPEzsXm-8ORdLwiIbKnfvZDzAOb1OSbeaiCIUfe61dmS9zH_L-CDM8p5hBM6B6lQmAq7ebAlZys_yZH3i-CNzqcFTg/w400-h300/1+close+wet+ladybug+lettuce+5+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ladybug in the lettuce</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsLrcsd1s1sggLLkpC_agVO_cgbhPY9IDX4g9PXG9_iuhNMHW3xS2bYNPigR99hVVaepmpbJYifnQe0CNCGTxshMBqmz8B0oXW9nGggEhBz8J5qttzdmpSkid4ABdBge1S8b22Mp500o/s1400/1+columbine+4+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsLrcsd1s1sggLLkpC_agVO_cgbhPY9IDX4g9PXG9_iuhNMHW3xS2bYNPigR99hVVaepmpbJYifnQe0CNCGTxshMBqmz8B0oXW9nGggEhBz8J5qttzdmpSkid4ABdBge1S8b22Mp500o/w400-h300/1+columbine+4+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">columbine</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDdmlxAJ5_VvQD7yPcutTPpF-83TwbmhhTzWg4WdqlQpz4_tSugNMVyFrWvwJZawnYZZ108AmMcYyVCr9y2wiyV2Cms8aR27Q-Rwo5t2pYPRKSlaSUfJjk6vhKCxTe52JYIoBGMaqtHw/s1400/1+crescent+moon+through+the+trees+3+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDdmlxAJ5_VvQD7yPcutTPpF-83TwbmhhTzWg4WdqlQpz4_tSugNMVyFrWvwJZawnYZZ108AmMcYyVCr9y2wiyV2Cms8aR27Q-Rwo5t2pYPRKSlaSUfJjk6vhKCxTe52JYIoBGMaqtHw/w400-h300/1+crescent+moon+through+the+trees+3+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">crescent moon at daybreak</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkAS7Z90ZrR8KHkCf43DTxYb89sec2-Am7Hes_FBjPzmyuNzp0YhtizRRniadttlZi8eUbhksmH6_Qw-luY5VRwK8PAoGDck43RxVQJkQrFmlC9WrOH5ajeeUodC4ydzXiGWawvyfWZs/s1400/1+redbud+cardinals+4+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkAS7Z90ZrR8KHkCf43DTxYb89sec2-Am7Hes_FBjPzmyuNzp0YhtizRRniadttlZi8eUbhksmH6_Qw-luY5VRwK8PAoGDck43RxVQJkQrFmlC9WrOH5ajeeUodC4ydzXiGWawvyfWZs/w400-h300/1+redbud+cardinals+4+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cardinals in the redbud tree</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzN25OXaYJZH9sZhuW9TIIXeaLMC152tM97HfI5FgPsrNlGKKr89CmYHxsxvUN8Rd2gzDyJsPqBCpV4wDm1hKpH3kmXnmAwTgpUqXK25nBtbsiWYcZDZHNaHwPv0yl8_LJRuw1MWHABA/s1400/mr+bluebird+3+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzN25OXaYJZH9sZhuW9TIIXeaLMC152tM97HfI5FgPsrNlGKKr89CmYHxsxvUN8Rd2gzDyJsPqBCpV4wDm1hKpH3kmXnmAwTgpUqXK25nBtbsiWYcZDZHNaHwPv0yl8_LJRuw1MWHABA/w400-h300/mr+bluebird+3+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mr. bluebird checking out a new home</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div> Life apparently had other plans… </div><div><br /></div><div>All these things occurred in the past 6 months. (not necessarily in this order) Keep in mind, this is the abridged version. </div><div><br /></div><div>We lost 4 lambs in 2 days, and I still don’t know why. </div><div>Otis died unexpectedly and despite our best efforts AND an emergency vet call. </div><div>Gus laid down in the flower bed and died. </div><div>The desperately needed lane paving job required a far bigger investment than originally expected. </div><div>The hay guy decided to stop selling hay. </div><div>Tom had a kidney stone attack, requiring a Sunday morning trip to the Emergency Room. (that was early May and we’re still not finished) </div><div>He has had 2 surgeries. He is awaiting the third in hopes of saving his kidney. (in addition to the ever-lurking cancer concerns) </div><div>A hawk attacked the hens. </div><div>The garden came under attack. First by the gigantic doe that roams the neighborhood. Next by bugs and critters. </div><div>My new medication makes me feel like I might literally melt. </div><div>The area endured an extended heatwave AND drought. (making my “melting” a very real concern and liability) </div><div>While picking tomatoes, Tom injured his sciatic nerve and has been in excruciating pain ever since. (nearly 6 weeks, despite doc visits and medication) </div><div>We’ve been stuck here, doing very little for months. There is no end in sight. Despite this, I have made no progress on the projects I was certain would be finished by now. </div><div>It’s been another year of weird, socially-distanced family gatherings. </div><div>Because of the actions of the local anti-mask/anti-vax folks, the numbers are worse now than they have been. The hospital CEO even made a video appeal to the community. </div><div>We have been under continual self-imposed quasi-quarantine for months now. As we cannot risk exposure to anything that might postpone that next procedure. (we are going a bit stir-crazy) </div><div>All the news seems all bad lately, if the pandemic doesn’t get us, the weather issues caused by climate change will. And, don’t even get me started on the political divisiveness. There are people actually calling for civil war. </div><div>We sold ALL the sheep and made the decision to stop our lamb sales. We can’t possibly call ourselves a farm. So, just what are we doing?</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRYmzHeJD_Dkvd04YlRCsOZnwkR7Pfjemwsx8h-zcqg69lXp4vuJYrp4-SAm_1FzJ00X1ICGhC9NC7SMjVFkKCXC2peO4tcEC4K48QRZlDMH_D5vO7gx2wNc09GpK46B-vjphllXqzxk/s1142/1+gus+6+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1142" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRYmzHeJD_Dkvd04YlRCsOZnwkR7Pfjemwsx8h-zcqg69lXp4vuJYrp4-SAm_1FzJ00X1ICGhC9NC7SMjVFkKCXC2peO4tcEC4K48QRZlDMH_D5vO7gx2wNc09GpK46B-vjphllXqzxk/w400-h368/1+gus+6+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">despite all his annoying habits, I'll miss ole Gus</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div> --those are just the highlights…or would that be low-lights? </div><div><br /></div><div> I reckon I could swing the other direction and embrace all these things with an air of acceptance and heartfelt gratitude, hopefully stopping short of becoming some sort of weird “new age Pollyanna”. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vj-85NbzAtfhfX1pD09an2npo__otK8PHrl6Q3niN-bmcPBO4ZNM91Xuwz5jgIGPn1mIW4rb7axBQ5a-ST4lzHFMKLLUsWu6pJTTWx9_2Dzv6UaaQGK7haNRVvDVsvq35yQmG08LN2Y/s1540/1+apple+morning+light+9+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1540" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vj-85NbzAtfhfX1pD09an2npo__otK8PHrl6Q3niN-bmcPBO4ZNM91Xuwz5jgIGPn1mIW4rb7axBQ5a-ST4lzHFMKLLUsWu6pJTTWx9_2Dzv6UaaQGK7haNRVvDVsvq35yQmG08LN2Y/w400-h272/1+apple+morning+light+9+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">apple in the morning light</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9sStxtHGlICSQxjurcqT2kwSVBtdmnQ59y5UNCQXA0gEoJzAzCMcRGlpYeANSUTTPvA1OFaoKXvKIfDOKZh3vOon61JHLgEfF2B-Spu1VifalzB0mEAxlNcKN8JKn88NWxMRZSy804I/s1400/1+arugula+flowers+9+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9sStxtHGlICSQxjurcqT2kwSVBtdmnQ59y5UNCQXA0gEoJzAzCMcRGlpYeANSUTTPvA1OFaoKXvKIfDOKZh3vOon61JHLgEfF2B-Spu1VifalzB0mEAxlNcKN8JKn88NWxMRZSy804I/w400-h300/1+arugula+flowers+9+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">arugula flowers</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Xc5-r-Fz3RANdzJArA6HV5bxb0kK_UKZXMzuF5u0VnpL5VapUhqnFfXEuZuDpdX0_oRa684dcPvEp1TrZR0aBzMWFY5qJBXulaYTqmGar62Xia2ig3UL29D0-Uy2_oBxmQ-3C74AM04/s1400/1+baby+brussels+sprouts+9+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Xc5-r-Fz3RANdzJArA6HV5bxb0kK_UKZXMzuF5u0VnpL5VapUhqnFfXEuZuDpdX0_oRa684dcPvEp1TrZR0aBzMWFY5qJBXulaYTqmGar62Xia2ig3UL29D0-Uy2_oBxmQ-3C74AM04/w400-h300/1+baby+brussels+sprouts+9+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby brussels sprouts</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ir3EnPGIjjkNadXnkcnVfI4Ay7yW0ffNfmHty0JnoxzfqEnYHMtP1gFEkWZ9181tYvLGhu-qHz1e212kZhGVU3jbNGYFKlHIja2llUb-zRiVSxb5j6OcyZ_k5t1G43-I8TDiCjN9uG8/s1400/1+beginning+of+green+bean+harvest+9+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ir3EnPGIjjkNadXnkcnVfI4Ay7yW0ffNfmHty0JnoxzfqEnYHMtP1gFEkWZ9181tYvLGhu-qHz1e212kZhGVU3jbNGYFKlHIja2llUb-zRiVSxb5j6OcyZ_k5t1G43-I8TDiCjN9uG8/w400-h300/1+beginning+of+green+bean+harvest+9+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">green beans in the hoophouse</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixR9p5aH2oUUp5-xiyZ23g91AJ2Dh389LiJ4J1zVDYhFdpjjQ8e2OZ0AuQqgKxcDk-I42lYXM6J48xG8Db0kvLWO0BS1hotkDWZC9avtXgS8A3RJkKmd3rsmw_7CjBruRHg1PfC6biI8U/s1400/1+cantelope+tendril+7+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixR9p5aH2oUUp5-xiyZ23g91AJ2Dh389LiJ4J1zVDYhFdpjjQ8e2OZ0AuQqgKxcDk-I42lYXM6J48xG8Db0kvLWO0BS1hotkDWZC9avtXgS8A3RJkKmd3rsmw_7CjBruRHg1PfC6biI8U/w400-h300/1+cantelope+tendril+7+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cantelope tendril</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuLTtIPq-rawuWJra2GSbHnKx82TlJdt-md6mxvYH6dt8i-fR8wQzK2NHNvAjsZVW9FR2S0hzKw2Ap7lghdNX0YAGpnhE8zTnxL9xUJOtb0thhqqIT_6HiMJhXIdKQ0sMNynhfeVsAGs/s1400/1+fall+apple+9+10+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuLTtIPq-rawuWJra2GSbHnKx82TlJdt-md6mxvYH6dt8i-fR8wQzK2NHNvAjsZVW9FR2S0hzKw2Ap7lghdNX0YAGpnhE8zTnxL9xUJOtb0thhqqIT_6HiMJhXIdKQ0sMNynhfeVsAGs/w400-h300/1+fall+apple+9+10+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">apple on a post</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tu2iuzVaB_UAiQ0Zr_PXLkzSwI02q174SXj56cL89i_rRppsMbJ_W65TzrRRiBoTVRd1UImE7GE4HaVbGHYxPzoJZVEDTyBpYh8WybV_OHfoLPy03ucVHdsLUMJATenBOBqAOazCcEk/s1050/1+falling+springs+falls+6+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tu2iuzVaB_UAiQ0Zr_PXLkzSwI02q174SXj56cL89i_rRppsMbJ_W65TzrRRiBoTVRd1UImE7GE4HaVbGHYxPzoJZVEDTyBpYh8WybV_OHfoLPy03ucVHdsLUMJATenBOBqAOazCcEk/w300-h400/1+falling+springs+falls+6+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Falling Springs Falls<br />Covington, VA</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3H05yK-2XxoFCviRpZLvbwpkIBNapc9MMY_yX348KjCeZKPVX49TrFrSlhXzEt0Y_a1iHFjEUfZbYiiydYtuRVe0Z9b7Ne26Wty0SqyM6ZLna1wnKWHqdmfGkX7sQqt6RjZ0Aao78UA/s1400/1+fawn+beside+lane+9+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3H05yK-2XxoFCviRpZLvbwpkIBNapc9MMY_yX348KjCeZKPVX49TrFrSlhXzEt0Y_a1iHFjEUfZbYiiydYtuRVe0Z9b7Ne26Wty0SqyM6ZLna1wnKWHqdmfGkX7sQqt6RjZ0Aao78UA/w400-h300/1+fawn+beside+lane+9+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">curious fawn at the mailbox</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cHD62vnFeYW8KG_CKe3GSBy4uc92nqPeNvPq_2JrHbl1AW1bQ5vE1CpDDaXCK0HUE6NNMzS61iVngmt9cejZXf0tk-QejeFkG14Ld1JQJkoUG00tQXiyIyPLChjVIF4o9_5vNeoEPQA/s1400/1+fern+boxerwood+8+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cHD62vnFeYW8KG_CKe3GSBy4uc92nqPeNvPq_2JrHbl1AW1bQ5vE1CpDDaXCK0HUE6NNMzS61iVngmt9cejZXf0tk-QejeFkG14Ld1JQJkoUG00tQXiyIyPLChjVIF4o9_5vNeoEPQA/w400-h300/1+fern+boxerwood+8+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fern<br />Boxerwood Gardens<br />Lexington, VA</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBspscN4FWKhJ5vYT7ht9D8l2ocWB36azri_I4tnmENej1IKJPEgeFcoUmcoJArWjW83aPtLaGUXM3NRbIjCz8eAeHqsqduTCiHxZVZZzCTBqfaLwn5df9QE1xoMdaFWL2nBhYkwB0GE/s1400/1+fresh+radishes+4+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBspscN4FWKhJ5vYT7ht9D8l2ocWB36azri_I4tnmENej1IKJPEgeFcoUmcoJArWjW83aPtLaGUXM3NRbIjCz8eAeHqsqduTCiHxZVZZzCTBqfaLwn5df9QE1xoMdaFWL2nBhYkwB0GE/w400-h300/1+fresh+radishes+4+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">french breakfast radishes</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6EwhqeCduzULXEk2p_M-voQXVAH9SOwvYFVTsTNY8q3qD-itTushpi0IIXYn7SgEB2atVwNOq1-CaNe4C6Fo8CaG4VAzeV8N4OXNbelpwPt0AZ9jlmAJd15nL7iAfupGATvElh3uWFs/s1438/1+giant+spinach+5+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1438" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6EwhqeCduzULXEk2p_M-voQXVAH9SOwvYFVTsTNY8q3qD-itTushpi0IIXYn7SgEB2atVwNOq1-CaNe4C6Fo8CaG4VAzeV8N4OXNbelpwPt0AZ9jlmAJd15nL7iAfupGATvElh3uWFs/w400-h293/1+giant+spinach+5+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant Winter Spinach is aptly named</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfA2hANtL1UJcxt79QsrBAgpEktUUIUpHxCzlONWaCqeydQQ6IJw2fHjtfqpgavwLIDs6i3H4C8zDFvIUHG-ptLAkg-qGS2FHEtsqtYc7zfCqU4qjIQ8Y5kkGRXcr4JJyHw52pfvPXsqM/s1400/1+monarch+caterpillar+9+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfA2hANtL1UJcxt79QsrBAgpEktUUIUpHxCzlONWaCqeydQQ6IJw2fHjtfqpgavwLIDs6i3H4C8zDFvIUHG-ptLAkg-qGS2FHEtsqtYc7zfCqU4qjIQ8Y5kkGRXcr4JJyHw52pfvPXsqM/w400-h300/1+monarch+caterpillar+9+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">monarch caterpillar on milkweed</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjiKoZ7DkHMT8RFnrEPj7Ibxt7uSA2Iz-kvDoVUISa_bcFtZmGLYU8v-i5GVhgxGGlxF81hmZ0q1wqxXjtUiqcaf9fY8qbj28ftjY-HRsxkfFRJoU84jYU__UKMBIfibrc6Sahii8ahU/s1400/1+nice+lamb+4+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjiKoZ7DkHMT8RFnrEPj7Ibxt7uSA2Iz-kvDoVUISa_bcFtZmGLYU8v-i5GVhgxGGlxF81hmZ0q1wqxXjtUiqcaf9fY8qbj28ftjY-HRsxkfFRJoU84jYU__UKMBIfibrc6Sahii8ahU/w400-h300/1+nice+lamb+4+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nice-looking lamb</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXG2y4Gz4Ohw1dXYYwVjKFxNwILuU5fdzaQ7V79d2XJ3_5nzNwLxyqTCjvkehuHuZAhs8fTvNbWy0-n_AF_UtO-oN70S2yHJqbCS74uTcTDjWEPMtRE5OcOhoOSW3cz6TzgxR-xCwrjIg/s1400/1+peach+blossoms+sunrise+4+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXG2y4Gz4Ohw1dXYYwVjKFxNwILuU5fdzaQ7V79d2XJ3_5nzNwLxyqTCjvkehuHuZAhs8fTvNbWy0-n_AF_UtO-oN70S2yHJqbCS74uTcTDjWEPMtRE5OcOhoOSW3cz6TzgxR-xCwrjIg/w400-h300/1+peach+blossoms+sunrise+4+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">peach blossoms at sunrise</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pPHZRBTvXvpi7As1l-coIkjv8TcNijwfLSmFka-qMKsP4r3Ogr9vNgs7GuMyVuJ2Eti3pinwuCuDRvhzCp9KRkTpzL49-jIPwO-xP75awFiSr3sDL7rqHojUn-fUKPc4MPKAucDdFxE/s1400/1+poison+ivy+9+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pPHZRBTvXvpi7As1l-coIkjv8TcNijwfLSmFka-qMKsP4r3Ogr9vNgs7GuMyVuJ2Eti3pinwuCuDRvhzCp9KRkTpzL49-jIPwO-xP75awFiSr3sDL7rqHojUn-fUKPc4MPKAucDdFxE/w400-h300/1+poison+ivy+9+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">poison ivy is the first to change color in the fall</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xTYbDFBRQ4QW_G6tFi_XycYkGvMloE99-VWNyZO_W5g5YnWEW3nYx6JDuxvLSpB1NODMks4KGzU2gjK1I2-TNKzNDvOBRpruw5EMz2EUIuDhSk2kQB0os17tmdo15BwwAvmWx004CQY/s1400/1+ripe+cantelope+9+9+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xTYbDFBRQ4QW_G6tFi_XycYkGvMloE99-VWNyZO_W5g5YnWEW3nYx6JDuxvLSpB1NODMks4KGzU2gjK1I2-TNKzNDvOBRpruw5EMz2EUIuDhSk2kQB0os17tmdo15BwwAvmWx004CQY/w400-h300/1+ripe+cantelope+9+9+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ripe melon from hoophouse</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_atezuddZmTUVm0ziuNGK3Y86Qskgz1dvQNVAlyw9J2ak8eAktYFTuR5HifATpmmofvAIx34TcnMRahmDR58d1H5c2Rc7Zs1kJAnQmFTQgutlk3lwzgXMqXexwNviNWpBHT61MtyZpDQ/s1400/1+sugarcube+cantelope+9+10+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_atezuddZmTUVm0ziuNGK3Y86Qskgz1dvQNVAlyw9J2ak8eAktYFTuR5HifATpmmofvAIx34TcnMRahmDR58d1H5c2Rc7Zs1kJAnQmFTQgutlk3lwzgXMqXexwNviNWpBHT61MtyZpDQ/w400-h300/1+sugarcube+cantelope+9+10+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ready to eat<br />YUM!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kiboFRTQqjR_6vyBlwp2DZ3wDtYdaViNqaawi_-UW25V7takg55wNqouVIhIYdziD7KsUll3Z20QssRKP26XmF2Kt9_Rmm-Jh9m2lnfkI7NVmXAYQFoQ67v3Qy_yXw6ZiFjNTOFWpQk/s1485/1+vulture+9+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1485" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kiboFRTQqjR_6vyBlwp2DZ3wDtYdaViNqaawi_-UW25V7takg55wNqouVIhIYdziD7KsUll3Z20QssRKP26XmF2Kt9_Rmm-Jh9m2lnfkI7NVmXAYQFoQ67v3Qy_yXw6ZiFjNTOFWpQk/w400-h283/1+vulture+9+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">black vulture warming its wings on the stockyard fence</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9RdGspxtBvFCxnSiVC96DxqRUrngm8vMSkFOSZKkbpt57_QAeOpvbCTy0UiR-V41mJj8ogW_YTEU9Hw5Y_X96yWBW67aeQfJIPh3bdKPd136bM6aMjNEYrwwVU3NELe3i0O7AuW5S6g/s1400/dragonfly+on+log+8+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9RdGspxtBvFCxnSiVC96DxqRUrngm8vMSkFOSZKkbpt57_QAeOpvbCTy0UiR-V41mJj8ogW_YTEU9Hw5Y_X96yWBW67aeQfJIPh3bdKPd136bM6aMjNEYrwwVU3NELe3i0O7AuW5S6g/w400-h300/dragonfly+on+log+8+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dragonfly on a log<br />Boxerwood Gardens<br />Lexington, VA</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKv1nX4khDRRYx_bubWDxbstXivqKGKcuv1MfrTm9wND__QNqEIR9Ta4NRUVfbtU2TZNETnD2eWw14mdeHkZ45xIhDMXByhOfmsUBYi0Qa4prEPpUI4sK5GyrKa-YeBdYHdXwvZqkNCqE/s1050/karma+corn+7+19+21+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="702" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKv1nX4khDRRYx_bubWDxbstXivqKGKcuv1MfrTm9wND__QNqEIR9Ta4NRUVfbtU2TZNETnD2eWw14mdeHkZ45xIhDMXByhOfmsUBYi0Qa4prEPpUI4sK5GyrKa-YeBdYHdXwvZqkNCqE/w268-h400/karma+corn+7+19+21+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karma guarding the corn</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>That one can be a serious challenge, but here goes… </div><div><br /></div><div>We got the new HVAC system installed BEFORE one of the hottest summers ever. </div><div>We got our vaccinations and didn’t experience horrible side-effects, nor any break-through infection.</div><div> The costly paving job on the lane took out every single bump. (highly important when one is traveling and in pain) </div><div>The hawk only killed one hen and hasn’t been seen again. </div><div> This is the first time in twenty-five years that a deer got in the garden. And, at least we’re not growing for market! (that became a recurring refrain this summer) </div><div>We were able to preserve plenty of veggies for winter despite the bugs, deer and other varmints. We’ve even donated to the mission and shared with family.</div><div>The surviving lambs grew out wonderfully. </div><div>The freezer is full of delicious lamb. (no worries about going hungry) </div><div>We got a good price for the other lambs. (thanks, Anathallo Acres!) </div><div>Tom was able to build a deer fence and protect the garden from further damage, despite his health issues. </div><div> We have the time and resources to address said health issues. </div><div> My new medication muted the neuropathy that has plagued me for at least five years…AND helps with my anxiety/depression, making the fibromyalgia pain and chronic fatigue more bearable. (and I can watch Netflix while lying on the floor under the breeze of the ceiling fan when recovering from the heat) </div><div>We were able to visit “in-person”, even if it was just a couple of times. Those hugs were awesome!</div><div> I made it to 500 consecutive days of meditation. </div><div> The “garden experiments” I did in the hoophouse were mostly successful. </div><div>We got to go on a few little day-trips and see some beautiful sights. </div><div> The flower barrel beautification project by the kitchen door has been lovely all summer. </div><div>And, the daylilies we planted out front survived the drought and will be gorgeous in the spring. (thanks Karen and Dennis!) </div><div>The remnants of hurricane Ida brought 3 inches of much-needed rain without any damage. </div><div>Waiting for Tom at his countless appointments has given me time to read some AMAZING books.
Video chat is accessible. As is Netflix AND Hulu. </div><div>Everything we need is readily available online AND the UPS driver stopped dumping the packages along the lane. </div><div>That last check from the stockyard (for the old ewes) was pretty doggone impressive. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, take your pick on perspective. </div><div><br /></div><div>All summer, I’ve been trying to embrace the thought that…“right now, it’s like this” (the radical acceptance that I scoffed at when the therapist brought it up years ago). Not resisting the hardships, but also not missing the gifts. Not worrying that it will always be awful/challenging or irritating and definitely not taking for granted it will always be pleasant/beautiful/peaceful. Take each moment as it comes. Hold on with an open hand, instead of grasping and attempting to keep things the same.
That can be a real challenge sometimes. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMqNCeSvE-Bvf3zV0Qb-HbyjaHuQo5OZ8t28oyfMJfPuTTO3WAMkHf8KOaMHfQQBGn7FgI_qFRws9DnHHOsPv_bcGWGP4waqHq-3xw68Te1yQY0R2wyX6-nsehKO9rQGk8xAGxfzdueY/s1400/1+baby+cardinals+7+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMqNCeSvE-Bvf3zV0Qb-HbyjaHuQo5OZ8t28oyfMJfPuTTO3WAMkHf8KOaMHfQQBGn7FgI_qFRws9DnHHOsPv_bcGWGP4waqHq-3xw68Te1yQY0R2wyX6-nsehKO9rQGk8xAGxfzdueY/w400-h300/1+baby+cardinals+7+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby cardinals almost ready to fledge</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNfqxQQ7kAQViVYXtlKAt2vAo8uu6_FO2456J-o_JKX3fTgUuDoP3GH9StlhjSqejJ-MGYtFWTaAeDBg_tey_qNSC7jAsKCI4G7gCo90VCCaCmc93npFTgcUGb8H1zEn0JERpI3cU4kQ/s1400/1+backlit+hummer+9+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNfqxQQ7kAQViVYXtlKAt2vAo8uu6_FO2456J-o_JKX3fTgUuDoP3GH9StlhjSqejJ-MGYtFWTaAeDBg_tey_qNSC7jAsKCI4G7gCo90VCCaCmc93npFTgcUGb8H1zEn0JERpI3cU4kQ/w400-h300/1+backlit+hummer+9+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">back-lit hummer</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8Xdqk-OFjUD61sTgIeDTOuS0man_HG2WEKTtxX209NSXj7swfi31efro1_POnm26k2FCUgpIBHX50gnDT129yoFP_3BOTO5F_us9cgRfsKVQFDSnC9UgHF27CQY0fUjcIsVeefJd8fM/s1400/1+dove+on+front+fence+9+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8Xdqk-OFjUD61sTgIeDTOuS0man_HG2WEKTtxX209NSXj7swfi31efro1_POnm26k2FCUgpIBHX50gnDT129yoFP_3BOTO5F_us9cgRfsKVQFDSnC9UgHF27CQY0fUjcIsVeefJd8fM/w400-h300/1+dove+on+front+fence+9+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dove on front fence</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsatCj2FC9cT7A-azR-XGOG4SAN5fHll5M51w-iXTCLUX1V1yHKxE5wGGu-fNdkOOSb0Knb_SoJuE4Ix6JTRm82G63AQSlE9A5YPJx8B3hurAW9XoYaHMDVgfS5rRpwgJfrcwQcRxKx5k/s1400/1+fawn+lost+8+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsatCj2FC9cT7A-azR-XGOG4SAN5fHll5M51w-iXTCLUX1V1yHKxE5wGGu-fNdkOOSb0Knb_SoJuE4Ix6JTRm82G63AQSlE9A5YPJx8B3hurAW9XoYaHMDVgfS5rRpwgJfrcwQcRxKx5k/w400-h300/1+fawn+lost+8+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lost fawn</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10BCYQLNnt1CfIMxt3AIAhlqzH-FZ8cxoDs-P9R1zh48009KMgBiy2Q8IPCQQQ3Gw4G-y-5fW1jeI26vK-KCSPCJ4s51wkn3L6AJBaxjivaFxwyhLdvSzypgNob8GdyVTwK4pmfYwKqE/s1400/1+goldfinch+rainy+redbud+4+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10BCYQLNnt1CfIMxt3AIAhlqzH-FZ8cxoDs-P9R1zh48009KMgBiy2Q8IPCQQQ3Gw4G-y-5fW1jeI26vK-KCSPCJ4s51wkn3L6AJBaxjivaFxwyhLdvSzypgNob8GdyVTwK4pmfYwKqE/w400-h300/1+goldfinch+rainy+redbud+4+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">goldfinch in redbud tree</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISTMRB833UaLvV08shbYku8jgsBVO4cqOX5XgMd-39O6_Gd7W8qRjPO7PxMD1FxmH5ZlWeEiDGOXh0yRwbwASDpd7yWH-FtU3OJeQmzN-aXcXF5uwW7zX-EMa8yM7DwHc1bKNikbvq80/s1487/1+hawk+creek+9+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1487" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISTMRB833UaLvV08shbYku8jgsBVO4cqOX5XgMd-39O6_Gd7W8qRjPO7PxMD1FxmH5ZlWeEiDGOXh0yRwbwASDpd7yWH-FtU3OJeQmzN-aXcXF5uwW7zX-EMa8yM7DwHc1bKNikbvq80/w400-h283/1+hawk+creek+9+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hawk at the creek</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXyPYNqNqypKG93gd9cP7EtJ8Idxa7io9n5QiQUIDq4Hxm1rQqE5AlPQKMO5vOnt8dWkkg0aj9YUgS093tGr-GKKY-sJSIO9aXUsKoL5mSJw2CrIK8X8FdPZpLKUHaobTQqaFME4TAbA/s1400/1+hello+squirrel+6+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXyPYNqNqypKG93gd9cP7EtJ8Idxa7io9n5QiQUIDq4Hxm1rQqE5AlPQKMO5vOnt8dWkkg0aj9YUgS093tGr-GKKY-sJSIO9aXUsKoL5mSJw2CrIK8X8FdPZpLKUHaobTQqaFME4TAbA/w400-h300/1+hello+squirrel+6+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">squirrel</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulfCkUIBOvwpDkxPwTwgaOTA84SSh1vEZJYhVToqkbkCg1v8G9XWA1HJqT2EPSmULNVOACZroZokp0O5pkt0UqD1qisUlVXUhYhfcf3nZhf0fndS4sf5OCgHkLXp9nbChCM22zDHKhis/s1400/1+hummer+redbud+tree+8+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulfCkUIBOvwpDkxPwTwgaOTA84SSh1vEZJYhVToqkbkCg1v8G9XWA1HJqT2EPSmULNVOACZroZokp0O5pkt0UqD1qisUlVXUhYhfcf3nZhf0fndS4sf5OCgHkLXp9nbChCM22zDHKhis/w400-h300/1+hummer+redbud+tree+8+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hummer in redbud tree</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpqbR_q9Yw9KsMe79GHGwCM7uBwmDisFnBT6ZXZkgAK2xwQYHbDIOuunr7qLrtKF-0YLaCHoTjqXwyUEePfNTBngXU__Wdm8tMrpA5ly72_sNghgWb6JoxrF9ks-KJW-ZDZCfA_9QAnQ/s1400/1+robin+in+cherry+tree+4+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpqbR_q9Yw9KsMe79GHGwCM7uBwmDisFnBT6ZXZkgAK2xwQYHbDIOuunr7qLrtKF-0YLaCHoTjqXwyUEePfNTBngXU__Wdm8tMrpA5ly72_sNghgWb6JoxrF9ks-KJW-ZDZCfA_9QAnQ/w400-h300/1+robin+in+cherry+tree+4+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">robin in cherry tree</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwETkiwOFn-5jaUsMyPBTzA3fEV8KCW6CBZT0dKnYaCH0mQ5vt_ULA5F84TKB2vAqD0U0KQPDxyf2N2iaUMt915BsI7jp3ebg_sNB5H3LksuSjm8DnFspNMel0i8uPfcw6TejlfhK2cTU/s1400/1+sheep+thru+pines+9+10+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwETkiwOFn-5jaUsMyPBTzA3fEV8KCW6CBZT0dKnYaCH0mQ5vt_ULA5F84TKB2vAqD0U0KQPDxyf2N2iaUMt915BsI7jp3ebg_sNB5H3LksuSjm8DnFspNMel0i8uPfcw6TejlfhK2cTU/w400-h300/1+sheep+thru+pines+9+10+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sheep through the pines</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3S7kAFiWjphTm5cWsS8uVV_xNeZ2yXakcGTaU9aNtw5bgk1qbS2Ya1MpkceoP86ZdZXeX_ZNqXTOoyJ3Oti74iv4INqSn7JBUqlNk5lOu3PeKLB9gS4YfZ23wuxieyi0-cJjZYqdvCp0/s1400/1+singing+wren+5+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3S7kAFiWjphTm5cWsS8uVV_xNeZ2yXakcGTaU9aNtw5bgk1qbS2Ya1MpkceoP86ZdZXeX_ZNqXTOoyJ3Oti74iv4INqSn7JBUqlNk5lOu3PeKLB9gS4YfZ23wuxieyi0-cJjZYqdvCp0/w400-h300/1+singing+wren+5+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">singing wren</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigag8bZ0r9-vpNvAUuXS4NAQKjYXFeWSbLsdQrtf2RWDIrYb0liK2HqHwfsJofsptn4omOSwaQ37vPz-UHO97D51tEPzD1RArwxSi5Atyenk1GChYufz-LM_zfrkOdr0ca7kFuD6_QZq8/s1400/1+sissie+and+karma+5+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigag8bZ0r9-vpNvAUuXS4NAQKjYXFeWSbLsdQrtf2RWDIrYb0liK2HqHwfsJofsptn4omOSwaQ37vPz-UHO97D51tEPzD1RArwxSi5Atyenk1GChYufz-LM_zfrkOdr0ca7kFuD6_QZq8/w400-h300/1+sissie+and+karma+5+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karma and Sissie</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrn8ggosEltlbIZIS7fJOKdXE3ikden5z7WYntVUx5q2uaW1t75pcGymz-oYUSACyIJEDhUxJbQ2f7K4ahf-rj71vuospJf9ToUWmKIU0OBp55EMr692OKijFmveCnyLbdMgDKV064pDE/s1400/1+young+monarch+1+9+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrn8ggosEltlbIZIS7fJOKdXE3ikden5z7WYntVUx5q2uaW1t75pcGymz-oYUSACyIJEDhUxJbQ2f7K4ahf-rj71vuospJf9ToUWmKIU0OBp55EMr692OKijFmveCnyLbdMgDKV064pDE/w400-h300/1+young+monarch+1+9+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">newly hatched monarch</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>When our girls were little and had a bad day, I would tell them (and myself) tomorrow will be different. We can’t be sure it will be better…and don’t assume it will be worse…but, it most assuredly will not be exactly the same. Maybe I had forgotten my own advice. </div><div><br /></div><div>This message is repeated by one of the books I’ve been reading this summer. (a gift from my dear friend Peg, <u>Braiding Sweetgrass</u> (2013) ) It is beautifully written, the prose being more like poetry and it’s brimming with information and insight that have the potential to change any negative outlook. (a pleasant respite from the news of the day) The author, Robin Wall Kimmerer, is both a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and a Professor of Environmental Biology SUNY, giving her a unique perspective. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>“We are surrounded every day with gifts, but they are not meant for us to keep. Their life is in their movement, the inhale and exhale of our shared breath. Our work and our joy is to pass along the gift and to trust that what we put out into the universe will always come back.” </b></div><div><br /></div><div>That is what I wish for all of us today…to see the gifts that surround us and share them with someone else. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pCEXAnwwYC-lPaDs7s7ny0hpBrYm9F8bL50jRNlbjNmlQbCFi7PxtvTq33-GAPnl60IKdWQxY6MDm9_bXVLuR9bn5q0MuCjm7BHPPmDdVcPUtI343Uw4S-DJksYgcwCPkzETL0qyag0/s1400/1+redbud+leaf+heart+hole+9+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pCEXAnwwYC-lPaDs7s7ny0hpBrYm9F8bL50jRNlbjNmlQbCFi7PxtvTq33-GAPnl60IKdWQxY6MDm9_bXVLuR9bn5q0MuCjm7BHPPmDdVcPUtI343Uw4S-DJksYgcwCPkzETL0qyag0/w640-h480/1+redbud+leaf+heart+hole+9+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"><b>Happy Sunday! </b></span></div><div><br /></div><div> Thanks for reading!
</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03599739740886087571noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819048519590916875.post-61049689362817733142021-02-14T10:04:00.000-05:002021-02-14T10:04:16.943-05:00A February Walk-about<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNRl6dbXHEoyh6MLVkXCAWZN9LADQKGxynK7A0TdD0sRK0JEcBC4miVB4PxbYclZ_Lxd0OkwfLznAJWlVQ_l0HbwAKxFNJ99o92trFW2aMFzfVf-4SGgJjoEI8fSqQ-TwWtKzApu1z9s/s1400/karma+loves+the+snow+2+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNRl6dbXHEoyh6MLVkXCAWZN9LADQKGxynK7A0TdD0sRK0JEcBC4miVB4PxbYclZ_Lxd0OkwfLznAJWlVQ_l0HbwAKxFNJ99o92trFW2aMFzfVf-4SGgJjoEI8fSqQ-TwWtKzApu1z9s/w640-h480/karma+loves+the+snow+2+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p class="MsoNormal">I read an article the other day in which the author claimed
that we’d all “hit the wall” of the pandemic. You know, like marathon runners often
do, just shy of the finish line. Some of the commentors dragged her for her
sloppy use of metaphor and others pointed out some fallacies in her analogy. But,
after reading social media posts from friends and family, I’m going to go out
on a limb and say I think she was right. Or at the very least, made a credible
point.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">We have hit a wall. No hyperbole. Not even a little bit.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnWY38wrHB_EQKEFUWALM1d9BBKK7SaB-bz16m7-gdUUDeCLU_jcWZFDPhC9lHRSnNJKjMfy3a6N1sDe73-OrIQFqqiF2p_IKMG1EzY0_VPSGZ70RTx3TnX84kgmP6QK6TL5BOknt1SN8/s1400/gus+done+w+winter+2+12+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnWY38wrHB_EQKEFUWALM1d9BBKK7SaB-bz16m7-gdUUDeCLU_jcWZFDPhC9lHRSnNJKjMfy3a6N1sDe73-OrIQFqqiF2p_IKMG1EzY0_VPSGZ70RTx3TnX84kgmP6QK6TL5BOknt1SN8/w400-h300/gus+done+w+winter+2+12+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">even Gus is done with winter</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The difference being in a marathon, be it 26.2 or the unimaginable
50 or 100 miles of an ultra, you at least know there <b>IS </b>a finish line. And,
you’ve signed on and prepared for the event. Through rigorous training you know
your own capabilities, you have a support team in place. And, there is some
sort of reward waiting at that finish line.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I can’t imagine trying to run a marathon without any
preparation. Yet, that is how we are facing COVID-19. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">No one I know expected a global pandemic. Although,
after reading Robin Cook’s <u>Outbreak</u> (published in 1987) I paid attention
each and every time some strange new illness popped up in the news. I wondered what would happen if fiction ever became reality. We heard tragic
reports as the virus made its way around the globe and that first US death February
6, 2020 drove it all home.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I won’t recap the year of shut-downs and cancellations,
isolation and fear…I’m sure you can account for all of those yourself. It’s completely understandable that we’re weary and worn and out of
sorts, and few have offered any truly viable solutions. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">February is hard anyway. (my very personal musing can be found <a href="https://barbarawomack.com/february-funk/ " target="_blank">HERE</a>) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s cold and dark…and despite the
hoopla surrounding Punxsutawney Phil’s predictions, (I’d really like to know
WHO decided that a groundhog has prognostication powers) Spring always seems
too far away.</p><p class="MsoNormal">At least it is pretty...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMM48km7TItLZgd9mF9zf1HU6Y0NqkyAvytd_0cSHzAp012bM5JttMXNDIjXczYynl1DkmHlVm63dlD-FLl3rfM_Y_hwIYqshjlGndqLzghq0175fBqEvHLFPnMddhh4m0eTvr1bfKYso/s1400/view+out+back+2+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMM48km7TItLZgd9mF9zf1HU6Y0NqkyAvytd_0cSHzAp012bM5JttMXNDIjXczYynl1DkmHlVm63dlD-FLl3rfM_Y_hwIYqshjlGndqLzghq0175fBqEvHLFPnMddhh4m0eTvr1bfKYso/w400-h300/view+out+back+2+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigX4clI2_Tvmn5fcCykGaErQNmg3xKH_6FpAF8nhB4animG2zIBOpUuOJNB6H0otkTMeTCixsCY_ELHbI8HKljWYXBaEF6P0vsfmLAyapdSGWLpzEB-vYWtau4zz2SimPqYXs3bTRqJdI/s1400/snowy+trees+shed+2+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigX4clI2_Tvmn5fcCykGaErQNmg3xKH_6FpAF8nhB4animG2zIBOpUuOJNB6H0otkTMeTCixsCY_ELHbI8HKljWYXBaEF6P0vsfmLAyapdSGWLpzEB-vYWtau4zz2SimPqYXs3bTRqJdI/w400-h300/snowy+trees+shed+2+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixt7Esg6YQdqz8T13aR3fuP4zXdJIouJHNt4KQB20EJG7aTthPVZrNImpNTGj5O0xLAZFgjp_wyNym8hNtCmXAbS6DmW8EekMT06LepijXZhKx1IhKXiYdKo2W44EgPt98iE-cKYMTOW4/s1400/snowy+tree+mbrk+2+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixt7Esg6YQdqz8T13aR3fuP4zXdJIouJHNt4KQB20EJG7aTthPVZrNImpNTGj5O0xLAZFgjp_wyNym8hNtCmXAbS6DmW8EekMT06LepijXZhKx1IhKXiYdKo2W44EgPt98iE-cKYMTOW4/w400-h300/snowy+tree+mbrk+2+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBmJl_9MpRMkdCHZl_2bw0MZUViaENgy9ScJWb_K4MzK_9X-k5hZTi1sI_0wbDJ7oNDVQ5KxylSrjOKoIXQ3NDq0Lgoxgama91nS-RnOxtVRVtchg5k7bgi-UxCqGEmniKxo-dVCvVqg/s1400/roots+barn+snow+2+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBmJl_9MpRMkdCHZl_2bw0MZUViaENgy9ScJWb_K4MzK_9X-k5hZTi1sI_0wbDJ7oNDVQ5KxylSrjOKoIXQ3NDq0Lgoxgama91nS-RnOxtVRVtchg5k7bgi-UxCqGEmniKxo-dVCvVqg/w400-h300/roots+barn+snow+2+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwYtsX28YmEJf22DW9C0w3fQDgYf0EJai_DgHwHyoGk7I1PlZhyphenhyphenuZZDCzljCKxdQ1VO3nsm87IBe_ZipxgNnux5lpajQ5NUyRXpmMnqGAqA17JmDQUogvNjQzMKscQzN_vDbtptdzl2o/s1400/mbrk+snow+2+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwYtsX28YmEJf22DW9C0w3fQDgYf0EJai_DgHwHyoGk7I1PlZhyphenhyphenuZZDCzljCKxdQ1VO3nsm87IBe_ZipxgNnux5lpajQ5NUyRXpmMnqGAqA17JmDQUogvNjQzMKscQzN_vDbtptdzl2o/w400-h300/mbrk+snow+2+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZYrM_pe39Qyg8sgE4SVkNvj3_2F8RjnIocFYCMH6JNXrDF7mh08MjS6I1iTMy-hst3b9qqZDAAuV4LowWRe_PwH_hsghY6jloh9mq00bzrQ0xktOPPDjS0afqegjG3KJ6oHH_lGbYj0A/s1400/icicles+12+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZYrM_pe39Qyg8sgE4SVkNvj3_2F8RjnIocFYCMH6JNXrDF7mh08MjS6I1iTMy-hst3b9qqZDAAuV4LowWRe_PwH_hsghY6jloh9mq00bzrQ0xktOPPDjS0afqegjG3KJ6oHH_lGbYj0A/w400-h300/icicles+12+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlUp7NKJEQ56eiUUrmQljTUpdk1_l3giPSDJXB-oscZEnxIfbBQV3QFZPjbgBx3wgIGnauu2eIyG3UoDbBTcTO3DQdShWNhA1Zm9bp20nKBZrpvTxiLMH3-BauyZGogeTLUwbf0EQo7o/s1400/birdhouse+snow+2+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlUp7NKJEQ56eiUUrmQljTUpdk1_l3giPSDJXB-oscZEnxIfbBQV3QFZPjbgBx3wgIGnauu2eIyG3UoDbBTcTO3DQdShWNhA1Zm9bp20nKBZrpvTxiLMH3-BauyZGogeTLUwbf0EQo7o/w400-h300/birdhouse+snow+2+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This year, we’ve had more snow in the 14 days of February
than all of last winter. (not saying much, last winter was pretty much a bust) But,
I’ve measured nearly 2 feet in our yard over the past two weeks. And, that’s
not counting the freezing rain/sleet. Yesterday’s precipitation is frozen on
top of the last snow, making for a treacherous trek to the barn. The roadways
are apparently in bad shape, too. (I’m thinking it will be a long, long time
before I attempt going down our steep driveway) During a nine-hour period, the VA
state police responded to 366 traffic accidents across the state. And, there
are still thousands of people without power.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkhqRuj1RWDN4wVnczQy04uBsPW3Nj2caURSOiIIaylIYm73mb7J_WbJU2sS40C3N8jKFJZ6c8a1_ch8W5WeZmx_7AYCwdjM6JI72pKHl6OxW89E0JVjePj_vMrj-mcmrgTEaTM-IzPQ/s1400/barn+in+the+snow+2+7-001+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkhqRuj1RWDN4wVnczQy04uBsPW3Nj2caURSOiIIaylIYm73mb7J_WbJU2sS40C3N8jKFJZ6c8a1_ch8W5WeZmx_7AYCwdjM6JI72pKHl6OxW89E0JVjePj_vMrj-mcmrgTEaTM-IzPQ/w400-h300/barn+in+the+snow+2+7-001+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so pretty<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwhqdQpUWmlxSW3-27WZ7moM-59NdKHFER-brNzV_SZLwONwkqVu3EzifJIIoGXDqxXVVN11UvmZhW7UaQ0jCpW26iGypwQIgMrn54SwjMzJXRnCkZ-rKfs-kNssYnq_YjZWKdofdWI8/s1400/1cleaning+snow+off+hoophouse+2+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwhqdQpUWmlxSW3-27WZ7moM-59NdKHFER-brNzV_SZLwONwkqVu3EzifJIIoGXDqxXVVN11UvmZhW7UaQ0jCpW26iGypwQIgMrn54SwjMzJXRnCkZ-rKfs-kNssYnq_YjZWKdofdWI8/w400-h300/1cleaning+snow+off+hoophouse+2+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">cleaning off the hoophouse</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCafiDG-C5npmFOfTwv3Aq9nT32hP438nwLfWv2g4H2CsSM1v0i32m7qUWIIoMgzrdubcMyvVuMbByvnfBoXUOJjV-9NKBSQh3Ovb72O1PvoqcNSl4sf3Zh0OSECcwth5FMrAUePrFWk/s1400/gus+karma+6+inches+2+12+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCafiDG-C5npmFOfTwv3Aq9nT32hP438nwLfWv2g4H2CsSM1v0i32m7qUWIIoMgzrdubcMyvVuMbByvnfBoXUOJjV-9NKBSQh3Ovb72O1PvoqcNSl4sf3Zh0OSECcwth5FMrAUePrFWk/w400-h300/gus+karma+6+inches+2+12+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another 6 inches!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUm_y6pjAclcvnSpU9vbJG26J1aHxbR8otEcnhC_nEecWi66org8UNNy6S44DMqSRuv1B9S7HxK_DRHApTJzbFe8ULr8gif8nLd2Mny92pLPqAtqnp3prlDhABRx8oDUzGVlTeaDJr-aQ/s1400/blowing+snow+1+31+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUm_y6pjAclcvnSpU9vbJG26J1aHxbR8otEcnhC_nEecWi66org8UNNy6S44DMqSRuv1B9S7HxK_DRHApTJzbFe8ULr8gif8nLd2Mny92pLPqAtqnp3prlDhABRx8oDUzGVlTeaDJr-aQ/w400-h300/blowing+snow+1+31+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">blowing snow...again</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Between the pandemic, the weather and personal concerns…we
won’t even address politics and societal ills…the worries just keep on coming. Traumas
build on each other. And, after a while, they truly seem overwhelming.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hit the wall? I’d say so. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That was quite literally the case of the Mbrk Post Office. Someone
drove their vehicle INTO the building, right through the brick wall. I don’t know if
this was weather-related. I do know that the Post Office employee was not injured,
although badly shakened. Mail delivery will be re-routed for at least three
weeks while they repair the building. So, one more for the record books.
(seriously, 2021 will far surpass 2020 when it comes to historic events—and not
in a good way)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I don’t have any jazzy “life-hacks” to help get through this
hard time. I can’t tell you how to jump to the front of the vaccination queue. I'm struggling to find my own motivation, so I cannot fault you for searching for yours. I
won’t tell you to “think positive” or “get in nature” or “eat some carbs”.
(seriously, that’s the best some advisors can do?) I wish I could make spring
come quicker. Or grant a little encouragement, not only to you…but, to myself.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But, if there is any comfort in the sameness of life on the hill,
then I do have something to offer.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The rhythm of the seasons continues…and yet there is always something
new to discover. Take a look around... <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapJYnZgU-ZcjdynFtJtq6DGWDGsESiSjDWZk3KzTpaxMMZ2eSnQZObFms0e3I8Bsu1HYEQoQ-vgk5Qe2K2OWb_iYJ4f5xR7hmRZfUxemQbQSOnMePFk7Iu4oKXxbAV3JqLTWEtXXv5ZE/s1400/arugula+flower+2+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapJYnZgU-ZcjdynFtJtq6DGWDGsESiSjDWZk3KzTpaxMMZ2eSnQZObFms0e3I8Bsu1HYEQoQ-vgk5Qe2K2OWb_iYJ4f5xR7hmRZfUxemQbQSOnMePFk7Iu4oKXxbAV3JqLTWEtXXv5ZE/w400-h300/arugula+flower+2+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">arugula flower in the hoophouse</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlW7FA4AZaJXgNXsND2_QN0R_-Z8s3wHELGp49oAXDce0XckpRkzimK1U1bKdFsFc60lmEJ1V5rJ_KPXm10ITtlaJ1D81LNrPq2QFz8-kNe7JL1xRRDnzs2IFZDOZJ4gaNFX79WyG1eQ/s1400/baby+lettuce+12+31+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlW7FA4AZaJXgNXsND2_QN0R_-Z8s3wHELGp49oAXDce0XckpRkzimK1U1bKdFsFc60lmEJ1V5rJ_KPXm10ITtlaJ1D81LNrPq2QFz8-kNe7JL1xRRDnzs2IFZDOZJ4gaNFX79WyG1eQ/w400-h300/baby+lettuce+12+31+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby lettuce in the greenhouse</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOHwHenpxKlHtgjXJVROHZ86UZxBsrak5xx7O-KcW33RFPy9r8eETX5Eju1VLd5NXGDJSecJjV7Q8j1Y8nAkPyHRHwvbelTCP3gspF4eFAlvRPri4z7gJ75YTK6g6Tb6MLjGXu6yLhiw/s1105/bluejay+redbud+1+8+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1105" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOHwHenpxKlHtgjXJVROHZ86UZxBsrak5xx7O-KcW33RFPy9r8eETX5Eju1VLd5NXGDJSecJjV7Q8j1Y8nAkPyHRHwvbelTCP3gspF4eFAlvRPri4z7gJ75YTK6g6Tb6MLjGXu6yLhiw/w400-h380/bluejay+redbud+1+8+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bluejay</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEqo8vtX4vMF_XK6e5Kx0FtFLV2G6j8migDNEThM2dVh-EVCpAUl_AuCiPOaTaNk-U2B6VU_p7lOZ0JnsPyOjLxdh1l9FMgBHELgopc7Z99xtUC53QIbm-CaPGILQDP9cH7iAgPuCE6I/s1073/complaining+ewes+2+1++%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1073" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEqo8vtX4vMF_XK6e5Kx0FtFLV2G6j8migDNEThM2dVh-EVCpAUl_AuCiPOaTaNk-U2B6VU_p7lOZ0JnsPyOjLxdh1l9FMgBHELgopc7Z99xtUC53QIbm-CaPGILQDP9cH7iAgPuCE6I/w400-h391/complaining+ewes+2+1++%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">voicing their opinion about the snow <br />(it's not good)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWrSZhyH7yZmAPh8RNq63fhh7omSaC5-KdUqEPRpY5Ch3EUGewwrvQdP4egaE6qq8BlIsGpy66FphLckdMrnpmlVj1jbVL-ClKiwyJGbYfqZJMVYmyTKVgxdNEcxivMdjBuP_k1U4-10/s1455/crow+behind+the+barn+1+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1455" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWrSZhyH7yZmAPh8RNq63fhh7omSaC5-KdUqEPRpY5Ch3EUGewwrvQdP4egaE6qq8BlIsGpy66FphLckdMrnpmlVj1jbVL-ClKiwyJGbYfqZJMVYmyTKVgxdNEcxivMdjBuP_k1U4-10/w400-h289/crow+behind+the+barn+1+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">crow behind the barn</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEihOa5HpqL_P0nyzqEOqxPfPoU7Ekk7hOeVmg_e6UkX0V1yyUMgMI2Iwno07KDTqpWiRDcLH0Xw6B5AninWcLliHSnF5068PQt3xAhkruyXOYWqqoRFFYieWLGELV47DknYVsuT_gsk/s1400/dangerous+icicles+2+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEihOa5HpqL_P0nyzqEOqxPfPoU7Ekk7hOeVmg_e6UkX0V1yyUMgMI2Iwno07KDTqpWiRDcLH0Xw6B5AninWcLliHSnF5068PQt3xAhkruyXOYWqqoRFFYieWLGELV47DknYVsuT_gsk/w400-h300/dangerous+icicles+2+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">barn icicles</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXMeBl0crNXXXtQ9ABj-CrWAmyW93qFSyXGenKWf9cGBFq_wFTqmNT0N_tjeh-C-sPtmUiEZQIbFvn9hwzL_9RGwv4nVM8O4f7BsXStSXBhuOvcwyhRXSDQ2yJdY7cH9EaNzlD9J1hH8/s1400/feather+1+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXMeBl0crNXXXtQ9ABj-CrWAmyW93qFSyXGenKWf9cGBFq_wFTqmNT0N_tjeh-C-sPtmUiEZQIbFvn9hwzL_9RGwv4nVM8O4f7BsXStSXBhuOvcwyhRXSDQ2yJdY7cH9EaNzlD9J1hH8/w400-h300/feather+1+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">feather in the morning light</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcglDe-Aa0yhr8hH3wQ19IyjaGUWiHs0knX2hLFxkYXqRL4Yo2NlobiXIlv5ViZFbH5oiPA0hRRqQThEEhzrUwIR-3xoQC7k43hynh0G9c1QM8LKoJB3plLSl41q6CXJWRCOIOMW5vJmo/s1162/kingfisher+2+1+13+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1162" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcglDe-Aa0yhr8hH3wQ19IyjaGUWiHs0knX2hLFxkYXqRL4Yo2NlobiXIlv5ViZFbH5oiPA0hRRqQThEEhzrUwIR-3xoQC7k43hynh0G9c1QM8LKoJB3plLSl41q6CXJWRCOIOMW5vJmo/w400-h361/kingfisher+2+1+13+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">kingfisher at the creek</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcngqlczj0YBWei4VNyxLPgZYhJ_bTW69XNue-_ZjTiPCYvwpLe6QOnvcZvWMjlMagQZC3U3KjOJHn1haQunOi_FhyzjcfAzugwGmUkjr_xvu4XFKz91G5OsL-GbFhHsNAPkGhG8WIk0o/s1400/lotsa+cardinals+snow+1+31+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcngqlczj0YBWei4VNyxLPgZYhJ_bTW69XNue-_ZjTiPCYvwpLe6QOnvcZvWMjlMagQZC3U3KjOJHn1haQunOi_FhyzjcfAzugwGmUkjr_xvu4XFKz91G5OsL-GbFhHsNAPkGhG8WIk0o/w400-h300/lotsa+cardinals+snow+1+31+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cardinals in the birch tree</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh398MEQ9c1noUCSiIvbof4dEeBY1pohPDGpK5RzNEyB8pfhl8T48DQ9Butqir_A_0ro-mQlZVyyHOzUVKnegP-LSxQp9tzKuLopFp0QKV0Ej9W0DbNceB13CQL656Il_F-CyT7upJx5c0/s1222/mockingbird+2+9+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1222" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh398MEQ9c1noUCSiIvbof4dEeBY1pohPDGpK5RzNEyB8pfhl8T48DQ9Butqir_A_0ro-mQlZVyyHOzUVKnegP-LSxQp9tzKuLopFp0QKV0Ej9W0DbNceB13CQL656Il_F-CyT7upJx5c0/w400-h344/mockingbird+2+9+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mockingbird</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiOJJpin7QqIEbPyjisNsJyqcOpEP0yA8MZxpTy119hiPcqeoVG3DPPFropmVwb9ngo3541bozSQuSGNkW96r2yzUf77BlNk7wjKRS7200hlhXH0tjKCjpvzKa7tbcS_K6_LvQtVnBIQ/s1400/morning+fog+1+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiOJJpin7QqIEbPyjisNsJyqcOpEP0yA8MZxpTy119hiPcqeoVG3DPPFropmVwb9ngo3541bozSQuSGNkW96r2yzUf77BlNk7wjKRS7200hlhXH0tjKCjpvzKa7tbcS_K6_LvQtVnBIQ/w400-h300/morning+fog+1+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"ice fog"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWWibPeLCAPuo2gz1NW5j9fSvUpvuUvb0RwjdPxyra_vqvsBUuwrRUFmbH8RpRAIPsPX0PU5f7SHCNriP6OF0uc06MoVwNSdR00uaccFjp-OlMlc3a3j8hcsLLUzFmu0YGb2vrrtxnW4/s1400/otis+2+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWWibPeLCAPuo2gz1NW5j9fSvUpvuUvb0RwjdPxyra_vqvsBUuwrRUFmbH8RpRAIPsPX0PU5f7SHCNriP6OF0uc06MoVwNSdR00uaccFjp-OlMlc3a3j8hcsLLUzFmu0YGb2vrrtxnW4/w400-h300/otis+2+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">well, howdy, Otis!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6EYPznCee4vX4rjrQU4JIwkSZgXSflgPQjamlaqdSrIng3v63mpqh7ax2JVMuOvgZf313W8_poGFigv6NcIh1tqR0D-_2SLoWE0wWbEU0wMfIb4WvWhgTzgEmVG9z7tUbxv2qAI1nhA/s1400/redbud+sunrise+2+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6EYPznCee4vX4rjrQU4JIwkSZgXSflgPQjamlaqdSrIng3v63mpqh7ax2JVMuOvgZf313W8_poGFigv6NcIh1tqR0D-_2SLoWE0wWbEU0wMfIb4WvWhgTzgEmVG9z7tUbxv2qAI1nhA/w400-h300/redbud+sunrise+2+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunrise</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBsRNkIF1qBiKgpGggg9JpLsFkUdTFPU6g1l35nxrb82AnIDsdVaz98TkOqCD_3tpamZCaHMmilQAazkVsWY0hU2cXeLsYYCZwTK6HIUEZpG26_jL77Ue1-43Ra6S0vdjIyd3gd3NOss/s1400/redwing+blackbird+snow+2+7++%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBsRNkIF1qBiKgpGggg9JpLsFkUdTFPU6g1l35nxrb82AnIDsdVaz98TkOqCD_3tpamZCaHMmilQAazkVsWY0hU2cXeLsYYCZwTK6HIUEZpG26_jL77Ue1-43Ra6S0vdjIyd3gd3NOss/w400-h300/redwing+blackbird+snow+2+7++%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">redwing blackbird in the snow</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuVcwaV7guSYkV61ZH4EqvZfkCyACEx8ZWrFzBL00kPV3GzNwxfcwKsLpzSuZbK0gmemSSebDN7N4c9GrxcnsUhBQCo2epLhlRrd-bl6HvtPLHHawbW_mItHqGqDQT61aMlTdZk9QgTg/s1400/remy+2+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuVcwaV7guSYkV61ZH4EqvZfkCyACEx8ZWrFzBL00kPV3GzNwxfcwKsLpzSuZbK0gmemSSebDN7N4c9GrxcnsUhBQCo2epLhlRrd-bl6HvtPLHHawbW_mItHqGqDQT61aMlTdZk9QgTg/w400-h300/remy+2+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remy does not approve<br />(your choice of subject)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijP3gZTmmVeCfn_Gz8yd-jxYmA16zizex_R09pWlXjqel5KX0qyXSFKfigeA3mHQP1UzpYfaydR44X5fju7aKC-l2eVd0STd8t-Ko4yxmNLop-g1LFW6UCAzTNVEsS6nAkmuUe2h5Scho/s1400/snow+cardinal+2+7++%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijP3gZTmmVeCfn_Gz8yd-jxYmA16zizex_R09pWlXjqel5KX0qyXSFKfigeA3mHQP1UzpYfaydR44X5fju7aKC-l2eVd0STd8t-Ko4yxmNLop-g1LFW6UCAzTNVEsS6nAkmuUe2h5Scho/w400-h300/snow+cardinal+2+7++%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cardinal in the snow</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBNT3w3AYVw9xVTyivKinBPwAqpTSJrEViiqw-mDPxS0-p0MtOutcNj1Mdj8eUlaWJZBtIY-ewBEQaBoM9pIPTh2_iLe9w9aCdg1TW_yqKzLoNxeQYfOtRCL535_gTeDbfNcOzrymXGM/s1400/snow+on+the+wisteria+2+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBNT3w3AYVw9xVTyivKinBPwAqpTSJrEViiqw-mDPxS0-p0MtOutcNj1Mdj8eUlaWJZBtIY-ewBEQaBoM9pIPTh2_iLe9w9aCdg1TW_yqKzLoNxeQYfOtRCL535_gTeDbfNcOzrymXGM/w400-h300/snow+on+the+wisteria+2+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">snow on wisteria</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPbQr2fLpx307_vOxItyQvsqAoG6BOkvf5lKDUnFIOC2Pgx1BsUfapkpS39-EeRbK6oAPaK7mub4js9O7_ZBJaqPQKE3x5gukmW_5U2g2GoXMFdtBqeQN1XHagT4DIj7R8rbCNGZwOMk/s1400/teasels+at+the+creek+2+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPbQr2fLpx307_vOxItyQvsqAoG6BOkvf5lKDUnFIOC2Pgx1BsUfapkpS39-EeRbK6oAPaK7mub4js9O7_ZBJaqPQKE3x5gukmW_5U2g2GoXMFdtBqeQN1XHagT4DIj7R8rbCNGZwOMk/w400-h300/teasels+at+the+creek+2+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">teasels at the creek</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBq_85I5Dr-qgrkPuZsdONWyCEg6OtCY6QFatuRs5A-xl5GqdMJeRcwWIs08pBDmLb__z3IEcbCZg1y0drYp3XnXpBzWwb-leEjTPMKIYnCYBmDyqKw2sUE49UBSRZzVxO8FGs5Ij0TuA/s1400/gladys+and+baby+1+25+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBq_85I5Dr-qgrkPuZsdONWyCEg6OtCY6QFatuRs5A-xl5GqdMJeRcwWIs08pBDmLb__z3IEcbCZg1y0drYp3XnXpBzWwb-leEjTPMKIYnCYBmDyqKw2sUE49UBSRZzVxO8FGs5Ij0TuA/w400-h300/gladys+and+baby+1+25+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">like mother, like daughter</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijM77PHJ-Kdg-6ubavP255Tb-pA0GBHyz_dDw2v1SGLR3Vk9Kxd8ZbxSKa6PP6-ZRbEzAzZrfaiexvJxS0SDCCbGaSqe8mUsXRUN-9TKDZyxxRZNkOyX4xVh9G9T9INsCEvmWhycWTHRY/s1318/hen+in+snow+2+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1318" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijM77PHJ-Kdg-6ubavP255Tb-pA0GBHyz_dDw2v1SGLR3Vk9Kxd8ZbxSKa6PP6-ZRbEzAzZrfaiexvJxS0SDCCbGaSqe8mUsXRUN-9TKDZyxxRZNkOyX4xVh9G9T9INsCEvmWhycWTHRY/w400-h319/hen+in+snow+2+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">table scrap treats tempt the hens out of the house</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal">Lambing season is over and considered a success by any
standard. While the hens don’t appreciate the snow on their little bare chicken
feet, the pullets are beginning to lay, so the cycle of life continues. And,
the seed orders, small by comparison to the past, have arrived and are awaiting
warmer days. Farm life continues...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyI8wUUEMAq38DuyC33ekNkkoXxu6w39anjS0IBFHNsnTdA9iNtd8PLjIvaZMAnJXL1Jm39jH1FzibbICV9xXPYyykceGn-L8czPJV7joQp5cn4n6sMMOT6uGPRSC59Ix4wt4b5Flv5w/s1612/those+eyes+lamb+2+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1612" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyI8wUUEMAq38DuyC33ekNkkoXxu6w39anjS0IBFHNsnTdA9iNtd8PLjIvaZMAnJXL1Jm39jH1FzibbICV9xXPYyykceGn-L8czPJV7joQp5cn4n6sMMOT6uGPRSC59Ix4wt4b5Flv5w/w400-h260/those+eyes+lamb+2+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">look at those eyes!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqA2qEHKF8MWewfIbQDRnynTHXPNtm4-WrLARux4rIQPI11R85wsEKZQx4-gJaHwrwfe433jJy8Tw6OtJwVW7mu2DbjezXb-pZao8dhyphenhyphen0F4WD93IKT9CcvlmozU17DFLEL-ry0q3mHlUM/s1400/peek+a+boo+lamb+1+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqA2qEHKF8MWewfIbQDRnynTHXPNtm4-WrLARux4rIQPI11R85wsEKZQx4-gJaHwrwfe433jJy8Tw6OtJwVW7mu2DbjezXb-pZao8dhyphenhyphen0F4WD93IKT9CcvlmozU17DFLEL-ry0q3mHlUM/w400-h300/peek+a+boo+lamb+1+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">peek-a-boo lamb</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDgtYTmxaPs7AL0yJMyCMLas5BrF0BpwVA-XSG9gZRiQmG2eoIsb5bsOIz49X1CmrPOIrINRNSstmYo8x9nR-VAus3TEG25eUX5wSTjp-lrAxUcg4oAXBqyj1ucV-mOY8hZrlzcSs0Ag/s1148/hello+handsome+lamb+2+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1148" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDgtYTmxaPs7AL0yJMyCMLas5BrF0BpwVA-XSG9gZRiQmG2eoIsb5bsOIz49X1CmrPOIrINRNSstmYo8x9nR-VAus3TEG25eUX5wSTjp-lrAxUcg4oAXBqyj1ucV-mOY8hZrlzcSs0Ag/w400-h366/hello+handsome+lamb+2+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hello, handsome!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU35yht4sTTPpiU4xx-5VmJdthr3sKYEQjQOXWjVpyjlLxpHfMf2_uAN-qutx5NhQfGcwtOuekzXEk2Mpk-nADIr44-a2tjOeoo2Gu_3x3pxpiVJ9tOjz0_X76fsv15yFFDNt-oGxo0WY/s1400/lunch+al+fresco+1+25+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU35yht4sTTPpiU4xx-5VmJdthr3sKYEQjQOXWjVpyjlLxpHfMf2_uAN-qutx5NhQfGcwtOuekzXEk2Mpk-nADIr44-a2tjOeoo2Gu_3x3pxpiVJ9tOjz0_X76fsv15yFFDNt-oGxo0WY/w400-h300/lunch+al+fresco+1+25+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lunch al fresco<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuc5NGNgUsYQ4nxicNlfJTYXHJW274u7d0agRT3ZgHM_jSCVKbn4w7HKAE3wcjbhO_b8QH-CHzbDqNnjz0AH5JNQ5XEckj-wQVOT_uZj0OTcchX5VEyCm364uw3KsfJgSkfVoOoxnFjcA/s1400/heatlamps+1+25+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuc5NGNgUsYQ4nxicNlfJTYXHJW274u7d0agRT3ZgHM_jSCVKbn4w7HKAE3wcjbhO_b8QH-CHzbDqNnjz0AH5JNQ5XEckj-wQVOT_uZj0OTcchX5VEyCm364uw3KsfJgSkfVoOoxnFjcA/w400-h300/heatlamps+1+25+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">how do I tell the cat the heatlamps are for LAMBS?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2R32geNs8R0t2NF_9s007JQkm0NAXBnaGjyV5p8cMTr_Rx6UY7FHBeGOcszKa2gvvHVIjfvKZQCP3K6qu9Ra55JcunawEXrW6EfCUO5G6tozrNXwOwdvY_jiwod1kBpaoCJwYXVFVrA/s1400/lotsa+babies+2+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2R32geNs8R0t2NF_9s007JQkm0NAXBnaGjyV5p8cMTr_Rx6UY7FHBeGOcszKa2gvvHVIjfvKZQCP3K6qu9Ra55JcunawEXrW6EfCUO5G6tozrNXwOwdvY_jiwod1kBpaoCJwYXVFVrA/w400-h300/lotsa+babies+2+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lots of lambs<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfhrWZYhUB9XPU5mdYdWerLChJVePMZVgBiiRm3UdjHOlqyKAQSgi5dYbax8R4JLbdaEdranI6R0nN2As5yNPSZEAZpgbkF6w8VqOnbbTDtuue8q_A8z3R5-DmzRVpfT8Mny-Rm7O2cU/s1400/lambs+heatlamps+2+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfhrWZYhUB9XPU5mdYdWerLChJVePMZVgBiiRm3UdjHOlqyKAQSgi5dYbax8R4JLbdaEdranI6R0nN2As5yNPSZEAZpgbkF6w8VqOnbbTDtuue8q_A8z3R5-DmzRVpfT8Mny-Rm7O2cU/w400-h300/lambs+heatlamps+2+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">warm lambs on a cold morning</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdX2uyeo0r99i0IRj6X4Zi4qbVy4Vja3Ocsr-T-K86_tgoDK-0TQaqoYbJDLzN_Ew_WlwigrvLoEgzjTZzNPOmQXqenKfqfiGDDfLMpsDxNjdKY1WPTYi9vBQ70JFd2KAajJlLDHAv74/s1400/lambs+first+day+out+1+5+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdX2uyeo0r99i0IRj6X4Zi4qbVy4Vja3Ocsr-T-K86_tgoDK-0TQaqoYbJDLzN_Ew_WlwigrvLoEgzjTZzNPOmQXqenKfqfiGDDfLMpsDxNjdKY1WPTYi9vBQ70JFd2KAajJlLDHAv74/w400-h300/lambs+first+day+out+1+5+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just hangin' out with my sheeps<br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />So, there are reasons to hope.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I suppose we just need to hold onto those…particularly when
the days seem dark and dismal and the way seems long and hard.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Keep in mind…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;">“Every
storm runs out of rain.”</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;"> </span>
-Maya Angelou</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>(time for my requisite sky photos)<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzWPMckh_UZi3PDhoxx0-A1wx2laqMq9djnCFDvb7Yw5WjWwf4pzSMsDuo3B5Y-I8fR5wSnXDu8Nuhu8TPRDFNVCUlseBsrWWvud19sonvrUjzvLZyFgqxNV4ojLIRIZa9jqhSdrhZXk/s1400/sky+1+30+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzWPMckh_UZi3PDhoxx0-A1wx2laqMq9djnCFDvb7Yw5WjWwf4pzSMsDuo3B5Y-I8fR5wSnXDu8Nuhu8TPRDFNVCUlseBsrWWvud19sonvrUjzvLZyFgqxNV4ojLIRIZa9jqhSdrhZXk/w400-h300/sky+1+30+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">weather rolling in</td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuc2njmJGGinuL_mfnxWUkYubhNA1Gjnj9RSuW3cd-Qk7H08m9Kb7ApHN1N589oE5tiS2g8_PaueadLwTX_JLg3J3z62uV8E3SmTryyDgrruVZu2thXr2PX8mTE3wQ-9h18mPPHj8A8L8/s1400/barn+sunrise+1+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuc2njmJGGinuL_mfnxWUkYubhNA1Gjnj9RSuW3cd-Qk7H08m9Kb7ApHN1N589oE5tiS2g8_PaueadLwTX_JLg3J3z62uV8E3SmTryyDgrruVZu2thXr2PX8mTE3wQ-9h18mPPHj8A8L8/w400-h300/barn+sunrise+1+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunrise at the barn</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8uo5VSSY4uoc-CsNoDigIQ6xxGoLm3tOlGDjJodaavVV3dM1gtl8oanX2B4Y7Prtk7rfMvZEZpAJCl3Lb03kDH8WPLF737ygq-2AmT-Fpr5Yc8EplNP3XDeT_tY2kpKji9DoTKnKg44/s1400/barn+sunrise+15+min+ltr+1+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8uo5VSSY4uoc-CsNoDigIQ6xxGoLm3tOlGDjJodaavVV3dM1gtl8oanX2B4Y7Prtk7rfMvZEZpAJCl3Lb03kDH8WPLF737ygq-2AmT-Fpr5Yc8EplNP3XDeT_tY2kpKji9DoTKnKg44/w400-h300/barn+sunrise+15+min+ltr+1+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">15 minutes later</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKi6XYeei3K9GQMfs3JifKzVrnG5mx6YeHFnoaahzGhnFPLoxTNTA2S-C-Qtd8F2QX7Rg2dDZ-N55rc1oXH9lRAsv8hWIqztvBE8CHgq7ccUk0VK2G4yQaeT1TuDytoFryQCmjBk4HHK4/s1400/sunrise+bird+2+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKi6XYeei3K9GQMfs3JifKzVrnG5mx6YeHFnoaahzGhnFPLoxTNTA2S-C-Qtd8F2QX7Rg2dDZ-N55rc1oXH9lRAsv8hWIqztvBE8CHgq7ccUk0VK2G4yQaeT1TuDytoFryQCmjBk4HHK4/w400-h300/sunrise+bird+2+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunrise</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVB5QI5rrnGj5cMe9I1HymoEBMSIj6gP9cwfsrhKNeAkMCdrEjXGV-1jeWshVACg4nme1a2_b540m1LT0KgDdHWVWiNoTagKoNzLEIE7Qvls14PTLmBNl9nx_B5XDpLuB9sHXZQZuDH98/s1400/sunset+2+1+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVB5QI5rrnGj5cMe9I1HymoEBMSIj6gP9cwfsrhKNeAkMCdrEjXGV-1jeWshVACg4nme1a2_b540m1LT0KgDdHWVWiNoTagKoNzLEIE7Qvls14PTLmBNl9nx_B5XDpLuB9sHXZQZuDH98/w400-h300/sunset+2+1+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunset</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks for stopping by. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9_e1BZbLcDDIdmIDowH7XM-DC8xhx0Cu3FpRLtX2-JQnirGDVffaPsjSC3OEmWFF9auFeWdVWC1C8oYCcRqt78AK54KpumH5vgE4qKa6xQnC92VAIra10XHiGZrcCES-F0hRUTlrrKU/s1400/hey+otis+2+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9_e1BZbLcDDIdmIDowH7XM-DC8xhx0Cu3FpRLtX2-JQnirGDVffaPsjSC3OEmWFF9auFeWdVWC1C8oYCcRqt78AK54KpumH5vgE4qKa6xQnC92VAIra10XHiGZrcCES-F0hRUTlrrKU/w640-h480/hey+otis+2+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Otis says, "Have a great week!"<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Happy
Sunday! </span></b></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hope you’ll “visit” again soon. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br />Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03599739740886087571noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819048519590916875.post-31471803539759926872021-01-03T12:57:00.003-05:002021-01-03T12:57:44.129-05:00Here's to 2021 - a Sunday walkabout<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLUa-YeJCFpyTo92hbmwAz_DA8UjPflbJAFEd3ZcYBgkoSe8e5mBaq4eCBpoEn0nMUkHYQOcS80_mivYW3bv8tNxI4i0FUAUebUMdiaK6yc1DzKMkDD_YWu4Vz1lmfhOkvACB0XGKV50/s1400/1st+lamb+2021+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLUa-YeJCFpyTo92hbmwAz_DA8UjPflbJAFEd3ZcYBgkoSe8e5mBaq4eCBpoEn0nMUkHYQOcS80_mivYW3bv8tNxI4i0FUAUebUMdiaK6yc1DzKMkDD_YWu4Vz1lmfhOkvACB0XGKV50/s600/1st+lamb+2021+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="600" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">2021 started in the best possible way…</p><p class="MsoNormal">...or at least for a
shepherd…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My very first trip to the barn of the new year revealed healthy
<b>twin</b> lambs. Mama sheep was fine, too. No human interaction was necessary.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That is indeed a good thing. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I suppose I could claim this as an omen for 2021…maybe I
should. But, if 2020 taught us anything, there is NO predicting the future.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2020 rendered me speechless. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(okay, anyone who knows me in real life would point out I
talk far too much to ever be considered “speechless”…would you accept unable to
write coherently?)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Words failed me in 2020.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They really did. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, I will leave the review of the year to others, as well
as the argument over if it was the “worst year ever”. But, if you need a
chuckle, you should read Dave Barry’s take on the whole thing.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/national/coronavirus-oral-history/?itid=hp-top-table-main">https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/national/coronavirus-oral-history/?itid=hp-top-table-main</a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/12/30/ranking-2020-worst-year-history/">https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/12/30/ranking-2020-worst-year-history/</a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/magazine/2020/12/27/dave-barrys-year-review-2020/?arc404=true">https://www.washingtonpost.com/magazine/2020/12/27/dave-barrys-year-review-2020/?arc404=true</a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Suffice it to say, 2020 was not what anyone expected. As a
matter of fact, that sentence alone is a huge understatement. I feel completely
safe in saying that every single plan we had made for 2020 met with some sort
of revision, re-work, or removal. Keeping with the “r” theme, 2020 was, in a
word, revelatory.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The pandemic, the social unrest, and the historic election
cycle showed us things about the country, society and our family, friends, acquaintances,
and even ourselves that had remained hidden in plain sight, and accepted,
unchallenged and overlooked for far too long. Some of those things I truly wish I did not know or feel responsible for. But, others granted some real freedom and opportunities for personal growth. Now, perhaps with our new
insight, we can make some much-needed changes to ourselves, our community and
the world. That alone is a reason for hope.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I had planned on writing some sort of retrospective about
2020 last week, but the internet went out. Losing the internet is not exactly a
tragedy, but it certainly seems to impact every aspect of our lives. And, then
I always feel like we go through the whole “seven stages of grief” before it
ever comes back, generally getting stuck in the denial/anger stage. (if this
seems like an overstatement, try “unplugging” for a couple of days…without the
benefit of planning the event) I never regained my train of thought even after
internet access returned two days later as unexpectedly as it disappeared. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The source of the outage was never identified…simply one of
the quirks of living at the edge of nowhere, no doubt. Back in the days of the
landline telephone communication, we lost service at least twice due to a
groundhog expansion project next to the phone pedestal. As the ”whistle-pigs”
dug for larger accommodations, they chewed through the phone cable. While it
was annoying, it made a great story and gave the repairman a laugh. With those
days securely in the past, you might think that communication all high-tech and
constant. Not so. Our internet service is beamed from the mountaintop to an
antenna in the middle of a cow pasture, to another site, to us (or something
like that)…I am nearly certain the outage had an equally “interesting” cause,
although we will never know for certain. I’ll just rejoice quickly that it is
working…and get that seed order placed post-haste. Another lesson of 2020, (or
maybe it was all that mindfulness work/meditation) it would be to appreciate
this “one perfect moment”…because you never know what is coming next.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">While 2020 could only be described as <b><i>annus horribilus</i></b>
by so many, we were not terribly impacted. I don’t know it that means our life
is incredibly lame and pathetic so that isolation is somewhat normal…or we are truly
approaching self-sufficiency. This is not to say the year wasn’t without
difficulty, but by comparison, we have no cause for complaint.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, it is probably best that I leave the retrospective and synopsis
to others and spend some time looking forward. Instead of any verbose ramblings, here are a few photos...</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQmdWlNjeTA7v6QVdWsmzzhwAydifzFBSGDw_M8O-NinqPPxo3OnJM8noL-uPM_rHzfu7cvLJoBws8HkgsPDAlyBnxI5AbfKmOMw3WP08KYJNVS6IABoW8s40BCkrrSSC4DwlUoqQ57f4/s1388/wren+redbud+12+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1388" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQmdWlNjeTA7v6QVdWsmzzhwAydifzFBSGDw_M8O-NinqPPxo3OnJM8noL-uPM_rHzfu7cvLJoBws8HkgsPDAlyBnxI5AbfKmOMw3WP08KYJNVS6IABoW8s40BCkrrSSC4DwlUoqQ57f4/w400-h303/wren+redbud+12+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">carolina wren in redbud tree</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4IGiQPGwYyqxY27v8CxpchPp5mYBBI9dWv5jv4f3sHADf_OvSFUYbCF8JK_JUxCM_8AhaOi_8F3OHdcwD_zKxWQu1naZqYW6fFHV-Nrc0hDtlcmzXMoOhzp28l9I4gKjto_kYnejUUA/s1400/sunrise+12+30+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4IGiQPGwYyqxY27v8CxpchPp5mYBBI9dWv5jv4f3sHADf_OvSFUYbCF8JK_JUxCM_8AhaOi_8F3OHdcwD_zKxWQu1naZqYW6fFHV-Nrc0hDtlcmzXMoOhzp28l9I4gKjto_kYnejUUA/w400-h300/sunrise+12+30+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stunning sunrise</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOnkp0WfCQuQDUQb4HSMlfRNO92jAdUURrGGOiwIORIAt57AWCXFmmuEfnWKdFkI3nlZ5tGMhD2VhLu_OnhmIgc7_jOmeBcwmVTfElt4OlFbGhtVz6b_QUC3WzANF-tzADBUKtjEFJoY/s1400/mama+cardinal+snow+12+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOnkp0WfCQuQDUQb4HSMlfRNO92jAdUURrGGOiwIORIAt57AWCXFmmuEfnWKdFkI3nlZ5tGMhD2VhLu_OnhmIgc7_jOmeBcwmVTfElt4OlFbGhtVz6b_QUC3WzANF-tzADBUKtjEFJoY/w400-h300/mama+cardinal+snow+12+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">female cardinal in the snow</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxxmwwcKwK24v1QrxW_qOeYQjNdznpnRtbMvFoiWBAJKf0akNJHFtJvUA2ax0ZODOg3uhmV1vY17s2MFzBNh99-YRbglI2Te59bw7oVfxI6256wMbVvS_nZUhBmVEyecgAxY0qtBtuGY/s1400/icicles+12+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxxmwwcKwK24v1QrxW_qOeYQjNdznpnRtbMvFoiWBAJKf0akNJHFtJvUA2ax0ZODOg3uhmV1vY17s2MFzBNh99-YRbglI2Te59bw7oVfxI6256wMbVvS_nZUhBmVEyecgAxY0qtBtuGY/w400-h300/icicles+12+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">morning icicles</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ve_pEVLq6gAXnj6lpRtp6iiuZMktI1T1eVJgx10KRSQsu7BsM9Mw0kAKP-2e7a2Lr7vesOPM74TKBKX8kHLoVCAMz1P3mkwe2V9UK14QcMioyxKl-R7f9Qe3uw90nRLEq8gJkcaIR-4/s1400/hoarfrost+against+the+sky+12+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ve_pEVLq6gAXnj6lpRtp6iiuZMktI1T1eVJgx10KRSQsu7BsM9Mw0kAKP-2e7a2Lr7vesOPM74TKBKX8kHLoVCAMz1P3mkwe2V9UK14QcMioyxKl-R7f9Qe3uw90nRLEq8gJkcaIR-4/w400-h300/hoarfrost+against+the+sky+12+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hoarfrost </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVeZET1MPaYmyvEdzVOYmHuecBouQB9ZgqaS8ltbPQQvzryCIA_HAtir6Jz3ZRfg49wa8YJfu63uR03Vj96cnzIjbAApQUYrSG6hy766WruV5A6Km8MTNm2d4j9NhNzVkFG2SPlauuubA/s1400/hoarfrost+12+17-001+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVeZET1MPaYmyvEdzVOYmHuecBouQB9ZgqaS8ltbPQQvzryCIA_HAtir6Jz3ZRfg49wa8YJfu63uR03Vj96cnzIjbAApQUYrSG6hy766WruV5A6Km8MTNm2d4j9NhNzVkFG2SPlauuubA/w400-h300/hoarfrost+12+17-001+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWxhQVmszaMELDq4zBLBopoUJAOejDeWrtEah41I0XaoUfGc363I4jo0SreHtq92z7-UAZXlo3y-qislTOXPSPZgpq9nbHey1I2h7e7DBbHfkEbdiolTbu7Dr2ftAgawxNkBNnvpAItdA/s1400/hoarfrost+2+12+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWxhQVmszaMELDq4zBLBopoUJAOejDeWrtEah41I0XaoUfGc363I4jo0SreHtq92z7-UAZXlo3y-qislTOXPSPZgpq9nbHey1I2h7e7DBbHfkEbdiolTbu7Dr2ftAgawxNkBNnvpAItdA/w400-h300/hoarfrost+2+12+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCN1vpK40cNsn8XUoG4m6GZ041yNi_yk-dzXym6NuhdlL9prETbaqXlgkyDI-37ht_BXkpi5OybTfaaPh-Ac7JmFP85u5CbIV_Uaan1dJfoVe5SKiizT7RsxfkWo2QNHnr4oKvzuIUIU/s1400/hoarfrost+1+12+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCN1vpK40cNsn8XUoG4m6GZ041yNi_yk-dzXym6NuhdlL9prETbaqXlgkyDI-37ht_BXkpi5OybTfaaPh-Ac7JmFP85u5CbIV_Uaan1dJfoVe5SKiizT7RsxfkWo2QNHnr4oKvzuIUIU/w400-h300/hoarfrost+1+12+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmBfOnqDLZIvgGlamZA-8_d4Z8rLCE9ZDGI81VVWUMJUc3lg5wK0hKnvviEGD3j96CCYrHavL5nbV7K6lSFegfkZu15Wi8AKPOqqBGk11wcxOWihyphenhyphenBDkubMMZbgJIcnvPuV8-k4Jy30A/s1400/frozen+roots+at+creek+12+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmBfOnqDLZIvgGlamZA-8_d4Z8rLCE9ZDGI81VVWUMJUc3lg5wK0hKnvviEGD3j96CCYrHavL5nbV7K6lSFegfkZu15Wi8AKPOqqBGk11wcxOWihyphenhyphenBDkubMMZbgJIcnvPuV8-k4Jy30A/w400-h300/frozen+roots+at+creek+12+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ice formation at the creek<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKTuLGP4jTlA2_vvVmBR9dDRZYEwl5JedMJj18wkWCdkfb5Wcp7aFucQWYmhyphenhyphenrb0B0O8LQKoPBz60qlUGzWMiXLT2wKzm8xqTnVbN3QX6a9kTDF1qC7xRU7ENljTXhiGa6-VmSFjXgGo/s1400/frozen+pansy+seeds+12+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKTuLGP4jTlA2_vvVmBR9dDRZYEwl5JedMJj18wkWCdkfb5Wcp7aFucQWYmhyphenhyphenrb0B0O8LQKoPBz60qlUGzWMiXLT2wKzm8xqTnVbN3QX6a9kTDF1qC7xRU7ENljTXhiGa6-VmSFjXgGo/w400-h300/frozen+pansy+seeds+12+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">frozen pansy seed-pod<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMiPKdSdcVhPrcyp3_RNRvME6K2o2AWKfwEygrwDTvGSHA3mfuCgiWoMKOi45Mcp5hQh2CK2KDwExdeBw2l7_LzJ5RbglrWnhbPgtZxwtCCkGzcVhJRqJthNS_TYKepdPeoGlWZfInWfg/s1400/turnips+12+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMiPKdSdcVhPrcyp3_RNRvME6K2o2AWKfwEygrwDTvGSHA3mfuCgiWoMKOi45Mcp5hQh2CK2KDwExdeBw2l7_LzJ5RbglrWnhbPgtZxwtCCkGzcVhJRqJthNS_TYKepdPeoGlWZfInWfg/w400-h300/turnips+12+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">turnips in the hoophouse</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1jz_nkJShH1_Vdrf5wFOuqJdmHEC5IBMyia0NHtP_dxkekXExmWuhSfZG9zRq9wtN7TZye_Hq4SJooTwY96VVXBL37HsSpHD5FcHxU8f4x5B4giNfUlSGR8ei_ieD2zk4wS1qzU8g-0/s1400/strawberry+leaf+hoophouse+12+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1jz_nkJShH1_Vdrf5wFOuqJdmHEC5IBMyia0NHtP_dxkekXExmWuhSfZG9zRq9wtN7TZye_Hq4SJooTwY96VVXBL37HsSpHD5FcHxU8f4x5B4giNfUlSGR8ei_ieD2zk4wS1qzU8g-0/w400-h300/strawberry+leaf+hoophouse+12+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">strawberry leaves in the early morning light</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyLvUnXahnSQtwPBYr_rLeh2yrO73GjwNsNpJ5L07WFpv1cdgrEABxUpLUgz6PS5LKQek6C0_R98dihiwJ3loPuxZcyo3zTC1fNwlWq4-e7PaqPl1plEQPIBXqxndCrSiEHfkStJcgFro/s1326/sparrow+in+the+frost+12+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1326" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyLvUnXahnSQtwPBYr_rLeh2yrO73GjwNsNpJ5L07WFpv1cdgrEABxUpLUgz6PS5LKQek6C0_R98dihiwJ3loPuxZcyo3zTC1fNwlWq4-e7PaqPl1plEQPIBXqxndCrSiEHfkStJcgFro/w400-h316/sparrow+in+the+frost+12+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">white-throated sparrow in the snow/hoarfrost</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Tfc0HCDOTWilSgj4v9t940Mzu-ZiFaMUygA-4y-Y6c_x8VJuIJnhLZAlJutxMuTUDdrJmej7c8Pk3MaeMLZIxzd14nS9GsR07jfg_mnEKCQcSmVBp3l3pWPI2YL1JjnD0D6FWJURtlY/s1400/jupiter+saturn+great+conjunction+12+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Tfc0HCDOTWilSgj4v9t940Mzu-ZiFaMUygA-4y-Y6c_x8VJuIJnhLZAlJutxMuTUDdrJmej7c8Pk3MaeMLZIxzd14nS9GsR07jfg_mnEKCQcSmVBp3l3pWPI2YL1JjnD0D6FWJURtlY/w400-h300/jupiter+saturn+great+conjunction+12+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the great conjunction 2020<br />(due to cloud cover we didn't see this until 12/22)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCBL5DuqWp2v-VyGfd_sXhhx7oUU7Po8ft2HHeztOcswXeYMCfir8x67eapMNDOKNQiyMvVhSsSHiSCddRmSOwMkSOncFOTjfbPgPk8p0TxCsDB7QOTowuma1LRpTRCxbk4kBQIcmFB4/s1400/sheep+early+morning+12+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCBL5DuqWp2v-VyGfd_sXhhx7oUU7Po8ft2HHeztOcswXeYMCfir8x67eapMNDOKNQiyMvVhSsSHiSCddRmSOwMkSOncFOTjfbPgPk8p0TxCsDB7QOTowuma1LRpTRCxbk4kBQIcmFB4/w400-h300/sheep+early+morning+12+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sheep in the early morning light</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUxPjUxBPG2cTICr0CjVZLEg-tE0Q3nKohVWsZUO4hvnTrc1ulIfGalIKFv3ao0mynfRdMiouhv8OALab0CF_ax7P4zW01mLDpUsAlbWwsl53Tno_3WqWyY_4rGHua0FgW1Nm3WoVv24/s1400/frozen+collards+sunlight+12+29+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUxPjUxBPG2cTICr0CjVZLEg-tE0Q3nKohVWsZUO4hvnTrc1ulIfGalIKFv3ao0mynfRdMiouhv8OALab0CF_ax7P4zW01mLDpUsAlbWwsl53Tno_3WqWyY_4rGHua0FgW1Nm3WoVv24/w400-h300/frozen+collards+sunlight+12+29+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunlight through frozen collard leaves</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMhXEYLIRUm8wHRIhD5KeXJAUrtF-nenOIzGq3x3czBZQI2oqDXy6mpdnvuYKOOgfvxRawNKvljZT0n3focQfmjnffz02eqQpg5tHqk5JSeKzctZ4bLjiBHzc9fYF_QiMrsK5QqrdfeQ/s1400/first+hint+of+sunrise+12+30+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMhXEYLIRUm8wHRIhD5KeXJAUrtF-nenOIzGq3x3czBZQI2oqDXy6mpdnvuYKOOgfvxRawNKvljZT0n3focQfmjnffz02eqQpg5tHqk5JSeKzctZ4bLjiBHzc9fYF_QiMrsK5QqrdfeQ/w400-h300/first+hint+of+sunrise+12+30+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first light of day</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2Ic2ASuTnHUB2PIyyVyPKMdFZICcMS1cAQZsTe1vyLSbrIS-GTHCsBW6szk8X6gOh8zL_4QU6AJ8VdXWrLAB6e_MtDnmD4FevTBP_65MQa2AUsLvbWBmjcBRFUO93zPNuQ6NhLHUc6g/s1400/early+morning+ice+crystals+12+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2Ic2ASuTnHUB2PIyyVyPKMdFZICcMS1cAQZsTe1vyLSbrIS-GTHCsBW6szk8X6gOh8zL_4QU6AJ8VdXWrLAB6e_MtDnmD4FevTBP_65MQa2AUsLvbWBmjcBRFUO93zPNuQ6NhLHUc6g/w400-h300/early+morning+ice+crystals+12+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">early morning ice crystals</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5YGpE0H40cX5HR86bRBaUd96-tbF4ooIzmfJpiODAAETWCCUZ_3dePAcemRXym3NpM6OSv6k3GJTKxrVRekna8syz6Ias66hVqEYqMg_d0lv3eurg3YzBtcF0W2rA1y3GCKZ3VHxZkE/s1050/chickadee+12+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1035" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5YGpE0H40cX5HR86bRBaUd96-tbF4ooIzmfJpiODAAETWCCUZ_3dePAcemRXym3NpM6OSv6k3GJTKxrVRekna8syz6Ias66hVqEYqMg_d0lv3eurg3YzBtcF0W2rA1y3GCKZ3VHxZkE/w394-h400/chickadee+12+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="394" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chickadee at the feeder</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwL2GBP0N64dJYXD5dsnXhcycD_lTCY1_CgdJiCBMphHbD8dw_yIOHgvv6Mmp70mdYuyGIhQJpu2RSyI_oRXRPTi-A19uUJq59KPvehZyLIDARHZBTUrXx4gXGr-5B_0OZWbMLuQzMgs/s1531/cardinal+snow+12+7++%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1531" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwL2GBP0N64dJYXD5dsnXhcycD_lTCY1_CgdJiCBMphHbD8dw_yIOHgvv6Mmp70mdYuyGIhQJpu2RSyI_oRXRPTi-A19uUJq59KPvehZyLIDARHZBTUrXx4gXGr-5B_0OZWbMLuQzMgs/w400-h274/cardinal+snow+12+7++%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cardinal in the snow</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwvovzljjnt_am3ttgUVNkXBIYA_-u3tx2Dj5ADiER0sVjB0jbPoPpH7AsXJiX87BgLDdhI9S6-DSUPJhsRlnMWHPuWZTuEBrv8EWyOcWr6RpQQEe92Pi6EfT72fO1afEkCjjBOEA87k/s1400/cardinal+redbud+12+25+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwvovzljjnt_am3ttgUVNkXBIYA_-u3tx2Dj5ADiER0sVjB0jbPoPpH7AsXJiX87BgLDdhI9S6-DSUPJhsRlnMWHPuWZTuEBrv8EWyOcWr6RpQQEe92Pi6EfT72fO1afEkCjjBOEA87k/w400-h300/cardinal+redbud+12+25+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">female cardinal in the redbud tree</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj209jK22VlOzyfMqDbP504VR2KTtcs2z0CCHZzHrqS25vmIDqvQgbL8Kc5S-xJaJCxc7KUqZyP5_7kfXTrqyF3qMzrtDNB1cy6d9aRxVYr8U5dn0hm4AzqqE4gTm5HHw-g3VZogkSrYe4/s1400/birch+branches+december+sky+12+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj209jK22VlOzyfMqDbP504VR2KTtcs2z0CCHZzHrqS25vmIDqvQgbL8Kc5S-xJaJCxc7KUqZyP5_7kfXTrqyF3qMzrtDNB1cy6d9aRxVYr8U5dn0hm4AzqqE4gTm5HHw-g3VZogkSrYe4/w400-h300/birch+branches+december+sky+12+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">birch branches against the December sky</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Although, I’m not even sure how/why/if we should try to plan
for 2021…I lost track of what day it was somewhere around July…now, it seems to
feel like a never-ending Thursday, or maybe Tuesday on a continuous loop…like I
said, I have no idea. Without the rhythm of the Market, we seem to have lost
our sense of time, and some of our sense of purpose. One thing to attempt in
the new year is to find a new focus and direction.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHpcWHKnYRsCNfpxPTMc9_bP52SzhO0knDHS6KE3_a1Q-mMb01UqQVdJfsyyGDc4nkh9qYqqfqlN83yXim7x__-uOUEP1AWxq2fqSkz11xIlIUqq23Qb83eYOVT8FA0n0Tl6FvOoRedQ/s1358/woodpecker+1+2+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1358" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHpcWHKnYRsCNfpxPTMc9_bP52SzhO0knDHS6KE3_a1Q-mMb01UqQVdJfsyyGDc4nkh9qYqqfqlN83yXim7x__-uOUEP1AWxq2fqSkz11xIlIUqq23Qb83eYOVT8FA0n0Tl6FvOoRedQ/w400-h309/woodpecker+1+2+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">woodpecker in the redbud tree<br />(although I was incredibly sad to lose the backyard maple<br />I had no idea that I was missing so much bird action in the backyard)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOAxs9RMNurzVC-rZjJL_ibNyIdP0ryY6PhUHVi5F0sAcw7tBotLixeFgFZ-PeXbHpOvB8r3QgfCCOVlHrO41ihQQQRikfO3gUvxKsQTd5mr7rHs6AAM5E7hrJqMrVs6tMCj7GqCaYSA/s1400/tree+sparrow+1+1+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOAxs9RMNurzVC-rZjJL_ibNyIdP0ryY6PhUHVi5F0sAcw7tBotLixeFgFZ-PeXbHpOvB8r3QgfCCOVlHrO41ihQQQRikfO3gUvxKsQTd5mr7rHs6AAM5E7hrJqMrVs6tMCj7GqCaYSA/w400-h300/tree+sparrow+1+1+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">song sparrow</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWW0e0MSNiqqPWQ3fS0xq2pC4ZcP3D3nQBclM0-zI3P-304BV4KgmGEX4mWZA61GjrrdcSfYixSWczNi0kBofc2PzN512S0dCGFoOuSlUZGNI2tuPCbjF4f2bCoA25cDL6YvJMXWlHqp8/s1400/sunrise+12+30+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWW0e0MSNiqqPWQ3fS0xq2pC4ZcP3D3nQBclM0-zI3P-304BV4KgmGEX4mWZA61GjrrdcSfYixSWczNi0kBofc2PzN512S0dCGFoOuSlUZGNI2tuPCbjF4f2bCoA25cDL6YvJMXWlHqp8/w400-h300/sunrise+12+30+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another amazing sunrise</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczd0n_iiN3N03kvrIFDjlCDWPSRH5h8Ddr3zR2AwdKhiRxvzJH-grtzGq7p4DXSZyydyXwa4EPWFnasL4bopIUthkeWsqQYiDLWaDHrcugdWhBOCWIkfRULnipmaXTs7UZvqsxz8IJDM/s1256/otis+1+2+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1256" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczd0n_iiN3N03kvrIFDjlCDWPSRH5h8Ddr3zR2AwdKhiRxvzJH-grtzGq7p4DXSZyydyXwa4EPWFnasL4bopIUthkeWsqQYiDLWaDHrcugdWhBOCWIkfRULnipmaXTs7UZvqsxz8IJDM/w400-h335/otis+1+2+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Otis<br />(he might be flossing his teeth on the fence...?)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YfeBYoQ86xbJQacT7APDgDg_-IdCxCFfAujL9bY1gFXqUDeZCviUJmrTIueP40GGsWTYz4fJ1C2mDTsT3OD-gHFrqDucNgG9jcZj_nUtxQ-DrYcig4OruG3MXFexSwtZBCGvhylw6QM/s1396/morning+sky+behind+the+barn++12+30+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1396" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YfeBYoQ86xbJQacT7APDgDg_-IdCxCFfAujL9bY1gFXqUDeZCviUJmrTIueP40GGsWTYz4fJ1C2mDTsT3OD-gHFrqDucNgG9jcZj_nUtxQ-DrYcig4OruG3MXFexSwtZBCGvhylw6QM/w400-h301/morning+sky+behind+the+barn++12+30+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty pink sunrise over the barn</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zP0mCYe7cz49BiyGhBXTP7trNb61iaI7xBa2yjEbSIkp-qe6svVpx5jTnJ6bKKdxLWH0NBnG95Ryjm9WQ3V0s69TdrJuXaBF6OI20mj6mJqUdFRy7m_DQu-mR4bcjYUEipKgjzDZbNI/s1400/icicle+sunrise+12+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zP0mCYe7cz49BiyGhBXTP7trNb61iaI7xBa2yjEbSIkp-qe6svVpx5jTnJ6bKKdxLWH0NBnG95Ryjm9WQ3V0s69TdrJuXaBF6OI20mj6mJqUdFRy7m_DQu-mR4bcjYUEipKgjzDZbNI/w400-h300/icicle+sunrise+12+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">icicles</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ruPIK332P3PSaz-H_TTGMPXhs8x0qeMswlfXe2zcJBK8-gglrZX_zd7Y0pKRC5i-xagklz0aKPKM04CFq39HldLxP_HqYs6p73rg15p4HJmpCaHtPrmyOQ4vGdVcvgsLb16wjIEVBT4/s1400/collard+closeup+12+31+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ruPIK332P3PSaz-H_TTGMPXhs8x0qeMswlfXe2zcJBK8-gglrZX_zd7Y0pKRC5i-xagklz0aKPKM04CFq39HldLxP_HqYs6p73rg15p4HJmpCaHtPrmyOQ4vGdVcvgsLb16wjIEVBT4/w400-h300/collard+closeup+12+31+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">collard leaf<br />ready for New Year's</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IVadzaJqhdsFqQ-BBb9GwhLE8Gy7R3ygyqcb1d2lWBt8KfATe8D0JMZ18vu4pg_oXQO7CQb_vBQmLfT_mU8htiX-uCvkOy4Mk9HuiOeDY6rhl6wL8GNKsDmdAap-tFftK3I8s94PYLE/s1400/busy+bird+feeder+1+1+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IVadzaJqhdsFqQ-BBb9GwhLE8Gy7R3ygyqcb1d2lWBt8KfATe8D0JMZ18vu4pg_oXQO7CQb_vBQmLfT_mU8htiX-uCvkOy4Mk9HuiOeDY6rhl6wL8GNKsDmdAap-tFftK3I8s94PYLE/w400-h300/busy+bird+feeder+1+1+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">busy bird feeder</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjef8gVVD7A8limJTWvhxR_90oRURmTwF7H39XG2xfc2bCQRiv5Kl6cX-3EcryGCsw-5AtI01B0dZHOZhWldyO02rQob6xmSXNNEmL5ecnIUINOOT3NG-5Q33H_9sMFK6QxRLWOnb1mvnQ/s1400/baby+lettuce+12+31+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjef8gVVD7A8limJTWvhxR_90oRURmTwF7H39XG2xfc2bCQRiv5Kl6cX-3EcryGCsw-5AtI01B0dZHOZhWldyO02rQob6xmSXNNEmL5ecnIUINOOT3NG-5Q33H_9sMFK6QxRLWOnb1mvnQ/w400-h300/baby+lettuce+12+31+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mid-winter lettuce crop is growing</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxKX4zEbgecn0xEppKRbN37YQc1YzAEYOcAqj8QzbQp2l17-avzjBJdP7nFVWho182XE6gQmGbz11pptzB1g8_vZ0PrmlIDAKdK2smRo-al-O8GxlmiRYXZjgLIsmZbVidH9V6ufLqtQ/s1400/cold+full+moon+2020+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxKX4zEbgecn0xEppKRbN37YQc1YzAEYOcAqj8QzbQp2l17-avzjBJdP7nFVWho182XE6gQmGbz11pptzB1g8_vZ0PrmlIDAKdK2smRo-al-O8GxlmiRYXZjgLIsmZbVidH9V6ufLqtQ/w400-h300/cold+full+moon+2020+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Cold Full Moon sinks behind the trees</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But, I would be remiss if I made it sound like 2020 was all
bad. Oddly, it was not. (and I feel a little bit guilty and over-privileged for
being able to say that) <br /> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The lambchop crop grew well, we were able to get them
processed, and despite the pandemic-weirdness, our amazing customers came
through and we had a very good sales year. THANKS, Y’all! Fingers crossed that
we can do it again.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And, while I can assure you I am NOT a fan of practicing social-distancing
with my family, I miss hugging all those little guys SO much…video-chatting with my grandsons is one of my newly discovered
amusements. It’s wildly hilarious, despite the fact I miss a whole lot of the
conversation while we’re running, dancing, singing, riding four-wheelers, or I’m
laughing too hard to see.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfy6HFKuDLQPuhgW3pRy7eY0cwHxaVxHB34eilM2s2cdmE5K0lZsHezR2nciEmO2SK75Ctk_ewB31FBN_RalToj64lXSVWzWbfcjVu0WYRUleB1ns4iWadu8ZmAAxtpB7QlaQ-uYkd-s/s1050/k+g+b+videochat+12+2020+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="497" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfy6HFKuDLQPuhgW3pRy7eY0cwHxaVxHB34eilM2s2cdmE5K0lZsHezR2nciEmO2SK75Ctk_ewB31FBN_RalToj64lXSVWzWbfcjVu0WYRUleB1ns4iWadu8ZmAAxtpB7QlaQ-uYkd-s/w189-h400/k+g+b+videochat+12+2020+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="189" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and if you're not using the <br />silly filters...<br />you're doing it wrong!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, as we begin a New Year, as we wait for more new lambs, it
is a little easier to feel just a little bit hopeful. It is my sincere wish
that you have some reasons for hopefulness as well.<o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIf2rapupVv_SqWoAslEbKOLYNjBkx3QSETwfzLmp-KDA-W7UqWvdet3gEO3wFFqpnRbb7QYEzL2YBdqpWWwMQ2oZwlly_Qt7XNKOMzsb_dpiH-LDwmU5EY5LJ1P1bstj7Pn8_alqFnbE/s1218/looking+forward+12+30+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1218" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIf2rapupVv_SqWoAslEbKOLYNjBkx3QSETwfzLmp-KDA-W7UqWvdet3gEO3wFFqpnRbb7QYEzL2YBdqpWWwMQ2oZwlly_Qt7XNKOMzsb_dpiH-LDwmU5EY5LJ1P1bstj7Pn8_alqFnbE/w400-h345/looking+forward+12+30+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">even the ewes are "looking forward" to the New Year</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Happy
Sunday!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4ciTZh99l-O-hh_Qg2y0XVyIHZWzOcehAVs03Z5y7OoiiYOzhCJ6260PjtbfPJAW3FTaDNIvOeZ88qr6BwK_RNTl4lRc5wvI8cjddDRXFifzmo5ICBajmxhgiC1n76Egv0e6t-k9PDc/s1400/ice+crystal+heart+12+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4ciTZh99l-O-hh_Qg2y0XVyIHZWzOcehAVs03Z5y7OoiiYOzhCJ6260PjtbfPJAW3FTaDNIvOeZ88qr6BwK_RNTl4lRc5wvI8cjddDRXFifzmo5ICBajmxhgiC1n76Egv0e6t-k9PDc/w640-h480/ice+crystal+heart+12+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think I found a "message from the Universe"<br />a little heart-shape in the ice crystals on the hoophouse</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Thanks for stopping by. Come “visit” again soon.</p></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03599739740886087571noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819048519590916875.post-38423875812756614322020-12-06T10:00:00.001-05:002020-12-06T10:00:14.630-05:00A Sunday Walkabout 12-6-2020<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJJrkAOf9K5EexqUSqFJLgODbu9O56tNn4n8xFeUgLV5sMm6zypvDA2njAQqAvR8-xVQrx5XMKyCf6pRskwo6MExSIsk2Um1G3OYJr8H4gI8kS4hWEzN9DSYpHAheMEBrg_CfI7S5lTM/s1400/otherworldly+sunrise+10+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJJrkAOf9K5EexqUSqFJLgODbu9O56tNn4n8xFeUgLV5sMm6zypvDA2njAQqAvR8-xVQrx5XMKyCf6pRskwo6MExSIsk2Um1G3OYJr8H4gI8kS4hWEzN9DSYpHAheMEBrg_CfI7S5lTM/w649-h486/otherworldly+sunrise+10+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="649" /></a></div><br /> To say this has been a weird year would be a woeful understatement.<p></p><p>I keep thinking that some good news has to be just around the corner...</p><p>...and yet...</p><p>...here we are at the beginning of December with little hope of any return to the way things were, perhaps forever. While I know there is definitely some sort of silver lining somewhere, and I should surely be able to find it, as well as share it with you...it seems ever elusive at this particular moment.</p><p>So, know that the sun still rises, there is still beauty in the world...and surely there is some sort of hope out there, even if we don't quite see it yet.</p><p>And, with that in mind, here are a bunch of pictures from the hill that have been lanquishing in my photo file. I hope they will brighten your day and grant you some sort of hope and encouragement.</p><p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8IIgHyPXqeWW5oBaPiBrmvv22EAeuWvSTrBGm_CqAGvCnHx-rhPJyq3YBEvWV5TibdVfm0wFPdp_WONJQu3g-0QTQvP4TraI_nape837Uu4MyFCkzfyDXHEEFpZTVHXjW4xAnHbz1R0/s1416/woodpecker+feeder+11+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1416" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8IIgHyPXqeWW5oBaPiBrmvv22EAeuWvSTrBGm_CqAGvCnHx-rhPJyq3YBEvWV5TibdVfm0wFPdp_WONJQu3g-0QTQvP4TraI_nape837Uu4MyFCkzfyDXHEEFpZTVHXjW4xAnHbz1R0/w400-h296/woodpecker+feeder+11+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">woodpecker at feeder</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qnAFbTzpclmgwgoFa0ShPt9U2xgpL9jI0VVHaw6N6u3adqslG_q3M_1TibvbMOuWy28JfAgji5ZgfDweSxr23m5dxvBK4tOgPYIrWydDe_62kKCrvKeCLqA9hTRVkEZwUhDZyslBiTw/s1400/sunrise+11+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qnAFbTzpclmgwgoFa0ShPt9U2xgpL9jI0VVHaw6N6u3adqslG_q3M_1TibvbMOuWy28JfAgji5ZgfDweSxr23m5dxvBK4tOgPYIrWydDe_62kKCrvKeCLqA9hTRVkEZwUhDZyslBiTw/w400-h300/sunrise+11+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunrise</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfIhNb-epYe7P9jVvfSENhKpMqG6hki4omwhRTNTt1a2jKCm2j3QrWGygCJYltP2x5io7XhzZYeH9iUOV5M3v32KMD_hpbrdrWQYU_LrvEpmTPjFGbY4xJ2YFgiPz3uPfbfLuWh__vuM/s1400/smartweed+and+leaves+10+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfIhNb-epYe7P9jVvfSENhKpMqG6hki4omwhRTNTt1a2jKCm2j3QrWGygCJYltP2x5io7XhzZYeH9iUOV5M3v32KMD_hpbrdrWQYU_LrvEpmTPjFGbY4xJ2YFgiPz3uPfbfLuWh__vuM/w400-h300/smartweed+and+leaves+10+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">smartweed and fallen leaves</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7vxIYbs-ZgZrCo5PNNTLajU9c9RVa6LlaqaHMc87j7lw5-ROQiWxHbaqv5HN5hCZtzUvwD9-X23bHRJ5CSjVQyqD0EY4ybqRd1H8F7LgbPUSRq7Zi6GdY3MangJbIUPsbKhZYuYdEw4/s1496/rudebeckia+after+snow+11+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1496" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7vxIYbs-ZgZrCo5PNNTLajU9c9RVa6LlaqaHMc87j7lw5-ROQiWxHbaqv5HN5hCZtzUvwD9-X23bHRJ5CSjVQyqD0EY4ybqRd1H8F7LgbPUSRq7Zi6GdY3MangJbIUPsbKhZYuYdEw4/w400-h281/rudebeckia+after+snow+11+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rudebeckia after slight snow</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gY12zFNF_o-2GzV_piRKJec-m9-IH9x09q77OpKC4G5bh3lH09OeAl6rRuVV-o76WslefR2KarN3XdCnNXjibI4lGibSnVca0db8JVbD5vuGvqUdcnQUYF3HQMA0yn2WiLp7g43RL4A/s1400/roots+barn+in+fall+10+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gY12zFNF_o-2GzV_piRKJec-m9-IH9x09q77OpKC4G5bh3lH09OeAl6rRuVV-o76WslefR2KarN3XdCnNXjibI4lGibSnVca0db8JVbD5vuGvqUdcnQUYF3HQMA0yn2WiLp7g43RL4A/w400-h300/roots+barn+in+fall+10+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fall colors across the way</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyS-hQK3o3fPPgNh1n6M4y_DjzXdDdjdxake9R6_OsDedJOoPffjmBmO2Kgw6JsGMOO0S1yuX91SRTSuSTJ3ugiRbMU5MsMK1fLbS-apX04v4xOtzUB6Tc1n34-DQAL8etMy1h0QrZT-o/s1283/redbud+leaf+10+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1283" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyS-hQK3o3fPPgNh1n6M4y_DjzXdDdjdxake9R6_OsDedJOoPffjmBmO2Kgw6JsGMOO0S1yuX91SRTSuSTJ3ugiRbMU5MsMK1fLbS-apX04v4xOtzUB6Tc1n34-DQAL8etMy1h0QrZT-o/w400-h328/redbud+leaf+10+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">redbud leaves</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAa0RUAc5z6debF07OwVMidQQ7UgvmfePTS5qrwExvGv495AmCmxGwyW7gxk9kGlhUtUz3GMp-Z5gvOe_HtjMcypcjD8NqRPyFJ2GP4vhlJyc8Ysf6AXAYSezqlLIr9fGXeJ2XM-2Z2wM/s1400/planting+bulbs+11+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAa0RUAc5z6debF07OwVMidQQ7UgvmfePTS5qrwExvGv495AmCmxGwyW7gxk9kGlhUtUz3GMp-Z5gvOe_HtjMcypcjD8NqRPyFJ2GP4vhlJyc8Ysf6AXAYSezqlLIr9fGXeJ2XM-2Z2wM/w400-h300/planting+bulbs+11+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">to plant for the future is an act of faith</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvcWU7g3rKsG5xVYE4pIJpz5vyestYRAZE5eG6VAAv3wCaOiTPNG191cUVzCPztSG4ipUljASlezN2X7k3Eqxc2DAqZ9dXbvgaOQb7Pfdtx8GhnwtVL8VhzShUGuMAFRBV9odtDM8TyI/s1400/park+leaf+close+10+27+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvcWU7g3rKsG5xVYE4pIJpz5vyestYRAZE5eG6VAAv3wCaOiTPNG191cUVzCPztSG4ipUljASlezN2X7k3Eqxc2DAqZ9dXbvgaOQb7Pfdtx8GhnwtVL8VhzShUGuMAFRBV9odtDM8TyI/w400-h300/park+leaf+close+10+27+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty fall leaf</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEhb6HkG66TH4S_bKM7kH2tRjn8EbyUzfqv4IoUoAGZ6eerIhqM3lAKNaL3sF1KI076ajK0r7diveu0v1yfylX-OOlejW2ddvdboYpILfhwmO5ftbn-8LYCWSSiADHIM5k4yH0Y5Sfsc/s1400/pansy+chrysanthemums+10+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEhb6HkG66TH4S_bKM7kH2tRjn8EbyUzfqv4IoUoAGZ6eerIhqM3lAKNaL3sF1KI076ajK0r7diveu0v1yfylX-OOlejW2ddvdboYpILfhwmO5ftbn-8LYCWSSiADHIM5k4yH0Y5Sfsc/w400-h300/pansy+chrysanthemums+10+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pansy and mums after the rain</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oVNwVEWWxRRqhqccFG6r0_gEJlPKYnK_H7OhxbiWrsFtNlddPuYVPQoyb_KYWwMYVWkK5yXyvAhwHD7QB2FP1BBxt1X3cSnwdkV4gA4McdGk0Y6gj3E7sE2c8Mzd9E3w0MIH37xMm1Y/s1400/otis+bird+11+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oVNwVEWWxRRqhqccFG6r0_gEJlPKYnK_H7OhxbiWrsFtNlddPuYVPQoyb_KYWwMYVWkK5yXyvAhwHD7QB2FP1BBxt1X3cSnwdkV4gA4McdGk0Y6gj3E7sE2c8Mzd9E3w0MIH37xMm1Y/w400-h300/otis+bird+11+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Otis against a fall sky</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip00P4l91AyvrSb9I-03Vj-8nBcPCNYTDT7VFflCiQ5YyXb3h8fVdmOJgkBPDP-wpL4xXEZKXIhi1QER9OTV_HM3nneY0yJmLEYGqfeYni_wG8OhijGJgLVmU53SRFCeh6GAmjbbflwhQ/s1400/one+red+gum+leaf+11+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip00P4l91AyvrSb9I-03Vj-8nBcPCNYTDT7VFflCiQ5YyXb3h8fVdmOJgkBPDP-wpL4xXEZKXIhi1QER9OTV_HM3nneY0yJmLEYGqfeYni_wG8OhijGJgLVmU53SRFCeh6GAmjbbflwhQ/w400-h300/one+red+gum+leaf+11+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one gum leaf</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigefWvom62vlEaxSNreuZkezZCpcF3-zK9glBUCdPT2HgA_MMerV2oxufbCiF043uhMK-w73K8jDhRGgOqLFw4OhpVypVosu_FsBynvoZUZuYgpPFwh61_B6PARovhRx1ADffdHoaODsM/s1400/oaks+at+sunrise+12+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigefWvom62vlEaxSNreuZkezZCpcF3-zK9glBUCdPT2HgA_MMerV2oxufbCiF043uhMK-w73K8jDhRGgOqLFw4OhpVypVosu_FsBynvoZUZuYgpPFwh61_B6PARovhRx1ADffdHoaODsM/w400-h300/oaks+at+sunrise+12+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunrise behind the oaks</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOO5iVBRcDGawxMwhrPccphs2N5AflFb8dMnOrx3DQN6lNeqKOGRw0-UwUNkRUuqIo54sIZhK6VdbCauMbbXWVUXrQBpPKkHUHbLMOrQ0dgYiLD22wUKbaoD4gigZ9YKHOeujNmfngDI/s1400/morning+glory+10+9+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOO5iVBRcDGawxMwhrPccphs2N5AflFb8dMnOrx3DQN6lNeqKOGRw0-UwUNkRUuqIo54sIZhK6VdbCauMbbXWVUXrQBpPKkHUHbLMOrQ0dgYiLD22wUKbaoD4gigZ9YKHOeujNmfngDI/w400-h300/morning+glory+10+9+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the last morning glory of the season</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcToXCVqPncblr_pBLiywQF822vk4yucxgj9ypJ0TeWDxJsOW3C5OkBDlaE0x6sovV9TLfvRslR2G1QRQE27sXpD6TIj3deeg8bjChCuc_qljO0S2R7MoQEUUQuVktWmCCuQkqAXke0A/s1400/morning+commute+contrails+10+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcToXCVqPncblr_pBLiywQF822vk4yucxgj9ypJ0TeWDxJsOW3C5OkBDlaE0x6sovV9TLfvRslR2G1QRQE27sXpD6TIj3deeg8bjChCuc_qljO0S2R7MoQEUUQuVktWmCCuQkqAXke0A/w400-h300/morning+commute+contrails+10+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">morning commute</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QTNDO1f5ZaLkccgN0bIABdLeBJQdQmDO5NtO7-BNvgsnTdT4oA9qzJXWO-YoYW6dbgjOP6JMLwdtAPITuVDwkTNMQbl1x5hVXSH8c6tFU-RKfb9Hs90xZe6CjyKJSMv1mCJvdpJfIag/s1400/more+morning+cherry+leaves+10+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QTNDO1f5ZaLkccgN0bIABdLeBJQdQmDO5NtO7-BNvgsnTdT4oA9qzJXWO-YoYW6dbgjOP6JMLwdtAPITuVDwkTNMQbl1x5hVXSH8c6tFU-RKfb9Hs90xZe6CjyKJSMv1mCJvdpJfIag/w400-h300/more+morning+cherry+leaves+10+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cherry leaves over M'brook</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9m82_QgIU9T0pLBczcZQV0mKtemHIh4GlYvpVDIL8yDceHtd6gcL1v5aJL6G8F_utyBBSdJXHI690MQ_U_IYF9e1JPY-Gj_LRLJO9N3c59hJVYxWiv8PLNtGJLrg32czFZbvfg4OJcg/s1400/moon+jupiter+saturn+night+twilight+11+18++%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9m82_QgIU9T0pLBczcZQV0mKtemHIh4GlYvpVDIL8yDceHtd6gcL1v5aJL6G8F_utyBBSdJXHI690MQ_U_IYF9e1JPY-Gj_LRLJO9N3c59hJVYxWiv8PLNtGJLrg32czFZbvfg4OJcg/w400-h300/moon+jupiter+saturn+night+twilight+11+18++%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jupiter, Saturn and crescent moon</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRw2cIu_67PFqbhz8Bx4MguPGintgrV2YLpVPqZRos0DGqr8w2O0-YCcCx9Hss4OUYWRpCvn2DqziXMpuoLqThPprHKwvy8jGzNugQtHCeWZ_p8sn6rfBnMrFJ4IhvV8sc8PjhFp_4Gw/s1400/mallard+10+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRw2cIu_67PFqbhz8Bx4MguPGintgrV2YLpVPqZRos0DGqr8w2O0-YCcCx9Hss4OUYWRpCvn2DqziXMpuoLqThPprHKwvy8jGzNugQtHCeWZ_p8sn6rfBnMrFJ4IhvV8sc8PjhFp_4Gw/w400-h300/mallard+10+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mallard at the park</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJMwNEMEb98i3Kjk_2tfuV5egl1HjqmRiPffB3Pxa6J06NSFtjI_5jR-GYySK3-u1K5dU1ghpjqbeApvwWReEkE7Cx2ti-oWmHq_qc8h5EKq2dXI5IG2eFgoEBPMgyMYJYgungJ-kRMw/s1406/lettuce+flower+11+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1406" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJMwNEMEb98i3Kjk_2tfuV5egl1HjqmRiPffB3Pxa6J06NSFtjI_5jR-GYySK3-u1K5dU1ghpjqbeApvwWReEkE7Cx2ti-oWmHq_qc8h5EKq2dXI5IG2eFgoEBPMgyMYJYgungJ-kRMw/w400-h299/lettuce+flower+11+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lettuce flower</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYVDGXOKd85QLpnH_JxZp3hOtgJBmC-D5LR-0gHgYqvBky_U4LrZhvyIgKGx-ZYTfv9TIpQjkUeniVn_T_PGWUCBCAHfHTTdqU0cNXZ8kLcFsL-g5PXXB7H6kDDFBh4lSil48PYGz0hc/s1400/lettuce+10+7+2020+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYVDGXOKd85QLpnH_JxZp3hOtgJBmC-D5LR-0gHgYqvBky_U4LrZhvyIgKGx-ZYTfv9TIpQjkUeniVn_T_PGWUCBCAHfHTTdqU0cNXZ8kLcFsL-g5PXXB7H6kDDFBh4lSil48PYGz0hc/w400-h300/lettuce+10+7+2020+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">back-lit lettuce leaf</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzPMoEB3pJ6h9zVURJmiqDleeBRopS3Wy29zEHbK6MyCRQVOPIarHIx4Sn81Mi6qOfJGQkZSPaLCY5xcLNF_EGTEE3cvqLg7RPlnfZT58CP5pkIJta8Asvr5soXQKpHTzIxM96mcsZTg/s1400/last+cherry+leaves+11+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzPMoEB3pJ6h9zVURJmiqDleeBRopS3Wy29zEHbK6MyCRQVOPIarHIx4Sn81Mi6qOfJGQkZSPaLCY5xcLNF_EGTEE3cvqLg7RPlnfZT58CP5pkIJta8Asvr5soXQKpHTzIxM96mcsZTg/w400-h300/last+cherry+leaves+11+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">last of the cherry leaves</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLuvH5bjWRdRfoHnJduJAWPN_lLKrMlPa5RzNn_NVFW6UhUISBasQfZ_qhlKeEIuA0R8O5JyWXL-G5hxj_l2uxD7gN5rBQ6GppdK6OihfpTcrLBj3TTTbPmq6JVCnAowGERqn3dAbKWao/s1050/karma+hello+in+there+9+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLuvH5bjWRdRfoHnJduJAWPN_lLKrMlPa5RzNn_NVFW6UhUISBasQfZ_qhlKeEIuA0R8O5JyWXL-G5hxj_l2uxD7gN5rBQ6GppdK6OihfpTcrLBj3TTTbPmq6JVCnAowGERqn3dAbKWao/w300-h400/karma+hello+in+there+9+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a HELLO from Karma</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkUxtNcJ91DlM1w-RGdeNhRvUZQxt3iY7zggaYdqNqcV_70GcPRB4-vEzK-Z2MwDPlegsVYYIur1yhOB4ByvzNuYOZ3-MnlQlMXSFPv988twKtBeYXHfYSLxcao8JviSe8xYr4fcXaoQ/s1400/gum+leaf+11+10+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkUxtNcJ91DlM1w-RGdeNhRvUZQxt3iY7zggaYdqNqcV_70GcPRB4-vEzK-Z2MwDPlegsVYYIur1yhOB4ByvzNuYOZ3-MnlQlMXSFPv988twKtBeYXHfYSLxcao8JviSe8xYr4fcXaoQ/w400-h300/gum+leaf+11+10+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gum leaves</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbkDHiUimzfjhX7G1cNOvX0LSgINx4qddA-qLDtLt6TwcUiJ1wgjM5zbDv8yQCM8uhhdtFQLIHk51jPLkCdDZ4mBG4xLnHIa_M75JptwEqPqz4t4kfX5CyPJ0iWkd4c1uTGK16k0hQ4M/s1400/grape+leaf+10+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbkDHiUimzfjhX7G1cNOvX0LSgINx4qddA-qLDtLt6TwcUiJ1wgjM5zbDv8yQCM8uhhdtFQLIHk51jPLkCdDZ4mBG4xLnHIa_M75JptwEqPqz4t4kfX5CyPJ0iWkd4c1uTGK16k0hQ4M/w400-h300/grape+leaf+10+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wild grape leaf</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnK6k6l7arbLezBC6kXRuOY0XYJe9jIH2sP0ZHyN64p7U_T_UemHC5HYFgzqnGu4bCdvZ9K-H5GKovQcJKxss32cAHHCpWgdffdjDvGz70ABRL5DWlqy6u2G70AbSf4wK15UtDg7Vg4bg/s1400/foggy+sheep+10+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnK6k6l7arbLezBC6kXRuOY0XYJe9jIH2sP0ZHyN64p7U_T_UemHC5HYFgzqnGu4bCdvZ9K-H5GKovQcJKxss32cAHHCpWgdffdjDvGz70ABRL5DWlqy6u2G70AbSf4wK15UtDg7Vg4bg/w400-h300/foggy+sheep+10+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">foggy morning for the sheep</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdo79kmLNVFh5KewZJotbe0eiHaEH4e8-U57yOMVgL2xo5giQ01D-A33ZqVVSJ19k-rhqcAb7BaebGedn85RptQFYRnxXKYaicBcVfoOvIAyTxaFGY_xA5Nhtdv-wBgtgOPJXO5R881g0/s1400/finch+bare+branch+11+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdo79kmLNVFh5KewZJotbe0eiHaEH4e8-U57yOMVgL2xo5giQ01D-A33ZqVVSJ19k-rhqcAb7BaebGedn85RptQFYRnxXKYaicBcVfoOvIAyTxaFGY_xA5Nhtdv-wBgtgOPJXO5R881g0/w400-h300/finch+bare+branch+11+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">house finch out back</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKPQoTwbS8SVk_Y0wHDR5_OMQtnTAYdV9NhK77QJm_5zhX041Jkz48wXqaHgZZtSiRtJM0j10JTbZGFOOkYh83f9d8PJXunGZ_Sngj63Gn4hNcSYcwAl87_Up3h1SciXJVQEAKvXJdcs/s1400/fall+sunset+11+9+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKPQoTwbS8SVk_Y0wHDR5_OMQtnTAYdV9NhK77QJm_5zhX041Jkz48wXqaHgZZtSiRtJM0j10JTbZGFOOkYh83f9d8PJXunGZ_Sngj63Gn4hNcSYcwAl87_Up3h1SciXJVQEAKvXJdcs/w400-h300/fall+sunset+11+9+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fall colors at sunset</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLR33HhKczsap78znZ_D3ol1X-el5mUxOdsygI8FUPi5cawyW5FZHn53utTipT4LJ9-pF7wP66MD4yWkqt_JtGK13XChm3TyMVCyNxqOLVZWDk0RfqV9tUTMT6y4DV4KQTxpt5YRtmY8/s1339/fall+colors+roots+barn+10+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1339" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLR33HhKczsap78znZ_D3ol1X-el5mUxOdsygI8FUPi5cawyW5FZHn53utTipT4LJ9-pF7wP66MD4yWkqt_JtGK13XChm3TyMVCyNxqOLVZWDk0RfqV9tUTMT6y4DV4KQTxpt5YRtmY8/w400-h314/fall+colors+roots+barn+10+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fall color in M'brk</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2L9ArQDruLbFyL038168eLD_7Okt9LEnmltwgMeY91e7eMMkY1j9p6NFW_oaOBELGHd5g0eNuOBDfickAKPuVCfl4Y151Wr-Vlv6fnbRwKSt9vVZbP0QkbdV7vevrrs4GivgJvP9INg/s1400/end+of+november+11+30+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2L9ArQDruLbFyL038168eLD_7Okt9LEnmltwgMeY91e7eMMkY1j9p6NFW_oaOBELGHd5g0eNuOBDfickAKPuVCfl4Y151Wr-Vlv6fnbRwKSt9vVZbP0QkbdV7vevrrs4GivgJvP9INg/w400-h300/end+of+november+11+30+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty colors</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7m8rw9tDasq0PqoCN3LspDwaB2KvJIYygKykDB4WVdztxRpBduu0oYBkjxZaIwm3KtNdBXnECFWem9vxhpVns8k1oL12zCSagiLUMMoIf-QeRBiHfcbtJs8Bm4e8hukppyPHSbND9GTs/s1400/dogwood+leaves+at+the+park+10+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7m8rw9tDasq0PqoCN3LspDwaB2KvJIYygKykDB4WVdztxRpBduu0oYBkjxZaIwm3KtNdBXnECFWem9vxhpVns8k1oL12zCSagiLUMMoIf-QeRBiHfcbtJs8Bm4e8hukppyPHSbND9GTs/w400-h300/dogwood+leaves+at+the+park+10+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dogwood leaves</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRRcISoPhyyyF969JY18sOHVumgoOX9n_G_SUbVjEXFrr_rR9bEfPJCF9phrzTqgeBrbViv4Hz1zJ_AxCJ-qIrxfXKLFnluX0-cpIjswAvmExqiLpVJNohd4ewFB-To_KFNoqOSDX3f8/s1400/dogwood+berries+10+9+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRRcISoPhyyyF969JY18sOHVumgoOX9n_G_SUbVjEXFrr_rR9bEfPJCF9phrzTqgeBrbViv4Hz1zJ_AxCJ-qIrxfXKLFnluX0-cpIjswAvmExqiLpVJNohd4ewFB-To_KFNoqOSDX3f8/w400-h300/dogwood+berries+10+9+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dogwood berries</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnR9s4lqi84i6oPfllCuEJ45k7hvlUlQdDDswB2Sm1Yg_jOWDXsVZML3L-Cy75zl31-ZIsabYCUCWazluwrpxCCERH9OBL0EgV2LRZxHdSS9JJedwl4W75TDGvtulio8Ja9Q3AY4sEhXU/s1420/dewy+millet+light+11+9+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1420" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnR9s4lqi84i6oPfllCuEJ45k7hvlUlQdDDswB2Sm1Yg_jOWDXsVZML3L-Cy75zl31-ZIsabYCUCWazluwrpxCCERH9OBL0EgV2LRZxHdSS9JJedwl4W75TDGvtulio8Ja9Q3AY4sEhXU/w400-h296/dewy+millet+light+11+9+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one sparkling moment</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMwlQm1v3ml3sii9RJYW0KHHwP1T2rVXpbuE6d8gHlFs4YPogDDHw24RT77cXJyccGMJ6aCp6zA7rHIUwvlrF0AeentQNDaWvnKnL5RPPCAhQdX1u-WKCb620pJhGQ-nmqvJpLKIgJKg/s1400/december+sky+12+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMwlQm1v3ml3sii9RJYW0KHHwP1T2rVXpbuE6d8gHlFs4YPogDDHw24RT77cXJyccGMJ6aCp6zA7rHIUwvlrF0AeentQNDaWvnKnL5RPPCAhQdX1u-WKCb620pJhGQ-nmqvJpLKIgJKg/w400-h300/december+sky+12+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty December sky</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFCH2WxT0trjpxH9r5ElPLMKHwIgEDnOiYBzgCkxBVYLDSYDCwcOgJEN8ldjTzMKu9niJBPOLipFz6_6Rc6G6zSsZCYwRH2S5EcJ-XIkiaWePN1cOXMPVuf1OpMCgLz4GGPDZR8l_b0o/s1400/chickadee+12+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFCH2WxT0trjpxH9r5ElPLMKHwIgEDnOiYBzgCkxBVYLDSYDCwcOgJEN8ldjTzMKu9niJBPOLipFz6_6Rc6G6zSsZCYwRH2S5EcJ-XIkiaWePN1cOXMPVuf1OpMCgLz4GGPDZR8l_b0o/w400-h300/chickadee+12+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chickadee at the feeder</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBn-KqUbcgxSnxZj_02l7ZDn1c_RX6lG8h-8a8eNaCNVzMv2Yf4wnq0o8TxBB12f6z_7uZq17p0kPO04bqR_zsxVsg7rr7diUHm_6s_72rDufx0lqYdr1bcSXqSqLBGq_k0Rro6EptQ8/s1220/cedar+waxwings+at+creek+11+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1220" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBn-KqUbcgxSnxZj_02l7ZDn1c_RX6lG8h-8a8eNaCNVzMv2Yf4wnq0o8TxBB12f6z_7uZq17p0kPO04bqR_zsxVsg7rr7diUHm_6s_72rDufx0lqYdr1bcSXqSqLBGq_k0Rro6EptQ8/w400-h344/cedar+waxwings+at+creek+11+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cedar wax-wings at the creek</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6B-RT74uBHhGCveZ4O5Opy0eTKqQxSPgcHsG15aeGow8i5dChVS6LpQVdJpuQEwc4koyU2NyolL2cr3k3JtOdpFxs8bJKgd1eh5GHFG5_oxNID5sNef1YI8S6wQJytn9EdN-x63u3frc/s1400/cat+on+porch+12+3++%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6B-RT74uBHhGCveZ4O5Opy0eTKqQxSPgcHsG15aeGow8i5dChVS6LpQVdJpuQEwc4koyU2NyolL2cr3k3JtOdpFxs8bJKgd1eh5GHFG5_oxNID5sNef1YI8S6wQJytn9EdN-x63u3frc/w400-h300/cat+on+porch+12+3++%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">barn kitty on the porch</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_1ryvhc65WW85nVNHkju04J-zKkAVrT9gA0jxQswEsVEEI5Dwbz3FC46vVUN-roeQBvWYfbhxfOWO2GzApdJAi7K2W4uN7_Lc9buC0I08ujoSQtDP_Y7GivBFRHxeA9g_SdUgbchr0c/s1400/brilliant+maples+park+10+27+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_1ryvhc65WW85nVNHkju04J-zKkAVrT9gA0jxQswEsVEEI5Dwbz3FC46vVUN-roeQBvWYfbhxfOWO2GzApdJAi7K2W4uN7_Lc9buC0I08ujoSQtDP_Y7GivBFRHxeA9g_SdUgbchr0c/w400-h300/brilliant+maples+park+10+27+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">brilliant fall leaves on a cold, wet day</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKrfESYpvNa8klxIP8_gaUastGo8UNUXU9UWLhIguTuX-1hwUZbbqUXvaKdHyOTi9cUcexUHRkc9VVccwqCVKUuMImCNRsHaHyC8BgCUkNWcGGjRrc-tICFsRh3oj-mEb_y5KTCb41M8/s1050/bluebird+10+30+2020+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1002" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKrfESYpvNa8klxIP8_gaUastGo8UNUXU9UWLhIguTuX-1hwUZbbqUXvaKdHyOTi9cUcexUHRkc9VVccwqCVKUuMImCNRsHaHyC8BgCUkNWcGGjRrc-tICFsRh3oj-mEb_y5KTCb41M8/w381-h400/bluebird+10+30+2020+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="381" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bluebird</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmwIukBZbHXFr775McswUEJawChj6IUub3HMTuZuAVds7VkoSodlzNr23K10btIb4ELyEYt1jOLDMB4JXX6Yl4KScTdcvAl5xzzeuqqy5FuKi1iAiZb0Q-CKt3oMSFEwZweSGHuhkBjs/s1400/bittersweet+against+the+sky+11+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmwIukBZbHXFr775McswUEJawChj6IUub3HMTuZuAVds7VkoSodlzNr23K10btIb4ELyEYt1jOLDMB4JXX6Yl4KScTdcvAl5xzzeuqqy5FuKi1iAiZb0Q-CKt3oMSFEwZweSGHuhkBjs/w400-h300/bittersweet+against+the+sky+11+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bittersweet against the sky</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1fWHKUAI1dk-R_9YYk_CbQ5qva8pBh5WyRFrlDp7FqZ4r4PrmoHaeUEIbsIaF-DDlm_t5VqWAntVXPECroa5pvvXBzC3uAewJdwIAubS2qgEO2gknGYjweSSlv31UtE7S9ClE7joCb_Q/s1400/bashful+pullets+12+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1fWHKUAI1dk-R_9YYk_CbQ5qva8pBh5WyRFrlDp7FqZ4r4PrmoHaeUEIbsIaF-DDlm_t5VqWAntVXPECroa5pvvXBzC3uAewJdwIAubS2qgEO2gknGYjweSSlv31UtE7S9ClE7joCb_Q/w400-h300/bashful+pullets+12+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bashful pullets</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm61nV6OHS5DNMC3l5CYBmIQtgxAMzgjlKoFP3Vseevo3AvDYrJwZIVcH7VIf3SZG4Yamb5rdSF9GktzPebAAiC0hbdZDVDBZjzYKmBh9gatCnAUFJfo806wBBypkD1WGQx9ypcijUy98/s1400/barndogs+at+sunrise+11+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm61nV6OHS5DNMC3l5CYBmIQtgxAMzgjlKoFP3Vseevo3AvDYrJwZIVcH7VIf3SZG4Yamb5rdSF9GktzPebAAiC0hbdZDVDBZjzYKmBh9gatCnAUFJfo806wBBypkD1WGQx9ypcijUy98/w400-h300/barndogs+at+sunrise+11+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">barn-dogs at sunrise</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8G72NBDuOgwFlt6zIOvqcBrA0X1vNSmI0wA40kOAdfZRCI05dX2AS8VwZfR_LwA5QGIPRqsA6mt11x-CZsST_ay3px2fIM2nvhnDVsaGxYBHgs9z8n9BjclpP0ITwMh5IwFsZY1WK6RQ/s1514/barn+kitty+early+morning+11+10+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1514" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8G72NBDuOgwFlt6zIOvqcBrA0X1vNSmI0wA40kOAdfZRCI05dX2AS8VwZfR_LwA5QGIPRqsA6mt11x-CZsST_ay3px2fIM2nvhnDVsaGxYBHgs9z8n9BjclpP0ITwMh5IwFsZY1WK6RQ/w400-h278/barn+kitty+early+morning+11+10+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">barn kittie at sunrise</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGStzLZHWadnQBiEmEcce9k0gloQYz5Fj3351A45hrsO0fwEWmX76R-ePYX1f5tzqu1UQAqW9iRrOG1QcioOrMwt82jTnuTo9IvfFAshhJEN7B7HZWh4XLrtDBXlLXtAnLWWGPebnwSmg/s1400/arkansas+black+apple+10+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGStzLZHWadnQBiEmEcce9k0gloQYz5Fj3351A45hrsO0fwEWmX76R-ePYX1f5tzqu1UQAqW9iRrOG1QcioOrMwt82jTnuTo9IvfFAshhJEN7B7HZWh4XLrtDBXlLXtAnLWWGPebnwSmg/w400-h300/arkansas+black+apple+10+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arkansas Black apple</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRRk7_91I01Fr7mapdieUGUi0chJ2vNWOhKHMiuAo6QMTgp6Vdx0QXpGW-pBpAQRMXZuptID4t_DKwPcX-Jw6LvFO9ItTo9qkios0rXfeRuf3xEtDU9kaCdqftusmIPIrg5GeacEWNzU/s1336/african+daisies+10+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1336" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRRk7_91I01Fr7mapdieUGUi0chJ2vNWOhKHMiuAo6QMTgp6Vdx0QXpGW-pBpAQRMXZuptID4t_DKwPcX-Jw6LvFO9ItTo9qkios0rXfeRuf3xEtDU9kaCdqftusmIPIrg5GeacEWNzU/w400-h314/african+daisies+10+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">african daisies lasted for months<br /> </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKKi3TZ9Tc3oZJLtJENOKAtKBwHaGjZ4FqotbmVG7pdEVbTEropEbcMxeWSe4UNRk1PqVmqRl4YiPwKA-ciNtaZZQYNDbCYNuLZFdxnvRqXk4_P1xBLn9dh70Nl2x60uhiYm0uh6rxOQ/s1347/a+change+in+the+weather+11+30+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1347" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKKi3TZ9Tc3oZJLtJENOKAtKBwHaGjZ4FqotbmVG7pdEVbTEropEbcMxeWSe4UNRk1PqVmqRl4YiPwKA-ciNtaZZQYNDbCYNuLZFdxnvRqXk4_P1xBLn9dh70Nl2x60uhiYm0uh6rxOQ/w400-h311/a+change+in+the+weather+11+30+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a change in the weather is on its way</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdnO2_sbn5dHoRKWryVqmndacMnlYP5eKT-4l0CZIyGLr2mOYg-ameYcA1VbEEfGZKuI20_XJBC5kDUQ5pWOMQSeRghWE5_k960zsPUrH9sJtgTFnvuHyH98pHZwASI1PVRNJJ7rAbbM/s1400/1+sunrise+11+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdnO2_sbn5dHoRKWryVqmndacMnlYP5eKT-4l0CZIyGLr2mOYg-ameYcA1VbEEfGZKuI20_XJBC5kDUQ5pWOMQSeRghWE5_k960zsPUrH9sJtgTFnvuHyH98pHZwASI1PVRNJJ7rAbbM/w400-h300/1+sunrise+11+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another sunrise</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJL36ve1-LOIz66UjUBPh7iiIOCaeqQKsqUAquYiwZSTf9bmaClX5Ofwmt4AAYhw4Kl8j98MkOcLIo3hdJhNmd_YGC0nkqasWdHdGBOn62u8h2c0xlhYLScyVtQu8rjBcx1kRQa_LjohE/s1400/sunset+kitchen+window+11+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJL36ve1-LOIz66UjUBPh7iiIOCaeqQKsqUAquYiwZSTf9bmaClX5Ofwmt4AAYhw4Kl8j98MkOcLIo3hdJhNmd_YGC0nkqasWdHdGBOn62u8h2c0xlhYLScyVtQu8rjBcx1kRQa_LjohE/w400-h300/sunset+kitchen+window+11+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunset from the kitchen window</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Until next time, </p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Happy
Sunday!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>I hope we can "visit" again soon.<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZldkHf3QqCuC25wFvkRgKv5dqurS6sncDBzTKZaWc8mLzt6p_c831QxXiL_2MgX7PEBaxj9Beo1SPjGJ-_l8SAzdGAWzdJ3PoZ0396MsvR7gSEqJE27L5w_Z4X0D8uu-0SfLmiMM0TM/s1400/last+glimpse+of+the+beaver+moon+12+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZldkHf3QqCuC25wFvkRgKv5dqurS6sncDBzTKZaWc8mLzt6p_c831QxXiL_2MgX7PEBaxj9Beo1SPjGJ-_l8SAzdGAWzdJ3PoZ0396MsvR7gSEqJE27L5w_Z4X0D8uu-0SfLmiMM0TM/w640-h470/last+glimpse+of+the+beaver+moon+12+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">last glimpse of the Beaver Full Moon</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03599739740886087571noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819048519590916875.post-56980120461116714772020-10-04T10:20:00.002-04:002020-10-04T10:57:45.437-04:00Sunday Walkabout - October 4, 2020<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCY7LIxPbD454r8X01-KuqoDEUuATIx7w10qa3M24sJbiAaSRl043zVb4Eo1PQJxWUQUExjWxAB8T1n8x_GP7DUJ2ZXMso47gFTrhxlNBmwR4NcUZd70LVDg0lLJta7mOsLNHIeWC320/s1400/gus+and+the+flower+barrels+10+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCY7LIxPbD454r8X01-KuqoDEUuATIx7w10qa3M24sJbiAaSRl043zVb4Eo1PQJxWUQUExjWxAB8T1n8x_GP7DUJ2ZXMso47gFTrhxlNBmwR4NcUZd70LVDg0lLJta7mOsLNHIeWC320/w640-h478/gus+and+the+flower+barrels+10+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Jack Daniels<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I distinctly smelled Jack Daniels.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There was no mistaking that smoky, boozy scent. It was
faint…and slightly stale, but definitely JD…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But, that made no sense…how? Why?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Tom gave up alcohol after his scary diagnosis years ago. <a href="https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2017/03/sunday-walkabout.html">https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2017/03/sunday-walkabout.html</a>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, while 2020 has thrown us more
challenges than ever imagined, I have not resorted to day-drinking. (yet)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It wasn’t until my eyes caught the “Lynchburg, Tenn” stamped
on the bottoms of the newly arrived “planters” for our farm beautification
project that I remembered that they were actually WHISKEY barrels…and there was
no denying that they had definitely served their purpose. And, when he cut
drain holes in the bottoms, the shop really smelled like a brewery, or more
precisely a distillery.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Odoriferous as they were, the whiskey-barrel planters are
the latest in our attempt to tame the side entry way. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Over the years we have
tried everything. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our first attempt was an old-fashioned garden, started from
seeds…which quickly became overrun with weeds and the only solution was an
attack with the weed-whacker. Then, when our youngest daughter got involved in
fiber arts, a dyeing garden was attempted. Note: I did say DYEING…not as in
dead flowers (that would be gross) but, as in flowers and herbs for creating
lovely natural colors for yarn. There was some measure of success, but again
the weeds took over and again…the weed-whacker. I think we tried a couple of
other things…lilies and rosebushes were the most recent attempt…but, the madder
from the dye-garden kept returning, in the most peculiar places. Its scratchy,
vine-y growth habit started to choke out the other plantings, and it was a
breeding ground for invasive bug species. With all the rain this year and two
gigantic dogs who like to make nests for sleeping, it was a horrifying mess. The
dog-nests became ponds with every thunderstorm and I was fairly certain we were now raising mosquitoes. And,
we had to walk through it all every time we went in the house. Something had to
be done.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Forget the weed-whacker…it was time to get brutal. Call in
the heavy equipment.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgl1h4dMkTFOujd3s6hJSqik3_UL6ARBZrPa5769d9_vr_KcSLi6z-Mp3Iz0o12zbAwofpMwkth_SWe0EzD-K-zeWwQS22-6fwK5F2KTA5ZgHaRGC2d0yFBtGMn70Vn-5G0x-eQGHck0/w400-h290/work+begins+9+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">work begins<br />(Gus has already found his "spot")</td></tr></tbody></table><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Tom tore everything out. Everything. I think we may have
finally gotten all the madder roots. (only took 15 years) Not willing to take
any chances, we put down weed-blocking fabric, then we went and got the first
load of mulch. Oooh…this looked so NICE! To prevent dog-nesting, we put down
cattle panels on top of the weed-block and thin layer of mulch. Then, we got
another load of mulch…no, two, before setting the barrels in place.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then we went back to the nursery for a big load of plants.
Now it REALLY looks nice! Grow, little plants...GROW!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBJ_wiU6Ftj74EvFJOwr09ULHUQal9a_q1phO9IIl26LQtu9Birn3W1RMp4ypPSAkJK2pafkn7mnuVxUtr7b6Fwb2tljVNcKnhQQ5e4flKwe5zc0GUPEWcJLcfv1lCeHu1Y6JkbfTZ8s/s1400/completed+planting+9+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBJ_wiU6Ftj74EvFJOwr09ULHUQal9a_q1phO9IIl26LQtu9Birn3W1RMp4ypPSAkJK2pafkn7mnuVxUtr7b6Fwb2tljVNcKnhQQ5e4flKwe5zc0GUPEWcJLcfv1lCeHu1Y6JkbfTZ8s/w400-h300/completed+planting+9+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This project isn’t finished by a long-shot. But, the rest
can wait until Spring. We’ll get some brightly colored pots, some
cottage-garden type plants and maybe a bit of statuary. And, hopefully, without
the weeds and the dog-nests, it will stay looking nice for a while. (and, I
guess in the spirit of full-disclosure, I should point out that I mostly
watched this whole process, although I did do the planting---and yes, Gus is STILL sleeping out there!)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With that job out of the way, Tom started on the
up-cycling/re-cycling project that he had been planning for quite some time. He
envisioned the former Market trailer as a “new and improved” henhouse-brooder.</p><p class="MsoNormal">He cut some holes in it, fashioned some windows, bought a snazzy new electric door and installed some nest-boxes. He only hit one major snag when he discovered major water damage inside one of the doors (actually all the doors have some issues, that one was just the worst). So, despite a little extra cost and at least 2 extra trips to Lowe’s, another project was checked off his to-do list.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0req9gKBGuQ8EdHYA4thucxi4-dqgCv0EstexPRvABVgA9DteBkgl4bnOq8dQc4zGvKBWiz6q3_lPuvpNaeZjwdsDrGrbFy4nG11GLwDnGR1gPdFtqUtthyphenhyphenxWnskPWYoCXBlPBm4Nk0A/s1400/trailer+repurpose+2+9+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0req9gKBGuQ8EdHYA4thucxi4-dqgCv0EstexPRvABVgA9DteBkgl4bnOq8dQc4zGvKBWiz6q3_lPuvpNaeZjwdsDrGrbFy4nG11GLwDnGR1gPdFtqUtthyphenhyphenxWnskPWYoCXBlPBm4Nk0A/w400-h300/trailer+repurpose+2+9+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9_P-w5Ntb9HsWYlJx8i0LL2sXFzT7K_4ASUr_irw6bIzqwyBJL1dGET-i26auw3Ep1SbcK1mlzwIHX7YsRzpV299I8w9BJjAGluSTv8-GqcpiQveMTIlEPckPV4pGG6u4q9qV-UdGEY/s1050/trailer+work+continues+9+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9_P-w5Ntb9HsWYlJx8i0LL2sXFzT7K_4ASUr_irw6bIzqwyBJL1dGET-i26auw3Ep1SbcK1mlzwIHX7YsRzpV299I8w9BJjAGluSTv8-GqcpiQveMTIlEPckPV4pGG6u4q9qV-UdGEY/w300-h400/trailer+work+continues+9+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfr7kNWmReCqwCisakquuOAPH59Mapmjrdx8ncl3m07sDcMDcMw1YfWGF51hAqCoXGTgi8yonFhiVgdVwk1gJqdKShDaJ1613jDTobWYOr3fkTqffHHrhAYUrLuzeIuUS6UaBMZ8iQsU/s1400/trailer+work+again+9+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfr7kNWmReCqwCisakquuOAPH59Mapmjrdx8ncl3m07sDcMDcMw1YfWGF51hAqCoXGTgi8yonFhiVgdVwk1gJqdKShDaJ1613jDTobWYOr3fkTqffHHrhAYUrLuzeIuUS6UaBMZ8iQsU/w400-h300/trailer+work+again+9+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAbhXfs4aUF0-IH9e2yN0hz7u33oFSC0pllvzrW-wToB-taT2qrEfrAIPQmd5zq43LmanQ9lqDmw9ESkefgqCip4sHK9oFPdOigy46snTHWHqZxEuI1UGV-Lf2ovhbOXXZGVcecrnzWc/s1400/contemplating+the+next+move+9+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAbhXfs4aUF0-IH9e2yN0hz7u33oFSC0pllvzrW-wToB-taT2qrEfrAIPQmd5zq43LmanQ9lqDmw9ESkefgqCip4sHK9oFPdOigy46snTHWHqZxEuI1UGV-Lf2ovhbOXXZGVcecrnzWc/w400-h300/contemplating+the+next+move+9+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">contemplating the next move<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAeZda4ZsxGD-N4xTP5nxUN_1Wgr4CBksuci97ivq_ujw4EZbzQXVFKOs0Fe_t6FnrebcWj5n_n2ogrSeVPRRY_iqV3JKzkKtpLSb1LNCWgMvZk9A_m-HatA0t69ps4WIF1Yzff8gRKT4/s1400/trailer+inside+9+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAeZda4ZsxGD-N4xTP5nxUN_1Wgr4CBksuci97ivq_ujw4EZbzQXVFKOs0Fe_t6FnrebcWj5n_n2ogrSeVPRRY_iqV3JKzkKtpLSb1LNCWgMvZk9A_m-HatA0t69ps4WIF1Yzff8gRKT4/w400-h300/trailer+inside+9+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">finished interior<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Gg2RqjmB1mhPRnV-IrRecePrDDuw9BvVikkuMjNM4tR6EeU067qombS1rXbRR0WiXWCjxnrQgblf2MBsw-trW7u93jt3o3wJe_ROs8BEGKpT0o_0MMCWJ57IvFyz1w3oCHmwRxp7zCM/s1050/trailer+automatic+door+9+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Gg2RqjmB1mhPRnV-IrRecePrDDuw9BvVikkuMjNM4tR6EeU067qombS1rXbRR0WiXWCjxnrQgblf2MBsw-trW7u93jt3o3wJe_ROs8BEGKpT0o_0MMCWJ57IvFyz1w3oCHmwRxp7zCM/w300-h400/trailer+automatic+door+9+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /></div><br /> <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiUND5UcMXS29eEtd6_3PjuTijvMrHNCkZr9NU4hit9WFQ-WFgHgHacitBVy2GHTh51hYMaPdT4UpO3KWH8uXTLZg150E5cdn_KKn3ywqUDq-yaMiJJ8BBoKvLDoej-kK-QqMMxkP2bQ/s1050/karma+approves+new+hen+house+9+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiUND5UcMXS29eEtd6_3PjuTijvMrHNCkZr9NU4hit9WFQ-WFgHgHacitBVy2GHTh51hYMaPdT4UpO3KWH8uXTLZg150E5cdn_KKn3ywqUDq-yaMiJJ8BBoKvLDoej-kK-QqMMxkP2bQ/w300-h400/karma+approves+new+hen+house+9+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karma gives final approval on the new chicken door</td></tr></tbody></table> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The hens moved in with little difficulty and the old trailer
henhouse was hauled away. Since I’m trying to be positive, I suggest we
overlook the fact that one old hen met with disaster underneath the automatic
door. (a new sensor seems to have eliminated that deadly issue)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb35JPshEIDPdzvXbhgNX7Ip8z7ixKvhMRwIwIae5XMBqAZVpKJPtEyh1dy9gIpUlJI2KBHVFjMRZYKsdkTmAxfXQmnlV-ZpeKGT6hppIcgsncNgHnAAV6SCyRmlvWIphcAgUTAdf1cxI/s1400/new+henhouse+in+use+9+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb35JPshEIDPdzvXbhgNX7Ip8z7ixKvhMRwIwIae5XMBqAZVpKJPtEyh1dy9gIpUlJI2KBHVFjMRZYKsdkTmAxfXQmnlV-ZpeKGT6hppIcgsncNgHnAAV6SCyRmlvWIphcAgUTAdf1cxI/w400-h300/new+henhouse+in+use+9+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We have day-old chicks arriving next week. Since chicks come
through the Postal Service, I will be crossing my fingers until they are safely
tucked into the new brooder side of the trailer. And, the circle of life on the
hill will continue.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gFx-9upUXtyY2ZzRHbiWVS5XRwGlGBqArZ6_IIfDMXOqf0lnp_NcbMqwvlY2zyZ2_VHNFynslVBhiZYB9N0Xm68CCNGRZ3n8lJCmk9urJEFregZGX9dNbF_sBYDSCMkwjYFZYpg6w_0/s1400/millet+at+sunrise+10+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gFx-9upUXtyY2ZzRHbiWVS5XRwGlGBqArZ6_IIfDMXOqf0lnp_NcbMqwvlY2zyZ2_VHNFynslVBhiZYB9N0Xm68CCNGRZ3n8lJCmk9urJEFregZGX9dNbF_sBYDSCMkwjYFZYpg6w_0/w400-h300/millet+at+sunrise+10+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">millet at sunrise<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrRuyis0J0dCg4ZNS-MSVhQKIB8ffZaHXKLW0FL3bU4c2X-GIWhXTaz2_PROWaT9qg1E_9xm8gKqpq0sz2VgeVV5T0fLMAAGl6ixOI_K9qXVCjE9LyylZ1wsf5BZn6FccEoUaG4Oj7zs/s1400/wet+praying+mantis+9+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrRuyis0J0dCg4ZNS-MSVhQKIB8ffZaHXKLW0FL3bU4c2X-GIWhXTaz2_PROWaT9qg1E_9xm8gKqpq0sz2VgeVV5T0fLMAAGl6ixOI_K9qXVCjE9LyylZ1wsf5BZn6FccEoUaG4Oj7zs/w400-h300/wet+praying+mantis+9+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">oops! didn't mean to water the praying mantis<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipN549bJnIW5wu3tIL4jnEuJ3a1Ynm79EtkP3jMKlYy6sH7_eErYzBu1ROXDb224RFR1M2_eCy8cXcrdSQMxo882HbrMOwWuPFN_qC9WjMGvT2oRWAhhYS-Xd9HW0zqFvTkCxFdhTRWGs/s1050/tomatoes+in+september+9+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipN549bJnIW5wu3tIL4jnEuJ3a1Ynm79EtkP3jMKlYy6sH7_eErYzBu1ROXDb224RFR1M2_eCy8cXcrdSQMxo882HbrMOwWuPFN_qC9WjMGvT2oRWAhhYS-Xd9HW0zqFvTkCxFdhTRWGs/w300-h400/tomatoes+in+september+9+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">eww! tomatoes past their prime</td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUg6fD-Iqxc9q5hB0O6VgusutKYSXEdUt9uzgiJ8fAucxgAIkItDLGmtmGabcDuM9T_dvLyabxghTwWFUSZk59Wf2gITxVU_Oq4KnuljohnrLHr-_2unGFl7NOcmvXRaNB3Rsd4jZSmE/s1400/tiny+mushrooms+9+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUg6fD-Iqxc9q5hB0O6VgusutKYSXEdUt9uzgiJ8fAucxgAIkItDLGmtmGabcDuM9T_dvLyabxghTwWFUSZk59Wf2gITxVU_Oq4KnuljohnrLHr-_2unGFl7NOcmvXRaNB3Rsd4jZSmE/w400-h300/tiny+mushrooms+9+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tiny mushrooms after the rains<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUg6fD-Iqxc9q5hB0O6VgusutKYSXEdUt9uzgiJ8fAucxgAIkItDLGmtmGabcDuM9T_dvLyabxghTwWFUSZk59Wf2gITxVU_Oq4KnuljohnrLHr-_2unGFl7NOcmvXRaNB3Rsd4jZSmE/s1400/tiny+mushrooms+9+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRNrZROwkNLsGH-jxpFJVC2rJeFUgcRBqrhtqZS0WYR4jzPhDKnz4cGpyoKlw50j_T69ceRxmQXJTHHGRTvdp3uCT5p3nIS8vRj6FjYvkjWniJjm9w37jJGAH4DRVNcLRmI8ovdd_JaKE/s1507/spent+morning+glories+9+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1507" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRNrZROwkNLsGH-jxpFJVC2rJeFUgcRBqrhtqZS0WYR4jzPhDKnz4cGpyoKlw50j_T69ceRxmQXJTHHGRTvdp3uCT5p3nIS8vRj6FjYvkjWniJjm9w37jJGAH4DRVNcLRmI8ovdd_JaKE/w400-h279/spent+morning+glories+9+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">morning glories don't last long<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbKLAyA70fs8pVjbQilYwdOuFuPHJWAPkg37ZxXzKvK7Y4WwUC71pSKed7NAArgBsTNj3NC9-KMptXaiQA48Cj_QECG1LtgRkvrzWH4ZmhQUV59CJUk21LOIc34EXUdfcN8UHj1Bg3TA/s1400/spent+corn+9+6+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbKLAyA70fs8pVjbQilYwdOuFuPHJWAPkg37ZxXzKvK7Y4WwUC71pSKed7NAArgBsTNj3NC9-KMptXaiQA48Cj_QECG1LtgRkvrzWH4ZmhQUV59CJUk21LOIc34EXUdfcN8UHj1Bg3TA/w400-h300/spent+corn+9+6+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">corn at the end of the season<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUoX6EAWF6pC_50n4Esfd3vbjyvJfShzXSqT76a5jhv2jsoGFT3BW850ibceusxHZ8JmL8aqoLD24j0yLGVTa2p727qewmGHMVNS21B4DY5g8c1SJCtmnkyh5wTWsF8_81UPM9TQvUm8/s1386/roots+barn+sunrise+5+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1386" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUoX6EAWF6pC_50n4Esfd3vbjyvJfShzXSqT76a5jhv2jsoGFT3BW850ibceusxHZ8JmL8aqoLD24j0yLGVTa2p727qewmGHMVNS21B4DY5g8c1SJCtmnkyh5wTWsF8_81UPM9TQvUm8/w400-h303/roots+barn+sunrise+5+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty morning in our Valley<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHUmqFxJ_YvJzZW5gqNZPZn6kt8KLWOJR2HWb4pYvgzmzxHkwZg2jhrYTQPhJPsJ-WI06abCMxS7ff8r5NK1zvq2oKLTl-XbtZTi7swQE-H3C7N229EBBI6lXvnDvjen_K7DjI6KNMTs/s1050/praying+mantis+egg+case+rebar+9+30+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHUmqFxJ_YvJzZW5gqNZPZn6kt8KLWOJR2HWb4pYvgzmzxHkwZg2jhrYTQPhJPsJ-WI06abCMxS7ff8r5NK1zvq2oKLTl-XbtZTi7swQE-H3C7N229EBBI6lXvnDvjen_K7DjI6KNMTs/w300-h400/praying+mantis+egg+case+rebar+9+30+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">praying mantis egg case<br />assures praying mantids for next year</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViFhrfKYcepSchcq-KVt6nJiS-q8cxZD0XDPCfiJQAd0USIBePZE7ISN5CpherFLsvk7gsA4Mrz92VXeLHfwXjcJS4r_Q8U9xvvy4I0Ce3zfFKfNxeN-J0mH-XrylhwyYi4ffKlIy9LA/s1400/painted+lady+butterfly+9+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViFhrfKYcepSchcq-KVt6nJiS-q8cxZD0XDPCfiJQAd0USIBePZE7ISN5CpherFLsvk7gsA4Mrz92VXeLHfwXjcJS4r_Q8U9xvvy4I0Ce3zfFKfNxeN-J0mH-XrylhwyYi4ffKlIy9LA/w400-h300/painted+lady+butterfly+9+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">painted lady butterfly<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7V4jqlFNOpaSlbARQqDypzM8BpILfU2PlhEvH_SunfN9xm1uhRCsMjcjjmAfOaPEzMPmsDWWRFK6JKnMmcTRYB_AMIQFxhTDKfUc6wWog8-MQNSbw_FxEnyRn90rPeeDhbc0S80qBoU/s1400/love+from+the+universe+9+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7V4jqlFNOpaSlbARQqDypzM8BpILfU2PlhEvH_SunfN9xm1uhRCsMjcjjmAfOaPEzMPmsDWWRFK6JKnMmcTRYB_AMIQFxhTDKfUc6wWog8-MQNSbw_FxEnyRn90rPeeDhbc0S80qBoU/w400-h300/love+from+the+universe+9+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">love from the Universe<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacjms1XHjzuMGq7SAACaHu3ZgqrOE1QCSXHPmGwYG3fk7QlVihQHPIZ4_zuBfFWHZWROuYpfi_Ke79w6ObSoll3vqV_jLkqM0sfCoNKu8VLfbT3tXk_9s7HTDyRR455bDC9O7t5EAxuQ/s1400/last+praying+mantis+9+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacjms1XHjzuMGq7SAACaHu3ZgqrOE1QCSXHPmGwYG3fk7QlVihQHPIZ4_zuBfFWHZWROuYpfi_Ke79w6ObSoll3vqV_jLkqM0sfCoNKu8VLfbT3tXk_9s7HTDyRR455bDC9O7t5EAxuQ/w400-h300/last+praying+mantis+9+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the last praying mantis<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4T4ZK3Vn6iZSYUpD-9LgYc01GlaUgeQjjwhFL9YhiVlpJrWndxenQJ2nfojGajjBLgW7fjj1y7Nekh2WxdkYc_HnTNJUinASfMQP40O3MRaF85YYBFSLzRbnMtqrwqKaXLFIeHc9Edu4/s1400/last+of+the+morning+glories+10+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4T4ZK3Vn6iZSYUpD-9LgYc01GlaUgeQjjwhFL9YhiVlpJrWndxenQJ2nfojGajjBLgW7fjj1y7Nekh2WxdkYc_HnTNJUinASfMQP40O3MRaF85YYBFSLzRbnMtqrwqKaXLFIeHc9Edu4/w400-h300/last+of+the+morning+glories+10+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">last of the morning glories<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAjHmD1hWmaOoX_G0H_6xFMQqObQ4aVkRi7ZCpThZhNDQMbzxYFS2Kd5VZdb9dByNVjCcoSzaBOXPaKXTo16dkxN9yDfCH1L6rXIEsdnlG_j3GxdaLCprtUjDJaZ7Y9Iu_fDw0DdAhG8/s1050/last+of+the+cherry+tomatoes+9+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAjHmD1hWmaOoX_G0H_6xFMQqObQ4aVkRi7ZCpThZhNDQMbzxYFS2Kd5VZdb9dByNVjCcoSzaBOXPaKXTo16dkxN9yDfCH1L6rXIEsdnlG_j3GxdaLCprtUjDJaZ7Y9Iu_fDw0DdAhG8/w300-h400/last+of+the+cherry+tomatoes+9+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">last of the cherry tomatoes<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnzrPfnjzrB6sydPb0PoZqEHI5HR-qn_uk_Seb1J61GqE8vaspn26v8o-QL-JqnnIwrmjzej-tVKztClPJOoOb7KVNmi0zL1Fyy8iOJ7M82MKk03fbAPDpaqsv0M_OM_ETEthkQFWVhI/s1400/last+of+the+butterflies+9+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnzrPfnjzrB6sydPb0PoZqEHI5HR-qn_uk_Seb1J61GqE8vaspn26v8o-QL-JqnnIwrmjzej-tVKztClPJOoOb7KVNmi0zL1Fyy8iOJ7M82MKk03fbAPDpaqsv0M_OM_ETEthkQFWVhI/w400-h300/last+of+the+butterflies+9+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of the last butterflies<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObVjVr8z2sf4Z_ZTzkKYjJuPkDIpxOKgXm56bonNPVc5RjNJ2uwNFvHqQX2_tvM2pSi1oBvBHVMuNbbT8-c5LwnVWKEfKrh970k0B2iJYnDDmMREHev_LaU7MBKx_q9Ys9qzx8PR3HN4/s1050/four+little+sparrows+9+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="896" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObVjVr8z2sf4Z_ZTzkKYjJuPkDIpxOKgXm56bonNPVc5RjNJ2uwNFvHqQX2_tvM2pSi1oBvBHVMuNbbT8-c5LwnVWKEfKrh970k0B2iJYnDDmMREHev_LaU7MBKx_q9Ys9qzx8PR3HN4/w341-h400/four+little+sparrows+9+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="341" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">four little sparrows<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GZ0GEfrTud60-K3LFxJQGo5KIOaSIpP6UoYHrcsRo0jJV8o-RIn0KvBa60WVLVe6YJNPm9jddpVcWV4DE8S1UfB8kmVKfEr78NELmpXDnFmZGQB12owXe6hyo16r5qeSYNKWWKCU5Ho/s1400/first+frost+9+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GZ0GEfrTud60-K3LFxJQGo5KIOaSIpP6UoYHrcsRo0jJV8o-RIn0KvBa60WVLVe6YJNPm9jddpVcWV4DE8S1UfB8kmVKfEr78NELmpXDnFmZGQB12owXe6hyo16r5qeSYNKWWKCU5Ho/w400-h300/first+frost+9+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first frost!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WigapH1wk9jfICEgHkK52WeqwRTSNS3GwSkH5pFLGPGf3-anoljBub4TUi64CBssz6h8-hziwf537-N2U6AmtN1XmUPwoEPQie3hhi2mpfkmHPnHHI6OTzIxIQrW8S_UjBU_AW1NisI/s1400/dragonfly+in+hoophouse+9+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WigapH1wk9jfICEgHkK52WeqwRTSNS3GwSkH5pFLGPGf3-anoljBub4TUi64CBssz6h8-hziwf537-N2U6AmtN1XmUPwoEPQie3hhi2mpfkmHPnHHI6OTzIxIQrW8S_UjBU_AW1NisI/w400-h300/dragonfly+in+hoophouse+9+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dragonfly in the hoophouse<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHta0cPQUzi2Vm8a9tBJBbxIYL09plLjjfgs0j8-an888wtTFNZWKVXIRbUx5jz9KM-MehbYp2n0XgbKak0ATN53I_M_UakJiTzmSceCUH9sfrB8gj4IDY7P-aAWZQOiOIMgvfglHX4i8/s1400/digging+sweet+potatoes+9+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHta0cPQUzi2Vm8a9tBJBbxIYL09plLjjfgs0j8-an888wtTFNZWKVXIRbUx5jz9KM-MehbYp2n0XgbKak0ATN53I_M_UakJiTzmSceCUH9sfrB8gj4IDY7P-aAWZQOiOIMgvfglHX4i8/w400-h300/digging+sweet+potatoes+9+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">digging sweet potatoes<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnzhtGa0few5wF-AojWNXAn_lLtuN4AjJzscJ-2_rYayXT3vbUIzOKxMD4lCjXxXSLSTvw9wTyQPEFlpBJmOARvG2LpNw5ZDyBRGJ4aNAEyFxFVosnMUCK4td9A1HXdc4lOIheLEBlNA/s1400/dewy+millet+9+6+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnzhtGa0few5wF-AojWNXAn_lLtuN4AjJzscJ-2_rYayXT3vbUIzOKxMD4lCjXxXSLSTvw9wTyQPEFlpBJmOARvG2LpNw5ZDyBRGJ4aNAEyFxFVosnMUCK4td9A1HXdc4lOIheLEBlNA/w400-h300/dewy+millet+9+6+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dewy millet<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanDw4y4YwvxJka1n5Ifg-uwn0jC-pOLhEpPuDGTp5lOXDeq1sQZfYyFVFr1YaVYZAw1E3Ruc41gL5POemoohsBEKxFsUINQ_G4EHSZmVpIqjKDOm6RVoHaiLQXPZkK3GhjOZ5bsXcqso/s1400/deer+in+sheep+paddock+9+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanDw4y4YwvxJka1n5Ifg-uwn0jC-pOLhEpPuDGTp5lOXDeq1sQZfYyFVFr1YaVYZAw1E3Ruc41gL5POemoohsBEKxFsUINQ_G4EHSZmVpIqjKDOm6RVoHaiLQXPZkK3GhjOZ5bsXcqso/w400-h300/deer+in+sheep+paddock+9+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a deer visits the sheep<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3_8TN5UAOL-n5D9V1mz_c7bZOHM5vs_rrrkVBvSwDOSVOxEQ080Te7wembxuVJEpEPNxEgeImjk0tGocWjnT1pCnRPS0GyzhvRBFB6xF6-paS_UdcCHL97T2cZgQW32zgLyHBK9snM4/s1050/cucumber+tendril+9+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3_8TN5UAOL-n5D9V1mz_c7bZOHM5vs_rrrkVBvSwDOSVOxEQ080Te7wembxuVJEpEPNxEgeImjk0tGocWjnT1pCnRPS0GyzhvRBFB6xF6-paS_UdcCHL97T2cZgQW32zgLyHBK9snM4/w300-h400/cucumber+tendril+9+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cucumber tendril and the last cucumber<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29M7bye-EW_sPVU31jBAA5Iw6MV23EgAzxCDpfuFDO13YZtmRRQa6rmoqXpLMhtZTurnsp9Lx1xZhda5OnTc7re_PrX6EtG3OE_uOaA6vh7rWbF40Fw6E_jdjDlioNiP_kqDp1pVf2tQ/s1400/closeup+dragonfly+9+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29M7bye-EW_sPVU31jBAA5Iw6MV23EgAzxCDpfuFDO13YZtmRRQa6rmoqXpLMhtZTurnsp9Lx1xZhda5OnTc7re_PrX6EtG3OE_uOaA6vh7rWbF40Fw6E_jdjDlioNiP_kqDp1pVf2tQ/w400-h300/closeup+dragonfly+9+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">up close and personal with a dragonfly<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgARV2rccUmcdlrvpzQ1laGbuBSgMdMI4U34AT3OJw8PSQdxFG3EpYBz2s3iKolBX-DhLHUpP2lU7_-y0rQRF38_htp1P4MS44uJA-QsNq3LwjLNQlLMYV0KPwYYjWBpNaKv-fRMTFuoTE/s1050/bee+morning+glory+3+9+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="939" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgARV2rccUmcdlrvpzQ1laGbuBSgMdMI4U34AT3OJw8PSQdxFG3EpYBz2s3iKolBX-DhLHUpP2lU7_-y0rQRF38_htp1P4MS44uJA-QsNq3LwjLNQlLMYV0KPwYYjWBpNaKv-fRMTFuoTE/w358-h400/bee+morning+glory+3+9+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="358" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bumblebee in the morning glories<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hfJka1YZ6fzcss3JABA2F3uL-aKc0OTE0aSd3POMSQm6pkQIBZrBW0YOYYZ9qb_xWDFnqdZ0UrbfE81svQKBseo1C3nNi0T9fISznutwbdnqu9kF1EQ87vMzHw8iIBYdndNqfRRBT78/s1400/bambi+damaged+cabbage+9+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hfJka1YZ6fzcss3JABA2F3uL-aKc0OTE0aSd3POMSQm6pkQIBZrBW0YOYYZ9qb_xWDFnqdZ0UrbfE81svQKBseo1C3nNi0T9fISznutwbdnqu9kF1EQ87vMzHw8iIBYdndNqfRRBT78/w400-h300/bambi+damaged+cabbage+9+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">who's been eating my cabbages?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHNk1RzunefKUyZDQXR3WnufbBGh87ik7m38pei625zAs5gAeOIXc0aI5ylRmop3f0bcNOauWX7UfvVQAGMxzFmnw-gVThQhMjV97BABWuL9JxfKjiLqvMRG9LTvPsaLDXa44ynwdOX8/s1400/bambi+3+9+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHNk1RzunefKUyZDQXR3WnufbBGh87ik7m38pei625zAs5gAeOIXc0aI5ylRmop3f0bcNOauWX7UfvVQAGMxzFmnw-gVThQhMjV97BABWuL9JxfKjiLqvMRG9LTvPsaLDXa44ynwdOX8/w400-h300/bambi+3+9+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"bambi" might be the culprit<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Bzmc_S-OLnbrQNo_EnQqN20Xzm7KBuiojZKz5Rl7lAUbpPAlIo6nLQdMtUXsgXcJxcVfpxU37hUslzRHYTPc6iZEsMeP-17DjPTKAQUjyUHIfrvEJJxNMNWLeQeudW8DfomtirnlxgQ/s1291/backlit+morning+glory+9+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1291" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Bzmc_S-OLnbrQNo_EnQqN20Xzm7KBuiojZKz5Rl7lAUbpPAlIo6nLQdMtUXsgXcJxcVfpxU37hUslzRHYTPc6iZEsMeP-17DjPTKAQUjyUHIfrvEJJxNMNWLeQeudW8DfomtirnlxgQ/w400-h325/backlit+morning+glory+9+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">backlit morning glory<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOj_QeOlbPSE-ip0RSwlgV1w7aqBLj9suurfrjHoseocsSXij1NcZROlnhbTtnrnuYgG04exgDTaE1F8uJJsKVCfC4i7BhYShm0ObiaFBfyIwrmKP5x1NH4a43Dr9ZQubnGQOy19TJs0/s1400/apple+blossoms+out+of+season+9+12+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOj_QeOlbPSE-ip0RSwlgV1w7aqBLj9suurfrjHoseocsSXij1NcZROlnhbTtnrnuYgG04exgDTaE1F8uJJsKVCfC4i7BhYShm0ObiaFBfyIwrmKP5x1NH4a43Dr9ZQubnGQOy19TJs0/w400-h300/apple+blossoms+out+of+season+9+12+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">out-of-season apple blossoms<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><o:p></o:p>That whole circle of life, change, renewal, impermanence and
longevity have all been on my mind of late.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We observed our 36<sup>th</sup> wedding anniversary recently. That seems like such a long time…who am I kidding…that IS a LONG time.
(and I feel every year of it and then some all too often)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfSGmt8_kcFA6O7190-aDFuenVJ-vx37LQagWysizOKnQQ9QaOP6k9Sy9YoV6tZYA8e7BuRILikDE_vcN2P4Iw2BcErZdpHqGnRz2IwV58zDFgSL5wIoZ54Oml3LSbHvvBm50OaHlOSg/s1400/anniversary+collage+2020+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfSGmt8_kcFA6O7190-aDFuenVJ-vx37LQagWysizOKnQQ9QaOP6k9Sy9YoV6tZYA8e7BuRILikDE_vcN2P4Iw2BcErZdpHqGnRz2IwV58zDFgSL5wIoZ54Oml3LSbHvvBm50OaHlOSg/s320/anniversary+collage+2020+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hard to believe it's the same people<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’m certain that if anyone had asked us way back then what
we would be like at this point…our description would have been way off the
mark.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But, then WHO could have envisioned the current state of
affairs?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The county is falling apart politically, socially, and quite
possibly economically. People are rude and angry<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and out of sorts…we are facing a global
pandemic the likes of which has never been seen before…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">…strange times indeed.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you have any doubts about the sad state of affairs, this
Dan Balz article from the Washington Post details it all (as of 10/3) calling
it the “annus horriblilis”. (sounds about right to me) <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/a-pandemic-a-crushed-economy-racial-protests-and-now-a-president-with-coronavirus/2020/10/03/be7934d4-0586-11eb-897d-3a6201d6643f_story.html">https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/a-pandemic-a-crushed-economy-racial-protests-and-now-a-president-with-coronavirus/2020/10/03/be7934d4-0586-11eb-897d-3a6201d6643f_story.html</a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Current affairs have me seriously wondering WHY I should
take the time to write anything. I mean, isn’t everyone focused on the events
of the day, that seem to take chaotic twists at the drop of a hat…it’s becoming
exhausting. And I most heartily concur with Alexandra Petri…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/10/02/ive-had-enough-news-now-thank-you/">https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/10/02/ive-had-enough-news-now-thank-you/</a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2020 has been a brutal year in so many ways. And, we have
not been directly affected by COVID…as of this moment, we have remained healthy
and so have our children. But, the overwhelming sense of loss and change have
hit me right in the solar plexus. I am not exaggerating when I say that I have
struggled greatly.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And, then I wonder…in the midst of all the loss and change
and complete uncertainty…about absolutely everything…who am I to think that my
stories and my troubles count for anything? Why should anybody care what is
going on in my little corner of the world? (I know this is baggage from
childhood when I was repeatedly shushed and hushed and told that I was unimportant
and should be “seen and not heard”….some part of me struggles to put that
mistreatment behind me) but, at the same time <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>something makes me keep typing…if for no other
reason than to record the things that are affecting the world and my sanity. I
must say, the list seems never-ending.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, I really shouldn’t have been surprised that we had to
cut down the maple tree in the backyard…chalk it up to 2020. While that seems
to be standard practice and a bit of a joke, it really isn’t funny anymore.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38Soiuq5cWSdtCPeq_rUii969FEoosu2imXpJZUzwTm1gVGbd7tW84lKNlKrVaaLZFTUVtT6AH4TBuv837T5BCnGjm5NRjrNDsOPB-3d8PcjHEjatA4l0bGLNKGRUYDObOTB-XzeKRbo/s1400/end+of+an+era+maples+last+day+10+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38Soiuq5cWSdtCPeq_rUii969FEoosu2imXpJZUzwTm1gVGbd7tW84lKNlKrVaaLZFTUVtT6AH4TBuv837T5BCnGjm5NRjrNDsOPB-3d8PcjHEjatA4l0bGLNKGRUYDObOTB-XzeKRbo/w400-h300/end+of+an+era+maples+last+day+10+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">maple's last day</td></tr></tbody></table><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I know I personalize far too many things. I know I have
“hang-ups” and “issues” and my view of reality is perhaps more than slightly
askew. But, that tree…I loved that tree.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It added a feeling of permanence to this little farm on the
hill. It was part of what made this feel like home.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When we moved to the hill, there was nothing here. Nothing.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We bought this windswept hill because it was the last thing
on the list of things we could possibly afford, we were heartsore and broken
(not to mention broke) and we were just desperate enough to find potential in a
little hilly piece of land without so much as a twig near the house-site. Did
you read this? <a href="https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2018/03/look-willow-tree.html">https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2018/03/look-willow-tree.html</a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, at some point in the dim and distant past, we made a
trip to a friend’s property on Little North Mountain and tagged a few trees for
transplant. Dutifully marking them so that they would have the same exposure
here, we planted them in various spots around the farm. One by one, they died. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Except for the maple in the backyard. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It thrived in its somewhat sheltered spot just beyond the
kitchen window. It gave me hope to watch it get taller as the seasons changed. I
took photos of the progress of the tiny helicopters in the spring and the
gorgeous leaves in the fall. Birds and critters found comfort in its branches
and its shade dappled the kitchen counter as I prepared meals.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I always thought of trees with a sense of permanence. The
oaks around my grandparents’ home had always been there…they were a part of the
landscape before their house was built and may well remain today. The thought
that any of our trees wouldn’t be here forever never crossed my mind. But,
trees have a life expectancy, maples being far shorter-lived than oaks, and can
be subject to disease and disaster.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A number of years ago, the leaves on our lovely maple tree
began to look odd. Seeing similar issues with other trees elsewhere, we figured
it was some environmental thing and brushed it aside. Later, other signs of ill
health were observed.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A local arborist offered little hope, but would try pruning
it first. When the pruning appointment arrived, the tree had worsened and the
decision was made to cut it down. In under an hour, they chopped it down and
chipped it up…and drove away.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When the maple was cut down, evidence of some sort of fungal
disease was revealed underneath its bark. It’s demise was inevitable…and we can
be thankful that it is gone before it fell on the house, creating yet another
problem. Maybe if we had known sooner we could have saved it, I don’t know. It
was too late. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">…and now it is gone.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwQ2V19OAZuO7wvKeh_GRTQ3HLxUsWDQgLZvNAWwdS8ERoVTYlIgPiJ-sqUnIqeQHNsx4Ls9_TL4lsr89G9W9HlK-krWoFKW8n7K7rU__o03reiIDzEtvh_xz1_goDtFDZbGH7IjZ9sY/s1400/one+last+leaf+9+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwQ2V19OAZuO7wvKeh_GRTQ3HLxUsWDQgLZvNAWwdS8ERoVTYlIgPiJ-sqUnIqeQHNsx4Ls9_TL4lsr89G9W9HlK-krWoFKW8n7K7rU__o03reiIDzEtvh_xz1_goDtFDZbGH7IjZ9sY/w400-h300/one+last+leaf+9+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one last leaf<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I thought my heart would break when I walked in the backyard
for the first time. I actually had to leave the premises because the emotions
were so overwhelming.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I was crying over a tree.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wait…I was crying over a tree? (I told you I have “issues)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In reality, it wasn’t the tree…or at least it wasn’t JUST
the tree. Everything has changed since we planted that tree. Our life, our livelihood,
our friends and family, the community, the world. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year has been weird and upsetting and
full of loss. Even though we don’t think we have been directly impacted by COVID…we
have. We all have. What we counted on as normal and stable is gone. Much of it
was built on a faulty foundation and like the tree couldn’t continue the way
that it was. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The pain of losing it is more evidence that life is
changing, my world---my realm of influence, if you will, is shrinking or
shape-shifting or something. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In some way, this is simply a microcosm of the world…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Everything seems to be shifting and changing and it all
feels raw and weird and frightening. Change is imminent, and in many ways necessary.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And, I don’t know that I have any solution. Or even a
suggestion, for that matter.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Tomorrow will come, we will adjust, make a plan…find
something to do…we may even plant a new tree in the back yard. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Because <b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Life
goes on…</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 24px;"><b><br /></b></span><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jRED_VV8cvnWUzjH7yUZospk1tbQfRRBdzW7Ca09A0mmVuOlNy3Qr3qx3zPYG9NmYGtTK-HieCWyGA6lYmbrfeuansYodruUUsE4imsZxMJNc80I5dCFbbs7w3ni6lkGXkmFG8kf2z0/s1400/sunrise+9+29+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jRED_VV8cvnWUzjH7yUZospk1tbQfRRBdzW7Ca09A0mmVuOlNy3Qr3qx3zPYG9NmYGtTK-HieCWyGA6lYmbrfeuansYodruUUsE4imsZxMJNc80I5dCFbbs7w3ni6lkGXkmFG8kf2z0/w400-h300/sunrise+9+29+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">as long as there are sunrises...<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mtPOiHuUz0wNhmb4NeekAQykFhE-Z_EVljRq2f_bIfW-E3R5dPrePU8WJU4vVgq5gtgV4FErjoCtyqnSlC2R2XjHUxzjXo2Ln8ZeZ9PomkzttXHQks4Ojw45j996GCvBi-1O_Gsxd_I/s1400/sunset+9+4+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mtPOiHuUz0wNhmb4NeekAQykFhE-Z_EVljRq2f_bIfW-E3R5dPrePU8WJU4vVgq5gtgV4FErjoCtyqnSlC2R2XjHUxzjXo2Ln8ZeZ9PomkzttXHQks4Ojw45j996GCvBi-1O_Gsxd_I/w400-h300/sunset+9+4+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and sunsets<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here is the full quote from poet Robert Frost from “this
week magazine” <b>September 1954. </b><o:p></o:p>(still applicable even now)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Century Schoolbook",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-color-alt: windowtext; padding: 0in;">“In three words, I can sum up everything I’ve learned about
life. It goes on.</span></strong><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Century Schoolbook",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"> In all the confusions of today, with all our troubles
. . . with politicians and people slinging the word fear around, all of us
become discouraged . . . tempted to say this is the end, the finish.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Century Schoolbook",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"> <strong><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Century Schoolbook",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">But life — it goes on. It always has. It
always will. Don’t forget that.”</span></strong></span><strong><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Century Schoolbook",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">…and that’s where I’ll leave you today.</span><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;"><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hang in there, people…we’re all in this together.</span></span><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvRuDgsuM5r4BRM7-z9d39K3rpQi0lv3w_rAU3sc4p7ElOcS_GNBX777kaXUvmgqZ0YAfLcghTRtr-Y5eDhw9D7sabfUip6Fy5t47gpCFWjO1MpKbnTrpZE1l57dgshcLQvZx4cSZMf0/s1400/maple+leaf+on+ground+9+29+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvRuDgsuM5r4BRM7-z9d39K3rpQi0lv3w_rAU3sc4p7ElOcS_GNBX777kaXUvmgqZ0YAfLcghTRtr-Y5eDhw9D7sabfUip6Fy5t47gpCFWjO1MpKbnTrpZE1l57dgshcLQvZx4cSZMf0/w640-h480/maple+leaf+on+ground+9+29+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Thanks for reading! </span><strong><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-weight: normal; padding: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">…and have a</span></span><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0in;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Happy
Sunday!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Come back and “visit” again sometime.</span><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 107%; padding: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span></p>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03599739740886087571noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819048519590916875.post-32073657368933214672020-08-30T11:24:00.003-04:002020-08-30T11:39:21.329-04:00An August Sunday Walkabout <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGHmwJ0VrG7TEvFxgdWtnlcNg9RFAfZwvIiSmOODTDb4AWfKQi3G4i7kc1CQyPCtp1wtqsOz139AZkr6_W4nQ_Jl0zzBBq0mF9ijSWkxpUMR_R8LJ_wfCzIPwx3zQL4RCmqxJ2Ml455k/s1600/redbud+leaf+yellow+8+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGHmwJ0VrG7TEvFxgdWtnlcNg9RFAfZwvIiSmOODTDb4AWfKQi3G4i7kc1CQyPCtp1wtqsOz139AZkr6_W4nQ_Jl0zzBBq0mF9ijSWkxpUMR_R8LJ_wfCzIPwx3zQL4RCmqxJ2Ml455k/s640/redbud+leaf+yellow+8+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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August is a wearisome month.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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No doubt about it, everything seems a little tired this time
of year. Any enthusiasm we’ve had for all those growing projects has wilted and
withered under the hot summer sun. But, we can’t give up yet, there is still
much to do before the first frost.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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In addition to growing things, there is a daily onslaught on
our humanity, our decency and our reality with the awfulness that spews forth
from the white house on a near constant basis. The effects of the constant
barrage can be seen across the country. Coupled with the worries of the
pandemic, the social unrest brought on by the exposure of the extent of the systemic
racial injustice and concerns over the state of the economy, is it any wonder
that we are all weary, worried and unsettled?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And, there’s just no getting around it, this entire year
things have been weird. Truly weird.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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2020 just continues to bring the hits…the pandemic, weird
weather, racial injustice, the looming election…ugh. There is a feeling of
tension and anger the likes of which I have never seen.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Honestly, there are days when I don’t think I can possibly
deal with any more bad, distressing, worrisome, irritating news.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And, I just read there is an asteroid headed straight for
earth. Truth! Check this out )</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/22/us/asteroid-earth-november-2020-scn-trnd/index.html">https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/22/us/asteroid-earth-november-2020-scn-trnd/index.html</a>
</span></u><o:p></o:p></div>
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<u><br /></u></div>
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This global pandemic we are facing is unlike anything in
recent history, perhaps ever. (it hasn’t “gone away” and I really wish folks
wouldn’t act like it has) People are dying, others have been murdered in the
streets, and social unrest is at an all-time high. All the lies and vitriol on
constant repeat help absolutely nothing…in all probability making everything
worse. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Ugh.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Wearisome, worrisome and weird…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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What a way to begin a post!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I won’t blame you if you already quit reading. But, I am
really going in another direction, I promise. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eventually.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Just to touch on the weird weather for a moment, though.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Three weeks ago, Staunton was hit by horrific flash-flooding
of historic proportion. Most are saying it was worse than Hurricane Fran in
1996, and it has been compared to the devastating flood of 1896. In all 164
properties were damaged. Some businesses will never re-open, others must move
elsewhere and there were reports that at least one home collapsed. A
cataclysmic event by any reckoning.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zY4mCKF8Qk-j4mj64JWJO7oL0jCf-926QQ1MXZj_RMKHppaNXRY4gt3QL9bzDvM0uZHLUy2flzsI7Yb-1hueOC-94s7BdVigpUfFvoa4Ursisku5H0h3zb8z0o8bVX4OQyfkUwJwz5Y/s1600/the+wharf+flood+8+8+2020+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zY4mCKF8Qk-j4mj64JWJO7oL0jCf-926QQ1MXZj_RMKHppaNXRY4gt3QL9bzDvM0uZHLUy2flzsI7Yb-1hueOC-94s7BdVigpUfFvoa4Ursisku5H0h3zb8z0o8bVX4OQyfkUwJwz5Y/s400/the+wharf+flood+8+8+2020+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">flood at the Wharf 8-9-2020</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>
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And, then just two weeks later, another thunderstorm and
another flood. Just par for the course in 2020---you cannot make this stuff up.
This time the floodwaters came from a slightly different direction. But, both
times the Wharf (where the Farmers’ Market sets up) was underwater and all the surrounding
businesses were impacted. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNdeeBglo4hZ4IWX6A32qYr2sSvNUovcwqO6id8ofSV0c-S9b5bKyXBYDww30u-HHSsBINyfY_TaMBVYg2ISwciGs4_zwJtHqpuVWrtT35zy7lEHN66Fu-qXc5QtQ6b8gNIB9OGqPYN0/s1600/wharf+flood+number+2+8+22+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1050" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNdeeBglo4hZ4IWX6A32qYr2sSvNUovcwqO6id8ofSV0c-S9b5bKyXBYDww30u-HHSsBINyfY_TaMBVYg2ISwciGs4_zwJtHqpuVWrtT35zy7lEHN66Fu-qXc5QtQ6b8gNIB9OGqPYN0/s400/wharf+flood+number+2+8+22+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">flooded Market sidewalk in storm #2<br />
(Eccohollow photo)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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The images were terrifying and all I could think about was
that just hours before the Market had been full of people---folks happily
shopping the Market from the vendors and farmers who make it possible for them
to get the best in local food…even during a pandemic. Not to sound like
“Pollyanna” but, if it had occurred any earlier in the day, the damages and
losses could have been so much worse. Video footage can be seen <a href="https://www.newsleader.com/videos/news/2020/08/09/staunton-va-flooding-damage-footage-august-2020/3331360001/">here.</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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For a place that lives or dies by tourism, this has been a
tough year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First COVID19 and now the
issues of re-building after the floods. The City has made sandbags available
and will be re-assessing the ways to deal with stormwater. While Lewis Creek
(that runs under the city) was a crucial feature when Staunton was home to
nearly a dozen mills back in the 18th and 19th centuries, it causes some serious issues for modern infrastructure. Some
businesses have already figured out how to re-open, proving that Staunton is
indeed strong and resilient and the downtown community is unlike anything I’ve
ever seen. But, there is still much work to be done and I’m fairly certain
everyone will be watching the weather quite closely in coming days. For more
about Staunton…click this. <a href="https://www.ci.staunton.va.us/">https://www.ci.staunton.va.us/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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At the risk of seeming like an ostrich and burying my head
in the sand (which, I don’t think actually happens…although, I don’t personally
know any ostriches to do any fact-checking, so…) I’ve got to think about
something…anything else. I am not advocating completely removing ourselves from
the news cycle or ignoring world events. But, seriously, I think we need a
break!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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</div>
<br /></div>
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Around here, when I need a break, I head to the hoophouse. No matter the weather, you can always find something new inside.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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While the hoophouse is not one of the original structures
here on the hill, it has been here a long, long time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJxEm3hU4geQtK9ptsR2IICVswXdOrJAOUQwDzf3FR5pm-Sqe4woM7u6Rhy8Vv83Lfui3wMSWXWoew3S0swXnNJ6N-kbxFVTtxdp7xXzAZ5214NVkxP79vQ7ZgK3tuWTw34Pjt2R87x0/s1600/hoophouse+1+1997+frosty+cow+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1467" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJxEm3hU4geQtK9ptsR2IICVswXdOrJAOUQwDzf3FR5pm-Sqe4woM7u6Rhy8Vv83Lfui3wMSWXWoew3S0swXnNJ6N-kbxFVTtxdp7xXzAZ5214NVkxP79vQ7ZgK3tuWTw34Pjt2R87x0/s400/hoophouse+1+1997+frosty+cow+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Things have sure changed since<br />
hoophouse construction in 1997<br />
(I don't think the cow was actually inside...lol)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And, it has probably had more incarnations than any of the
other buildings. The house and shop are pretty much the same, at least on the
outside. The barn has expanded over the years, but never changed its use. Over
the years, the hoophouse has been a winter-time henhouse, a cornfield, sea of
broccoli plants, a melon patch/tomato garden, a storage unit, and one year we
grew hundreds of pounds of beautiful cucumbers that graced the tables of fancy
restaurants on the other side of the mountain. Once we discovered shadecloth,
we were able to produce literally thousands and thousands of bags of some of
the finest lettuce in the area (if not the best) year-round. Per square foot,
it has been almost certainly the most profitable part of the farm. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlGdhiGez0ITlkkWpzu4nSj5iA9sZmaBK_VuZCO3a-Fq4rFIJolI08O0MPx0Gq2P1UdDG89silSRFTkYBaC-g9c4gAba0fYmG4F1lhjKax9ov9XiTL4WLmO8bdV3oGgRPjIabXttvNRA/s1600/shishito+pepper+8+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlGdhiGez0ITlkkWpzu4nSj5iA9sZmaBK_VuZCO3a-Fq4rFIJolI08O0MPx0Gq2P1UdDG89silSRFTkYBaC-g9c4gAba0fYmG4F1lhjKax9ov9XiTL4WLmO8bdV3oGgRPjIabXttvNRA/s400/shishito+pepper+8+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">shoshito pepper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqq38vqIgjQPtcuUUvyxpcJEdpxnnUALC3SWJkD6CfX0arDr7FFHf6tbMilUhtnk-P1tQ_duX9wHkhfqqNSWwlANm3NsYBDvxG-iPwJmcMoW6qEhd4hekiTps6ZZItcdhyphenhyphent0Mi2hRoXY/s1600/baby+cucumber+hoophouse+8+25+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqq38vqIgjQPtcuUUvyxpcJEdpxnnUALC3SWJkD6CfX0arDr7FFHf6tbMilUhtnk-P1tQ_duX9wHkhfqqNSWwlANm3NsYBDvxG-iPwJmcMoW6qEhd4hekiTps6ZZItcdhyphenhyphent0Mi2hRoXY/s400/baby+cucumber+hoophouse+8+25+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby cucumber</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bBt5uSvRfubUBXGiYyaKE5zVngEI-XU0xeXKkAOdjxz6AqUdNEJmeCTamd67nPcGSZleorF8beJcsNGUf1X4_wS0jnd_f-byyJ0GsevFLmHdNK2IHzEJK5RftsDAR1CBzPzhfttiv50/s1600/hoophouse+greens+8+12++%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bBt5uSvRfubUBXGiYyaKE5zVngEI-XU0xeXKkAOdjxz6AqUdNEJmeCTamd67nPcGSZleorF8beJcsNGUf1X4_wS0jnd_f-byyJ0GsevFLmHdNK2IHzEJK5RftsDAR1CBzPzhfttiv50/s400/hoophouse+greens+8+12++%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gorgeous greens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtsASzRVsXzmSQBWHrWKpkoek3H_nBKldYhcYlPZW6IAFwAb9z1ZwLwU8RBOROzBT5GBlDSyRGIXTYhnNEy4FzGPd0aG8b9sHF0i-1hiPLMoHMofSCasaN1Qpwohw-sAgcvf5IwTH4Zw/s1600/hoophouse+summer+lettuce+8+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtsASzRVsXzmSQBWHrWKpkoek3H_nBKldYhcYlPZW6IAFwAb9z1ZwLwU8RBOROzBT5GBlDSyRGIXTYhnNEy4FzGPd0aG8b9sHF0i-1hiPLMoHMofSCasaN1Qpwohw-sAgcvf5IwTH4Zw/s400/hoophouse+summer+lettuce+8+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lovely lettuce</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
These days it isn’t so profitable. But, it is still quite
productive. And, it’s a great place to get all those “feel good” microbes from
digging in the dirt. It’s where I go when I need a change of perspective or some
delicious fixin’s for supper.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxkDuxEdfvdUP0fdw9VcHlIdDICKwOdcNrBHoGgbIm73synrIhAM65G3V_8zoTX7IGyWr7w-LO817XBFdbaxxsDiRO4HNB-D1CUagHSxc2-j7vkdvOrsvknrEIRa9KAbUEdFyOrgx7ZQ/s1600/morning+harvest+8+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1437" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxkDuxEdfvdUP0fdw9VcHlIdDICKwOdcNrBHoGgbIm73synrIhAM65G3V_8zoTX7IGyWr7w-LO817XBFdbaxxsDiRO4HNB-D1CUagHSxc2-j7vkdvOrsvknrEIRa9KAbUEdFyOrgx7ZQ/s400/morning+harvest+8+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">picture perfect harvest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wasn’t sure about Tom’s great idea to upcycle some old
mineral tubs as planters. I guess I should have had a little bit more faith. Wowee!
We can get an amazing amount out of those 2.63sq.feet. (yeah, I did the
math…call me a nerd if you want to) We’ve gotten buckets of beets and carrots, more
shoshito peppers than anybody could possibly eat, all sorts of greens, lots of
salads, some cucumbers, and yesterday I picked the first of the squash!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBG-I6i2zpKDZv-YZiP5lFu0xSkPo_nb_ffQRe-xo2mMhqswvR2NuPm7mJng7k64rG1DbZnnNGrhQ19m_3mWXWlou9e01yAiZ-3iVogEx9lm0FZP8wMrZuKgKe6JGX1MHR5LFKTuzlOg/s1600/first+hoophouse+squash+8+30+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBG-I6i2zpKDZv-YZiP5lFu0xSkPo_nb_ffQRe-xo2mMhqswvR2NuPm7mJng7k64rG1DbZnnNGrhQ19m_3mWXWlou9e01yAiZ-3iVogEx9lm0FZP8wMrZuKgKe6JGX1MHR5LFKTuzlOg/s400/first+hoophouse+squash+8+30+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">summer squash</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Aside from growing tasty food, the hoophouse is a haven for
all sort of critters. For the most part, we try to live in harmony with the
other creatures in our environment, but when they start eating the foodstuffs, something
must be done. …and when they poop in the lettuce? They’re goners! Boundaries, oh
my word…everybody needs to have boundaries! (and apparently, I have found mine)
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Battles for the foodstuffs aside, I’ve discovered all sorts
of insects that I’d never even heard of and taken some pretty cool photographs.
This year, the hoophouse covered in the most abundant and beautiful “crop” of
morning glories I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. And, morning glories bring
back pleasant memories. <a href="https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2018/09/mornin-glory.html">https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2018/09/mornin-glory.html</a> I may have gone a little overboard with flower photos...<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0XNCotdX4IAx0UP6bwXnyGRerASvZ_is0EE31fDgCzatXaQmEq_4CH6HqeXl07wtsm4e3UjqQdQtY-u3ZaBFKqAWBoIy6Agbiu1ILVnSSasxe5sybIQpE4KCrp6M_OoxQv02QJ_nayY/s1600/morning+glory+8+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0XNCotdX4IAx0UP6bwXnyGRerASvZ_is0EE31fDgCzatXaQmEq_4CH6HqeXl07wtsm4e3UjqQdQtY-u3ZaBFKqAWBoIy6Agbiu1ILVnSSasxe5sybIQpE4KCrp6M_OoxQv02QJ_nayY/s400/morning+glory+8+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1_LVG4j9q0W3ojUol-RjwVBuAor-kgYUyh0xme3h8XJ9vqOk0E2YkRr7CZNS0sKy2-J4RENR5XwptTr9QS-7czc1ocm2iyEiHHR0i1ZHo_VOrp9SNZTJbdEkLlUZNMORmM3eYIUgxM0/s1600/a+morning+glory+bud+8+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1_LVG4j9q0W3ojUol-RjwVBuAor-kgYUyh0xme3h8XJ9vqOk0E2YkRr7CZNS0sKy2-J4RENR5XwptTr9QS-7czc1ocm2iyEiHHR0i1ZHo_VOrp9SNZTJbdEkLlUZNMORmM3eYIUgxM0/s400/a+morning+glory+bud+8+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">morning glory bud</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeXIlajf1yuXAb7XbCek_clHxMI5pshKhuI3TC_fwa9e63-EF1PiVXmwt0uQSq8gUcbn06Io9pZwgb_nbuje8QuSlUzQZWdo7xghFzdBDUCi-oL5TrM1vc9E3JUsbzKQ0n8wcHXeVuqA/s1600/h+h+morning+glories+8+30+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeXIlajf1yuXAb7XbCek_clHxMI5pshKhuI3TC_fwa9e63-EF1PiVXmwt0uQSq8gUcbn06Io9pZwgb_nbuje8QuSlUzQZWdo7xghFzdBDUCi-oL5TrM1vc9E3JUsbzKQ0n8wcHXeVuqA/s400/h+h+morning+glories+8+30+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAk_k0YNDcX7qqsQ0GtoeLVbtWVv44Ol-UkwEEaLI6deRD8Cy1uKNquQaFOl2oZ9VuMNdnG7Vy4sHsLcd3SNWP4Tcme65oXHfKAXxUuJTuJJ0Hdq6Dw7GGMItwtyq9EVZspScp_nQTTY/s1600/morning+glories+fence+8+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAk_k0YNDcX7qqsQ0GtoeLVbtWVv44Ol-UkwEEaLI6deRD8Cy1uKNquQaFOl2oZ9VuMNdnG7Vy4sHsLcd3SNWP4Tcme65oXHfKAXxUuJTuJJ0Hdq6Dw7GGMItwtyq9EVZspScp_nQTTY/s400/morning+glories+fence+8+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzcoY5y7fwHGYnGJCftAe_4-dVXtsRp6cOLFMOVKsdamVI10UQTVbTz-z2ALfaLakdBy8LCXZWL3qdJSvAsqprFW8WIdaAeBmTTGUUliYL3nvOHsqIvLRT7lHWsiGtu0p95Sp6McMzEk/s1600/morning+glories+hoophouse+8+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1326" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzcoY5y7fwHGYnGJCftAe_4-dVXtsRp6cOLFMOVKsdamVI10UQTVbTz-z2ALfaLakdBy8LCXZWL3qdJSvAsqprFW8WIdaAeBmTTGUUliYL3nvOHsqIvLRT7lHWsiGtu0p95Sp6McMzEk/s400/morning+glories+hoophouse+8+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmTdhRw0stw-i1xGJTALwq95I8KPjGU4F__xcRDJPbtonJZVmtx6yEHMaHc9sPCxqg8MZz_JmdTPG36YUt5iOK6jMUyPGwW83U9Zd3WyIpm3FqZ78LqfBg1jhIvnFnYxDu9jH-r8pkFE/s1600/morning+glory+8+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmTdhRw0stw-i1xGJTALwq95I8KPjGU4F__xcRDJPbtonJZVmtx6yEHMaHc9sPCxqg8MZz_JmdTPG36YUt5iOK6jMUyPGwW83U9Zd3WyIpm3FqZ78LqfBg1jhIvnFnYxDu9jH-r8pkFE/s400/morning+glory+8+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpiNX2SFS0RsYdiCQ1N2VRpT1MxWvyRp2XFKgguZFNdhNbZgRmpox3p2-VcBW39ZqQr0hcoaTEf9-1Y2JOtrCGpptgXFrHaifHjNMDTa4ipsaU4WWbyrRAuILRSHEnx0rC0lEwLQo9Ek/s1600/morning+glory+hoophouse+8+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpiNX2SFS0RsYdiCQ1N2VRpT1MxWvyRp2XFKgguZFNdhNbZgRmpox3p2-VcBW39ZqQr0hcoaTEf9-1Y2JOtrCGpptgXFrHaifHjNMDTa4ipsaU4WWbyrRAuILRSHEnx0rC0lEwLQo9Ek/s400/morning+glory+hoophouse+8+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYOv1csdiyys9XSbx6kTBovWP3FC6YMTEB0KcH3BBx1vKl6niwBo5n1-MKb3OveE_2uAVZyaBl5HfR8CurtgIiYJ74_fNIMP1VaIVXHuOQ2NUh3yqi2zVXDj6vUugtlbwAA4CGGedG4Q/s1600/spent+morning+glories+w+fly+8+25+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYOv1csdiyys9XSbx6kTBovWP3FC6YMTEB0KcH3BBx1vKl6niwBo5n1-MKb3OveE_2uAVZyaBl5HfR8CurtgIiYJ74_fNIMP1VaIVXHuOQ2NUh3yqi2zVXDj6vUugtlbwAA4CGGedG4Q/s400/spent+morning+glories+w+fly+8+25+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">even the spent blossoms are pretty!</td></tr>
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Yep, the hoophouse is definitely my happy place!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87jezfv_Nz-QyTbsuHZqhRYwYKIycwz_roDv5_g1fqn_GEdERxlOBucfg15m6OHeVaIcrcfClCT79WgDjsMXLjx9F_AiZO6IxnmDOeDoEBq-WK-SpXXt0wgaOKswhsxaOV3KiEpLggcU/s1600/hummingbird+maple+8+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87jezfv_Nz-QyTbsuHZqhRYwYKIycwz_roDv5_g1fqn_GEdERxlOBucfg15m6OHeVaIcrcfClCT79WgDjsMXLjx9F_AiZO6IxnmDOeDoEBq-WK-SpXXt0wgaOKswhsxaOV3KiEpLggcU/s400/hummingbird+maple+8+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this little hummer in the maple out back just made me smile</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Here are just a few shots from the past week or so...not just from the hoophouse.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhH3me0isqw03H_wVmYIZKHKSYwhnO4kkWqR44UtwgBfctNH_UbP8q7KCO8xvb1dipbJesCljF53JRZ0449e3BB1mo6JCMoeAEBOQS9-LqEk6LC2Q7sU795TDZeyDU070Vu8eMcloo2ZA/s1600/a+cat+at+sunrise+8+25+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhH3me0isqw03H_wVmYIZKHKSYwhnO4kkWqR44UtwgBfctNH_UbP8q7KCO8xvb1dipbJesCljF53JRZ0449e3BB1mo6JCMoeAEBOQS9-LqEk6LC2Q7sU795TDZeyDU070Vu8eMcloo2ZA/s400/a+cat+at+sunrise+8+25+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cat on the porch at sunrise</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwk00rPDMac-lrK3Uh066_R1DbwpHCqSy4TLQ-AlkHjgjKfXzX5U5RmWM698feWDGrJOc4N25aWH1eIQfF1Rd5862TKx_Js_h0Y6p50BoE86n6zu2UXzao0xZ2S_0wrvUiSbQ7HEUQDaE/s1600/acleris+moth+8+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1071" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwk00rPDMac-lrK3Uh066_R1DbwpHCqSy4TLQ-AlkHjgjKfXzX5U5RmWM698feWDGrJOc4N25aWH1eIQfF1Rd5862TKx_Js_h0Y6p50BoE86n6zu2UXzao0xZ2S_0wrvUiSbQ7HEUQDaE/s400/acleris+moth+8+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">acleris moth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRn58aNMe74ecfOlk_Q2JLFLx4mtF6TGjUKrvpdmU6e432dIRZwMGgYbNXVyjp8swLkLeWnD_HEHQsgmG83MC1b6y4gxAiK8h8IalqOaPSsCjuEYw9KeYFwRSJThFT6qpymBq2zk7ZwIk/s1600/african+daisy+8+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRn58aNMe74ecfOlk_Q2JLFLx4mtF6TGjUKrvpdmU6e432dIRZwMGgYbNXVyjp8swLkLeWnD_HEHQsgmG83MC1b6y4gxAiK8h8IalqOaPSsCjuEYw9KeYFwRSJThFT6qpymBq2zk7ZwIk/s400/african+daisy+8+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">african daisy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzG4GuGMlNOsxsT_MSZHNGAmdrNBl87OjCYQVwr4BA3whEl2DkQqKCpw340KlwWHVD-hWNl_eEu0LaXV8LVCtQZfI0brmJCXA9tOXwCNdJsWNuBaPTXpZYzLpNApRr82c5eS08WCgujY/s1600/corn+on+the+cob+8+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzG4GuGMlNOsxsT_MSZHNGAmdrNBl87OjCYQVwr4BA3whEl2DkQqKCpw340KlwWHVD-hWNl_eEu0LaXV8LVCtQZfI0brmJCXA9tOXwCNdJsWNuBaPTXpZYzLpNApRr82c5eS08WCgujY/s400/corn+on+the+cob+8+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it was an excellent corn year!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiee1Fmvr59sdMGsTrqNOdXEQ2xlOHVF3R1mi0QOtTLS6cWJjZzTp6EqAr6-CATURpwwqxBRbgnX7iib4mQHDVEQKbeMAXAVRaiVnZ4Yniq7trN8Jp3K1K8OlkWuvGL606ZWjL4wnDEwsc/s1600/baby+cardinal+milo+8+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiee1Fmvr59sdMGsTrqNOdXEQ2xlOHVF3R1mi0QOtTLS6cWJjZzTp6EqAr6-CATURpwwqxBRbgnX7iib4mQHDVEQKbeMAXAVRaiVnZ4Yniq7trN8Jp3K1K8OlkWuvGL606ZWjL4wnDEwsc/s400/baby+cardinal+milo+8+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby cardinal in millet under the birdfeeder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh46AffoVHheWAQSQHQnno843qUFEVmwk8GxFQe_Mpl_soalGvP26ULGYLgTiDHIYfCZKdsVxRMCN3ohM26WFblFm50vdsn-m7hF0EiT9rxhp-Jgw0dIwA-Pyw0bnGXKqXlOWwQHrGC7Ms/s1600/backyard+hollyhock+2+8+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh46AffoVHheWAQSQHQnno843qUFEVmwk8GxFQe_Mpl_soalGvP26ULGYLgTiDHIYfCZKdsVxRMCN3ohM26WFblFm50vdsn-m7hF0EiT9rxhp-Jgw0dIwA-Pyw0bnGXKqXlOWwQHrGC7Ms/s400/backyard+hollyhock+2+8+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">volunteer hollyhock by the backdoor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0PK-weXnSfX6uCavB3b68alflWvGx6Z-PPCrfXkPSDwCmPao3RATKPsXEQZcZDKkl-xbsCj56Ea8R8m8Q01SmkYIub0AM4JYDM-E0FEfQeUVABFiN6y6i8xWsoMqP__TqXIPh9q-aHk/s1600/cardinal+flowers++by+fence+8+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0PK-weXnSfX6uCavB3b68alflWvGx6Z-PPCrfXkPSDwCmPao3RATKPsXEQZcZDKkl-xbsCj56Ea8R8m8Q01SmkYIub0AM4JYDM-E0FEfQeUVABFiN6y6i8xWsoMqP__TqXIPh9q-aHk/s400/cardinal+flowers++by+fence+8+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cardinal flower by the fence</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNiuCVCqLm8FrSARjy-3fDaa3hlShytfzUOvMVmuUan_UI6hjQLhRt62W7K2Z-Wu5CL1RXwU_gYUAzeW0OQodoId_Ujh4eZXFQDUV0XM5QlShn0aH4KwOTmBaoKtDbGEKbidbqQQg5Vw/s1600/charlotte+the+garden+spider+8+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNiuCVCqLm8FrSARjy-3fDaa3hlShytfzUOvMVmuUan_UI6hjQLhRt62W7K2Z-Wu5CL1RXwU_gYUAzeW0OQodoId_Ujh4eZXFQDUV0XM5QlShn0aH4KwOTmBaoKtDbGEKbidbqQQg5Vw/s400/charlotte+the+garden+spider+8+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it's time for garden spiders<br />
(I always think of Charlotte's web)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh35Ru8kkOpEFMFXyMQz5j-De7VDn615XLAsKLjmYKZdI0flzRpDNo0gKJ6JR6iz7-g-JP6SGYsrLc20SMLXxylmswOmWQbfuTjS5hy0urdSkfZf5Rco56YuJjm5U_fCJJOOANDk2Jpvc/s1600/cricket+8+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh35Ru8kkOpEFMFXyMQz5j-De7VDn615XLAsKLjmYKZdI0flzRpDNo0gKJ6JR6iz7-g-JP6SGYsrLc20SMLXxylmswOmWQbfuTjS5hy0urdSkfZf5Rco56YuJjm5U_fCJJOOANDk2Jpvc/s400/cricket+8+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a cricket in the basil<br />
(he may have to go...I think he is eating it)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyriIgnYZp0WbZiFBFhLaWF__KQmJyy-39PTwm85qAm9fwrxA-eMRj4F1Zvbdpnl8_HLhhn4Lb_2FC0AhX23cOjszPOn8XKCdsN0d7xdRG_sLdlX0hYzs1d8ChfmFCs-7yrTK6j7mP1s/s1600/damsel+fly+2+8+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1231" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyriIgnYZp0WbZiFBFhLaWF__KQmJyy-39PTwm85qAm9fwrxA-eMRj4F1Zvbdpnl8_HLhhn4Lb_2FC0AhX23cOjszPOn8XKCdsN0d7xdRG_sLdlX0hYzs1d8ChfmFCs-7yrTK6j7mP1s/s400/damsel+fly+2+8+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">damsel fly at the creek</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnrALY_pYJYBynZSM7jCSvKinELizaXTlXWuE_J3p7k2jCXvbAZMOIOs_jP0dfj0tLbV1T3HY4xPVYFa7n_wYERKe34pwZ72vtSd6avvqvK4svhCdaWseBgQ_w9SYQAMhwcVd7PiibDA/s1600/grass+seed+8+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnrALY_pYJYBynZSM7jCSvKinELizaXTlXWuE_J3p7k2jCXvbAZMOIOs_jP0dfj0tLbV1T3HY4xPVYFa7n_wYERKe34pwZ72vtSd6avvqvK4svhCdaWseBgQ_w9SYQAMhwcVd7PiibDA/s400/grass+seed+8+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">grass along the fence</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1PZ5mVgO5op_pVut5utCSrZU3ZGm8leTGHEnxfyX7ZZvGN2sMCX4e3qn-dwUzDUirjNuMUd7Gf_FougEPqjFXmRVlA9xdrih_q9HZUtaQZZa8mZf3nW7EDwRiRq10euIkw33wclj_Lk/s1600/hiding+ewe+8+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1PZ5mVgO5op_pVut5utCSrZU3ZGm8leTGHEnxfyX7ZZvGN2sMCX4e3qn-dwUzDUirjNuMUd7Gf_FougEPqjFXmRVlA9xdrih_q9HZUtaQZZa8mZf3nW7EDwRiRq10euIkw33wclj_Lk/s400/hiding+ewe+8+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sheep taking a break</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsC1pFko0noxZd2cMqLBjYYf29l7LstTxRyhxpSg8yXhdUcKkUookl68ERCHYIXq60heCVQsX602-F_KTg_kgXWPLlsJlkDkiFefNZ47q9zRXZuxAKgGysIew0uWbb6kwEKrb9H214Co/s1600/honeybee+in+wingstem+1+8+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1019" data-original-width="1600" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsC1pFko0noxZd2cMqLBjYYf29l7LstTxRyhxpSg8yXhdUcKkUookl68ERCHYIXq60heCVQsX602-F_KTg_kgXWPLlsJlkDkiFefNZ47q9zRXZuxAKgGysIew0uWbb6kwEKrb9H214Co/s400/honeybee+in+wingstem+1+8+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">honeybee in wingstem</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvb1rLzVsu8JJVB4r8NhYynYGYPpsEW7bHoqB12ht8UQAnH_-OUEhFrQlJ687mRj5dyTaSrdFwAGfMdQ2wKluQyf4_F2SXTcvTKyxfNZgdMrM-P1EMLTtLF8xtJ6uoezshFx1miCC5tk/s1600/jewelweed+at+creek+8+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1128" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvb1rLzVsu8JJVB4r8NhYynYGYPpsEW7bHoqB12ht8UQAnH_-OUEhFrQlJ687mRj5dyTaSrdFwAGfMdQ2wKluQyf4_F2SXTcvTKyxfNZgdMrM-P1EMLTtLF8xtJ6uoezshFx1miCC5tk/s400/jewelweed+at+creek+8+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">jewelweed at the creek</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxsXn6ffVmpkBlim4evOwWYgl1pitStWxZ-qngkmg3U5i9e5ummEBfvGJnw8IYZwBR_McwlzLOcTck1qVKcMVMNZOrNArCrnrmgbLBJrQFOTUM4pG9MxsPo9OKngDq9RRG2GmSXiNCio/s1600/locust+borer+8+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxsXn6ffVmpkBlim4evOwWYgl1pitStWxZ-qngkmg3U5i9e5ummEBfvGJnw8IYZwBR_McwlzLOcTck1qVKcMVMNZOrNArCrnrmgbLBJrQFOTUM4pG9MxsPo9OKngDq9RRG2GmSXiNCio/s400/locust+borer+8+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">locust borer in the garlic chives</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXJos0NwbWxX8m2GBLbq0LtcAmlkLhwysvHlFJuzIbBnhgVSDB8SbKgpXF56SMSyuTdCmC4fPlhUsTB7sj2SoZdIQCVg2OWogI1ygORHahNaCyn7OZTb88Am3FSggxdg2URAIVBDtpk4/s1600/mason+bee+morning+glory+8+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXJos0NwbWxX8m2GBLbq0LtcAmlkLhwysvHlFJuzIbBnhgVSDB8SbKgpXF56SMSyuTdCmC4fPlhUsTB7sj2SoZdIQCVg2OWogI1ygORHahNaCyn7OZTb88Am3FSggxdg2URAIVBDtpk4/s400/mason+bee+morning+glory+8+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mason bee in morning glory</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgDYgiQny_jruK7hsfiOLkjJzuYeJlzedhJps3hi6rphqQ0Lx-CudtGFolHgdZ4566sR1OY25gOSkywuiXrsyfY40K0zTOSycYSz981HDtbuygwmccSdrZiHcGWg_ykevoWXk-na55ww/s1600/mason+bee+pollen+8+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgDYgiQny_jruK7hsfiOLkjJzuYeJlzedhJps3hi6rphqQ0Lx-CudtGFolHgdZ4566sR1OY25gOSkywuiXrsyfY40K0zTOSycYSz981HDtbuygwmccSdrZiHcGWg_ykevoWXk-na55ww/s400/mason+bee+pollen+8+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">flying mason bee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6StnPktts4hKnsSCNEcj_3C6hLONacq-tl4XX-nIOCpaIU3PgD3gVMIBinuuOMdqWjKDgzHo9ccmsjq5AEjkpk9yepki_hCBd2nr4xhDr_U6k1k-MizP0zBh7gmfJIrjC0xkzixK2yfU/s1600/morning+glories+hoophouse+8+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1326" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6StnPktts4hKnsSCNEcj_3C6hLONacq-tl4XX-nIOCpaIU3PgD3gVMIBinuuOMdqWjKDgzHo9ccmsjq5AEjkpk9yepki_hCBd2nr4xhDr_U6k1k-MizP0zBh7gmfJIrjC0xkzixK2yfU/s400/morning+glories+hoophouse+8+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had long wondered about the little white dots on morning glories...<br />
they are the pollen granules left behind by the bees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTs-XQrLyRG8ZPjNC-451Ye4eu_xbr-TUstDwRnyZqJTyAEfuaLro3f9Wj1xytrFafhd5kKJ10Pted2Rjf7hlSrRVaI01guKWnPKjwzjmnAMmOZG_ha3cTGYl6oDaT7yV57oxnvADIkp0/s1600/morning+glory+leaves+h+house+8+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTs-XQrLyRG8ZPjNC-451Ye4eu_xbr-TUstDwRnyZqJTyAEfuaLro3f9Wj1xytrFafhd5kKJ10Pted2Rjf7hlSrRVaI01guKWnPKjwzjmnAMmOZG_ha3cTGYl6oDaT7yV57oxnvADIkp0/s400/morning+glory+leaves+h+house+8+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">morning glory leaves climbing up the hoophouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZVZbtRQ65e73JMhSBir7jtac6hypaB8Eize6Npo22R7eX827zYr0Enxq5Twre7A6O1IvmKScFQM25M64dCjz3cothN7z5YqB67aV4ooNVaanNrkpEIVs9cdgsA_HwaF6n9OzMmqjNu0/s1600/mushroom+after+the+rain+8+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZVZbtRQ65e73JMhSBir7jtac6hypaB8Eize6Npo22R7eX827zYr0Enxq5Twre7A6O1IvmKScFQM25M64dCjz3cothN7z5YqB67aV4ooNVaanNrkpEIVs9cdgsA_HwaF6n9OzMmqjNu0/s400/mushroom+after+the+rain+8+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mushrooms pop up after the rain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfWcgAgnX0NH6C6oVNav6_sCf4qf8IvZbYVefGwX8htNGEP4wYwGnK0blH2yvMqwNMeCczyn-vWTmD4R9ZEtSkcYgPCO8Bd05FW8zms0rfTkg216vbkmQuI82aAj8YMsJRLs5EUeSd00/s1600/sunrise+8+30+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfWcgAgnX0NH6C6oVNav6_sCf4qf8IvZbYVefGwX8htNGEP4wYwGnK0blH2yvMqwNMeCczyn-vWTmD4R9ZEtSkcYgPCO8Bd05FW8zms0rfTkg216vbkmQuI82aAj8YMsJRLs5EUeSd00/s400/sunrise+8+30+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunrise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTvPuYxCgJA0zER4-gKvBcPjVME2QSDMuyxOUzncY4wd5IAoG_u8CDZjsRdpwEXQQ0OhxQ3y2CfHxZV0VKpGy0dmLoW_lXNindeyKv4KgZTe-LOWUDtuiOibMt5RWYmLoaEPIGodIWNM/s1600/sunset+8+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTvPuYxCgJA0zER4-gKvBcPjVME2QSDMuyxOUzncY4wd5IAoG_u8CDZjsRdpwEXQQ0OhxQ3y2CfHxZV0VKpGy0dmLoW_lXNindeyKv4KgZTe-LOWUDtuiOibMt5RWYmLoaEPIGodIWNM/s400/sunset+8+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXuBD9Hm6omAusZ9z1vcshIjT7XcymjgdmUwsrVTR5oGzMNriF7HCQwtPm5MkaW4cLJiOhLhCq_ldo1nE58acyHWBXV-TnZkBj-OLKlQlS2-HC8UPp8zZjNfFvazaW3SWJQs_587-lwg/s1600/supper+salad+8+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXuBD9Hm6omAusZ9z1vcshIjT7XcymjgdmUwsrVTR5oGzMNriF7HCQwtPm5MkaW4cLJiOhLhCq_ldo1nE58acyHWBXV-TnZkBj-OLKlQlS2-HC8UPp8zZjNfFvazaW3SWJQs_587-lwg/s400/supper+salad+8+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">summer salad</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tp6UAyxuLaE6MUSh1ZSp7cCG_hhxiOdUdSCQD7xAkMk_9ZmNfu41OydqTP83Q1e_4UAM78ywQx-_ftDFAh4fExM37KR7AkAkt_4Y0Zd8Z6idCaQhPAPl3SLQfCSmfdgLxO0x6R7YHsw/s1600/thread+waisted+wasp+8+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tp6UAyxuLaE6MUSh1ZSp7cCG_hhxiOdUdSCQD7xAkMk_9ZmNfu41OydqTP83Q1e_4UAM78ywQx-_ftDFAh4fExM37KR7AkAkt_4Y0Zd8Z6idCaQhPAPl3SLQfCSmfdgLxO0x6R7YHsw/s400/thread+waisted+wasp+8+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">thread-waisted wasp in garlic chives</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQulhwX7RT_kqAO52bzvrjIv7OtBjIYQcM2XWldWd_ufji9J0BvDGATow3AzfebLJ6uCljzmaCgdboktuTITilAF0wsWXBN-qx-a71vp0onpIYruS2l8JHe-UbQlxeLDBY6Jf4C6RsHo/s1600/toad+in+the+stocktank+8+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQulhwX7RT_kqAO52bzvrjIv7OtBjIYQcM2XWldWd_ufji9J0BvDGATow3AzfebLJ6uCljzmaCgdboktuTITilAF0wsWXBN-qx-a71vp0onpIYruS2l8JHe-UbQlxeLDBY6Jf4C6RsHo/s400/toad+in+the+stocktank+8+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">toad in the stocktank</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyo8irxgEPPxAmqgaO-ZJhUujvQ-BwcvXlW-cbMix6Q46i85dNG-U0xoVXMOR8WZx26okT0ILZrHNqA2OQKJIbmfs3yPvJqp444y6m4UguPiVt8mRLxxuT7vYE6oEjBrqeyFXKUA5Qa9E/s1600/wasp+garlic+chives+8+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1217" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyo8irxgEPPxAmqgaO-ZJhUujvQ-BwcvXlW-cbMix6Q46i85dNG-U0xoVXMOR8WZx26okT0ILZrHNqA2OQKJIbmfs3yPvJqp444y6m4UguPiVt8mRLxxuT7vYE6oEjBrqeyFXKUA5Qa9E/s400/wasp+garlic+chives+8+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another wasp in the garlic chives</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydSlnweDScwK7WV3in8O8CXFmG4l2WNXGJykblKDAJ4cLWQbXTkQmhoQZWujVp_MWudYweoCGiVFtFp8nSu26s1Pq9qHjTsdHBmuam23STn-trn55o60ce_qJiCrusk5OBUNtpc_aUHo/s1600/wet+potato+blossoms+8+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydSlnweDScwK7WV3in8O8CXFmG4l2WNXGJykblKDAJ4cLWQbXTkQmhoQZWujVp_MWudYweoCGiVFtFp8nSu26s1Pq9qHjTsdHBmuam23STn-trn55o60ce_qJiCrusk5OBUNtpc_aUHo/s400/wet+potato+blossoms+8+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wet potato blossoms</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To continue on with the theme of weirdness, yesterday was
Tom’s last Market as Manager.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGPFo7k_RZfoOIXCn6qj87DzbB_CbbyuCF8XlvTzfaGpkuvGB32lw8m3jv7Hp3MfSHBwtcz4WYPkuo7ovtvdRV65dB_hmkzwt7QtkQBmPBOuY56-FPRPnIXIJU2isYjlhMh4fMLt-rg8/s1600/toms+last+market+8+29+2020+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1050" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGPFo7k_RZfoOIXCn6qj87DzbB_CbbyuCF8XlvTzfaGpkuvGB32lw8m3jv7Hp3MfSHBwtcz4WYPkuo7ovtvdRV65dB_hmkzwt7QtkQBmPBOuY56-FPRPnIXIJU2isYjlhMh4fMLt-rg8/s320/toms+last+market+8+29+2020+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom's last Market<br />
(thanks to Ashley for documenting it)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Talk about weird! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After 15 years, the time had
come to move on…time to pass the torch to the new manager…Ashley of <a href="https://www.malcolmsmarketgarden.com/">Malcolms' Market Garden</a> We will be wishing her all the best, always!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He made a little montage of our years at the Market: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enSfSF6eoV8&fbclid=IwAR061gntWrFwqMB1PT5b3jwkVxUiDseij4dRRPmW6KWY_Oe79qdy2sBW284">Watch this.</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I want to join him in saying THANK YOU to Staunton, to the
Market, and to all those folks who showed up every Saturday for making it
possible for us to make a go of our little farm on the hill. We truly love and appreciate
all of you!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While we’re not going anywhere and we are still working to
grow the best lamb chops possible, things are definitely going to change. For
the first time in over 22 years, we don’t have the concerns of the Market hovering
in the corners of our minds. all.the.time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t realize how much the Market impacted
everything we do around here, but it did. Right down to when we went to town and/or
planned any type of activities. It’s kind of freeing…and definitely weird.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ve got two fairly major projects that we hope to get
finished before the snow flies…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQF8xPi_GB-IFmGFSPSahY9-ZTVTQhHbJmjS-2FrS7adY9ycroyA7ASzbfsPkhSzedLXaAGfZeEl4pLF-stTV315zs13g_fUO4xgw0YNhdyCyXcdmvxuf-kivwSFjuyq7-f7L5ZM6pDk/s1600/a+new+project+begins+8+30+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQF8xPi_GB-IFmGFSPSahY9-ZTVTQhHbJmjS-2FrS7adY9ycroyA7ASzbfsPkhSzedLXaAGfZeEl4pLF-stTV315zs13g_fUO4xgw0YNhdyCyXcdmvxuf-kivwSFjuyq7-f7L5ZM6pDk/s400/a+new+project+begins+8+30+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ugh...where to start?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOKLTfvTIqwnPdjq4LpdnhgzgBTf0FW9-ZPhRyf0RPAjclgxW7l0IrYuHEIehzV721r9GR79w73l_VCOX3Fqhn6XYkj9D3CtgKJn1-ppbDlObW3WaKM1VKFMs-3fB5L3vEPPUqLRisIg/s1600/the+start+of+another+project+8+6+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="788" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOKLTfvTIqwnPdjq4LpdnhgzgBTf0FW9-ZPhRyf0RPAjclgxW7l0IrYuHEIehzV721r9GR79w73l_VCOX3Fqhn6XYkj9D3CtgKJn1-ppbDlObW3WaKM1VKFMs-3fB5L3vEPPUqLRisIg/s400/the+start+of+another+project+8+6+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">can you guess what he's doing?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, I’ll have to tell you about those next time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For now, THANK YOU for reading. THANK YOU for joining us on
this crazy ride of life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Happy
Sunday!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDVGuWbXvO0R3lKDcgZ2dSDS4uubBcrFmCpvBepVIR-vkoI39d8_o8-ZYwqrMQbdnWGCmqasQAVf-_0kXqpUW8APcg0dMyIiv03YETcU90vM8iwoiFl3j0LRPC5gLYSyOxpScr8se_aw/s1600/praying+mantis+upside+down+8+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDVGuWbXvO0R3lKDcgZ2dSDS4uubBcrFmCpvBepVIR-vkoI39d8_o8-ZYwqrMQbdnWGCmqasQAVf-_0kXqpUW8APcg0dMyIiv03YETcU90vM8iwoiFl3j0LRPC5gLYSyOxpScr8se_aw/s640/praying+mantis+upside+down+8+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the hoophouse offers everyone a little change of perspective!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hope to see you next time!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03599739740886087571noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819048519590916875.post-7969453724593757982020-08-02T16:27:00.001-04:002020-08-02T16:50:04.208-04:00A Sunday Walkabout 8-2-2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-sbkFrp83t4hzNcZFsPsZxr9OAnirpOJKQnxfRpM3nFkQ6_sT1h52w0-mKlLc5QNXBDVfl-tZAhRPdGHaWvibisQ1wtA5hQH1CwEXx4uGb5xHuY8u2XxpGafeqwsI-fh6OnXynlv6bE/s1400/sunrise+bird+feeder+7+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-sbkFrp83t4hzNcZFsPsZxr9OAnirpOJKQnxfRpM3nFkQ6_sT1h52w0-mKlLc5QNXBDVfl-tZAhRPdGHaWvibisQ1wtA5hQH1CwEXx4uGb5xHuY8u2XxpGafeqwsI-fh6OnXynlv6bE/s640/sunrise+bird+feeder+7+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
A quiet life in the country…<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s a lie, I tell you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before the sun even rises, it begins. Mourning doves are on
our roof cooing, the “hot weather bugs” are already tuning up in the trees
along the property line and at least one lovelorn bull south of town is calling
for his lady-loves. There are even a couple of roosters on the other side of town
who have a contest to see which one greets the dawn. And, once the kitchen
light goes on, our own animals add to what some mornings can only be described
as noise.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nope. No quietness around here.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As day progresses, the sounds change. The hens continually comment
on the events of their day, and egg laying creates exultant outbursts. While
the sheep generally graze quietly, bedlam ensues when one gets left behind thus
causing it to believe it is the last ovine in existence and human intervention
is absolutely necessary. Woken from their slumber, the dogs feel the urge to comment on the activities of the neighborhood or tussle with one another. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, man-made
noises join. There’s the particular whine of the tractor as it makes as its way
up the hill, the buzz of neighbor’s four-wheeler as he heads out to check
calves, and the distant hum of a haybine or harvester to let us know that the
season is progressing. On summer afternoons, there is an entire choir of
lawnmowers as the entire village hurries to mow ahead of the next
thunderstorm...<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
None of these sounds is particularly annoying or bad…(okay,
lost, screaming lambs are annoying)…but, these are the sounds of life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ve become pretty adept at identifying all these sounds. That’s
one of the things our brains need to do…make sense of things. Which, to be
perfectly honest, is a real challenge in these weird and unsettling times and
perhaps why I’ve fixated on identifying all the things.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can tell you that “squeee-eeeek ka-bang” is the opening (and
rapid closing) of the back gate. We should probably oil that, although I kind
of like knowing when someone enters the garden. The “someone” should
be human, but if there is a thunderstorm brewing somewhere in the lower 48, all
bets are off. I don’t know if Gus is that concerned for our safety or he is
just a big baby. (after numerous large dog romps through the garden, we
installed a latch on the gate that Gus doesn’t know how to open---much to his
dismay)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmDB5gAElKvjYFTGVHZRDE6JbRjOIRAOSxEUliJDafg3kTUcJTfhQv59rz950aBkdzHSP4TDTEXxl_eo4I6KgiyCCoIJNcOB7FR0k9plPxBge4qUqRISb8X_Z3ISVI2Lksx2-FsJ4TTU/s1600/gus+has+come+to+save+the+day+7+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1494" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmDB5gAElKvjYFTGVHZRDE6JbRjOIRAOSxEUliJDafg3kTUcJTfhQv59rz950aBkdzHSP4TDTEXxl_eo4I6KgiyCCoIJNcOB7FR0k9plPxBge4qUqRISb8X_Z3ISVI2Lksx2-FsJ4TTU/s400/gus+has+come+to+save+the+day+7+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gus trying to open the gate<br />
due to an impending storm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then there is a particular thunk, thunk that is a hen
getting the last tasty morsel out of the scrap bucket. A certain scraping noise
lets us know that one of the ewes scratching an itch against the metal gate. And
a rumble out of a clear blue sky is not thunder but a guardian-dog uttering displeasure,
generally at the other guardian dog for taking the prime napping location.
Definitely NOT quiet, country life or not.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvlEKD0XOroS0mvUvhH_2UQLdgSpNqS3bXM-BesuSrZ5Jk6mFVRnCvMgOiibcEV9CE7lILZse0nPTrUxz5XndlI0ZG9o5orvPjwPYmc3aDPWHQGr9vn5fhzNzssii0VIOVciEtXalLsI/s1600/wait+for+mama+karma+7+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvlEKD0XOroS0mvUvhH_2UQLdgSpNqS3bXM-BesuSrZ5Jk6mFVRnCvMgOiibcEV9CE7lILZse0nPTrUxz5XndlI0ZG9o5orvPjwPYmc3aDPWHQGr9vn5fhzNzssii0VIOVciEtXalLsI/s400/wait+for+mama+karma+7+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I do NOT want to<br />
"wait for mama, Karma!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, when the Boss asked “do you hear that?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was not out of line demanding a little
specificity.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That was a dull thump, thumping. But, not one of the thumps
I could readily identify. It sounded like some weird kind of Morse code.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sounds like a woodpecker is on the barn” he said. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Come to think of it, that’s exactly what a woodpecker on the
barn would sound like! But, a woodpecker on the barn? Seriously?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not a woodpecker in sight.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Throughout the week, we would hear the strange thumping, but
never saw anything.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Until one day it flew into the lawnmower shed and I actually
photographed it. But, that raised another question. It didn’t look like any of
the woodpeckers I was familiar with.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aFrWXb6SGlznGWQyiycZg3Xo8sTUqLKcLqmT-C34GQNXgnq-TASCySR8cpYVXZ0EBl5JZSnOi-waFyhbjlMqQQIzc_ORjFKNBkNWXbHOETFazCDIky7uFy4o8v2U5VRm-F2aOqzJ7bw/s1600/1+hairy+woodpecker+7+25+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aFrWXb6SGlznGWQyiycZg3Xo8sTUqLKcLqmT-C34GQNXgnq-TASCySR8cpYVXZ0EBl5JZSnOi-waFyhbjlMqQQIzc_ORjFKNBkNWXbHOETFazCDIky7uFy4o8v2U5VRm-F2aOqzJ7bw/s400/1+hairy+woodpecker+7+25+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hairy Woodpecker<br />
looks a lot like a Downy Woodpecker, only bigger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And, I was off on a crash-course of woodpeckers. I had no
idea we had so many different kinds here on the hill.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Leading me to my next point…”quiet life in the country” does
not mean there is nothing to do, that it’s all about front-porch sittin’ and
taking it easy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPCSJCW-cXyJfj2duKxqv1rav_2TOjpnA2yIiHEJzXNepDQWM2-HPjDf0kyok2o2C2csvJSjINpM8-t6PZJJRZkN6Iy6ZK5bpmavhaUpOnMhCzkqtzZBAq6RmF1e7ulLTbYlBZv11720/s1600/somebodys+watching+doe+7+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPCSJCW-cXyJfj2duKxqv1rav_2TOjpnA2yIiHEJzXNepDQWM2-HPjDf0kyok2o2C2csvJSjINpM8-t6PZJJRZkN6Iy6ZK5bpmavhaUpOnMhCzkqtzZBAq6RmF1e7ulLTbYlBZv11720/s400/somebodys+watching+doe+7+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">you never know who you might meet at sunrise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wyhmkfbtDrGYz2TzoYX-A9XLJ_uOMVm4YwA5R_fIDBkI8AM2iNpz2Qm3lXq5wE-JcH2vA7Cl9BiBeB0WohZXF9GwwQsWzisujgG3GksJhf8WA4_e9wxy2AqjvFfd2aI7AYggiPIG6Pk/s1600/doe+7+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wyhmkfbtDrGYz2TzoYX-A9XLJ_uOMVm4YwA5R_fIDBkI8AM2iNpz2Qm3lXq5wE-JcH2vA7Cl9BiBeB0WohZXF9GwwQsWzisujgG3GksJhf8WA4_e9wxy2AqjvFfd2aI7AYggiPIG6Pk/s400/doe+7+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the early morning light made this doe's ears look bright pink</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s a long way from the truth, too. Although, I will
admit to spending more than my fair share of time sitting (sidelined by chronic
pain/exhaustion) and spending valuable work time photographing and researching
the odd and random. But, oh! the things I have learned.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But this in some ways this is still a going venture…a
working farm after a fashion. So, there is always something that needs our attention. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the past week, we’ve worked the lambs, hauled lambs,
picked up those same lambs (as meat), sold lambs (again, as meat) and next week
that cycle will begin again. Tomorrow, if all goes according to plan, we will
start the process of making new lambs. Well, okay, OTIS will be taking care of
that for us. (much to his great pleasure, I am certain)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtMTy9yPSVLzhkOEErI0CsDUJMYdUacc0l2_9pRsbArbYVtO9ax4KJgq784ZMnjBXQeZrlt1rbeix9ZIqRFF-vfewOwg76BNWoIMo3NHcZAhmSX5hq63a5KYGSo88dsKH3EUsykeLqXo/s1600/otis+7+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtMTy9yPSVLzhkOEErI0CsDUJMYdUacc0l2_9pRsbArbYVtO9ax4KJgq784ZMnjBXQeZrlt1rbeix9ZIqRFF-vfewOwg76BNWoIMo3NHcZAhmSX5hq63a5KYGSo88dsKH3EUsykeLqXo/s400/otis+7+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is Otis...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And, the garden…</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jEAECS1_hy8IS8ckXXQEa7oXz6-CsY0fvodAlS84FgFFcN03gkM27P3CEw2HhU5gvLiUrbbsUm3lgyhN-IKyugC1zdQb0Layqd7NjmygIgQKCv3puwjYjws26jZKxHn_V-dB2qDbntg/s1600/working+in+the+garden+7+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jEAECS1_hy8IS8ckXXQEa7oXz6-CsY0fvodAlS84FgFFcN03gkM27P3CEw2HhU5gvLiUrbbsUm3lgyhN-IKyugC1zdQb0Layqd7NjmygIgQKCv3puwjYjws26jZKxHn_V-dB2qDbntg/s400/working+in+the+garden+7+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">working in the garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl317wRIXVkvuImKm6LRjELEQzd2Mdv_gFxmxoRtWvs3yCv2BvNUsDzZFkGbSo1RJgRwMu0zNiTr2BIFFudfIFPbmTYXtlQBmfpSGIp8VK61DmSZq4wSF4-VWUOFy-ySSrKTKjG1dEZLE/s1600/red+pontiac+potatoes+7+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl317wRIXVkvuImKm6LRjELEQzd2Mdv_gFxmxoRtWvs3yCv2BvNUsDzZFkGbSo1RJgRwMu0zNiTr2BIFFudfIFPbmTYXtlQBmfpSGIp8VK61DmSZq4wSF4-VWUOFy-ySSrKTKjG1dEZLE/s400/red+pontiac+potatoes+7+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">red pontiac potatoes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh my!<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAgg2J-QEieFUBiL-FYTbdRmu1tLcarVpPk41mluPp-kzU2sJJ_cOtpTjZxtd6W8EDarQuGHli-rplby3kuQKIhHvM_Le7sTkxi_jyo8tcun_xD4plKhmx1-qi2Z0VssRo29BoU9mFok/s1600/corn+pollen+7+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAgg2J-QEieFUBiL-FYTbdRmu1tLcarVpPk41mluPp-kzU2sJJ_cOtpTjZxtd6W8EDarQuGHli-rplby3kuQKIhHvM_Le7sTkxi_jyo8tcun_xD4plKhmx1-qi2Z0VssRo29BoU9mFok/s400/corn+pollen+7+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">corn pollen means fresh corn-on-the-cob is right around the corner!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we stepped back from Market production and attempted to down-size,
we knew there was a very real possibility that we would still grow far more
than two old people could eat. But, we like growing food. We’re good at growing
food. So, we planned specifically to have some to share, knowing that the Mission
or church ministries could always use the extras. We feel strongly about giving
back and helping others and have done so for years. Although, I’ve always
thought it was rude to tell of one’s attempts at philanthropy…it seems rather
crass and self-serving.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfeQ2DeU-sQlaWmfrxfC4vzLDikRvvhD3tw17E9XHlBa8aRafYklHmDxG53XxEhvrNU3Pyw0Jg_41Lqj5oRa5cexcC0oTkizqxj0UOT-PbJ_fyEtlJG3VzK-0U8cRaa5tqAENYW5WVEA/s1600/baby+lettuce+early+morning+7+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfeQ2DeU-sQlaWmfrxfC4vzLDikRvvhD3tw17E9XHlBa8aRafYklHmDxG53XxEhvrNU3Pyw0Jg_41Lqj5oRa5cexcC0oTkizqxj0UOT-PbJ_fyEtlJG3VzK-0U8cRaa5tqAENYW5WVEA/s400/baby+lettuce+early+morning+7+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lettuce transplants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYy7o0kxqGu05FvlbtrpWwT1HzSHuE2czR8FYuc-RTN_SCPJCDree55TSpPvMfz5wFV92bhI6lVBB6sXeghK3JqV9-iDEL7o05J3gZ1xjc1U52ta05rqblA5KuXnwXlLRlqHeHEDwb4w/s1400/hoophouse+in+the+early+morning+7+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYy7o0kxqGu05FvlbtrpWwT1HzSHuE2czR8FYuc-RTN_SCPJCDree55TSpPvMfz5wFV92bhI6lVBB6sXeghK3JqV9-iDEL7o05J3gZ1xjc1U52ta05rqblA5KuXnwXlLRlqHeHEDwb4w/s400/hoophouse+in+the+early+morning+7+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hoophouse in the early morning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The pandemic changed everything. When in doubt…grow food…I
guess that’s our motto. Instead of really down-sizing, we added onions, sweet
potatoes, more, more…more. I do not know
why that response is so deeply ingrained in us. Sometimes I think we’re like
squirrels hoarding food for winter. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, again…we were planning on sharing, so lots
of food would be okay. Although, I am truly disheartened to learn the pandemic
didn’t necessarily bring out the best of folks. As the situation has worsened,
contributions have diminished, some ministries have been shuttered and there is
a lack of care and concern for the safety and well-being of others that is
horrifying. And, here’s the thing…true human need is only going to get more
pronounced in the coming months. In the US, our government (particularly our
president and his administration) has failed us all miserably and is bent on pursuing and
promoting themselves and their agenda through racism and misogyny…otherwise
known as hatred. Pure, cold hatred has become part and parcel of our world, no
one seems to take any measure to cloak it in any way anymore. They just don’t
care…they don’t give a damn about those in need… These are truly disturbing
times.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And, things are about to get real bad…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, you didn’t come here to hear me opine on the mess of
the world today. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So…onward…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The garden is definitely keeping us engaged, busy and finding creative ways to deal with the abundance.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7wqNbczN0hnXWhwgzU6EXJXSwVQhsESHA3Sx9h1skY8y-zj5LdQtJ-czWlfJyjCowVsFbXqF2W73iATt0d0xNkhq0gZuY4JjpPl4XPf_BZm46TELD9oZonMznRuCkWxreBCvKzXXdwE/s1600/onion+relish+7+31+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7wqNbczN0hnXWhwgzU6EXJXSwVQhsESHA3Sx9h1skY8y-zj5LdQtJ-czWlfJyjCowVsFbXqF2W73iATt0d0xNkhq0gZuY4JjpPl4XPf_BZm46TELD9oZonMznRuCkWxreBCvKzXXdwE/s400/onion+relish+7+31+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">onion relish<br />
this got me thinking about hotdogs and potato salad<br />
and off on another research project<br />
WHAT did I do with that LAMB hotdog recipe?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mH6zYT9pmGM0a4C10AZr8hQq3ODWLZpxW059ffBiK-65jXDotfcElg8B2EnudXUZnOsJ58qhWY-f9dZI0dp9wAbIX8zl9oGFRsShCIyyVBmfGIsVl1a3Flicsy7INJkKrd64U8jFOsc/s1600/the+great+onion+harvest+of+2020+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mH6zYT9pmGM0a4C10AZr8hQq3ODWLZpxW059ffBiK-65jXDotfcElg8B2EnudXUZnOsJ58qhWY-f9dZI0dp9wAbIX8zl9oGFRsShCIyyVBmfGIsVl1a3Flicsy7INJkKrd64U8jFOsc/s400/the+great+onion+harvest+of+2020+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the onion harvest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzhkNiPYWIoffqa4pKjR0o-diZYIMXBzp_ItHx23ZLXhdjLILoau4oe-1c2Wsqp2AHA3rlNW-5SAcX9Whh6DMooT1e-axEjNJDAB-MIB1MJ9WcWX3iENHNBxhEnJk7nxEPAnCJYq_GBI/s1600/drying+onions+7+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1398" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzhkNiPYWIoffqa4pKjR0o-diZYIMXBzp_ItHx23ZLXhdjLILoau4oe-1c2Wsqp2AHA3rlNW-5SAcX9Whh6DMooT1e-axEjNJDAB-MIB1MJ9WcWX3iENHNBxhEnJk7nxEPAnCJYq_GBI/s400/drying+onions+7+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">putting the onions out to dry before storage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKPkIeTiXeAcd7Z5qegVEuomGMxq6JbPIIOEp1v6TEq_q1rGTJNOxk72DM0fVl5ei9LuTd79VdSjVHCiyrfm3y_yuOxPCnFpZUEfmppMDRet1YTfGxdo4EbmOiap4LMfzxP5ECuFjx2g/s1600/beetles+on+peach+7+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKPkIeTiXeAcd7Z5qegVEuomGMxq6JbPIIOEp1v6TEq_q1rGTJNOxk72DM0fVl5ei9LuTd79VdSjVHCiyrfm3y_yuOxPCnFpZUEfmppMDRet1YTfGxdo4EbmOiap4LMfzxP5ECuFjx2g/s400/beetles+on+peach+7+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't hold out much hope for the peaches<br />
first we had a late frost<br />
then the fig beetles arrived</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYc3GgqvQB-lOTN4H2C_fvfQxnuqNlBH4zq1w7DaMZn5WUnLTtUVFhTa8hRxogJbPYG0x2tMCVrX-EJP4FWPHPsxdliVOrjoljmJu3IJhfYpI0vNKFRhact_k7rSoWevkYgGg46FXmJF8/s1600/peach+jam+7+25+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYc3GgqvQB-lOTN4H2C_fvfQxnuqNlBH4zq1w7DaMZn5WUnLTtUVFhTa8hRxogJbPYG0x2tMCVrX-EJP4FWPHPsxdliVOrjoljmJu3IJhfYpI0vNKFRhact_k7rSoWevkYgGg46FXmJF8/s400/peach+jam+7+25+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">but, again abundance!<br />
canned peaches, frozen peaches...<br />
we had enough for pie and crumble and even<br />
<b>peach preserves</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjHXViH6ht71KXCoSjDs23RsbtR2CkRVdpKkbtt2CYqGAn_hKyogk4aKwDsJlUboD3I5bGlQ8_We2yZr4suuFiDNGdcXVkD2HhCZWRGBdFYoY4czDvEVSwoK81cwk7rNeb5UC4Ouo6A8/s1600/peach+upside+down+cake+8+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1103" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjHXViH6ht71KXCoSjDs23RsbtR2CkRVdpKkbtt2CYqGAn_hKyogk4aKwDsJlUboD3I5bGlQ8_We2yZr4suuFiDNGdcXVkD2HhCZWRGBdFYoY4czDvEVSwoK81cwk7rNeb5UC4Ouo6A8/s400/peach+upside+down+cake+8+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the last of the peaches turned into an upside-down cake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdUMm4PQHMuN0qxmkeIDalrHHJiRMeGccBST_mZ9JG-JUFiviw58Gp_7vBQnY7rvbl0rZog2aWuEHJydaaP7ZbuEGVRy_6dzfmjHXFb_bKXJxYsy3adm4hwzBpVH0ueSrCq_xW79lvtE/s1600/peaches+in+jars+7+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdUMm4PQHMuN0qxmkeIDalrHHJiRMeGccBST_mZ9JG-JUFiviw58Gp_7vBQnY7rvbl0rZog2aWuEHJydaaP7ZbuEGVRy_6dzfmjHXFb_bKXJxYsy3adm4hwzBpVH0ueSrCq_xW79lvtE/s400/peaches+in+jars+7+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am so happy every time I look at all the little jars of peaches<br />
(there are a lot more)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ve not only picked veggies, we canne<o:p></o:p>d, frozen, pickled
and dried some, too. And yet there are still buckets and bags and piles of
excess on nearly every flat surface, in the cooler and on the kitchen table. There
is no denying it, 2020 for all its weirdness and stress is a great year for
garden abundance! Looks like a donation trip is in order again. (and, again, I
wonder if I should even share that fact)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In my last post, I mentioned the plague of potato beetles…<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLHAPmRkaaKeazPfzi9_s1BPKa7Nh_eBVSAUrovni_s6jDxSG5MMf5ps6BEIwQRvRjIr4isOc-PutDSYhY-5kPJBuRi5lylLD-JV9CqBZgwDRbWpTWyHLwu0y0G7B3aRd23NXbuhPr3fk/s1600/potato+tomato+beetles+7+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLHAPmRkaaKeazPfzi9_s1BPKa7Nh_eBVSAUrovni_s6jDxSG5MMf5ps6BEIwQRvRjIr4isOc-PutDSYhY-5kPJBuRi5lylLD-JV9CqBZgwDRbWpTWyHLwu0y0G7B3aRd23NXbuhPr3fk/s400/potato+tomato+beetles+7+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it wasn't enough that they ate the potatoes...<br />
they moved into the tomato patch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Honestly, it was like the biblical hordes of locust. They
were everywhere, leaving a trail of eaten destruction behind them. After 3
different attempts at potato beetle eradication that even included an emergency
Sunday trip to Lowe’s, we got the bugs under control. Sort of. But, the plants
were stunted from the attack. Of course that meant that the weeds took over and
we had to set out on a priority weeding venture. Whew! What a mess! Then the
warm weather and the near daily rains meant that the weeds rejuvenated and
somehow the bugs revived…this is no longer fun or funny. But, finally, after a
little more bug eradication, some tilling and hilling, those fall ‘taters are
looking pretty good. I don’t think we’ve ever put so much effort into a late
crop of potatoes. Or, perhaps any crop. These will provide our seedstock for
next year as well as food for those in need. At this point, I certainly hope it
was worth the effort!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzkr8TSqhrdP7dTRpLwpt6VBvM2h97ZYijVOx1A7lBp3x_dcUteq1e9lQY6u3A_Cn-9T9j-Y4XmMBCcHTkZIpKxG_K_xnHN-nAiOIqTvOUG9R_3fuysfM8jwQDors3LQOp85d3NGV3mw/s1600/potatoes+after+the+rain+7+31+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzkr8TSqhrdP7dTRpLwpt6VBvM2h97ZYijVOx1A7lBp3x_dcUteq1e9lQY6u3A_Cn-9T9j-Y4XmMBCcHTkZIpKxG_K_xnHN-nAiOIqTvOUG9R_3fuysfM8jwQDors3LQOp85d3NGV3mw/s400/potatoes+after+the+rain+7+31+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">after the rains</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then, as we were headed out the other day, the Boss was just
sitting there looking rather bewildered when I climbed back in the truck after
latching the gate. “Hey, what’s that in the tree? See that caterpillar?” We had
noticed leaf damage but blamed it on the marauding deer. Because, the deer eat
EVERYTHING. But, this was different…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh. My. God.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hLxErV_N-a1eJeaabLu7MOt4uwoxiORKfoWhJSAcKmdTxE7a9vj-ms-qdG_PNI1teze4KEk9Ew4KOc4V1qwGTZ8fRIq4NOFvo4z_z-IjQ-x0PBLyIqGeyje18ZZbf5ZI_u5ck_zz3Z8/s1600/catalpa+caterpillar+damage+7+30+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hLxErV_N-a1eJeaabLu7MOt4uwoxiORKfoWhJSAcKmdTxE7a9vj-ms-qdG_PNI1teze4KEk9Ew4KOc4V1qwGTZ8fRIq4NOFvo4z_z-IjQ-x0PBLyIqGeyje18ZZbf5ZI_u5ck_zz3Z8/s400/catalpa+caterpillar+damage+7+30+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">catalpa leaf damage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWb4qxVZGhMVXXqmbTVMiXjtzwFkPL4jpmvGKzq2QU7SWTO2Urdo8EadUB_t84kZGKYfqPOijwubxE2De_CiEID9lF_933BqPuZorNJ3Uvysku8PHhxv9JUsSBO3XwLyF2vVkW4RUpf7g/s1600/catalpa+sphinx+caterpillar+7+30+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWb4qxVZGhMVXXqmbTVMiXjtzwFkPL4jpmvGKzq2QU7SWTO2Urdo8EadUB_t84kZGKYfqPOijwubxE2De_CiEID9lF_933BqPuZorNJ3Uvysku8PHhxv9JUsSBO3XwLyF2vVkW4RUpf7g/s400/catalpa+sphinx+caterpillar+7+30+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the culprit<br />
Catalpa Sphinx moth caterpillar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
There wasn’t just one caterpillar, there were hundreds! (no
exaggeration at all) We had no idea what they were, so, off to investigate once
more. (gotta remember…this is keeping our brains sharp)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Catalpa Sphinx</i></b>. Did you know there is a moth
whose “babies” feed solely on the catalpa tree? Since the moth is nocturnal, few
people are aware of it. We certainly were not. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, I realize the catalpa tree is not going to provide sustenance
for anyone (except the caterpillars). But, I raised that tree from a seed and
feel rather protective of it. Plus, it looks pretty up there at the top of the
lane. And, in this weird time of loss and uncertainty, keeping something,
anything, the same has become increasingly important.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So. New project. Save the catalpa tree from the marauding caterpillars.
But, the constant threat of thunderstorms may keep the spray from having any effect.
And, the zucchini need picking, the okra should be weeded and something has
been tunneling in the hoophouse…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good lord. It’s always something.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just as we were starting to work on some of those things, I
heard another unidentified sound.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ding…ding…ding…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nope. Not the icecream truck or the Avon lady (oh, wait,
that would be ding-dong).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was the
woodpecker again. This time, he was pecking at little bugs on the underside of
the metal barn roof!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So much for a quiet life in the country!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHDrfXWVlb2MXy6yWDgKWp_XkULfAJHOTfz7WF7eQDnTGFAV57YFtdkFfBvktbjEkuwi9hiU_pnCLw-m4BNBWLx00DeRlstWtegnT2EJcR2Jt4WMe4QtM6gygbseN5r0pmd-ZyII0ROs/s1600/woodpecker+on+barn+7+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHDrfXWVlb2MXy6yWDgKWp_XkULfAJHOTfz7WF7eQDnTGFAV57YFtdkFfBvktbjEkuwi9hiU_pnCLw-m4BNBWLx00DeRlstWtegnT2EJcR2Jt4WMe4QtM6gygbseN5r0pmd-ZyII0ROs/s400/woodpecker+on+barn+7+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">he's back!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If only we could get him to eat the catalpa sphinx
caterpillars!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And, that’s how it’s been going around here. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That was supposed to be the end of this post…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenfhc1Y_5R1QpNuAuW4jkwUBORPR0EZq89Yqh5J6AFbz2HQtlm49deGjmnPooDtTL19wkxOdJynhfXCc5kLYSN2xJHv_E3c61AAUqPfUTt8zHL4yfoqgLWK2ViNcEFK_y_vCBlHi9VEo/s1600/common+wood+nymph+1+7+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenfhc1Y_5R1QpNuAuW4jkwUBORPR0EZq89Yqh5J6AFbz2HQtlm49deGjmnPooDtTL19wkxOdJynhfXCc5kLYSN2xJHv_E3c61AAUqPfUTt8zHL4yfoqgLWK2ViNcEFK_y_vCBlHi9VEo/s400/common+wood+nymph+1+7+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">common wood-nymph butterfly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
It is far too easy to get all caught up in our funny little life on our funny
little farm. We quickly get caught up in our own cares and concerns. A natural reaction to the pandemic is to become far more insular and isolated, narrowing our focus considerably. But, real people are facing real crises in the world, and we
shouldn’t get so distracted that we fail to see the issues and find some way to
help. And, the pain and suffering and issues of the world have weighed heavily
on my heart and mind of late.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The late John Lewis made it his life's work to make the world a better, more equitable place. And, he did it with love and peace not hatred and violence. Last time I left you with one of his better known quotes. This time, I'll leave you with the last piece he ever wrote, posted in the New York Times the day of his funeral. You can read it <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/30/opinion/john-lewis-civil-rights-america.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage&fbclid=IwAR262WAnF2RltAs0oEECxN6QhnhY1QyzUPbVue9C7b86eRHinC7LqWCiPQ0">HERE</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or, you can listen to Morgan Freeman read John Lewis’ words
here. (have some tissues handy)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/morgan-freeman-reads-rep-john-lewis-last-words-89332293780?fbclid=IwAR33mVUcpKr7Tb5UQ6IWCRwem1Q9MQDItUnN6MBKiv2qkcYgKYzOTwV97Kg">https://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/morgan-freeman-reads-rep-john-lewis-last-words-89332293780?fbclid=IwAR33mVUcpKr7Tb5UQ6IWCRwem1Q9MQDItUnN6MBKiv2qkcYgKYzOTwV97Kg</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p>Here is the part that spoke to me:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="css-158dogj" style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Though I
may not be here with you, <b>I urge you to answer the highest calling of your
heart and stand up for what you truly believe</b>. In my life I have done all I
can to demonstrate that the way of peace, the way of love and nonviolence is
the more excellent way. Now it is your turn to let freedom ring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="css-158dogj" style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="css-158dogj" style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">When
historians pick up their pens to write the story of the 21st century, let them
say that it was your generation who laid down the heavy burdens of hate at last
and that peace finally triumphed over violence, aggression and war. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="css-158dogj" style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="css-158dogj" style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">So I say to
you, walk with the wind, brothers and sisters, and let the spirit of peace and
the power of everlasting love be your guide.</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">” </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">-John Lewis</span></div>
<div class="css-158dogj" style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwt6l1xuGKeR6Z6yxqFzioSSfA4aKsf-6ty2dEGg3L8IyU-hLzWqTjp0reDVo5ShgbpFMzzbCavXS27UOlsIs2-TfsSXCoF7m5ivIcNc65QeLmqBmduKZ-H5oUEsxgSz-vtdaJq7EvRQ/s1400/sunrise+spiderweb+8+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwt6l1xuGKeR6Z6yxqFzioSSfA4aKsf-6ty2dEGg3L8IyU-hLzWqTjp0reDVo5ShgbpFMzzbCavXS27UOlsIs2-TfsSXCoF7m5ivIcNc65QeLmqBmduKZ-H5oUEsxgSz-vtdaJq7EvRQ/s640/sunrise+spiderweb+8+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dewy spiderweb at sunrise</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m still trying to find the “highest calling of my heart” and figure out how to “stand up for what I truly believe”…but, thanks for reading and taking part in this journey with me.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;">Have a </span><b><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting"; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 34.24px;">Happy Sunday! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting"; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 34.24px;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11pt;">I hope you’ll come back and “visit” again soon.</span></div>
Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03599739740886087571noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819048519590916875.post-6433002416331491792020-07-19T08:04:00.001-04:002020-07-19T08:04:41.258-04:00Sunday Walkabout 7-12-2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2MbpI4Ab_aI_SgNcKP3UVbdjfmHyUTlZ6IKZ423NyjkONAaLvSsMqGC1OMJyfwt7P40nBRHbNx3Ls7QuAdcoE_HuTkRUqVCoAhm2sUQpkjDNhOPXQfhJJtIkbtlYT7fSNgltaQlinH8/s1600/sunflower+4th+july+7+4++%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1326" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2MbpI4Ab_aI_SgNcKP3UVbdjfmHyUTlZ6IKZ423NyjkONAaLvSsMqGC1OMJyfwt7P40nBRHbNx3Ls7QuAdcoE_HuTkRUqVCoAhm2sUQpkjDNhOPXQfhJJtIkbtlYT7fSNgltaQlinH8/s640/sunflower+4th+july+7+4++%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I know, I know…the date is wrong.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I got waylaid, side-tracked and distracted.<o:p></o:p></div>
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You know. Pretty much the story of my life.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After I missed the deadline for a “Sunday Walk-about” last week, I
fully intended to post this to mark our twenty-third anniversary of living here
on the hill. Our “farm-iversary” I guess you’d call it. (that was Tuesday the 14th) I get a little
nostalgic this time of year when I look around and see all the changes that
have taken place since that final inspection was completed, the final check signed so we could spend the first night in our new home on the hill and continue the
adventure of a lifetime. (a short-ish version of the story is here) <a href="https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2017/07/to-be-continued.html">https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2017/07/to-be-continued.html</a>
<u><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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Even a cursory glance from the top of the drive reveals the
transformation. However, the more significant changes are often subtle and
overlooked. The struggle to grow and thrive doesn’t leave a mark upon the
landscape like other things might, say building and gardening. But, over
the years, we re-built our lives, developed a business, watched our children
grow up and fly the nest, we welcomed sons-in-law and later grandsons, faced
life and death situations, frightening diagnoses, major surgeries…all the while
raising food and animals and selling at the Market. It has been a busy and
productive life and we hope to keep it going for a while longer albeit at a
slower pace…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQaRCpJRWWgkOfChod7WJvSGrKWkugSiRKnZpyVRy1VkRjojY-5Kq2xv9B5tMdnrV9Cw1xIW4x6sLqpZQR87ovV4ztn1toCtK3kZZKh6ZSiS6kG-7my9RNgSFbipwSPm3Hjf4UdsiVHzU/s1600/ewes+on+a+summer+day+7+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQaRCpJRWWgkOfChod7WJvSGrKWkugSiRKnZpyVRy1VkRjojY-5Kq2xv9B5tMdnrV9Cw1xIW4x6sLqpZQR87ovV4ztn1toCtK3kZZKh6ZSiS6kG-7my9RNgSFbipwSPm3Hjf4UdsiVHzU/s400/ewes+on+a+summer+day+7+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ewes on a summer day</td></tr>
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I was very nearly finished with that post when I realized
the beans needed canning, the cucumbers needed pickling…and oh, dear god…I
forgot to water in the hoophouse! There would surely be another dozen or so
things calling for my attention as I hurried out to grab the hose in order to
avert certain disaster.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdz6A7sSp_MhGJIIM7v008vJvEF_Zb9uKhfhh4Ir92U_xY7Lqt41N0YD0t_3LYUyqlQesB-z36S8Nab7F9dDb7sbaSbwgiXWibQe-rHG1Iw2KL7wLGgiDTyTRzewKnGZRMGaykYXr2oU/s1600/potato+beetle+nymphs+7+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdz6A7sSp_MhGJIIM7v008vJvEF_Zb9uKhfhh4Ir92U_xY7Lqt41N0YD0t_3LYUyqlQesB-z36S8Nab7F9dDb7sbaSbwgiXWibQe-rHG1Iw2KL7wLGgiDTyTRzewKnGZRMGaykYXr2oU/s400/potato+beetle+nymphs+7+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the potato beetles are UNBELIEVABLE this year!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKeOSaNhETNAJrY0VwjB2uq0jP7SpcX6t597j6zYhHFZ3q1jI9k89Bq0iNycrYBch9VWQZfpaZfPBRVDufY-Tze_1tDezzMOElAjs9ihLdByZzVDoeq4Ff6LXCnoauxlOiIshzkldwGlo/s1600/devastating+potato+beetles+7+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKeOSaNhETNAJrY0VwjB2uq0jP7SpcX6t597j6zYhHFZ3q1jI9k89Bq0iNycrYBch9VWQZfpaZfPBRVDufY-Tze_1tDezzMOElAjs9ihLdByZzVDoeq4Ff6LXCnoauxlOiIshzkldwGlo/s400/devastating+potato+beetles+7+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">they are eating the plants before they come out of the ground!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5e1w7MeTRFFWy8QeHNRY8tknfgXD4oHuIDm8arBUmvm3RorvFXk-Ke8CSkLWYeapX4BfldxkGnN8zDpqMurnhHH5-hIX2U15gzN9XEET2fOZsyepHFtBjeEyokm_HuyKohbxniq4DPEo/s1600/potato+beetles+tomatoes+7+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5e1w7MeTRFFWy8QeHNRY8tknfgXD4oHuIDm8arBUmvm3RorvFXk-Ke8CSkLWYeapX4BfldxkGnN8zDpqMurnhHH5-hIX2U15gzN9XEET2fOZsyepHFtBjeEyokm_HuyKohbxniq4DPEo/s400/potato+beetles+tomatoes+7+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">they are even eating the tomato plants!<br />
(did you know potatoes and tomatoes are related?<br />
They are both in the nightshade family)</td></tr>
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It’s definitely “Life in the fast lane” in the summertime
around here.<o:p></o:p><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8fzdLynfS0dtDXjAKX5nUqT6kI1AhIwOlgDrZM1RPMb3onTmMgonsjbhO8uRVNFWcOdvxk4h-aJo-VoMfjyLD1et1gScPvE0h92yek6jduy32daxKRm2imUOujChIOEXDOciamUyFvI/s1600/view+from+the+interstate+7+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8fzdLynfS0dtDXjAKX5nUqT6kI1AhIwOlgDrZM1RPMb3onTmMgonsjbhO8uRVNFWcOdvxk4h-aJo-VoMfjyLD1et1gScPvE0h92yek6jduy32daxKRm2imUOujChIOEXDOciamUyFvI/s400/view+from+the+interstate+7+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a trip to process lambs takes us up the interstate<br />twice</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOg0_1H-SQy6okMYu0g1rU5YIU7myBL24z9MoXZZcI-FBQmo2B2udhZ_ZMh1DgE5-fBbqp_sW9NlXZTpElxAk1OmdHd9TnGtT0cEQmWlf205Bpxfrbe3D2o-OT2r0Katr3Zy-LN5Amago/s1600/edinburg+farm+7+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOg0_1H-SQy6okMYu0g1rU5YIU7myBL24z9MoXZZcI-FBQmo2B2udhZ_ZMh1DgE5-fBbqp_sW9NlXZTpElxAk1OmdHd9TnGtT0cEQmWlf205Bpxfrbe3D2o-OT2r0Katr3Zy-LN5Amago/s400/edinburg+farm+7+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...but, it always looks the same...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgaE97PQq_nQ1LMFtF2ZppJBsW6sA5tO_Tm3zouJpNv8Wi8xafCoHUQ3h56iIKMtM4AED_8oxn_QIsLnluRkaRKbX7tRyf1M-nM9e6U97RqKG8M5XsmJTyB77rzcMaP1V5qSpOD7CZoY/s1600/hay+2020+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="788" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgaE97PQq_nQ1LMFtF2ZppJBsW6sA5tO_Tm3zouJpNv8Wi8xafCoHUQ3h56iIKMtM4AED_8oxn_QIsLnluRkaRKbX7tRyf1M-nM9e6U97RqKG8M5XsmJTyB77rzcMaP1V5qSpOD7CZoY/s400/hay+2020+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hay 2020<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FdlcjACCt6O67ehAmvyVTEtAV1Nha5saWKRg7vGhyv6_VV3jSkMiL4c7KW5DAcrx5bB7pcNJeJshVchvGJbw4vfQsc9RkoUkPPH55WZuFSMz2RP5KKBt8JYLHaZIemsGYBfGxPI4kI0/s1600/tom+and+karma+hay+2020+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="788" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FdlcjACCt6O67ehAmvyVTEtAV1Nha5saWKRg7vGhyv6_VV3jSkMiL4c7KW5DAcrx5bB7pcNJeJshVchvGJbw4vfQsc9RkoUkPPH55WZuFSMz2RP5KKBt8JYLHaZIemsGYBfGxPI4kI0/s400/tom+and+karma+hay+2020+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karma working hard<br />stacking hay<br />(could you BE any more in the way?)<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LjZ-i35xijWsG90LF7DnZu6F4BuTQG1vWyfbhVZoR31jLY1duOQotQTF2aq0xgugn8mBHujY3uOUjOuqyPNoxqpyoCAQbSF09EYKaIJsqz1vjaAwsM3hj2TX5WR5V93HuZ46jaSaEPI/s1600/the+last+bale+7+9+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="788" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LjZ-i35xijWsG90LF7DnZu6F4BuTQG1vWyfbhVZoR31jLY1duOQotQTF2aq0xgugn8mBHujY3uOUjOuqyPNoxqpyoCAQbSF09EYKaIJsqz1vjaAwsM3hj2TX5WR5V93HuZ46jaSaEPI/s400/the+last+bale+7+9+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WE DID IT!<br />always glad to get to the bottom of the haywagon</td></tr>
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But, I’m pretty sure Don Henley and Glenn Frey of the Eagles
didn’t have farming or gardening in mind when they wrote about “everything…all the time”.
(and, yes, I know I used this theme at least once before…<a href="https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2012/06/life-in-fast-lane.html">https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2012/06/life-in-fast-lane.html</a>)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUPuGRpKyZyIQWZymcGXmCDwLPQMLe7xIB2IuCxOUo-Yr-1hhuxwUTcERBS6g3PLqyFVMr4Eq1-jRZvyRVvqMBI4T94oKeo5jaQ6NL6pZoBsJWKIAAUZxGQP6Hr1-IsmVFOJm74onznw/s1600/beets+7+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1403" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUPuGRpKyZyIQWZymcGXmCDwLPQMLe7xIB2IuCxOUo-Yr-1hhuxwUTcERBS6g3PLqyFVMr4Eq1-jRZvyRVvqMBI4T94oKeo5jaQ6NL6pZoBsJWKIAAUZxGQP6Hr1-IsmVFOJm74onznw/s400/beets+7+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">beets ready for harvest</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyL9kVhE041Q6VooxQJgJnS2FohGxB_Aj5UBMRKSXEw_bII-LurhOExkowFIqBNTObkPIDDU7flydtwmFLatMlF1RscgvnwnFlXs2Yb-sfvtV_bXlaCQZY2fX8U4N8v_sEY_WyJx-cwI/s1600/pickles+and+relish+7+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyL9kVhE041Q6VooxQJgJnS2FohGxB_Aj5UBMRKSXEw_bII-LurhOExkowFIqBNTObkPIDDU7flydtwmFLatMlF1RscgvnwnFlXs2Yb-sfvtV_bXlaCQZY2fX8U4N8v_sEY_WyJx-cwI/s400/pickles+and+relish+7+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pickles and relish</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAi_i4qKjo0XzMwCp2CSj8T2-tFEqNgZL_867KCtxjIYnnJx0IV-dlhn5AeYJmlytBej5DlrGx79Oj5aqo1hkMAYzmo_pwbxLsyTcLRtz-6rlmF8Y8XMwZyvT75s9OnZZCFQvH_P3BpnM/s1600/walla+walla+onions+7+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAi_i4qKjo0XzMwCp2CSj8T2-tFEqNgZL_867KCtxjIYnnJx0IV-dlhn5AeYJmlytBej5DlrGx79Oj5aqo1hkMAYzmo_pwbxLsyTcLRtz-6rlmF8Y8XMwZyvT75s9OnZZCFQvH_P3BpnM/s400/walla+walla+onions+7+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty Walla Walla onions</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVDFM-hTKh35MI8f3jhdeSH6BWupyOPEkqpLFDftEpAw96c31TZOg5OYrIhAcZdHw1RiZ6Iv-a8bz9sHvX0oa6MzvsXIPpeFdw7S5AHmyF2LfU5g2EcmWVC2nMzogNySb9o9OsE3Wfco/s1600/green+beans+7+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVDFM-hTKh35MI8f3jhdeSH6BWupyOPEkqpLFDftEpAw96c31TZOg5OYrIhAcZdHw1RiZ6Iv-a8bz9sHvX0oa6MzvsXIPpeFdw7S5AHmyF2LfU5g2EcmWVC2nMzogNySb9o9OsE3Wfco/s400/green+beans+7+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">green beans ready for canning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And, I won’t even get into how HOT it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, we are smack-dab in the middle of the
“dog days” of summer…so, it really should be expected. (if you’re wondering
about “dog days” read this <a href="https://www.almanac.com/content/what-are-dog-days-summer">https://www.almanac.com/content/what-are-dog-days-summer</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and it looks like I covered this subject before…<a href="https://www.almanac.com/content/what-are-dog-days-summer">https://www.almanac.com/content/what-are-dog-days-summer</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYP0QLmEH8Pw8h0SxfSDawJWHw6WPJgR_Vroq5SueIb0vsoWZOXc4xZn7-pwv-55eF64U9cf5mA67GdXEsd6HYHs4_RPcfP_2ooXopKKt1EiCJJ4Ar7HxPGmtzXuYelPfVv4Xx2TthZAg/s1600/gonna+be+a+hot+one+7+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYP0QLmEH8Pw8h0SxfSDawJWHw6WPJgR_Vroq5SueIb0vsoWZOXc4xZn7-pwv-55eF64U9cf5mA67GdXEsd6HYHs4_RPcfP_2ooXopKKt1EiCJJ4Ar7HxPGmtzXuYelPfVv4Xx2TthZAg/s400/gonna+be+a+hot+one+7+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looks like it's gonna be a hot one</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The strawberries in the hoophouse were finally ripening and I could almost taste a batch of jam.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TcVsPPeAffDHXYgMgdieS7cTHf7e98iNcv9gD_78hICb7gxEWXL8FIkTMI7z6Byfd2h-PO5Qe8N-RTfIQizknNWFgpyoN9q3ou3i4Xa2lzs8qIcrje7CUm0sX2q-Hb0lzWUoTsFCAxQ/s1600/first+strawberry+6+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TcVsPPeAffDHXYgMgdieS7cTHf7e98iNcv9gD_78hICb7gxEWXL8FIkTMI7z6Byfd2h-PO5Qe8N-RTfIQizknNWFgpyoN9q3ou3i4Xa2lzs8qIcrje7CUm0sX2q-Hb0lzWUoTsFCAxQ/s400/first+strawberry+6+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the first berry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Then...they started disappearing. I thought it was my imagination. I thought it was the Boss (a snack is not unheard of). Could it be birds? the cat? a groundhog? My questioning and obsessing about strawberries had me convinced that I had finally turned into some weird version of Captain Queeg. (surely you've seen the <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046816/">Caine Mutiny</a> ?)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3e0EdF9zCDGifJIEz5lw-g0UP31bL_uxK6jdBDtPNTBvXz1S9tx8x-iRvyKIHrLJP_jbrBL0E05uMcdAEqtR9cxqzaXYeLknfDeGIQ2Imc-je1O9ViAaKHpxKlwkiZMFCNzkixIV8qec/s1600/1+eaten+strawberry+7+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="1600" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3e0EdF9zCDGifJIEz5lw-g0UP31bL_uxK6jdBDtPNTBvXz1S9tx8x-iRvyKIHrLJP_jbrBL0E05uMcdAEqtR9cxqzaXYeLknfDeGIQ2Imc-je1O9ViAaKHpxKlwkiZMFCNzkixIV8qec/s400/1+eaten+strawberry+7+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is all that was left</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We tried bird netting, mousetraps...I finally caught a teeny, tiny mouse in a rat trap.<br />
<br />
But, we got jam!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-P3F_QA4I75qj5EfeYMBSGKI6O3dUvIeu2h-XUP2ixeZgeQt-X7wmDySxcuTwmRHgd3AYf8KGVBy3XRyhgMlUtuiNLVLeir2ja4JvaxwD9t_i9wns_agFfN0fYJswYmq_fhtJzSJ1gQ/s1600/strawberry+jam+close+7+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-P3F_QA4I75qj5EfeYMBSGKI6O3dUvIeu2h-XUP2ixeZgeQt-X7wmDySxcuTwmRHgd3AYf8KGVBy3XRyhgMlUtuiNLVLeir2ja4JvaxwD9t_i9wns_agFfN0fYJswYmq_fhtJzSJ1gQ/s400/strawberry+jam+close+7+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">strawberry freezer ham</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seriously, I can assure you that all the weird happenings can <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“surely make you lose your mind” fairly
frequently. (and I'll stop with the Eagles' lyrics now)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
…but, that’s exactly where I was going originally...mental health and stress…so, other
than taking the scenic route…here we are.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’re always talking about being so busy and stressed and
losing our minds like that is a good thing. But, stress can do a number on our
bodies <b>and</b> our minds. Not a good number, either. Personal experience speaking here, y'all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Any health professional will tell you that getting out in
nature is beneficial to your well-being, both physical and mental. Personally,
I think that the sheer amount of time spent outdoors that this life demands is
perhaps the main reason I can make any claims to being “well-adjusted”.
(although I use the term lightly) Life on the hill has been a challenge. It has
also brought moments of infinite beauty and extraordinary achievement. But,
throughout it all, we are surrounded by nature, that if nothing else gives us
something to focus on besides those things that are testing our wills and
trying our patience. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And, there certainly seems to be a lot of trying and testing
lately. Worrisome times indeed. It is easy to get caught up in the distressing news and even easier to give into despair.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Which, I suppose makes the whole getting out in nature deal
a whole lot more important right now. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can’t offer any solutions to any of the concerns of this
world. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I have no great ideas how to make anything better for anyone. Some days it's all I can do to keep going myself.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, I can give you a little “virtual” taste of the nature
that surrounds us. Here are a few of the things I saw this week/month...<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5hyzS1hTMYK7N5JyQexQ7GkKFplanEeWFmrDpiSx4Ikfm5xDgtpsrd278yMIhSf8k-5mDK7hVfAWReMXrqDfkG8xkizko-keiZxwbjUcuN9Ps9SYOOc3bC4SPfQQeDUKXU-_zlLR64g/s1600/1+sunflower+sunrise+7+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5hyzS1hTMYK7N5JyQexQ7GkKFplanEeWFmrDpiSx4Ikfm5xDgtpsrd278yMIhSf8k-5mDK7hVfAWReMXrqDfkG8xkizko-keiZxwbjUcuN9Ps9SYOOc3bC4SPfQQeDUKXU-_zlLR64g/s400/1+sunflower+sunrise+7+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the volunteer sunflower has provided a lot of photo ops</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXX7ryY-RMRczeYnMiHweCQSHpOqRm8bTD2QwDHXyqgZ7wWEuvJMNfdGF84iWVnzkEi_JqEIfSyCvCL-2rG3dse75Zzc34H6WO8fzeODXM3S2OX0fmvaVWOhKfLEsr-U5aXLXMkGmJjU/s1600/2+daylilies+7+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXX7ryY-RMRczeYnMiHweCQSHpOqRm8bTD2QwDHXyqgZ7wWEuvJMNfdGF84iWVnzkEi_JqEIfSyCvCL-2rG3dse75Zzc34H6WO8fzeODXM3S2OX0fmvaVWOhKfLEsr-U5aXLXMkGmJjU/s400/2+daylilies+7+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty daylilies by the barn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6IoZrOFAix_fTEWGGwq9RjtDbRhwjSqR7Wfsk7UYbwGDxZzlS9gyH7DS0XrpNz5UcZAIxZ7S4kizGbQ5UbjM2rGei3A_wKy_bQNFwnl21pJs8_Z7BUGGI9eN5li8S1c7aIV4m8QtAa8/s1600/baby+cucumber+7+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6IoZrOFAix_fTEWGGwq9RjtDbRhwjSqR7Wfsk7UYbwGDxZzlS9gyH7DS0XrpNz5UcZAIxZ7S4kizGbQ5UbjM2rGei3A_wKy_bQNFwnl21pJs8_Z7BUGGI9eN5li8S1c7aIV4m8QtAa8/s400/baby+cucumber+7+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">teeny, tiny cucumber</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRmE_G7BE8rTKGoBlZwIj3en2ELOV2ypwDgRS-lYNqZnpIq7gk0jBg7KryQolXNhoUu-0mea1DnlkzLE7YamqdTCOhR5dwEd91KgxOa5e09pBNN9llap22QygQPZjiOCfynuByN6jEwA/s1600/baby+praying+mantis+7+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRmE_G7BE8rTKGoBlZwIj3en2ELOV2ypwDgRS-lYNqZnpIq7gk0jBg7KryQolXNhoUu-0mea1DnlkzLE7YamqdTCOhR5dwEd91KgxOa5e09pBNN9llap22QygQPZjiOCfynuByN6jEwA/s400/baby+praying+mantis+7+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">teeny, tiny praying mantis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1V9OwQSTemGijqzvU8MmNn0SOkDxl6fRU-uQnDjAhbDMhtyzuzAn8U1oIcwzd0AnTSrmc4pUpFeRjMkyTns1WwjHE7PVLsxtCYVtscftGqxzV8HWjhrNBVxNTqIW-MXIOCRvmhFlSmaE/s1600/bumblebee+sunflower+7+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1V9OwQSTemGijqzvU8MmNn0SOkDxl6fRU-uQnDjAhbDMhtyzuzAn8U1oIcwzd0AnTSrmc4pUpFeRjMkyTns1WwjHE7PVLsxtCYVtscftGqxzV8HWjhrNBVxNTqIW-MXIOCRvmhFlSmaE/s400/bumblebee+sunflower+7+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this bumblebee enjoyed the sunflower, too</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYwWVaSiehGbkpvQrP1oT15ndn0uzAwPemPFzva_DF3Ro_dBNi6ieZdFdDTT2G5-sNbyhn9FmdVCTY24SlSW-isiMHkXuxCCU7BfCmxWFPrpGwfA7gKZ0Nk1dh-a3ybRgk0_uaVXGXNk/s1600/cherry+tomatoes+7+7++%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYwWVaSiehGbkpvQrP1oT15ndn0uzAwPemPFzva_DF3Ro_dBNi6ieZdFdDTT2G5-sNbyhn9FmdVCTY24SlSW-isiMHkXuxCCU7BfCmxWFPrpGwfA7gKZ0Nk1dh-a3ybRgk0_uaVXGXNk/s400/cherry+tomatoes+7+7++%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am anxiously awaiting the ripening of these little tomatoes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRZt1PZ76rQy75re1pHyxnM0S9K5wwY6xpoprFKOlimxo3oW0HTOynBalJ0BvkkgJRJ1dWaB4Feu9LWUxRquxOngr8S-YFKvnGswAxMjI9h2flGwI1ty5hGMheAtw28e9MA4lExozGlk/s1600/dewy+cucumber+leaf+7+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRZt1PZ76rQy75re1pHyxnM0S9K5wwY6xpoprFKOlimxo3oW0HTOynBalJ0BvkkgJRJ1dWaB4Feu9LWUxRquxOngr8S-YFKvnGswAxMjI9h2flGwI1ty5hGMheAtw28e9MA4lExozGlk/s400/dewy+cucumber+leaf+7+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dewy baby cucumber leaf</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEb14iOEj-ZGGMLoDMZX6M4aiFoMuMHkTlHLyV0L2IJcRJUI0aH6oI7F-R6TVcYwlWHEmagQbKpdur28IODNj378i7vtOuMdyl6bCzbI4us87qWuwVGfKgDFlbWrtjpRYANSzBrcUuRU/s1600/cucumber+leaf+7+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEb14iOEj-ZGGMLoDMZX6M4aiFoMuMHkTlHLyV0L2IJcRJUI0aH6oI7F-R6TVcYwlWHEmagQbKpdur28IODNj378i7vtOuMdyl6bCzbI4us87qWuwVGfKgDFlbWrtjpRYANSzBrcUuRU/s400/cucumber+leaf+7+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">back-lit cucumber leaf</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2q2Tki62zkqBBcdURnDWwyX2xEUNCpik0bxPNRk5P2UsBW1ZNhCVcx1jKiHUSNq9rZUc-wuGuU5wtRls4kgVycV9utkPWXl8XriOa9KoUcPpTveEGApUo0uwMGgHDS99haR_vzjqWoiU/s1600/cukes+coming+7+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2q2Tki62zkqBBcdURnDWwyX2xEUNCpik0bxPNRk5P2UsBW1ZNhCVcx1jKiHUSNq9rZUc-wuGuU5wtRls4kgVycV9utkPWXl8XriOa9KoUcPpTveEGApUo0uwMGgHDS99haR_vzjqWoiU/s400/cukes+coming+7+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and just like that...it's a big cucumber!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdt4XyUWMqLbHEQ-u6_gJKr2iXpSBiiQf_q1MXQXlK2KayZjzK8-iYBwonJamicNNx7wcr7cUmTy7gMhtUhLw0-6tyN_Z1jtDzIz3Ri5uEM5cY15Rj1aJGpT284xlrjYY9mw_96O-TDfI/s1600/morning+ruckus+7+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdt4XyUWMqLbHEQ-u6_gJKr2iXpSBiiQf_q1MXQXlK2KayZjzK8-iYBwonJamicNNx7wcr7cUmTy7gMhtUhLw0-6tyN_Z1jtDzIz3Ri5uEM5cY15Rj1aJGpT284xlrjYY9mw_96O-TDfI/s400/morning+ruckus+7+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it seemed like a peaceful morning<br />so, I didn't understand the ruckus...<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KXogaSNeJQo8q7pS01opVLpmRfl8IzZM9MY-5R8iieAFGfHE5oGCmTYu3bAQF1YUEyhzj0KqmpZwhjnRVVicQGVvqY3J4kc3Pfqy8ZqW0eEbkty4FBVoj0U5cAI1cz0-KDe0ue4E7_Y/s1600/doe+in+the+orchard+7+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KXogaSNeJQo8q7pS01opVLpmRfl8IzZM9MY-5R8iieAFGfHE5oGCmTYu3bAQF1YUEyhzj0KqmpZwhjnRVVicQGVvqY3J4kc3Pfqy8ZqW0eEbkty4FBVoj0U5cAI1cz0-KDe0ue4E7_Y/s400/doe+in+the+orchard+7+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there was a doe eating apples in the orchard! <br />(you can see her in the photo above if you look real close)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvpOijJv0-pGcMZ9TbLoA7tNNXBOJTINUpHCVMZmLNDmjER6gBv6xYZ0zhswllfzYZVl_sUzTElImQH-WDm08qwUhSeBEuXsDMLzz1A8IsQ-nKEpaES0ssgFYfwP0XbOPDrS_NkL2LjA/s1600/dramatic+daylily+7+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvpOijJv0-pGcMZ9TbLoA7tNNXBOJTINUpHCVMZmLNDmjER6gBv6xYZ0zhswllfzYZVl_sUzTElImQH-WDm08qwUhSeBEuXsDMLzz1A8IsQ-nKEpaES0ssgFYfwP0XbOPDrS_NkL2LjA/s400/dramatic+daylily+7+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dramatic daylily</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXZAx8U-3ZKeGt6F5089bdLOi_gapdG51M12eq0-vMmaqjhNbakIf1sTx91SEYjt7UM1cILbRoDnXXiUE1La1ioon6BhGfVaRf9K0EqHL0ZsnO14ilWOVWjDJZGyPzTUo2TqMVcgp_og/s1600/doe+in+orchard+pm+7+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXZAx8U-3ZKeGt6F5089bdLOi_gapdG51M12eq0-vMmaqjhNbakIf1sTx91SEYjt7UM1cILbRoDnXXiUE1La1ioon6BhGfVaRf9K0EqHL0ZsnO14ilWOVWjDJZGyPzTUo2TqMVcgp_og/s400/doe+in+orchard+pm+7+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">those apples must have been good!<br />she's back at sunset for some more</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVUaQe6UfQOZjEsmYD_r9w46mkN9b0JnQbG46bHL7K7T2EmMa1tnF5A1WRfcLaYCWVTxmWokU3KYgcq_Qb9ANM1Yu1sA7Z9GYp3sjZc4TXg4ckv1bguzpklog1cdvzgB8vJBICEBBhZs/s1600/full+moon+through+the+trees+7+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVUaQe6UfQOZjEsmYD_r9w46mkN9b0JnQbG46bHL7K7T2EmMa1tnF5A1WRfcLaYCWVTxmWokU3KYgcq_Qb9ANM1Yu1sA7Z9GYp3sjZc4TXg4ckv1bguzpklog1cdvzgB8vJBICEBBhZs/s400/full+moon+through+the+trees+7+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">full buck moon through the trees</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaL18RK1laL5gwyJjHcSHkwS6KIbeepRYm8Ddg4HPioFR8S9Q2Vda9yJyFLvOa0VN5D2Y0CMXP1gv0S2B0SDMZT14KjRZjIYa9E5SIbF0ShqjofzEMZfKEkhlRPcSDNcpweb9d1pOgS40/s1600/misty+sunflower+7+6+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaL18RK1laL5gwyJjHcSHkwS6KIbeepRYm8Ddg4HPioFR8S9Q2Vda9yJyFLvOa0VN5D2Y0CMXP1gv0S2B0SDMZT14KjRZjIYa9E5SIbF0ShqjofzEMZfKEkhlRPcSDNcpweb9d1pOgS40/s400/misty+sunflower+7+6+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunflower on a misty morning</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVENPcvBkUM7ueDcEU0yhA2zbWUUcBvZWk_0T2FJqDYzwFa4zBNIc1mVOLdqt4neiAJA4VBQJ5ZkfHof7zrPzPjZn077NILru2st8acL-x4lSo4XhMs7-eYAePNMqZjmyRgTF76oeSVw/s1600/mr+bluebird+early+am+7+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVENPcvBkUM7ueDcEU0yhA2zbWUUcBvZWk_0T2FJqDYzwFa4zBNIc1mVOLdqt4neiAJA4VBQJ5ZkfHof7zrPzPjZn077NILru2st8acL-x4lSo4XhMs7-eYAePNMqZjmyRgTF76oeSVw/s400/mr+bluebird+early+am+7+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Bluebird in the early morning</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWq61z_-s_QsNiDVYYqqYVO7EqF43RO9TiEppEjiCo3rahA6dhfxBM6B7fdqShEPTvqUTTWW70kZgW73xOT586u1-dWq5niT3wUdnEsWbKZw-4IW6rpXQR55keM-cyJxUX9OpjQ7o2RMk/s1600/onion+flower+7+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWq61z_-s_QsNiDVYYqqYVO7EqF43RO9TiEppEjiCo3rahA6dhfxBM6B7fdqShEPTvqUTTWW70kZgW73xOT586u1-dWq5niT3wUdnEsWbKZw-4IW6rpXQR55keM-cyJxUX9OpjQ7o2RMk/s400/onion+flower+7+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">onion flower/seedhead</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4Mp0g29t769GX6Zjwe1yHPZhPyWrxpluhJYVuJToqKi3PLpUBMHGmaUCR_GGW-pdpRi3KpEyHnvmolCooxK6AI8TYvnhj1GJ1rRn1lZqfbkt6K_DzmulhZlkiKiXWO6fGcC_g1eZxKA/s1600/red+tail+hawk+7+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4Mp0g29t769GX6Zjwe1yHPZhPyWrxpluhJYVuJToqKi3PLpUBMHGmaUCR_GGW-pdpRi3KpEyHnvmolCooxK6AI8TYvnhj1GJ1rRn1lZqfbkt6K_DzmulhZlkiKiXWO6fGcC_g1eZxKA/s400/red+tail+hawk+7+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">red-tailed hawk at the creek<br />I didn't know they had green eyes!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsA3HCDsCPLcakhxTwjq0qfQKZ2rtdKSS9CJrSd65r0q8n_qiTn9EC0-yYgs8v1Y88VmHDh-Cyw8gM7MPnstH5it4ioEtNCBfBJmi-538ZYQxRFALjZm48S3tKY_w0iKvjgTEca4v3ck/s1600/remy+7+5++%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="788" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsA3HCDsCPLcakhxTwjq0qfQKZ2rtdKSS9CJrSd65r0q8n_qiTn9EC0-yYgs8v1Y88VmHDh-Cyw8gM7MPnstH5it4ioEtNCBfBJmi-538ZYQxRFALjZm48S3tKY_w0iKvjgTEca4v3ck/s400/remy+7+5++%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remy in a basket<br />(she has pretty green eyes, too)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggu9J33_ptCYkxHal_HHiwhOT5GPf5RF4_iFz2AoFFbITrG4AhqowftcwWdXqPPafajSsHICzkykfXC0Jl9Hvug5aIYanRpSyzmK-lQC0mdbIjclSrfVqE0XOJnQRhMh41KXOedUbZX4/s1600/sea+of+sweet+potato+leaves+7+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggu9J33_ptCYkxHal_HHiwhOT5GPf5RF4_iFz2AoFFbITrG4AhqowftcwWdXqPPafajSsHICzkykfXC0Jl9Hvug5aIYanRpSyzmK-lQC0mdbIjclSrfVqE0XOJnQRhMh41KXOedUbZX4/s400/sea+of+sweet+potato+leaves+7+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a sea of sweet potato leaves</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoG4eHRdAMbEfmhRHC-wJmPEJgGjZZ18A-_17PmmmzH9JBqKdRmRIH43YqSACjq1hMAo8PQSYXrKBFIE19zft-OTEnuQ96Bct6FkJetS1L-C7IY0FH0OEipHTq8SW_o8fjgAdX7bZJWQ/s1600/see+the+squirrel+7+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoG4eHRdAMbEfmhRHC-wJmPEJgGjZZ18A-_17PmmmzH9JBqKdRmRIH43YqSACjq1hMAo8PQSYXrKBFIE19zft-OTEnuQ96Bct6FkJetS1L-C7IY0FH0OEipHTq8SW_o8fjgAdX7bZJWQ/s400/see+the+squirrel+7+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Boss did a lot of tree trimming<br />(to improve our internet connection and the view)<br />and I was certain I saw a squirrel enjoying the view...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZugnuFpGnFg9ax5c7tD6q2ABhwIefI_MiquD-t4AQuq7a0HkvU7OoduRXeXUmjjlTt05gFEasqJRETxkG_Ghji1T5qkC2TcTY2KQnNNEIzd0O1od8sdZ4Yws_BxYSHnYKvPHjYfSQmcs/s1600/squirrel+closeup+7+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZugnuFpGnFg9ax5c7tD6q2ABhwIefI_MiquD-t4AQuq7a0HkvU7OoduRXeXUmjjlTt05gFEasqJRETxkG_Ghji1T5qkC2TcTY2KQnNNEIzd0O1od8sdZ4Yws_BxYSHnYKvPHjYfSQmcs/s400/squirrel+closeup+7+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...after I saw the "squirrel" in the same spot for two days,<br />I looked closer..<br />.definitely NOT a squirrel!<br />(maybe I need to go back to wearing my glasses!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNdTF7imxAiFrDPTIj_FBe3NtyxyWk9VYfs-SZqU7Z-UnFkHsdOLLMzjSM0oBo62-fzPh1xXvf__fUx4LQu2I4yliB6Ba9xC9NtRSN6JKMBaW_KYs0s2cKNm6FQa36bzuXEhdywjXiaA/s1600/cuckoo+7+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNdTF7imxAiFrDPTIj_FBe3NtyxyWk9VYfs-SZqU7Z-UnFkHsdOLLMzjSM0oBo62-fzPh1xXvf__fUx4LQu2I4yliB6Ba9xC9NtRSN6JKMBaW_KYs0s2cKNm6FQa36bzuXEhdywjXiaA/s400/cuckoo+7+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">despite the bad photo, I AM sure I saw a Cuckoo<br />(he/she was in the garden later)<br />I honestly didn't realize they existed outside of clocks<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6QS-fRiJnHIY763DfSEuKXrjckCkgInMIj7BDEtI5EQaU43QvhOxwlKT375dMUnWpcUi7zyjEBTsB4R2dZfM3Q8ihp2Gf6S5w-hJGzVE4G-hDOoT5_0rYP4WxWw7_G01jp0pyHnJDr8/s1600/sunshine+peach+7+10+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6QS-fRiJnHIY763DfSEuKXrjckCkgInMIj7BDEtI5EQaU43QvhOxwlKT375dMUnWpcUi7zyjEBTsB4R2dZfM3Q8ihp2Gf6S5w-hJGzVE4G-hDOoT5_0rYP4WxWw7_G01jp0pyHnJDr8/s400/sunshine+peach+7+10+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">peach in the sunshine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcenhcyZhL7fJyJsii2o3JbWJsWtbd4_TWEMeW0ASb8mWPwjGim4wlWVfstYPBUFftYONtXMiVknHwha6XwV4GkC755MaG-hC7kzNEMSpnLSmNb-bAnfs6eNqwgXUT86J_wNk9xuOj_A/s1600/sweet+potato+flower+7+10+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1355" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcenhcyZhL7fJyJsii2o3JbWJsWtbd4_TWEMeW0ASb8mWPwjGim4wlWVfstYPBUFftYONtXMiVknHwha6XwV4GkC755MaG-hC7kzNEMSpnLSmNb-bAnfs6eNqwgXUT86J_wNk9xuOj_A/s400/sweet+potato+flower+7+10+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sweet potato flower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwtpc8xXIaKK2lSQlKklTVeqrirIlsLf_9VU9PCAOPl_-XrSnbtU1gbKiv85s6XQstj8P1GeaQ1MtgSpWIVkd3Idr1paAtW6Gz83iw1in31ueWXRUVOxCdheKebecXCFHmBuCzYHebHg/s1600/toad+on+the+side+porch+7+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwtpc8xXIaKK2lSQlKklTVeqrirIlsLf_9VU9PCAOPl_-XrSnbtU1gbKiv85s6XQstj8P1GeaQ1MtgSpWIVkd3Idr1paAtW6Gz83iw1in31ueWXRUVOxCdheKebecXCFHmBuCzYHebHg/s400/toad+on+the+side+porch+7+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sometimes you don't have to go out into nature, it comes to you<br />this toad was on the porch in the very early morning<br />(the fact that it escaped dog and human feet is somewhat miraculous)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5oiPPO3tLxogj48-C5rYJn24we63-42nG3aKrKEd4bOxUBwhJEo7x1nCdA5a5gcyAzOwq0jpOdAvBd_yfxVXYglqc2c1fGdGurwCnBio7OI_aYzkKw6D-sLKbMcOgDI60k8Sf6flEJw/s1600/last+of+sunset+7+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5oiPPO3tLxogj48-C5rYJn24we63-42nG3aKrKEd4bOxUBwhJEo7x1nCdA5a5gcyAzOwq0jpOdAvBd_yfxVXYglqc2c1fGdGurwCnBio7OI_aYzkKw6D-sLKbMcOgDI60k8Sf6flEJw/s400/last+of+sunset+7+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">end of another day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I don't really have a good ending for this post...<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week the world lost someone who devoted his life to making the world a better, more equitable place, often at great cost to himself. While it does not speak of getting out in nature, it does address the need to persevere. So, I will leave you with his words that have been shared countless times across the internet as a tribute. Something to think about as we face a new week...<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #303030; font-family: "Cooper Black", serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Do
not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is
not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a
lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble,
necessary trouble." </span><span style="color: #303030;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #303030;">-Rep. John Lewis 1940-2020</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #303030;"><br /></span></div>
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Thanks for reading…come back and “visit” again soon!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #303030; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 36.8px;">Happy Sunday!</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 36.8px;"><br /></span></b>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6okk6m7fS5HsKUQ61POWWPekmIxrTWL0TKwXhEaygqi839TwQJiCpdCgHVpGqYQgVtQIN6yTu_Vf5tKVwUJkzmHW6SptSj-Hh6Px1IAZPTuEl3NkDVeAC9cEhzJatPqmN0ntsMN4mh-M/s1600/wow+7+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6okk6m7fS5HsKUQ61POWWPekmIxrTWL0TKwXhEaygqi839TwQJiCpdCgHVpGqYQgVtQIN6yTu_Vf5tKVwUJkzmHW6SptSj-Hh6Px1IAZPTuEl3NkDVeAC9cEhzJatPqmN0ntsMN4mh-M/s640/wow+7+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the promise and possibilities of a new day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03599739740886087571noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819048519590916875.post-35120769658579848802020-06-28T09:08:00.000-04:002020-06-28T09:22:05.510-04:00Sunday Walkabout 6-28-2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtoAHMmdu1VhdkGubCbTW47Twc1teNMXj4H3MzRQBBqTTTK4KTq5do4c0oBavIzUrJTaZORIoggR-IJkkfH0ZVnXzQ9Pmj9sKt13iJoeeO-8YRCMQ3pIPZLyoXdO8l6ZrfdZBHm0mnctc/s1600/otis+wet+grass+sunrise+6+6++%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1204" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtoAHMmdu1VhdkGubCbTW47Twc1teNMXj4H3MzRQBBqTTTK4KTq5do4c0oBavIzUrJTaZORIoggR-IJkkfH0ZVnXzQ9Pmj9sKt13iJoeeO-8YRCMQ3pIPZLyoXdO8l6ZrfdZBHm0mnctc/s640/otis+wet+grass+sunrise+6+6++%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">WHAT is
that?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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…might just be the question of the ages…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Amiright?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Really! You just never know where the search for the answer
might take you…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A tiny, metallic beeping startled me from sleep.<br />
<br />
WHAT is that?<br />
<br />
Blearing into
the darkness I became of aware of two, round, unblinking cat eyes staring into
my own. Yikes! And, then I seem to recall asking Remy (the cat) WHAT was that
noise? She was unconcerned; if I was awake, my duty was not to solve mysteries,
but to fill her food bowl. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I went through the automatic motions of feeding the
spoiled cat, my brain identified the sound. The coffeepot! Our coffeepot has
this sweet automatic feature so with a little advance planning, you don’t have
to attempt to make coffee in an un-caffeinated state, but instead have it
waiting first thing in the morning. Best feature ever! But, with a power outage
earlier in the day, the clock reset, the coffee had been made and now the
coffeepot was alerting me to the fact it was turning itself off.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
…at 2 o’clock in the morning.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sighing over the wasted coffee and my disrupted sleep, I started
making a new pot. The irony of making coffee in the middle of the night so I
wouldn’t have to make it in the morning was not lost on me. It did seem silly. Although, while I contemplated
that, another sound caught my attention as I struggled to see the tiny numbers
and reset everything so we didn’t have the same issue the next day. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
WHAT was THAT?<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHcHh1NRTpNX6RhgJgc106jNyzhE13rZsfEjkGnn6WMA_uHDwg7H9OOafNemDAIZAZK00w0SSv_FuzDthhNRYKK8JWd5cdQBvVlO1n1SgWm-YKu3UGLE5jmI1UYCCnNLFvC89FpyawEtQ/s1600/gus+and+karma+2+5+29+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1250" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHcHh1NRTpNX6RhgJgc106jNyzhE13rZsfEjkGnn6WMA_uHDwg7H9OOafNemDAIZAZK00w0SSv_FuzDthhNRYKK8JWd5cdQBvVlO1n1SgWm-YKu3UGLE5jmI1UYCCnNLFvC89FpyawEtQ/s400/gus+and+karma+2+5+29+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gus and Karma<br />
in a moment of relative calm<br />
(and no woofing)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gus was doing this incessant WOOF, WOOF right next to the
porch. I must add, Gus’ incessant woofing is one of his most annoying habits. (and,
he has a fair number) When I opened the door to shush him, I realized there was
just one dog in the backyard. Karma was nowhere to be seen and did not come
when I whistled. That couldn’t be good. It looked like my sleepless night was
going to last a little longer. I saved a cup of coffee just in case of
catastrophe, finished filling the pot and set out to solve another middle of
the night mystery with a sigh. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
really not at my best at 2am and we had a big day ahead of us. I really needed to go back to sleep.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No Karma in the driveway or garden. She wasn’t in Otis’ paddock,
either…and I started to get worried. As Gus and I hurried down the hill to the
barn, the silence struck me. It was eerily quiet. That seemed rather strange
since the ewes were locked in the barn prior to a much-delayed shearing day
scheduled for first thing in the morning. And, they had not been happy at chore
time. Most noisily unhappy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, I
heard what sounded like a moan…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
WHAT was that?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All the lambs were standing out back of the barn looking
terrified as their round eyes blinked bright blue in the beam of the
flashlight. The ewes were huddled in the lower portion of the sheep shed. No
one was making a sound. And then the “moan” came again…WOOOO-oooo<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, at least I found Karma! My first thought was that she
was injured. But, no…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She had cornered something behind the gas cans and the
chainsaw case and was trying desperately to get it out…she was clawing the
ground and moaning/barking.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For at least the fifth time I heard myself say, WHAT is
that? Followed immediately by…oh dear god…don’t let it be a skunk…don’t let it
be a skunk. (I’ve had one middle-of-the-night encounter with a skunk---and I definitely
never need a repeat)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was not a skunk. (huge sigh of relief on my part!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I pulled the cans away, I came face to face with a truly
angry ‘possum. It was hissing and showing all its teeth. But, before I could
decide what to do next, Karma reached in, grabbed the ‘possum by its neck and
marched out of the barn. Gus followed her, snuffling along behind and that was
the end of that. Without the sound of moaning and scuffling, the barn seemed
safe enough for the lambs and they all wandered in, complaining that they
needed a snack after all the disruption. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After doing a quick headcount, (and not giving in to the
food demands) I headed back to the house.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When actual morning came, much too soon, the ‘possum had
made a break for it, the dogs spent the day in exhausted slumber, and despite
cantankerous clippers, the grumpy ewes got shorn and turned back out to
pasture. And, perhaps even more importantly, the coffeepot turned on without
incident.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqD6uiDEUguNHAhjGNfESGZkJippkghK8hTjw3vdKJ2VJlbAyTznVrjwLy2fGXauWQ6kQc3m0bW3iCvOpTg88SPpi_ByPh1n-Ng-1ebE4CwJKLvrjGFeBMx_n8WrcUPFxQP9S-M6D25e0/s1600/amanda+shearing+2020-001+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="591" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqD6uiDEUguNHAhjGNfESGZkJippkghK8hTjw3vdKJ2VJlbAyTznVrjwLy2fGXauWQ6kQc3m0bW3iCvOpTg88SPpi_ByPh1n-Ng-1ebE4CwJKLvrjGFeBMx_n8WrcUPFxQP9S-M6D25e0/s400/amanda+shearing+2020-001+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2020 shearing begins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But it felt a little like “déjà vu all over again” when the
next morning at daybreak, the Boss said, “WHAT is that?” with concern as he
looked out the window.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seriously? Again?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There on the hummingbird feeder was what appeared to be a
leaf…no, wait…it looked like a bag-worm case hanging from one of the perches. I
knew it had not been there the day before when I filled the feeder. A closer
investigation revealed it was not a bagworm, but indeed a hummingbird, upside
down, its tiny feet clenched around the perch. Oh, how sad…it must be dead.
Heeding the Boss’ warning about “dead bird germs” I donned a rubber glove…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiaspr_BPw44N_DhittE9Op4dTnfWSFfgHEQSnrL2fKubzVfK16G2Tcz5zafoBw01E8MwedE-716h0LT3WHX0VUpVwbYB9H61_yKolnvX3pKOAE6AHd9fgoJtDT1jf4no56VA8hHNlR2w/s1600/baby+boy+hummer+6+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1462" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiaspr_BPw44N_DhittE9Op4dTnfWSFfgHEQSnrL2fKubzVfK16G2Tcz5zafoBw01E8MwedE-716h0LT3WHX0VUpVwbYB9H61_yKolnvX3pKOAE6AHd9fgoJtDT1jf4no56VA8hHNlR2w/s400/baby+boy+hummer+6+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby hummer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I put my hand out to remove the “dead” hummingbird and
I swear it opened its little eye and went “meep” in a rather pathetic way. It
was alive! I could feel its little heart racing as I held it in my hand. I have
always wanted to interact with a hummingbird and I finally got my chance.(and take pics, of course!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6q-MBKoh7wmsWR2XxXSYWc0G1yY4jWPLqrE2wlHsZ-KB7yG19Db_4nrFX_FVzMJ00SCsp2DHSlWuufE05Wtc3CRZ4A3Xadt7BL8CvGv1sTTgA1B1AjhTwxc325_teH37cANvDD4HU-nc/s1600/baby+humingbird+2+6+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1243" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6q-MBKoh7wmsWR2XxXSYWc0G1yY4jWPLqrE2wlHsZ-KB7yG19Db_4nrFX_FVzMJ00SCsp2DHSlWuufE05Wtc3CRZ4A3Xadt7BL8CvGv1sTTgA1B1AjhTwxc325_teH37cANvDD4HU-nc/s400/baby+humingbird+2+6+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">isn't he CUTE?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvw904NXR-vT94VUzqdzTcl_xMefTCw9_zsiXBqiBAnCksKOBX1ouCdkmt3VQOCfk9y4GklPhUjijF5_N3k8U-lDW_FL8eap2rRtZxVI0dDimJUaQPHkprud3Qeiepj80fGQXH4vVQxE/s1600/baby+hummer+1+6+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvw904NXR-vT94VUzqdzTcl_xMefTCw9_zsiXBqiBAnCksKOBX1ouCdkmt3VQOCfk9y4GklPhUjijF5_N3k8U-lDW_FL8eap2rRtZxVI0dDimJUaQPHkprud3Qeiepj80fGQXH4vVQxE/s400/baby+hummer+1+6+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzj-hy3jOrIglWmGLjXEhySlJEy0komaz6_N7YClf2S5m9cTuURIbGCuzmM5-Jzjj3ITyCEbdV4HrZ9Mtw8ZZw22kntHug3bagcrVWKD_X6wYuNjNy0hYolQlSHi_FhUErqS829ZriQg/s1600/baby+hummer+warming+up+6+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzj-hy3jOrIglWmGLjXEhySlJEy0komaz6_N7YClf2S5m9cTuURIbGCuzmM5-Jzjj3ITyCEbdV4HrZ9Mtw8ZZw22kntHug3bagcrVWKD_X6wYuNjNy0hYolQlSHi_FhUErqS829ZriQg/s400/baby+hummer+warming+up+6+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">see his little ruby throat feathers?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBj8nAfLAI_CZ8ibX7w7YtTdge2BWNkJG2DyxQmishS4I8b9jWXPyE80vunye44awIa5I25eSUYAbCigOFl-D4qS14FlskhUvHAIt6YSKgNrjrzpCQ5PZUwimKqwIZaypZ0MgXzX-ndrM/s1600/feeding+baby+hummingbird+6+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="897" data-original-width="1600" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBj8nAfLAI_CZ8ibX7w7YtTdge2BWNkJG2DyxQmishS4I8b9jWXPyE80vunye44awIa5I25eSUYAbCigOFl-D4qS14FlskhUvHAIt6YSKgNrjrzpCQ5PZUwimKqwIZaypZ0MgXzX-ndrM/s400/feeding+baby+hummingbird+6+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">every time he would drink a drop of sugar water<br />
his little wings would "rev" up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This little baby boy hummingbird must have gotten chilled in
the thunderstorm that passed through in the night…or got off course…or
something. He was so tiny and SO cute. But, he wasn’t injured, just very cold. Tom
fashioned a little house for him out of a tissue box while we did chores. We hoped once he warmed up,
he would be able to fly away. (just not in the house, or right into a cat’s
mouth) <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkEYMS4WIH6GD7jm9mdAzhTvC3TTncOGl_7sN9Cjd-ItRJ2VAnSejaNoEQajMCI8M0Yl5yHzC-11e7zMMctQB6_g1KM3QXcey1NiLBTuZNqDA-TTqILw2bucvY-Qj610JI-3ZZIe5l2k/s1600/baby+hummer+flowers6+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkEYMS4WIH6GD7jm9mdAzhTvC3TTncOGl_7sN9Cjd-ItRJ2VAnSejaNoEQajMCI8M0Yl5yHzC-11e7zMMctQB6_g1KM3QXcey1NiLBTuZNqDA-TTqILw2bucvY-Qj610JI-3ZZIe5l2k/s400/baby+hummer+flowers6+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">last I saw him he was sunning himself in the hanging basket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Long story short…I spent a great deal of time caring for the
tiny hummer and I didn't get to town to the grocery store and lost all momentum on my to-do list. But, after I fed him a little sugar water and got him warmed up a
bit, he zoomed away. And, I can cross "hummingbird-up close and personal" off my bucket list.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Happy ending, I hope!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But…this just proves that “WHAT is that?” can definitely
alter the course of the day…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
…or possibly your life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anybody who has followed this page for any length of time,
knows that in 2017 our lives were changed forever when someone said “WHAT is
that?” when they read Tom’s ultrasound…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A scary diagnosis, major surgery and a regular regimen of
MRIs have been part and parcel of our routine for the past 3+ years. And, while
we are both grateful that treatment didn’t involve chemotherapy or radiation, it
often seems like we’re just stuck waiting and wondering…and hoping for the best…instead
of taking any sort of action.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When you make it to 2 years post-surgery as a cancer patient
(in this particular practice), they transfer you from the oncology surgeon to a
specialist…in this case the hepatologist. (liver specialist) They tell you this
is progress…you’re not a cancer patient anymore…you’re a chronic illness
patient. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Somehow that is a good thing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Different doc, different protocol. Specialized ultrasounds
would replace MRIs. Visits would become less frequent. Again, progress.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Until someone said “WHAT is that?” on the ultrasound in
early March.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No big deal. Schedule an MRI.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Again, no big deal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Except. COVID-19.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Three days before the scheduled test, the entire state was
shut down. Testing was cancelled. Everything was cancelled. The hospital wasn’t
taking any non-emergent patients. No one knew when anything would return to
normal. So, we waited. And, waited.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And, waited some more. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The apprehension that hangs over you after a cancer
diagnosis is unlike any other. To be told you MIGHT have an issue and then find
you are unable to get any further information is excruciating. When the whole
pandemic/end of the world scenario is thrown in for good measure, it makes for
some seriously trying times.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, <i>whatcha gonna do</i>?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After nearly <b>3 months</b> (!) of waiting, of trying not
to think about it/talk about it, to keep our minds from identifying every
change as a possible indication of doom, of trying to avoid any potential
infection that would preclude any testing when it was finally possible to make
an appointment again…he went for his test. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then the waiting for test results seemed to drag on forever.
(with the oncologist’s office, results are often available within 24 hours).
This time it was a week before we saw anything.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thankfully, what looked suspicious on the ultrasound was cleared
by the MRI. Time to heave a huge sigh of relief. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Talk about anti-climactic! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, now…back to the routine of life on the hill. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Except, there is no routine of life on the hill…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I didn’t
realize how much I counted on the routine and rhythm of Market preparation. Everything
is strange and unnatural without it (but, no…not going back…sorry folks) I must
admit, the pandemic and social unrest only add to the weirdness.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The lambs are thriving, the garden is growing, the hoophouse experiment looks like a great success…the Boss is still able to get to the Market to do some photography (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/stauntonfarmersmkt/photos/pcb.10157984683181141/10157984665481141/?type=3&theater">check this out</a>) and we made it through the 3-day ordeal of trips to town to get new cell-phones set-up without any dire consequences. (don’t even ask). And, while I must confess to the fact that any book-writing progress has been non-existent…I do feel the faint stirrings of creativity once more. (I think) So, here’s hoping…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, I’m trying hard to focus on the positive. (a serious challenge some days) So, let’s see what we can find to show you…</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbH8S-Q7Umj1GfFX0tqL4cDY-BHtHOskav9BwgwaIKQxr54JzenOwruvn1lvOaLBfPR2EW4vlpBuW5hVKQu_7lrNt-4WQ4_WP-_Ssp1g40DSeeNqqcmMs9vEWCIsSZy4dXZOpx7fKgVUk/s1600/otis+5+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbH8S-Q7Umj1GfFX0tqL4cDY-BHtHOskav9BwgwaIKQxr54JzenOwruvn1lvOaLBfPR2EW4vlpBuW5hVKQu_7lrNt-4WQ4_WP-_Ssp1g40DSeeNqqcmMs9vEWCIsSZy4dXZOpx7fKgVUk/s400/otis+5+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Otis<br />
before his "haircut"<br />
(don't think I have an "after" shot)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbwit5cEsD4GO5iboZi-6N1_9ay1ic8nzSP-yYfViFjsWhLN8bz4Nkkgv-vszuvnai3D51DCBWab2cQL1oX6HNIelawVYfDXxaIy70ICO2tb8GKkD9gFbO61c0Ysc-fGthXOMj9H82xw/s1600/baby+carrot+6+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbwit5cEsD4GO5iboZi-6N1_9ay1ic8nzSP-yYfViFjsWhLN8bz4Nkkgv-vszuvnai3D51DCBWab2cQL1oX6HNIelawVYfDXxaIy70ICO2tb8GKkD9gFbO61c0Ysc-fGthXOMj9H82xw/s400/baby+carrot+6+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby carrot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-J6xShJ2uRri5cQJX9a3s7Sz7zbYd16Ze-DD8Z7PGFoOFzDfzqV_ZBDXMEL7FmJrrfnaoNqKLczIIqrarqxoT1olvkX7tSs3pazUSNm8MQRe4NsfKBgplNTcnAvKJzn_iPZ369V8jn8/s1600/potato+beetle+nymph+6+6+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-J6xShJ2uRri5cQJX9a3s7Sz7zbYd16Ze-DD8Z7PGFoOFzDfzqV_ZBDXMEL7FmJrrfnaoNqKLczIIqrarqxoT1olvkX7tSs3pazUSNm8MQRe4NsfKBgplNTcnAvKJzn_iPZ369V8jn8/s400/potato+beetle+nymph+6+6+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">potato beetle nymph</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKjFYBVLR1pNEHXArcn_-lB6IWZMJEsfbcB6hYMXocvAiFMLneMiz2vxm9feIVz5r2GcGCa-AowfPhXx8queBW8onRg0N0lJjffRyTbygc5VJVcJbPOwva6P-hDBN-LyZ70PuzrWRauw/s1600/potato+blossoms+6+6+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKjFYBVLR1pNEHXArcn_-lB6IWZMJEsfbcB6hYMXocvAiFMLneMiz2vxm9feIVz5r2GcGCa-AowfPhXx8queBW8onRg0N0lJjffRyTbygc5VJVcJbPOwva6P-hDBN-LyZ70PuzrWRauw/s400/potato+blossoms+6+6+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">potato blossoms means 'taters are growing under the ground</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMjW-6v2UWjx_tcYqIQrBP6m5nMXsRZfjbwg6GrtLCEMfu5eAbdlKw8Ce_cJ9g5YsOilav2b0GrUGpvupdpXMo850zqlBVRRkWM4iXDk5H6Tg6M4Ld23AaqP6X9GDKwQ0wD-i3euhwHM/s1600/potentilla+indica+6+10+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1118" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMjW-6v2UWjx_tcYqIQrBP6m5nMXsRZfjbwg6GrtLCEMfu5eAbdlKw8Ce_cJ9g5YsOilav2b0GrUGpvupdpXMo850zqlBVRRkWM4iXDk5H6Tg6M4Ld23AaqP6X9GDKwQ0wD-i3euhwHM/s400/potentilla+indica+6+10+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">potentilla indica<br />
wild false strawberry<br />
pretty to look at--not very tasty</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvQsJtlEZRUFlN8EHIo1aWkY4X9Y-zxuTySUGq3oxZv8e6OMCygaHpIMzgcBPugkmkmBvKy_2q2NRot3VuB_JMf3kJUTS7pWNeBGPMz8j8384iK6hKlp0un_xKgdmcQHC_HGlNwV_PGg/s1600/baby+corn+6+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvQsJtlEZRUFlN8EHIo1aWkY4X9Y-zxuTySUGq3oxZv8e6OMCygaHpIMzgcBPugkmkmBvKy_2q2NRot3VuB_JMf3kJUTS7pWNeBGPMz8j8384iK6hKlp0un_xKgdmcQHC_HGlNwV_PGg/s400/baby+corn+6+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby corn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97ygOVAtZCE0IbIWSUt-DRB9jsvPdCmZQTRmo4SMJq6tJ5qIpi3XO3coqsrVI1_sVM1xEn7Cw3jMxTSZaBFrOMSeEPnM8EJIpcxsVxIbL8oCVhpBMl9gG1G-EyKnRqvAd-pmgV9sUh_c/s1600/baby+flycatchers+6+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="1600" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97ygOVAtZCE0IbIWSUt-DRB9jsvPdCmZQTRmo4SMJq6tJ5qIpi3XO3coqsrVI1_sVM1xEn7Cw3jMxTSZaBFrOMSeEPnM8EJIpcxsVxIbL8oCVhpBMl9gG1G-EyKnRqvAd-pmgV9sUh_c/s400/baby+flycatchers+6+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby flycatchers<br />
nearly ready to fly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0jGnItNpnkyb8QgwGamrENnBEuNkdpjEVOErH82AfJo2_8aGKY6WjduZGpMhhx4rsnpH3AKUc_IiyDru999rRSiqXixWdQIXfji_eBDJjuBip8nzGAGjg27if-6mbeUvDD9KpsnPFew/s1600/birdhouse+in+the+fog+6+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0jGnItNpnkyb8QgwGamrENnBEuNkdpjEVOErH82AfJo2_8aGKY6WjduZGpMhhx4rsnpH3AKUc_IiyDru999rRSiqXixWdQIXfji_eBDJjuBip8nzGAGjg27if-6mbeUvDD9KpsnPFew/s400/birdhouse+in+the+fog+6+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">birdhouse in the mist</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpj1BeiCBVZnx3Bk3q-qtXixbOPcs063WDkaGYEoksPSkyxemF6mM0yhl746zaODEeYgpXg0EwF5-th9vQO70L-tJx3eor2Iav0VUbXegV5b18hH9ZxJZd1o1u2PlZU4O5bMF68iWLL0/s1600/bladder+campion+6+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpj1BeiCBVZnx3Bk3q-qtXixbOPcs063WDkaGYEoksPSkyxemF6mM0yhl746zaODEeYgpXg0EwF5-th9vQO70L-tJx3eor2Iav0VUbXegV5b18hH9ZxJZd1o1u2PlZU4O5bMF68iWLL0/s400/bladder+campion+6+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bladder campion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJ656sg5EOgj1mAGOhLxwCj8CcNuUEnAeYeOnSfm8WdujbZ7AEwnIA7pEHa8Mgu5B2Kbn3kvs_kGP7kSfBEDjhgTiFcSJbbKzYaXVZn6r9yqsBDHTJJ7Ix1fzwf3dWQqWhvFIoi1pTvM/s1600/unexpected+garlic+harvest+5+29+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJ656sg5EOgj1mAGOhLxwCj8CcNuUEnAeYeOnSfm8WdujbZ7AEwnIA7pEHa8Mgu5B2Kbn3kvs_kGP7kSfBEDjhgTiFcSJbbKzYaXVZn6r9yqsBDHTJJ7Ix1fzwf3dWQqWhvFIoi1pTvM/s400/unexpected+garlic+harvest+5+29+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">an unexpected garlic harvest<br />
the green garlic crop was quite prolific</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-gsqiEaqEEwgxapY-6qjhj-q2qmPR_Qf9-ryZ4AJZg-fXxr3n7yWE8sRJ35F_OpI5zrZ13v9tdiIIfJLUZc_QGIxiACfoHXFoeft-xE1eIjxQUfzOooxjBOw1vvt9t8sV9LsytTj4Bw/s1600/bluebirds+new+house+6+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-gsqiEaqEEwgxapY-6qjhj-q2qmPR_Qf9-ryZ4AJZg-fXxr3n7yWE8sRJ35F_OpI5zrZ13v9tdiIIfJLUZc_QGIxiACfoHXFoeft-xE1eIjxQUfzOooxjBOw1vvt9t8sV9LsytTj4Bw/s400/bluebirds+new+house+6+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">look who moved in right after we put up the house!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoidNRKxfmUCWrdF0qqEOgkMPy2QDKxkfh2SoDNrN3Os4D6o7ydTH8CtgDEbWg58mF49pw7dWIfLJGzkExToW7XTjoS0P8-tZmJbJIDzJbDKGCrvmX20-x_asuFo7JyazDUb9nf1_jvDE/s1600/bonus+garlic+harvest+6+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoidNRKxfmUCWrdF0qqEOgkMPy2QDKxkfh2SoDNrN3Os4D6o7ydTH8CtgDEbWg58mF49pw7dWIfLJGzkExToW7XTjoS0P8-tZmJbJIDzJbDKGCrvmX20-x_asuFo7JyazDUb9nf1_jvDE/s400/bonus+garlic+harvest+6+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">garlic all cleaned up and pretty<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR31_30UJngLaM46GaVVDtdD8nfsJcc1IJceuziQokJKU-AnpVB5oFksvKcdUrf0rpI00dAFTavsmny5AO5nHzGYRzuZNSACidyXdHmBQSgnZ8q3ybvoav9eVt5Ec-LApogFOYuBkcjdw/s1600/bunny+6+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR31_30UJngLaM46GaVVDtdD8nfsJcc1IJceuziQokJKU-AnpVB5oFksvKcdUrf0rpI00dAFTavsmny5AO5nHzGYRzuZNSACidyXdHmBQSgnZ8q3ybvoav9eVt5Ec-LApogFOYuBkcjdw/s400/bunny+6+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my walk companion<br />
I see him/her most every day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKDP02MQslsl_fs3sitSSRko48cqV8u7DvXGuh5YYjo2NY8kIeIVsY95ITFwfwST9-9oOwj5MPIg4qt7tS-zMRXE8v_zxCZ-a6WWRoeqEbGVGhTXLwsMlMwv0eiNFob9EazrH1b62Ve4/s1600/crazy+eyes+6+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1385" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKDP02MQslsl_fs3sitSSRko48cqV8u7DvXGuh5YYjo2NY8kIeIVsY95ITFwfwST9-9oOwj5MPIg4qt7tS-zMRXE8v_zxCZ-a6WWRoeqEbGVGhTXLwsMlMwv0eiNFob9EazrH1b62Ve4/s400/crazy+eyes+6+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there is one in every crowd<br />
I've taken to calling this one "Crazy-eyes"<br />
he's jumpy and unpredictable<br />
and an escape artist</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgereDBCMKPkqRYr3z7m_QrIXcfYOC67t6mVCz41JjgdBqn_OBT2gGwVI3qU-bcC3L3wlXYbyZ3vWQKPR_zZBYWaoFBTcYgf9YdaxPjEb45yWra0fVUO9sZCJq3_Xblz4yF1ZMVUkrPWL8/s1600/daylily+6+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgereDBCMKPkqRYr3z7m_QrIXcfYOC67t6mVCz41JjgdBqn_OBT2gGwVI3qU-bcC3L3wlXYbyZ3vWQKPR_zZBYWaoFBTcYgf9YdaxPjEb45yWra0fVUO9sZCJq3_Xblz4yF1ZMVUkrPWL8/s400/daylily+6+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">daylily at the creek</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLkila0pn4zHGkdW3MNmA7u35zIwlRNhqjwPI2nvSW8TvJ36bJkInuwvXAKP8SPneCDVjllaamEG9-84NirWNVyt3NhjhWqM4gLEn88txbMSm2WTclow_nHv_BV0ilU89ijAmoNhVrkc/s1600/dragon+fly+6+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLkila0pn4zHGkdW3MNmA7u35zIwlRNhqjwPI2nvSW8TvJ36bJkInuwvXAKP8SPneCDVjllaamEG9-84NirWNVyt3NhjhWqM4gLEn88txbMSm2WTclow_nHv_BV0ilU89ijAmoNhVrkc/s400/dragon+fly+6+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dragonfly on the porch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIbSwgwxp5bL6pQDF74m0yArxE_t0MKuQNaxSGa1TRgds1QJAHGImvxvoPiOZB4_Wl5jMo69nG5_IbdezwyoDdZvbzkqO5fR7aDbVj-hr5KggsBdI8g6MvsQN_L9kxi1Pe6AvJbZeV1U/s1600/early+morning+front+porch+6+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIbSwgwxp5bL6pQDF74m0yArxE_t0MKuQNaxSGa1TRgds1QJAHGImvxvoPiOZB4_Wl5jMo69nG5_IbdezwyoDdZvbzkqO5fR7aDbVj-hr5KggsBdI8g6MvsQN_L9kxi1Pe6AvJbZeV1U/s400/early+morning+front+porch+6+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">early morning light</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKM703T9dMAaQNqUUB9SK8vRuem-_p8zPa9c2qpfbSYW5VBUahIiWSCXpyAtFnAJEOEDw9fwFmYIhu3yHJR5T-Pc16Y85HvGktgsnxG2v5blkynFamaM7YnH-soONPYu-zBs4Dv3qcd-I/s1600/first+strawberry+6+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKM703T9dMAaQNqUUB9SK8vRuem-_p8zPa9c2qpfbSYW5VBUahIiWSCXpyAtFnAJEOEDw9fwFmYIhu3yHJR5T-Pc16Y85HvGktgsnxG2v5blkynFamaM7YnH-soONPYu-zBs4Dv3qcd-I/s400/first+strawberry+6+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the first strawberry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrA2nO3t6UvTeysPdSVtRgR8we0QlDSzH4LS-1nJAEx1R5f7ehgH2yLBZY1USIuxLw_0asz5E8Vwy7ZXtg-ou3IhjjR8k3SiBIO_sjaVXshjQlPKoD5_9oeaK39Krr_gsqX6eox78T0s/s1600/flycatcher+nest+6+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrA2nO3t6UvTeysPdSVtRgR8we0QlDSzH4LS-1nJAEx1R5f7ehgH2yLBZY1USIuxLw_0asz5E8Vwy7ZXtg-ou3IhjjR8k3SiBIO_sjaVXshjQlPKoD5_9oeaK39Krr_gsqX6eox78T0s/s400/flycatcher+nest+6+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">flycatcher nest tucked in the rafters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80QWeGPqAi7uLMB8Nt4PJW9IHvtbb2753Zs7QaGMxwQFlQV4hSyjRlYDfGXUbwShFufP4zOtNnp_4d5fc6IZ4TlFxHL1Jol8Ug3yBsjE5dbyX4jOr7sMp_f-bAAmZf0ZljVmmwZh15lg/s1600/front+porch+birdhouse+6+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80QWeGPqAi7uLMB8Nt4PJW9IHvtbb2753Zs7QaGMxwQFlQV4hSyjRlYDfGXUbwShFufP4zOtNnp_4d5fc6IZ4TlFxHL1Jol8Ug3yBsjE5dbyX4jOr7sMp_f-bAAmZf0ZljVmmwZh15lg/s400/front+porch+birdhouse+6+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">new birdhouses all around<br />
(these are going to end up in a lot of photos!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9ExAlrCyhd_1xvkIuPgEWGdHIJcQpLbQGXuwbXtENcoHRuaha4zZHXi7ptYw1XhIri-1Sq14V605ZNmgaspJW-OsZBp5QgwtNMtUvzmjzjpIN0Nu-zKV0Za_C-fe0wUUfhy05HPiLFo/s1600/japanese+privet+6+12-002+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9ExAlrCyhd_1xvkIuPgEWGdHIJcQpLbQGXuwbXtENcoHRuaha4zZHXi7ptYw1XhIri-1Sq14V605ZNmgaspJW-OsZBp5QgwtNMtUvzmjzjpIN0Nu-zKV0Za_C-fe0wUUfhy05HPiLFo/s400/japanese+privet+6+12-002+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">japanese privet at the creek</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Zel3doXXTT4-UnTkSonmCuFxJZrbSB0iQ45T8jyfpTQx-M16tbtTGwk3enOzVeghbHydwSOHtLWnc0XZrUCldIyQarTADN2IBy3OfbGb6CALuM5IBYTFN_e_Bu6x4Tu-cRzMTyhXlMs/s1600/lamb+ballet+6+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Zel3doXXTT4-UnTkSonmCuFxJZrbSB0iQ45T8jyfpTQx-M16tbtTGwk3enOzVeghbHydwSOHtLWnc0XZrUCldIyQarTADN2IBy3OfbGb6CALuM5IBYTFN_e_Bu6x4Tu-cRzMTyhXlMs/s400/lamb+ballet+6+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the lamb ballet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwlDAT07_mOhMrn-38EiK6vBXfiC9KfoqVEIsOcoZPbNLCIieRqdeIY-ig2KiDLsG_duPGcGlUyJvOx2eSaIyeY2VdvtdcqWGKLBOSq47KsaTgrO8UByltVwHS_ZE1jJ5eyX7kwVMI6s/s1600/more+compost+mushrooms+6+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwlDAT07_mOhMrn-38EiK6vBXfiC9KfoqVEIsOcoZPbNLCIieRqdeIY-ig2KiDLsG_duPGcGlUyJvOx2eSaIyeY2VdvtdcqWGKLBOSq47KsaTgrO8UByltVwHS_ZE1jJ5eyX7kwVMI6s/s400/more+compost+mushrooms+6+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mushrooms in the compost pile</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuFNS5jTwW_Sp8eLqgqQz_UH3Af4QE7YZa8NUS0o2HC4M6_DzRZaAZgvT2C73UbY5g0GF5ZEKq49QNfxyMLxVIBM2kPbmAT_a-GusetPg0hbCCjftK3cKc98dGYsMxBmh8ETETrZ13zY/s1600/morning+harvest+6+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuFNS5jTwW_Sp8eLqgqQz_UH3Af4QE7YZa8NUS0o2HC4M6_DzRZaAZgvT2C73UbY5g0GF5ZEKq49QNfxyMLxVIBM2kPbmAT_a-GusetPg0hbCCjftK3cKc98dGYsMxBmh8ETETrZ13zY/s400/morning+harvest+6+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">morning harvest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsROIOluBRGFqBkBwYxFrc2RL-keqH0uUvhs9JMqlV6Ln6SJBMQlN2t9OlARu-K8BKlH6SpHy9K9_N0BgEi0ok8JteV0YgHVio9Sm45AkrQWAQ-wJWNOOPZr2hu9mvqkLbiGEjyQwTsAg/s1600/potato+blossoms+6+6+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsROIOluBRGFqBkBwYxFrc2RL-keqH0uUvhs9JMqlV6Ln6SJBMQlN2t9OlARu-K8BKlH6SpHy9K9_N0BgEi0ok8JteV0YgHVio9Sm45AkrQWAQ-wJWNOOPZr2hu9mvqkLbiGEjyQwTsAg/s400/potato+blossoms+6+6+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more potato blossoms</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_Gxg302WHL8TX-lwIiKImOFNrrROaOQlm_Vq9D1LIixbW0LCGtqokS-P3iIMWh0Q_Q8JiQdOSh4HIVGnVrhJWRSWxnUbEU2Bo9Nb0mNzHyDi8nDPPsmF09tNUDXatmPXAUemlnngkp8/s1600/radish+flower+6+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_Gxg302WHL8TX-lwIiKImOFNrrROaOQlm_Vq9D1LIixbW0LCGtqokS-P3iIMWh0Q_Q8JiQdOSh4HIVGnVrhJWRSWxnUbEU2Bo9Nb0mNzHyDi8nDPPsmF09tNUDXatmPXAUemlnngkp8/s400/radish+flower+6+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a radish flower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvmI-DoUflXq8UD2YVbKLpbGO-qQxgX-AYA6FB4iejUd-70z7z5xS4cbvrEbqH7pW73IZo4tqjSPUvMGgpC95cKB8XZXWe2eMDSPIgBt87FIrcjngxd6Lq9PPXRQOr3nVQkPIpxnEnzc/s1600/stinging+nettles+6+12+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvmI-DoUflXq8UD2YVbKLpbGO-qQxgX-AYA6FB4iejUd-70z7z5xS4cbvrEbqH7pW73IZo4tqjSPUvMGgpC95cKB8XZXWe2eMDSPIgBt87FIrcjngxd6Lq9PPXRQOr3nVQkPIpxnEnzc/s400/stinging+nettles+6+12+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stinging nettles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDhln6zyF5fSOBhhW9GrDpbg6ezjrXor6pX93OgErc6dIyWf45Jr8_zqZlPdgeLRNlcLLhHvl7KCchZ8UJ0GZ3K_JEMAIOWlxcj5bAlweos2nsDx84jnKxJ2Puh5kVjrARgUmBhPGjXk/s1600/sunrise+6+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1448" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDhln6zyF5fSOBhhW9GrDpbg6ezjrXor6pX93OgErc6dIyWf45Jr8_zqZlPdgeLRNlcLLhHvl7KCchZ8UJ0GZ3K_JEMAIOWlxcj5bAlweos2nsDx84jnKxJ2Puh5kVjrARgUmBhPGjXk/s400/sunrise+6+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a sunrise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjleaGxo7lqBfYkNkFnsq0LNzEko9rcjTo1oJVZelndBfggtBnYpCUF3EugHRzHUobgIbm4uBbAtWnmhvTqfraczzF_bhVzNAdGJFO3wcsn7trXhzzzpwT4jWQPew9phyphenhyphenvn6Xmvl4H8-7o/s1600/sunrise+6+9+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjleaGxo7lqBfYkNkFnsq0LNzEko9rcjTo1oJVZelndBfggtBnYpCUF3EugHRzHUobgIbm4uBbAtWnmhvTqfraczzF_bhVzNAdGJFO3wcsn7trXhzzzpwT4jWQPew9phyphenhyphenvn6Xmvl4H8-7o/s400/sunrise+6+9+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">each one is unique</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAlph4ntGKMqFr1-6vHghyphenhyphenMsNgM4eOEdXVECZBPXao7WAjLCTNKY-hIOK9vmiNszGefO05LDLpfRG7B7QKx_xeZZrb0GVTgd2uZFbAq0aG9kzlqLI8pCrBFdoi1jAd4YbQVDsGPgUDQA/s1600/sunrise+6+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAlph4ntGKMqFr1-6vHghyphenhyphenMsNgM4eOEdXVECZBPXao7WAjLCTNKY-hIOK9vmiNszGefO05LDLpfRG7B7QKx_xeZZrb0GVTgd2uZFbAq0aG9kzlqLI8pCrBFdoi1jAd4YbQVDsGPgUDQA/s400/sunrise+6+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">same view, different day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXVkhoZGhEfk4I9_h7WleK6B80V9dQzyOCSvq-yZOXBAYoNV3wTwes08uaT5YwTEr7i0avbPfqV092UvvGSfAp0oBfIIK8ZFe4RxPZo9da0qKlxxdbUzv2cpIdhLpnCPAzj__dvqPKVE/s1600/sunrise+6+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXVkhoZGhEfk4I9_h7WleK6B80V9dQzyOCSvq-yZOXBAYoNV3wTwes08uaT5YwTEr7i0avbPfqV092UvvGSfAp0oBfIIK8ZFe4RxPZo9da0qKlxxdbUzv2cpIdhLpnCPAzj__dvqPKVE/s400/sunrise+6+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a misty morning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-qDeevP0zjulRe-UlHIDfvR6wyOY16mjGw0q5mTgjlMqI8UWpLREfWTTMwRFcO3mN0nFWuQXAjSe5ncOcEfDNluk1cHHB6CQFiciJM2wiquDVKsBYF8TwzJNBSn5O4P7edYcbfb2mJQ/s1600/sweet+potato+plant+6+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-qDeevP0zjulRe-UlHIDfvR6wyOY16mjGw0q5mTgjlMqI8UWpLREfWTTMwRFcO3mN0nFWuQXAjSe5ncOcEfDNluk1cHHB6CQFiciJM2wiquDVKsBYF8TwzJNBSn5O4P7edYcbfb2mJQ/s400/sweet+potato+plant+6+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby sweet potato plant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEYLiVDQcltjA4P97qk-K-8rQ4qFueNIa1mmM39si47mKvf3EcgsxRCMh16S8JT_kPrkOTNsHpdZa88lMob4-nExph5agtpZNfAY5UPI9H5NAzpq0xDLNpIG_a6aRXMPYJrSXiUyQ0TQ/s1600/tiny+apples+6+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEYLiVDQcltjA4P97qk-K-8rQ4qFueNIa1mmM39si47mKvf3EcgsxRCMh16S8JT_kPrkOTNsHpdZa88lMob4-nExph5agtpZNfAY5UPI9H5NAzpq0xDLNpIG_a6aRXMPYJrSXiUyQ0TQ/s400/tiny+apples+6+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tiny apples</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;">Writing
this piece made me realize that the only person who might ask “WHAT’s THAT?”
more than I do is one of my grandsons. Pretty sure he hit triple digits on a
trip through Walmart . When I finally reminded him he had already asked me the same question about 20 times, he giggled and said “hey, Mamaw?” yeah, bud?… “WHATTZZZATT?” At that point we both laughed and that’s when I realized…if you can’t beat
‘em, join ‘em. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;">So...keep
asking <b>“WHAT’s that?”</b> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;">You never know where it might lead!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyd8Tfpw1ECNHHpdnP5p0mJhPrx5Efh8kPHfL-_kOuf_tyLqxGZvJP5YR5fAJSH2mkovo4DnH7WgAqENJ6r_f-nTPoG2eYYfP2-vGNJKoqFircsU-6ixcrxvRWFyi0mZcuhjutAnY0jM/s1600/yucca+creek+6+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyd8Tfpw1ECNHHpdnP5p0mJhPrx5Efh8kPHfL-_kOuf_tyLqxGZvJP5YR5fAJSH2mkovo4DnH7WgAqENJ6r_f-nTPoG2eYYfP2-vGNJKoqFircsU-6ixcrxvRWFyi0mZcuhjutAnY0jM/s640/yucca+creek+6+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yucca at the creek<br />
I don't know what a yucca is doing at the creek in our little Valley<br />
but, isn't it pretty?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks for reading!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hope you have a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Happy
Sunday!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> (and in case you're wondering WHAT's THAT at the beginning...it's Otis in the early morning through the dew covered grasses)</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03599739740886087571noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819048519590916875.post-290352167084623052020-05-31T10:45:00.000-04:002020-05-31T10:59:55.045-04:00Sunday Walkabout 5-31-2020<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgud2Ei36feXWJp9Qaayy45uN-TRMFVeyaRxbnUAgEXiWd2B5FbAEKriFo4S42vo9q3nrqn76punKSZKvY0hz5ZgfY0k0texjPvh1N9BhL2Iq9tQMtZjrLMg5rQE8Ula8m3DBIc4wQLE9g/s1600/wet+daisy+fleabane+5+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgud2Ei36feXWJp9Qaayy45uN-TRMFVeyaRxbnUAgEXiWd2B5FbAEKriFo4S42vo9q3nrqn76punKSZKvY0hz5ZgfY0k0texjPvh1N9BhL2Iq9tQMtZjrLMg5rQE8Ula8m3DBIc4wQLE9g/s640/wet+daisy+fleabane+5+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It seems most incongruous to write a cheery little post
about the farm when people are dying, cities are burning, and protestations
have become prevalent and violent. And, it seems our government is in disarray,
or at the very least, is unconcerned and uncaring about the situation at hand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, then someone would be sure to say I’m getting “all
political”. And, we can’t have that. (or can we?) I don’t like to write about
politics…although I am more than willing to write about the pursuit of justice.
(which, is in NO way political…it should apply to everyone)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Speaking of justice…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last week, we were able to finally see the end to a matter
that has hung over my head for 27 years. <b>27 years</b>. That’s almost half my
life! But, it is done. Finished. I won’t bore you with the details other than
“it has been resolved”. Actually, I can’t. One of the things I signed actually
stated that I would answer any questions with “it has been resolved”. Which,
seems a small price to pay for finally having the whole thing over and done with
once and for all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I didn’t realize just how much that one thing affected every
single aspect of my life until it was finally over. Like the low hum of radio
static, it crept into all my decisions, affecting our marriage, our business
plans, all interpersonal relationships, and my health (both mental and
physical). Every single day was tainted by a gnawing sense of anxiety. Now that
we can put it behind us, there is a sense of freedom I didn’t realize I was
lacking. It still seems a little surreal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You might wonder why I told you about this when I can’t
really tell you anything else.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This situation lasted for nearly half of my life. Over the
years I broached the subject, attempted to find resolution, tried to just “live
and let live” and yet nothing changed. And, my anger and frustration at the
injustice only grew stronger. Other people didn’t really believe my story,
offered sappy-crappy advice, and repeatedly told me I was over-reacting. It
wasn’t until I finally stepped way out of my comfort zone, risked what felt
like everything and took serious action that the slow wheels of justice finally
started to turn my way.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Doesn’t that sound vaguely familiar? Isn’t that what has
been happening in our country for generations?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Don’t think for one moment that I am likening my situation
to what our black brothers and sisters have been facing for…well, forever. I’m
not…not even close. And, I feel vaguely responsible for the situation that my
own ancestors promoted and benefited from when they arrived here in 1635.
I know because of my ancestry; I enjoy enormous amounts of privilege. Much of which, I take for granted, and I need to work to change
that.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Current events have weighed heavy on my mind and heart
although I don’t know what I can do. I’m an old white woman from a mostly white
rural community. We aren’t affected directly by a lot of current events. As a
matter of fact, it’s is possible to sit on our front porch and be completely
and utterly oblivious to the entire world. However, this is our collective
story and will only change with some sort of collective effort. You MUST watch
Brene Brown- (she’s talking about Charlottesville in 2017, but this is still relevant)
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=1778878652127236">https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=1778878652127236</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All I can do is use my small circle of influence to bring
attention to the situation. So, I’ll leave you with this… <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cooper black" , serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 106%;">“Justice will not be served until those who are
unaffected are just as outraged as those who are.” </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> -</span>Benjamin Franklin<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope we will do something to change the narrative.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks for reading.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope you’ll come back and “visit” again soon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03599739740886087571noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819048519590916875.post-47042425737268148402020-05-17T12:04:00.002-04:002020-05-17T12:04:33.489-04:00Sunday Walkabout 5-17-2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxO7OvwEmx-vP7gGf1h-8TCz55sb0JzsI75_5na214k18XReY0afRsHH1jbQXJFMiq4r_QLtj7wKiF_x5tcWrNmRNMXv9wY6eDtp1kfJ6RBQbqSbKiIGcgKkmhRIJf5xKhr0rJoUN8Wk/s1600/iris+by+the+lane+5+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1327" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxO7OvwEmx-vP7gGf1h-8TCz55sb0JzsI75_5na214k18XReY0afRsHH1jbQXJFMiq4r_QLtj7wKiF_x5tcWrNmRNMXv9wY6eDtp1kfJ6RBQbqSbKiIGcgKkmhRIJf5xKhr0rJoUN8Wk/s640/iris+by+the+lane+5+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can’t seem to come up with anything new and interesting to
tell you about. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The animals are behaving. There have been no crazy lamb
rodeos. The garden is growing despite the crazy weather. Everything seems to
have survived the bitter cold earlier this week. (and the near record-setting
heat by the weekend) And, I just read somewhere that “only trouble is
interesting.” That's a little dark, but perhaps far truer than we care to
think. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week we’re going to rely on pictures and go fairly light
on the prose. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieW4Y-1pHaUxL-mBsOgX-6L8zqIr35PPzk9VCT5KkjVuN4gevv28FXfwACzlvvwDJGjc5ipL1eIFzqfnLve7Nw08yF00qVXgCEiFlE8KwHbZsflx-wmbA3amvJ-h-r_pfajOogN4W3tmM/s1600/sunrise+5+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieW4Y-1pHaUxL-mBsOgX-6L8zqIr35PPzk9VCT5KkjVuN4gevv28FXfwACzlvvwDJGjc5ipL1eIFzqfnLve7Nw08yF00qVXgCEiFlE8KwHbZsflx-wmbA3amvJ-h-r_pfajOogN4W3tmM/s400/sunrise+5+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunrise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjna0ELUCnSWicexLbGQSZmZrhgJDPLjdh47vACm_QnSDR33M7WZtImR4fS4iscgXpbk8meA19OVetTx_9s_XRZxeRV8-bew68JWJ9aGfdzL-ZdkmbjKJv8sEvg5iPBt2SBwn_n2mcGE/s1600/walnut+leaves+in+rain+5+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjna0ELUCnSWicexLbGQSZmZrhgJDPLjdh47vACm_QnSDR33M7WZtImR4fS4iscgXpbk8meA19OVetTx_9s_XRZxeRV8-bew68JWJ9aGfdzL-ZdkmbjKJv8sEvg5iPBt2SBwn_n2mcGE/s400/walnut+leaves+in+rain+5+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">walnut leaves in the rain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JJDBP8Z5UtPCyAa4E0psZsNdc6GLu7rMFthvztHQ6_rZ9HZ-D6a_CJqwm4Gj6ZsYSEBcx24UcL20qwbXH-8lBG0PXyVZMitXq0IsICVTO2cnknnZ5y7j7n7pP_3LM9pFK-iKygCLsRs/s1600/1+first+rosa+rugosa+5+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JJDBP8Z5UtPCyAa4E0psZsNdc6GLu7rMFthvztHQ6_rZ9HZ-D6a_CJqwm4Gj6ZsYSEBcx24UcL20qwbXH-8lBG0PXyVZMitXq0IsICVTO2cnknnZ5y7j7n7pP_3LM9pFK-iKygCLsRs/s400/1+first+rosa+rugosa+5+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the first rosa rugosa flower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nky9ykrd3Uo_dp_OQCdcqBHjII02iXVVZGOMPAb_pMHXu7-zsar5VqSdLcV-mSB-LcJ97jWlqFKT_enrW2Vhr9b6WUkJiIl77oKZWGS96f40hDFp2XDVTXk82Fv1a2WKgknlyTnz-KM/s1600/african+daisies+5+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nky9ykrd3Uo_dp_OQCdcqBHjII02iXVVZGOMPAb_pMHXu7-zsar5VqSdLcV-mSB-LcJ97jWlqFKT_enrW2Vhr9b6WUkJiIl77oKZWGS96f40hDFp2XDVTXk82Fv1a2WKgknlyTnz-KM/s400/african+daisies+5+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">african daisies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kMK6otAld4XwEQi1yRY39ZPncACWNt7r3sKOEeG8ZlqbOiYeut0kcu5TRpuL-oJ_QMpXyTGTBwiDZ0C0hZcnEmPbxXwIswSAg6kJzvFZsyLHojrgHqpw_bHCd-pNOtGC3IhbZLenfMk/s1600/baby+carrots+5+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kMK6otAld4XwEQi1yRY39ZPncACWNt7r3sKOEeG8ZlqbOiYeut0kcu5TRpuL-oJ_QMpXyTGTBwiDZ0C0hZcnEmPbxXwIswSAg6kJzvFZsyLHojrgHqpw_bHCd-pNOtGC3IhbZLenfMk/s400/baby+carrots+5+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby carrots</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8MSKN8Axng7X_XfwjLDCtHH4WfYA7Oe0gGqCIKQN4oQ_-SEqvePju8kNawhGl84yyNYuSAG1vJyHDt8WmwRzxkJpI-LsP5l4Jch6EGknYGwqewOOUORkO9i7i_y9HhUUU0nrPIniAN0/s1600/barnswallow+5+9+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8MSKN8Axng7X_XfwjLDCtHH4WfYA7Oe0gGqCIKQN4oQ_-SEqvePju8kNawhGl84yyNYuSAG1vJyHDt8WmwRzxkJpI-LsP5l4Jch6EGknYGwqewOOUORkO9i7i_y9HhUUU0nrPIniAN0/s400/barnswallow+5+9+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">barn swallow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIS8mFPa1rk11XWcFeC_MUsg8g5v0jZZVDfKxGpDaGqFkHJjKlFk_oczl8mkByaeQjeSVQpo5_AwQZSl-ddwvKcXYZuJnkITHW9CRAMMHYbWVV_bHXXd3auCYqNriALUocH6EerZtK60/s1600/bluejay+feather+3+9+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIS8mFPa1rk11XWcFeC_MUsg8g5v0jZZVDfKxGpDaGqFkHJjKlFk_oczl8mkByaeQjeSVQpo5_AwQZSl-ddwvKcXYZuJnkITHW9CRAMMHYbWVV_bHXXd3auCYqNriALUocH6EerZtK60/s400/bluejay+feather+3+9+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bluejay feather</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyQM_EX96SxsH0MGVQqv3TjTBkVMCj44xy4ArHZbVeB22e1jymsVrgii8VcI733nAE7XjqbHQ8uxjVeApGYMESU4N6gv4IBjEeAf6B5xxZCedBnGP6QIhwMIR12HZEDrOw5j-einpVIg/s1600/brown+thrasher+5+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyQM_EX96SxsH0MGVQqv3TjTBkVMCj44xy4ArHZbVeB22e1jymsVrgii8VcI733nAE7XjqbHQ8uxjVeApGYMESU4N6gv4IBjEeAf6B5xxZCedBnGP6QIhwMIR12HZEDrOw5j-einpVIg/s400/brown+thrasher+5+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">brown thrasher<br />she has a nest in the fence-row<br />( the grub must be for her babies)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_N1bg6WBwXdyI0Lp9hyphenhyphen80edxLpQNk0382afNsj1d5WGP39zSas9s_YOKeNzQWS11QA7VNQXNrSlRMSzyjQd0zsI5lWu74AWbFq4Ed06fwnFRFVXWUQSGWfA6TsIE1yN4uCsmG_2vYPQ8/s1600/calf+iris+5+6+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_N1bg6WBwXdyI0Lp9hyphenhyphen80edxLpQNk0382afNsj1d5WGP39zSas9s_YOKeNzQWS11QA7VNQXNrSlRMSzyjQd0zsI5lWu74AWbFq4Ed06fwnFRFVXWUQSGWfA6TsIE1yN4uCsmG_2vYPQ8/s400/calf+iris+5+6+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">purple iris on the lane</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVgceu8yX7kSomVloRECgEbbaY1TWKq_PFnOgmEjASu_Yrmb62uwqMTUkb4nQZVDT3w6rrTnJNJXEg1CxDGN117_j7EUxOvoQvqa1rpBdnegG8wwbA9jK7I-BlNygtpF9thmW-S-hacU/s1600/echinacea+close+5+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVgceu8yX7kSomVloRECgEbbaY1TWKq_PFnOgmEjASu_Yrmb62uwqMTUkb4nQZVDT3w6rrTnJNJXEg1CxDGN117_j7EUxOvoQvqa1rpBdnegG8wwbA9jK7I-BlNygtpF9thmW-S-hacU/s400/echinacea+close+5+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">echinacea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQLpgDhnKkQxyKHivpc_VwuAk2rXT-kzlo6t_hB1Y4ii_5Wm1LtaqSkiJ6ZcjQOmbxOJxlunG9c8mSPRI88l2s8y-p7svNbP7QdrJOymRtCg-PbvrElo55ABrhAHGt7u3pyxg03yZJxw/s1600/finished+flower+pots+5+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQLpgDhnKkQxyKHivpc_VwuAk2rXT-kzlo6t_hB1Y4ii_5Wm1LtaqSkiJ6ZcjQOmbxOJxlunG9c8mSPRI88l2s8y-p7svNbP7QdrJOymRtCg-PbvrElo55ABrhAHGt7u3pyxg03yZJxw/s400/finished+flower+pots+5+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">whiskey barrel planters at the top of the drive<br />(I've been meaning to do this project for years!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfz0kZB4Sj6AxEomdtuVJR2tVDj5ziKhQuwDpkzMGuyTKUnHTZ1ZzIsR4qqfZyosRxJed-xsKg31Z722NcUnl5uhK-zi1TbrSxNQQwHEPsN5gZlpShQYmiCHHB96CgWPMdUp24_1y9YY/s1600/indigo+bunting+5+16-001+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfz0kZB4Sj6AxEomdtuVJR2tVDj5ziKhQuwDpkzMGuyTKUnHTZ1ZzIsR4qqfZyosRxJed-xsKg31Z722NcUnl5uhK-zi1TbrSxNQQwHEPsN5gZlpShQYmiCHHB96CgWPMdUp24_1y9YY/s400/indigo+bunting+5+16-001+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">indigo bunting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fR9HrGQslayvYC6QhaYYb_6uKr6Yd4GFLc0B_WyN-XnX1Af84e9VGm5wif63Z0qzfhiCm-9X76uIn4XOu4w028ULm-g9Oqd4SFMuV8rRg_a13iG5_56eL9EYmDMTwwWDNt6HhAZTEUU/s1600/potatoes+after+the+rain+5+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="1600" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fR9HrGQslayvYC6QhaYYb_6uKr6Yd4GFLc0B_WyN-XnX1Af84e9VGm5wif63Z0qzfhiCm-9X76uIn4XOu4w028ULm-g9Oqd4SFMuV8rRg_a13iG5_56eL9EYmDMTwwWDNt6HhAZTEUU/s400/potatoes+after+the+rain+5+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the potatoes survived the cold!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYxcDniWu4tNvwDQqYPxUMoUMG-8B_SG8Hc07zmkz8m13zssEF9RDRxotzsxc7ymJ70X0SjRQPdKNQ7XMImraGvnrbpJO4ZICPi7pWdxLjBlvJCj_CVwRi0bS5DFT8E_OKr0CZZOMd6s/s1600/iris+front+yard+5+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYxcDniWu4tNvwDQqYPxUMoUMG-8B_SG8Hc07zmkz8m13zssEF9RDRxotzsxc7ymJ70X0SjRQPdKNQ7XMImraGvnrbpJO4ZICPi7pWdxLjBlvJCj_CVwRi0bS5DFT8E_OKr0CZZOMd6s/s400/iris+front+yard+5+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">iris in the morning light</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYJ1NUX75-HwkFEG_laiT15STBANv5x78dT-EG8g_uTLpBGGAUD1oIhZFTnCWIDvB2SLmLJS66A8B6Mb7jndrNthFqXzW2BSHhASScSY5aUsr_zREEOxuqfhyphenhyphenSbLUdWy-g946DtQkPaw/s1600/karma+and+sissie+5+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="864" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYJ1NUX75-HwkFEG_laiT15STBANv5x78dT-EG8g_uTLpBGGAUD1oIhZFTnCWIDvB2SLmLJS66A8B6Mb7jndrNthFqXzW2BSHhASScSY5aUsr_zREEOxuqfhyphenhyphenSbLUdWy-g946DtQkPaw/s400/karma+and+sissie+5+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="328" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sissie and Karma are such good friends<br />(sometimes)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gT1ZZhc76klu3uksvBlWIK6Vd_ldOOWl6_-ohWcakFNKPiJV385nk19eeVgMrccIbItQ7o61i3ZeS9LVaitkee_p5jJwmNb-ZdO1vm5dnHO59JCDOMQVOmdQbWJd9pAF29BbEYOme1g/s1600/ladybug+5+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gT1ZZhc76klu3uksvBlWIK6Vd_ldOOWl6_-ohWcakFNKPiJV385nk19eeVgMrccIbItQ7o61i3ZeS9LVaitkee_p5jJwmNb-ZdO1vm5dnHO59JCDOMQVOmdQbWJd9pAF29BbEYOme1g/s400/ladybug+5+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ladybug in stinging nettles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZMYKcQqWi15swjXq-nA53MPBuJ3jigicoY8-2zC4_ylb7C_dG5C5eoRDHI7sP1Bn3HKP12ML-dkVwd8jAf2gy342LAvZ2tt4IhcDFIv2yr6byi3XsR0I20BTe80saVjrTsVoQde6Zog/s1600/redbud+leaves+5+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZMYKcQqWi15swjXq-nA53MPBuJ3jigicoY8-2zC4_ylb7C_dG5C5eoRDHI7sP1Bn3HKP12ML-dkVwd8jAf2gy342LAvZ2tt4IhcDFIv2yr6byi3XsR0I20BTe80saVjrTsVoQde6Zog/s400/redbud+leaves+5+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the first redbud leaves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUkASJqnDEImnDNc3cPo8WxxkQhDl1FA5OYSOLFUg61qPMsdCKhIf97hVs6t5z8fXV_6W84he7yr4drCB_-iOzFvE3A_jXs7w0a5Qp-_n3MdHWy4-o8a8xQZLbl2Ht6UJMGo93JJNXoI/s1600/least+flycatcher+5+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUkASJqnDEImnDNc3cPo8WxxkQhDl1FA5OYSOLFUg61qPMsdCKhIf97hVs6t5z8fXV_6W84he7yr4drCB_-iOzFvE3A_jXs7w0a5Qp-_n3MdHWy4-o8a8xQZLbl2Ht6UJMGo93JJNXoI/s400/least+flycatcher+5+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">least flycatcher<br />(she's building a nest in the barn)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYRdtplDHqAlLbow723UJPMtmDOPa8X9djgWkhkBkECBX1zoakoZP81TOY590we7VAJUdZ7S0bFcIbrc6J9k7jVeihi4OY0_8Ep0kRvAJhb8_3hdSP0KE7ZbwljhcXISMAj11x8yAruo/s1600/strawberry+plant+5+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYRdtplDHqAlLbow723UJPMtmDOPa8X9djgWkhkBkECBX1zoakoZP81TOY590we7VAJUdZ7S0bFcIbrc6J9k7jVeihi4OY0_8Ep0kRvAJhb8_3hdSP0KE7ZbwljhcXISMAj11x8yAruo/s400/strawberry+plant+5+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">strawberry plant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4jsjF0KV3CSHhCvG5xhqmOd7a8ynbLJCinMGX9u8v7WzXR4BWDpwe5M4lhMkLYr4XXDvXCe7P0P4qymAFTZULEy0rwPIHo1PQCynCzFWMaFI418zseRbSZ-7muG8zeHDXLFoxHKzngM/s1600/french+breakfast+radishes+5+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4jsjF0KV3CSHhCvG5xhqmOd7a8ynbLJCinMGX9u8v7WzXR4BWDpwe5M4lhMkLYr4XXDvXCe7P0P4qymAFTZULEy0rwPIHo1PQCynCzFWMaFI418zseRbSZ-7muG8zeHDXLFoxHKzngM/s400/french+breakfast+radishes+5+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">french breakfast radishes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFswieVRJfGoFoDWIv1nVJyBvZYLHJTlvr5X59umcf2YCwduPBlHr_x0GQxyzhDRDi9tBlHtzH6YbHVQ3lNMn64G1Gku2pmPnXZrype-4aTJQ5joKLMU0zenB3FU16f_FYsYckC5riTE8/s1600/otis+against+the+sky+5+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFswieVRJfGoFoDWIv1nVJyBvZYLHJTlvr5X59umcf2YCwduPBlHr_x0GQxyzhDRDi9tBlHtzH6YbHVQ3lNMn64G1Gku2pmPnXZrype-4aTJQ5joKLMU0zenB3FU16f_FYsYckC5riTE8/s400/otis+against+the+sky+5+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Otis against the sky</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0d5lkTPWCFg6gGC6yNy-HeQmyXtxg-ZgsTNJK45JCH00V8mw0FCwFK3coljS_zUHrHhgZRkNRtB4N8tuFGG4b5fIo_zTgR5bzVLyu1KbK_3I_bqsr-4n7ULud-nDp4Y3MaKXD6MDUZjY/s1600/sweet+potato+plants+5+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0d5lkTPWCFg6gGC6yNy-HeQmyXtxg-ZgsTNJK45JCH00V8mw0FCwFK3coljS_zUHrHhgZRkNRtB4N8tuFGG4b5fIo_zTgR5bzVLyu1KbK_3I_bqsr-4n7ULud-nDp4Y3MaKXD6MDUZjY/s400/sweet+potato+plants+5+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sweet potato slips<br />(didn't have much hope at this point)<br />stay tuned...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yQKDvl65excmwtgE6HqQVTEMcVF5oL0REvB6tWVg9qZ5JIrbHQcxwrTQhYBc3fgRPt-tA14B2Bm5fu9PEHLDkohhZGQ03hJsD4AN2UKMFQgwJESuh9BZkehqLOICQB_PRZV4DM5V5PE/s1600/welcome+home+5+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1295" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yQKDvl65excmwtgE6HqQVTEMcVF5oL0REvB6tWVg9qZ5JIrbHQcxwrTQhYBc3fgRPt-tA14B2Bm5fu9PEHLDkohhZGQ03hJsD4AN2UKMFQgwJESuh9BZkehqLOICQB_PRZV4DM5V5PE/s400/welcome+home+5+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">welcome home</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cRv6w0TW3BOy5Z3fRtvL0CjbbwJvBaTWrbqjBYv7hEte9N8v9-lZV3oxllaKnF58hsedNZsQH3wzxfgumxYovWgOfKyCt_4XcV7AZOVNDH1HgymJB6Yznj_jO_GYwWO3yJcMlzOAVE0/s1600/wet+lady+bug+nettles+5+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="1600" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cRv6w0TW3BOy5Z3fRtvL0CjbbwJvBaTWrbqjBYv7hEte9N8v9-lZV3oxllaKnF58hsedNZsQH3wzxfgumxYovWgOfKyCt_4XcV7AZOVNDH1HgymJB6Yznj_jO_GYwWO3yJcMlzOAVE0/s400/wet+lady+bug+nettles+5+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another ladybug in the nettles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCC-0-TWChBxFBN2sO4bDR1BpFzsSQQKMtUWoVe6Bh3BR4tQ7KWYYSuwC9FfxtVibOKfAoI2E-CBmkPYzn_DNjtN6R25nuvTGYZQmmIOzAIx1kkfPyXZutCr4Otrpn1GMzRoIFCq-hw7c/s1600/+finches+bunting+feeder+5+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCC-0-TWChBxFBN2sO4bDR1BpFzsSQQKMtUWoVe6Bh3BR4tQ7KWYYSuwC9FfxtVibOKfAoI2E-CBmkPYzn_DNjtN6R25nuvTGYZQmmIOzAIx1kkfPyXZutCr4Otrpn1GMzRoIFCq-hw7c/s400/+finches+bunting+feeder+5+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">house finches and indigo bunting at the feeder<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOSxn65e8E8fVQcqDuepZoEV3SuCOdOoqcRXVN4oumRrL8LMvW4Uhct_wtzWF7IoNJiunbBUUOkc4eg7-gkUKAciJIckig56B6Mm69nNpcLKiC3L4o_TQze4STe91wFxQMKa6s2s9NP0/s1600/wet+rosebud+5+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOSxn65e8E8fVQcqDuepZoEV3SuCOdOoqcRXVN4oumRrL8LMvW4Uhct_wtzWF7IoNJiunbBUUOkc4eg7-gkUKAciJIckig56B6Mm69nNpcLKiC3L4o_TQze4STe91wFxQMKa6s2s9NP0/s400/wet+rosebud+5+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rosebud after the rain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On my daily trip to the mailbox, I happened upon this exchange. While I am not fluent in the language of the swallows, I'm fairly certain I know how this conversation ended. It made me chuckle and I think it may have proven the quote at the beginning...</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7phAhH9H-I1HDKo-tntRbW-g0fKIh4dcV5bPLm7d-y-kKyYPuewHZvo4vDU69t35zVzeKCJmBJLJ7qAuUvi0gwQTh2XgjfnZ-_x3_pKmPq0xJ7zgI2P88v8RgkXPCXq9dxS3MJFuCcs/s1600/treeswallows+househunting+2+5+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7phAhH9H-I1HDKo-tntRbW-g0fKIh4dcV5bPLm7d-y-kKyYPuewHZvo4vDU69t35zVzeKCJmBJLJ7qAuUvi0gwQTh2XgjfnZ-_x3_pKmPq0xJ7zgI2P88v8RgkXPCXq9dxS3MJFuCcs/s400/treeswallows+househunting+2+5+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tree swallows househunting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegGHX7nlmfq4g4KlZRMcuXf2-eL78In3cSjtUqxXrJPb61xnWonLx6HC9xS_XDFGbacrIzmpRr-3r-H8HtL2LSi8VBj-zTGnZ_hfE2opXVHlF_6WeVLjMzKQAj3_sUPKvnJjqQZCs_sE/s1600/tree+swallow+checking+out+birdhouse+5+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegGHX7nlmfq4g4KlZRMcuXf2-eL78In3cSjtUqxXrJPb61xnWonLx6HC9xS_XDFGbacrIzmpRr-3r-H8HtL2LSi8VBj-zTGnZ_hfE2opXVHlF_6WeVLjMzKQAj3_sUPKvnJjqQZCs_sE/s400/tree+swallow+checking+out+birdhouse+5+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">checking out the possibilities</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNmyI1dfgrFDnP3Dab48XUgmVZ8L3G2gBtWTbCgR8btySoMBLbwWLCl0nU23gdxOPDiaxRZ8Ifqhr5PTqBtwp26nSLaOtLMUYb0Q6z61JhZ-qpgQV-kYM-i36H1_tKYo0m4cH69I7NZU/s1600/tree+swallow+fence+5+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNmyI1dfgrFDnP3Dab48XUgmVZ8L3G2gBtWTbCgR8btySoMBLbwWLCl0nU23gdxOPDiaxRZ8Ifqhr5PTqBtwp26nSLaOtLMUYb0Q6z61JhZ-qpgQV-kYM-i36H1_tKYo0m4cH69I7NZU/s400/tree+swallow+fence+5+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just waiting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mEJOHuv7dCv9EqmjmZigpWQM1NuH-Q6bRMlEmE8w98YmwcVk0fe9LxeXb68CYNyqPi6RtIYvNJ-ceaHkXAF6VKpfuyTHKZUXK1Q4XvUBzcPlQJ57VYFgIDPMYk7aQRZoP8-rsjSvhZI/s1600/treeswallow+hurry+up+already+5+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mEJOHuv7dCv9EqmjmZigpWQM1NuH-Q6bRMlEmE8w98YmwcVk0fe9LxeXb68CYNyqPi6RtIYvNJ-ceaHkXAF6VKpfuyTHKZUXK1Q4XvUBzcPlQJ57VYFgIDPMYk7aQRZoP8-rsjSvhZI/s400/treeswallow+hurry+up+already+5+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hurry up!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-3wa9iDiXXmS9kM_xLubHiSlz34Cve_6wUUOh3kKoC7QlfHAqMs4EJQj9K5HFVVxoPZMsNA2UQQKzv43h99awPcmNRC2duS37lCs1dWJ2-OIIn38zVDzsuO52U_PLc9LjQjbXMuU6OA/s1600/tree+swallows+opinions+5+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-3wa9iDiXXmS9kM_xLubHiSlz34Cve_6wUUOh3kKoC7QlfHAqMs4EJQj9K5HFVVxoPZMsNA2UQQKzv43h99awPcmNRC2duS37lCs1dWJ2-OIIn38zVDzsuO52U_PLc9LjQjbXMuU6OA/s400/tree+swallows+opinions+5+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">giving an opinion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1te7zC_n1bLaExuccyRzJHE2GIusU7aN2C2z_eUFMcrYpvxbMGmhxIAqJVSNdJGVcHwbM5Of6bayPKbECd8EHjKq9hX_-UOXjisUe54E78MisFD-ZPDrd4NANy_OLaQsSS7_c3xKXLs/s1600/tree+swallows+5+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1te7zC_n1bLaExuccyRzJHE2GIusU7aN2C2z_eUFMcrYpvxbMGmhxIAqJVSNdJGVcHwbM5Of6bayPKbECd8EHjKq9hX_-UOXjisUe54E78MisFD-ZPDrd4NANy_OLaQsSS7_c3xKXLs/s400/tree+swallows+5+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have all been this swallow...<br />(and now you know where they got the idea for angry birds!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
That will have to do it for this little "walk-about". I'll try and be more on my game next time.<br />
<br />
Hope you have a <b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Happy
Sunday! </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b>
May you find something unexpected and beautiful in the coming week.<br />
Come back and “visit” again soon.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsr9DrNwalSSf02w240lx4XW6hPBIEfmPliL62edhTpDxLxsTUiwZReGhgu5I1qjKdkjWoVR2kVgnkd3vFuq1TesRpprtZgHE1qOtyvbZrAT01Em9NmQ9V2oI6gtuEJWXRbbutQDF0fec/s1600/butterfly+in+lilac+5+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1157" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsr9DrNwalSSf02w240lx4XW6hPBIEfmPliL62edhTpDxLxsTUiwZReGhgu5I1qjKdkjWoVR2kVgnkd3vFuq1TesRpprtZgHE1qOtyvbZrAT01Em9NmQ9V2oI6gtuEJWXRbbutQDF0fec/s400/butterfly+in+lilac+5+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">butterfly in the lilac bush</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03599739740886087571noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819048519590916875.post-34466914109077230482020-05-03T10:54:00.003-04:002020-05-03T11:38:07.111-04:00Sunday Walkabout 5-3-2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Hb_eyZT3tqnNJDjR-AqkuZmhevxlreq7KLGkavEH3OC0iKc5lngGEFZCu5j4LaPQNjWgBSk3jvnre47aO5gNHJIZFQ5B3paLC-ZoAtBMyMVVvT0UTfYxMxzb5RBNCGFYvKXl9AL1g3o/s1600/apple+blossom+sky+4+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Hb_eyZT3tqnNJDjR-AqkuZmhevxlreq7KLGkavEH3OC0iKc5lngGEFZCu5j4LaPQNjWgBSk3jvnre47aO5gNHJIZFQ5B3paLC-ZoAtBMyMVVvT0UTfYxMxzb5RBNCGFYvKXl9AL1g3o/s640/apple+blossom+sky+4+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Where flowers bloom, so does hope” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>-Lady Bird Johnson<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I suppose that could explain why Spring so often seems to
stir in us a new enthusiasm, new life. All the flowers give us hope.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And, I’ll hold onto that…because, let’s face it. This Spring
is weird, awful, terrifying, unsettling, “not normal” , unusual…I could go on. But,
I think you get the picture. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1_UMfsrJ714wRGtZfazY3IFfuinxutJXctTGfp5XgYouh0XElnqo_Shbz4LxWqIrp5sVMk6__H_wrRBnac1AjD_wBIIlWBfalINoTbbBoZpCv3YufVhdhmbWmV_uQSoomE4-I4ZQeuo/s1600/gus+4+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1_UMfsrJ714wRGtZfazY3IFfuinxutJXctTGfp5XgYouh0XElnqo_Shbz4LxWqIrp5sVMk6__H_wrRBnac1AjD_wBIIlWBfalINoTbbBoZpCv3YufVhdhmbWmV_uQSoomE4-I4ZQeuo/s400/gus+4+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gus has taken to sleeping the flower garden<br />
maybe he needs HOPE, too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After what seems like ages of social distancing and “stay-at-home”
orders, the days just seem to meld into one another. I completely lost track of
time at one point. My daughter told me it was “Blursday”. But, someone else
said it was “Blahsday”. So, without the demands of the Farmers’ Market routine,
I remain at a loss. I reckon I will pull it together sometime…but, today is not
that day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fortunately, our life here on the hill doesn’t depend upon
our knowledge of the day of the week. Shortly after the sun rises, the animals
will be looking for their breakfast, so we head out to tend our charges. And,
so it begins. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ytgnMhF_593FnpEpjC2KizOf-W_5Glwsfkeqz_FuxBWAKA8yx33x3-5jINw4YFxRfc02Sl-yxz9UT-aWwBBWGzuDnQLcKEHRrP1Hf68g7FWoSkMicMHAAhfd_k_kW5gI-8hf1ZWVqkM/s1600/roots+barn+sunrise+5+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1386" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ytgnMhF_593FnpEpjC2KizOf-W_5Glwsfkeqz_FuxBWAKA8yx33x3-5jINw4YFxRfc02Sl-yxz9UT-aWwBBWGzuDnQLcKEHRrP1Hf68g7FWoSkMicMHAAhfd_k_kW5gI-8hf1ZWVqkM/s400/roots+barn+sunrise+5+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">barn across Mbrk in the early morning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjfE2-x_8XLkzmbc_YUGqBi9lutEJYGvADt9RG1GBbZ8xNQqw5YodVHI5VZ-iyGHsAZK2W0l0lqwqr_qOnPtPBE6PohU8jkqqoHvz1TjPR52mlWOEr8DWjS2phuJHX2QJjrZzMYrVOaA/s1600/sunrise+5+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjfE2-x_8XLkzmbc_YUGqBi9lutEJYGvADt9RG1GBbZ8xNQqw5YodVHI5VZ-iyGHsAZK2W0l0lqwqr_qOnPtPBE6PohU8jkqqoHvz1TjPR52mlWOEr8DWjS2phuJHX2QJjrZzMYrVOaA/s400/sunrise+5+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dramatic sunrise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAi3vbg2Rk0Q4vy9HfegxrWmil0pzG9FYSuAzG770kWSFRXFofJqRvrWnbf3E2yRlUVFdGOYrMAHXzdPyw_Rs5r5wDvOUD40K8tCoZF-fD0a0Ql5YJqFXINyBR5h7wF4cAZ79A5FPgYA/s1600/sunrise+5+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAi3vbg2Rk0Q4vy9HfegxrWmil0pzG9FYSuAzG770kWSFRXFofJqRvrWnbf3E2yRlUVFdGOYrMAHXzdPyw_Rs5r5wDvOUD40K8tCoZF-fD0a0Ql5YJqFXINyBR5h7wF4cAZ79A5FPgYA/s400/sunrise+5+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">understated sunrise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfpIwgj8U5VpL6-06MG2HPppmCQK-q1MLbHBa-K7wNnB7bati44xe-Pxq1Oke8ArxV-R-llbejN-myt7CnDj2E9yirqmwfkXdbsKWN-8GiMoVfwbxs3t7z-YtZiB6m_0RceuemKr-SJY/s1600/more++morning+light+5+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfpIwgj8U5VpL6-06MG2HPppmCQK-q1MLbHBa-K7wNnB7bati44xe-Pxq1Oke8ArxV-R-llbejN-myt7CnDj2E9yirqmwfkXdbsKWN-8GiMoVfwbxs3t7z-YtZiB6m_0RceuemKr-SJY/s400/more++morning+light+5+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just another morning in the valley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since we’ve down-sized everything, chores don’t take long. Most
of the hen flock found new homes around the area. (the big cats at the zoo had
to go without local chicken this year) There are a few hens left to provide
eggs for our use, but they’re not the best-looking bunch. It used to bother me
that our chickens always looked so scraggly and ugly. But, knowing that egg production
takes a lot of energy helped. A hen’s energy can go into egg production or
appearance, I don’t think you can have both consistently. So, since we’re in it
for the eggs…our chickens will never be beauty-hens. And, that’s okay.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the sheep department, things are going along quite well.
I almost hesitate to type that, because it seems like every time I think things
are good…they’re not. (especially with the sheep) the old saying “the thing
sheep do best is die” is never far from a shepherd’s mind. We watched a show
last week about an award-winning sheep farm somewhere in England, and the farmer
said the same thing repeatedly. But, for now...we're all good.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs99UT0z4hoMFotlUvoQ6QsUAO9cgVGEAeYHtEveeNt03C6YJxLXIsaPXI1gtUVsSUytV9ZVZVQ9bzEznrl44jrUKX9z5KkOePxbx1MCy_JiMP4lwRmgLEDCHf6lsadxL_Pvqkeu1dPek/s1600/2020+lambs+weaning+4+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs99UT0z4hoMFotlUvoQ6QsUAO9cgVGEAeYHtEveeNt03C6YJxLXIsaPXI1gtUVsSUytV9ZVZVQ9bzEznrl44jrUKX9z5KkOePxbx1MCy_JiMP4lwRmgLEDCHf6lsadxL_Pvqkeu1dPek/s640/2020+lambs+weaning+4+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">weaning day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We finally got the lambs weaned. It seemed especially late
this year, but a check of farm history states otherwise. weaning is stressful
on all involved, but the shepherds have a special difficulty with the
screaming. It.Never.Stops. I think I’ve written about this before. You should
read <a href="https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2012/05/no-silence-of-these-lambs.html">THIS.</a> You could also read <a href="https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2012/05/no-silence-of-these-lambs.html">THIS.</a> There are more, but I will spare you the noise. This year, everyone got sorted with relative ease and the screaming
only lasted for about two days.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then the screaming stopped fairly precipitously. Almost
overnight, it was peaceful and lovely and I was making a concerted effort to be
positive and hopeful…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While I was enjoying the quiet, I started working in the
hoophouse, when suddenly there was a great commotion at the barn. Lambs were
bleating, dogs were barking, I could hear running hooves…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, I stopped what I was doing and trudged uphill to the
barn. (now, it should be noted here that my feet feel like little wooden stumps
most days…I try to keep moving, I even purposefully take a walk every day, but,
it hurts. A lot) As I got closer to the barn I heard a big crash. It sounded
like a truck in Mbrk had dumped a load of metal, or there had been an accident
at the post office…I really couldn’t identify the sound.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I walked in the barn, it was eerily quiet. No lambs in
sight. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wait a minute!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No dogs. No lambs. Nobody, except a sleepy cat in the hay.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
WHERE are the lambs? The sleepy cat had no answers or interest.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nobody in the barn lot, either.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then I noticed that the gate was down. (and I do mean DOWN)
the grass was all flattened. One fence post looked a little floppy. And, now I heard
lambs yelling and ewes yelling. Otis was even yelling. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The dogs started
barking.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What the?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While my beleaguered mind tried to ascertain the chain of
events that ended with the lambs trampling the gate (pulling the staples out of
the fencepost, breaking the chain, and loosening the other post) and stampeding
back to attempt to get in with their mothers, I dug my phone out of my pocket
to call for reinforcements)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Boss sounded as bewildered as I felt, but he figured out
a fix while I hunted up a better pair of boots. With the gate repaired, we
headed out for what we thought would be a simple round-up. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We completely forgot the first rule of shepherding and farming
(actually, all of life)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
---<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">nothing
ever goes like you think it will. EVER.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It seemed so easy. Push the lambs back up the alley and shut
the newly repaired gate. Easy peasy! I guess I should clarify here that “pushing
lambs” doesn’t involve actual physical contact. (that would create a whole new
set of problems) Since sheep are prey animals, they have a flight zone and will
run away if that zone is encroached on and they feel the least bit threatened. So.
By walking behind them, arms outstretched and making some sort of noise, you
can move them along. The alley is a fairly long, fairly narrow stretch that
runs along the property line from the barn, past the garden area, around the
corner at the hoophouse and opens into the back feed corral and grazing
paddocks. It is a total distance of maybe 200-ish feet. Not a long way by any
measure.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the past, we’ve just run them back to the barn, no problem.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t know what happened this time. Maybe it was my stumpy
little feet. Maybe it was the Boss’ general aggravation at the whole fiasco of
the broken gate. Maybe it was the dogs…the lambs… I don’t know. But, they didn't do what they were supposed to do. AT ALL. Every time we would make some headway, somebody would turn around and run away, or jump over the others and they would all flip out. Back and forth, back and forth...everyone was getting frustrated. When they
turned around on the third (fourth) attempt to get them to the barn, I was so
tired and sore (not to mention just plain mad) so, I threw the crook at a
fencepost in an attempt to vent some of the frustration that was threatening to
overcome me. of course, when the crook hit the fencepost, it bounced backwards…and
since the Boss was still coming up behind me…well, you know what happened,
right? Yep. Caught him right in the crotch. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, now, we have stumpy-foot shepherd, bent-over-double
shepherd and a bunch of lambs that have lost what little minds they had to
begin with. Oh…good grief!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Surprisingly, he was willing to attempt it one more time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This time we got “most” of them to the barnlot. Three managed
to escape and were running back and forth, screaming. They wanted in with the
moms, but they wanted to be back with their pen-mates. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh, my goodness…this
could NOT continue.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fortunately, I was able to push the small group by myself. Once
they got near the barnlot, they could see the other lambs and they were convinced
they wanted to stay put. He came along behind and shut the gate and all’s well
that ends well. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lessons learned here…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just because it’s never happened before, doesn’t mean it won’t.
-after 20+ years we’re still saying “I ain’t never seen <b>that</b> before!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Watch out for the unexpected. -I’m still apologizing for that one.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Teamwork and a calm demeanor can get most any job done.
---even if you do have stumpy feet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, if farming doesn’t prove Murphy’s Law <span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "bodoni mt black" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">"Anything that can go wrong will go wrong",</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "bodoni mt black" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know what does.</span><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black;">However, in
the end, the lambs stayed where they were supposed to. The ewes are happily
grazing out back. And, despite Otis’ constant complaints about “social
distancing”, the ovine population seems to be thriving. The Boss has recovered and my stumpy little feet are still attached to my legs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBf_d5Ac55FtuxmI995Z6fmR1XivSPuHXA4o9LlABAltl1_zE8Lfxe-f-7SIaEgyNaDjRcC-ecXR2WmpD2uoA1QyVQW6e8yDY3WdqJkxt770M90PbFJoA4ASDZPXGn2FHUaWxFzdQHolo/s1600/sheep+grazing+cherry+tree+4+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBf_d5Ac55FtuxmI995Z6fmR1XivSPuHXA4o9LlABAltl1_zE8Lfxe-f-7SIaEgyNaDjRcC-ecXR2WmpD2uoA1QyVQW6e8yDY3WdqJkxt770M90PbFJoA4ASDZPXGn2FHUaWxFzdQHolo/s400/sheep+grazing+cherry+tree+4+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">seeming peaceful and tranquil</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black;">Now, if I could
just remember what day it is and what was happening before that fiasco, we’d be
good.</span><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black;">Oh, yeah…the
hoophouse. </span><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black;">Despite the
fact that Spring seems very late, or at least slow, this year, we’ve been
having amazing success with our new paradigm for the hoophouse. It is quite
exciting. And, truly delicious!</span><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black;">This week we
got some strawberry plants and the sweet potato slips should be here tomorrow
or the next day to round out the experiment. We put the shadecloth on the other
day, so we won’t have to worry about soaring temperatures. It’s nice to have a
project that works so well from the very beginning. My only concern is reigning
in the Boss’ seemingly endless enthusiasm. </span><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black;">I am happy
to report that the potatoes are finally coming up. I have probably lost years
off my life with all the worrying I have done/continue to do about the potato
crop around here. and, I can honestly say that we have always had some kind of
crop…it’s been really bad some years, but we have never gone without potatoes. That’s
a real good thing…there is a reason why they are considered a staple. And, I love me
some ‘taters!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfs4kos2s8vKULlXvMqX9brOg6vQ5341F2iGr7UAHMG28LAyooT2ZXWyvZCVeXHKEVVpqbqamd3u6Z-AMPSshXsLgFuTEMpkDWkTrkacUovfba3DqF0GMfgPkrjPfjKuWgzDiK7EkpR0/s1600/taters+yay+4+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfs4kos2s8vKULlXvMqX9brOg6vQ5341F2iGr7UAHMG28LAyooT2ZXWyvZCVeXHKEVVpqbqamd3u6Z-AMPSshXsLgFuTEMpkDWkTrkacUovfba3DqF0GMfgPkrjPfjKuWgzDiK7EkpR0/s400/taters+yay+4+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this certainly doesn't look like much<br />
but, it makes me SO happy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmkxP2VpBYkYdGK_-tAd9a6XhtC0M_rwIYjPHT7fbSYP-DOAL9kwBXvAJXLmdAMdOgineMlSwNKl4wEmpMnJiZWoxwRQEcL1PJ20U3fi6YjwNhc6gXymUIVw_nwAsiSk35CGJHKvTEWs/s1600/the+first+asparagus+5+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1509" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmkxP2VpBYkYdGK_-tAd9a6XhtC0M_rwIYjPHT7fbSYP-DOAL9kwBXvAJXLmdAMdOgineMlSwNKl4wEmpMnJiZWoxwRQEcL1PJ20U3fi6YjwNhc6gXymUIVw_nwAsiSk35CGJHKvTEWs/s400/the+first+asparagus+5+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we picked the first asparagus, too</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black;">Without the
Market and all the issues that surround it, I find I am at a loss for news as
well as knowing what day it is. I’m pretty sure that the growing/mowing grass
routine doesn’t warrant any sort of reporting. The Boss does have a new fence
project, and while fencing is highly important, it’s not the sort of interesting
copy anybody wants to read. My lack of progress on my “work-in-progress, or my
lack of motivation when it comes to cleaning and/or organization is just depressing.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And personally, I just can’t face any further
coverage of the pandemic…I just can’t.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, here are a few shots from around the farm...and the neighborhood...<br />
<span style="background: white; color: black;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWaYgLmU4nTCm-O7Tcp2hM2I8Gb7ObaqJT4X1NOdgRnb9gu-b_D7weNGfHOVtIlfn8F0JUhSlMMuMonKEeOyHYrjk7SHhWRAu0evS9RlBWJv1qtGYhTgcli5GAC5pkLyNqV8I3NaAaVI/s1600/a+matched+set+of+steers+5+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1433" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWaYgLmU4nTCm-O7Tcp2hM2I8Gb7ObaqJT4X1NOdgRnb9gu-b_D7weNGfHOVtIlfn8F0JUhSlMMuMonKEeOyHYrjk7SHhWRAu0evS9RlBWJv1qtGYhTgcli5GAC5pkLyNqV8I3NaAaVI/s400/a+matched+set+of+steers+5+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">new neighbors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdZ4wU3tqgX6k7XRzD9YFl6L4xg1vv86hwqft8Hd5roMWI860RLI29Fi7gMM6Ofgx7Veatp9paJPtIYH_V0ZRvMaS0neyY9ceEQgnjDd3k0ihsm3xAdqODshfe8IfdMgVlfYnvng5tEM/s1600/cherry+tomatoes+4+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdZ4wU3tqgX6k7XRzD9YFl6L4xg1vv86hwqft8Hd5roMWI860RLI29Fi7gMM6Ofgx7Veatp9paJPtIYH_V0ZRvMaS0neyY9ceEQgnjDd3k0ihsm3xAdqODshfe8IfdMgVlfYnvng5tEM/s400/cherry+tomatoes+4+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty cherry tomatoes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxf0WuKeGBfes1urlkYwYxVwh7YluZsWakZVe8-L6aTh4rc4cIN6uge1-M-Nyx6EsCEuKWz6yUywHVu-NEYEROoSvlJNtkBjCcVQlg9eA3yu2yJyNlXCyDCQ1VrC3cskh1bD41aaAUiw/s1600/woodpecker+4+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxf0WuKeGBfes1urlkYwYxVwh7YluZsWakZVe8-L6aTh4rc4cIN6uge1-M-Nyx6EsCEuKWz6yUywHVu-NEYEROoSvlJNtkBjCcVQlg9eA3yu2yJyNlXCyDCQ1VrC3cskh1bD41aaAUiw/s400/woodpecker+4+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">woodpecker in maple tree<br />
don't worry, he's not hurting the tree<br />
he is using that spot to hold the seeds he is eating<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlb5wnpxLbcIpUvl5qHWviDB8-ZT6C_I4rswCwugCvxOMsZ9b9jOuqmTC8bD2eVBEw5yJHKWNgWGKxAaP4QklAgP27aez0jUIz6eGq3wHE2zh-zXkvlox_tgEB2sAXMNJnNocAdHuTqg8/s1600/walnut+in+maple+tree+4+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlb5wnpxLbcIpUvl5qHWviDB8-ZT6C_I4rswCwugCvxOMsZ9b9jOuqmTC8bD2eVBEw5yJHKWNgWGKxAaP4QklAgP27aez0jUIz6eGq3wHE2zh-zXkvlox_tgEB2sAXMNJnNocAdHuTqg8/s400/walnut+in+maple+tree+4+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
last week I found portions of walnuts out there!<br />
(for the record, it is a maple tree)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3k1rN7wcvEbvxrYR70cMvE5WsJz93Klj2rzzsFLE2HiUM1oPT8lxKbc5ZhDS-RH_DzUc1SDKTI0h9zmqVvVBwYoXSktYLCLf6O_ZtkQBii-5YT5vqJtv-rN0Itsu3AcvyaALPPg3HMKk/s1600/cloudy+april+day+mountains+4+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3k1rN7wcvEbvxrYR70cMvE5WsJz93Klj2rzzsFLE2HiUM1oPT8lxKbc5ZhDS-RH_DzUc1SDKTI0h9zmqVvVBwYoXSktYLCLf6O_ZtkQBii-5YT5vqJtv-rN0Itsu3AcvyaALPPg3HMKk/s400/cloudy+april+day+mountains+4+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spring is coming to the mountains</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVs0FDx6qxolc-xYEY5AFDyY7jhu7z_50l5UiBdRZiMhUyeycTMArk1Le59eSSVe0Fcd7_eTVO9BSb4-eQvSx-UvAqDG7AGGi4RKQ7HI3gqyI0_R52gptLhj_HuVsxGkvhPgKYNcAyAk/s1600/dandelion+sky+4+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1361" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVs0FDx6qxolc-xYEY5AFDyY7jhu7z_50l5UiBdRZiMhUyeycTMArk1Le59eSSVe0Fcd7_eTVO9BSb4-eQvSx-UvAqDG7AGGi4RKQ7HI3gqyI0_R52gptLhj_HuVsxGkvhPgKYNcAyAk/s400/dandelion+sky+4+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dandelion after the rain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirX_mqyhLDG1qvbZqHdmcGn088JZDNbiEWFl35vvdpThaB-XxPUHThBwexewr_88XN9S3XwnFpZ9V1XMnB_ck1P4OD30fyv7q6qVXKRB1EUGT2NfYVHrsTv6rF3bS9GgWjHM9oyHW8Jno/s1600/dewdrop+k+window+4+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1570" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirX_mqyhLDG1qvbZqHdmcGn088JZDNbiEWFl35vvdpThaB-XxPUHThBwexewr_88XN9S3XwnFpZ9V1XMnB_ck1P4OD30fyv7q6qVXKRB1EUGT2NfYVHrsTv6rF3bS9GgWjHM9oyHW8Jno/s400/dewdrop+k+window+4+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my corn sprouting experiment was a success!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHXm3mN0gprI-8a0FGMIjhqFSxXU73q_VFqPgaxKYzBAgGnq3LTvDRJDAwYb1rZ6aFn-sWKyi8xTGB5dne4h436HsyxUFQdyqRhkULLAqeE0DMEdknC1eQPTFE_GpzFyx1gIzEyKv28I/s1600/dove+fence+5+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1347" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHXm3mN0gprI-8a0FGMIjhqFSxXU73q_VFqPgaxKYzBAgGnq3LTvDRJDAwYb1rZ6aFn-sWKyi8xTGB5dne4h436HsyxUFQdyqRhkULLAqeE0DMEdknC1eQPTFE_GpzFyx1gIzEyKv28I/s400/dove+fence+5+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dove on the fence wire<br />
(I think this is the female)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAhnaeoq3PBCb6PMAQfCFIvh5gyi-TCBs4tl9NZ8K-USRf_uJuSYQ_VqcEFnzGitLAVCFTl9ZIeuUBxcqnbJYlH_scYYM9QWFtm0nhdPpk6o5RI0R4I36D6vVoB7VH5M_rG0euOKWJZE/s1600/dove+post+5+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1439" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAhnaeoq3PBCb6PMAQfCFIvh5gyi-TCBs4tl9NZ8K-USRf_uJuSYQ_VqcEFnzGitLAVCFTl9ZIeuUBxcqnbJYlH_scYYM9QWFtm0nhdPpk6o5RI0R4I36D6vVoB7VH5M_rG0euOKWJZE/s400/dove+post+5+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and, that would make this the male sitting on the post<br />
(but, I could be wrong)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaZEBE70n0bPDstmawQzPm4tR19TlzPYGymlo8FpOFXwgjN4F0-zRP2xbT3aQn9G5L40p9gjGvjrKVhuhXDQ-zKIG-PPPS_fzPD_Duidfaj1HLkaa3pdmQvt0E7i1akd3gEdIcX7qsF8/s1600/family+portrait+4+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaZEBE70n0bPDstmawQzPm4tR19TlzPYGymlo8FpOFXwgjN4F0-zRP2xbT3aQn9G5L40p9gjGvjrKVhuhXDQ-zKIG-PPPS_fzPD_Duidfaj1HLkaa3pdmQvt0E7i1akd3gEdIcX7qsF8/s400/family+portrait+4+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lambs behaving for the moment</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANPyND6g4gNCAXeR4Y92uRqsQNUWpP-vxIOD9df3hvHddc3E3pOAUkcMhX-gRpr3-XVKHP3KYL_3xKm78JmaIJ_aWboqNh9woy9XdPJdzOP20sYj03rlkEXmEVBlVT8Cd7shKvzBs9gI/s1600/helicopters+5+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANPyND6g4gNCAXeR4Y92uRqsQNUWpP-vxIOD9df3hvHddc3E3pOAUkcMhX-gRpr3-XVKHP3KYL_3xKm78JmaIJ_aWboqNh9woy9XdPJdzOP20sYj03rlkEXmEVBlVT8Cd7shKvzBs9gI/s400/helicopters+5+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">maple helicopter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIjOYJNReiXjSktWuOlEznV9HQZW4QvG1koll28wDDVJhKEPQqjSZwrC9K6aL9-_lmZG-MhRmAEQgZgRmuV0WjLrvFRruyjlOulY_RPjaXBay6wZUPLIg6JbomDDLRPIgQyOP-EsuKvc/s1600/honey+locust+4+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIjOYJNReiXjSktWuOlEznV9HQZW4QvG1koll28wDDVJhKEPQqjSZwrC9K6aL9-_lmZG-MhRmAEQgZgRmuV0WjLrvFRruyjlOulY_RPjaXBay6wZUPLIg6JbomDDLRPIgQyOP-EsuKvc/s400/honey+locust+4+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">honey locust<br />
look at those thorns!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknn4p_oCYrZ5Fw_z0fiysZmILRkkn4PFCnerwAVAZ4437qaswPsC5yVwiMBkl-XlDam5OrDdWXt9ixNOXxpQ7e1aUwpaKSTkFpBAD0rbd41r8_vpppMvOs_cc7FQVtx9f3iDbuN6ZweY/s1600/late+season+dogwood+blossoms+5+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknn4p_oCYrZ5Fw_z0fiysZmILRkkn4PFCnerwAVAZ4437qaswPsC5yVwiMBkl-XlDam5OrDdWXt9ixNOXxpQ7e1aUwpaKSTkFpBAD0rbd41r8_vpppMvOs_cc7FQVtx9f3iDbuN6ZweY/s400/late+season+dogwood+blossoms+5+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">coming to the end of the dogwood blossoms</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDWG4luvgAFOHnTl3WrucmfJDCLwE2tYJbYbMkXtEbU3tGEbCedLEokMmveXyG-X2LS8b0oRphFO77acrreLTq_4LJkmWoaWPEiMFFee46D4bYch9vkjh0i0k67z1eJpass7dHWMe-m0/s1600/redbud+leaf+5+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDWG4luvgAFOHnTl3WrucmfJDCLwE2tYJbYbMkXtEbU3tGEbCedLEokMmveXyG-X2LS8b0oRphFO77acrreLTq_4LJkmWoaWPEiMFFee46D4bYch9vkjh0i0k67z1eJpass7dHWMe-m0/s400/redbud+leaf+5+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the first redbud leaves<br />
even the teeny, tiny ones look like hearts!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcEH_6Yow11OghR4lXllUINjG5dYYFNoaqhTHjKsDIBLjYWu009Up91XO6wFH6sZvqqeVD5ZcgmDy4z3-gazpUvh4_cBX3uJ3pYiFXKNkGxGajoaLFYqGmhL5n01q_X_06vgco9DNTRc/s1600/1+karma+and+sissie+4+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcEH_6Yow11OghR4lXllUINjG5dYYFNoaqhTHjKsDIBLjYWu009Up91XO6wFH6sZvqqeVD5ZcgmDy4z3-gazpUvh4_cBX3uJ3pYiFXKNkGxGajoaLFYqGmhL5n01q_X_06vgco9DNTRc/s400/1+karma+and+sissie+4+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sissie is giving Karma a back massage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYSXnY3d5gJlaelqJ9Jan1S53Ezh-g3L0mSGMGiV8bSvG21J_kG87Wk1K4_Jf1XhRblvwQjWR4gsR30dgZaHR8EJv0ZwMELOLH2lGK9xNfZvNfESguFjzX_pWdJKnDlbwnQw-4xewlys/s1600/view+from+the+window+4+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYSXnY3d5gJlaelqJ9Jan1S53Ezh-g3L0mSGMGiV8bSvG21J_kG87Wk1K4_Jf1XhRblvwQjWR4gsR30dgZaHR8EJv0ZwMELOLH2lGK9xNfZvNfESguFjzX_pWdJKnDlbwnQw-4xewlys/s400/view+from+the+window+4+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've been following this page called<br />
"A View From My Window" on Facebook<br />
this is MY view</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfbvnkBUKAEiH4su8OjFvo3MtqKC5Y1EjK0ru-FI2hVo9FYIekY6eP2J_ANJld5vewbk8l4U-5WeIsRCr46nrAjpvMaAcILycDvBAKBio0f1P8Lh3NnhI-uao4a3qe4X7sIm2F4dQpmY/s1600/wren+on+birdhouse+4+29+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="822" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfbvnkBUKAEiH4su8OjFvo3MtqKC5Y1EjK0ru-FI2hVo9FYIekY6eP2J_ANJld5vewbk8l4U-5WeIsRCr46nrAjpvMaAcILycDvBAKBio0f1P8Lh3NnhI-uao4a3qe4X7sIm2F4dQpmY/s400/wren+on+birdhouse+4+29+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ANOTHER new neighbor!<br />
a Carolina Wren moved into the derelict birdhouse out front</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nos5d8Tw_BRjSJyE4yYsCirVPndXKCPBhqxjK4L88P-jicNSlS_kBVFAbO4j4xDho6PAOcdkhGWLwzP957CY2leYxKhvZpvqgsdgITTiU-RlUHSlbr1diKwlGW4AyPN7T3TrU8pLIDQ/s1600/amandas+bday+2020+-+2nd+attempt+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="936" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nos5d8Tw_BRjSJyE4yYsCirVPndXKCPBhqxjK4L88P-jicNSlS_kBVFAbO4j4xDho6PAOcdkhGWLwzP957CY2leYxKhvZpvqgsdgITTiU-RlUHSlbr1diKwlGW4AyPN7T3TrU8pLIDQ/s320/amandas+bday+2020+-+2nd+attempt+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">definitely NOT how anybody wanted to celebrate 30<br />
but, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!<br />
love you</td></tr>
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<span style="background: white; color: black;">I know we
will get through this, somehow. But, we “celebrated” yet another social-distanced
birthday and it just made me sad. It’s great that the feedstore, the auto parts
place and the doctor’s office can all do “curb-side” service (personal experience
with all of those), but…I wonder when/if the end will ever come. And, that’s
got me freaking out…just a little. (maybe a lot)</span><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black;">On the plus
side, I did learn how to do remote deposits on mobile banking, made the Boss’
favorite icecream and got the tomato plants re-potted…so, there is that.</span><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black;">Thank you
for coming by to “visit”. </span><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black;">Have a </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Happy Sunday!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sTMVX9EL_tY5_OVkq9Ui7xgh1fn_uVgVV6nQjitTefXGl3k5pjmxDD_bmg3EQvIng9I5dcNKc1HwZl9wc-_O3BRmdztx_fu6w41JRKYNquFlC3h2K8xxUDIVYAyUanmIhpXZvdlxgh4/s1600/cardinal+apple+blossoms+4+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sTMVX9EL_tY5_OVkq9Ui7xgh1fn_uVgVV6nQjitTefXGl3k5pjmxDD_bmg3EQvIng9I5dcNKc1HwZl9wc-_O3BRmdztx_fu6w41JRKYNquFlC3h2K8xxUDIVYAyUanmIhpXZvdlxgh4/s640/cardinal+apple+blossoms+4+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black;">It is my
wish for you this week that you can find HOPE. I am determined to keep looking!</span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03599739740886087571noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819048519590916875.post-91234286444416145012020-04-19T09:58:00.000-04:002020-04-19T10:54:43.580-04:00Sunday Walkabout 4-19-2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9txWZevknIAle_BUBk1UPFG9ZTItGVJFOwRJhWoCHsKBkWhiXPMbrF929q0RNE66A_fGvVDnC_ewEWhBtUwcn5NmhBe6Uh-ZPPRh2IZvgvVqGR0oCOe3x02UHJyJTXBLwYDTAdc4_Y2E/s1600/gladys+4+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1401" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9txWZevknIAle_BUBk1UPFG9ZTItGVJFOwRJhWoCHsKBkWhiXPMbrF929q0RNE66A_fGvVDnC_ewEWhBtUwcn5NmhBe6Uh-ZPPRh2IZvgvVqGR0oCOe3x02UHJyJTXBLwYDTAdc4_Y2E/s640/gladys+4+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow"><span style="background: white; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Where to start?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow"><span style="background: white; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">We seem to have hit our limit, crisis-fatigue
(if that can be a thing) has set in…there have been incendiary remarks,
protests, arguments, altercations that took a tragic turn, gunfights… I think
someone even died.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow"><span style="background: white; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Oh. Wait. You probably think…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow"><span style="background: white; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Not us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow"><span style="background: white; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I am not talking personally here. Although, there
has been more swearing more than usual, serious tension, at least one meltdown
and far too many frustrated tears. But I was talking societally, locally...every
day is some new shocking story. People are reacting to this crisis in some
disturbing ways. These are scary and unsettling times.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow"><span style="background: white; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I probably should stop reading the news.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow"><span style="background: white; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">The Virginia stay-at-home order remains in
effect (until June 10<sup>th</sup>) and the governor angered some folks when he
extended the “non-essential business” closures until May 8<sup>th</sup>. I
totally understand the concerns regarding the economy, I do. And, I’ve got some
serious financial worries, so I get it…totally. However, dead people can’t work
at all and once the medical system is overwhelmed, we’re all going to be in a
very bad place.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow"><span style="background: white; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">But, you didn’t come here to read about my
opinions or tales of other people’s bad behavior. You’re looking for some
pretty pictures and maybe a funny animal story…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow"><span style="background: white; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">And, that’s probably all I’ve got for you this
week.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow"><span style="background: white; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">The sheep are enjoying the lush grass of early
Spring and there are SO many flowers this year that it is absolutely gorgeous out
there. (we just try to overlook the pollen that threatens to overwhelm our sinuses)
I don’t know if we can attribute that to the lack of any real winter, or what. But,
it has been amazing. It has also been cold, hot, windy, rainy…SNOWY. (yep, on
April 15<sup>th</sup>!) The crazy weather has just added to the overall
uncertainty of EVERYTHING these days, and I keep thinking of Winnie-the-Pooh’s Eeyore
(and quite possibly my true “spirit animal”) when he said </span></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">“at least we haven't had an earthquake
lately.” </span><span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">(which, is really a good thing, people
are still talking about the one we had in 2011) That may be the only thing we
haven’t had. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XEuPaGFPRcgf1dqWxlwAtyGve6yeEMOdeiXfPZb8PYRgrhr4dQ_bF7cFW6t0FX2bpy5QauN50Oh6o3pVvvDJRT1k4zFHl1BQoI7ubl6kLaaAJuS1-RmZGO0taW3tMDbySkpHRl7T7MU/s1600/frosted+dandelion+4+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XEuPaGFPRcgf1dqWxlwAtyGve6yeEMOdeiXfPZb8PYRgrhr4dQ_bF7cFW6t0FX2bpy5QauN50Oh6o3pVvvDJRT1k4zFHl1BQoI7ubl6kLaaAJuS1-RmZGO0taW3tMDbySkpHRl7T7MU/s400/frosted+dandelion+4+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">frosted dandelion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_B2ZXeALwL3_UNk1OSRw5nAtMxlEpQoOMs4g0JoPCRL0kxfKqXyKsgKpo-GKYZ8lnHwmYpWCzOOb4DL-5L_BzPfB983zSb1pZDY3PdK5MOkZ-YmJdgwrccrQSYkHWhWxbZV2Jhw2-_0/s1600/dannys+lilacs+4+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_B2ZXeALwL3_UNk1OSRw5nAtMxlEpQoOMs4g0JoPCRL0kxfKqXyKsgKpo-GKYZ8lnHwmYpWCzOOb4DL-5L_BzPfB983zSb1pZDY3PdK5MOkZ-YmJdgwrccrQSYkHWhWxbZV2Jhw2-_0/s400/dannys+lilacs+4+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty lilacs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKqy8qhVw6lwnJFBbSdzwGgTXRO2w2RGSgCqtt4HlAB4xkkDvmO9EpYNh0B3rI75GoeShyphenhyphenqWWvDEAM6gTnuRddjTcuBX2Sb0xiBoRmSY6NK3gISe3Q1l-ERFAUOg4rBIJujEFL1QWt3Q/s1600/one+dogwood+4+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKqy8qhVw6lwnJFBbSdzwGgTXRO2w2RGSgCqtt4HlAB4xkkDvmO9EpYNh0B3rI75GoeShyphenhyphenqWWvDEAM6gTnuRddjTcuBX2Sb0xiBoRmSY6NK3gISe3Q1l-ERFAUOg4rBIJujEFL1QWt3Q/s400/one+dogwood+4+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the first dogwood flower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaB2X1RLc_WVJeF425EnQReZ1GAd2FG5YgfpdCWqPLeazKFhTKKwsUAHnz9d8TCB1JcA8G3ueWG2Z4Pw0htNAEifchPLpKm6OB2TlpcUShXsw3FN09PXoKyaHIn1MT0vdhoJr551yiVnU/s1600/apple+blossoms+4+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaB2X1RLc_WVJeF425EnQReZ1GAd2FG5YgfpdCWqPLeazKFhTKKwsUAHnz9d8TCB1JcA8G3ueWG2Z4Pw0htNAEifchPLpKm6OB2TlpcUShXsw3FN09PXoKyaHIn1MT0vdhoJr551yiVnU/s400/apple+blossoms+4+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a profusion of apple blossoms</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pi5Rgpem2rIym2rLvc5Jp4ffupX1XbnmMJsbwSa3WA8GGEYzsqVsxNLHTjpU58w6RWLITvDS_prMT0H9wi0pfQuYNcZbU_DEk6ZmCM6XR1VaOtnoXLwscVIv_h2RvRHdo0IlsI1R940/s1600/pink+honeysuckle+fly+4+12+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pi5Rgpem2rIym2rLvc5Jp4ffupX1XbnmMJsbwSa3WA8GGEYzsqVsxNLHTjpU58w6RWLITvDS_prMT0H9wi0pfQuYNcZbU_DEk6ZmCM6XR1VaOtnoXLwscVIv_h2RvRHdo0IlsI1R940/s400/pink+honeysuckle+fly+4+12+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pink honeysuckle<br />
(and a little fly)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfinULWbY3pvS3agE5V55n-1xRPxlsHB47Aq7nFIGiP3nPGUGywfn_X9YX-Uws3uq-hxc6sA7DUk2TO31fHjWuy3hSdS61YdCAODC-5XgAOhM3DG2_zZu10hxgB5mSKIWaRzg0fK6sFig/s1600/apple+blossom+close+sky+4+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfinULWbY3pvS3agE5V55n-1xRPxlsHB47Aq7nFIGiP3nPGUGywfn_X9YX-Uws3uq-hxc6sA7DUk2TO31fHjWuy3hSdS61YdCAODC-5XgAOhM3DG2_zZu10hxgB5mSKIWaRzg0fK6sFig/s400/apple+blossom+close+sky+4+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more apple blossoms</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3fhKkdgj402esi5oXnVVkcisTPK2FRVeEMlBvQAxxxWS2nkDT7mlbu18SXBONf3hTCLe4IZKz9SP63ITcM9F1P3LjT0VTpiQ5yJiYEmzZYRH54HT4rV2yCLFBjnrcaj9n3-MKyzhtOQM/s1600/front+yard+tulips+4+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3fhKkdgj402esi5oXnVVkcisTPK2FRVeEMlBvQAxxxWS2nkDT7mlbu18SXBONf3hTCLe4IZKz9SP63ITcM9F1P3LjT0VTpiQ5yJiYEmzZYRH54HT4rV2yCLFBjnrcaj9n3-MKyzhtOQM/s400/front+yard+tulips+4+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tulips</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gBhxi3xoqIrnh9D_9DCYCUSGrS1xjezgz8MyTCGahKnpsQbJ4W02dkTAxBM5Ck0MXUO6uRDenD3dfFdwOEN40m8v7-boYvszrqJ0RH2ycNY-BD3tXsTCZ6FnyTLfv2oFXn94WwMroYM/s1600/tulips+thru+the+fence+4+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gBhxi3xoqIrnh9D_9DCYCUSGrS1xjezgz8MyTCGahKnpsQbJ4W02dkTAxBM5Ck0MXUO6uRDenD3dfFdwOEN40m8v7-boYvszrqJ0RH2ycNY-BD3tXsTCZ6FnyTLfv2oFXn94WwMroYM/s400/tulips+thru+the+fence+4+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lots and lots of tulips</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3huqSNKQPVuA4SaAj3t1C9WF3c3VV_6tkSf6v8LdBgv1iVm-6ybLUjsLLzthoERuqjICakk5AdDYr8TpWRQ87dTXmkFHke7XZLAlO39v1AbueqsGDF1HcifmXhkXzyYPpKBLRkbDvLg/s1600/a+profusion+of+blossoms++redbud+4+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3huqSNKQPVuA4SaAj3t1C9WF3c3VV_6tkSf6v8LdBgv1iVm-6ybLUjsLLzthoERuqjICakk5AdDYr8TpWRQ87dTXmkFHke7XZLAlO39v1AbueqsGDF1HcifmXhkXzyYPpKBLRkbDvLg/s400/a+profusion+of+blossoms++redbud+4+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">amazing redbud flowers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqDYc4p0BjvE-bx02azKKiUmS7V6cuCmVkQw8PE62NUWDhE7kLHVJTFL1KR4cPnnSE1R4SUKt_h4_1eaXestfjbcsQijWYtoGlkLdy6XhD4_4b4mXYiuPpRxSHahm-chOFm7rVCsFdCg/s1600/redbud+bumblebee+4+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1227" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqDYc4p0BjvE-bx02azKKiUmS7V6cuCmVkQw8PE62NUWDhE7kLHVJTFL1KR4cPnnSE1R4SUKt_h4_1eaXestfjbcsQijWYtoGlkLdy6XhD4_4b4mXYiuPpRxSHahm-chOFm7rVCsFdCg/s400/redbud+bumblebee+4+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bumblebee at work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo83ZB83f_Tr9CIHaDlgey2USAYd7IH_44hnH8y7cBi-haxIGB3p4djxDR0bF-VcmNWoZCXWJ-MJ9rSCOP9y-nBUpckkhxDgO4B814AMatCzgkh8HVmtSOPo2ET41bXHU99A4f33YmsG4/s1600/windy+tulips+4+10+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo83ZB83f_Tr9CIHaDlgey2USAYd7IH_44hnH8y7cBi-haxIGB3p4djxDR0bF-VcmNWoZCXWJ-MJ9rSCOP9y-nBUpckkhxDgO4B814AMatCzgkh8HVmtSOPo2ET41bXHU99A4f33YmsG4/s400/windy+tulips+4+10+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty flowers can't take incessant WIND</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigxuw0JJSLnFE2pbij-_kszGnLqXUnDgFOv3dKrro5gutpwVCL6W6pD8C7DcaPEYom8s2-LEEfSXiktE0ggoVGz7sKSnbH1vtSTVUu5hN0LE7QQ8Dmieai3e7r1o8rLhP8EqUsqTdRYDg/s1600/wet+redbuds+4+6+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigxuw0JJSLnFE2pbij-_kszGnLqXUnDgFOv3dKrro5gutpwVCL6W6pD8C7DcaPEYom8s2-LEEfSXiktE0ggoVGz7sKSnbH1vtSTVUu5hN0LE7QQ8Dmieai3e7r1o8rLhP8EqUsqTdRYDg/s400/wet+redbuds+4+6+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wet blossoms</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Adding to the weirdness is the lack of
the Farmers’ Market as an anchor in our lives. When I anticipated leaving the Market
behind, I didn’t realize how hard it would be to develop a new rhythm and
routine to keep life moving smoothly (I also didn’t anticipate how a global
pandemic would affect absolutely everything) Even though it didn’t directly affect
us, finally… after much planning and consulting, Staunton’s “modified market”
opened on Saturday. Vendors and customers reported a smooth operation. So,
there is at least some good news to report. You can see the few photos .<a href="https://www.facebook.com/stauntonfarmersmkt/photos/pcb.10157742347896141/10157742341261141/?type=3&theater">here.</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5O8n9TMlDUVXL_3XPHm6pdrSbODEZGezZ6gotumupe6LBbx0vxd_vlPDxcKaV2P_GsFHnKHswfmurM7ey2GnlI8RLFJYbzJQWzGmu5eDCzxwiIe1Zq0WSrUHC3gj9T1TBNrzb4nFEKs/s1600/crabapple+blossoms+4+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5O8n9TMlDUVXL_3XPHm6pdrSbODEZGezZ6gotumupe6LBbx0vxd_vlPDxcKaV2P_GsFHnKHswfmurM7ey2GnlI8RLFJYbzJQWzGmu5eDCzxwiIe1Zq0WSrUHC3gj9T1TBNrzb4nFEKs/s400/crabapple+blossoms+4+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wild crabapple blossoms</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bxKHiNyEr1vWGqci-EvDG6qhWJlgifsF8U1TMZd-lB8It6cmLvUzkt4dGIGUtZOS90Wlu11HOfslJgC_lWwOu9-UD8JMdIINJuSh7zEHzcQErS-LS0J_xddggSEGLVoqjEWiBRkXVBk/s1600/autun+olive+4+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bxKHiNyEr1vWGqci-EvDG6qhWJlgifsF8U1TMZd-lB8It6cmLvUzkt4dGIGUtZOS90Wlu11HOfslJgC_lWwOu9-UD8JMdIINJuSh7zEHzcQErS-LS0J_xddggSEGLVoqjEWiBRkXVBk/s400/autun+olive+4+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">autumn olive in the fencerow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">This developing a new chapter/a new
plan/ a new persona is hard. Some days I think it is beyond me. Our market-vendor
routine is gone, and nothing works like it used to. (and I do mean nothing…health
and age-related issues are major hurdles that affect us on a daily basis) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">The other day I read a story about a
girl, who in the midst of a health crisis and mental/emotional meltdown, looked
at her mother and asked, “any strategies?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reason this story is in any way a story is
that the girl in question is autistic. And, if any segment of the population is
struggling with this whole world turned upside down, it is those dear folks on
the spectrum. But, in that moment, this girl who struggles so much on a daily basis
was cognizant of her need AND willing to ask for help. That is amazing…that is
inspiring…neurotypical folks could learn a thing or two from this chick.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">So, all week, I’ve been thinking about finding/needing
strategies…strategies to cope, to deal, to figure things out…to just keep going.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Sometimes, it’s taking a walk. Getting outside
in nature helps. And, even during the pandemic it is encouraged. Just don’t get
too close!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgW2-0Php_YYlvzdUtiCC2gxJ3VU923PBcOZP47rkoS4erm1j6MAUWBaNujkfMSQWEAlcU0TT7fQbWwmHDwBbWuXywXoYpUKhXCkzl4viZ4tj-CSntz_HDjXnUyuoJgQJfa752_i9jUwg/s1600/chillin+w+my+sheeps+4+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgW2-0Php_YYlvzdUtiCC2gxJ3VU923PBcOZP47rkoS4erm1j6MAUWBaNujkfMSQWEAlcU0TT7fQbWwmHDwBbWuXywXoYpUKhXCkzl4viZ4tj-CSntz_HDjXnUyuoJgQJfa752_i9jUwg/s400/chillin+w+my+sheeps+4+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chillin' with the sheep</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6I6se7nghgmWsUAIHZgYwAIkjzrihHKGZ3QCOdj8aK1rTtjto_WVmWahxLVLDxNaAYFh-PRHPRZ8h-J15pnWrKNJdeAplOJ8xfEUmXcnM1_79Hmxv4UzYYtQYkSDuNQEjkIc0MmjijhQ/s1600/chipping+sparrow+4+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6I6se7nghgmWsUAIHZgYwAIkjzrihHKGZ3QCOdj8aK1rTtjto_WVmWahxLVLDxNaAYFh-PRHPRZ8h-J15pnWrKNJdeAplOJ8xfEUmXcnM1_79Hmxv4UzYYtQYkSDuNQEjkIc0MmjijhQ/s400/chipping+sparrow+4+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chipping sparrow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7ygOg6Ye5IhRz1Fj5ukBSI9E3J3sD_lE77ZECEf_2glvKr0mQY3UH0dTPxoFKd6mi8aLq8fhIGeRaOATPdOWXyP-miDjsX-hmpdi8BVCWSOnvp9GKCgTk41S_5kXskstdCkqDZjBoVA/s1600/otis+chillin+4+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7ygOg6Ye5IhRz1Fj5ukBSI9E3J3sD_lE77ZECEf_2glvKr0mQY3UH0dTPxoFKd6mi8aLq8fhIGeRaOATPdOWXyP-miDjsX-hmpdi8BVCWSOnvp9GKCgTk41S_5kXskstdCkqDZjBoVA/s400/otis+chillin+4+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Otis is always chill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqthyYWIkptsenF3FrUIyJaimHbVKw_q2oYm6QHF08irp6edC1IkWy3PqyjSFcpgGclGOi1S8hvktXgYD_rAKoIn1fEKJJAqVsg9_Pay2YndE-GMp6PpMdGjyBIwcWdPf16MdB5dy6IUE/s1600/cardinal+4+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqthyYWIkptsenF3FrUIyJaimHbVKw_q2oYm6QHF08irp6edC1IkWy3PqyjSFcpgGclGOi1S8hvktXgYD_rAKoIn1fEKJJAqVsg9_Pay2YndE-GMp6PpMdGjyBIwcWdPf16MdB5dy6IUE/s400/cardinal+4+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cardinal in backyard maple<br />
(best thing we ever did was put the birdfeeder outside the kitchen window)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxabMQ6xqA3RL0TOiYCSx5UgLyvjVxuzgM0JSsdVrU0S-r-u6t_DXeC0M5WPID_TYW5Xy1gj4E5ZyWALwwpf-nvjFiIAmV64DLsMN-WuZzS_xD80T6K-9I6FhwbpQLemI7m0d8mxiilQ/s1600/1+bumblebee+4+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="950" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxabMQ6xqA3RL0TOiYCSx5UgLyvjVxuzgM0JSsdVrU0S-r-u6t_DXeC0M5WPID_TYW5Xy1gj4E5ZyWALwwpf-nvjFiIAmV64DLsMN-WuZzS_xD80T6K-9I6FhwbpQLemI7m0d8mxiilQ/s320/1+bumblebee+4+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="289" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the bumblebees seem happy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Sometimes it’s looking at things from a
new perspective. Again, getting outside helps…or maybe bringing the outside…in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtC3bWc2FqYUVHMe6WaZSdKXNF3AZqeVxGVPQdAR_oLlzLuvqaM5zQiLOW2sfaaSljlRtWyje1BHKCyJExZu7b4-UuZORBtuSLEByeCsWMggu02r-Zt3ybli0bYErr0dEJ8dTIcLxBbw/s1600/remy+and+apple+blossoms+4+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtC3bWc2FqYUVHMe6WaZSdKXNF3AZqeVxGVPQdAR_oLlzLuvqaM5zQiLOW2sfaaSljlRtWyje1BHKCyJExZu7b4-UuZORBtuSLEByeCsWMggu02r-Zt3ybli0bYErr0dEJ8dTIcLxBbw/s400/remy+and+apple+blossoms+4+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">when I brought crabapple blossoms inside<br />
Remy seemed to appreciate them too<br />
for days, she would sit beside them</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Sometimes, you just need a whole new day...</span></span><span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHKkrLlnj9pDBS8MZ4KIlS5ZbqtFY_LxbsNoCKEmV_IuXdAYYCm0Zdaa1eJ0qOreuByH5sLTgXh80WhRec2704TXTufo5QBSXuZLYmLS3fXmmlRhCj7x35sgyg9bWCOYOzhx2EqyKRf0/s1600/broody+sunrise+4+10+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHKkrLlnj9pDBS8MZ4KIlS5ZbqtFY_LxbsNoCKEmV_IuXdAYYCm0Zdaa1eJ0qOreuByH5sLTgXh80WhRec2704TXTufo5QBSXuZLYmLS3fXmmlRhCj7x35sgyg9bWCOYOzhx2EqyKRf0/s400/broody+sunrise+4+10+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">even a "broody" sunrise<br />
holds the potential of a new day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">...and there are always "acts of service" to get your mind off yourself and your troubles... </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">I suppose I could get all serious here...but, the heavy crisis situation needs a little levity...</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">Otis often accompanies me up the driveway when I head out for a walk. However, he expects treats when I return. He is partial to a fine dandelion bouquet.</span><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWe6OlzqqmeTtWHVSPv5MrlO28RO39HCs5Tp6XYZGHy0g36ktT4ETqEUHf3zuRKCQtExXNet3fuqHQt8S8SxqThhnReMbtWtTezBym1cajNkHh5LynwakfAM3dzOIfPJprxYjj7p3Celc/s1600/otis+dandelions+4+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWe6OlzqqmeTtWHVSPv5MrlO28RO39HCs5Tp6XYZGHy0g36ktT4ETqEUHf3zuRKCQtExXNet3fuqHQt8S8SxqThhnReMbtWtTezBym1cajNkHh5LynwakfAM3dzOIfPJprxYjj7p3Celc/s400/otis+dandelions+4+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">oh yum!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1pMNe7gEgut8Ug5Fa0eXTbhIHS4iOnDFoRTYknvx1-tkriXEC4ktdeA_1mTqPGhA-cp8grK2bdjr3JQHIPQERa02KnHAOfCx8sgVeLfDHhyp2nQ31cpdrth7fBcYofLQTdsZNT4K-44/s1600/food+lady+and+otis+4+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1pMNe7gEgut8Ug5Fa0eXTbhIHS4iOnDFoRTYknvx1-tkriXEC4ktdeA_1mTqPGhA-cp8grK2bdjr3JQHIPQERa02KnHAOfCx8sgVeLfDHhyp2nQ31cpdrth7fBcYofLQTdsZNT4K-44/s400/food+lady+and+otis+4+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">truly tasty!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfP92PC3iKivyxAQUXda1YiHBR5Gq8aGB7SKQQVHwJEuJV_6iQ0nUjF20Bj0C_N0k7XLlxl-vcfUZ-r1PvSIKt-1V60rj5bfRfRXzL9_jyJNJ-ThwUowpUv6F-txTuXbnt7zo51nzaWk/s1600/otis+4+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfP92PC3iKivyxAQUXda1YiHBR5Gq8aGB7SKQQVHwJEuJV_6iQ0nUjF20Bj0C_N0k7XLlxl-vcfUZ-r1PvSIKt-1V60rj5bfRfRXzL9_jyJNJ-ThwUowpUv6F-txTuXbnt7zo51nzaWk/s400/otis+4+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more...<br />
have ya got any MORE?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">Sometimes, someone else has an answer…or at least the possibility of an answer.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">One of my favorite authors posted the
following. I know she’s said this before. It’s kind of her “thing”. Read
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Beginners-Novel-Katherine-Center-ebook/dp/B00MLM9L6E/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=katherine+center&qid=1587302538&sr=8-2">Happiness for Beginners</a></span></div>
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<u><br /></u></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Katherine Center:
“…start keeping a list of 3 Good Things every day. I’ve been doing this
lately—and it genuinely, truly helps. I do it first thing in the morning,
thinking back over the day before. It doesn’t fix things or change things or
solve things. But it shifts your perceptions. It forces you to notice good
things in a way you wouldn’t have otherwise. It trains your<span class="textexposedshow"> brain to collect upsides, moments of grace, and
little blessings. Honestly, once you make yourself start the list, you often
wind up with more than three things. But it’s not what’s on the list that
matters. It’s the act of looking. I promise, it helps. Try it.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“the
act of looking” …there is an epiphany in that phrase. A shift in perspective…perhaps
it’s a new strategy…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjm35OyT8Ybx6D1bEdCOwBtDlBTQsr43KWCOI83BR2z4V6rs4D1uJbgOBbidkWg2HPo7yXwyMCJDj-SXctjtuxfSy0NNuXUsNlLdjbC1GhRHI6BP64_m4Rg5QifQ7-aZfXLBjdz4tccI/s1600/sunset+4+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjm35OyT8Ybx6D1bEdCOwBtDlBTQsr43KWCOI83BR2z4V6rs4D1uJbgOBbidkWg2HPo7yXwyMCJDj-SXctjtuxfSy0NNuXUsNlLdjbC1GhRHI6BP64_m4Rg5QifQ7-aZfXLBjdz4tccI/s400/sunset+4+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the end of another day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">So…while I’m thinking about that one, search for strategies and
trying to figure out just what the heck I’m supposed to be doing now…</span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I </span><span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt;">hope you
have a</span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Happy
Sunday! </span></b></div>
<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Thanks SO much for stopping by! Come
back and “visit” again soon.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjHFh5vmVGzG83mft-KUE4hP4KYGMTMYZJ3pylBm6AA7ZhFaLXdt01J3cB-MjkyED4EP_jGbNitdhhUynPlkMvVSWyR4tbpcnvg9iec8mm9kKDulwxkusaElqYBCB-YjLhk2qKkdu1iI/s1600/have+a+good+one+yall+lamb+4+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjHFh5vmVGzG83mft-KUE4hP4KYGMTMYZJ3pylBm6AA7ZhFaLXdt01J3cB-MjkyED4EP_jGbNitdhhUynPlkMvVSWyR4tbpcnvg9iec8mm9kKDulwxkusaElqYBCB-YjLhk2qKkdu1iI/s640/have+a+good+one+yall+lamb+4+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Y'all come on back now...<br />
ya hear?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">**since Blogger seems to have gotten
weird about my photos, I will be posting a mid-week photo post over on my Wordpress
site. Come over there and check it out. <a href="http://www.barbarawomack.com/">www.barbarawomack.com</a>
**<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03599739740886087571noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819048519590916875.post-56523905983358634812020-04-05T11:58:00.000-04:002020-04-05T11:59:38.853-04:00Sunday Walkabout 4-5-2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OeGZTUwdkIeLDwg8cqxcjAPCtPlGEL7T5JR_aL-w3bYh82dhpaHXyN-Og33hRaNKhrv-GW-AwtowXJhhC5OrdfTFuDn2ehZQv1DgtvsLSrSKhxDGSLKoVWqq9qnEpS12X6s2mmhiVJs/s1600/social+distancing+sparrow+4+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1260" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OeGZTUwdkIeLDwg8cqxcjAPCtPlGEL7T5JR_aL-w3bYh82dhpaHXyN-Og33hRaNKhrv-GW-AwtowXJhhC5OrdfTFuDn2ehZQv1DgtvsLSrSKhxDGSLKoVWqq9qnEpS12X6s2mmhiVJs/s640/social+distancing+sparrow+4+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"social distancing" sparrow</td></tr>
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It’s been a long week. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It has been a week, right? Just a WEEK? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I seem to have lost all track of time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This whole deal is getting to me. That statement alone is something,
when you consider that it has just been uttered by an introvert with social anxiety,
who has lived the self-sufficient lifestyle beyond the sidewalks for…well…let’s
just say…a very long time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nothing particularly awful happened…but, then, it may just
be that NOTHING happened. I just feel blah and meh and even the smallest thing
requires far too much effort. I am not alone in this. It seems that a lot of
folks hit a wall this week. The isolation, the monotony, the uncertainty (oh, dear god, the uncertainty)…all
demand sheer willpower and strength the likes of which we’ve never experienced.
And, it’s hard.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And, yeah, I know, I did write about Glennon Doyle’s new
book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Untamed/dp/B07Z44CWFM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2LNWGPDFGKC4J&dchild=1&keywords=untamed+glennon+doyle&qid=1586100167&sprefix=untame%2Caps%2C162&sr=8-1">UNTAMED</a> and “we can do hard things” last week. I did. And, I believe that.
I do. It is still a great book! (and you should really check out her FB<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and Insta platforms) But, it doesn’t make
this any less hard. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And my mood seems at odds with the glory that is early
spring…with the birds singing and the flowers blooming…</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4OXP-1VUG8VHWBu96iH2yb2Uo3pVo0M77EEIPLsknP6Vva8tQ53mMOzM9VOsPnO_Ud1mFbY92w-X6KbERWP30o-I80vMuP4JY4-CLsk6ZklU9r2bJDKJlH3B4BDpRgt2r9zrHr0IPN8/s1600/early+morning+bird+4+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4OXP-1VUG8VHWBu96iH2yb2Uo3pVo0M77EEIPLsknP6Vva8tQ53mMOzM9VOsPnO_Ud1mFbY92w-X6KbERWP30o-I80vMuP4JY4-CLsk6ZklU9r2bJDKJlH3B4BDpRgt2r9zrHr0IPN8/s400/early+morning+bird+4+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the birds are up singing before sunrise<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAtb6z9SrPmkgtxiLYfs5JfphGJKsj9UHLWf8LrERVDy_1mFSiaaCT5ax40Ih-h1vTCBNy9idq4b26mH7E-GQ-hSauu4J0h49-cWiHVCHxv5DloBYYs5GdcUmUmP9YjWTkIioL5Un7QE/s1600/sunday+sunrise+4+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAtb6z9SrPmkgtxiLYfs5JfphGJKsj9UHLWf8LrERVDy_1mFSiaaCT5ax40Ih-h1vTCBNy9idq4b26mH7E-GQ-hSauu4J0h49-cWiHVCHxv5DloBYYs5GdcUmUmP9YjWTkIioL5Un7QE/s400/sunday+sunrise+4+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday sunrise</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfraB_knQC2ZW00-LQqr4td1x5YmdXKLctAWY33CUrFHZNQUDsHzT2M5MREL2L8NAlYrHUygLWxW1qemfSV9fxN30hPfjwkWGUPM793k2We4PhSTraTfqsj5VuzEjJAsplfOg42OlDCM/s1600/more+pear+blossoms+4+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfraB_knQC2ZW00-LQqr4td1x5YmdXKLctAWY33CUrFHZNQUDsHzT2M5MREL2L8NAlYrHUygLWxW1qemfSV9fxN30hPfjwkWGUPM793k2We4PhSTraTfqsj5VuzEjJAsplfOg42OlDCM/s400/more+pear+blossoms+4+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pear blossoms</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">apple blossoms</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijocrhT-xh3IBLndqn1aINTbnhyCvlvfNHI3NfKIEmzU8E1eeH8dCK1focCRFrofrfhpqCILG55Jxg-BNUKpITnCMMOidi5-iupDECKXwZ2nvX4SzyAc4_lqjBcBhhEWA5qdoPDpsb_sk/s1600/cherry+blossoms+4+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijocrhT-xh3IBLndqn1aINTbnhyCvlvfNHI3NfKIEmzU8E1eeH8dCK1focCRFrofrfhpqCILG55Jxg-BNUKpITnCMMOidi5-iupDECKXwZ2nvX4SzyAc4_lqjBcBhhEWA5qdoPDpsb_sk/s400/cherry+blossoms+4+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wild cherry blossoms</td></tr>
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It is possible to get caught up in the busy-ness of spring, to
revel in the sun as we plant the seeds or ready the garden, nearly forgetting
for one short moment what is going on in the world. The fertilizer trucks and
the cattle trailers are still cruising down the road. Personally, we need to
make a feed run and collect the eggs, again. Agricultural life can’t come to a
standstill, not even for a global pandemic.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHSVcMeO91zuKS8aoVu249YLLTv45NGGVeypGQ55rvlpTWh9srr10IVuZ7LAGdrmIhyphenhyphenBaaF-cFaHIevSXjYrp3qqNBrq_uvmlNMU0nonvlkQX2FD3ONegy9RGWJ1iLAVll5HfH2tHC3w/s1600/planting+potatoes+4+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1412" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHSVcMeO91zuKS8aoVu249YLLTv45NGGVeypGQ55rvlpTWh9srr10IVuZ7LAGdrmIhyphenhyphenBaaF-cFaHIevSXjYrp3qqNBrq_uvmlNMU0nonvlkQX2FD3ONegy9RGWJ1iLAVll5HfH2tHC3w/s400/planting+potatoes+4+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">raking in the early potato crop</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">onion plants<br />
pea fence<br />
...and Otis in the background</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyWLDyxRdr5Eu4nUtOBO1Yql_6Y1fdYSQqOccU_wu09pqpnecmy2aeqkRelDGxJZlGaUwn4f7xFDeMZ8zMPowWGiAl5zswhUCo0UQ6NpsZnZ5ElUdN8Y5iaFNDRKYn1xNCQSgVh4OJ9w/s1600/arugula+flower+4+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyWLDyxRdr5Eu4nUtOBO1Yql_6Y1fdYSQqOccU_wu09pqpnecmy2aeqkRelDGxJZlGaUwn4f7xFDeMZ8zMPowWGiAl5zswhUCo0UQ6NpsZnZ5ElUdN8Y5iaFNDRKYn1xNCQSgVh4OJ9w/s320/arugula+flower+4+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">arugula flowers</td></tr>
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But, then, just as quickly, news that the state is under
“stay-at-home” orders until June 10<sup>th</sup> brings it all to the forefront
of our minds again. The news of a rising death toll, the CDC recommendation to
wear a mask outdoors, and a supply chain that still hasn’t returned to normal. And,
then, the realization that for the first time since 1998, we would <b>not</b> be
getting ready for Opening Day of the Staunton Farmers’ Market. <o:p></o:p></div>
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--now, personally, I had been looking forward to this…the
first time in…well, nearly forever, that I wasn’t going into spring concerned
about the Market, or little kids, or the Market and little kids…I had a plan…I
did…and then came the pandemic…<o:p></o:p></div>
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Discussions regarding the logistics of getting the Farmers’
Market up and running while in compliance with the new restrictions kept the
Boss busy for days in back and forth email “meetings” and phonecalls with the
Market committee and the City Manager. They finally came up with a plan. But,
the Market that is compliant and the safest option for both farmers and
customers does NOT look anything like the Market that everyone has come to know
and love. <b>Nothing</b>. And, at this point, there is no assurance that it
ever will.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We have to be concerned with keeping our friends and
neighbors (the customers) safe. At the same time, the FARMERS have to be kept
safe as well. (without the FARMERS there is no farmers’ market) I don’t know if
the people protesting closure/changes gave that any thought. They just seemed
to want what they wanted and not have any changes. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Ummm, pandemic…people…EVERYTHING has changed!<o:p></o:p></div>
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We really need to think about the other people involved in providing
for the things we need or just want. All those folks in the supply chain are on
the frontlines right now. Farmers, grocers, food delivery people…the UPS
drivers…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of these people are at
special risk.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Farmers are not immune to health issues that put them in the
“high-risk” categories. (someone once told me that they were sure farmers didn’t
have any health issues…uh, wrong) And, the “up-close- and personal” aspect of
the Market puts them directly in harm’s way. These people cannot/should not be
endangered just because you think you want a bag of spinach, so the Market
cannot look like it always has. And, this is not because anybody hates the
Market, or doesn’t want to support local, or wants to force you to go to the
“big-box store” (honest to god, <b>what</b> happened to commonsense and
empathy?) Yes, my husband is one of those people in the “high-risk” category…so,
yeah, I do have a personal interest here. I am trying not to be angry and
snarky, but it is hard. I have written and deleted and worried and groused. All
to no avail. Pretty sure I need to give up on this one. You just can’t fight
all the battles…<o:p></o:p></div>
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So. Anyway. The much-modified Staunton Farmers’ Market will
open on April 18<sup>th</sup>…WITHOUT the Boss. (at least for now)<o:p></o:p></div>
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He was planning on stepping down at the end of the season, it
just looks like the end may have come far sooner than either of us expected. That
is weird. Anti-climactic. And, vaguely unsettling, for reasons I can’t quite
identify.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yBUWt7oqNxP7QbkAgjFfEolSqt3hVkkdK1TsVxY4t78Ec8qUjtnZpSkWFrIMTGXZb0uGlon-6TJSuDRf_OntEkyzpByrIn_vp9ORrZbiBDEIb90TByBWMVSQ_Jy4bRsnMMqKnfHcZlg/s1600/spring+at+the+creek+4+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yBUWt7oqNxP7QbkAgjFfEolSqt3hVkkdK1TsVxY4t78Ec8qUjtnZpSkWFrIMTGXZb0uGlon-6TJSuDRf_OntEkyzpByrIn_vp9ORrZbiBDEIb90TByBWMVSQ_Jy4bRsnMMqKnfHcZlg/s400/spring+at+the+creek+4+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looks like spring at the creek</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TwArSw24W4vCncXtUmQWCHU30SfA3ZF0fbec6Ll5slI9sL4GcWbdSyMYctvlTTnvtEL_4oAVmDBRzbwIBwpf-WZnY6eFA-TwlxvrbiUPC59xMY3InESzG3w79-7kJgXAx9PSIpQE-IQ/s1600/poplar+bud+again+4+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TwArSw24W4vCncXtUmQWCHU30SfA3ZF0fbec6Ll5slI9sL4GcWbdSyMYctvlTTnvtEL_4oAVmDBRzbwIBwpf-WZnY6eFA-TwlxvrbiUPC59xMY3InESzG3w79-7kJgXAx9PSIpQE-IQ/s400/poplar+bud+again+4+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've never seen these at this stage before<br />
this is a poplar tree<br />
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</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeQR2CWhbS_s9nizzebFeze3d62E6uyzjsn-zEuLBCRj9tyYE8YRsvenxk4EoCBAgx3wSLx_6nGNJCORBkYyCj0cRB34aiatN3SJUdRFo-fNiW6X_sUXafYRHpX7tW5GQI5__RQV2gNo/s1600/corn+sprouts+4+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeQR2CWhbS_s9nizzebFeze3d62E6uyzjsn-zEuLBCRj9tyYE8YRsvenxk4EoCBAgx3wSLx_6nGNJCORBkYyCj0cRB34aiatN3SJUdRFo-fNiW6X_sUXafYRHpX7tW5GQI5__RQV2gNo/s400/corn+sprouts+4+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">these are sprouted corn kernels<br />
(yes, they are pink...it's Captan-a fungicide to protect the seeds<br />
it does not harm bees, fish or the environment)<br />
<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It’s time for a new chapter.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgteR58ta9zefEEADsRBnRGX2gYeNF006oIBH_Ke4P5y96QGDk6LC5kyE3T06_91lahVCsFKYqvA3JdOQk_OGiPk3tAT8mJLv_EqZhs37dqWTTJXlYCKL1zMKAAqBfp6d-spX1oejevY3E/s1600/early+morning+garden+4+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="844" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgteR58ta9zefEEADsRBnRGX2gYeNF006oIBH_Ke4P5y96QGDk6LC5kyE3T06_91lahVCsFKYqvA3JdOQk_OGiPk3tAT8mJLv_EqZhs37dqWTTJXlYCKL1zMKAAqBfp6d-spX1oejevY3E/s400/early+morning+garden+4+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="321" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">even in the dim light of sunrise<br />
the flowers are beautiful</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Now, I knew that. I did. I had a plan. But, the pandemic…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, now we’re tasked with writing a different “new” chapter
in the midst of trauma with countless unknowns looming over our heads. So,
again, it’s hard. HARD! And, definitely NOT the time for all the memes about
what famous people did during the plague and how this is the perfect time for
productivity. We have had a lot of discussions about positivity and hope,
leaving me with neither… (which, quite honestly didn’t help that quest for peace
and tranquility among the “inmates” as well---yeah, it has been a week…)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although, in the quest for positivity--- our gardening
experiment in the hoophouse is finally showing some signs of growth! Actually,
we harvested enough stuff to share…so, definite success.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some time ago, we were visiting with the hay-guy after
returning one of his wagons. He was in the midst of tidying up around the barn
and mentioned that he had all these used plastic mineral tubs he didn’t know
what to do with. They looked far “too good to throw away” but, the pile was
getting pretty big. (Every farm I have ever visited has a stash of the “too
good to throw away” stuff stuck away for someday) Did we want some? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We took a couple home and stuck them in the shed, thinking
that we would figure out a use for them, someday. Because, seriously, they
really were “too good to throw away”! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t know how long they sat in the shed until one day the
Boss had an epiphany…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What if we changed up the hoophouse? What if we didn’t have
to get down on our old, creaky, painful knees to plant and harvest? What
if…?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And, he was off and running with a new project.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After tilling up the ground in the hoophouse and leveling it
off (well, to some degree) he covered it with weed-block cloth. This would keep
the area open and easy to maintain. Then, we made a run to the hay farm and
picked up a bigger pile of tubs. A trip to the compost producer was next. After
putting drain-holes in the bottoms of the tubs, they were filled with the
compost. Then it was just a matter of either planting seedlings or sowing
seeds. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjvONcgA_gsleMPI9ii5oz3nZi1Tf0gM3gPv6gf-Shyphenhyphen97INHSnuINQGnNIZmA4lrNu56lfHQuxQW2oUA_U2zjNWkGFQx1a_ESPW2gh-cxZ8kq-oqft1Ego1rv70hQcE4SJK7E-FSxx6k/s1600/new+life+for+hoophouse+3+6+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjvONcgA_gsleMPI9ii5oz3nZi1Tf0gM3gPv6gf-Shyphenhyphen97INHSnuINQGnNIZmA4lrNu56lfHQuxQW2oUA_U2zjNWkGFQx1a_ESPW2gh-cxZ8kq-oqft1Ego1rv70hQcE4SJK7E-FSxx6k/s400/new+life+for+hoophouse+3+6+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the project begins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The hoophouse was transformed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kvAQgUX8_sTGdt3BMEqYQKtj702PenTZ_9DJwSHqSTLy9mui32Q-BEmR6s0GDvNTg6vanIVxZVDD9R9zAibW9pBgNTJd7ZXYilqGP2jRvIPeBnZHnX-MG5gKRHKMugnzCdgDf2JOVpM/s1600/hoophouse+4+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kvAQgUX8_sTGdt3BMEqYQKtj702PenTZ_9DJwSHqSTLy9mui32Q-BEmR6s0GDvNTg6vanIVxZVDD9R9zAibW9pBgNTJd7ZXYilqGP2jRvIPeBnZHnX-MG5gKRHKMugnzCdgDf2JOVpM/s400/hoophouse+4+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
(we even got a few more tubs to expand the project)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course, the hoophouse is nowhere near as productive as it
used to be. Then again, neither are we. But, it is enough for us (and maybe
some to share). And, best part…no more kneeling on the hard ground! (actually,
it isn’t the kneeling…it’s the getting up again. lol)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAvJOx-PzjfmmNH8fI-P6GelKsta4NKFVIk6PrltA-JXf9wV0KLQ4508-1US83ZEXYiC-Fagv0oTQiPDma8AdYWhsvZCC9avDn7zIl9qH5do9Xms_GNMPBndYj_3vSTrbiT_E6Lo9H4A/s1600/lettuce+4+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAvJOx-PzjfmmNH8fI-P6GelKsta4NKFVIk6PrltA-JXf9wV0KLQ4508-1US83ZEXYiC-Fagv0oTQiPDma8AdYWhsvZCC9avDn7zIl9qH5do9Xms_GNMPBndYj_3vSTrbiT_E6Lo9H4A/s400/lettuce+4+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">the season begins...</span>beautiful lettuce</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ve started harvesting lettuce, spinach, kale and green
garlic. It has proven to be a super tasty and a much-needed positive experiment
in the midst of crisis. And, there is something soothing about working in the
dirt, even if it is in what is essentially a gigantic flower-pot.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It would appear that lots of other people are trying their
hand at home gardening this year. There was a story in the Washington Post that
seed sales are at an all-time high and some companies are running short. I do
hope all the people that ordered seeds actually use them and learn a little bit
about growing and perhaps preserving food. Those are some useful life-skills! I guess it's possible some good may come out of this deal after all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And, on that note, I reckon I’ll close for the week.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here, in no particular order and for no particular reason, are some random shots from around the farm.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXh92rs43yfUfsUGI1qmhJOXJHXR8vUOFt4NRgj_TIsIhmTrpuhCe0M7o1gE1zqN8IiNkOLvGn3Wj4Zd4WYPRaQErqBK7qPGfPGKjrucgmIyrBezka_PcNPF6fKU3fqEYXbGXq2AXwDA/s1600/sunlit+maple+helicopters+4+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXh92rs43yfUfsUGI1qmhJOXJHXR8vUOFt4NRgj_TIsIhmTrpuhCe0M7o1gE1zqN8IiNkOLvGn3Wj4Zd4WYPRaQErqBK7qPGfPGKjrucgmIyrBezka_PcNPF6fKU3fqEYXbGXq2AXwDA/s400/sunlit+maple+helicopters+4+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">maple helicopters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ryyhj9LCnpN6rNcfwwJfR22sexfnuuDiEwDF3xAV1Lv0x11zIqusy69dCJ45grdKKlOtawFmki7QiE5rQyGpdtIywaAcjWZJ_omgy_0KZEuokAHy3TNpcOTuy-W7HPhJM58j0mJN6dk/s1600/backlit+quince+4+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ryyhj9LCnpN6rNcfwwJfR22sexfnuuDiEwDF3xAV1Lv0x11zIqusy69dCJ45grdKKlOtawFmki7QiE5rQyGpdtIywaAcjWZJ_omgy_0KZEuokAHy3TNpcOTuy-W7HPhJM58j0mJN6dk/s400/backlit+quince+4+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">flowering quince at the mailbox</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTcDuHEfZDIZZQ3ahwBrwxvCb93sr2SJxdf7Q0OFtj-fHk3Sx5ifJNHXQzPPDPMJ1sXmz5I2rO-fpQShmJWJvV2V7oUtwnMgsT1khTWsMpOM2oT336bPIzYNlV9fn6lMPcRBSndo3BXo/s1600/orange+tulip+4+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTcDuHEfZDIZZQ3ahwBrwxvCb93sr2SJxdf7Q0OFtj-fHk3Sx5ifJNHXQzPPDPMJ1sXmz5I2rO-fpQShmJWJvV2V7oUtwnMgsT1khTWsMpOM2oT336bPIzYNlV9fn6lMPcRBSndo3BXo/s400/orange+tulip+4+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">orange tulip</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvSL39GGC74SBtyfof1IG91UfCvhSDzsXaJEwvKLu5NrSa4SAbSlBiI5WPfeGhYomYWhMvN22oW3F1CtqSmcEG_8c2b_l7AoBglXWNkxUkNcp0l3PNWyNFXinebJ9ISAMuCvnOALrvNE/s1600/yellow+tulips+tree++4+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvSL39GGC74SBtyfof1IG91UfCvhSDzsXaJEwvKLu5NrSa4SAbSlBiI5WPfeGhYomYWhMvN22oW3F1CtqSmcEG_8c2b_l7AoBglXWNkxUkNcp0l3PNWyNFXinebJ9ISAMuCvnOALrvNE/s400/yellow+tulips+tree++4+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yellow tulips</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYZBDT3CHtzx4f7JnpRhHR1HcWzYgEMlNfX1AnO93fdikcDILFGw4G5KVMyx_XqTWhz2WoFJRECgreGisllmk1_C566PMAsfWOO9brdKR968rLBAnkMkErgMkhDvvxftqazVfAl85EQA/s1600/tulips+thru+the+fence+4+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYZBDT3CHtzx4f7JnpRhHR1HcWzYgEMlNfX1AnO93fdikcDILFGw4G5KVMyx_XqTWhz2WoFJRECgreGisllmk1_C566PMAsfWOO9brdKR968rLBAnkMkErgMkhDvvxftqazVfAl85EQA/s400/tulips+thru+the+fence+4+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more tulips</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDwHqeEhmppwvhx6Xwr_4irKpN7-R5NImO0el3TFZfBayWbpHAmFG1d_yLmcHxb2L3vgdYFrZtyeZWuKKk_y-MSw7qWIGfkQnYEfo3IfbWGCQVZB0yaQ_ZbyeLWVZQLN5D2uJIfH6rOo/s1600/flowering+quince+rock+3+29+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDwHqeEhmppwvhx6Xwr_4irKpN7-R5NImO0el3TFZfBayWbpHAmFG1d_yLmcHxb2L3vgdYFrZtyeZWuKKk_y-MSw7qWIGfkQnYEfo3IfbWGCQVZB0yaQ_ZbyeLWVZQLN5D2uJIfH6rOo/s400/flowering+quince+rock+3+29+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love these flowering quince</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do hope you are healthy and safe and can find a way to <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
have a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Happy
Sunday! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks for stopping by. Come back and “visit” again real
soon. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3Cy0m7F9ZjPitfCn7kGSBLNj5OWxjwX0-MWPsk-omuqV8f2MJpWoU5TawjW2gt9vgk8uFi2Tn9HjwfoqCwcVOH0UsY62uUeqzqYGtcZSxwG9a7ojGytDnYNqAjhvmX5m5R_T16LiExI/s1600/mama+and+lamb+4+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3Cy0m7F9ZjPitfCn7kGSBLNj5OWxjwX0-MWPsk-omuqV8f2MJpWoU5TawjW2gt9vgk8uFi2Tn9HjwfoqCwcVOH0UsY62uUeqzqYGtcZSxwG9a7ojGytDnYNqAjhvmX5m5R_T16LiExI/s640/mama+and+lamb+4+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just some chillin' sheep</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
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</div>
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</div>
<br />
<br />Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03599739740886087571noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819048519590916875.post-51107944368932467032020-03-29T10:40:00.000-04:002020-03-29T11:45:21.347-04:00Sunday Walkabout 3-29-2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZgQkWI2XidQwN6lyhbegCp6FD7V5JNdFbjpwD1XozVGv4J3yc65s0psllUaJTcYGefI3Jb5ek9bUjXGg1w50qf1XdVkoAky7Ha0OHou-KubFLF9rP1GxyMzym5ez0fG2ITmW2Bz7vyk/s1600/geese+toward+mbrk+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="991" data-original-width="1600" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZgQkWI2XidQwN6lyhbegCp6FD7V5JNdFbjpwD1XozVGv4J3yc65s0psllUaJTcYGefI3Jb5ek9bUjXGg1w50qf1XdVkoAky7Ha0OHou-KubFLF9rP1GxyMzym5ez0fG2ITmW2Bz7vyk/s640/geese+toward+mbrk+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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“social distancing…social distancing?...that sounds oddly familiar…”<o:p></o:p></div>
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It seems I’ve doing this for a long time. When my daughter
heard that phrase the first time, she said she immediately thought of her childhood.
And, apparently, not in a real good way.<o:p></o:p></div>
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While I’m still processing what I should think about that, I
do understand that the isolation that goes along with country living is both a
blessing and a curse. And, now with the whole world worried about COVID-19,
many are attempting to adapt to practices that we’ve known for a long time. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I wasn’t going to post about the pandemic. Actually, I had
taken a step back from writing about the farm since we weren’t participating in
the Market anymore. Because who wants to read about a farm that isn’t really a
farm anymore? But, then I realized that
there is something calming and settling about the constancy of life here on the
hill. And, if you’re anything like me…a little glimpse of normalcy in the midst
of the never-ending cycle of uncertainty is a welcome change.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It is possible to forget that there is an unseen menace
traumatizing the entire world as we go about our daily tasks. The sheep and
chickens don’t know or care that we are worried. They do know, however, that
they need to be fed and watered (and in the case of the sheep, allowed to graze
that sweet, first grass of spring) If we
don’t get to work on the preparations for the garden, there won’t be any fresh
fruits and vegetables later in the season. So, we can always find something to
do.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Signs of Spring are everywhere. The cycle of life as old as
time continues on as if nothing has changed, even though it seems like
everything has.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3A6mmJZWOE4ySa7GVFLHifTrEZJYyvDzHcEZ6LbQlDbk7Hjgb4VtVamfVTGLX0b-OZeLRzOuIYpT8BOFgeM3cisufAzKnK53yP98HlIIjByaDMMas1LrJ8Cn8F5hzzPJFQ7Q6mRQojwA/s1600/sunrise+3+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3A6mmJZWOE4ySa7GVFLHifTrEZJYyvDzHcEZ6LbQlDbk7Hjgb4VtVamfVTGLX0b-OZeLRzOuIYpT8BOFgeM3cisufAzKnK53yP98HlIIjByaDMMas1LrJ8Cn8F5hzzPJFQ7Q6mRQojwA/s400/sunrise+3+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunrise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6UQrlsx35G6ettcVafxIv3v4tmTsMpT-0HPs_YsmLejsUwd0cNRpMxg4Ia085SbjTssGsK6v0k9KjMkPw6BLVAotHMu9Rk3RjGrfjTKu5c8_3CEfdxw0qUjA5lvC3aKQxMbdqfSNH5o/s1600/apple+blossom+3+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6UQrlsx35G6ettcVafxIv3v4tmTsMpT-0HPs_YsmLejsUwd0cNRpMxg4Ia085SbjTssGsK6v0k9KjMkPw6BLVAotHMu9Rk3RjGrfjTKu5c8_3CEfdxw0qUjA5lvC3aKQxMbdqfSNH5o/s400/apple+blossom+3+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">apple blossoms</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurJor1TncuN2ZS7ismNZFM1nhTEfTwfopAR6DXzaObSjnj52kuYsoyKhyphenhyphenC1enlrImxDBuSzpO_k9F0K8g0NNJIFOYwu_zbLCYDnKtOwG7yv3PueMbrDVVs86RV1tU0_K1_GXw4wm7dKc/s1600/buzzard+overhead+3+9+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1259" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurJor1TncuN2ZS7ismNZFM1nhTEfTwfopAR6DXzaObSjnj52kuYsoyKhyphenhyphenC1enlrImxDBuSzpO_k9F0K8g0NNJIFOYwu_zbLCYDnKtOwG7yv3PueMbrDVVs86RV1tU0_K1_GXw4wm7dKc/s400/buzzard+overhead+3+9+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">buzzard flying overhead</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdeSuAJwlcozL7f-xDBM8BomahXWXkqq0ALQZMP0WQVzz7yFhwofVn8RTE9_xZ2hccXxpHVNjrDuPV1H3S5NLFVuwDKEenk-crSMt-KDaqVpxUsY6qWOdIpjOhtFPYjsnxtsrZkwnMD4/s1600/cow+at+sunrise+3+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdeSuAJwlcozL7f-xDBM8BomahXWXkqq0ALQZMP0WQVzz7yFhwofVn8RTE9_xZ2hccXxpHVNjrDuPV1H3S5NLFVuwDKEenk-crSMt-KDaqVpxUsY6qWOdIpjOhtFPYjsnxtsrZkwnMD4/s400/cow+at+sunrise+3+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunrise<br />
(see the cow on the hill?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVcGcwcVGAWjQYa5U3G-PAYa3bzfJmCFcWmp4uzrmfFbx8K-e-t5HLcPu-2Y8pR98U68De6enGyP8nVcE1nwRPEaKykPu5ISwfNQLX_tLOtJ2ogZ-d3lWxMKrwpZsR6nF6zYpHpK1CXo/s1600/crocus+3+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVcGcwcVGAWjQYa5U3G-PAYa3bzfJmCFcWmp4uzrmfFbx8K-e-t5HLcPu-2Y8pR98U68De6enGyP8nVcE1nwRPEaKykPu5ISwfNQLX_tLOtJ2ogZ-d3lWxMKrwpZsR6nF6zYpHpK1CXo/s400/crocus+3+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">crocus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuUiVkUIE4gXVTSrPZ-DG-v6pPJbzWoC2ekj0ut4LxLpAyIKvp6Vp1-7mz_2uJN_Rhch5MPs9dYTtVtJW5teUU6M7nzWOu9ZTGgNayJsusj7eWouMR_a1-M3SgRmYZMJnzMZWwk9z2mE/s1600/sheep+in+the+backyard+3+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuUiVkUIE4gXVTSrPZ-DG-v6pPJbzWoC2ekj0ut4LxLpAyIKvp6Vp1-7mz_2uJN_Rhch5MPs9dYTtVtJW5teUU6M7nzWOu9ZTGgNayJsusj7eWouMR_a1-M3SgRmYZMJnzMZWwk9z2mE/s400/sheep+in+the+backyard+3+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sheep grazing the backyard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEN3FmRY1ZMzE4Vwm1RpBZexVk-JEW69MZzoR7R04tpF42byQeJ3bgCIzu90p_Y1t2F2DowQ0fUO54Gbd5VxzwYE57uZPeRnhJLNwmJBUAyhmULiLcF9NvyX8lk_lU8cLhAbffO_I3O3g/s1600/first+grass+of+spring+3+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEN3FmRY1ZMzE4Vwm1RpBZexVk-JEW69MZzoR7R04tpF42byQeJ3bgCIzu90p_Y1t2F2DowQ0fUO54Gbd5VxzwYE57uZPeRnhJLNwmJBUAyhmULiLcF9NvyX8lk_lU8cLhAbffO_I3O3g/s400/first+grass+of+spring+3+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">heading out to greener pastures</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuyJQo3yMd3qY7udMrwObp-kLbLyEO3rTEeZF-cXlfJZUgzkIs26lM9nz4-Ud-XUsuRVQbLAHAcniT1rVCut0L06dmUOsCPj3drWSp3diIw60vo3RaWYqDpWTncXlsH_YSVOPLiok3hJQ/s1600/forsythia+3+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuyJQo3yMd3qY7udMrwObp-kLbLyEO3rTEeZF-cXlfJZUgzkIs26lM9nz4-Ud-XUsuRVQbLAHAcniT1rVCut0L06dmUOsCPj3drWSp3diIw60vo3RaWYqDpWTncXlsH_YSVOPLiok3hJQ/s400/forsythia+3+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">forsythia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzfFifOaMsNoGGM8rJ6YP9wRzKKPvE1N-Jiydn2FEAhWvOMMA2kg_2DPWP_fzYBG1wtJ1V_BQhDRBdl-dXL7vkt88SbzYRnS3L9EsGzhWFzEWTOutPkZiPr6OghzQkbhyphenhyphenT-FeXo4dkBI/s1600/new+life+for+hoophouse+3+6+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzfFifOaMsNoGGM8rJ6YP9wRzKKPvE1N-Jiydn2FEAhWvOMMA2kg_2DPWP_fzYBG1wtJ1V_BQhDRBdl-dXL7vkt88SbzYRnS3L9EsGzhWFzEWTOutPkZiPr6OghzQkbhyphenhyphenT-FeXo4dkBI/s400/new+life+for+hoophouse+3+6+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">new life for the old hoophouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrJW97n4vULJ1Y9OJPBJAgUqG-jyzZO2alKqk_xs85aKwDosGiUCuSVOeH_ELHZd81JnxOm_4p_v8kAsbzv7HyhhqDhV3TNtxFwVUjX2KVzRbdMgRp0EzOTNxuDZFDSlpszV0g5weQt4/s1600/hh+lettuce+3+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrJW97n4vULJ1Y9OJPBJAgUqG-jyzZO2alKqk_xs85aKwDosGiUCuSVOeH_ELHZd81JnxOm_4p_v8kAsbzv7HyhhqDhV3TNtxFwVUjX2KVzRbdMgRp0EzOTNxuDZFDSlpszV0g5weQt4/s400/hh+lettuce+3+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spring lettuce</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYbyKujlGUlOVxDP7ArtxTlXNQwb1RmeyM6UqXDK08gzePDS1MS1cKQsSCe6m7arkzjwTVnO5NLmTT0dAUa39cpQ8Om7ViReD4B52N1xWqMq4uYKBnZssZhHi3DVKqrkc3iyFD-ketZ8/s1600/hh+project+expands+3+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYbyKujlGUlOVxDP7ArtxTlXNQwb1RmeyM6UqXDK08gzePDS1MS1cKQsSCe6m7arkzjwTVnO5NLmTT0dAUa39cpQ8Om7ViReD4B52N1xWqMq4uYKBnZssZhHi3DVKqrkc3iyFD-ketZ8/s400/hh+project+expands+3+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a good use for old mineral tubs</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKi6I6HMNf2EASNasn9GpnVg8QZuhBdiPzZ_tnKn2TKacl51CpS65XcvotArm4THHozdnYb47VPuwlud5f7xfdRdY0naq2-Y8PopnzIDheNF70YHfFoqLqL-G9noAJdSXB-J1ADBzlhdc/s1600/male+cardinal+3+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1237" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKi6I6HMNf2EASNasn9GpnVg8QZuhBdiPzZ_tnKn2TKacl51CpS65XcvotArm4THHozdnYb47VPuwlud5f7xfdRdY0naq2-Y8PopnzIDheNF70YHfFoqLqL-G9noAJdSXB-J1ADBzlhdc/s400/male+cardinal+3+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cardinal in the backyard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGR_uVBqlO9fwjptII2XkX51Btr1yeMkKN1O0DfD8Hu_LopClvDKj_f7YqWKbYJmZJD63hciA1OzWy7r2oASwS3lvYRRjM12CwxAZd8nhgdrtDiAP6CZa4MPiJpcjfCnY1oj3TpbZuHkk/s1600/mama+and+lamb+3+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1470" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGR_uVBqlO9fwjptII2XkX51Btr1yeMkKN1O0DfD8Hu_LopClvDKj_f7YqWKbYJmZJD63hciA1OzWy7r2oASwS3lvYRRjM12CwxAZd8nhgdrtDiAP6CZa4MPiJpcjfCnY1oj3TpbZuHkk/s400/mama+and+lamb+3+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty mama-sheep and her lamb</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Pk98mx0Q3apcFa3kwjqqhsF6GSzdORRGkLS5SzoZRF7j0Lx0E1JyhURxX_fTrVJtzuBEHGcNYAAVJl3oXdA62IQfGR7agWk4d7-oFeHMFW3NYD2dRtX4is26fIfih6Mro8dWYWCuWAQ/s1600/pink+tulip+3+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Pk98mx0Q3apcFa3kwjqqhsF6GSzdORRGkLS5SzoZRF7j0Lx0E1JyhURxX_fTrVJtzuBEHGcNYAAVJl3oXdA62IQfGR7agWk4d7-oFeHMFW3NYD2dRtX4is26fIfih6Mro8dWYWCuWAQ/s400/pink+tulip+3+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the first tulip</td></tr>
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Then there are the odd and random---unexplainable things...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGPxFKyNcfj8DQ0cxCFaTXmziATEQTy7QFjsaSNfF-l5a791kmpgj03oNQzQhnXw3TgkGVcQbkdwq3dxlL6GGm_1FAfZnqrcXZ0UrAMCBfV55jqaOHK4CWhCxwvfX6kfOy2rBMh1QXW4/s1600/dog+pocalypse+3+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGPxFKyNcfj8DQ0cxCFaTXmziATEQTy7QFjsaSNfF-l5a791kmpgj03oNQzQhnXw3TgkGVcQbkdwq3dxlL6GGm_1FAfZnqrcXZ0UrAMCBfV55jqaOHK4CWhCxwvfX6kfOy2rBMh1QXW4/s400/dog+pocalypse+3+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dog-pocalypse?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrq_KTfztQQASERsvxj2DeflnxjTq2y7MRKyaxhItUKZL0tzJoJxOK2S2n69dkRgCnWMaC4V2uInmO6legdEgmI-VkJx4E8oa5LTKpdWsRCR6_dNyuMZgKa5pizOKE2p6wtt-SuEJGjkw/s1600/lamb+dance+3+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1582" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrq_KTfztQQASERsvxj2DeflnxjTq2y7MRKyaxhItUKZL0tzJoJxOK2S2n69dkRgCnWMaC4V2uInmO6legdEgmI-VkJx4E8oa5LTKpdWsRCR6_dNyuMZgKa5pizOKE2p6wtt-SuEJGjkw/s400/lamb+dance+3+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dancing lambs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_I44M-QGBUZAluciZ1alkJdbz_GfN8xp1UgABBy1K2XzM1bNDgr0pkSzN99OgDjaQAYMIDOPY99Hn9yN9UBTEXEQuXVivB69-yC2vh1YLsdZ8JX-EvDylZ55A3BwOGyjaI97FtZ6nDLY/s1600/one+of+these+things+does+not+belong+3+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1135" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_I44M-QGBUZAluciZ1alkJdbz_GfN8xp1UgABBy1K2XzM1bNDgr0pkSzN99OgDjaQAYMIDOPY99Hn9yN9UBTEXEQuXVivB69-yC2vh1YLsdZ8JX-EvDylZ55A3BwOGyjaI97FtZ6nDLY/s400/one+of+these+things+does+not+belong+3+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of these things is not like the others<br />
one of these things doesn't belong...<br />
(have NO idea how she got in there-it was a pain to get her out!)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaSlryjTtdSbKngt6PzLct21HDVLdeMaVFjZ50m88QJQI5P-bvy5EHQY5xsvOgDRvFl6qTu3ZFjc7zEWDvlIDsALPA4pmojwSIlfvmP-isLlUpLUas-D8PVs7hE3xaYjbld3mjPaHCNYg/s1600/otis+dancing+3+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaSlryjTtdSbKngt6PzLct21HDVLdeMaVFjZ50m88QJQI5P-bvy5EHQY5xsvOgDRvFl6qTu3ZFjc7zEWDvlIDsALPA4pmojwSIlfvmP-isLlUpLUas-D8PVs7hE3xaYjbld3mjPaHCNYg/s400/otis+dancing+3+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not to miss out on the fun<br />
OTIS shows off his dance moves</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJXx0-m9pe4xfOGvCGmnfVSKq6YnXC-HMhZfBrGLmyE2MCyOA9z7sZyjrNnzthpnJAOW2pLOAqtS4z_clBFrJ6g1JXgphXLelpMfYEGEZ7IcoYoorpRMRo_vikS1MvHpQqJBvbzMfW-0/s1600/remy+relaxing+3+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJXx0-m9pe4xfOGvCGmnfVSKq6YnXC-HMhZfBrGLmyE2MCyOA9z7sZyjrNnzthpnJAOW2pLOAqtS4z_clBFrJ6g1JXgphXLelpMfYEGEZ7IcoYoorpRMRo_vikS1MvHpQqJBvbzMfW-0/s400/remy+relaxing+3+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remy is finding the quarantine/isolation situation trying<br />
she has to take naps on my accu-pressure mat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMW1h-znR57UjH1RQwwJIZFwa-lrV0l4DfTQfdLVAvg_2X_zfi6lyGtjuSCZ1RrCgq9S-bXV8DkEmOJ9Gh1AR-2va5AWwstmA2blz1i6mVUaxB7I1ahpjgQE3PbhlzEp3WlLTVT7-5_4/s1600/driveway+dog+3+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMW1h-znR57UjH1RQwwJIZFwa-lrV0l4DfTQfdLVAvg_2X_zfi6lyGtjuSCZ1RrCgq9S-bXV8DkEmOJ9Gh1AR-2va5AWwstmA2blz1i6mVUaxB7I1ahpjgQE3PbhlzEp3WlLTVT7-5_4/s400/driveway+dog+3+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dog napping/yoga in the driveway</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFW90ZZP1mN0F8NRRRgyh56ylcc_JdBKi5Xxli0w4F-I7wpBY_AaSw-So3YH1Husopo7Ei09XRXDoctWsOxzGMW8jqMsc89szyPNIQKtDkKCBDxaR4dA_QjscceivJTkNKEVAxcJNu3Y/s1600/tess+weedwhacker+3+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFW90ZZP1mN0F8NRRRgyh56ylcc_JdBKi5Xxli0w4F-I7wpBY_AaSw-So3YH1Husopo7Ei09XRXDoctWsOxzGMW8jqMsc89szyPNIQKtDkKCBDxaR4dA_QjscceivJTkNKEVAxcJNu3Y/s400/tess+weedwhacker+3+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have NO idea what she is doing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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But, to return to the whole idea of social distancing and
isolation…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyKLAGHJ6AgZeqGKYwoSTaXG34GzQM-Ezr-e_9Gbi8FcPDG_CWZ9rM1PFGjrm8iPw1mqMtw3UnlfS8H9ItihTtbOy7w9AMlkCyO3EGJuGZpggBubv_1EhgS2ntkBuNCNe4ymowm4B1a8/s1600/the+old+home+place+3+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyKLAGHJ6AgZeqGKYwoSTaXG34GzQM-Ezr-e_9Gbi8FcPDG_CWZ9rM1PFGjrm8iPw1mqMtw3UnlfS8H9ItihTtbOy7w9AMlkCyO3EGJuGZpggBubv_1EhgS2ntkBuNCNe4ymowm4B1a8/s400/the+old+home+place+3+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the "old home-place"<br />
not much has changed<br />
but, yet...everything has</td></tr>
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It was just this time of year when we found our little piece
of farmland high on the hill way back in 1997.
You can read about that <a href="https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2018/03/look-willow-tree.html">HERE</a> (and, yes, that work-in-progress is
STILL in progress, I truly hope that one day it will be finished…) We were
looking for respite and healing. And, quite frankly, I was done with people. I wanted
to curl up in a ball and avoid any sort of contact for fear of being hurt
again. The fact that we were broke (SO broke) and had just one vehicle kept us
from making the trip to town very often. It was 25 miles round-trip, so we tried
to consolidate whenever possible. We spent nearly all our time and every single
dime trying to create a new life and livelihood. </div>
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Needless to say, we didn’t go
out often. It was years before we felt comfortable enough to “indulge” in
fast-food. Ages before we could relax our restrictions on “frivolous”
purchases. And, yes, my children were home-schooled. They were tense and trying
times to say the least. (believe me, I get all the comments/laments about being
with your family ALL the time)</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So… social distancing? Isolation? That was our way of life. A
matter of survival. I am sorry that my children didn’t find it particularly
healing, but I did. (Honestly, they got a lot out of it, too---but, a story for
another time) It has taken a long time, and I still have work to do, but there
is a gift in the slowing down, the loneliness, and the forced introspection. Maybe
society will benefit from this crisis in some way. Please don’t think I’m being
“Pollyanna” or somehow dismissing the scale of this crisis. (I am NOT) But, the
sacrifices we make today will somehow have a positive effect on the future.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Country living, building a farm, starting over seems like it
would be an adventure, it would be really cool. Kind of like the American
dream. So many people think it would be fun to try. The truth is: It is hard.
It is really hard sometimes. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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But, in her new book UNTAMED, Glennon Doyle says (numerous
times) <b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“We can do hard
things!”</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(if you haven’t
already done so, find UNTAMED <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Untamed-Glennon-Doyle-Melton/dp/1984801252">https://www.amazon.com/Untamed-Glennon-Doyle-Melton/dp/1984801252</a>
and read it. <b>READ it.</b> </span><span style="line-height: 107%;">You can thank me later</span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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So, I wanted to say, I get it. I totally understand how this
current situation is so trying to so many people. It’s scary and overwhelming
and everyone is caught up in it at the same time. Nobody has any real answers
and there are people dismissing our concerns and the seriousness of the
situation. The future looks uncertain and we have no idea if we are up to the
tasks required of us. Any traumas or issues we have had in the past are going
to be manifesting in some way and making this trying situation even more
difficult. So, this is SO HARD.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I don’t have any advice to make it easier. (and, honestly, I’m
struggling too) but, I keep reminding myself that <b>we can do hard things</b>.
We have done hard things. (believe me, our life here on the hill has been no
picnic) and with that in mind, I am certain that we <b>will</b> do even more
hard things in the future.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So, hold onto your hope. Be kind. And, just keep doing those hard things. ('cause I know you can)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I truly hope you find a way to have a <b><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Happy
Sunday! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielkFeapH0AEegCd9pm3n4fxqxner8lfkzadkIlg6Yal8o5_H1xF4FIIErCvK_STwqIqjSlae7PEqTYQ6HAtdGNaB1C5ImPcIOee6V5lelqeB-Wjl8p5Lq6iSyBpLxOqt79Md78gYrCig/s1600/sheep+blossoms+2+3+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielkFeapH0AEegCd9pm3n4fxqxner8lfkzadkIlg6Yal8o5_H1xF4FIIErCvK_STwqIqjSlae7PEqTYQ6HAtdGNaB1C5ImPcIOee6V5lelqeB-Wjl8p5Lq6iSyBpLxOqt79Md78gYrCig/s640/sheep+blossoms+2+3+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">peach blossoms and sheep<br />
this is Spring!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Thank you for stopping by. Please come “visit” again soon!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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If you need some
coping strategies… Here are a few interesting things to read: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://psychcentral.com/blog/coping-strategies-in-uncertain-times-calming-your-nervous-system-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/?fbclid=IwAR1updU51hmg0qF5t-ErbDcqNPynOKic0eBIHFip2dLTP0cyjeWKSjJr2qY">https://psychcentral.com/blog/coping-strategies-in-uncertain-times-calming-your-nervous-system-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/?fbclid=IwAR1updU51hmg0qF5t-ErbDcqNPynOKic0eBIHFip2dLTP0cyjeWKSjJr2qY</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://broglieblog.com/2020/03/21/how-to-manage-your-anxiety-around-the-coronavirus/?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com&fbclid=IwAR148_odRfyC824WbHUTZZfIgE4owDHrGdEW9OKenQqnUqNUeuLqxr6vQ5c">https://broglieblog.com/2020/03/21/how-to-manage-your-anxiety-around-the-coronavirus/?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com&fbclid=IwAR148_odRfyC824WbHUTZZfIgE4owDHrGdEW9OKenQqnUqNUeuLqxr6vQ5c</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://beatingtrauma.com/2020/03/13/handling-the-coronavirus-crisis-with-c-ptsd/?fbclid=IwAR3jEEGuFDFN13_d-uY0fuPfwuXC7hzJqwjUadZtWGtFaj9zfA_mAbD4KBU">https://beatingtrauma.com/2020/03/13/handling-the-coronavirus-crisis-with-c-ptsd/?fbclid=IwAR3jEEGuFDFN13_d-uY0fuPfwuXC7hzJqwjUadZtWGtFaj9zfA_mAbD4KBU</a><o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogs.psychcentral.com/childhood-neglect/2020/03/20-small-but-substantial-ways-you-can-survive-thrive-during-the-covid-19-epidemic/">https://blogs.psychcentral.com/childhood-neglect/2020/03/20-small-but-substantial-ways-you-can-survive-thrive-during-the-covid-19-epidemic/</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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and, here’s a video<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/461754380624264/videos/497644167595049/">https://www.facebook.com/461754380624264/videos/497644167595049/</a></span>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03599739740886087571noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819048519590916875.post-38778230721556300772020-03-01T09:17:00.000-05:002020-03-01T09:17:18.016-05:00A Little Sunday Walk-about<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsY2jv4gZ-8mEoeil-yJU2mPsXPeHhGjS1s2WqlRTzpbXcrin_R33FYWHqqNw2ZF5whMCgxdt1vI4sIvyhnPxhHmLMeIMajvQ0zavaeprr3DvsXYaItPCpu3mTXJUD-ZFl27NxTuvreY/s1600/frosty+crocus+2+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="876" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsY2jv4gZ-8mEoeil-yJU2mPsXPeHhGjS1s2WqlRTzpbXcrin_R33FYWHqqNw2ZF5whMCgxdt1vI4sIvyhnPxhHmLMeIMajvQ0zavaeprr3DvsXYaItPCpu3mTXJUD-ZFl27NxTuvreY/s400/frosty+crocus+2+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="332" /></a></div>
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Meteorological Spring…March 1<sup>st</sup>…a time of
transition and renewal…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It seems appropriate to post a walkabout today after months
and months of silence. Turning the calendar page is always a point of reflection,
an opportunity for change. While I would like to say that we’re knee-deep in
new projects and I’m making great progress on that oft-mentioned book project,
we seem to have been stuck in some weird limbo state where we’re just caught
waiting…and waiting…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and, quite honestly,
I’m not quite certain WHY we are waiting…or for what. We’re just stuck.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCrKXW2biEMIOQx7-yMAjtIRyQA8l9fXL5IEWkyNzLIZjRjG8V9EklVjqrDGrTn0SgwkJ1I1fADP0AiADUojOCIKZaLogayxM79CDUUfTGMEX5RUF6iXUereBZLv7BvEadZA4bOQBW48M/s1600/here+comes+the+sun+1+2+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCrKXW2biEMIOQx7-yMAjtIRyQA8l9fXL5IEWkyNzLIZjRjG8V9EklVjqrDGrTn0SgwkJ1I1fADP0AiADUojOCIKZaLogayxM79CDUUfTGMEX5RUF6iXUereBZLv7BvEadZA4bOQBW48M/s400/here+comes+the+sun+1+2+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first sunrise of 2020</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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Personally, I would welcome a little transition and renewal,
I’ve been mired in my annual February funk, <a href="https://barbarawomack.com/february-funk/">https://barbarawomack.com/february-funk/</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>This year was
complicated by cataract surgeries and continued fibromyalgia issues. <a href="https://barbarawomack.com/all-in-your-head/">https://barbarawomack.com/all-in-your-head/</a>
With surgery/recovery behind me and a new approach to pain, it is definitely
time to move on. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I’m not the only
one who has had struggles, (I saw a friend yesterday who has suffered
devastating losses on two separate Februarys) so maybe we can heave a
collective sigh of relief and look forward to something new.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Meteorological Spring seems like a good time to embrace
that. </div>
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(and, here are a few sunrise shots for good measure)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPFLHvWwXbdVKV2lYOFBLtNuuP7cSETVdnA6sf8R9Vw8_RAeN4ZglisxGE-xrtDBRS_jsHDNeAa48MHuM3KA1OLsmPoe4EcsTWN7TVj1DZSER4ihZpAnnY0GiOm-iFjLlTOmwbtJI7ng/s1600/sunrise+1+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1492" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPFLHvWwXbdVKV2lYOFBLtNuuP7cSETVdnA6sf8R9Vw8_RAeN4ZglisxGE-xrtDBRS_jsHDNeAa48MHuM3KA1OLsmPoe4EcsTWN7TVj1DZSER4ihZpAnnY0GiOm-iFjLlTOmwbtJI7ng/s400/sunrise+1+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwf2HJBREBePgW30oCsF6B3LpmFO_flNx7X6Tq0tR4MykpzGhyKUbUtyrgUmiffMRnPcjpBt-_7YNH6ZAG8R6r7dh1tLOaUT96MJKm0pDn_cFximvZnO9zPepFOS_wjvMvkJJIqby2m8/s1600/sunrise+12+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1486" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwf2HJBREBePgW30oCsF6B3LpmFO_flNx7X6Tq0tR4MykpzGhyKUbUtyrgUmiffMRnPcjpBt-_7YNH6ZAG8R6r7dh1tLOaUT96MJKm0pDn_cFximvZnO9zPepFOS_wjvMvkJJIqby2m8/s400/sunrise+12+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxtmyQRwnznUJLc9aXEYGFqhF-CJc_Msex9NmalXxdUhBVvCvVx1-5nLjEHLWpBb9VKSr5iMujyxysHM1AVCviEMiZiJyMqXJcyZ2fxj-W2ClvqFk07lCIEQsynOFD-1XJ-TjuTXpZ-w/s1600/sunrise+bird+12+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1503" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxtmyQRwnznUJLc9aXEYGFqhF-CJc_Msex9NmalXxdUhBVvCvVx1-5nLjEHLWpBb9VKSr5iMujyxysHM1AVCviEMiZiJyMqXJcyZ2fxj-W2ClvqFk07lCIEQsynOFD-1XJ-TjuTXpZ-w/s400/sunrise+bird+12+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURzdmLy4rqGab9Lw1n-UTScD3sKAto3owHRQNSQhITbMCWwJy9-bgSpf0zQTbki224JfWuF27IMy-mbNT2O7RR2Hc9M5sxKmh3JF8p857XHbSRfMkSdEO2qy6S7uaMpuAQ5wq_NhecO4/s1600/sunrise+contrails+12+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURzdmLy4rqGab9Lw1n-UTScD3sKAto3owHRQNSQhITbMCWwJy9-bgSpf0zQTbki224JfWuF27IMy-mbNT2O7RR2Hc9M5sxKmh3JF8p857XHbSRfMkSdEO2qy6S7uaMpuAQ5wq_NhecO4/s400/sunrise+contrails+12+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Not much has happened here on the hill since I last posted.
But, then again…much has changed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXfb1zms7XBOwDGchRme__BVjUfiSOESCKvZtgAafqbvMiNvCQ3-6WWHYbfRmaK24ti9PG0AMAZ-QachxzpoC33WHhyphenhyphenHyb9IuzGHj__E3l-krWgzsPjOMvsyPE2ZteN_xvTYvi7E65ME/s1600/front+view+2+25+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXfb1zms7XBOwDGchRme__BVjUfiSOESCKvZtgAafqbvMiNvCQ3-6WWHYbfRmaK24ti9PG0AMAZ-QachxzpoC33WHhyphenhyphenHyb9IuzGHj__E3l-krWgzsPjOMvsyPE2ZteN_xvTYvi7E65ME/s400/front+view+2+25+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this view is pretty much the same as the first time we ever saw this place<br />way back in March 1997</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErs7_EALKbPtGtOgptQ_KjXvMIX2vIlOKVRSW7ivFtHConfvpE9P7q34za7aBpZ8ULdmWm1CqFT33X1lCQOYm_hfEd1uFea-aiFrd-b2TBjtEiNYym8z93tKnBo8GdICA0ePmrRWDI9U/s1600/gus+and+karma+2+chores+12+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1365" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErs7_EALKbPtGtOgptQ_KjXvMIX2vIlOKVRSW7ivFtHConfvpE9P7q34za7aBpZ8ULdmWm1CqFT33X1lCQOYm_hfEd1uFea-aiFrd-b2TBjtEiNYym8z93tKnBo8GdICA0ePmrRWDI9U/s400/gus+and+karma+2+chores+12+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">early morning chore-time is still the same</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiWcZ1qgcMrjbkKCc2guEl__A3-8cp4JmBQ9zX3iLq4Iukg87PDlAFM1q-ig-YLKvpncBU9P0jqcHyS0AnEugIyo-JJr1u1BaYPVj6fv87un34lmdvnujoWa4ShouQThTn3fqzDqOOOQ/s1600/sunrise+cat+12+25+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiWcZ1qgcMrjbkKCc2guEl__A3-8cp4JmBQ9zX3iLq4Iukg87PDlAFM1q-ig-YLKvpncBU9P0jqcHyS0AnEugIyo-JJr1u1BaYPVj6fv87un34lmdvnujoWa4ShouQThTn3fqzDqOOOQ/s400/sunrise+cat+12+25+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so is the cat awaiting treats by the back door</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtEA6_8roOf8755iwydci2w65gHdnFDzE-a0DgaRaRtDM_h7GQCC9m5dXsSpnyPijD7ivX9GSpL1zNQc_J06WlnDPfLDcW_1B_uqsaJmtuoi8lU6qsy7BxQ-4dGMWiNNxFY5lT_YT8c4/s1600/otis+karma+2+25+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1309" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtEA6_8roOf8755iwydci2w65gHdnFDzE-a0DgaRaRtDM_h7GQCC9m5dXsSpnyPijD7ivX9GSpL1zNQc_J06WlnDPfLDcW_1B_uqsaJmtuoi8lU6qsy7BxQ-4dGMWiNNxFY5lT_YT8c4/s400/otis+karma+2+25+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is new<br />I have a whole entourage when I go to collect packages at the lane<br />OTIS and Karma always go along<br />sometimes, Otis even dances!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Winter weather never really materialized. We had one
measurable snowfall. ONE (which honestly has me wondering what March will
bring…) The rest of the time it’s been wet, really wet and warm(ish).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There have been relatively few brutally cold
days, although enough for me (and numerous others) to complain. The woodstove
is warm and wonderful, but it means the rest of the house is cold…too cold for
comfort. Lured by the warmth and comfort, my productivity tanks. The cat and I
have an ongoing struggle to see who gets to claim the recliner. I’m fairly
certain Remy will rejoice when warmer weather lures me outside and she can nap
in my chair in relative peace and to her heart’s content.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsb2nvl94AMymAgzpohntRHOhxsFGBaSLMxZk62obKjigC08nrWwz3mlGm50AiWAqh4skCwC9RSLNkTJjL_Po7FNK5wVZDPBRQoidOZhhe370wzjLXEw3bC5ImP-HYH6-2UyII41Pl24/s1600/remy+1+12+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="591" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsb2nvl94AMymAgzpohntRHOhxsFGBaSLMxZk62obKjigC08nrWwz3mlGm50AiWAqh4skCwC9RSLNkTJjL_Po7FNK5wVZDPBRQoidOZhhe370wzjLXEw3bC5ImP-HYH6-2UyII41Pl24/s400/remy+1+12+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I won! I got the chair!<br />But, it was a hollow victory...<br />she sat behind my head and pulled my hair</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pretty snow scenes</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzT-b8WfQdma0KVuQHwWPBxJ98EwUhMEXf-hDhkABKDfo33rL1X8xpN1S5Q5z1xKM3tewdIWgCJLcLMdEHbVXCnF8vupXMTfYU6IITi9HHhW2uEfk_pMFU_bBIbJGOqeKqIxqdU4ENt0/s1600/cardinal+in+snow+1+7+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzT-b8WfQdma0KVuQHwWPBxJ98EwUhMEXf-hDhkABKDfo33rL1X8xpN1S5Q5z1xKM3tewdIWgCJLcLMdEHbVXCnF8vupXMTfYU6IITi9HHhW2uEfk_pMFU_bBIbJGOqeKqIxqdU4ENt0/s400/cardinal+in+snow+1+7+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWcN0CnISDvsaJsS7jHMKjejemKg6aJwCaG48vl9me7wSaMT8OvakbCCchx7xKcOaTdzWpzAAb31A9EgRwt6pgrnWDTKMuP3jiWhAYg_KuQXn3Y-Bdlgle01YPry0yRhBe7crVaceP7w/s1600/frosted+queens+annes+lace+2+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWcN0CnISDvsaJsS7jHMKjejemKg6aJwCaG48vl9me7wSaMT8OvakbCCchx7xKcOaTdzWpzAAb31A9EgRwt6pgrnWDTKMuP3jiWhAYg_KuQXn3Y-Bdlgle01YPry0yRhBe7crVaceP7w/s400/frosted+queens+annes+lace+2+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDtfNQlSaaDTa-v6rWzynOoo5zgUOP1ElxNw33rlVV4qVBGRWJJ9lAAOp0FvFmSbOiMnb0r9n-3UG-f6cU-bRd5yD8Fc751_l-xIEae9EjxUVoN30nXwsiezcwQy6o6o1fLfHcnx6S3E/s1600/male+cardinal+1+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDtfNQlSaaDTa-v6rWzynOoo5zgUOP1ElxNw33rlVV4qVBGRWJJ9lAAOp0FvFmSbOiMnb0r9n-3UG-f6cU-bRd5yD8Fc751_l-xIEae9EjxUVoN30nXwsiezcwQy6o6o1fLfHcnx6S3E/s400/male+cardinal+1+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgkS-wZIrGArD4uPbohjxfADkQsijX3IA7vTYK3rGKu0sSM2D-oyET6eu9dO3R7TCpglZJxyBb4UASykdKxkQb1ybBYzzWs3W4kVmjg5_2nvA-_tlKWniKJT0wVcbm6DLBNNxztta6Qyo/s1600/snowy+fencepost+1+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgkS-wZIrGArD4uPbohjxfADkQsijX3IA7vTYK3rGKu0sSM2D-oyET6eu9dO3R7TCpglZJxyBb4UASykdKxkQb1ybBYzzWs3W4kVmjg5_2nvA-_tlKWniKJT0wVcbm6DLBNNxztta6Qyo/s400/snowy+fencepost+1+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, the mild weather meant that lambing season was far
easier than some…no hourly checks in the middle of the night because of frigid
temperatures…HURRAH! We did have one disastrous birthing experience where mom
and babies were lost…but, that had nothing to do with the weather. These things
just happen sometimes. (It has taken 20 years for me to be able to accept that
without beating myself up for days afterwards---so, progress)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of the lambs are growing nicely and
it even looks like the hay supply might hold out until the grass comes in.
Processing dates have been scheduled and we’re already fielding requests for
lamb chops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The farm isn’t done yet!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTkglPkWP-sN9F1EnGQplcxktgLm6Hu9FyTfKb_B802kODDUiBCtiA4Yp489MWtiPn1YqXCEGZOcgZ5Lj7C4MmvoaDg9RwdkQhUEubueJtk9QrcAKfnqXJ2B2OChn9Mgi0G3l1foSNzQ/s1600/mama+sheep+lamb+2+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1189" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTkglPkWP-sN9F1EnGQplcxktgLm6Hu9FyTfKb_B802kODDUiBCtiA4Yp489MWtiPn1YqXCEGZOcgZ5Lj7C4MmvoaDg9RwdkQhUEubueJtk9QrcAKfnqXJ2B2OChn9Mgi0G3l1foSNzQ/s400/mama+sheep+lamb+2+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">apparently it happens in every species!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5K1XClS5D14En2sidJoUHg_VWwRgmoIzH7xBJQCgx3WqhprF28UfKoibofUSwbj4O5zHBme0RtnYIs1aZXVclKc9D0znVp1nzCOiTGBS1jlfwahcppKLrDYuD6Zt_ndZkj915etvFYlo/s1600/super+misty+morning+2+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5K1XClS5D14En2sidJoUHg_VWwRgmoIzH7xBJQCgx3WqhprF28UfKoibofUSwbj4O5zHBme0RtnYIs1aZXVclKc9D0znVp1nzCOiTGBS1jlfwahcppKLrDYuD6Zt_ndZkj915etvFYlo/s400/super+misty+morning+2+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">very misty morning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH28VQFirol8vSByJk89APcNidGYoHv4T67UY29Mv9sSrwbzN5DYoulaif9LtZi5IfKiVm12135VPk55-tyMKeQmOHwgvf4q5_daIMOnDW3WAZk7DI3Zj85KyXOlOdhcXKVlWPs55Gtq4/s1600/3+lambs+2+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1292" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH28VQFirol8vSByJk89APcNidGYoHv4T67UY29Mv9sSrwbzN5DYoulaif9LtZi5IfKiVm12135VPk55-tyMKeQmOHwgvf4q5_daIMOnDW3WAZk7DI3Zj85KyXOlOdhcXKVlWPs55Gtq4/s400/3+lambs+2+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this looks like trouble</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqymF1YK3_4cTTyqQvP42EPol__gAdOSsq5TXGhESNQVOgJIgrJ6ee0XPHE244lfPVhrhDEAj8hRtOzinaNg387yNCrQqY_9RD8GY3OWOuI4Vx0B-nxDP4IvaRFA7mukUaUtewC7jPkhE/s1600/ewe+lamb+2+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1356" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqymF1YK3_4cTTyqQvP42EPol__gAdOSsq5TXGhESNQVOgJIgrJ6ee0XPHE244lfPVhrhDEAj8hRtOzinaNg387yNCrQqY_9RD8GY3OWOuI4Vx0B-nxDP4IvaRFA7mukUaUtewC7jPkhE/s400/ewe+lamb+2+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">oh, the cuteness!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTp3xSIc4dUVu8twVKmbGhLMmeN-4jU7bJvcZko9Sn1XGVBHVJ2cBIg1lg9GvMGP-ah0WNGlWVzFYIwHAc0GGhXXIVxnLLxxPeEso1K032OKtJg-_oR6aD6AjnzXmJv2zm-7w8eDJkjhM/s1600/lamb+2+10+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTp3xSIc4dUVu8twVKmbGhLMmeN-4jU7bJvcZko9Sn1XGVBHVJ2cBIg1lg9GvMGP-ah0WNGlWVzFYIwHAc0GGhXXIVxnLLxxPeEso1K032OKtJg-_oR6aD6AjnzXmJv2zm-7w8eDJkjhM/s400/lamb+2+10+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">he looks sleepy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgByl21207Y6cYREfR3nvBAgwx0jdvknrX3xuej14esW7Xe5jzc_tPjyQUN3TmD7oEk5CAmw13IwK-oi9lz81obEJP439q1DWgNH28wrbsT5gsbLoKw-1aZ2twBf2dv6Spg1SMnx1u3sVc/s1600/little+sisters+2+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgByl21207Y6cYREfR3nvBAgwx0jdvknrX3xuej14esW7Xe5jzc_tPjyQUN3TmD7oEk5CAmw13IwK-oi9lz81obEJP439q1DWgNH28wrbsT5gsbLoKw-1aZ2twBf2dv6Spg1SMnx1u3sVc/s400/little+sisters+2+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">little sisters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgoZnJple9RG18BzwnowfRE9nbi6ZazIE5f5n7w1zf8Vf3QMQQ0KB5-oavnU5n6y96IhpOjPQmcEVoSqgEVxh-jsIhIQJR9a-VZc4v7FTszejwS_sHp3yezdUi1-YYuxp2fNlLWecHI_Q/s1600/nitey+night+mama+sheep+2+9+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="777" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgoZnJple9RG18BzwnowfRE9nbi6ZazIE5f5n7w1zf8Vf3QMQQ0KB5-oavnU5n6y96IhpOjPQmcEVoSqgEVxh-jsIhIQJR9a-VZc4v7FTszejwS_sHp3yezdUi1-YYuxp2fNlLWecHI_Q/s400/nitey+night+mama+sheep+2+9+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nitey-night!</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The whole down-sizing thing is just plain weird. This was
the first February in nearly 15 years that we weren’t rushing to get broiler
chicks started in the brooder and making worried phonecalls wondering if the
seed potato shipment had gotten lost or frozen somewhere along the way. The
seed order was so small it was laughable. (really, we are still laughing) No one seems to understand WHY we
chose to change up what we’re doing…or WHAT else we could possibly do… And, frankly,
sometimes I wonder myself. WHO am I—are we-- without the Farmers’ Market? Food for
thought, much thought, no doubt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTvdDdy0-8qDq5_3MF776-l0Ir1XiPftTmSGudkHSUY_wzEe7jKkXTVTY6_QFMbCaTJwVvEXdOE9A2KvPJkmxs-g9dPua2f_oF-4nJW0RY30ToZ78ghyQJPacq0MnY3q3h-sp1K6bVB4/s1600/a+new+project+2+27+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="953" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTvdDdy0-8qDq5_3MF776-l0Ir1XiPftTmSGudkHSUY_wzEe7jKkXTVTY6_QFMbCaTJwVvEXdOE9A2KvPJkmxs-g9dPua2f_oF-4nJW0RY30ToZ78ghyQJPacq0MnY3q3h-sp1K6bVB4/s320/a+new+project+2+27+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a new project in the works</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wrote some time ago about being mindful of what’s around
us…not being so caught up in the doing that we/I overlook what is all around
us. <a href="https://barbarawomack.com/a-little-mindfulness-walking/">https://barbarawomack.com/a-little-mindfulness-walking/</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You never know what you might see! And, maybe
somewhere along the way we will find our new purpose and direction…<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSiUY1Qy5AvnOjK1up35FWB4mR1JTv-_U1tEdQO6eY8td6i5eM9ZGb9w27PFqwsx3EpYqbIO4Ij2HmMvy6T6nEfUEMCIE9D35sx-DzPiUavDUo-YWoZLXM0JXYSZNvgP4IQyNRsuFKlvU/s1600/1+hawk+1+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSiUY1Qy5AvnOjK1up35FWB4mR1JTv-_U1tEdQO6eY8td6i5eM9ZGb9w27PFqwsx3EpYqbIO4Ij2HmMvy6T6nEfUEMCIE9D35sx-DzPiUavDUo-YWoZLXM0JXYSZNvgP4IQyNRsuFKlvU/s400/1+hawk+1+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a hawk flew into the front window<br />(he was okay)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUm9HmYbT-5D0eoT8QGUtopTxHHOxujvEk6PpbX67-Qkq-nhGUzlN0Lvr1aP5GoqOzpUdZrCr_sVAAkLjGXnZg92EYhkPyxYwmhXzEF0Fgy2eW5BQ93Y9SdLFry3O_oeGrewdBx4CtW8/s1600/backyard+birdwatching+12+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1544" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUm9HmYbT-5D0eoT8QGUtopTxHHOxujvEk6PpbX67-Qkq-nhGUzlN0Lvr1aP5GoqOzpUdZrCr_sVAAkLjGXnZg92EYhkPyxYwmhXzEF0Fgy2eW5BQ93Y9SdLFry3O_oeGrewdBx4CtW8/s400/backyard+birdwatching+12+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">backyard birdwatching<br />Bluejay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiooDO3RwNwoeQEm0XOvmNhF5k8oaWtNqDTdZOTWLeWejMCUd7ODdPNvaPTQKw-gRTt0ZPFVpMJ_QEUW3oUO98ZlMswp9KjnTs9CASNR-9Zm_YpRXkOauacGxxGXYTT2EcGjPp9W1EY-_s/s1600/bit+of+bittersweet+12+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiooDO3RwNwoeQEm0XOvmNhF5k8oaWtNqDTdZOTWLeWejMCUd7ODdPNvaPTQKw-gRTt0ZPFVpMJ_QEUW3oUO98ZlMswp9KjnTs9CASNR-9Zm_YpRXkOauacGxxGXYTT2EcGjPp9W1EY-_s/s400/bit+of+bittersweet+12+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bittersweet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8oYuxZZfBcwD7g3Y7IsrwnsIqPRvpQDJrM51D_-RoPAMa9WfUSVh49TGH9ob1A0U3h0DwtyVyDRgTscKiGs_zrqlCpOe-xOLs61kfRJMNphh3bCSVh8WOfqhTOw41aecUWJvwiySaPs/s1600/breezy+cardinal+1+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8oYuxZZfBcwD7g3Y7IsrwnsIqPRvpQDJrM51D_-RoPAMa9WfUSVh49TGH9ob1A0U3h0DwtyVyDRgTscKiGs_zrqlCpOe-xOLs61kfRJMNphh3bCSVh8WOfqhTOw41aecUWJvwiySaPs/s400/breezy+cardinal+1+16+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">breezy cardinal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRLvIwOQwwIryVeJLHzoGC16OVSwGtikqJhaIDWNdTHCul9jS20QpjV90wX3gDKPilveb-u9-GRL4d9MegI2KfgOiWJ4KGwDBa6UH8fGlFdatUClyxItMHWRt-FBSwOz4AYu5oAXkfX0/s1600/december+full+moon+thru+the+trees+12+12+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRLvIwOQwwIryVeJLHzoGC16OVSwGtikqJhaIDWNdTHCul9jS20QpjV90wX3gDKPilveb-u9-GRL4d9MegI2KfgOiWJ4KGwDBa6UH8fGlFdatUClyxItMHWRt-FBSwOz4AYu5oAXkfX0/s400/december+full+moon+thru+the+trees+12+12+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">full moon through the trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8GXfSXx7zjiSwCfbu2AEV5UWFYchomLiR9xC-t2DEsaBxN48p7rhcFddwFuq1HlhxPyw16HFMETriB1Zlzxh5Vg_fQ5pTVOQPJAOWNolhMpR2GlS3CMDRKucRsknlRSRY1JPywjQrxtM/s1600/goodmorning+deer+12+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1557" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8GXfSXx7zjiSwCfbu2AEV5UWFYchomLiR9xC-t2DEsaBxN48p7rhcFddwFuq1HlhxPyw16HFMETriB1Zlzxh5Vg_fQ5pTVOQPJAOWNolhMpR2GlS3CMDRKucRsknlRSRY1JPywjQrxtM/s400/goodmorning+deer+12+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the deer come to visit most every morning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOazx7nDIoX3t9f1kQTs702w5H8eFULrUSmexBWgn7TwZbSKqEk_eqxdUdwRyQPOBT2hBduRBvtyXII3dgLCQIeh_I_eMQLqSEZVgZLQOVWE1lB-VqzIhukyJ4QV67cQn4ntM3xEnISEk/s1600/deer+fur+2+23+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOazx7nDIoX3t9f1kQTs702w5H8eFULrUSmexBWgn7TwZbSKqEk_eqxdUdwRyQPOBT2hBduRBvtyXII3dgLCQIeh_I_eMQLqSEZVgZLQOVWE1lB-VqzIhukyJ4QV67cQn4ntM3xEnISEk/s400/deer+fur+2+23+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this time they left a little something behind</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKiQzbDjtEBtkSYyX7fRiZXNFE0tz07NyCtK78VtJuP6MlwffDno5EKOW_yt0G5_ZgEsRN5oStMX8pCJ7NfRUeEdQjEcRdvuQtjf28YBFlw5g3rFD2Bxync7KpN9-YsG7bKhBrVuc45I/s1600/ewes+heading+out+at+sunrise+12+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1395" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKiQzbDjtEBtkSYyX7fRiZXNFE0tz07NyCtK78VtJuP6MlwffDno5EKOW_yt0G5_ZgEsRN5oStMX8pCJ7NfRUeEdQjEcRdvuQtjf28YBFlw5g3rFD2Bxync7KpN9-YsG7bKhBrVuc45I/s400/ewes+heading+out+at+sunrise+12+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">heading out to graze at sunrise<br />(can you believe this was late December?)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZDcq2V-ACGhEvJRxVxuJDSz0WEBbew2ra9W8ipgqxm77aPSI5P_0JjQYnBDurGxQcdgHyLTAIqrhXWYa8DmM961P9YqfEozJILJ1b1w9l_42F1esEatzi7Y7hu0m3PdiymRRKOZ3Mbo/s1600/frozen+rosehips+2+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZDcq2V-ACGhEvJRxVxuJDSz0WEBbew2ra9W8ipgqxm77aPSI5P_0JjQYnBDurGxQcdgHyLTAIqrhXWYa8DmM961P9YqfEozJILJ1b1w9l_42F1esEatzi7Y7hu0m3PdiymRRKOZ3Mbo/s400/frozen+rosehips+2+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">frozen rosehips</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnG9arU7kJUG52VZ0XahmNMWbObpXa21TdnDvUsQWni2eiCyEdJt4Qx5BYyc9cnXtYSm_G1j1W-HmOJp_IG51IINYkovQAlpPRNJroy7L7cN8VRmLleQ5WYjuFDs0xAk_nVEevmgVBuU/s1600/garlic+chives+12+28-001+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1390" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnG9arU7kJUG52VZ0XahmNMWbObpXa21TdnDvUsQWni2eiCyEdJt4Qx5BYyc9cnXtYSm_G1j1W-HmOJp_IG51IINYkovQAlpPRNJroy7L7cN8VRmLleQ5WYjuFDs0xAk_nVEevmgVBuU/s400/garlic+chives+12+28-001+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spent garlic chive seedhead</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQVmHR8MdsLc52EBm0jtYR_DISQ9m6aHJOlFbAAI-KzIJykCuqsZspUbYWMX1gZLr6zTNM4SxWujDR1W2Pitl3_nzOM9hOk74J1hU6eC8nuvTb2t8TgSWH57tO15UjpkPFXKkWvmmfac/s1600/hawk+front+railing+1+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1293" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQVmHR8MdsLc52EBm0jtYR_DISQ9m6aHJOlFbAAI-KzIJykCuqsZspUbYWMX1gZLr6zTNM4SxWujDR1W2Pitl3_nzOM9hOk74J1hU6eC8nuvTb2t8TgSWH57tO15UjpkPFXKkWvmmfac/s400/hawk+front+railing+1+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">after he dried off<br />he flew away<br />(the chickens were most relieved)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6l_cSZ2I3_p07r6kozWxG9zOCCq1skxRGL5-fDiSJ3K8QwuxMJYKpKGvS_akmqSotI4gUy5uk0V6Wrq3AUNqMAB5kCMfhNlcF47aezXXfYhenLSLERcLwXz8O9D3X0cX28_DVTBck3s/s1600/interesting+sunset+12+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6l_cSZ2I3_p07r6kozWxG9zOCCq1skxRGL5-fDiSJ3K8QwuxMJYKpKGvS_akmqSotI4gUy5uk0V6Wrq3AUNqMAB5kCMfhNlcF47aezXXfYhenLSLERcLwXz8O9D3X0cX28_DVTBck3s/s400/interesting+sunset+12+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">weather coming in at sunset</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMp_mFlJ_JcA64G7YTMQupm2cSg2-cxG64XrzbqmzBwIkXnJsZOrbPR0lYwH2jwWTT9L8gVFc_rZ3te7W1bp_lxQ3Vd25wHuu9c6HbudL73AksFK3LZGWWz0DXPhCu3eMXSDqSAOryZ0/s1600/moon+setting+behind+the+trees+12+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMp_mFlJ_JcA64G7YTMQupm2cSg2-cxG64XrzbqmzBwIkXnJsZOrbPR0lYwH2jwWTT9L8gVFc_rZ3te7W1bp_lxQ3Vd25wHuu9c6HbudL73AksFK3LZGWWz0DXPhCu3eMXSDqSAOryZ0/s400/moon+setting+behind+the+trees+12+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">crescent moon behind the trees</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sJzfxPuL38XEcwgvegmvoHFTjAyj0SqocQKl16OW5f5CJ5ct3GGsseiIWjI0w1qS5XXQXsQpXhnevV9jMYyfqBEcPsZ-OPuVXTX5ih2qaprvrFmh8iClvZFXBQmd5DVYEDUAx0bnWgc/s1600/morning+glory+seedpod+2+2+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sJzfxPuL38XEcwgvegmvoHFTjAyj0SqocQKl16OW5f5CJ5ct3GGsseiIWjI0w1qS5XXQXsQpXhnevV9jMYyfqBEcPsZ-OPuVXTX5ih2qaprvrFmh8iClvZFXBQmd5DVYEDUAx0bnWgc/s400/morning+glory+seedpod+2+2+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">morning glory seeds in the sunlight</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyaC5Ha4h44Go-Pw94u697IJgYaCli7WUO5r1P55F2VDImAiw_Wj_6uhvOjiIrDsrukWf8ogY0iIYsCqzl_AJoNTC5T_LRoGb6l32MdisUZYW7p7QodJq1SXVLIrezPD4Zkwieo749xk/s1600/muskrat+suzie+12+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyaC5Ha4h44Go-Pw94u697IJgYaCli7WUO5r1P55F2VDImAiw_Wj_6uhvOjiIrDsrukWf8ogY0iIYsCqzl_AJoNTC5T_LRoGb6l32MdisUZYW7p7QodJq1SXVLIrezPD4Zkwieo749xk/s400/muskrat+suzie+12+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">muskrat Suzie...or is it Sam? (dating myself here) at the creek</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahH9XUyUuHMlv2_jodFWNXTa6Q2ypQFa32TqEbT3CP5-4UkorguvQZPwfkaabC6nFMvD8rFu5KFtnUBWDnqkMx6XUU8clv7im5miGAvsizBEcQ4sCqhiP7bfrdFiij2NGo2RmWjVkzL4/s1600/nuthatch+maple+12+10+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1054" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahH9XUyUuHMlv2_jodFWNXTa6Q2ypQFa32TqEbT3CP5-4UkorguvQZPwfkaabC6nFMvD8rFu5KFtnUBWDnqkMx6XUU8clv7im5miGAvsizBEcQ4sCqhiP7bfrdFiij2NGo2RmWjVkzL4/s400/nuthatch+maple+12+10+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nuthatch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jrwXBu5aVKhv7v6QerrP8RNBCoRfwZO5-FHcr4Sgf8FcP2pT2Xr3Aei6phQqv_LBg0ADCnHfTiNEDcfTzcng4GSeRh4v_75BBpH09rt9lizUJ2VBYKrVwE-ZaXFj4HCLAypBSAiHMQ4/s1600/sparrow+1+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1019" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jrwXBu5aVKhv7v6QerrP8RNBCoRfwZO5-FHcr4Sgf8FcP2pT2Xr3Aei6phQqv_LBg0ADCnHfTiNEDcfTzcng4GSeRh4v_75BBpH09rt9lizUJ2VBYKrVwE-ZaXFj4HCLAypBSAiHMQ4/s400/sparrow+1+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="387" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sparrow</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieT9CtRUzpm8O7L3nsWuoRmFdzoMq3snK45C3V99Sc_vg8vaMuvMU85IY4tQ-UenJNDVyTwTTT1udacYf1KxG294-Q-ljl4iyr7xxEMfhFdDhjonDzQAmobDlVOjtadIT7s-MQvCQSde0/s1600/titmouse+1+1+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieT9CtRUzpm8O7L3nsWuoRmFdzoMq3snK45C3V99Sc_vg8vaMuvMU85IY4tQ-UenJNDVyTwTTT1udacYf1KxG294-Q-ljl4iyr7xxEMfhFdDhjonDzQAmobDlVOjtadIT7s-MQvCQSde0/s400/titmouse+1+1+7+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">titmouse</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3R-Ktb-uKfMkCMqC_hkU1lbLXPrTC4QRSaJWgX4aQFWWXjBCGp31S_9ICF1IkSHFjBwHYk_NXmBY0ckXJg8CTHfBKwrMRkjHOLTJxIauDsd8SU5cAEFbBO6XwUuV7VGD6Tn7Kbuz3znU/s1600/driveway+puddle+1+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3R-Ktb-uKfMkCMqC_hkU1lbLXPrTC4QRSaJWgX4aQFWWXjBCGp31S_9ICF1IkSHFjBwHYk_NXmBY0ckXJg8CTHfBKwrMRkjHOLTJxIauDsd8SU5cAEFbBO6XwUuV7VGD6Tn7Kbuz3znU/s400/driveway+puddle+1+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">even the driveway puddles are starting to look like Spring!</td></tr>
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So, on this first day of meteorological spring, I hope you
can look past the worrisome news, the troubling and divisive times and find
something to point you toward transition and renewal as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Happy
Sunday!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Jff5pV2Bqfnc4YWw1Huq4PLf27k15T3FNvJntVgowBksm8E5v6sgPgH0qTzIQ-dk4TvAmwsnuULiZEXZkx6maifhyphenhyphen9EBE09qKZJHoBZETsnd4eA5fJvw14AV9yH03_p6GZzh383S8sI/s1600/good+doggies+2+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Jff5pV2Bqfnc4YWw1Huq4PLf27k15T3FNvJntVgowBksm8E5v6sgPgH0qTzIQ-dk4TvAmwsnuULiZEXZkx6maifhyphenhyphen9EBE09qKZJHoBZETsnd4eA5fJvw14AV9yH03_p6GZzh383S8sI/s640/good+doggies+2+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the best from Gus and Karma!<br /></td></tr>
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</o:p></div>
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Thanks for stopping by! I hope you will “visit” us again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03599739740886087571noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819048519590916875.post-38695125467344062152019-11-24T08:44:00.000-05:002019-11-24T08:54:02.309-05:00November 2019 Walkabout<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMf6j2sAFl-WLGkX3CG1FIG78oovVc1sgzyCGtxs20gmw5I5fn5NNpJpDSgMNa9fGxJcsiBWiOgX74pDbXsCGTzKu8h2X_s9AcKl5E_KEiCbajSgtzCrl0NBuZvaDMGwaWn-L4ZjrQ4co/s1600/november+sunset+through+the+trees+11+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMf6j2sAFl-WLGkX3CG1FIG78oovVc1sgzyCGtxs20gmw5I5fn5NNpJpDSgMNa9fGxJcsiBWiOgX74pDbXsCGTzKu8h2X_s9AcKl5E_KEiCbajSgtzCrl0NBuZvaDMGwaWn-L4ZjrQ4co/s640/november+sunset+through+the+trees+11+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">setting sun through the backyard maple</td></tr>
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November is nearly over...</div>
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Thanksgiving is right around the corner…<o:p></o:p></div>
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and I am running far behind my projected preparations. (oh,
so far)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Every year I think THIS November I will focus on my
gratitude…THIS year I will make lists and posts of all the things for which I
should give thanks…<o:p></o:p></div>
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And, every year something knocks me off course.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This year it was sickness and surgery, neither of which being huge events in themselves, but the combination was enough to make me feel
like I have to cram a whole lot into the next several days and completely
altered any focus on gratitude. Nose to the grindstone and all that jazz.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But, the “cold-crud” that had us both confined to our
respective recliners, hacking and actually missing the Market completely one
week (first time ever) has subsided. And, the headache and uncomfortably weird
vision issues have resolved (somewhat) following my first cataract surgery. (cataract surgery has come a long way since the days of my grandparents...and while the whole process is strangely unsettling, I'll have to tell you all about it sometime)<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, after those slight detours, I think we're back on track.</div>
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Just in time for T'giving prep! (and, I suppose I should give thanks for that)</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0g7XDv-dauKRzi9AhStxUgUlGRrKeaYk5fsGF0SorvOzvK7qhxzbBm6lXOzUZgS7dq2pqWcK1rrjmHiYxGImxv01EouRKVmJJLyZDmthLmydn8PJH79avBOeYKYQ7kGLDtdflEmfoXYA/s1600/close+sunrise+11+23++%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0g7XDv-dauKRzi9AhStxUgUlGRrKeaYk5fsGF0SorvOzvK7qhxzbBm6lXOzUZgS7dq2pqWcK1rrjmHiYxGImxv01EouRKVmJJLyZDmthLmydn8PJH79avBOeYKYQ7kGLDtdflEmfoXYA/s400/close+sunrise+11+23++%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">beginning of another pretty day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Despite my misgivings about the leaves, the colors were spectacular, although short-lived. Here are just a few shots.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8mKdZ9ZSDQljKrVeJ0hAq4vq0p1cNSDLrk2hBtGBAYsQwRVg165NI3IUmJHNdac0umYdkbgUsGLf8YCccMV3AZvy9TcZwdppCMUx5qlfuZlEL67vrq6NI03fAnpW8_mEkz2XcLTdZu4/s1600/last+redbud+leaf+11+6+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8mKdZ9ZSDQljKrVeJ0hAq4vq0p1cNSDLrk2hBtGBAYsQwRVg165NI3IUmJHNdac0umYdkbgUsGLf8YCccMV3AZvy9TcZwdppCMUx5qlfuZlEL67vrq6NI03fAnpW8_mEkz2XcLTdZu4/s400/last+redbud+leaf+11+6+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the last redbud leaf</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTve-jPNX7QA6K315CgeJJ4dzAcdHeomIil1JO0SgLX8I6kUacu0GNc98G0Q5PMdanUz75njCzFoB1NZEzyRs2RZkhoyyE6pgk9i0ETlfcvMcpcmXkaoA76Vv4oklt0TAD78qp-_Ubjg/s1600/fiery+maple+10+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTve-jPNX7QA6K315CgeJJ4dzAcdHeomIil1JO0SgLX8I6kUacu0GNc98G0Q5PMdanUz75njCzFoB1NZEzyRs2RZkhoyyE6pgk9i0ETlfcvMcpcmXkaoA76Vv4oklt0TAD78qp-_Ubjg/s400/fiery+maple+10+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fiery maples </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPqXw0-szqQGNmO4V_rvwF-SHF2Tr1C-HwJeK9ZI9fTNQvar_emfdEifSzT0LoXzx3CT8onmel2IcQg-KJSgWqGKeeEPlQh45RsoHVAak58w-wQwhIGgu-fPp5ZSY9eJcSjmgF2k8vyM/s1600/misty+autumn+morning+10+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1464" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPqXw0-szqQGNmO4V_rvwF-SHF2Tr1C-HwJeK9ZI9fTNQvar_emfdEifSzT0LoXzx3CT8onmel2IcQg-KJSgWqGKeeEPlQh45RsoHVAak58w-wQwhIGgu-fPp5ZSY9eJcSjmgF2k8vyM/s400/misty+autumn+morning+10+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">misty autumn morning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlr7r0euLMMlCcwYy-rYwEOjGfx51Y1pXFFxZxiCXHAmqLrYIlQ8ijryw2xijIVkRQNKaRQdOQ1sdTM2-b0fH-KuRJlfqJI7ofkxPvDsOO7psEjqwPBGCyEL_AqejtyRaaAVjveXqZFBM/s1600/red+maple+10+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlr7r0euLMMlCcwYy-rYwEOjGfx51Y1pXFFxZxiCXHAmqLrYIlQ8ijryw2xijIVkRQNKaRQdOQ1sdTM2-b0fH-KuRJlfqJI7ofkxPvDsOO7psEjqwPBGCyEL_AqejtyRaaAVjveXqZFBM/s400/red+maple+10+28+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more gorgeous color</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVMHcKsv7630uzqVDLLpFfxvN30ukLLpFz2j6NELO7qIzCEHih26MR08s_ZiUHcJvuD7QfpJXaNpxoubcobNXrmr04czvRh6Ln-6UmWUdJN7dLX6yBFX0qtIvnXOZ9u0OV2QpSHjos_E/s1600/eagle+hawk+midair+11+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1312" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVMHcKsv7630uzqVDLLpFfxvN30ukLLpFz2j6NELO7qIzCEHih26MR08s_ZiUHcJvuD7QfpJXaNpxoubcobNXrmr04czvRh6Ln-6UmWUdJN7dLX6yBFX0qtIvnXOZ9u0OV2QpSHjos_E/s400/eagle+hawk+midair+11+1+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(not a great shot, but...)<br />
a bald eagle and a red-tailed hawk were flying together in the cloudless November sky<br />
I could hear them screaming long before I saw them right overhead<br />
pretty cool!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VzBg9faa4ArV3qWbZobEOmI38GZBUoGGZUfyfQagOhivfO9H1dQaCdFNQh6RgiXTgOZbZDyvVF0RoAP5Kg7k5Vmz34brkKWXtShURA07IJFa0fhSt_POSdkGhRWBmi1Jy-E017Q0gpw/s1600/midair+leaf+10+31+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VzBg9faa4ArV3qWbZobEOmI38GZBUoGGZUfyfQagOhivfO9H1dQaCdFNQh6RgiXTgOZbZDyvVF0RoAP5Kg7k5Vmz34brkKWXtShURA07IJFa0fhSt_POSdkGhRWBmi1Jy-E017Q0gpw/s400/midair+leaf+10+31+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mid-air leaf<br />
stuck on a cobweb<br />
spinning in the breeze</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWSKF0W037zfhZkhhK0ZFfl3Rq16SvQCCG18hkoXdw8oYbTaDZGNlaxKLmvXae8zIAZOLNsP2pr2vrbSmR0PerNdfAPVgAcRR6DGw8nzDu7cb5FEyfWCO_eRO5pvUOWKsDbDnGF2RnHI/s1600/burning+bush+berries+11+6+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWSKF0W037zfhZkhhK0ZFfl3Rq16SvQCCG18hkoXdw8oYbTaDZGNlaxKLmvXae8zIAZOLNsP2pr2vrbSmR0PerNdfAPVgAcRR6DGw8nzDu7cb5FEyfWCO_eRO5pvUOWKsDbDnGF2RnHI/s400/burning+bush+berries+11+6+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">burning bush berries</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRxw10uIGb5Zap-YducZZ2h3Cn9n_JOM7kA6OHlid4u1arwHnKmyPC8moMynk0KL_YwY0CjlSXurAafvoxEfXWG_4AsaD7WxX1zsmI3kBQSQd2-p-8zebihnqZqTwIkOzv8h3kgrw_pA/s1600/more+morning+glory+seeds+11+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRxw10uIGb5Zap-YducZZ2h3Cn9n_JOM7kA6OHlid4u1arwHnKmyPC8moMynk0KL_YwY0CjlSXurAafvoxEfXWG_4AsaD7WxX1zsmI3kBQSQd2-p-8zebihnqZqTwIkOzv8h3kgrw_pA/s400/more+morning+glory+seeds+11+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">morning glory seed pods in the sunlight</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMR22yeeTCnd3O7PxR97kYuedXqIYPd1uL7tYM3a9u3Pb6TuZ14KyHCFKyP7X7yftjz-yp9mHgXdxz-vmugmu8-L6attXsr3vJ5AnJnZPGejPLD1WxrPl6OTmVAuT4nULdVxnpYx_1gY/s1600/pinecone+fence+11+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMR22yeeTCnd3O7PxR97kYuedXqIYPd1uL7tYM3a9u3Pb6TuZ14KyHCFKyP7X7yftjz-yp9mHgXdxz-vmugmu8-L6attXsr3vJ5AnJnZPGejPLD1WxrPl6OTmVAuT4nULdVxnpYx_1gY/s400/pinecone+fence+11+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pinecone stuck in the fence</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxE7yYHBracLysrNpw36pxQkYOkZX5RvQW_ziW88Fq8z6QbVAAqcCrMCVkXHKPofw-rfst2jdQ7xNUlycaIovSFTR-loLINh6ltadyY1A7EfVPQd1b0AIp5hfYuN7jWYy0buWRdL2060/s1600/leaves+at+the+wharf+11+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1434" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxE7yYHBracLysrNpw36pxQkYOkZX5RvQW_ziW88Fq8z6QbVAAqcCrMCVkXHKPofw-rfst2jdQ7xNUlycaIovSFTR-loLINh6ltadyY1A7EfVPQd1b0AIp5hfYuN7jWYy0buWRdL2060/s400/leaves+at+the+wharf+11+2+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">beautiful leaves at the Market</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
So, now I have four days to focus on providing the family
feast that marks the end of the growing season and a time to focus on all the
things for which we are grateful. <o:p></o:p></div>
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FOUR days. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Getting all my preparations completed will be a challenge.
Focusing on gratitude while doing so…is going to take <b>challenge</b> to a
whole new level.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjya5AjUwMxXY-BUIWZhoEutJc69SwD48PnihfPXKJO1XawIUWuboN78PaSPHbR209kiEJsl3j-dQH-PGb_fs315ywesxUtAayBEfqazxqOvNEoz9A-CqCo-ySdAwgcK8jbT4yI8DaXQcU/s1600/PicMonkey+Image+Our+Market+History.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjya5AjUwMxXY-BUIWZhoEutJc69SwD48PnihfPXKJO1XawIUWuboN78PaSPHbR209kiEJsl3j-dQH-PGb_fs315ywesxUtAayBEfqazxqOvNEoz9A-CqCo-ySdAwgcK8jbT4yI8DaXQcU/s400/PicMonkey+Image+Our+Market+History.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOTS of history between those two photos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This year is slightly different in that yesterday was not
just the final Market day of the season, it was our final Market day ever. <b>Ever</b>. For those who wondered, I don’t think the reality of the finality of that statement has quite sunk in yet.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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While it wasn't our greatest season (or even close, for that matter) we did manage to set a personal record for one-day sales and sold every single chicken and lamb we raised. And, yesterday we sold <b>50 dozen</b> eggs in a little less than 3 hours! All in all, a good season by any measure.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Moving on from the Market changes everything in our lives. <b>Everything</b>.
Doing the Market isn’t just about showing up on Saturday morning. It’s a finely
tuned choreography of animal husbandry, gathering/washing eggs, planting seeds,
harvesting produce, planning for the next season, keeping up with the filing
and the bills and countless other things. Any hiccup in the routine has
far-reaching effects. Without it, we will have to completely re-define ourselves and our purpose.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Market may never have been our dream, but it served us
well for a lot of years. And, we are truly grateful for that. Customers
became our friends and have supported us throughout the years. Our vendor
friends feel more like family than our actual relations sometimes. The Market
offered opportunities and exposure that we never would have experienced had we
not become vendors all those years ago.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Definitely a reason (many reasons) to GIVE THANKS!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few random views from around the farm...</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXcL69Lz9H0xMQDEk3O0jnr3N3VPVCrSn_3Ms6naPxxfFoqMPBNz3R7rP0TB6sqKArLRjyp1JOR-bXQIQKMGtXPQVWLy-5GuXSaPF7ytrCZKkgpVTxqu20wCK1RD5pEn8p8PKUYEOr8IE/s1600/sunrise+11+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXcL69Lz9H0xMQDEk3O0jnr3N3VPVCrSn_3Ms6naPxxfFoqMPBNz3R7rP0TB6sqKArLRjyp1JOR-bXQIQKMGtXPQVWLy-5GuXSaPF7ytrCZKkgpVTxqu20wCK1RD5pEn8p8PKUYEOr8IE/s400/sunrise+11+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">November sunrise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cSceHUpTEr7WmShu16QIL9KnCdkzPYP9LYKcKA4sarL5i5zSb5GcB21WHslQ6jXmbjWg0wUm7lQB9ppSuUFq8ZWg7Qa5hHA7CWR6ADJWVPOgNTQR8G5JlHWKERNJsTM6IRIgLZvPQsY/s1600/eying+the+last+tomatoes+11+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cSceHUpTEr7WmShu16QIL9KnCdkzPYP9LYKcKA4sarL5i5zSb5GcB21WHslQ6jXmbjWg0wUm7lQB9ppSuUFq8ZWg7Qa5hHA7CWR6ADJWVPOgNTQR8G5JlHWKERNJsTM6IRIgLZvPQsY/s400/eying+the+last+tomatoes+11+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a hen eyes the last volunteer tomatoes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MZSUP44XM5fu31xX6K6wezzf4psr2PPdglgn83dqmLIQKfkSN9WrpZnPwYyL1kSf4y0lNaIRs3nXnQxDTaylHHoDsTYN8M2rIlAnzG9WqJqwQXVaPJPYicP0HuXcvWu52Ec9Nkri8zs/s1600/stormy+november+11+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MZSUP44XM5fu31xX6K6wezzf4psr2PPdglgn83dqmLIQKfkSN9WrpZnPwYyL1kSf4y0lNaIRs3nXnQxDTaylHHoDsTYN8M2rIlAnzG9WqJqwQXVaPJPYicP0HuXcvWu52Ec9Nkri8zs/s400/stormy+november+11+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stormy November skies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJw5aUn0upAy_vnCjDPUlByyvCeolgYmj9xxtA4naVdomcLGcyIyp2iMuKPnuCfaXCzsuSzl__Bp7-o-RpUafV-2qgwLlHDYhu_ejdPMay9pZbvaqivpTRAbTIbzyyMO_PahMc7_c53XA/s1600/unlikely+friends+11+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJw5aUn0upAy_vnCjDPUlByyvCeolgYmj9xxtA4naVdomcLGcyIyp2iMuKPnuCfaXCzsuSzl__Bp7-o-RpUafV-2qgwLlHDYhu_ejdPMay9pZbvaqivpTRAbTIbzyyMO_PahMc7_c53XA/s400/unlikely+friends+11+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some unlikely friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0SDamvv8tI58ULI4XY4dQHxfqA851GZUoCgjgN0IqaRwgGTxkKRgHksBZgBqr3ef2ekLPqE37ehdU9hT-SIKdUn09mKjEurXd2ucUlsvvVcYgzxaNCF-bi6YO5POhFHi3YwOf_oy5vo/s1600/sheep+sunset+11+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1386" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0SDamvv8tI58ULI4XY4dQHxfqA851GZUoCgjgN0IqaRwgGTxkKRgHksBZgBqr3ef2ekLPqE37ehdU9hT-SIKdUn09mKjEurXd2ucUlsvvVcYgzxaNCF-bi6YO5POhFHi3YwOf_oy5vo/s400/sheep+sunset+11+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">evening sheep grazing </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhQ_6p3igJi_b7171ZDT-TVkcE2vBzoOs3fJN35fRsqQrFLqMaptV7OHEzSi68mOBPYCMAjDRTm_06kNN6sZUyHZrBCb64rYvJCago3LZiALxzPMfPU1LgMtUTs1COXDJ2NKpBruZhQI/s1600/sunset+11+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhQ_6p3igJi_b7171ZDT-TVkcE2vBzoOs3fJN35fRsqQrFLqMaptV7OHEzSi68mOBPYCMAjDRTm_06kNN6sZUyHZrBCb64rYvJCago3LZiALxzPMfPU1LgMtUTs1COXDJ2NKpBruZhQI/s400/sunset+11+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">requisite sunset shot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFNnmyTAqmZKItcswnhchT8m4y8D2P7Y-k4d3BRod18Nf4wpZkwbqROEC6FwI4v_TEHBhCzDvC-iZr17PRP3DmcEuh6yrv4JPsU6rdOd5cgep2CKsQxCGvRACqHn5ZHo0nDNKjXUczYA/s1600/last+market+morning+11+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFNnmyTAqmZKItcswnhchT8m4y8D2P7Y-k4d3BRod18Nf4wpZkwbqROEC6FwI4v_TEHBhCzDvC-iZr17PRP3DmcEuh6yrv4JPsU6rdOd5cgep2CKsQxCGvRACqHn5ZHo0nDNKjXUczYA/s400/last+market+morning+11+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">doing chores before Market<br />
one last time</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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There are a whole lot of posts lurking under the
surface of the preceding paragraphs. After the holidays I will finally take the opportunity to sit down and write out some of those things that float across the
periphery of my brain as I tried to keep up with that farming choreography. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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But for now, you’ll have to excuse me…I have lists to make
and food to cook!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Hope you have a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Happy
Sunday!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting";"><span style="font-size: 32px;"><b><br /></b></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihr2_adMVBajUMY8fBoIPwZB0Zco8rnGb_q-Nc437YxmbqbuEdBf2Esx_fdQvhnrzSqOUtrl60TOnE1MmLtqp1OWwY6ghgoOYegOPT2GX1H8Tc2xM5GbUTiyiH3VNyzS9OfDhcp1kpzeE/s1600/cardinal+11+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihr2_adMVBajUMY8fBoIPwZB0Zco8rnGb_q-Nc437YxmbqbuEdBf2Esx_fdQvhnrzSqOUtrl60TOnE1MmLtqp1OWwY6ghgoOYegOPT2GX1H8Tc2xM5GbUTiyiH3VNyzS9OfDhcp1kpzeE/s640/cardinal+11+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of my cardinal friends looked right in the kitchen window!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br /></div>
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Thank you for stopping by. Come back and “visit” again soon.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Here's a blast from the past if you need something to read...</div>
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<a href="https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2017/11/taking-things-for-granted.html">https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2017/11/taking-things-for-granted.html</a></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03599739740886087571noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819048519590916875.post-51357952051257684102019-10-27T11:45:00.002-04:002019-10-27T12:03:13.157-04:00October 2019 Walkabout<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11MOJp4geDCJhkfeNCPkngEVMCDKQYdJbXrOCimJgvLy5aDeeUN2JlorR933dQMyuylEYx-4UmL-DSd7yI6bvJ-C1co7lAiAQ16g6gH24JsNHtQkAmyKkaKEzZ1GNn4ZwBHr6-rn7oy8/s1600/poison+ivy+tree+10+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1316" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11MOJp4geDCJhkfeNCPkngEVMCDKQYdJbXrOCimJgvLy5aDeeUN2JlorR933dQMyuylEYx-4UmL-DSd7yI6bvJ-C1co7lAiAQ16g6gH24JsNHtQkAmyKkaKEzZ1GNn4ZwBHr6-rn7oy8/s640/poison+ivy+tree+10+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">poison ivy creates a spot of color<br />
(just don't touch it!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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October is generally the time of brilliant blue skies,
gorgeous leaf displays and a frosty nip in the air.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, in a year where generalizations have pretty much been
turned on their head, October is no exception.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5LKY8R3o08bJmljSFN8Uh1v5Bw0wIJST_MC_ZiL4DCMp8RtFNmjaQAa6g23-DGjiIg-NpYNNohoPZnhOhQy9pYZly1L_y0aIygduUgkLlXvsqlup52Rirq_s8VjJxoO0-D8DUzFmrFI/s1600/dragonfly+afternoon+light+9+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5LKY8R3o08bJmljSFN8Uh1v5Bw0wIJST_MC_ZiL4DCMp8RtFNmjaQAa6g23-DGjiIg-NpYNNohoPZnhOhQy9pYZly1L_y0aIygduUgkLlXvsqlup52Rirq_s8VjJxoO0-D8DUzFmrFI/s400/dragonfly+afternoon+light+9+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we had weeks of feats of amazing aerial skill as hordes of dragonflies<br />
filled the air eating the tiny midge flies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRUhVZ27ZdBD2PEBVStEvOkJ1Yh2JbTHmiycUPE14CnLHSxFZAAxon4PohAQUeRzCsxZthB80EPw6WDUzpm0XVCwyYzj8ox83BEoOL7VZxD02fOUjudOr46G6q1NhlqowWxqgDrcvFK4/s1600/monarch+2++%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRUhVZ27ZdBD2PEBVStEvOkJ1Yh2JbTHmiycUPE14CnLHSxFZAAxon4PohAQUeRzCsxZthB80EPw6WDUzpm0XVCwyYzj8ox83BEoOL7VZxD02fOUjudOr46G6q1NhlqowWxqgDrcvFK4/s400/monarch+2++%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the last of the monarchs have flown through</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEraQ-gD_prl-Eejq297KaIZCpF3MWxXcgnQ9fO0ap1UDptpdncLzzhkzsqjdl1bXC56k2SylzrCowIKiA3V3FIZQiPZGHWkIJ81vXnn1OfvVc1QbbCTU2o76ReLN9-N0N2menIc6n1o/s1600/cropduster+2+mbrk+9+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEraQ-gD_prl-Eejq297KaIZCpF3MWxXcgnQ9fO0ap1UDptpdncLzzhkzsqjdl1bXC56k2SylzrCowIKiA3V3FIZQiPZGHWkIJ81vXnn1OfvVc1QbbCTU2o76ReLN9-N0N2menIc6n1o/s400/cropduster+2+mbrk+9+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a crop-duster plane had the neighbors talking<br />
his acrobatics were good,<br />
but nothing like the dragonflies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYPM9_QhyP5GomoIjBv-Q3rUpXu6eGXXRASvYdtWZYrpiaHrzB4manRxKfuoa16RhIWWUeUcS6HYKREDEJRLtzeK4aoNSTUQRd6UCHxBzNT6Z5JcUInWSVU8X7XdDT9lUFh6ERrGtOQI/s1600/grasshopper+9+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYPM9_QhyP5GomoIjBv-Q3rUpXu6eGXXRASvYdtWZYrpiaHrzB4manRxKfuoa16RhIWWUeUcS6HYKREDEJRLtzeK4aoNSTUQRd6UCHxBzNT6Z5JcUInWSVU8X7XdDT9lUFh6ERrGtOQI/s400/grasshopper+9+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fortunately, most of the grasshoppers have hopped/flown away, too</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-IC2Ej_GIsXPpi-Kio2inn28QksScOcbvY-JG2aOEiitM0iVJja-MFgIkiZfVAugss1mw_6OQ6v5hZIRW7KqFg-ZAjbVEaLcKD9iouhKnSX8f9HVQjzLx9PK-TkuZWWyeM4KddxTys0/s1600/monarch+migration+9+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1374" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-IC2Ej_GIsXPpi-Kio2inn28QksScOcbvY-JG2aOEiitM0iVJja-MFgIkiZfVAugss1mw_6OQ6v5hZIRW7KqFg-ZAjbVEaLcKD9iouhKnSX8f9HVQjzLx9PK-TkuZWWyeM4KddxTys0/s400/monarch+migration+9+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got to see the migration in progress<br />
as countless butterflies flew over me in rapid succession<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After months of drought and brutally hot temperatures,
everything seems worn and tired. (including the humans) And, while there are
spots of beautiful fall colors, many trees dropped their leaves early due to
lack of moisture. When the rains began in earnest, even more fell to the ground
before the leaf-peepers even got a glimpse. The grass has gotten brown and
crunchy. A glorious fall seems to be a fleeting wish.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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However, since I was beginning to feel like my very soul was
shriveling deep inside with every passing dry day, I am sitting here listening
to the rain on the roof with a deep sense of gratitude.<o:p></o:p></div>
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(the drought drying my very soul is the reason there was no
September walk-about…I just couldn’t deal…it was too hard to find anything
uplifting)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The first frost (October 18) was a reminder of the fact that
winter is rapidly approaching, although the temperatures quickly rebounded, and
I think we’re still running a bit above normal. If there had been adequate
precipitation, it would have made for a phenomenally long growing season. As it
was, any fall harvest here on the hill has been decidedly under-whelming. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The fall brassicas were doomed from the beginning. It was so
hot at planting time that they didn’t get a good start. (brassicas really like
it cool)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the rains all but stopped
and while irrigation is wonderful, it couldn’t begin to compensate for the high
temperatures. The plants were stunted and hopes for an abundant harvest were fading.
By planting in a new spot, we had hoped to utilize a portion of the farm that
would have otherwise been idle. Good idea…in theory. In reality, it allowed the
groundhog (or possibly more than one) easy access to a delicious meal. So, we
(the Boss) fenced the groundhog out. no sooner was that problem solved and the
bugs descended. Now, the stunted, gnawed on plants were beginning to look like
they had leaves made of lace as the insects munched voraciously. After we
garnered some measure of control over the bugs, the plants made some major
recovery and I began to have some real hope… <o:p></o:p></div>
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It was short-lived. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWCK-edgMfYq89m6kcn1F7Bdj8ux0p00SDK8iXo3Gc0uOTMDrCpKqIAIaq_RWYIb0zQRXqg0fQob9SRFUVpxmb9NuyPGEvp8aXc_vYW4aIQtW17IHy7KgOXbeZUCG3Uy4dsznlqHH8RU/s1600/deer+in+orchard+9+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1140" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWCK-edgMfYq89m6kcn1F7Bdj8ux0p00SDK8iXo3Gc0uOTMDrCpKqIAIaq_RWYIb0zQRXqg0fQob9SRFUVpxmb9NuyPGEvp8aXc_vYW4aIQtW17IHy7KgOXbeZUCG3Uy4dsznlqHH8RU/s400/deer+in+orchard+9+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I saw her in the orchard eating apples</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The marauding deer herd has finally
decided to breach the perimeter fence. Yep…hopped right in that broccoli and
mowed every one of them down. It looks like someone took a weed-whacker to the
entire patch. (the dogs are on patrol, and I have seen them chasing deer, they
just can’t be everywhere at once, I reckon) so…despite the wonderful rain
today, sadly there won’t be any late broccoli. (first time for everything)<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxxRwjQTm_Dw5bzWiQ2JS-HqpcPpGzQNoy83iyVIflAokFPm2jutE338Be_tpzXTc1ebBqMQKCnThavFrAfLt1TUFSG8RRdtyd6DYTHdH4fZuO1Ob3WAeHAp2LvcGxz7b12tlEAOJfM8/s1600/harvesting+potatoes+10+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxxRwjQTm_Dw5bzWiQ2JS-HqpcPpGzQNoy83iyVIflAokFPm2jutE338Be_tpzXTc1ebBqMQKCnThavFrAfLt1TUFSG8RRdtyd6DYTHdH4fZuO1Ob3WAeHAp2LvcGxz7b12tlEAOJfM8/s400/harvesting+potatoes+10+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">harvesting potatoes 2019</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And, it may be worth mentioning that for the first time ever
we harvested <b>less</b> potatoes than we planted. (no, wait, this may have happened
once before) With growing conditions being both hot and incredibly dry, the
potatoes started to produce, but the tubers never got much bigger than eggs,
leaving us with less poundage harvested than what we bought and planted. Wow!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, once the plants died back, there was no
point leaving them in the ground. They would have just rotted rather than growing.
So, “tiny ‘taters” it is. At least the customers will buy the little ones!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, the late season was rather disappointing. Although, I am
happy to report that the grass has come back to some degree, and we have not
resorted to feeding the sheep any hay. (unlike some of the cattle farmers in
the area) We will take good news wherever we can find it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdX6K-SjMpdWbiQU9clhOg1uGTAZL5OKT4jKXZePeAn1oyPWJX8LHdk2NIz9gc1dZddTIsM6opQnLKnrkf8YPx2bfwG07Xko-El9uRANnfcz5svBSFHX-bVEUGIDKJR4vkmlldTtNoUHI/s1600/puddles+in+driveway+2+10+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdX6K-SjMpdWbiQU9clhOg1uGTAZL5OKT4jKXZePeAn1oyPWJX8LHdk2NIz9gc1dZddTIsM6opQnLKnrkf8YPx2bfwG07Xko-El9uRANnfcz5svBSFHX-bVEUGIDKJR4vkmlldTtNoUHI/s400/puddles+in+driveway+2+10+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it's been a long time since we saw<br />
puddles in the driveway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33WRoWGWSm5LTez6FS_Oz_0Z2k12X_yjavAlrvPHiN7fPeZTgnVKo0MeclVMZCnqh5BbnzSqpJMUR6xB8IlU26Sm3vlsBW9esUlAV7fCj_srPwsT8Ga6yT7AKdojaW0Z8_opqdGPPy90/s1600/otis+ewe+bucket+10+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="943" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33WRoWGWSm5LTez6FS_Oz_0Z2k12X_yjavAlrvPHiN7fPeZTgnVKo0MeclVMZCnqh5BbnzSqpJMUR6xB8IlU26Sm3vlsBW9esUlAV7fCj_srPwsT8Ga6yT7AKdojaW0Z8_opqdGPPy90/s400/otis+ewe+bucket+10+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">despite the shenanigans that go on in the sheep corral<br />
it looks like all the ewes are bred<br />
the lambchop crop should begin to arrive in January<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWhAx3Lj1b2IwGdcZR0mvPuP6K9lAJxKqERQf7ipDuUNFPdzWB_wUQkGjSC6UXOPDpvHE5eT8kWJDAvqJHdsAJ9hTBXktlhyphenhyphenwRSzaNsQA9LwDAO7DiGSVXGxKObR6k1gnVhvsl_s0Y9Q/s1600/october+tomatoes+10+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWhAx3Lj1b2IwGdcZR0mvPuP6K9lAJxKqERQf7ipDuUNFPdzWB_wUQkGjSC6UXOPDpvHE5eT8kWJDAvqJHdsAJ9hTBXktlhyphenhyphenwRSzaNsQA9LwDAO7DiGSVXGxKObR6k1gnVhvsl_s0Y9Q/s400/october+tomatoes+10+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">volunteer grape tomatoes in October<br />
great story...the plant grew in the fence along the hen yard, <br />
but the hens couldn't reach the tomatoes<br />
score for the humans!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: center;">The dismal harvest made our “planned obsolescence” run a
little ahead of schedule and I’m fairly certain we will run out of inventory
prior to the end of the Market. (except for eggs) Which means I will have to
continue to answer the question, “where is everything?” another approximately 9
million times. (slight exaggeration)</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">But, when the garden starts looking like this...it's time to bush-hog it, turn the chickens in to eat the leftovers and wait until it's time to start planting for next year...</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguAcbG6bVqqwZOVjsBUQ0HbS2UUoY5_2tWqsXlFLL8x2NcsFk-ufXvA3AqZNoPf1nMmetY_VBIeBdh5_pJXcldgruPRvHLBwQ2leHfJMsygJtTTvE1YL1zyrWepyMbKrBeo2bVuTBUkM/s1600/late+season+okra+9+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguAcbG6bVqqwZOVjsBUQ0HbS2UUoY5_2tWqsXlFLL8x2NcsFk-ufXvA3AqZNoPf1nMmetY_VBIeBdh5_pJXcldgruPRvHLBwQ2leHfJMsygJtTTvE1YL1zyrWepyMbKrBeo2bVuTBUkM/s400/late+season+okra+9+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">last of the okra</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjYOKZ2Inr0YOB4wDJaRcKnDIQzDlsgpf0YtzfC6820B_Y_GwaHSCn1IkGIpc6lRaX33Fd9yrzmVvjjvrlCr76J0QJUh4bo2WiMFq_1BEtQO5kEpDBxGAFVqsj4CyPCtwOAGLXu-XLtM/s1600/end+of+the+garden+tomatoes+9+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjYOKZ2Inr0YOB4wDJaRcKnDIQzDlsgpf0YtzfC6820B_Y_GwaHSCn1IkGIpc6lRaX33Fd9yrzmVvjjvrlCr76J0QJUh4bo2WiMFq_1BEtQO5kEpDBxGAFVqsj4CyPCtwOAGLXu-XLtM/s400/end+of+the+garden+tomatoes+9+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">late season tomatoes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8ZlJer9UZ_lSKkzjglnWITzcTXn6fdsIuzEPn_ZfcMqxUd67xW0Cx1QMBqZfDI8p4ps_gD14ivrZEBby-EXDhlf-ArGLHL_FmAyKetWi_ZUikcM45K7lRlDOjH_OdqnxADUh6Otxoxo/s1600/end+of+the+season+cuke+9+6+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8ZlJer9UZ_lSKkzjglnWITzcTXn6fdsIuzEPn_ZfcMqxUd67xW0Cx1QMBqZfDI8p4ps_gD14ivrZEBby-EXDhlf-ArGLHL_FmAyKetWi_ZUikcM45K7lRlDOjH_OdqnxADUh6Otxoxo/s400/end+of+the+season+cuke+9+6+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">forgotten cucumber<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sZQqWxbjJUXj-BRO8WulXzIXTskYre6q_RG8kKBCfVTDlT6swJKRaNKGa2e1Amf46hiSvNjs5DsE8rYK5fD3BfaUpEupFyX-C5eIAdYrouSP-xSKXEdz0MSo1Ht0W9AAYxiC9dTCJzs/s1600/late+season+corn+9+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sZQqWxbjJUXj-BRO8WulXzIXTskYre6q_RG8kKBCfVTDlT6swJKRaNKGa2e1Amf46hiSvNjs5DsE8rYK5fD3BfaUpEupFyX-C5eIAdYrouSP-xSKXEdz0MSo1Ht0W9AAYxiC9dTCJzs/s400/late+season+corn+9+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">corn is long gone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But, it is what it is. And, the lack of product just seems another sign that it’s time to turn the page, start a new chapter in this epic saga.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdG4-jgzOnEYJQyBSlU7S2pqefiusxP9FG-yQ-3d1MS0Klzh7GGxFqT_2L8VwSZbmJYZ_UwmjxdhsadlL5zWzPoVC9Chdn0VO_SOMakKE8LM1sFtBZOEP92XkUwB2b3dN1BnoG1farvQ/s1600/dog+patrol+9+9+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdG4-jgzOnEYJQyBSlU7S2pqefiusxP9FG-yQ-3d1MS0Klzh7GGxFqT_2L8VwSZbmJYZ_UwmjxdhsadlL5zWzPoVC9Chdn0VO_SOMakKE8LM1sFtBZOEP92XkUwB2b3dN1BnoG1farvQ/s400/dog+patrol+9+9+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not everyone benefits from rain...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UvFqG48rZ8m239DBJDsxAn-gacH4SPz3olJfUK9eSz7sFY8oJlwpT5tn9Q_fm8DKwEII9GrXn_j1lXP3jV0MdlY_C9qt8CHmtJirJvr1fqZr_DTbBgjw50D0OBf5zgaBpEJG-X8hs14/s1600/hen+in+corn+9+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1470" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UvFqG48rZ8m239DBJDsxAn-gacH4SPz3olJfUK9eSz7sFY8oJlwpT5tn9Q_fm8DKwEII9GrXn_j1lXP3jV0MdlY_C9qt8CHmtJirJvr1fqZr_DTbBgjw50D0OBf5zgaBpEJG-X8hs14/s400/hen+in+corn+9+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the hens are still enjoying garden clean-up<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtZQhq-wAaDprCaBm3arkLnix6CCbUD1nDqWzaCxPbV9ysOnqdm2bArFyUhXJm2n3kFnOvkYDernbwX1Z5hEUK74nbXcTvRmUKvWVh_da4C10VojivSourNUQkJKUmR76FNIyF3-5fyc/s1600/fall+leaves+10+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1273" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtZQhq-wAaDprCaBm3arkLnix6CCbUD1nDqWzaCxPbV9ysOnqdm2bArFyUhXJm2n3kFnOvkYDernbwX1Z5hEUK74nbXcTvRmUKvWVh_da4C10VojivSourNUQkJKUmR76FNIyF3-5fyc/s400/fall+leaves+10+8+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wet leaves on the porch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPMhFVLupxBoiuV1hZqhiTMWrOKDhJAI-ndAZyT0b5IYh7rwlwcw3VrHSe4JXv6_KcEuvpTynPxdUhiPa8oKCznc4PoANnymMS5iYQYGeJndZQsMgvNE1pUwadDmMdVQRkjzTUVw2Dfc/s1600/leaves+10+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPMhFVLupxBoiuV1hZqhiTMWrOKDhJAI-ndAZyT0b5IYh7rwlwcw3VrHSe4JXv6_KcEuvpTynPxdUhiPa8oKCznc4PoANnymMS5iYQYGeJndZQsMgvNE1pUwadDmMdVQRkjzTUVw2Dfc/s400/leaves+10+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">leaves through the kitchen window</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-L6FH2VVbr6c6w6b5XKH5EyI_e2qM_ITxVjMtxJnK4aM9TZHYLxLwHJKWF4qKTLIxYKKBQYs3wv16E2hRyVU-UERzx1icxG42T2texnG8q3BJWEZH8NdYtRLfppYaBnVDJC0LRC2OoQ/s1600/furry+foot+leaves+10+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-L6FH2VVbr6c6w6b5XKH5EyI_e2qM_ITxVjMtxJnK4aM9TZHYLxLwHJKWF4qKTLIxYKKBQYs3wv16E2hRyVU-UERzx1icxG42T2texnG8q3BJWEZH8NdYtRLfppYaBnVDJC0LRC2OoQ/s400/furry+foot+leaves+10+27+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my attempts at fall photography have been somewhat impeded by my "helper"<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I may have given the wrong impression when I wrote about our
“retirement” in my last post. Did you read this? <a href="https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2019/10/i-love-you-all-goodbye.html">https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2019/10/i-love-you-all-goodbye.html</a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That did sound a little final…the very thing I was trying to
avoid.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We won’t be giving up our lifestyle completely. The sheep
are still working toward a lambchop crop for 2020. (just need to come up with
our marketing strategy for this one) And, we’ll be growing stuff for ourselves.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We just won’t be <b>selling</b> at the Market anymore. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t think anyone who hasn’t at least attempted this type
of life has any idea how very difficult it is. Taxing on the mind, wearing on
the body and trying to your spirit. Not to negate the positives (and there are
a lot of those)…but, the reality is farming (of any type) is brutally hard. Add
to that health challenges and aging and you can begin to understand why more
folks are not interested in agriculture.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
(random shots that don't fit anywhere in this post...but, I thought they were pretty)<br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdLaiy0wZnoFND4RmQ7cx2DC1W4Sokp_ALXpIek5_k0yyeG6gw8REwc6hiayLIs2wc6u5AKDyD7dpA-tx8eGP0EEq0pLnObbMCVRNAHE8OzkwQusVrZ18rPZQDP8qRHLxrwMtky5vwUs/s1600/good+morning+from+the+barn+10+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdLaiy0wZnoFND4RmQ7cx2DC1W4Sokp_ALXpIek5_k0yyeG6gw8REwc6hiayLIs2wc6u5AKDyD7dpA-tx8eGP0EEq0pLnObbMCVRNAHE8OzkwQusVrZ18rPZQDP8qRHLxrwMtky5vwUs/s400/good+morning+from+the+barn+10+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">millet at sunrise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTwH2V5l37RbMi1YBGIeAKfMXYK6wShz0ItrZ8Mr9shUg-fuW0_lFGEkFOVm7RgyNyEKluMtVWQKxxhvtfog5jXmLT4A-DPzycJf-_m5DlSnNrCtvHG56GzRhmU_Xvi_ZmSGnCJeKxxM/s1600/roots+barn+10+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1374" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTwH2V5l37RbMi1YBGIeAKfMXYK6wShz0ItrZ8Mr9shUg-fuW0_lFGEkFOVm7RgyNyEKluMtVWQKxxhvtfog5jXmLT4A-DPzycJf-_m5DlSnNrCtvHG56GzRhmU_Xvi_ZmSGnCJeKxxM/s400/roots+barn+10+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view across the valley in autumn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kuSIrMJBxfRn1-kZqhHNm7loLM6jGrZEofFD2CcsoS4ifA95HxtQM9pvhUEOhk4iy2PRqVbM7VuHUbU3Xg3XMoHxD5s-NuuY5_3-Ny-xhVaMHy6U-1DJOdHY39huOAqtm6WIc2EMpYQ/s1600/moon+through+the+trees+10+18+%2528Copy%2529+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kuSIrMJBxfRn1-kZqhHNm7loLM6jGrZEofFD2CcsoS4ifA95HxtQM9pvhUEOhk4iy2PRqVbM7VuHUbU3Xg3XMoHxD5s-NuuY5_3-Ny-xhVaMHy6U-1DJOdHY39huOAqtm6WIc2EMpYQ/s400/moon+through+the+trees+10+18+%2528Copy%2529+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">moon through the trees</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9p9HMq87tGcbT4WnnJzfW8MV21DQLhaUSxL_q97pUsUF-N5R1mvImV8_NiX8eq55NGz90J2VsXgDJ5J6iAtWDnXBjKsqwN9AGuISEXoXh2440-EKejYIXONAMsWL_DMqVjYKdt79koDY/s1600/sissie+sunrise+9+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1422" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9p9HMq87tGcbT4WnnJzfW8MV21DQLhaUSxL_q97pUsUF-N5R1mvImV8_NiX8eq55NGz90J2VsXgDJ5J6iAtWDnXBjKsqwN9AGuISEXoXh2440-EKejYIXONAMsWL_DMqVjYKdt79koDY/s400/sissie+sunrise+9+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sissie-the-barncat pondering life<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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But, that’s not where I wanted to go with this.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We have been talking about changes for a long time. But, the
time never seemed quite right. It’s scary to consider changing your entire
identity. Particularly when you don’t seem to have any specifics in mind.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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But, last week we were talking to someone about the whole
“retirement deal” and he said something that I’ve been mulling over ever since.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He said that sometimes you just need to go for it…take a
leap of faith. He likened it to sky-diving. And, while you might ask yourself
why anyone would jump out of a perfectly good plane, that small step into the
unknown took them on an adventure few others have experienced. A. The only
thing between you and the fulfillment of a dream, the adventure of a lifetime or
maybe even finding your purpose in life is <b>one small step</b>. So…Claim it.
Own it. (thanks Danny, I appreciate your words of wisdom)<o:p></o:p></div>
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I, WE, changed our lives once before. And, quite honestly,
it wasn’t adventurous or invigorating like I envision sky-diving. It was more
like someone pushed us out of a plane, came back firing missiles at us and
crashed the plane into the ground on top of us. It was horrifying, terrifying
and cost us nearly everything. Not an experience I want to repeat in any way. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So, I reckon that’s why I’ve felt a little like Wile E.
Coyote in a free-fall high above the canyon floor. Why I find myself hesitating
when “so, what are you going to DO?” comes up in conversation. (again, about 9
million times) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is so scary to face
the unknown. To consider giving up your very identity.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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But, watching the leaves swirling through the air I am
reminded of a meme that I keep seeing on social media. It says…”the trees are
about to show us how beautiful it can be to let things go”. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s time to let this one go and find out what is waiting
around the corner.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, take the time to
appreciate all we have.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8s2Y_NbgX6t_hehUmBqUk7HpnTPmZkIYM5R2TWGNWmjJMGFUU4IpJnQUDsPcpC89KtvQxt-c6hVH6y3z1mNOqElTgqU0egLhdeUX7HZ1Ta88J3cSs30Oj0dNi7v_AoinqozT2c2MZEw/s1600/backyard+magic+9+29+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8s2Y_NbgX6t_hehUmBqUk7HpnTPmZkIYM5R2TWGNWmjJMGFUU4IpJnQUDsPcpC89KtvQxt-c6hVH6y3z1mNOqElTgqU0egLhdeUX7HZ1Ta88J3cSs30Oj0dNi7v_AoinqozT2c2MZEw/s640/backyard+magic+9+29+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there is something almost magical about a misty sunrise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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Hope you’re having a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Happy
Sunday!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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Come back and “visit” again soon.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03599739740886087571noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819048519590916875.post-42747426500986817212019-10-16T12:44:00.000-04:002019-10-16T12:44:17.795-04:00I Love You All - Goodbye<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBSNJd0v0wbN9dJcr_icZCXV9HuylHitsvXVD5mGoZ_XbY5-NTF_J5ip-QRQ1M4BJtvoIDxYSUUJ69-_pS-9bf_T1sbdqkg6AJikJkmaObmWShAmF6NF8B8GRs_TPt9AaIapLqYqj7J4/s1600/TLW08581+35+years+7+%2528Copy%2529+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="940" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBSNJd0v0wbN9dJcr_icZCXV9HuylHitsvXVD5mGoZ_XbY5-NTF_J5ip-QRQ1M4BJtvoIDxYSUUJ69-_pS-9bf_T1sbdqkg6AJikJkmaObmWShAmF6NF8B8GRs_TPt9AaIapLqYqj7J4/s400/TLW08581+35+years+7+%2528Copy%2529+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="357" /></a></div>
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For weeks now I’ve been trying to write this piece. And, for
weeks now I’ve failed. It’s one of those projects where I honestly wish I still
did all my writing with pen and paper so I could crumple up all those sad
attempts and make a wild pitch at the trash can. Although that might simply serve
as one more frustration, the only thing more elusive than finding the
words for this post is my ability to make a neat hook-shot into the wastebasket. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In my attempts to figure out how to approach this writing, somebody suggested that
I simply say, “I love you all, good-bye.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh…ewww….no, no,
no…that’s just too flat, too sad, too final…too well, suicidal. Oh gosh, I don’t
want anyone to get the idea we’re ending it all. Even though I am going to tell you about an end. Truth be told, I think there was a “thank you” somewhere in the original suggestion, but my heart
heard only the finality, making the writing far more difficult. I really don't do well with change, with finality, with any sort of end. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I am supposed to come up with some words…words to tell our
customers that we’re “retiring”, that we’re not going to do the Market anymore,
that we’re not going to have any produce or eggs or meat for them during the
winter or next spring, or ever…and I don’t know how to do it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Okay. That sounds silly.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Surely, I know how to write some words to convey a thought. (I mean, I want to write a book for goodness' sake!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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But…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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This is different. This is a big deal. It’s like writing a
eulogy, although we don’t have the finality of death. And, it’s not just a
letter of resignation, because we aren’t moving onto some adventure, I’m not
even sure how this next part of our lives will look. It sounds vague and random and not at all well-thought out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I certainly cannot just say “I’m tired and don’t want to do
this anymore, grow your own damn food.” Not only is that rude, but it isn’t
really true. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I can’t honestly say
that we’re “retiring” because that conjures thoughts of a move to a house at
the seaside, a grand trip of a lifetime or at the very least a cruise (and
quite honestly, none of those are appealing and that's pretty much how I envision hell…but, that’s another
story) and, I don’t want anyone to imagine that we’re planning on sitting
around watching Netflix, (while I might) or going on great adventures (which I know
we will not), or any of the other things that “old people” are supposed to do.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Maybe that’s it. Maybe I am afraid to face the fact that I
am old? Maybe. But, what do I do with that? Even the possibility that I have
something else to sort through is definitely NOT helping this project. </div>
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So, back
to the keyboard…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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More than twenty years ago, we found ourselves starting life
anew, struggling to put ourselves back together after what was, without a
doubt, the most horrifying and hurtful experience of our lives. The Market
offered a chance to put that all behind us, to re-invent ourselves and provide
for our family. But, that first Saturday morning was a scary thing, offering
our paltry wares to an unknown crowd. Talk about feeling vulnerable! Who knew
what that so many successful Saturday Markets would follow? Who would have thought that we would find our niche? Many of you know
the story so I won’t re-visit it here. (besides, I don’t want to totally give
away my book project)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Joining the farmers’ market seemed the best solution for our
family at the time. It required little cash for start-up and the possibilities
for return on our investment seemed limitless. It was an opportunity of a
lifetime offering both potential income and creative outlet. (and some seriously delicious food) We were certain we could eke a living from our small acreage if
we all pulled together. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And, we did, we have…we do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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The Farmers’ Market quickly became the central force in our
lives. Actually, it became our lives…taking over every waking moment at times.
We took that opportunity and ran with it, proving that you can indeed make a
living as Farmers’ Market vendors. <o:p></o:p></div>
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There are no words to describe what the Market has come to
mean to us. Or at least I haven’t found them…and Lord knows I’ve tried. (ever
read the farm blog? There are LOTS of words there! <a href="http://www.homesteadhillfarm.com/">www.homesteadhillfarm.com</a>
)<o:p></o:p></div>
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But time moves on. Things change. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And, it’s time for us to change as well. While I know the
time has come, we’re not just moving on, in some ways we are giving up our
identity. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who are we without this
definition? Oddly, despite the fact that I (we) never intended to become Market
vendors, it certainly wasn’t a lifelong dream to grow food and personally, I
never thought I was in the least well-suited to the job, this has not been an easy
decision to make. Our very identities are being revised and re-invented. No
easy task, I can assure you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But, after 22 years at the Saturday Staunton Farmers’ Market
and 10 years of our special Winter sales, we are DONE. Finished. Letting go. Moving on. Ready to bid this chapter
of Life a fond farewell…<o:p></o:p></div>
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With that final Market day of the 2019 season, it will be time to find out who we are without the Market as a
backdrop. Re-invent ourselves on our own terms. Forge our new identity.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And, while it would be poetic (and perhaps expected) to say
that we are riding into the sunset or heading for the islands…we’re just not
that exciting. And, the hill remains our home.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tom will be managing the market for one more year while he
hopes to train someone else to take over (anybody want a thankless job that doesn’t
pay very well?) and, I’m going to devote my time to writing that book I’ve been
talking about for far too long (and quite possibly working on my hook-shot with
all the ill-fated attempts) And, there is a lambchop crop for 2020 in the
works…so, it’s not like we’ll be doing a lot of frontporch sittin’ any time
soon…<o:p></o:p></div>
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We want to take this opportunity to THANK YOU, our market
customer-friends, from the bottom of our hearts…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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You made this all possible…and in the process y'all taught us more
than anyone could imagine, tickled our funnybones when we truly needed a smile,
and so doing touched our very souls.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I---WE---love you all, good-bye.</div>
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P.S. Keep in touch.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.homesteadhillfarm.com/">www.homesteadhillfarm.com</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.barbarawomack.com/">www.barbarawomack.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UGc_pLFTeeA_T_OvLEt1s9bDk4akORUUzAmuoAZBKvXc2UQpDThUVH_KpOBIrwNgvRcCF0KH9LCZ_zAp3SRLYIhMguN1R8QYXETbdg2uBtHdx0P6WkaE_lMscKtfBrG0BC8WZzLOXTY/s1600/sometimes-you-have-to-just-let-it-go-and-see-what-happens-quote-1+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1039" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UGc_pLFTeeA_T_OvLEt1s9bDk4akORUUzAmuoAZBKvXc2UQpDThUVH_KpOBIrwNgvRcCF0KH9LCZ_zAp3SRLYIhMguN1R8QYXETbdg2uBtHdx0P6WkaE_lMscKtfBrG0BC8WZzLOXTY/s400/sometimes-you-have-to-just-let-it-go-and-see-what-happens-quote-1+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="395" /></a></div>
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<br />Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03599739740886087571noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819048519590916875.post-30309956522317549792019-08-25T12:02:00.000-04:002019-08-25T12:02:27.358-04:00Sunday Walkabout - August 2019 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZfK08fxBz4FARnKJetkGBaCZP1U7HDSydcfZbVl9L3bxEmIQkf2ahlyynPsWGGGlTwWvvDBsvQEIWIDqPpnCnhY5S5KXGkHTb44eR0g8P488BaHiSAD96kjuzeAbVZ5yJN-ttL4DUfY/s1600/grazing+millet+sunrise+8+8++%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZfK08fxBz4FARnKJetkGBaCZP1U7HDSydcfZbVl9L3bxEmIQkf2ahlyynPsWGGGlTwWvvDBsvQEIWIDqPpnCnhY5S5KXGkHTb44eR0g8P488BaHiSAD96kjuzeAbVZ5yJN-ttL4DUfY/s640/grazing+millet+sunrise+8+8++%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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August is nearly over! <o:p></o:p></div>
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I must say, I’m more than a little happy to note that
development. August can be a real challenge. It’s hot, stressful, and in a
word, just “August-y” (I know, not really a word, but work with me here). However,
for all the heat and pressure, there are good things about August, too. So,
read this blast from the past. <a href="https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2015/08/a-momentous-month.html"> Click here.</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMk_3PbJeC4APaNm5WLXIA4EUSo1SJ_7ZdgmN53gOFSFY0OhtAmMXcfbr2psF-S8LshESwT5-BsXPCygw83GqF6_wuNXrHBdbhTqaAL6Is7V4L7Y6aeDvDXtXI6bvvIsknhfWdiqtf4dI/s1600/hail+8+1+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="788" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMk_3PbJeC4APaNm5WLXIA4EUSo1SJ_7ZdgmN53gOFSFY0OhtAmMXcfbr2psF-S8LshESwT5-BsXPCygw83GqF6_wuNXrHBdbhTqaAL6Is7V4L7Y6aeDvDXtXI6bvvIsknhfWdiqtf4dI/s400/hail+8+1+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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This year, the first of August brought us a hailstorm. I was
going to call it “the mother of all hailstorms” until I saw a report about
grapefruit-sized hail outside of Denver, CO earlier this month. YIKES That made
our quarter-sized precipitation sound fairly puny by comparison. However, hail
(of any size) isn’t a good thing. Particularly on a farm. <o:p></o:p></div>
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After the storm, we went out to survey the damage, which
seemed surprisingly light. The animals were fine. The vehicles had escaped
damage. And, at first glance there was just leaf damage in the gardens. We
heaved a sigh of relief and went on to other things. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Later, we would find that the hail had damaged every single zucchini. It looked like a pack of rabid beavers had been through and taken huge chunks out of all the fruit. I picked a least 50 pounds of teeny, tiny damaged fruits off the battered plants. Then, it took about two weeks to see recovery. The green beans weren’t as damaged, but the plants were terribly stunted. And, many of the tomatoes were scarred beyond use. Oddly, the storm was incredibly localized. No one else we spoke with had any sort of damage.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkg0XMFR6qscJb2QKoekOSFWoQcPj9VcimDA2daYJoXHHTXzYTddhVQg9_7gAJ_vgEj_q6qCa9YKbQhYs9-MIzLum0cRsw2RMd5l2l8tBhEjwc9QTv7i78HSxDg4H2-oJiioc7XmhyWc4/s1600/hail+damage+giant+zuke+8+8+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="788" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkg0XMFR6qscJb2QKoekOSFWoQcPj9VcimDA2daYJoXHHTXzYTddhVQg9_7gAJ_vgEj_q6qCa9YKbQhYs9-MIzLum0cRsw2RMd5l2l8tBhEjwc9QTv7i78HSxDg4H2-oJiioc7XmhyWc4/s400/hail+damage+giant+zuke+8+8+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I left a few to see if they would grow out of the damage<br />they didn't</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkwhTfYlkpbt_tyVKRW3-TcTsgXmbPlV5-Rh5v-7SS9iGGyJzBeP5-fOgG1DjfCc2QkGnAyUnXk67t-zfsmSy8EdjUmkGyp5zOomRNHNBPf_cjtEI-evdaiycYyFJ1hyiCZ-ao_ptPxY/s1600/hail+damaged+squash+8+5+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="788" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkwhTfYlkpbt_tyVKRW3-TcTsgXmbPlV5-Rh5v-7SS9iGGyJzBeP5-fOgG1DjfCc2QkGnAyUnXk67t-zfsmSy8EdjUmkGyp5zOomRNHNBPf_cjtEI-evdaiycYyFJ1hyiCZ-ao_ptPxY/s400/hail+damaged+squash+8+5+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">everything was damaged</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqZ48TxJCP3NdNvNyuOnkapTyfaLgFzvVnlZ03M1SMK0QdE6PFSsbvQJBpHg0bJMzX0O1fjipeqqEJPNAMJu-Tggg1wkjVXOQV2arPb3SCcGE9YSPcZ6_aWBD1raNNmVkVhknfsHQ7zk/s1600/hail+damaged+tomatoes+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="788" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqZ48TxJCP3NdNvNyuOnkapTyfaLgFzvVnlZ03M1SMK0QdE6PFSsbvQJBpHg0bJMzX0O1fjipeqqEJPNAMJu-Tggg1wkjVXOQV2arPb3SCcGE9YSPcZ6_aWBD1raNNmVkVhknfsHQ7zk/s400/hail+damaged+tomatoes+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some of the tomatoes got damaged too</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-fDuuw2hk-F5Kp44-aPZlq4Jh9uL7ycSUvmJxtaiEBecRA680_7Kc7JiyRD6m0J4rK3HaZ6Q063ri9lrqxaP6YLIk_y7e3fWLwK22BcgIBgeMVJAgsEjTLRFgPWZf9ZxvgKtMqYZ7eo/s1600/more+hail+damage+8+2+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-fDuuw2hk-F5Kp44-aPZlq4Jh9uL7ycSUvmJxtaiEBecRA680_7Kc7JiyRD6m0J4rK3HaZ6Q063ri9lrqxaP6YLIk_y7e3fWLwK22BcgIBgeMVJAgsEjTLRFgPWZf9ZxvgKtMqYZ7eo/s400/more+hail+damage+8+2+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looks like someone chewed on this one<br />but it's hail damage</td></tr>
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Storm damage or no, we had other things to do. Other things
included processing a batch of broilers, hauling a (huge) load of hay, and
something else…maybe a dump run…all in one week. And, then doing the Market. In
the sweltering heat. I gotta say…we rock! Sometimes I am slightly amazed at the
number of things two old broken-down folks can accomplish in a week.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CE4TO3yTSUkEh0nZxwpcGnpcyvziclJdOeiaMPlGmnUstdmC76gKmMx1q1ICSe6urYJXELvFcU2JawSyt2e6e9qGeJ5dPrinyCFCLYM_xT6JAcuYWz7FWyCi9tifbJxbEt5lBrCgoo0/s1600/haywagon+8+8+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="788" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CE4TO3yTSUkEh0nZxwpcGnpcyvziclJdOeiaMPlGmnUstdmC76gKmMx1q1ICSe6urYJXELvFcU2JawSyt2e6e9qGeJ5dPrinyCFCLYM_xT6JAcuYWz7FWyCi9tifbJxbEt5lBrCgoo0/s400/haywagon+8+8+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">that looked like a big load of hay<br />and it was HOT</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJeo752ymEqi4euEmVR6ZW3Op1n1TN2PafKeqw1q7Irq1vXqdUdKcR6nUx5vA6xsISDVgo3H_jgKnXCndEkPK1t5AgldaqqN-cpYyWN89LRsbKcFQ4dCGjDlPMt2NFZj8Qf19khrHW9Jg/s1600/view+from+haywagon+8+8++%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="788" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJeo752ymEqi4euEmVR6ZW3Op1n1TN2PafKeqw1q7Irq1vXqdUdKcR6nUx5vA6xsISDVgo3H_jgKnXCndEkPK1t5AgldaqqN-cpYyWN89LRsbKcFQ4dCGjDlPMt2NFZj8Qf19khrHW9Jg/s400/view+from+haywagon+8+8++%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at the view from the top of the wagon!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8POrNcT6TzcM53MMD6GVC9dNgpkn2v8zW31RadXKjQwTgCfmyU6CjAYFcVx5JQ_etQiJqJyhMk2-ygDaacPQEPG9LvSmKiyXahxhABzQvzoRDnROo0NHZlspOvWbMbtoqtdQXV-pIHg/s1600/hauling+hay+8+8+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="788" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8POrNcT6TzcM53MMD6GVC9dNgpkn2v8zW31RadXKjQwTgCfmyU6CjAYFcVx5JQ_etQiJqJyhMk2-ygDaacPQEPG9LvSmKiyXahxhABzQvzoRDnROo0NHZlspOvWbMbtoqtdQXV-pIHg/s400/hauling+hay+8+8+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it was my job to toss the bales off<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrV51MterFEGvwF4hxESKzosNhaZiG82rO6gioM_IgZOxNF4QUmUOaQ1ZMbDB6VFBC5zRG8CBFLdPFs1UNMZWhftyEmLfVC_6xTCbSooeNDowY1CFTaNkZDNtFx0Q9qoIBBviY0bxpTM/s1600/tom+and+karma+hay+8+8+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="961" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrV51MterFEGvwF4hxESKzosNhaZiG82rO6gioM_IgZOxNF4QUmUOaQ1ZMbDB6VFBC5zRG8CBFLdPFs1UNMZWhftyEmLfVC_6xTCbSooeNDowY1CFTaNkZDNtFx0Q9qoIBBviY0bxpTM/s320/tom+and+karma+hay+8+8+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">taking a well-deserved water break<br />(Karma thinks he should share)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1pdkynl2ThkHj_fYYrQh_vQKbhtzeAE6jQNFkQXxZCXqAGY_7kGuSpbp3W7iTXASBVTV0tgI_i7BjAwFhpxvoujZ2gK_A52VNOoqYwxhqmINYvbQroRB2D0D9ITT0k-nfm-D3TO2IHs/s1600/karma+hay+8+8+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="788" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1pdkynl2ThkHj_fYYrQh_vQKbhtzeAE6jQNFkQXxZCXqAGY_7kGuSpbp3W7iTXASBVTV0tgI_i7BjAwFhpxvoujZ2gK_A52VNOoqYwxhqmINYvbQroRB2D0D9ITT0k-nfm-D3TO2IHs/s400/karma+hay+8+8+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karma is glad we are done!</td></tr>
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There was a run over the mountain to get yet another follow-up
scan. That is always stressful. And, while the news was “still the same” (and
that’s good…really good), the uncertainty of everything after that diagnosis in
2016 continues to haunt us. But, we’ll take the good news for now and move on.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvHRc3d8gDTp_A11okEXqcqjsnlv-2VJCpQVU_m9T6Fe-YGLX5Rlp7q6g5T54Bsvk8x-mwzYn1YY0zrm12QwQISQorIrwYOeHRGaiuuHsx1Ahyphenhyphenxz0Mtiwi2TCfYCnsmndT02ZYxG7GyE/s1600/otis+8+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvHRc3d8gDTp_A11okEXqcqjsnlv-2VJCpQVU_m9T6Fe-YGLX5Rlp7q6g5T54Bsvk8x-mwzYn1YY0zrm12QwQISQorIrwYOeHRGaiuuHsx1Ahyphenhyphenxz0Mtiwi2TCfYCnsmndT02ZYxG7GyE/s400/otis+8+5+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Otis on "Happy Ram Day"</td></tr>
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If you’ve followed the farm page for any time at all, you
know that August includes <a href="https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2016/08/happy-ram-day.html">"Happy Ram Day".</a> That’s when we turn the ram in with the ewes to start working on the lambchop
crop for the following year. With a young ram, this can be a tricky
proposition. You just never know how he will react or if he can (or will) do
the job. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am happy to report Otis got
outfitted with his marker and went right to work. I mean that quite literally.
Within the first three days, he had marked all but two of the ewes. The Boss
questions the reality of these marks and puts them down to over-enthusiasm.
Since we changed the marker to green the day before yesterday, we will have to
wait and see. if you’re wondering about rams and marks and all that. you can
read these old posts that give some insight on sheep breeding 101. </div>
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<a href="https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2012/09/nary-blue-butt-in-sight.html">https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2012/09/nary-blue-butt-in-sight.html</a></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2011/08/rams-destiny.html">https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2011/08/rams-destiny.html</a> </div>
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In any case, we should be looking for lambs around the first of 2020! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ENTrt0v6_wiRaibdsco3hgMXG6v7nT1FrrL0C_JEEbKtFLv1-yEK39jOeU24II86PRJ1BPNUTnDTaFf2HVMHlaWTLuZVJVdhMWzlZqcoQcxf61k8FmVU-B1GOrDlqUurPanssEyMNpE/s1600/green+marker+sheep+8+23+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="788" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ENTrt0v6_wiRaibdsco3hgMXG6v7nT1FrrL0C_JEEbKtFLv1-yEK39jOeU24II86PRJ1BPNUTnDTaFf2HVMHlaWTLuZVJVdhMWzlZqcoQcxf61k8FmVU-B1GOrDlqUurPanssEyMNpE/s400/green+marker+sheep+8+23+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">getting ready for the green marker</td></tr>
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We get a break from the sameness and hot of mid-august with
MrB’s birthday party. It’s always fun to watch the little kids having a blast
splashing in the water. Number 2 grandson is now 4 years old. Can’t believe our
little guys are growing up so fast!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisizkeCh4GeTLyGVfv6QY6l3UiD7uwnCX4at6z8GtCN-GuFUzf63bu6dyBHzaPqXkl8EjvlFFpwD5gSO_bzg9iDmUcnZb_84s33VCXqKifROBLa7eI1CPLAVe2IQXmyZDLxUKU_ykhv8s/s1600/birthday+cake+blake+8+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisizkeCh4GeTLyGVfv6QY6l3UiD7uwnCX4at6z8GtCN-GuFUzf63bu6dyBHzaPqXkl8EjvlFFpwD5gSO_bzg9iDmUcnZb_84s33VCXqKifROBLa7eI1CPLAVe2IQXmyZDLxUKU_ykhv8s/s400/birthday+cake+blake+8+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFVrQ9ZtyzLwHh9jOCXLKXTZ8qTNU6guCnJO_ex1d6zRuzPG6buaG-WZEfrRijGyzn4n_ydZ_HPpPynabVgK6wW91-oWFW64S5mtxHPYI75POiN_XKKQA10FJ9k3siuUMZ5bX3YkepO0/s1600/blake+pool+2+8+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFVrQ9ZtyzLwHh9jOCXLKXTZ8qTNU6guCnJO_ex1d6zRuzPG6buaG-WZEfrRijGyzn4n_ydZ_HPpPynabVgK6wW91-oWFW64S5mtxHPYI75POiN_XKKQA10FJ9k3siuUMZ5bX3YkepO0/s400/blake+pool+2+8+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYy08iCqKnGJQ7LX8jyJJv1bLeXRboityeL3ADav6gX7uu3gpuTt3tWii4P8E9e2zB8qgq587ecBcoTDUbauaYb2rF_-48jYroYzERvV2zRm8oD0TjAaDRBQ-lA36wg26doFb4LIVOr1Y/s1600/blake+slide+8+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYy08iCqKnGJQ7LX8jyJJv1bLeXRboityeL3ADav6gX7uu3gpuTt3tWii4P8E9e2zB8qgq587ecBcoTDUbauaYb2rF_-48jYroYzERvV2zRm8oD0TjAaDRBQ-lA36wg26doFb4LIVOr1Y/s400/blake+slide+8+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFb21m6uEDrs_if7tu6PMYa1h-0UERmbg2B0_wRlv_ism0l1_YSoUds2v_37Fs6paTNH_5eyQiscy5Xh9tR-BAEIzg03_dr-8W4dNzFp69tT7-iGAtPaCtngvtRIE7LMIJ-sisjH-XXs/s1600/karl+and+blake+bs+bday+8+11+%2528Copy%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFb21m6uEDrs_if7tu6PMYa1h-0UERmbg2B0_wRlv_ism0l1_YSoUds2v_37Fs6paTNH_5eyQiscy5Xh9tR-BAEIzg03_dr-8W4dNzFp69tT7-iGAtPaCtngvtRIE7LMIJ-sisjH-XXs/s400/karl+and+blake+bs+bday+8+11+%2528Copy%2529.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYborB-G5U0WOhHitOwPgAvcYD5kK3X_sExDbwRbceISk7HxTSrILqqe2nW0YHq9CJgnMAxUFx1YizJtUj17pM_UrWaEi8IQfyvmKuXhyphenhyphenpSrdwb7Vy8O93opdqWMuKQ1BrBdyqHlv9c0/s1600/karl+8+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYborB-G5U0WOhHitOwPgAvcYD5kK3X_sExDbwRbceISk7HxTSrILqqe2nW0YHq9CJgnMAxUFx1YizJtUj17pM_UrWaEi8IQfyvmKuXhyphenhyphenpSrdwb7Vy8O93opdqWMuKQ1BrBdyqHlv9c0/s400/karl+8+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Back on the hill, we’re still doing a little re-configuring
and down-sizing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2IYuX1d03yV1W5JQ44q0SwyV5qgzfbrRxVDZYU6yC7xf12p43cRXrHwzRg3lweCo-f1oG_gfv2motewcmWh9hZnThcD5mNdRotIVGXenKjGMcS80BNcn1txh-r-TCz-p13XhWiI-plQA/s1600/hot+morning+8+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2IYuX1d03yV1W5JQ44q0SwyV5qgzfbrRxVDZYU6yC7xf12p43cRXrHwzRg3lweCo-f1oG_gfv2motewcmWh9hZnThcD5mNdRotIVGXenKjGMcS80BNcn1txh-r-TCz-p13XhWiI-plQA/s400/hot+morning+8+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's been super-hot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrlh8YbHrkV8zM41AWqovzCYH3Rf2U771AhIJGG2rglTLuDgQ2eXvkzIwRDO57AjHXrcE0PVJwgVIXAjSULvp2tcVAxg7UubmaUra88bp88_Vh4-hFgItNS23eS2sE550YW2NbOc4wf4/s1600/misty+morning+trip+to+mkt+8+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrlh8YbHrkV8zM41AWqovzCYH3Rf2U771AhIJGG2rglTLuDgQ2eXvkzIwRDO57AjHXrcE0PVJwgVIXAjSULvp2tcVAxg7UubmaUra88bp88_Vh4-hFgItNS23eS2sE550YW2NbOc4wf4/s400/misty+morning+trip+to+mkt+8+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">foggy morning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3H_4w3oJi7lx5fZOrWkJW4x6JdSna7EY5bVpAqjNsrdIM-oCribcMBDj9f1jArMMwkSB74B56zwBkUIOYfjN-6WpcwZGaV0_-YOeQfBR4vRx3tdZyzmAGBHywph-kugPDR9NNY-xkzU/s1600/morning+light+8+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1436" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3H_4w3oJi7lx5fZOrWkJW4x6JdSna7EY5bVpAqjNsrdIM-oCribcMBDj9f1jArMMwkSB74B56zwBkUIOYfjN-6WpcwZGaV0_-YOeQfBR4vRx3tdZyzmAGBHywph-kugPDR9NNY-xkzU/s400/morning+light+8+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">they say that for every foggy morning in August<br />there will be a storm in Winter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKshVuNluulR17_gyk_fNCxM3_jf-9zoI6Bb9474PN1CyXSnT9RZgyaUuVq1QwHoB1KSPwCMxLQBFxMbQfdGmGKH8kwBBPhyphenhyphenluAUyY9-RCkwfDqntHfHofCYfypv-IGCFHxVyCZUWO5A/s1600/morning+sheep+8+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKshVuNluulR17_gyk_fNCxM3_jf-9zoI6Bb9474PN1CyXSnT9RZgyaUuVq1QwHoB1KSPwCMxLQBFxMbQfdGmGKH8kwBBPhyphenhyphenluAUyY9-RCkwfDqntHfHofCYfypv-IGCFHxVyCZUWO5A/s400/morning+sheep+8+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have had numerous foggy mornings, <br />so the upcoming winter might just be a doozy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
When we bought the reefer 8 years ago, I never thought that
we would ever consider getting rid of it. Finding it and getting it here was a
real ordeal. Did you read that saga?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2011/08/our-ongoing-quest-for-cool-ness.html">https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2011/08/our-ongoing-quest-for-cool-ness.html</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2011/08/are-we-nuts.html">https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2011/08/are-we-nuts.html</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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It proved to be an ongoing project. <a href="https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2011/09/rollin-rollin-on-reefer.html">https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2011/09/rollin-rollin-on-reefer.html</a>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got it up and running just in time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2011/09/perfect-timing.html">https://homesteadhillfarm.blogspot.com/2011/09/perfect-timing.html</a>
And, it has been a great asset to our productivity.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, things change and life moves on. The reefer wasn’t
being used anymore and really needed to find a new home. Ever tried re-locating
a reefer? It seemed like it was going to be yet another headache.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Our friends out at <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <a href="http://www.malcolmsmarketgarden.com/">Malcolm's Market Garden</a></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>were interested in having more storage
space for their growing operation and purchased the reefer. (yay) And, we just
happen to have a son-in-law who is an expert commercial driver. (another yay) <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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He and the Boss made the loading look easy. And, the trip
“over the river and through the woods” was amazingly smooth and simple. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ijwS2V6MTRUdPwkZmbaWB10BlQVh0WuOzIMiD2vVuhF_iDRZ0I3DJyJdcWBvi5WTyOfQilsw7iJoX087rumIvtjpAhg3GS9gMN1ykZRmmCG1M3UxUYx59XY7lE-dgP3kiMVS_gShuco/s1600/ready+to+load+8+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ijwS2V6MTRUdPwkZmbaWB10BlQVh0WuOzIMiD2vVuhF_iDRZ0I3DJyJdcWBvi5WTyOfQilsw7iJoX087rumIvtjpAhg3GS9gMN1ykZRmmCG1M3UxUYx59XY7lE-dgP3kiMVS_gShuco/s400/ready+to+load+8+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">getting in position</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5c90lrT_iwKC1Kk3-cl-gVsd9haaWkERF71essPk7ToOHrSunurJO8mtg4upxAasxSwoXSzfZMkhSSH-eGwLKK5S5V5ZkW3-HEm_dC-r0s20MhfW9mjnhJM3NVBS05T568NcPP1hNwI/s1600/loading+the+reefer+8+17-001+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5c90lrT_iwKC1Kk3-cl-gVsd9haaWkERF71essPk7ToOHrSunurJO8mtg4upxAasxSwoXSzfZMkhSSH-eGwLKK5S5V5ZkW3-HEm_dC-r0s20MhfW9mjnhJM3NVBS05T568NcPP1hNwI/s400/loading+the+reefer+8+17-001+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hooking it up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7J6ZaxODGG28ciy-F5UZxaxar2K76ZrMrCyJu0aNOVZi97lc00dT3gd3wmEUCHMg-SONFh8dK_rOXsQwM037E-UuJGJEvSl38O9cRj-_wDbxdDv56PCCj2kI4RVm8cnbtXkzY1TxPQo/s1600/almost+done+8+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7J6ZaxODGG28ciy-F5UZxaxar2K76ZrMrCyJu0aNOVZi97lc00dT3gd3wmEUCHMg-SONFh8dK_rOXsQwM037E-UuJGJEvSl38O9cRj-_wDbxdDv56PCCj2kI4RVm8cnbtXkzY1TxPQo/s400/almost+done+8+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">loaded and nearly ready to go</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI12xMFDsga9ojOPiLGU6ZZPIoPWX6v8pGiEmWQ5-X8JNKrLflt3pGx6NGcJfIWFaVc8YuWqdu_Y0d7IHhezt8jS5OFcHW8W_T8IkHU13mup8CJpDjGVIS15NppPBsB1wvr4sRS5_alc0/s1600/adjustments+8+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI12xMFDsga9ojOPiLGU6ZZPIoPWX6v8pGiEmWQ5-X8JNKrLflt3pGx6NGcJfIWFaVc8YuWqdu_Y0d7IHhezt8jS5OFcHW8W_T8IkHU13mup8CJpDjGVIS15NppPBsB1wvr4sRS5_alc0/s400/adjustments+8+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a few adjustments</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHbp_wka2mf1uMpQ8wj5OI9p38YBFd-ChL80EiKQgkwcWnX5gFK3r0ZDuzjnrKRWj-1uBN1pdQT0foLJcZSGF9k9ZeBsBZBk-lPPG-0-B4alB2egHUtRKUDDPsqnyA0OumAK36uvM1m8/s1600/cinching+it+down+8+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHbp_wka2mf1uMpQ8wj5OI9p38YBFd-ChL80EiKQgkwcWnX5gFK3r0ZDuzjnrKRWj-1uBN1pdQT0foLJcZSGF9k9ZeBsBZBk-lPPG-0-B4alB2egHUtRKUDDPsqnyA0OumAK36uvM1m8/s400/cinching+it+down+8+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cinch it down</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbakZwNPu27OEXKcQ89CcwMeBXmuvZ4C5A3SjTX8wFcUQOjxiht35ynexUiNuu_uBlwnN8rClswL3e14m-XFg0ukFKVfJqWDs7wb-uzODJVQ_ID7wozqUwg4ZCQShh-KsMzgHVqFOMjlg/s1600/loading+the+reefer+8+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbakZwNPu27OEXKcQ89CcwMeBXmuvZ4C5A3SjTX8wFcUQOjxiht35ynexUiNuu_uBlwnN8rClswL3e14m-XFg0ukFKVfJqWDs7wb-uzODJVQ_ID7wozqUwg4ZCQShh-KsMzgHVqFOMjlg/s400/loading+the+reefer+8+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">warn the public </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7_wkSPsYUnagm2w8PZ149sfZcoWS8rgi7DS2FJfISXQ3sEGQ09jiBMdyYaUUjWwYUwncC8T-w9o7xHtYnI2voIj0JncB70fJSMYAhde2X-etI_0dDBsl9AhhT6ToxepdIAyK3wWQPrE/s1600/and+away+we+go+8+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7_wkSPsYUnagm2w8PZ149sfZcoWS8rgi7DS2FJfISXQ3sEGQ09jiBMdyYaUUjWwYUwncC8T-w9o7xHtYnI2voIj0JncB70fJSMYAhde2X-etI_0dDBsl9AhhT6ToxepdIAyK3wWQPrE/s400/and+away+we+go+8+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and away we go</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4A-Gt0Yrk9KuotLdBOIRY4o0nPBMrEZjuk53p2WlIN_1xYVX11HQqjgbKitBwlMe3xotw6_2mMFKQawQ-Ovh0zAgfUwBllVlaPRylQH3tOIZFhWyfHFO_Dnnb5NI-Dj9XJm_kKeb9d-U/s1600/pushing+up+the+power+line+8+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4A-Gt0Yrk9KuotLdBOIRY4o0nPBMrEZjuk53p2WlIN_1xYVX11HQqjgbKitBwlMe3xotw6_2mMFKQawQ-Ovh0zAgfUwBllVlaPRylQH3tOIZFhWyfHFO_Dnnb5NI-Dj9XJm_kKeb9d-U/s400/pushing+up+the+power+line+8+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">had to stop and push up the power line across the lane</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFeqALsBc6RdUErZf4SPkfo22akef9MJ_HOg6njvr-dcdGYE2I5108Jhp-LCKt6gqoOPl7w3jPrWXXEWO7AzSYnwgrrld4dhKUibIrWUoTnGSLA9Slq8TJkczUgBhCz47yZu-Rz_nTLM/s1600/thru+mbrk+8+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFeqALsBc6RdUErZf4SPkfo22akef9MJ_HOg6njvr-dcdGYE2I5108Jhp-LCKt6gqoOPl7w3jPrWXXEWO7AzSYnwgrrld4dhKUibIrWUoTnGSLA9Slq8TJkczUgBhCz47yZu-Rz_nTLM/s400/thru+mbrk+8+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">through Mbrk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim28eqAEnh7q6rZDGnJ7zp8y3YWJdhhQRNqfd4kDJRJ5RTg_1b0K0jxBK3290ApKwbE_hpVQpUVTBPm64MmJdJJ9O9lHiFViT9p9Pow9E1jrUrQU9QYAR9-PxPJwhBFBStNdE6wLuUCmM/s1600/out+on+the+interstate+8+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim28eqAEnh7q6rZDGnJ7zp8y3YWJdhhQRNqfd4kDJRJ5RTg_1b0K0jxBK3290ApKwbE_hpVQpUVTBPm64MmJdJJ9O9lHiFViT9p9Pow9E1jrUrQU9QYAR9-PxPJwhBFBStNdE6wLuUCmM/s400/out+on+the+interstate+8+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">down the interstate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XARnxo-Rb1-iMz-ruVQSZ5g0bKePdNssFFQ089WGGViqyqLFP2qsEqVN2peaEqpQZCQPRiJbNKYdP75_6j1e9i-RqUrHuRA5_3bQ6J55I0adSVUUgcMOnjQ86TMqsJPzxJJJa_XSUaY/s1600/reefer+trip+8+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XARnxo-Rb1-iMz-ruVQSZ5g0bKePdNssFFQ089WGGViqyqLFP2qsEqVN2peaEqpQZCQPRiJbNKYdP75_6j1e9i-RqUrHuRA5_3bQ6J55I0adSVUUgcMOnjQ86TMqsJPzxJJJa_XSUaY/s400/reefer+trip+8+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">up the driveway into the woods</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9tJi5-wyuFBfXkx53PRwLfiwbAtgnzdsgqb_gPT0w0258W6o5FhbNLCH25DYc0g3K0gUSyg5B9aO2yBUQYJ_WFfL7FHjp2BTx1Xy__gvHKV4AxaAcHSk2-zR_BnXjnrin4gVXX6nuRk/s1600/unloading+the+reefer+8+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9tJi5-wyuFBfXkx53PRwLfiwbAtgnzdsgqb_gPT0w0258W6o5FhbNLCH25DYc0g3K0gUSyg5B9aO2yBUQYJ_WFfL7FHjp2BTx1Xy__gvHKV4AxaAcHSk2-zR_BnXjnrin4gVXX6nuRk/s400/unloading+the+reefer+8+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the reefer is almost home!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just like that, the reefer has a brand-new home. I hope
it serves the Malcolms for a good, long time! And, I gotta say, Tyler kinda rocks, too. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other than that…there isn’t much news to report from here on
the hill. August continues to be just plain “august-y”…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It seems to be the summer of butterflies and humming birds!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZI8g0DH-vdDg9LwxRNLGHS20pMzbjReiTsj30btLbYZ5e9PbIv6KDHQ0dzcEogkN31SwKYMgEbkTZ41bQ-3BeRnMm-YI0mWNQ6QZrreLkQOoD7LJ0rSYmcFVlL2OCXz3mPgPfTaHJVIs/s1600/painted+lady+butterfly+8+16+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZI8g0DH-vdDg9LwxRNLGHS20pMzbjReiTsj30btLbYZ5e9PbIv6KDHQ0dzcEogkN31SwKYMgEbkTZ41bQ-3BeRnMm-YI0mWNQ6QZrreLkQOoD7LJ0rSYmcFVlL2OCXz3mPgPfTaHJVIs/s400/painted+lady+butterfly+8+16+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">painted lady butterfly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HbHRrFdRMR0r27_tRYksp4R8n4THAUXpP7SBk8sVWWV4apxIjj_CbPaMpuzRk3MQ6BKV4vZWTvO9sf5Il8vWF4gv5O-bTBlpibVX7WlI8042ia-I_CM0xRbF5zqoNIDNaM8KZEdG-7Q/s1600/red+admiral+butterfly+8+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HbHRrFdRMR0r27_tRYksp4R8n4THAUXpP7SBk8sVWWV4apxIjj_CbPaMpuzRk3MQ6BKV4vZWTvO9sf5Il8vWF4gv5O-bTBlpibVX7WlI8042ia-I_CM0xRbF5zqoNIDNaM8KZEdG-7Q/s400/red+admiral+butterfly+8+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">red admiral butterfly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtcTsMQLLeudf7_MoCARYC4n01DWiYOIBsaGZ91-JmFyGp6ohoA34LfXbbehHDJccydOSnBiqTW0vfI5Y88EkoMj0pl8LdbyPJBiCebXtlS1gt3-enrMyFHqoIYCw_ECwiMO3OtdV67s/s1600/female+swallowtail+8+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtcTsMQLLeudf7_MoCARYC4n01DWiYOIBsaGZ91-JmFyGp6ohoA34LfXbbehHDJccydOSnBiqTW0vfI5Y88EkoMj0pl8LdbyPJBiCebXtlS1gt3-enrMyFHqoIYCw_ECwiMO3OtdV67s/s400/female+swallowtail+8+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">female black swallowtail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5q50xYBDW06AQEKHEASFDbsOfF1O23No77_bgalzFkuff7Lz2QpoxQq_z_D55heZJ3j8evSxGqJGetzCVSvKg9F6VTMVKKfFs9AC_kB9xl-rz8nCDcfmf8US9kQoLBfytxibkhc7s8g/s1600/male+black+swallowtail+8+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5q50xYBDW06AQEKHEASFDbsOfF1O23No77_bgalzFkuff7Lz2QpoxQq_z_D55heZJ3j8evSxGqJGetzCVSvKg9F6VTMVKKfFs9AC_kB9xl-rz8nCDcfmf8US9kQoLBfytxibkhc7s8g/s400/male+black+swallowtail+8+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">male black swallowtail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsXYQY9dFLxiAOomdKp6EdpAHK2j06QSqK9J8OZJCwB0CtrffcLG8xXh9Qd3TIaorrKTBfPRgOY-tXD461sEPR7BrqKgA7yOQbAd3DFZsBxe8wEJWXqHDEnYqqMHxGq2w1BwKXIzmX1M/s1600/swallowtail+flight+8+9+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsXYQY9dFLxiAOomdKp6EdpAHK2j06QSqK9J8OZJCwB0CtrffcLG8xXh9Qd3TIaorrKTBfPRgOY-tXD461sEPR7BrqKgA7yOQbAd3DFZsBxe8wEJWXqHDEnYqqMHxGq2w1BwKXIzmX1M/s400/swallowtail+flight+8+9+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tiger swallowtail in flight<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXL9DFrYgNZE0eDitqBetlEL8Lc-x5Vz61tadrpHW1R-P-sHvMpMeq6brfRHPLJKt2RLMqcF5MoZSUd_aCR5GIvF3vyl9rjS9SPrZEzU0_ZL5FejKg47Zxccuengc_MnwWWrzO39Sn-eo/s1600/humming+bird+thru+window+8+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXL9DFrYgNZE0eDitqBetlEL8Lc-x5Vz61tadrpHW1R-P-sHvMpMeq6brfRHPLJKt2RLMqcF5MoZSUd_aCR5GIvF3vyl9rjS9SPrZEzU0_ZL5FejKg47Zxccuengc_MnwWWrzO39Sn-eo/s400/humming+bird+thru+window+8+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hummingbird out back</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EzM-7wGq1q6OzMMktZp9fSPJe8JsdIx8Myb6OxEqAxgN1Qm10VmxGZlVWBq9KeBnV8pfstNX0JFgy7JWYgsmezRbdqG5GOpjkjFXl1PjQsSqldxofIizvyQVq9jP7R-0pmFLdIEKUAs/s1600/hummingbird+at+creek+8+9+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="951" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EzM-7wGq1q6OzMMktZp9fSPJe8JsdIx8Myb6OxEqAxgN1Qm10VmxGZlVWBq9KeBnV8pfstNX0JFgy7JWYgsmezRbdqG5GOpjkjFXl1PjQsSqldxofIizvyQVq9jP7R-0pmFLdIEKUAs/s400/hummingbird+at+creek+8+9+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="361" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hummingbird at creek</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIF3v6-OVcwp-ddnsFKQicc-DQo8rN97MQSKULUuHTbiVR2Z0ucnsnrHyVyIzo6WBlEndilUtLr9wQzxo3cgDADubDPl7OJRmlDa-ooY1Am4M81sDp0hd66FxpVqJBavi7gh3MqppAcD4/s1600/hummingbird+coleus+8+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIF3v6-OVcwp-ddnsFKQicc-DQo8rN97MQSKULUuHTbiVR2Z0ucnsnrHyVyIzo6WBlEndilUtLr9wQzxo3cgDADubDPl7OJRmlDa-ooY1Am4M81sDp0hd66FxpVqJBavi7gh3MqppAcD4/s400/hummingbird+coleus+8+14+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hummingbird at coleus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Market has been amazingly busy this summer and set an
all-time record last week! That’s good for everyone, vendors, customers AND the
City. You can check out the Boss’ images here. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/stauntonfarmersmkt">https://www.facebook.com/stauntonfarmersmkt</a>
or <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stauntonaugustafarmersmarket">https://www.flickr.com/photos/stauntonaugustafarmersmarket</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, I’ve very nearly missed the Market more than once this season…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
...one week there was a deer in the orchard. The next there was a 'possum stuck in a rat trap in the barn. The ensuing "duet" between the angry 'possum and the dog was nearly deafening. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyVD8gFhGg_-VoyFhlHnKEiKfrql-YLjn4ymAzKcXTeH6nEzo5EDyZg2tPDsDP5HPLwtBYgvTIRHV2abhKTtzA0fDJ49ZVhDvY0FTMHoY4Lc5oum-gKE0QbWU-BPybDa2l_r3192LhAc/s1600/karma+possum+8+3+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="788" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyVD8gFhGg_-VoyFhlHnKEiKfrql-YLjn4ymAzKcXTeH6nEzo5EDyZg2tPDsDP5HPLwtBYgvTIRHV2abhKTtzA0fDJ49ZVhDvY0FTMHoY4Lc5oum-gKE0QbWU-BPybDa2l_r3192LhAc/s400/karma+possum+8+3+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the 'possum was growling<br />the dog was howling<br />(and it was 5:30 in the morning!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And, then the following week...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I was loading up the car, I saw something at the end of
the driveway.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<img alt="Image may contain: tree, sky, cloud, plant, outdoor and nature" height="320" src="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/69076383_10157278834119088_2041876372195901440_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_oc=AQm28pcpa46xPI3lZux9k1EyZq8J3lqB7uLySQ-o98QYy__eSzJmk8ms2eyeN-oh4-M&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=2cfd69cd5dabb3a3f38d2f7163af8bd8&oe=5DCBCDC2" width="320" /> </div>
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Before I could even investigate, the dogs were off and barking
furiously…at the four steers who had strolled across the lane to eat the tender
grass by the gate. (since TEN calves live in the field across the lane, and I could
only account for 4, the morning had the potential to get REAL interesting) There
was no way to drive through the gate without dogs escaping or cattle
stampeding. And, I could just envision them running through Mbrk at 6 o’clock on
a Saturday morning, startling every dog into a barking cacophony. Not a good
idea, by any stretch of the imagination. I must say, I had absolutely NO desire
to chase cattle or dogs. But, whatcha gonna do?</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWh5uhCSvZJaLbxzwOMfHJzaCGaxgCcIz2wxwwaRlnxOUmULrCPMNBfr85xSEyitBmu4cP9lAp0-Yde8fVxEwa86FUIRvc-qULtQRY_NOnbBi-GYpXXRBa71sOFp5LIhrWBh7z4wVCuY/s1600/strolling+steer+8+10+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="788" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWh5uhCSvZJaLbxzwOMfHJzaCGaxgCcIz2wxwwaRlnxOUmULrCPMNBfr85xSEyitBmu4cP9lAp0-Yde8fVxEwa86FUIRvc-qULtQRY_NOnbBi-GYpXXRBa71sOFp5LIhrWBh7z4wVCuY/s400/strolling+steer+8+10+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">he did look rather nice there in the sunlight</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I called the Boss to apprise him of the situation (since I was already running late) and he
called Neighbor. Since, herding calves is all about angles and I knew that if I
was calm enough (and the dogs didn’t get crazy) it could be done with relative
ease. Three of them reacted just like I hoped and headed for home. But, the
fourth one started down the lane and I had a little momentary panic. Fortunately,
I got him turned back up the drive just as Neighbor came out to run them all
back into the field. <o:p></o:p></div>
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All’s well that ends well! It gave me a good story for
Market…and I can claim that I have herded cattle every summer for at least 20
years. (still not sure if that’s a good thing)<o:p></o:p></div>
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I don’t know what it says about a person when the height of
excitement is chasing calves before the Market…<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, I guess on that note, I’ll wish you a <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Happy
Sunday!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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Thanks for stopping by! Hope you’ll come “visit” again.</div>
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<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnHSNIx2aOgOKqVjQADXdUMBDgDDiMazgI5qsVfMkoxq3Ak0ElGu7PLUjDhQ33LXvNTzKH1wSlkiJOzN22QfJuCLiy1o16bF6XBThz7_6NUuiwjTVSmdduteT6GO0ZpTxXi-78FyMaE4/s1600/karl+and+aunt+2+8+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnHSNIx2aOgOKqVjQADXdUMBDgDDiMazgI5qsVfMkoxq3Ak0ElGu7PLUjDhQ33LXvNTzKH1wSlkiJOzN22QfJuCLiy1o16bF6XBThz7_6NUuiwjTVSmdduteT6GO0ZpTxXi-78FyMaE4/s640/karl+and+aunt+2+8+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Have an OUTSTANDING week!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
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<br />Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03599739740886087571noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819048519590916875.post-15440522394203462262019-07-28T12:08:00.000-04:002019-07-28T12:44:08.590-04:00Sunday Walkabout July 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_XQPaqVPq1g3LE3JFB6VhWmoKv-q1YQPn7vrynw9kA8au4v1xBU0C6oX5j_MSDOnTzdsf6Cvr5jBR7F64pLJ6Dc5UW1OB1Mtqzc4HRPZR9wKbPe8wvD6F1MnGBCre8_i8EU3Ka9Hy-k/s1600/tomatoes+in+the+window+7+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_XQPaqVPq1g3LE3JFB6VhWmoKv-q1YQPn7vrynw9kA8au4v1xBU0C6oX5j_MSDOnTzdsf6Cvr5jBR7F64pLJ6Dc5UW1OB1Mtqzc4HRPZR9wKbPe8wvD6F1MnGBCre8_i8EU3Ka9Hy-k/s640/tomatoes+in+the+window+7+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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July…<o:p></o:p></div>
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The midway point of the year. The halfway point of the
Market season. And, the arrival of back-to-school sales that means it can’t be
long before we are hurtling headlong toward what has become “hallow-thank-mas”,
with one holiday observance flowing right into the next.<o:p></o:p></div>
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July…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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When the to-do list seems to grow exponentially overnight. When
the abundant harvests can be overwhelming. And, the kitchen table has suddenly
sprouted a crock of pickles, a box of pears and a bowl of tomatoes. Not to
mention the zucchini that are multiplying as I write.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Yep, it is definitely July!<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tZKJCRlRdovzYfI7V17wOPL27ScIUrOY9hExpDMV9K12voqIqHDX2oqIpu7r7WPt5PjYvxjN89OZH85FjeavLcw4qPNbyDO0hqJRlQ2RcrecAfh6kW9cJ8UI_wOT5oyAhlGBFzKg9cs/s1600/cicada+shell+7+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tZKJCRlRdovzYfI7V17wOPL27ScIUrOY9hExpDMV9K12voqIqHDX2oqIpu7r7WPt5PjYvxjN89OZH85FjeavLcw4qPNbyDO0hqJRlQ2RcrecAfh6kW9cJ8UI_wOT5oyAhlGBFzKg9cs/s400/cicada+shell+7+3+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cicada shell on fence post<br />
My grandmother used to call them "hot weather bugs"</td></tr>
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It’s been hot. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsroHHdyTFJ7hYDGcdRZjg8ws4SdkQbmrcJcao7Vx1OvJ3BDN-VFCfb0pur6k2S9aKp547rSpwdUj61VQjEkY1Q5sgdBCtg5ldP7Pk2mQsJ-mbLkDN8dUIjFPSCTYLTcLf7KhgNaRPffI/s1600/melted+sissie+7+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1034" data-original-width="1600" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsroHHdyTFJ7hYDGcdRZjg8ws4SdkQbmrcJcao7Vx1OvJ3BDN-VFCfb0pur6k2S9aKp547rSpwdUj61VQjEkY1Q5sgdBCtg5ldP7Pk2mQsJ-mbLkDN8dUIjFPSCTYLTcLf7KhgNaRPffI/s400/melted+sissie+7+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">apparently Sissie melted from the heat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Oh, so very hot. And, we won’t even get into
the humidity. A friend said she felt “like a damp, used washrag” and I though that was a
pretty apt analogy. That would also describe my energy levels most days.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOHhxIlEl0ZukFKcM_XPtqc-tNy9o-MLSVNXHLoGcPz8FKqAtIm36KoBy8_JTq2U2Y9GyWcGcd9mDH6CymmRgoC8U0yQmPkovIcpUblPGHN6IUB244453d8O1YHttWvr0u2OI_80k8ck/s1600/yellow+green+zucchini+7+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOHhxIlEl0ZukFKcM_XPtqc-tNy9o-MLSVNXHLoGcPz8FKqAtIm36KoBy8_JTq2U2Y9GyWcGcd9mDH6CymmRgoC8U0yQmPkovIcpUblPGHN6IUB244453d8O1YHttWvr0u2OI_80k8ck/s400/yellow+green+zucchini+7+21+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">garden dilemma<br />
yellow zucchini?<br />
green zucchini?<br />
do you see a face on this?<br />
have I been out in the heat too long?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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But, hot or not, energized or not, there’s work to do. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IppX85w14p0GYHu_uQQHfMU3A3pR6kBu9ZSCWJDxwhRvBzFOSHJizSjksxUsKK-sZTExO9IvkIrJ_2vayjaEZDGK1WIS7Lm78KGgH-mfgzjFfly7Nsr2A94UomboJXPUj0N62MqWcZg/s1600/lamb+is+baaack+7+6+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IppX85w14p0GYHu_uQQHfMU3A3pR6kBu9ZSCWJDxwhRvBzFOSHJizSjksxUsKK-sZTExO9IvkIrJ_2vayjaEZDGK1WIS7Lm78KGgH-mfgzjFfly7Nsr2A94UomboJXPUj0N62MqWcZg/s400/lamb+is+baaack+7+6+19+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">freezer inventory</td></tr>
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We’ve
hauled lambs and picked up lamb chops. (sold ALL the lamb chops and had a
personal best Market, too!) There are more lambchops waiting at the processors. </div>
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We’ve picked and planted and re-arranged. </div>
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In the past week, I picked well over
100# of zucchini. Better start digging out all those recipes! </div>
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The fall crops have
been started, and the late crop of potatoes is already coming up. The old ewes
will be heading to the stockyard this week and it’s almost time for Otis to “meet
the ladies”.<o:p></o:p></div>
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...and the hay guy called...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBi0mf40hBc9RP58Y1rur8_4GVsMlippXzNDyD1cNVT0EkR9P83iuelnhvxEaRrPNx9J-UJUXt91OZSDePezsvYi9Tj3utwU1bwk-k6mOzi7u_IeZgbXY9F7s4ajxxi962wOB9WoeNLQ/s1600/first+heirloom+tomato+7+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBi0mf40hBc9RP58Y1rur8_4GVsMlippXzNDyD1cNVT0EkR9P83iuelnhvxEaRrPNx9J-UJUXt91OZSDePezsvYi9Tj3utwU1bwk-k6mOzi7u_IeZgbXY9F7s4ajxxi962wOB9WoeNLQ/s400/first+heirloom+tomato+7+4+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the first heirloom tomato</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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July is also when anticipation for the big stars of summer---<b>sweet</b> corn (not to be confused with field corn) and tomatoes---reaches a fever pitch. While the tomatoes are starting to
trickle in, the corn here on the hill won’t make its appearance for another couple
of weeks. Presently it tempts and teases as first the tassels appear, then the tiny
ears with their oh so delicate silks. As the silks grow into what looks like wild, glorious
hair, the pollen forms on the tassels, its unique scent filling the morning
air. (the smell of corn pollen is both sweet and sultry---it would make an amazing
perfume) Once the pollen falls onto the silks, the tiny kernels within the ear
are pollinated, begin to swell and in two short weeks the corn is ready. I read
somewhere that the cornfield is all about sex, but, I probably shouldn’t tell
you that since it just makes the conversation all weird and awkward. Honestly,
farm life…all of agriculture...revolves around, depends upon, the “facts of life”
and “the birds and the bees”. However, we’d all feel better if I just leave
that one right there and move on to safer subjects. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTVs3G0L21d0WO4LO1aFLJ6sjKf4cUR1j-NgECErIaKVU9Ubp5f4m9_RexEK4SBEOTJ2htVnqcUBGt1XGzTIy-b1G5jtsbiCpVwuRvH7UUGY3USph2wwxWroxhqPa3fXpAI3D1bCq-fc/s1600/corn+tassel+7+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTVs3G0L21d0WO4LO1aFLJ6sjKf4cUR1j-NgECErIaKVU9Ubp5f4m9_RexEK4SBEOTJ2htVnqcUBGt1XGzTIy-b1G5jtsbiCpVwuRvH7UUGY3USph2wwxWroxhqPa3fXpAI3D1bCq-fc/s400/corn+tassel+7+18+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">unfurling corn tassel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxpreyBvmD2nTSC0DDEEWaN2cHHawdYHLpIH6H-ACQwzxj3AWHm4P_Fjz1gbtU_3kNJwvYgkjD5qTyIzwhdDTu5WXdsmbgIdw1MZhNjl6VGd5Jbm84dvLhT6K_g3H91NheNRCed9TwgQ/s1600/brilliant+corn+silk+7+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxpreyBvmD2nTSC0DDEEWaN2cHHawdYHLpIH6H-ACQwzxj3AWHm4P_Fjz1gbtU_3kNJwvYgkjD5qTyIzwhdDTu5WXdsmbgIdw1MZhNjl6VGd5Jbm84dvLhT6K_g3H91NheNRCed9TwgQ/s400/brilliant+corn+silk+7+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">corn silk<br />
isn't that pretty?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrv-Fn6bv7V8Obw3RJUuLWWy3nMtxbuKKwkfwmtZNwoCHBYOuIF1XkM9UYKkG-Q73Cn55W41OKg4ntj7cwRLPzuCWM1RMeIKDNf5rZb_re52mhgNcJCarWx41WZRXnfpyF_0_BwjGr_jU/s1600/corn+pollen+wind+7+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrv-Fn6bv7V8Obw3RJUuLWWy3nMtxbuKKwkfwmtZNwoCHBYOuIF1XkM9UYKkG-Q73Cn55W41OKg4ntj7cwRLPzuCWM1RMeIKDNf5rZb_re52mhgNcJCarWx41WZRXnfpyF_0_BwjGr_jU/s400/corn+pollen+wind+7+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">corn tassels in sunlight<br />
look close<br />
you can see the corn pollen flying in the sunlight</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DD2TUYDelSA9Lj9hnO80iM4FSxjlkXdvBHDQQzI5PW5aoORFXvVzYZZ5NymqkBT1kIHxx9oqQseVUyn-Rgqe9oBk3W71hx9YKL32xRqXsAeQ_CBmvI41P8Vw-pbDntFGOqAUJynGJPg/s1600/corn+silk+1+7+24+-+Copy+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DD2TUYDelSA9Lj9hnO80iM4FSxjlkXdvBHDQQzI5PW5aoORFXvVzYZZ5NymqkBT1kIHxx9oqQseVUyn-Rgqe9oBk3W71hx9YKL32xRqXsAeQ_CBmvI41P8Vw-pbDntFGOqAUJynGJPg/s400/corn+silk+1+7+24+-+Copy+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pollinated cornsilk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntEaN3cnD5CBFwK1Ua_8M27uhhf2R8tDCX7ne6-L1gPwHQGNanQTbrZzgtd0qeRQgErIpmZDdrceECihGl9FfrKn3B7gX9ifmH-6W3q4LO8jtFCUicV21UT9jO82zR_ApLuuok7CXntk/s1600/corn+tassel+7+24+-+Copy+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntEaN3cnD5CBFwK1Ua_8M27uhhf2R8tDCX7ne6-L1gPwHQGNanQTbrZzgtd0qeRQgErIpmZDdrceECihGl9FfrKn3B7gX9ifmH-6W3q4LO8jtFCUicV21UT9jO82zR_ApLuuok7CXntk/s400/corn+tassel+7+24+-+Copy+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more corn pollen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9z1j2TQlGp0NbbaLX7yO5uNy_adU5W-GaFpS6fEDDZQm0zI3m0QEMjZSxzozno7pviYiKxU009xoemmo47MpczszOeUmtje4a8pNov853YZeRiAJXEPZULJEmX8Lmw7PIwP4jMVy-jE/s1600/dewdrop+corn+7+24+-+Copy+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9z1j2TQlGp0NbbaLX7yO5uNy_adU5W-GaFpS6fEDDZQm0zI3m0QEMjZSxzozno7pviYiKxU009xoemmo47MpczszOeUmtje4a8pNov853YZeRiAJXEPZULJEmX8Lmw7PIwP4jMVy-jE/s400/dewdrop+corn+7+24+-+Copy+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dewdrop on corn leaf</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So…ahem…moving right along…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(but, you must see... pollination is happening everywhere!)</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQZDZelGs-xYaPPz2dEHXLM8DRdtUq4jxwhOAHask0xWFQ14qfw1wHLP8PPklUVXqN9dR2uYNUOcgdIcI4_71WasVcZDxs6GMbxCM93VQ1QZ8BkLktKzD7Z0v8Dts5F1k6BKdHwuia_Q/s1600/cucumber+beetle+7+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQZDZelGs-xYaPPz2dEHXLM8DRdtUq4jxwhOAHask0xWFQ14qfw1wHLP8PPklUVXqN9dR2uYNUOcgdIcI4_71WasVcZDxs6GMbxCM93VQ1QZ8BkLktKzD7Z0v8Dts5F1k6BKdHwuia_Q/s400/cucumber+beetle+7+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cucumber beetle on cucumber blossom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFWLF-CSjBYZkPTo70ZFXjiAYxHsNBEZNB5pZbLcWGYs_TZQWY9HcWJEtJbp5cvIaSF29EdORC-xdMnml68udmYs57eLDCk-S3LKC2awuO8xGPxbie_EyMFXETKFeEAYoL1QC1Q7nPd0/s1600/bumblebee+cuke+blossom+7+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFWLF-CSjBYZkPTo70ZFXjiAYxHsNBEZNB5pZbLcWGYs_TZQWY9HcWJEtJbp5cvIaSF29EdORC-xdMnml68udmYs57eLDCk-S3LKC2awuO8xGPxbie_EyMFXETKFeEAYoL1QC1Q7nPd0/s400/bumblebee+cuke+blossom+7+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bumblebee cucumber blossom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqo1WGNaI2AsizGdHmgsJeN8gEtJZMBK2pGog5OmFFn4E-p-bqPKXqH6OhsUIxWhQ0ZoUqCvd22vcIydYdPFMJUvSMO9Jby9C976l82PDNnk26A3CTRY6uXWIGecjqo0w4DLzH7ESkwg/s1600/honeybees+zucchini+7+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqo1WGNaI2AsizGdHmgsJeN8gEtJZMBK2pGog5OmFFn4E-p-bqPKXqH6OhsUIxWhQ0ZoUqCvd22vcIydYdPFMJUvSMO9Jby9C976l82PDNnk26A3CTRY6uXWIGecjqo0w4DLzH7ESkwg/s400/honeybees+zucchini+7+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">honeybees in squash blossom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OGGJRo0kKN6q2OiNQwCbPpb-FNi9k9KnbS0gaBJpGVTgTHszfOEOdzQc7U4Y1d9YLw7d9qNysm4PgERyk8UAH_SxpisrDfLmrkFczJsk3w09Bzuga06QNSSHNxANJlXa2DtPiCiJJ8M/s1600/okra+blossom+7+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OGGJRo0kKN6q2OiNQwCbPpb-FNi9k9KnbS0gaBJpGVTgTHszfOEOdzQc7U4Y1d9YLw7d9qNysm4PgERyk8UAH_SxpisrDfLmrkFczJsk3w09Bzuga06QNSSHNxANJlXa2DtPiCiJJ8M/s400/okra+blossom+7+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">okra blossom<br />
unknown pollinator</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIYlXUK3pLQ7wYbz12Dmme6IuYsSc72R4hAzWkDoJccH6WcQv8uNiE6QdIiiRHsscm9FL9o-TI1S5AslP5f4Tcyh9qt-LJgp-YrngfweH5fZb1fa8LswYEU2ljgFUU7R7oItq9MfOs0o/s1600/flying+shrimp+7+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIYlXUK3pLQ7wYbz12Dmme6IuYsSc72R4hAzWkDoJccH6WcQv8uNiE6QdIiiRHsscm9FL9o-TI1S5AslP5f4Tcyh9qt-LJgp-YrngfweH5fZb1fa8LswYEU2ljgFUU7R7oItq9MfOs0o/s400/flying+shrimp+7+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hummingbird moth in butterfly bush</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While I suppose farm work could become the entire focus of
our lives, I actually think it’s important to do other things…like EAT some of
this good stuff we’re spending so much time growing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To that end, we were enjoying some awesome tomato sandwiches
the other day when a great commotion broke out in the backyard. Gus and Karma
were sounding an alarm about something. Since it was getting more insistent,
and enjoying a quiet lunch was out of the question, I went to investigate. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Their barks have different meanings. There’s the “oh my god,
something woke me up…better sound an alarm and look like I know what's going on” (this often happens when we can
hear the reverse indicator on the firetruck down in M’brook) Then there is the “get
out of the yard, you intruder!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(this one
happens about 2am when deer, foxes or rabbits pass through the vicinity) Then
there is the “I hear you varmint…and I am a big, big dog! Go away.” (this is
for the coyotes that yip along the ridges on clear winter nights---it is
accompanied by a low rumbling growl---and it is intimidating stuff) Then, you have the
all-purpose bark. This covers anyone driving on the lane, in the driveway or a
half mile down the road if they need an engine tune-up or new tires. The UPS driver
gets a special bark. There’s the squirrel bark and the daytime deer bark, the “we
found a ‘possum and don’t know what to do now” bark. I swear there is a “butterfly
bark” and an “I dunno, just felt like making some noise” and “mama, where ARE
you?” bark.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, this didn’t seem to fit any of those. It was kind of a
hybrid ‘possum, varmint, mama bark.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Outside, both dogs were staring at the cellar door. The
cellar is only accessible by this little door that is down in a hole at the
back of the house. It might behoove me to mention here that we never use the
cellar (or the door). At all. I should probably tell you that story, but it
will interrupt THIS story, so…some other time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-if5jS_S5Bk5h3cjK2yNSdnyj-tchIDq11is9oTiCnrFQZiNMEwaZYvziyq2ojhAzDHF841c7oU-HNaT9vop3oGuTBi2CDDRC1lY6nuIimXnZjoZavfOfkYgfz4kAhj4aPCbp5DlLsfI/s1600/gus+groundhog+7+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-if5jS_S5Bk5h3cjK2yNSdnyj-tchIDq11is9oTiCnrFQZiNMEwaZYvziyq2ojhAzDHF841c7oU-HNaT9vop3oGuTBi2CDDRC1lY6nuIimXnZjoZavfOfkYgfz4kAhj4aPCbp5DlLsfI/s400/gus+groundhog+7+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gus on one side</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewFRG2bts8Rnv7Lxpn92_GhIU32w24pbBZsm4yKrtprENuItYdjKYqeQOTHOQCBzX4Ylm_4X_i7Syjfi-EvF48XOQO3NIGYo0vmlu0c-1sLNMeiQxq-fiJa1pEEyrfPbVTb9ShaoF3pw/s1600/karma+groundhog+7+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="911" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewFRG2bts8Rnv7Lxpn92_GhIU32w24pbBZsm4yKrtprENuItYdjKYqeQOTHOQCBzX4Ylm_4X_i7Syjfi-EvF48XOQO3NIGYo0vmlu0c-1sLNMeiQxq-fiJa1pEEyrfPbVTb9ShaoF3pw/s400/karma+groundhog+7+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="346" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karma on the other</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, down by the door to the cellar is a groundhog. A
fairly good-sized groundhog. I suppose he/she fell in the hole in an attempt to
flee the giant dog attack. It is too deep for the dogs to get down to reach the
groundhog and too high for the groundhog to jump out. Thus, the chaotic
barking.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Groundhog dispatched and crisis resolved thanks to the Boss
and his sharpshooter skills. Karma apparently wanted groundhog for her lunch,
so she carried it away. Later, we realized she simply wanted to torment Gus,
and we (the Boss) disposed of the mess. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, before you feel sorry for the “poor
woodchuck”, groundhogs are nuisance animals and relocating them in Virginia is <b>illegal</b>.
So, good riddance. Oddly, Facebook reminded me that Gus and Karma ran a
groundhog up the tree in the backyard exactly one year ago. (how weird is that?)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4l0awvhqEG8J-BBRaBrtv77BlkPHzrG40xhRnPhvOXBjbSaIZIzkfRkgfvd63HUTWzcltKOofd4Kc4ChDvOp3jwsaMDcnxOIe3y0Cz1zIg0Cvr5vEtwP8FfJj2FmgbOcaEbwoGuFDkE/s1600/groundhog+dispatch+7+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4l0awvhqEG8J-BBRaBrtv77BlkPHzrG40xhRnPhvOXBjbSaIZIzkfRkgfvd63HUTWzcltKOofd4Kc4ChDvOp3jwsaMDcnxOIe3y0Cz1zIg0Cvr5vEtwP8FfJj2FmgbOcaEbwoGuFDkE/s400/groundhog+dispatch+7+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGlqPQcciqvRWVUuPU22Thak2D6NrUophA4P-ilb9Ce0Qm_U7SWMkNPCdHKBdU9-KUwkbt1uvwHT384Cv_py5AyYQLsNTGLfl8gclD_-olCs7snC75fOK9U91GU4-8b3MqePuFPlMRAk/s1600/karma+and+groundhog+2+7+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1233" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGlqPQcciqvRWVUuPU22Thak2D6NrUophA4P-ilb9Ce0Qm_U7SWMkNPCdHKBdU9-KUwkbt1uvwHT384Cv_py5AyYQLsNTGLfl8gclD_-olCs7snC75fOK9U91GU4-8b3MqePuFPlMRAk/s400/karma+and+groundhog+2+7+15+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s been an interesting month for animal sightings. There was a
deer in the back field with the lambs. I could have sworn that one had antlers
and snorted like a buck. Then, there was a big doe in the orchard on the Fourth
of July. We had never had one so close to the house because generally the dogs
keep them at bay. However, the dogs were cowering under the shed since we had
the double-whammy of fireworks and a thunderstorm in a single evening. (they
finally emerged just before daylight…to bark at something else)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then, I was outside processing veggies after supper and the
hens started making some weird noises. Now, quiet life in the country is a
misnomer, there is always something going on. The hens keep up a near constant “conversation”
but this was far more insistent. When I went to check, I found a little
red fox looking at me from the other side of the fence. (thankfully OUTSIDE the
hen yard) He or she must have had a hankering for a chicken dinner. With no weapon
or even my phone, my only option was to scream like a crazy person at this
small, wet fox. It turned tail and disappeared. I set up a trap (baited with a
piece of fried chicken), but never caught anything, or saw the fox again. It
has probably retreated to its den, so highly traumatized that it will never return
(constantly recounting to the other foxes the story of its horrifying encounter with a human who behaved like a lunatic) or even attempt to eat chicken.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last Saturday, when I was putting stuff in the car for
Market, I noticed something in the orchard…this time it was a smaller deer. I didn’t
think Karma was going to notice her, but when she did…! That deer took one look
at the big white thing coming at her and …whee…she sailed through the air… over the
fence…through the field…over another fence… she was long gone…before Karma even
got to the trees.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLpz0zPzfCZ3Wi4lrQCP778wb1zSKPty_OcZ-7nAZZk7QukAT7r6ug8URiHrr30ewrK0C46u2kd_xmpMkkKEp4BhXoXhirhyF02sLmewgDbclU88erxYavo00sCiANO7CCtpyVqtdCQg/s1600/deer+in+orchard+7+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1457" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLpz0zPzfCZ3Wi4lrQCP778wb1zSKPty_OcZ-7nAZZk7QukAT7r6ug8URiHrr30ewrK0C46u2kd_xmpMkkKEp4BhXoXhirhyF02sLmewgDbclU88erxYavo00sCiANO7CCtpyVqtdCQg/s400/deer+in+orchard+7+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just a deer eating fruit on a Saturday morning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66LtYdeUj0TMgkjFeKUSHDNo7yQU3gE8fpyov2F_Abgm6tjPxtNk991V3n15O2uakRmv_CzAf9fKbvGMxBsTSbMT0D8hUvtQOG-xcBtzSG0P8avg-xaNzfrwAfy4MQvgnS-8UeAilHsA/s1600/karma+and+deer+7+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66LtYdeUj0TMgkjFeKUSHDNo7yQU3gE8fpyov2F_Abgm6tjPxtNk991V3n15O2uakRmv_CzAf9fKbvGMxBsTSbMT0D8hUvtQOG-xcBtzSG0P8avg-xaNzfrwAfy4MQvgnS-8UeAilHsA/s400/karma+and+deer+7+20+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karma doesn't stand a chance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, with the deer pressure increasing, we are doubly glad
we’ve cut down on the garden spaces.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I just realized this post has absolutely no rhyme or reason.
No purpose or theme. And, I can’t do a thing about it. (I suppose I could start
over…but, ain’t nobody got time for that)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So. Here are some equally random shots from around the farm
for your viewing pleasure.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lP8zY-x8RzF0tpCpeTI2JwVli6onHkuxfhfCivxIYhV8Da6-zwnZoifjGGj5j6-RY2N_PqM4Q6rcoYFM4F_DJ4d-_xqaNiGmFXXqtp6b2dZWTB-rbHpLrSAHRHwOaZlbwe23CyZhyW8/s1600/1+misty+sunrise+7+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lP8zY-x8RzF0tpCpeTI2JwVli6onHkuxfhfCivxIYhV8Da6-zwnZoifjGGj5j6-RY2N_PqM4Q6rcoYFM4F_DJ4d-_xqaNiGmFXXqtp6b2dZWTB-rbHpLrSAHRHwOaZlbwe23CyZhyW8/s400/1+misty+sunrise+7+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">misty morning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPj1d6kX1e055OdNPLxAlTtqxnYROCp4Fy2FXQUyV4HBb2IVDRZsjJLGUZU26hEzITwKw-FWnTjCTtNYUO33TWOGpwhzzvZmVQuwEm0Rwetp565hKXCq2qFfWnFxTxe1UNJHlCQ47z11o/s1600/boy+hummer+7+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPj1d6kX1e055OdNPLxAlTtqxnYROCp4Fy2FXQUyV4HBb2IVDRZsjJLGUZU26hEzITwKw-FWnTjCTtNYUO33TWOGpwhzzvZmVQuwEm0Rwetp565hKXCq2qFfWnFxTxe1UNJHlCQ47z11o/s400/boy+hummer+7+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Hummingbird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaZ59m6hKyjDOt2wIczhDn15N0i9D6DcRvG26O2eMHVZxni4g0FLOzePvdpO-ef5nfQrXJGN-4lQwbDJNG_nY4kkSKOGTbeRtOAwNHWliZYS4a6FXrTVYW5gshNCg_MhG65_tWzuU7MI/s1600/female+hummer+7+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1093" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaZ59m6hKyjDOt2wIczhDn15N0i9D6DcRvG26O2eMHVZxni4g0FLOzePvdpO-ef5nfQrXJGN-4lQwbDJNG_nY4kkSKOGTbeRtOAwNHWliZYS4a6FXrTVYW5gshNCg_MhG65_tWzuU7MI/s400/female+hummer+7+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs. Hummingbird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSTOT4ljEtDGowjsZ99TROE-ic3Jc3BB3_tDhOl-rT68iofszRXrx8WvOwbeJrwb4dwSXrWFFrrwgWrBwb3dJJhgC6P-2mZGQ-vGS9aTrmjTF5iSP7mrCHBB3pZGIYB-eHa9by1FLaOA/s1600/hummer+drinking+butterfly+bush+7+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1095" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSTOT4ljEtDGowjsZ99TROE-ic3Jc3BB3_tDhOl-rT68iofszRXrx8WvOwbeJrwb4dwSXrWFFrrwgWrBwb3dJJhgC6P-2mZGQ-vGS9aTrmjTF5iSP7mrCHBB3pZGIYB-eHa9by1FLaOA/s400/hummer+drinking+butterfly+bush+7+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">getting a drink</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-4pnH54Q_gRxF8KYwZETe9ReXoZX0Rb74Yqc7ZXj-8xPsaaHEmGcIY_l_OxPhloWilXjulrjxa_06pJAqRH2yRzVp4wjZ6OYPFZe28DN5rBO5twTCRGeWeuEkugeRJIghG5qSMchV_U/s1600/floating+morning+glory+7+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-4pnH54Q_gRxF8KYwZETe9ReXoZX0Rb74Yqc7ZXj-8xPsaaHEmGcIY_l_OxPhloWilXjulrjxa_06pJAqRH2yRzVp4wjZ6OYPFZe28DN5rBO5twTCRGeWeuEkugeRJIghG5qSMchV_U/s400/floating+morning+glory+7+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">morning glory</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QoU7XtnfA1egs_nnUoS4cfxLe2cdFg2plShOE9Hkfh3TOvnGh4vq_I1LaCsZywV-ZVv-hH61x2GrdJdmXwL6c39P_saqIjlgXyKbjl8ByBo_f0QGOKH8qSAqs-ePUzU3mnocHaRL0pY/s1600/common+checkered+skipper+7+25+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QoU7XtnfA1egs_nnUoS4cfxLe2cdFg2plShOE9Hkfh3TOvnGh4vq_I1LaCsZywV-ZVv-hH61x2GrdJdmXwL6c39P_saqIjlgXyKbjl8ByBo_f0QGOKH8qSAqs-ePUzU3mnocHaRL0pY/s400/common+checkered+skipper+7+25+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">common checkered skipper<br />
this one is so cute!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzczGBqYFRmjNW3VGTz9mHPGWkVAFpNIriWv65aVePHGSCCztLQKRJAlm1-aUsVsWh64qFd7mfJz4jas9YQKWDvJD0MT2GkTEDsXF49TiJ0BmM5Ufbui-OLQGJ2QR6dcBCvGf8ISTdgU/s1600/more+dewdrops+7+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzczGBqYFRmjNW3VGTz9mHPGWkVAFpNIriWv65aVePHGSCCztLQKRJAlm1-aUsVsWh64qFd7mfJz4jas9YQKWDvJD0MT2GkTEDsXF49TiJ0BmM5Ufbui-OLQGJ2QR6dcBCvGf8ISTdgU/s400/more+dewdrops+7+24+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dewdrops on a spiderweb<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdA_LPkb1Ak-zXsn80D_E9K_QAgPJr2shoubL6UsfkiSneYK7rkWE2bIZncvV_t7TJzq5r7pRdxM1Efv1q3aK4BayrrMOVY2p2QPM6FXhvfJhie0pMXBgUEs9rpzrBRYHYyMHPvPplmmM/s1600/morning+chores+on+a+hot+day+7+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdA_LPkb1Ak-zXsn80D_E9K_QAgPJr2shoubL6UsfkiSneYK7rkWE2bIZncvV_t7TJzq5r7pRdxM1Efv1q3aK4BayrrMOVY2p2QPM6FXhvfJhie0pMXBgUEs9rpzrBRYHYyMHPvPplmmM/s400/morning+chores+on+a+hot+day+7+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another hot day begins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHHGR1Y19JPK6EbmyXrkkaUCe4rLo-Zcc5nU5l-0xxOqnXCA66cXy_ekufAgbr52ib9_VpOqriEworbYuiEYf4td2EHFjVkIFdmlzHsJv0nlZTLFSDOzxKnxXHMo2teYTG1fmwD05cpo/s1600/queens+annes+lace+morning+7+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHHGR1Y19JPK6EbmyXrkkaUCe4rLo-Zcc5nU5l-0xxOqnXCA66cXy_ekufAgbr52ib9_VpOqriEworbYuiEYf4td2EHFjVkIFdmlzHsJv0nlZTLFSDOzxKnxXHMo2teYTG1fmwD05cpo/s400/queens+annes+lace+morning+7+17+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">early morning queen anne's lace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VbeL_TIIoRobZ2Z-lMBNZxKSDiYKYwoKh2ozjRr_-Wk3yCU1zNC_c4VhROVb8wVYcfleqp2EsvDJNFismK38lMSMbZtzx0DK-rvKK_rQPFUUrt8tXylAoWdi2bH74kiPhRo19-EBjRw/s1600/indigo+bunting+feeder+7+9+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VbeL_TIIoRobZ2Z-lMBNZxKSDiYKYwoKh2ozjRr_-Wk3yCU1zNC_c4VhROVb8wVYcfleqp2EsvDJNFismK38lMSMbZtzx0DK-rvKK_rQPFUUrt8tXylAoWdi2bH74kiPhRo19-EBjRw/s400/indigo+bunting+feeder+7+9+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">indigo bunting<br />
(he really is that brilliantly colored!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4Tp08Se82OIuwj7pkx-AluLHUUlj-gdRf1IaYgxGC1RqFUH-Bl1ZeIApiAJn9RKgT9QaI71vYsdUgtefwsDIVh6lenEPhzlTpyjTOCae1FRSubZZdSC_ZOe-YyLjFtfzh7GY__uiTJs/s1600/butterflies+driveway+7+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4Tp08Se82OIuwj7pkx-AluLHUUlj-gdRf1IaYgxGC1RqFUH-Bl1ZeIApiAJn9RKgT9QaI71vYsdUgtefwsDIVh6lenEPhzlTpyjTOCae1FRSubZZdSC_ZOe-YyLjFtfzh7GY__uiTJs/s400/butterflies+driveway+7+22+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">butterflies feasting on the remains of an apple</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxNT0FNLlwH2UBmf3N91FJXL6mapmTCSsKqath812DlGqiyq2lTNbpkavrOJ0lukDXnv2zIzHTkwf0VOdrbnqbrzG3E82tQMKf4gEgpnirMEU-82JXEAw22ERUvPztqqDbrZGZfPIJO0/s1600/butterfly+bees+7+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1033" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxNT0FNLlwH2UBmf3N91FJXL6mapmTCSsKqath812DlGqiyq2lTNbpkavrOJ0lukDXnv2zIzHTkwf0VOdrbnqbrzG3E82tQMKf4gEgpnirMEU-82JXEAw22ERUvPztqqDbrZGZfPIJO0/s400/butterfly+bees+7+26+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="392" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">monarch and bumblebees<br />
(I know, they're pollinating a noxious weed<br />
check out the pics below)<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIZN_1EgdQO83QjxT-e6JuhXKcXatE9ycXWduFpjHg3pZg08fiepID5vlGp76lkB109eL7-faueG89ehghhgGiNNEcw-aUfTi9mrbcqbSViRnhQlNufXvoMpL8XfCpucoAQcNPSBG10M/s1600/goldfinch+thistles+7+6-001+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1345" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIZN_1EgdQO83QjxT-e6JuhXKcXatE9ycXWduFpjHg3pZg08fiepID5vlGp76lkB109eL7-faueG89ehghhgGiNNEcw-aUfTi9mrbcqbSViRnhQlNufXvoMpL8XfCpucoAQcNPSBG10M/s400/goldfinch+thistles+7+6-001+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goldfinches LOVE thistle seeds!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1RorlF6014vGFv8zm1cznXBO4OYWgFMexxsTaYi3JzYT_bf7AvDGegR2VcY2af7o2rZXop57yfrTbXyguDP22Z7a00r1i9D7j-6oynD0eM7LBKQyXxNQ3-XtH7yVuI35JTv-8g2FTNI/s1600/goldfinch+thistles+7+6+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1363" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1RorlF6014vGFv8zm1cznXBO4OYWgFMexxsTaYi3JzYT_bf7AvDGegR2VcY2af7o2rZXop57yfrTbXyguDP22Z7a00r1i9D7j-6oynD0eM7LBKQyXxNQ3-XtH7yVuI35JTv-8g2FTNI/s400/goldfinch+thistles+7+6+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">they eat the seed and let the down fly away</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTfBHltt-Kt-SkiaQJ-YmK0_vh2BASkhwOqgv7wgHLicxOPbs80Q6uIJeC5HEVEu5KF9im2_WbuayuQqFo4h1Uxt6zefN3PCU3DmLsP62XpFfzjHURwQSeVi4xHiohGrQKMgRmbWGIVU/s1600/butterfly+fencepost+7+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTfBHltt-Kt-SkiaQJ-YmK0_vh2BASkhwOqgv7wgHLicxOPbs80Q6uIJeC5HEVEu5KF9im2_WbuayuQqFo4h1Uxt6zefN3PCU3DmLsP62XpFfzjHURwQSeVi4xHiohGrQKMgRmbWGIVU/s400/butterfly+fencepost+7+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>limenitis arthemis</i> on the fence</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUiV2Ar_aTseDZ7YPnIol2Iyf3Lu5EOXdBLWMP13qp4-39yMszuweKry61CpzLh3wxwsABJpjPhf5wcKACbo5ZexlPWOHgNsrtahyy_aH-wU-twwuifIVXcHK37pxK3Bp0NjRjN41zT0/s1600/1+bumblebee+thistle+pollen+7+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUiV2Ar_aTseDZ7YPnIol2Iyf3Lu5EOXdBLWMP13qp4-39yMszuweKry61CpzLh3wxwsABJpjPhf5wcKACbo5ZexlPWOHgNsrtahyy_aH-wU-twwuifIVXcHK37pxK3Bp0NjRjN41zT0/s400/1+bumblebee+thistle+pollen+7+23+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bumblebee</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1UWObBBK046-ckVHacqlup1upqVx0AzVPo7eoDrgaKv__D4FxLYM78EjjEaboHFVaHKbU15K1XbDrw8NJhtYNCYS3feiMaxafKPt6Q8j9RR0y2BgZ4zX-uvtiAesiRGynPOmK_1FG-Q/s1600/1+swallowtail+7+24+-+Copy+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1UWObBBK046-ckVHacqlup1upqVx0AzVPo7eoDrgaKv__D4FxLYM78EjjEaboHFVaHKbU15K1XbDrw8NJhtYNCYS3feiMaxafKPt6Q8j9RR0y2BgZ4zX-uvtiAesiRGynPOmK_1FG-Q/s400/1+swallowtail+7+24+-+Copy+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">swallowtail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKv0rWZFzHJ40FzSfJXz2yCcB0YofhGgNHRsSuVZYlsvN2CptzlQPpAjtyjxUMm5a77W_pEG2sWsPwcbZz0x9fZAOEkR49XXP8AU1Z53hV8GxM3lB4eZmEfaHT23sHFBrzfgh3pqctHUs/s1600/on+the+way+to+the+market+7+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKv0rWZFzHJ40FzSfJXz2yCcB0YofhGgNHRsSuVZYlsvN2CptzlQPpAjtyjxUMm5a77W_pEG2sWsPwcbZz0x9fZAOEkR49XXP8AU1Z53hV8GxM3lB4eZmEfaHT23sHFBrzfgh3pqctHUs/s400/on+the+way+to+the+market+7+13+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">on the way to Market</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcjPPjePh72qU7qxaL5H3U3vyDjGEqZX5D3AAPkC8Xo8BFOUWvFBtxoUBrJtlCtusCAAiPoc0O5KVPxANfQBeOpgYsEc4Wz-Lqae832rGyALCtLtHOp5iJn_7WHVdlSC_Q6yPViib12M/s1600/apples+after+the+rain+7+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcjPPjePh72qU7qxaL5H3U3vyDjGEqZX5D3AAPkC8Xo8BFOUWvFBtxoUBrJtlCtusCAAiPoc0O5KVPxANfQBeOpgYsEc4Wz-Lqae832rGyALCtLtHOp5iJn_7WHVdlSC_Q6yPViib12M/s400/apples+after+the+rain+7+11+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">apples after the rain<br />
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03599739740886087571noreply@blogger.com5