~~~Gratitude~~~ a question?

Summer is in full swing here...which doesn't leave much time for swinging on my swing....

Anyways, I have been a bit remiss when it has come to blogging.  I hope this post will bring things up to date...a bit.  But, first I would like to share some thoughts I have been having.  Recently, my son asked me if I have always wanted to live in the country?  He has the desire for a city life...he thinks the life of his folks is filled with simply too much work!  So I have been thinking about that question and the answer is....YES!  I grew up on the edge of suburbia.  We had a big yard with a variety of trees, there was a big vacant lot across the busy street for most of my childhood.  Houses pretty much filled up every speck of land around me by the time I was 18.  But, I spent my childhood out of doors being with nature.  I was the only one in my family who tried to grow vegetables.   I would go into the vacant lot woods and sit by a tree all day and just watch the insects trundle by.  It is what I love!  As far as the work goes, I told my son that it is all a choice.  No one has asked me to grow food or build trails.  I do it because I want to do it.  My husband and I have been questioning our lifestyle, with our son in college we could consider something else.  We have been wondering if we have enough fun and relaxation.  We guess work is "fun", it feels good to accomplish "stuff".  We do relax...it might not be noticeable to our son since he has a different idea about how fun and relaxation look.  I am grateful for his question. It has been a good thing to contemplate during this crazy, busy time called summer.  The reflection has given me a lot of peace and more awareness towards my actual enjoyment of my chosen lifestyle.

So here is some of the fun that has been going on~~~

Summer potatoes and Garlic Garden...see the little shed way over there...?  I have a barrel of compost tea over there.  I decided the garlic could use some of that juice...so 10 trips with 2 water cans back and forth was my workout for that day...who needs a gym!?

Some years ago I got 3 mulberry trees for joining the National Arbor Day Foundation.  They have berries this year for the first time!  A bit sweet...I think I will share them with the birds but it is FUN to have a nibble every time I walk by!

Beetle time...so each morning I enjoy walking through all my gardens checking and plucking beetles.  Those little critters allow me to see things I might have missed if I wasn't out and about during those times.

Happy to report NO stinky squash bugs...so far...they are my least favorite insect!

So fun to pretend I am in California by growing Artichokes!

Rye cut down by my DH so I could mulch the winter potatoes...straw is like gold to me!

Speaking of gold...a very early pepper!

Cukes are getting a grip!

Can barely wait for the first ripe tomato!

In the meantime, enjoying the first ripe blueberries!

I AM surrounded by beauty and wonder...life is very good!

There maybe a time when a metamorphosis will need to happen in my life but, for NOW I am content.  Hard work..yes...but the rewards are priceless...like an evening with the "Super Moon" and fireflies~~~~~~

~~~

It is my intention, each week, to share something that fills me with Gratitude. 

I write ~~~Gratitude~~~ with the wavy lines to represent the gratitude ENERGY~~~~~! 

I hope you will join me and share your gratitude moments. 

~~~Amen, Blessed Be, Namaste'~~~

Everything is Just Duckie!

My sweeties arrived on another grey day in Maine.  They certainly have brightened thing up for me.  More rain on the way for today....I did manage to get 5 loads of laundry dry yesterday...just barely.  Very happy to have this wick cute distraction!

My son got a job at the local grocery store for the summer.  He is working in produce and starts work at 7:00am.  After dropping him off I headed to the post office to pick up my ducklings!

They came in this box via airmail...the only flying these flightless duck will experience.  Home in about 7 minutes...

Here they are soooo cute.  13 ducks ~ they sent a spare.  So the first step is to take them out one by one and dip their bill into the water to be sure they get a drink.  Then they are free to roam about the brooder.

Ok~~ I am a new "mom" so lots of photos.  If these are not enough you can now follow me on Instagram! http://instagram.com/injoyemporium   They are a major distraction!  But I finally left to get some other things done.  But an hour later I came back with some greens.  Chopped dandelion and tender grass.

Duck viewing seats...what can I say?

I also noticed that one duck was acting lethargic.  I picked her up and she had a bit of blood coming out of her vent.  So I separated her from the others but, gave her a little window so she wouldn't feel so distressed by the separation.

Sorry to say she was dead this morning.  Such is the way of things and I am sure plenty die at the hatchery but it does make me a little sad.  I will bury her, funny how that will make me feel better than offering her to the ravens...I didn't mind giving the ravens the vole Runa killed.  We are funny creatures we humans.

I did manage to get some other work done between mooning over the ducks...

Broccoli & Cauliflower Planted ~ Black flies Biting ~ Grass needs Mowing

The Skies cleared a bit in the evening so Runa & I had a little walk.....

~I did sleep well last night~

~~~Gratitude~~~

4 Direction Tree

My last blog was about time....hmmm...Sunday Gratitude on Tuesday Tip Day....I am always thrown for a loop when we have to change the clock.  I don't understand how it saves energy...maybe in a city?  But here the time changes seems to deplete people energy!  But this is Not Gratitude!!!

I try each day to sit and BE quiet.  I won't call it formal meditation, it is just sitting and quieting.  My house buzzzes so I try and go outside for my sitting.  Even with the super cold we have been having I just bundle up.  Also, I sit after I have walked so my body is warm and Runa is satisfied to sniff about.

I have two sitting places right now.  One is this sideways growing old wild apple trees.  It makes for a  lovely bench.  My scarf makes a nice seat cushion and is easy to carry when I walk.  This spot is near the house and I can stare at this beautiful tree.  It is a big old pine with 4 huge trunks coming out of the base.  This tree is a wonderful focal point and helps quiet my mind. I call it the 4 Direction Tree.

My other spot is further in the woods near the spring on this downed old apple tree.  This spot is nice because it faces south and I can enjoy the warmth on my face.  I am grateful for taking time most every day to just sit.  Some days, due to my busy life it is only for a few minutes.  But I find the practice of quieting helps make the busy-ness flow more peacefully.  

Sunshine warms my face & my soul!

MY SITTING DOWN PLACE

I go down to the creek
Where the water gurgles
Joyfully
As it hurries along
Over the shining sand and pebbles
To its destiny
With the sea.
Dappled sunlight
Flits and moves
Across the water,
over the creek bank;
And the birds sing happily
To the accompaniment
Of insects and crickets.
I sit in silence as
I soak it all into my soul.
Peace flows
From the water
To my heart.
Whatever life brings me
I now can face
Because of this,
My sitting down place!

Gail P. Kay

(I know this poem is a bit summery~~but even I could use some seasonal shift at this point!)

Do you have a special place where you sit?

It is my intention, each Sunday, (OR another Day)to share something that fills me with Gratitude. 

I write ~~~Gratitude~~~ with the wavy lines to represent the gratitude ENERGY~~~~~! 

I hope you will join me and share your gratitude moments. 

~~~Amen, Blessed Be, Namaste'~~~

Between Old & New

 Well, folks I have been remiss when it comes to blogging.  I had many moments over the last week or so that I had hoped to write but, a few things have hindered my resolve.  The biggest one being ~WINTER~  We have had some very stormy and cold days along with intermittent power outages. 

This is the true color ~ a Violet Evening!

I have, also, been distracted by year end bookkeeping.  I got behind...I have always done my bookkeeping by hand.  There is something about a sharp pencil and ledger paper that I love.  I, gratefully, had a much better Etsy year than last so time to get my geek on and create a computer spreadsheet for 2014! I am resolved!

The reason I needed to get my bookkeeping done is so I could file the FAFSA for my son.  I want to do it on the first of the month to get him at the top of the pile.  If you are a parent with a college ready child I encourage you to be fearless about this fairly simple form.  You can file BEFORE you do your taxes.  It is easy to go in and adjust everything.  Plus, the folks on the helpline are very nice and helpful!  Federal Aid is awarded first come first serve.  My helpful hint!  Anyways, I tried yesterday but the website was down. I JUST finished NOW so I am writing to you while still in my PJs!  

Here is a little photo journal catch up of the last several days!  I have gone outside each day, no matter how frigid...thinking of you...with camera in hand so I can share this bit of paradise I call home!

Snowflakes the size of palm!

Runa contemplating a leap into snow that is over a foot deep... 

She Goes for it!

Feeding the Wild Turkeys

Vern & Runa Keeping Warm <3 so Sweet these buddies!

Vern ~ Dreaming of Spring from various windows...

The last light of 2013!  

I am grateful for your following and sharing of my life journey filled with makings and musings.  I look forward to whatever comes next.  I want to take this moment to wish you & yours All the Very Best in this coming year.  What I like to say is...

HAPPY HAPPINESS!

Dawn January 1, 2014