Not sure about a lot of things

It has been what seems to be a lifetime since I have typed here and not sure if bringing this page back to life is a good idea or a waste of all of our limited time.  I must admit I have missed talking to you all (those who are left in my following) and hearing back from you as to what is on your hearts and minds. We have shared tons - good, bad, joys and tears and through it all I have been so blessed to have you all in my life.  It has been and still is a bumpy road for the past 4 years and I am still not out of the tunnel but I know I am not alone in this which in some ways makes the journey not so scary. 


I have felt SO lost without my farm and animals that I really have struggled to find a purpose and joy.  I have been greatly disappointed by a few friends who placed me farther behind in my financial life along with my ability to trust.  Learned TONS of lessons from working at the Bates Motel and hopefully helped a few folks on the way.  So this year I have already made some big strides in changing things and promised myself to stop waiting on others to see me, include me in their worlds and be happy for and with me.


Which brings me to the couple of reasons I thought I might breath life into this site and see where it takes me or should I say us.  I have been struggling since leaving the farm to define who I am as an artist. If I do not have my hand raised fiber in my shop we am I?.  I have purchased some fleeces from new breeders and just have not been that thrilled because when I touch the fleece I did not have any connection with it.  I know it sounds strange but it is true - there is something magical about the process of loving on an animal for a year before you get to clip of that lush fiber and then create with it.  Yes, I did in the past purchase fiber that was not one of my animals but each creative offering did have at least a pinch of my sweet fur family.  I am amazed how this has placed my artistic side in a funk - the fiber just does not speak to me like it did before.  Also, not being able to do my dyeing process has kept my colorful mind in gray tones.


With all that being said I have been playing with some new products and also working on redesigning my whole online presence.  No easy task for this techno challenged gal but I am with each step mastering a tiny piece to this whole puzzle.  I get up and do my famous HAPPY DANCE when I am able to execute some small silly "geek" task - may seem silly to most but this is the only way I wont throw my hands in the air and wish to throw the computer across the room.  I know childish but I am honest about it.


So before I go too far down this rabbit hole again I turn to you kind folks and see if there is any interest in reading about my new and less animal filled creative life or should I just go and find a park bench, sit on it and talk to the birds as the fly by?   WOW, that sure did sound pathetic and manipulative but then I guess the writing of blogs is in some way a cry to be seen in a fast paced world that hardly looks up from their screens while also having the desire to create a sense of community with others around the world.  No small task and not sure if in the age of Twitter, Snap Chat and Instagram ( I have an account just not sure how to use it) that blogging is the "THING" to do?  Yes I am also considering doing Vlogging (is that with two g's or one?)


Dipping my toe back in and seeing if the water is warm or ice cold..


What you think??  Be Honest I can take it - I promise I wont turn into a puddle in the corner (Yep, another shameless attempt to get validation)


Hope to hear from those who are left here. 
Signing out to let you think about it.

Enjoying the small things

This is Maribella for those who have not met her yet.  She is an older cat that was not treated very well by her previous owner.  She came to me with three pages long of all the things that was WRONG with her and even the staff at the shelter did not hold out much hope for her to fit into a home.  You know Grace there is always reason's why an animal has come into my life and so I accepted the honor of loving her.

It is a journey and I have tons of patience.  From a scared girl who spent most of her day hidden under my bed of crunched up in a corner - she now greets me when I come home from work with tons of purrrrrrs, leg rubs and even a little bit of play.  This little white mouse was a toy I purchased the day I got her and now some 5 months later she finally attacked it and threw it around the place.  It may not sound like much to those who have playful cats but this is ground shaking behavior for her. 

So together we build trust - which we both have had shattered by unkind people.  We are learning to not take life so seriously and that even we can play a little.  Now if only I could have her 19 hour naps.  Thank you for letting me share this companion with you all - she deserves all the love and light she can get and I am learning so do I...

I have been LOST but still working on being Found

I know it has been ages since posting anything here.  I have not left the planet but still working on redefining my world.  Yes, I am still doing fiber but not in the mass amounts I have done for the past 20 years.  I am trying to figure out where and what I should do since life has thrown me several curve balls.  Like with many of my friends I am dealing with much and mastering very little but still all in all I am standing.


I have a sweet cat name Maribella who is keeping me sane or at least I will not admit to anything less.  I miss so much my dear farm animals but with each passing day I am rebuilding and exploring what makes this gal tick.  I have trusted all the wrong people which has cost me dearly.  I also lost my mother a couple of months ago.  That was a bitter sweet passing because she had been suffering for two years with choices she made that I could not seem to help her with - a life time of me parenting her has come to an end and for that I am blessed.


So dear folks I hope to start up my blog again and share what I can with you all.  I have missed you much and always have you in my heart and prayers.  Love and Light from this Long Lost Gal..

WHAT A DAY - What's in a NAME?

Today was not what I had planned.  BOY OH BOY it was NOT!!!!

One day before my birthday I decided to get the driver's license renewed and a whole host of other little errands along with two apartment viewings.  Got up at 5 am, showered, did my hair (had a great hair day) and got make up on for the dreaded picture.  Had a great breakfast in the hotel and watched the fog roll in.  Ready for the day I left the hotel and we got rained on - Oh Yeah - there goes the hair do...

Driving to the DMV and grabbing my book and paperwork.  I was faced with tons of new technology that was to help I guess but just took longer.  I waited my turn - almost an hour and then it was my turn.  The lady was so friendly and we were chatting away until her face sank.  OH DEAR, she kept saying over and over.  I was now having my heart in the throat - WHAT is OH DEAR???  They are saying my Social Security Number does not belong to me... WHAT THE HECK????

So after trying to figure out why in 33 years, 4 houses, 2 businesses and 2 children I am informed that all this time I am not Grace C Gerber and according to the Social Security Department and every other government agency I am not and have never been Grace C Gerber.  So as I am trying to process all this I am told my little errand has just blown up in my face.....

I am now told to go and get this all fixed if I wish to have a driver's license.  So to the library I went, turned in my books, picked up my new ones and got driving directions to the Social Security Office.  Yep, change of plans big time.  I kept hearing Curt (my late husband) giggling and saying "Remember all that talk about what to change your name to - well GOT YOU"  We did go round and round and finally I just said what the heck "What's in a name?"  Yes, I changed my name and filled out the paperwork right after we got married because we were buying a house and needed all the paperwork correct.

Got to the hotel room, called and canceled all appointments and lucky for me I had the paperwork - Both my and my husbands birth certificate, his death certificate, our marriage licence, proof of my identity the said drivers license..  I almost put them in the storage unit but last week for some reason I talked myself out of it.  Back in the truck and off through all new cone zones of highway work to get to this new office in  HELL...

I was greeted with another tower of technology that a human stood next to and did the whole thing anyway (why can't we go back to tickets - it is faster) which I was given a ticket D76..  What the heck does that mean??  I took a seat and prayed it would not be that long because I was sitting in a very crowded room of folks coughing and look like they where ready to kick the bucket at any moment. Yes, for this gal it is not waiting it is waiting with strangers.  I was having to listen to one guy stories of hiding cheese in a sock taped to his leg in jail.  Another lady was talking about how she was going to sue EVERYONE because her doctor says she is healed and she does not think that is right.  So two more rounds of Rescue Remedy and more prayers.  I finished my book that should tell you how long the wait was - 4 hours and  counting and I really had to pee but there is no way I was doing that here.  Finally D76 was called but that was after letters A, Z, E, B and others which made no logic pattern.  There is no point in even thinking about who came up with this system.

I grabbed my bag, papers, purse and book and raced to the window before they changed their mind.  The lady was so kind but offered no answers as to WHY this has not been caught all these 33 years and What do we need to fix this.  I gave her all the paperwork and she went to typing and typing and typing and typing - then a piece of paper was spit out that said in two weeks I would get a new Social Security Card with my New Name.  I don't know why but when she said my NEW NAME - I almost cried.  I have been Grace C Gerber for 33 years and I felt so much sadness.  I can't even put into words WHY it was just so deep and hurtful.  I thanked her for her assistance and left the building.  I went to my truck and got in and just tried to catch my breath before driving.  I turned on the truck and on the radio was "She's A Brick House" - for those who don't remember that song seems to turn up in my life when I feel my life has hit a wall. Last time was when I was driving back to my farm and not knowing if it was still there or if all my animals were dead.  It also played when I packed the last box and put it in the trailer as I left the farm for good.  It was playing in my head as Conrad and I hit the Highway to head back to Colorado.   I listened and said over and over "Grace you are you"  "Grace you have stood alone for almost all of your life - stand up"  I had to gather myself and head back to the hotel... I turned up the volume and headed out.

I have to wait 24 hours before attempting to get my driver's license which was not what I had planned for my birthday but I guess I really had not planned anything special anyway.  Nick is in the mountains doing a  big race show and Conrad is pulling double shifts along with school work - so this gal was going to be on her own anyway so I guess the DMV is just as good as place as any.

So soon this gal will be  Grace C Gerber - good to know - hope my dear husband is looking down and laughing because I sure wasn't...

Everything in GOOD Time

I never loose sight that when I push and pull the world does not work.  When I allow things to flow and move it seems to with such ease.  Case in point Wednesday was another morning of things not coming together because I was listening and waiting on others.  Finally I just struck out and said to the universe I need it to work...  Here is what happened next.

I still could not believe I was feeling turned around in the city I grew up in so I took three large breathes and turn the radio on and started out in faith that all would work.  Two blocks from the apartment a large work truck ran a red light and almost hit me but because I was so present I just knew not to go on my green light - thank you universe.

I then went to take myself to a well earned breakfast and as I sat down I heard that small voice say Breathe!!!!!!

Once back on the road it was as if the road where lite with extra light - I drove as if I had a special GPS (No I don't have one of those) and I drove without any question.  I went about my errands with perfection.  I was so thrilled.  I still was needing the biggest errand done - HAIR CUT... As I was driving to a place I had been to for years the truck all of a sudden had the temp gauge go wild.  I pulled into a gas station that I knew and the man was so very helpful.  He filled the truck with antifreeze and instructed me to go around the corner to purchase some to have on hand...  As I tried to gather myself and not freak out I took three deep breathes and went around the corner.  As I pulled into the parking lot and turned the truck off I took three more deep breathes - I could hardly do that but I did.  After purchasing the liquid which was on sale.  I went to the truck and placed it in the back seat.  Taking three more breathes I turned around and there was a tiny sign.  "Hair Port".  I giggled and said Thank You.  As I walked to the door and opened it I smiled because there stood a sweet lady with a big smile on her face... I said "You would not by chance have time for a cut and maybe a color?"  She giggled and said "I just had a cancellation so I would LOVE to do this for you"

I had the best time - she talked with me, showed tons of pictures, Debra REALLY listened.  It was Fantastic.... Five inches cut off, a wonderful glaze went on and yes even a few highlights.  I have not done this kind of pampering for may 15 years.  The results were beyond my dreams and I am thrilled.  Thank you Debra.

I got into the truck and thanked the truck for sending me on this path.  I decided now it is time to go back to the apartment.  Again, the streets were light with a guiding light and I made it back without one wrong turn or question...  On the way back loads of memories came flooding back - each turn was a happy blast from the past...

The Universe Does Support Me - even in the silly, small and even at time scary times....  Oh and I LOVE my new hair....... Small Things - it is all GREAT

Today is the Day

Still have not been able to fix the picture posting issue yet but thought I would give you all the heads up that in less then 11 hours I will be getting into a cab and on my way to the train station.  Yep, strange forces made this a bumpy beginning which I will go into later but on the other side the universe had it's reasons and I have to believe it all happens for a reason or should I say for many reasons....

So I am almost all done - waiting till later for my shower, dressing and final closing of the bags. Then I get my cab at 10 pm and get to the station and check in and wait for 4 hours.  Got my books on disk, books to read, movies to watch and my computer (WIFI) last time did not work so I am not counting on it this time but always hopeful.  I even downloaded the instructions to this sill cell phone that I have not master since I came out here but who knows maybe this time.  I learned a ton on the train ride out here and so I know this will be another wonderful journey of self discovery and also self reflection.

I believe that each day we are here on the planet to make a difference and so I stay present to that and know that last time I came into contact with a half dozen folks on the train that I was able to share with - learn from and touch spirit --- this trip I know will have more in store for me then just transporting me from one place to another.

So today I center myself in the KNOWING that I never give up and never surrender... (didn't some super hero say that ?)
Love, Light and Soon to be Sharing a new chapter in my life and hopefully with pictures...

Another in a long line of Techno Crap

I have been wanting to share with you all for some time but for some reason I can not get this stupid blog to download pictures.  I have tried as best as I could with their HELP topics but we all know that if I was clever enough to understand what they are saying I would be so clever as not to even have this issue.  I really get so tired of trying to figure these things out.  I then wonder if it is the universes way of say "Grace nobody really has time for your dribble"  or "If you can't keep up with the nerds then go sit in the corner"  All of this would be fine with me but sometimes I really do get a good snap and wish to share it with others.  Oh Well, this gal is calling it "Toast" for me today and go do something I am good at... Wait what would that be???  Search me so maybe I will just watch another installment of Midsummer Murders and call it good.  Gave it my best shot and all I can say is Computer Elves PLEASE FIT THIS S*&T......

Grace - Be the MUSK OX

It has been anything but workable in my world of late and NONE of it was of my doing.  Have you every had "SHIT HIT THE FAN" and it all belonged to others?  I know you have and it seems as if my lot in life presently is just that... Reconfirm so life lessons I thought I was done with but guess the universe really wanted to make sure.  Without going into all the drama which only goes to feed the monster of negativity  let's just say I had to sit with Elvira the stray cat in the cold today to eagerly pet the heck out of her.  Lucky for me she loves it at least she purrrrrr's through it and licks my face so I will take that as Elivra is not upset with my need to stoke something soft and loving so I won't go postal.

I remind myself that there are hundreds, thousands if not millions in the world who are dealing with something similar or worse so who am I to piss and moan.  So as I soaked my feet tonight, cleared out junk files on the computer and GAVE THANKS that I can breath and pet a kitty I searched for new adventures which will fill me up instead of sucking the life right out of me..

I treated myself to something to put a smile on my face and a chuckle in my belly.    Lucky for me it does not take much.  A GREAT Poster of a Musk Ox in the Arctic Tundra.  My love for these amazing creatures goes beyond common sense - they show me that one can thrive in the worst conditions and be strong and magical.  They show me in their eyes that their wisdom is gained not by the easy sunny days but rather the blizzards they face and the bitter sting of life.  I just LOVE and Honor them.  I think if I ever got a tattoo it would be a full on face of one of these creatures.  I keep trying to post a picture of this poster so you can see what is giving me strength and giggles this week but it just is not happening.  So goes my week.

I would love to hear what you might look at that pulls you through the tough times...  Or do you have even a tattoo that was your turning point to dig deep and find that strength you never knew you had?  So tonight I will summon up my Musk Ox spirit and press on thru the bleek mental and emtional tundra for I know I have gotten through worse and am stronger for it.

Love, Light and Strength

HELP PLEASE - lost blogs I follow

I had a computer brain fart and it wiped out all the blogs that I followed.  I am just SICK about this so if you could PLEASE do me a big favor and post your blog site that I have been following in the comment section below I sure would appreciate it and then I will head over to your blog and do the neccessary typing and button pushing to get back into following you...

Many Many Thanks - Love and Light and I put my computer in the corner and gave it a BIG TIME OUT.

Brings Back My Wiggle and Good Times

I can't even explain how this group has kept me sane in the worst of times.  When stuck in bed for 3 months with my youngest son (trying to keep him from delivering early)  I kept playing this group in my ears when I felt I couldn't hang on for one more minute.  Even thou I was not suppose to move a muscle at times I just had to wiggle ----- I really think this also kept Conrad in the mood to hang out just a bit longer.  This is better then any pill, vacation or positive thought mantra....   We JUST BOOGY and all is right with the world.....

I also played this for my husband at the worst of his medical times and even he would start tapping his toes and a grin would come on his face.  He lied to me when we first dated saying he LOVED to dance... NOPE but I could get him to dance with me to these magical guys....   Many Thanks for that !!!  Still sometimes certain songs will make me weep in a good way - that is when I know Curt is listening.

When I was driving back to the farm after leaving it for the fire last year and really had no way of knowing what I would find "She's a Brick House" came on the radio and this gal cranked it up full blast, windows down and wiggling all the way past the national guard and police as I turned on my road.  As I pulled up all the animals ran to the fence because they knew Mom was home.  They knew this song from years of barn cleaning and baby watches.  Yep this meant I could handle anything and with a BIG WIGGLE to boot or should I say booty.....

If you old enough - what was you favorite BOOGY Song....  If you don't like this kind of music well then just ease on down the road...

What you might not know about ME

I LOVE TO WIGGLE - Yep and I NEED the music to be LOUD......  I happen to be fixed on this one for my need for speed when plying yarns....  My feet want a beat that just flies and yet makes my butt wiggle in the seat.....    HAPPY CAMPER GRACE



Looking for some new music to keep this gal MOVING......  Share your best "GOT TO MOVE SONG" if you would.........

Mom Loves Me Best

This afternoon on the way to the mailbox Elvira was waiting for me - YIPPY!!!  So this gal sat herself down on the ground and just LOVED on this sweet one... She was very willing to be a snuggle gal.  Heck I even got head bumps and licks on my nose - this just made me the happiest gal on the planet.  I know for most this is no big deal but for me IT IS EVERYTHING.

After about a half hour of loving on each other I told her I would get the mail and be back quickly.  She wanted to follow but a stearn "STAY" had her butt on the ground and tail going back and forth with a bit of nasty looks but again I reminded her the school bus is due and we don't want FLAT KITTY...

As I walked up the long driveway out from the tall grass she sprang and ran in front of me.  Then she ran back into the bushes and as I walked by she jumped out again.  This game went on until we got back to the flat ground out of the eyesight of the dog and where we could have more snuggle time together.

As I sat down and got our loving on - out from behind the young pines came the sweet little doe.. She slowly walked towards me and was glad I think to see me.  As I was petting Elvira the doe crept up step by step until she was no more then 6 feet away from me.  She gave such a soft sweet look to me and I spoke softly to her.  I spoke to her about how wonderful it was to see her nose is almost healed and that she has been enjoying her time with the sheep in the barn.  Yes, I told her I saw her this morning in the barn drinking some water and nibbling on the goodies I had put out for them all...  She put her head down as if the say "Oh You Saw That"...

The clouds where dancing over our heads as a gentle breeze started up.  All of a sudden Elvira like a little toddler realized that I was looking at the doe a bit too long for her taste. Elvira jumped out of my lap and hissed while running full force at the sweet little deer.   Her Tail was like a bottle brush and the purring that filled the air just seconds ago was replaced with screaming hisses...  Her pure white tail stood straight up in the air and she sprang off in a blink of an eye.  Elvira came walking back to my lap with a smile on her face and crawled back on my lap PURRING Loudly...  Typical of toddlers no matter what species they are - made my day to feel I was the object of affection of two living creators.  Yep, this is a check in the win box for me today.....

What was your BEST part of the day????

Slow as a Snail - Fast as the Hare

The last couple of months have been everything but what I would wish - can't we all say that??  I have been busy but yet feel like nothing has been done.  I revisit the same problems over and over even if they come in a different form... I am questioning all my beliefs yet believe that my all my questions have been answered, just not in agreement with them all.  My Oh My what is this gal to do????

I regret not writing until now but I truly did not have note worthy topics that I could share and most of what I have been a part of is not my story to tell.  I miss the days of sharing the adventures of my farm and the sweet souls who lived with me.  I hunger for note worthy ideas that might assist someone in their own muck and mud.  Instead I have been going round and round on a merry go round of people's drama that never seem to have an end or answer.  My New Motto is " NOT MY CIRCUS, NOT MY MONKEYS"  It seems to sum it all up.

Now before you think I am in doom and gloom I must stop here and say - I have been creating wonderful items that have gone to their new homes, getting a bit of my two living spaces to resemble more of what this gal loves and feels comfortable in. taking massive loads of on line classes to get a clear picture of my business goals, personal insights and future adventures and blessed to have some snuggle time with a stray cat I have named Elvira ( great job Conrad for coming up with the perfect name) - she is a god sent...

See what a pretty kitty - black and such a purring machine.  I can't tell you how much I miss having animals in my life that are not a emotional mess... 

One question I had of myself when I came here was could this gal be herself without her animals and farm.  The answer is Yes and NO...  Who I am has always been a animal owner, lover and caregiver.  I have always been independent and ran my own show without really having to think twice.  I have learned many lessons these past months some good and some not so good.  What I can really say is "Grace does Grace and really will not be anything but that - Even if no one likes or understands it"  So what does this mean???  Good question and I will start sharing those here again.  I have also missed all of you and your wonderful comments, sharing of stories and insights that you have given me over the years.  \

So for today I hope you might share something that you have been up to in the past couple of months so we can feel connected again. 
Love and Light All - hope to hear from you

Pictures went poof

I have been painting my fiber room since Saturday morning and just finished about an hour ago.  I was such a good girl and even took pictures to show the transformation.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE that I do not have to look at that very dark green walls and now have a lovely creamy white to replace it.  The only thing at this time I have not been able to replace is the floral wallpaper boarder but I am thinking of what to do with it.  At the present moment I am thinking of covering it with chalk board wallpaper boarder - at least then it would be useful....  So as I said I was a good girl and took pictures through the steps and went to down load them here and then went to post here and POOF ALL GONE....

Oh Well, can't share that with everyone but at least I can share that I am excited to have a clean, bright slate to get back to my creating with...  Oh, and I also changed the room around for me to feel my energy flow - I am still struggling to find my balance - how does one cram all her 17 years of wide open creative spaces into a small bedroom???  I am continually rethinking things and hope each day to have guidance. 

I give thanks today for creamy wonderful white walls and a couple of orders from new customers. Oh and I have been watching a marathon of the "Scream" movies - I even got Scream 4 disk from Netflix - Good Times even without my pictures....

Beat The Clock/Storm Again

It never fails - Grace decided to turn off the computer last night and just listen to a movie while I TRIED to sleep.  Off into slumber land when I experienced a slap to my face.  I have had this happen many times in my life and for good reason.  The universe is snapping me back on this planet because there is a problem coming.  So I hopped out of bed and looked outside - it was still way way dark and I could not hear a sound so I powered up my computer and sure enough there was a serve storm warning flashing on my screen.  I went to work.  Out the door I went and filled up all the big buckets I purchased, I filled up the huge trash can I cleaned out the other day and filled it and placed the lid on, I went to the garden and gave my stuff a big stiff drink and then went down to the sheep and filled all the containers with water for them.  Then I started the hose on the big trees around the house while I came into the house and started filling all the large pan,s buckets and containers with water.  Coffee and Hot Water in two large thermos containers and quickly made me breakfast...

Now the rest of the house is up and I jumped into a shower and started my dirty clothes in the washer.  Back down stairs and emptied the dishwasher (not a full load) and washed every dish, cup and silverware I could find.  Clean clothes on and freshly dried clothes folded and put aways.  Back to kitchen and cooked the fresh maple sausages (all three dozen) so I don't worry about them and then cooked the chicken roasted pepper and garlic sausage just in case this will be our dinner.  I am so thrilled I spent Sunday cooking so there will be plenty to pick from that can be just heated on the camp stove.  I then went outside and picked the cherry tomatoes and zuck's that had ripened since I weeded in there last.  Then took my bucket and headed to the raspberries - the birds have had too many of them and it is about time we got the lions share of them.  I also went and picked about a dozen blackberries that where screaming not to be bird food - Sheri told me that she does not get blackberries till September - well I will gladly take them now.  I came inside and washed the bounty and thinking of what to make with them....

So everything done as best I can and now we go about our day and see WHAT Mother Nature has in store for us.  All I pray is NO MORE DOWNED TREES.  The widow makers is barely hanging on and if the winds kick up the driveway will be closed.  I wished this house had a basement - I so miss the security of going into my thick walled haven with all my supplies tucked nice and neatly in order.  I think for now I have done the best I can.....  Let the fun begin.....

Say Hello To My Little Friend

Don't you just want to pet this furry little sweet thing???  I can not believe how much fur is on one tiny little creature and still be able to lift off.  I also had to giggle because this sweet one and I have something in common crinkly dry wings.  Yep more cream is needed by both of us.  So trusting it was as I carried it out in the tongs and placed it gently on the deck ledge.  It look at me as if to say "All I wanted was to stay in where it was cool and quite.  Wished I could but it is not welcomed in the house and has much work to be done outside eating all the tiny bugs that seem bent on biting us to pieces.  I know it will have much to eat and I am sure it's friends are wondering where it went off too.  Bye for now furry friend.  I think I am having to make another "Bat Wings" batt here soon.

Look at what sweet blooms are happening on my eggplants.  It just tickles me to see the promise of something tasty to eat.

Look at this tiny eggplant - what a treasure.  I talk to the plants everyday and gave such praise for working so hard through this horrible heat to stand upright and even produce tiny fruit.  I am so excited for them and for me...

Grace is Camping

Nothing like a camping trip in your own backyard.  With my new spiffy camp stove I was able to cook just a few things in the short amount of time that we where without power.  Most of all Sheri did not have to go through coffee withdraw and could have hot cup of tea when the temp outside climbed in the high 90's... For me I was thrilled to have grilled Veal Bock Wurst and herb Couscous for dinner.... I LOVE CAMPING so this was in my mind an adventure even if it was a pain to be without power and pumps... I worried for all the food I had put into the freezesr and the fact that we lost power less then a week before but I had faith that all would happen in the right time - besides I can't control those things.  So now with camp stove in my position I am thinking of new meals to make the next time we have need of it.  Plan Ahead I Always Say.....

They call it "The Widow Maker"

 

There are three tress in a cluster that snapped about half way down and dropped their HUGE tops to the ground.  The bigger issue is that one tree snapped about 1/4 they way down  but got caught in several other trees - that is the "Widow Maker". Yep more scary issues to deal with because this "Widow Maker is also looming over the driveway.  Now today when I had to walk under it several times I listened closely to make sure nothing was creaking and I admit walked a bit fast to clear it.  Next thing I kept thinking if it is called a "Widow Maker" what do we call it if we are already a Widow??? 

Even the Mighty MUST Bend

 

This mighty guy I walked past twice a day since I got here - I said good morning and good afternoon each day.  He stood post outside the gate watching over us and gave me strength when hauling big wagons of trash to the dumpster.  Now the poor soul broken in the storm and his time at his post has come to an end.  He will bring warmth to a neighbor during the cold winter but I will miss him even thou we only knew each other for such a short time.  Fond Farewell....