Category Archives: Spiritual

July 7, 2012 · 15:57

Raise the Yuck Threshold

When we lived in the suburbs I had an ok threshold of yucky things.  I have always been able to deal with spiders.  I usually just walk right by when I see one.  I would jump when I saw snakes.  Yes, we had snakes in the suburbs.  Pretty something, eh?  (I still am “eh- ing since our Canadian friends left.)

But in the last few weeks, I have delivered baby goats.  I have watched one die.  I have lost two chickens to heat stress.  (I would love to do a whole blog on this weather we have settled into but wont bore you. But I will just say, HOLY COW!!!!!!!!  Enough said. ………. I started this post 4 days ago.  And I will say it again about the weather.  HOLY COW!!!!)    Animal poop of all kinds is normal daily routine.  Yuck is becoming “old hat” here.  

Makes you yearn for cooler days!

My dogs and I were taking an evening stroll a  couple of weeks ago when life was cooler and more lovely.  We met Maggie,  the hunter beast cat,   about a quarter of the way down the driveway.  She was playing with a mouse or mole.  She “plays” by letting it lay in tortured suffering for a while as she rests several feet away.  When it shows any sign of life, she saunters over and gives it a bat or two to show it who is boss then returns to her  post.  The game is truly not very nice.  As we approached the scene, Simon, our big black bear dog who is afraid of his shadow BUT likes to bully all the animals ran over and then jumped and ran away when this little thing  jumped over his foot.

That did not surprise me in the slightest.   Poor thing.  Simon.  Not the mouse.

Samdog then followed along.  And if I may speak about Samdog for a moment.  Samdog is 11.  She is deaf.  And she is the happiest dog alive.  Life is grand.   Always.   Every day is a new experience that is to be lived and shared with great vigor and  joyful anticipation.   She approaches all with an attitude of  adventure.  A mission to be had.  I have much to learn from her.  I believe she also loves being deaf.  It is her form of solitude which I greatly appreciate.  Hmm.  Yeah.

She comes along, snatches the little rodent and keeps right on moving.  Does not  skip a beat.   She walked beside me popping this thing in and out of her mouth.  The adventure was the walk and the rodent was a sidebar.  It was just coming along for the ride.   She continues to explore  and stops to poop several times.  All with the rodent riding along.  This would be totally grossing me out one day in my not too distant  past.  I would be afraid the thing would fall out of her mouth and run over my toes.

So the coup de gras was after about ten minutes she tired of carrying it in her mouth because she couldn’t participate in all the sniffing, digging, and frolicking in waist-high weeds.  Right next to me she decides to just start crunchin’ on it.  Be gone with it!   Loud crunch, crunch, crunch went all the bones of this creature.  Down the pipe it went.  Nothing was spared.   She was free from her bondage of mouse and able to get on with the mission in her little mind.  All the while, I walked beside her.  I did not skip a beat either.   I did not say “gross”.  I did not stop in my tracks and say “Samdog, what did you just DOOOOOO?”

I am making progress in the land of the wild.  And that brings me comfort.  In some ways it  links me to my descendents that came way before me.  It links me to the era that I feel sometimes I shoulda been born.  The settlers days.

I am grateful to be  present for these kinds of events.   I love living life through the small, small things that seem to not hold much significance.   Those things mean the world to me.  They are everything.  They are truly what make our world go round and make us smile and feel alive and a part.

God bless you all,

Karen

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July 1, 2012 · 22:44

Pondering Hospitality……

I have pondered this word for the 5 years that we have owned this property.   I have prayed about this word.  I have prayed that He would teach me the meaning of this word.  I have bought books on Amazon about hospitality.  Can I  grasp the meaning and become a “woman of hospitality“?   Somehow, I believe there is a difference between the words “hospitality” and “entertaining”.  Something tells me that it is something to be had.  Something that would make me a better person.  Something that I would like to provide to others.

I looked the two words up.

hospitality |ˌhäspiˈtalitē|
noun
the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.

entertainment |ˌentərˈtānmənt|
noun
the action of providing or being provided with amusement or enjoyment : everyone just sits in front of the TV for entertainment.
• an event, performance, or activity designed to entertain others : a theatrical entertainment.
• the action of receiving a guest or guests and providing them with food and drink.

The  words that I zeroed in on in these definitions are “friendly”, and “generous” in hospitality.  And ” action” in entertainment.  Could it be that one is simply executing an action when we entertain?  and the other is a gesture of love?   a “friendly and generous” gift?

Prior to reading these definitions I had a feeling.  Have you ever stopped by a friend’s house, maybe even unannounced, and it was if they were there waiting for your arrival?  When you stepped in  you notice that the house could use a little attention,  but they offer no excuses or apologies??   They offer you water and a kitchen chair and somehow at their house that sounds like the perfect invitation?  That,  to me, speaks hospitality.

I have been to people’s homes where I have gotten that gesture of love.  I want to know how to do that.  Some people are born with that gift.  Some people (like me) have to pray that that gift can be taught to them.

When we bought this property, we bought it with the idea of  opening it up to people who would like to come for retreats, solitude, and experience the awe of beautiful nature.  I know that if this is what we have the privilege of doing, then this girl needs some work.

I have decided that entertainment is something that is controlled and manipulated by the host. The guest is told what time to arrive.    Not early and preferably not late.  They will be fed such and such with little or no flexibility.  They are told when it is time to go home.  Almost like a task that will be checked off when it is over.  The host might even get a little irritated if the guest varies from the expectations of the host.  I have been there for years and years.   I have been there.  I want to skip down the path to greener pastures.

So what does that look like?  I think we have to be filled with a grace to be able to do it.  Speaking for myself,  I am not naturally  that giving of myself and my time.

I want to open my door to my guests when THEY feel they need or want to be here.  I want them to feel that they are that important in my life.  I don’t want it to be about the image I am trying to convey through my china or drink or extravagant menu.  I want my food to be their food even if it is just peanut butter and jelly or cultured veggies.    I want to be humble enough to allow them to share  their gifts with us while they are here.  I want to be more interested in what they have to say and what their experiences are than what mine are.  I want them to be able to sit in silence in my home if that is what they want.  I want them to achieve their goal for being here, not mine.  I want my home to be their home.

We just had a wonderful couple visit for 7 days.  They came on their terms.  They called and wanted to come and wanted to come for 7 days.   I prayed about it for a long time before they came.  Please help me to welcome them in my home this time and always and give to them freely as their needs/wants arise.  How did I do, you ask?  Well……. hmmmm… I was given sufficient grace to say I did … ok.  It did not look like entertaining.  The kind I used to know.  I’m not sure it looked like hospitality completely.  But it sure didn’t look like entertainment.  Baby steps.

Tall order, eh?  (“Eh” is for our Canadian guests.  More fondly referred to as “fererners”)

Please share any tips you have to become a better hospitality woman or man.  I welcome any thoughts!

God bless,

Karen

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June 22, 2012 · 11:00

Open Your Gift

We are so blessed that God gave each and every one of us a gift to be shared.   A gift is not just when someone is given the creativity to draw or paint or sculpt.  A gift is when we possess something unique that when we project it out into the world,  it  makes a difference in someone’s life.  It is a gift if only we impact one life!  I have had people look at me squarely and say they wished they had a gift and that God did not bless them with such.  What they do not know is they have impacted my life in such a profound way and that, yes, they have a gift that I could not possess if I practiced it my whole life.

  I may be able to paint (on some days) but I couldn’t teach a first grade class if my life depended on it.   I couldn’t manage a team of workers and feel good about it.  I don’t have the gift of affirming and lifting up others but I’d give my two front teeth (darling) to.  I continue to pray about that.    I am beginning to recognize a gift as something that comes natural to us, not a burden.  It is something that fills our hearts and those around us.   It is easy for us and delightful for them.  You can tell when you get a groove on and when it is right and that it should be passed on with love.  It is meant to be.

I was invited to participate in the publication of a  book  called 100 Midwest Artists by Ashley Rooney  several years ago.  It was an honor they  considered me.  I just received the copy in the mail today and am quite humbled to be sitting on the same pages as many of these artists.

I’d like to share a sampling  of  a few of  the artists who have the   gift of expression in paint, pastel, bronze and the like.  Please enjoy!

Brock Cagaan, Statehouse from Circle 1920’s, Oil on Canvas 48″ x 60″
Dave Tilton
Lon Michels        The Magi         Acrylic on Canvas 56″ x 68″
Rob Jefferson    At The Races    Oil on Canvas 8″ x 19″
Kenneth G. Ryden      Illumination     Cast Bronze 7′
Ron Monsama        Vessel        Pastel, 40″ x 30″
Claire Malloy         Grey Barn in a Snowfall       Pastel 30″ x 33″

Jonathan Queen           Exploring the Wilderness        Oil on Board 14″ x 11″

Adam Hayward           Gabriel’s Light             Oil on Canvas, 30 x 40″

Just a few of ,  beautiful pieces.   This book can be found on Amazon.  It is a celebration of American’s heartland.  Pick up a copy if you desire.

God bless,

Karen

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June 18, 2012 · 05:16

Bird Lady

….is what I have become.  I have always been fascinated with birds but now that I have 64 of them, I would guess I am maniacal.  They all do not have plans to stay long. Many of them will need to move on in a few short months. But it would be an honor if these birds I talk about today would grace us with their presence for a long long time.

Today,  I would like to write about my budding relationship with the beloved Bluebird.   Oh my goodness.  I think the first time I really saw a for real bluebird was just this past year.  Mr. Shady informed me last winter that we had about 6 pair out in the pasture  that morning.  I immediately made plans to put up a couple of houses for them. They will begin nesting as early as late February.

The day after we hung one,  a mommy and daddy moved in.  What a wonder!   I have become a stalker of this family.  No kidding.  So the journey began.  (I might add that I have hung about 5 more but only this first one has been inhabited. So far.)

They have had two “batches” of babies, which is not unusual.  Did I tell you I am an expert now?  Not really.   Pops bought me a Bluebird book and I find them most  interesting not to mention beautiful.  But they build a whole new nest for each family.  If I do not remove the first nest, they will build a nest right on top of the old.

Enjoy the journey of this precious, precious family.

Mama sits on nest. She doesn’t spend all day there. She will come and go at her leisure.

After the babies are born she will come and go bringing food back for them.

Beautiful Mama

Mama and papa going out for an outing.

Papa protecting his domain from the Scarlet Tanager (bright red bird in upper left).

Baby taking a peek out in the real world. Eek.

It takes 12 -14 days for the lovelies to hatch and then they stay on the nest 19 days.  I know from the babies actions today,  with them peeking out of the hole, they are just about ready to take leave.    I have SO enjoyed their visit and pray they stick around and tell all their friends about the open rooms at the inn.

Thank you for checking in and I  would love to hear your experiences about birds in your backyard.

God bless,

Karen

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June 13, 2012 · 15:14

Am I Out of My Mind?

Sweet Cabin

We all know the answer to that.  But let’s look a little deeper.

So,  when I left the suburbs I swore never to place another piece of landscaping in the ground again.  I was going to  live in dirt.  My efforts at the last house and forever beyond were frustrating, aggravating and in most cases fruitless.  From now on I wanted a slammin’ screen door onto a dirty porch that stepped down into dusty or muddy dirt.  Just as it was when we lived in the cabin up on the ridge for 5 months.  Dirt abounded!  I loved it.

Okay, so we move down the ridge from the dirt filled cabin into our new house.  Endured the winter in muddy dirt.  Spring comes and I’m thinking, “Someone,  do something with all this dirt!”

The landscaping began.  You gotta get a load of this.  I’m walking through the woods and am in awe of all the beeeauutiful ferns everywhere.  I want some for my woods edge up close to the house.  So I run in the house and order 180.00 worth of ferns online. ( Please, I hope you are not laughing .  You’ll hurt my feelings. ) I planted them all around our woods.   Now I can enjoy ferns from my window.  Did it ever occur to me to transplant any of the approximately 30,000 ferns we have in the woods?   Not for a minute.

We continue landscaping our mud pit and as time lapses it starts taking the form of an old familiar song that mimics my old house.   ugh.  What am I doing?  So what….  am I going to have to start watering this stuff and extend my hand of power over this stuff.  Rule over it.  Control it.  Show it whose boss?  And when it’s all grown up nice and pretty, I can say, ” Yep, look at me and what I did.  I made these things grow.”  I can only wish to have that kind of power.

I went hiking with the dogs the other day with my camera and I started photographing our “landscape” that , excuse me,  I think a Someone greater than myself planted.  And I was quickly amused at the irony of this situation.  My photos clearly prove to me that  when left to my own controlling devices,  my fruits are small and, well….. small.

Take a look at the difference:

My Ferns:

Sad little creature.

In all fairness, I have a few still living.

Nature’s Ferns

Abundant Flora

And then,

My Spirea

I have never grown bigger ones than this.

And then:

Nature’s Spirea

Covering the whole hill side.

As far as the eye can see. Really. Simon can’t get over it.

And..

My Hydrangea

Hanging in there. Best I’ve ever done so far with a Hydrangea

Nature’s Hydrangea

In abundance.

Literally,  everywhere on the property.

Pretty somethin’, huh?  If I think I have the upper hand in this game (or any game for that matter), I am out of my ever lovin’ mind.

God bless,

Karen

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June 7, 2012 · 19:59

Fear Gripping Snakes Alive

Fear.

Yesterday I saw a snake that was the length of 1/2 the width of my driveway.   So I guess, 4 feet.  5 feet?  It actually is the longest snake I have seen on the property.  The Copperhead I killed a couple of years ago may have been that long but I only saw the length of what was leftover from my mower.

The Copperhead

I am afraid of snakes.

But with prayer, I am overcoming that fear little by little.  Actually baby steps.  We were in a car, thank goodness, and we were driving down to the lower pasture.  On the way back up I asked my precious friend to drop me off at the bottom of my drive so that I could walk back up to more or less face the fear.  Otherwise, I would simply want to avoid that area because that snake would forever be sitting there.  Wrong.    Believe me, I said a prayer on the way up that Mr. Snake had found his way on down the road.

I have a fear of many other things too.

  I have a fear of all forms of transportation and those that are driving them.  Even fair rides.  Especially fair rides.  Cars. Planes.  Boats.  I just KNOW one of those is going to get me.

I fear that if I share my opinion in company of opposition, they will not like me or want to hurt me.  Rejection.

I fear saying no when I really want to.

I fear confrontation.  I want to flee.

I fear success.  What will people expect of me then?

I fear poverty.

I fear love sometimes.  I have to be vulnerable to love and be loved.  That is a hard one for me.

Among many other crazy things.

Do you have any fears?

My fear is manifested in ways that I would never guess  fear would be the root.  Anger.      Irritability.  Impatience.   Unkindness.  Unloving behavior all around.  Untrustworthiness.  (Even I know that is not a word.  Hang with me here.  )  Suspicion.  Paranoia.  Hate.      There  can be all kinds of nastiness coming from this soul.

 I have found that when I pray for my fear(s) to be removed, it is replaced with love.    Did  you know that we can’t receive love when we are fearful?  That fear has to be disarmed to receive love?  I find for myself,  I am really good at shutting the world out when I am afraid.  It is SOO powerful.  Seems so silly, doesn’t it?

Snakes are not a biggy. (eek. Well..)  Having them around doesn’t change the course of my life …too much.  Maybe the course of my walk  but not in the big picture of life. I knew what I was in for here with the snakes and I figured I better accept it or it just didn’t make sense to move here.  We are at the end of the earth where they have all bunched up in a corner.   JUST KIDDING!  But I do have to be aware of them.  Why, I am not quite sure.  They are doing us a service.

But the other fears ARE life changers.  Life stoppers.  Life inhibitors.  Life suckers.  Of my life and those around me.  That worries me.  I want to be a light in the eyes of others, not a downer.

God does remove fears of mine.  I have so many less fears in my heart than I use to.   I have so much more love in my heart than I used to.  So it only stands to reason that one is replaced with the other.   I have a long way to go but it is a start.  Thank goodness I still have time.  Maybe.  Hopefully.

Mr. Shady (Character)  found a 5 or 6 foot long snake down by my garden.  Oh my.  So I have decided that if I see him (which Pops has already too,  so I know he hasn’t moved on) I am going to invite him to live in my garden and take care of those nasty rodents.    Fear replaced by love.  So it can even be effective in trivial matters that aren’t life suckers!

Also, removing fear from my life allows me time to look up at the awesomeness of life.

God love y’all.

Karen

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June 6, 2012 · 07:02

A Star is Born!

Mr. Roger Brown.  Not very exotic name, right?

Yummy Fuzzy Bundle of Joy

Miss Lilly and Buster Brown are the proud parents and it is crazy wild.

I bought a baby monitor about 6 months ago and tried to get it to work so I could hear labor screams in the middle of the night.  It advertised a 2000 ft. range.   I couldn’t even get it to work 200 ft.  I tried to take it back the other day and made the mistake of telling them it was a 6 month old purchase.  Really angry that I was SOO scammed with this product,  I brought it home with the intent to call the manufacture and give them a piece of my mind.  ugh.   err.

Saturday night as I prepared them for beddy bye, I thought that maybe it would be a good idea to separate the three goats just  in case  one of the does would decide to have a baby.  I have never thought to do this.  This comes from farmer girl who wasn’t/isn’t totally sure they are “with child”.   Lilly’s udders looked big to me.  But what do I know.

Went to bed.  Actually had the for thought  to ask my son when he got home at 1:00 am to check in the barn.  All was good.  Or so he thinks in the dark.   When I got up at 7:00am to do my rounds, I made my way into the barn only to hear a tiny little “baaaaa”.  There he was.  Oh my goodness.   ToysR US had delivered a baby fluffy stuffed animal to our barn over night!! That is exactly what he looks like.  ANDDDDDD…He was clean, fluffy and there was not any evidence of a birth in that stall.   Lilly was all cleaned up and she, I guess, cleaned up the whole “kid” and kaboodle!  Get it??  It was like first he is not there and then he is.  With no repercussions on my part.

When did he take lessons?

Well…no repercussions in the clean up department.  But now that this has happened all the goats are separated and all the stalls have to be outfitted with mats, waterers, feeders, etc.  at the tune of a lot of money at Tractor Supply.

We are full up at the Inn now and I am a bit overwhelmed.  We’ve only added 41 animals since May 6.  What’s the big deal?   We have to move some into our bath tub in the Master.   And we have a play pen in the kitchen for the guinea hens.

Just kidding.

We are joyful grandparents and hope that we don’t ruin them.  Or break them.  Or infect them with insidious diseases.  And it will be a treat when I start milking seeing how Lilly doesn’t like me touching her.

I decided yesterday to get that darn baby monitor out to look at it again and realized there are channels on it.  Duh.  I have it working now.  So maybe I wont miss the next one, which could be tonight!!  Our other doe, that is.  Not Lilly.  I do know enough to know that Lilly shouldn’t have two babies in the same week.

On a serious note,  my heart was overwhelmed at the sight of this thing.  How does this happen?  This goat is as perfect as you can imagine.  And all of its instincts are in working order at the get go.   As hard as I have tried (but proof has done me in),  I can not deny there is a loving God in the midst of us working miracles over and over in front of my eyes.  This is truly a miracle.

Have a Super Day!

God bless,

Karen

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June 4, 2012 · 05:00

Lighten Up! Why Don’t You…

….ON YOUR FAT FREE’S, YOUR “LIGHT” FOODS AND WHAT E’R.

Our poor food industry people have done such a number on us and it leaves me buggy eyed and confused (because it is SO hard to get my mind turned around facing the opposite direction).  I call them “poor”  because I feel sorry for them.  It is a sad state of affairs that the people we have come to entrust our health to have failed us.   I pray we can look beyond the greed and power and that some day they  will fall to their knees asking for help to see clearly .  Truly.  I pray that.  In the meantime, we must take the authority back.   Why is our health care in such a state of chaos?  Because our health has failed.  Why?  Because we consume massive amounts of chemicals, dyes, fake hormones, antibiotics, steroids, plastics, and on and on.  Even the vitamins that they put in our food after they squish the natural ones out through processing are fake.  Synthetic.  Lab made.

We make fun of the Twinkie.   I was not a chocolate fan growing up.  I LOVED Twinkies when I was little.  Probably still do!  It has a shelf life of a zillion years.  Based on the ingredients of many other yummy treats I have looked at today must also have a shelf life of the same number of years.  Why do they get such a bad rap?  They are so cute a fluffy.  And bouncy.  Yummo.

It has to be about more than “yummo” I am afraid.

So I spent too long ranting about things I like to rant about.  I have gotten side tracked.  Forgive me.

Did you know that when they advertise “light”  or  “1/2 the fat”  or “fat free”  they always have to add things to make up for the stuff they are removing?  Cant be as easy as taking out and still tasting good, right?  Dang the bad luck.

I list a few things here.  Dont feel you need to read the ingredients carefully.  I just want to give you an idea of what happens.

God knew exactly what he was doing when he provided these food items for us. He is awesome.

This is the greatest.  Enjoy this display of  I- don’t -even -know -what -you- would -call- it.

BUTTER –   Ingredients:  Sweet cream. (and salt if you choose)

BUTTER LIGHT  –  Ingredients:  Water, Butter, Canola, Buttermilk, Food  Starch,- Modified, Tapioca Maltodextrin, Salt, Distilled Monoglycerides, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate and Sodium Benzoate (preservatives), Natural Flavor, Xanthum Gum, PGPR, Beta Carotene (color)

Does than seem light to you?  Heavy to me.   Why doesn’t real butter have preservatives?  Are we actually preserving the junk we are adding to the butter?  Do those ingredients read “health” to you?

On to the next…….

EGG – Ingredients: an egg.

EGGBEATERS – Great way to lower cholesterol and what e’r cause egg is not good for you.  REALLY?  What IS all that stuff listed down here?  Dont let all that vitamin lookin’ stuff fool you, please.)

Ingredients:        Egg Whites, Less than 1%: Natural Flavor, Color (Includes Beta Carotene), Spices, Salt, Onion Powder, Vegetable Gums (Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum), Maltodextrin. Vitamins and Minerals: Calcium Sulfate, Iron (Ferric Phosphate), Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol Acetate), Zinc Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B1 (Thiamine Mononitrate), Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride), Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin D3

That is one honkin’ egg full of goodness and, well, …egg.

okay on to the next……

VANILLA YOGURT (popular brand) – Ingredients: Milk, Cream, Sugar, Tara Gum, Natural Flavor.

VANIILLA YOGURT 1/2 THE FAT–  Ingredients:  Skim Milk, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Cream, Whey, Mono and Diglycerides, Carob bean gum, Guar Gum, Natural Flavor, Carrageenan, Bitamin A Palmitate, Tara Gum.

VANILLA YOGURT  NO SUGAR ADDED  – Ingredients:  Skim milk, Cream, Polydestrose, Sorbitol, Maltodextrin (corn), Whey, Glycerin, Cellulose GEl, Mono and Diglycerides, Guar Gum, Tara Gum Xanthan Gum, Cullulose Gum, Carob Bean Gum, Natural Flavor, Acesulfame Potassium, Sucralose (Splenda) Vitamin A Palmitate, Annatto (for color)

You have all this in your pantry, right?

To make yogurt you just soak milk in a culture over night and you got it.  My body does not want all this stuff, I’m thinkin’.  It takes as fast to make yogurt as it takes to raise the carton up off the shelf.

HOMEMADE YOGURT

1/2 C.  of Organic Plain Whole Milk Yogurt.

1 Quart  Whole Organic Milk     “Pasteurized” .  If you cant find that use “Ultra Pasteurized”.

Gently heat milk up to 185 degrees and then cool to 110 degrees.  Stir in the yogurt.  Cover and place in warm oven 150 degrees or dehydrator,  or crockpot over night.  In morning put in fridge.  During the course of the day if any whey swims on top, just spoon it off and your yogurt will be thicker.

For the next batch use a 1/2 c. of the end of this batch for the starter for the next.  You only have to buy the yogurt one time.

Add fruit, granola, nuts, vanilla or any other delectable to your yogurt if you prefer.

God bless,

Karen

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May 31, 2012 · 13:14

Rainy Days

This morning I drove down to feed the cows.  It was raining for the first time since we got the cows infact.  Yeah rah!!   That means this farmer doesn’t have to worry about gettin’ her corn crops watered.  All 30 of them.  Plants that is.   I usually walk with the dogs.  It gets our blood pumping and we can take in all the smells and sights.

You would think a drive would be down and back in the rain.  The sights in the rain were so wonderful (and strange) I ended up going back and getting my VERY COOL  camera that Pops gave me for Mothers Day.  He is such a joy!   It makes things look as wonderful as they really are.  My old camera made things look really bad.  Most probably user error.  This new thing,  you can’t miss.

Mystery bales

So here we have bales of hay on our property.  We have no idea where they came from.  We do not bale hay but yesterday they showed up at the foot of our driveway??  I love it.  You can bet there will be a painting on this  someday.  I’ve always wanted bales of hay hangin’ on the property.  Too cool.

I discovered a Hydrangea growing in a shed by the cows. It is taller than me.   huh?  I have tried to grow Hydrangea for 20 years.  How can this be?  What is going on around here?

Mystery hydrangea

This water thing is such a miracle.  Every morning I get up and go outside and there is always water on the ground usually in the form of a nice dew.  It is like manna for the Israel people.  Provision for the day to keep nourished,  not enough for tomorrow. But  just for today.     And today there is  more than usual  water in the form of rain and I noticed how  it sits on leaves and my car window and how it splashes on the surface of the creek.  It is truly a miracle that we have this available to us.   My goodness, why do I take it for granted?

Daisy

Our farm hand, who comes one day a week and saves our lives with his efforts,  loves our property as if it was his own.  Mr. Shady (Character).  Mr. Shady loves the outdoors as much as I do and he has a lovely place of his own that includes huge gardens,  animals ( including our Bart),  an outside bath tub! and a gentle hand that tends to every little thing.  He gave me a cactus “part” .  I have no idea what to do with it.  I put it in a bucket about two months ago with the intention to plant it.  He keeps telling me to not touch it,  it will prick me bad.   So I keep not touching it.  It is blooming in the bucket.   You have to understand it is not planted in anything!  It is just sitting there in the bottom of the bucket.  ??  But beautiful it is!  What a day this is so far. 

Have yerself a blessed day,

Karen

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May 29, 2012 · 07:52

Stop the Chaos!

I hope you had a great holiday weekend!

Jasper Johns

In our digestive system there can be huge chaos when we try to shove all of our yummy food down together.  It is no wonder our digestive systems even talk to us anymore with all the garbage we throw at it.  Any one item by itself may not be considered garbage but combine it with another and it turns to garbage.  The whole system is so integral to our overall well-being.

All food digests at different rates and each food type needs different enzymes to aid in the digestive process.  Some enzymes are acid and some are alkaline.    When these different enzymes try to work together they are neutralized and hampers digestion.

Steak. Me steak.

When, say,  steak which is a protein is taken with a baked potato which is a starch (carbohydrate),  the starch gets hung up in your intestines while it waits for the protein to digest.  The potato begins to rot in your system. (really yuck,  right?)   The fermentation that takes place producing alcohols and sugars  AND GAS.  Yeast gets an opportunity  to feed on the yeast that creates more toxins in your body.

potato

Proper food combining  enables proper digestion and CAN ACTUALLY CAUSE WEIGHT LOSS. 

Imagine that.  Imagine also not getting a fraction of the gas you probably are experiencing.

So here’s the poop:

EAT FRUITS ALONE.

WHEN EATING PROTEIN (meat, eggs, poultry, fish) ONLY COMBINE IT WITH NON STARCHY VEGGIES (all veggies except potatoes and winter squash.)

DO NOT COMBINE GRAINS AND BREADS (bread, pasta, rice, quinoa, millet, buckwheat,etc.) WITH PROTEIN.  Only combine grains and bread with non starchy veggies.

When I prepare a meal I must decide whether I am having a grain/starchy veggie (rice, pasta, bread, potato) OR protein (meat, poultry, eggs, fish).  I cannot do both at the same meal.  Then with either one I can throw as much non starchy vegetable  at it as I want.

Sound confusing?  It really isn’t after you get use to it.

It makes pizza, sandwiches, and the ol’ American stand by of the “meat and potatoes” a challenge.  These are the kind of meals that put HUGE stress on our bodies.  Understanding the digestive process helps me justify these types of changes in my eating.  Rotting food in my system doesn’t make me feel good.  It gives me headaches, fatigue, constipation, etc.  The way I look at it is  our good Lord is going to shower me with as much pizza, cookies, sandwiches, etc.   I can stomach in heaven!  And I am going to be there a lot longer than my nano second here. And you can bet I will indulge!   So I can wait.  And while I am here I really want to feel good.  It is that important to me.  We just have so little time.   I feel sometimes  that if I don’t  get to have what I  want  or deserve  than I am being held in some bondage or that I am not “free” to do as thy will  .  But it is  that VERY THING THAT I WANT that may not be so good for me that is actually the thing keeping me from being free.  I get it backwards so often.  I am living and learning.  The hard way.

The whole idea here is to become more intentional  in the decisions we make about how we eat.  It makes you feel really good!

God bless,

Karen

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