The inspiration at the bottom of the colander

Not much blogging going on in 2014  It's been a myriad of hospitalizations, doc visits, more rare diseases, mostly lung- a few skin, etc. since January. But in the middle of all of this, I try to do regular farming things..... Like picking strawberries, cleaning them, making strawberry jam, farmers markets and tending animals, etc.



This week I had just had a biopsy and it was my first complete "all out" one, so of course it went fine in technicality.  My thoughts throughout it were, how long will this biopsy take? because I have strawberries I cleaned and cut the night before waiting for me in The Garry Farm Cookery.

So when The Doc got to the questions I might have, I said "how many pounds can I lift without ripping these stitches wide open?"   (This is a wonderful new Doctor and he gave me a quizzical look and I explained I had fresh strawberries that had to become strawberry preserves that afternoon.  They could not wait)..  He was negatory on my moving the large cooking kettle full of water, He did not understand my spirit that I would find a way.... Probably would have been for the the heavy soup cookers full of strawberries like this one:

Dear hubby didn't want me to do anything after surgery but he knew better than to "waste his time" He helped by filling two heavy pots full of water and the rest was mine! For me, making preserves is Extreme Precision, absolute therapy.  It is a mind over matter game.  Keeps my mind off of "me",  as I must focus 100% on the task at hand, one wrong move and hours and hours of picking and preparation and product are wasted.   Everything is sanitized and ready and slow cooking without pectin takes hours. Heavenly smells of strawberries wafted in the Cookery.

During the last boiling for the filled jars, I sat down for the first time in 4 hours and glanced at some photos made the day before of the cleanup.  I was filling up a bucket for the compost from the colander over the sink and what did I find?   A tiny scrap in the shape of a valentine.   Somewhere a little sweet angel sent me some encouragement in the tedious job of cleaning up the kitchen sink.  My berries were very dirty as they had been splashed by dirt in a rainstorm. and it took quadruple washing and a very soft vegetable brush before the cleaning was completed.  I think the spectacular gift must have been from my sainted sister as only She ever loved strawberries as much as I.   All of her china had strawberries on it and many of the items in her kitchen. Strawberries always seemed to find a place in her home, on aprons, pictures, children's clothing, and more.  Thanks Annelia, sweet sister angel. That strawberry valentine has found a place in my treasure of memories and as I was cleaning, my heart just changed from dread of the drudgery to JOY of the journey. Have you ever had something occur that did that?

If I had not been looking, I would have missed that strawberry and everything it means to me.  May I always be looking for encouragement and miracles Lord.   And for those of you who think it is a coincidence.  I've trimmed mega thousands of strawberries in my lifetime and never before found a valentine shaped scrap emerge at the bottom of my colander.    Farming brings me so many delightful and joy filled moments.  Thank you Lord for each of them.  I am so grateful for the joys and everything that it takes to bring me closer to you! Amen. 

To all those who live out their Love!

I love it when folks live their lives in love...They have a perpetual smile decorating their face. Love is their motivator, their reward, their life guide. They demonstrate it in their attitudes, their spirit/soul, in their actions. They are those that rejoice with us, mourn with us, listen when no one else wants to hear anymore "about it". They know effortlessly what we need and don't ask, they just do!!! They want to credit, no applause, no medals. They love because they know and show God's love. They are spontaneous and they joy in life - in butterflies, in birds, horses and a lovely sunset. They need no fancy, they have the whole world on their plate and all the glorious world to see.

If we've hurt our hands and cannot move them, they show up with meal, flowers and a broad smile and a gentle hug.

If we're confused, they stand by to pray with us, to listen while we "work at the confusion".

They help us weed the garden. They take out the garbage, drive us around and to much more to list.

They are great handholders and shoulders when we need one. They make sacrifices for us but they simply do not ever complain. It is their joy to be our earthly angels.

They inspire us, move us to tears of joy and compassion, they show the way to live and love. Plainly and simply they may not be rich in wealthy but they are wealthy in their Love and know that Love shared multiplies. Thanks to all of those who are among the richest of us all. That love and care at all times and this is the joy of their life. Nothing is ever too much because they fly like eagles with the Lord uplifting them and giving them strength....They make one of my favorite Books - Love by Leo Buscaglia seem somehow shallow. After a day of working at a local food pantry, emergency center, they change a shirt and they're off to visit a nursing home, drop by a hospital, go to a funeral home and still back in time for evening church and choir. The givers are of all ages, sizes and colors from all walks and runs of life.

There's a song with a Line that goes, "People, people who love people are the Luckiest people in the world" Barbara Streisand was the singer.... The song intended mainly for romantic love applies to agape love too.

Thanks to the lovers, the givers, the doers of this world. May you never grow weary and may you live a long life of loving.....

Easter is several weeks of sweet goodbyes

When we sell our pet bunnies, I really interview the people who want to buy them, but  they are really not aware of the interview process....I find out if they have ever had bunnies, what they know about bunnies, what their expectations are in terms of care, maintenance, and the long term commitment.  When I sense that it's a whim, just a spur of the moment decision, I explain that we have had bunnies live over 10 and 12 years, that this is a major commitment.

When I sense that there is no understanding of the care needed we review what a bunny needs to prosper,  I share handling and feeding techniques.  If I decide they are fully ready for the responsibility we proceed with the sale, but we do Not sell when the nursery is not ready for the baby bunny or if for any reason we feel that the bunny will be neglected or harmed in any way.

God gave dominion of the earth to Adam and Eve but with it I believe there is a responsibility to see appropriate placements.   So if you come to our farm to shop for chicks, bunnies, goslings, ducklings, expect not to rush in and rush out....We care about our babies and take their placement very careful.  Expect to learn and be able to ask questions and make informed decisions....This is an educational process.  We want our animals to thrive in their new home, so give yourself time to look and ask questions,  We will not rush you.  We're hear to help you... The picture is of me saying goodbye to Digital Photography by Christy, one of several photographers who bought Easter bunnies.   I take the time to let the babies say goodby to their bunny mothers and let the mothers know they are leaving, and then I kiss them and say a prayer over them with closed eyes.... praying over them and their new owners.   We love our babies and want you to love them a long time to, through the teen times and into adulthood and old age.  We are just as serious as when we sell ducklings, poults, keets or goslings... You see we love all our babies..

March 10 - a day of ups and down!

A cool moist rain enveloped morning chores, making this a challenging morning for chores...But my heart beat with excitement as I approached the rabbits pens...Our White New Zealand mother, huge with child could not be found as she literally had white fur flying all around her.   She was desperate to build that nest...For five days now I've been bringing hay and she just put a thin layer in her nest box and it turned cold and she knew it was not enough. I ran to get her more hay and she was literally in the nest having babies, too a break turned around and grabbed that hay stacked by the nest.. Made the nest as she was having the babies and cleaning them up....Snow White Is just the epitome of a great mom...We think she had 12 babies ....Tomorrow I'll try to quickly count with my fingers, not my eyes!!!

Shana, our rescue bunny had I think 4 or 5....She's is so cute,,, it hit her all of the sudden that babies were due and she was a last minute builder but took about 1/2 her fur off!!!  

Isn't it just miraculous how God made the mother rabbits with built in messages on how to make a nest and that it's always just right for the weather...Those little bunnies are born with no fur.

I think we have 2 mini rex and 2 rex that will  give birth tomorro or the next day.. It has been a rough bunny season with all our changes in weather...I can almost forecast the weather by the depth of their nests and ho much fur was pulled.  Looks like a few cold days are coming up!!! So spoke the Mother Rabbits nest boxes.

Had 4 shots in my ankle to try to break the cycle of tarsal tunnel syndrome.  Let's hope it works...One managed to numb my leg and foot...Apparently I have foot arthritis...Ah the ravages of working and walking a lot, but I will not stop! Bionic feet are out there....I had one of the first surgeries for implants in my feet about 12 years ago for bunions and apparently I have no needed fluid between the bones especially in the surgery area...

Well enough of all that, I made huge chocolate chip cookies for Jacque, he needs the weight and now at almost 9:00 pm it's time to begin to rest!

Here's my favorite photo of me with 3 of our mini Lop's babies - Nea Nea, named after my good author friend Renea Winchester.

Keep your eyes open for everyday miracles and wonders.   God has placed them all around us! Have a blessed time and Remember the Past is History, Today is a Present and Tomorrow is a Promise...So live, love, hug, pray and praise today!