Late Summer Catch-up and a New Relic

Today I picked through my camera’s memory card to try and recall a few things from this Summer. It’s gone by so fast! All I will say is it’s been a very eventful Spring-Summer 2013.
Some good, some bad. Some happy, some sad. That is life, as everyone knows.
And I have blogged so little…
For sure, there will be some randomness thrown in.

I couldn’t leave this one out. This Red-Bellied Woodpecker crashed into a window in early June. He was rescued and safely put into the little chicken coop (aka hospital) for a few hours until he could fly again. He could have nailed me with that long beak, but he was very polite and (I believe) appreciative for the save from a certain death by barn kitties. He took a strong flight out of my hands into the woods.

We’ve attended a few Square Dances over the past few months. What better way to spend a Saturday night?
Of course, the Fiddler is an active participant. The Blacksmith and I just enjoy listening to the music.. maybe we’ll join in with the dancers soon.

I adore this accordion. This gal is my hero – what a phenomenal musician!
For a short while this summer, I thought I needed one like this. But, I decided on a different instrument (more on that below).
My coordination couldn’t have handled this anyway!

Most of June and July was gorgeous – with pleasant temps and plentiful rain. The grass was nice and lush.
{If you look closely, you’ll see our bent windmill.. so sad.. but fixable when we get around to it. We think it was straight line winds}

August hasn’t been so kind. We’ve had hot temps and dry weather the past couple of weeks with no end (or rain) in sight. So, we water.. and water, trying to keep things alive.
Our new garden plot, complete with “Olivia Walton,” the scarecrow.. has done pretty well – all things considered. I have SO enjoyed our sunflowers this year! And so have the birds and bees.

We’ve gone on a few road trips. One was to pick up my old Relic. Had to admire this owl sign along the way.

Can you guess what old Relic is on our trailer?

A gorgeous antique Pump Organ! I hope to do a video or audio soon to share.
It works pretty well, but needs a few minor repairs. I love the old-timey sound of a pump organ. Bonus – you get a workout in too!
She is a beauty, huh? (Photo courtesy of the Seller.. I need to take some of her in her new home).

Back out to the heat we go to check on critters. We’ll see you soon!

Life as We Know It

… has been busy! Let me just get my shaming out of the way first. Just look at the dates, people. My last post was September 16. Today is November 17th. Really??  I think I’ve hit a new blogging low. Must.Do.Better. (if you don’t believe me, I understand!).  Also, I’ve become terrible at blog visiting. I’d love to spend an entire lazy day just catching up on blogs! One can hope.

What are your favorite type of posts? Random posts are mine. I believe it is because my brain works that way. So random! That’s why I feel like I’m spinning in circles half the time – not getting any real stuff done (or at least not fast enough to suit me). The older I get, the worse it gets. Anyone with me on this?

Oh yah.

Where was I?

Here is one thing I accomplished over the long, dry, hot summer -- a re-do of an old ice box we’ve had in the barn for 25 years or more. Sorry, no ‘before’ pictures. It wasn’t in horrible shape, but did take some time (especially since at one point I painted it white.. what was I thinking? Covering up that cool old galvanized finish??). I dressed it up with old coke signs (the wire is now gone - Earth magnets worked the best for holding them in place). This way, I can change it up super quick if I want to. Hmmmm.. thinking some Christmas Coca Cola signs might be nice...

We also harvested honey. Amazingly, for a drought year we had several pounds and it increased from last year. Not enough to sell yet, but enough to keep us stocked until next year. The bad news is we lost our two new hives that we purchased. The good news is the “swarm” hive and original hive both seem to be doing great (at last check).

This little honeybee visited us inside. She wanted a drink of honey.

We have a new resident at the farm and I am in love. There is a story to go with this new resident, but that’s another blog post.

Gracie and Ruby are famous!! Well, sort of? They have a little space in the current (Nov/Dec 2012) Hobby Farms issue.

Chloe and Banjo say “They’re just donkeys… what’s the big deal?”

In August we were blessed with a visit from the Blacksmith’s oldest sibling – his one and only brother. Jerry visited from the far away and beautiful state of New Mexico, and stayed with a sister locally. We had not seen him in 12 plus years, but he and the Blacksmith always kept in touch. Sadly, it was their last visit as Jerry passed away peacefully in his sleep soon after he returned home to New Mexico.

I am so thankful they had that last visit, and also that we took several pictures. I loved this one with the good-natured sibling “fussing” going on (cute). These four were the only surviving of their mother’s six children. Now we have only three.

On this Thanksgiving we are reminded to count our blessings each and every day. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!! For this and every single day, we are truly grateful ♥

As Summer Fades

Where has this month, and Dear Summer gone? We have been busy, but somehow it seems there is a new priority every day… and we keep spinning around in circles. Does anyone else feel like that? Here’s some randomness that’s been happening in our neck of the woods.
We said goodbye to an old wagon heirloom last week (Peter Shetler).

I’ve been working on a new pen as time allows. It will be  “Fort Knox” for geese (Greta and her future new gander friend), plus a hangout for roosters occasionally. This will consist of 3x6 foot panels with hardware cloth (14 of them). I chose the panel method so I can change my mind in the future and possibly move the pen or expand. You just never know :) There will be something over the top to deter raccoons and other predators. I never ever want a repeat of what happened to Grady Gander :(

Yesterday was planing day for the walnut lumber we milled last Spring. It was dry and ready to go. Hmmm, we will have to choose special projects for this dear old tree from our backyard that turned out to be our first sawmill project!

Our Hive #2 of Bees (we thought they were Carniolans) had a problem. They were without a Queen. While we were debating what to do, it seems the bees took matters into their own hands. Hive #1 (the Italians) started taking over Hive #2. Also, a frame of brood was moved over to Hive #2 from Hive #1. The objective is of course to somehow end up with a Queen in Hive #2.  We will check in a few days to see if there is any sign of a new Queen. So exciting! In the meantime, Hive #2 is guzzling *two gallons of sugar water per day*. Amazing.



Finally, I’ll close with a mosaic of our Sunday evening drive from yesterday. Just a few random views from our neighborhood. We shared the camera, depending on who had the best view at the time!

Also, Mr. W has had a  recurrence of his back woes. We are not 100% sure, but think there may be yet another back surgery in his future. We would appreciate any good thoughts and prayers on his behalf.
Hope all is well in  your neck of the woods!

General Stores: Hays Ten Mile Store

I have a soft spot in my heart for general stores. Anyone else with me on this? Last weekend we visited the cutest li’l general store.. lovingly preserved in its near-original state. Hays Ten Mile Store is near Ten Mile, MO (tiny spot in the road) in Macon County.

The store was built in 1902.

Mr. Hays, shown in the photo below, owned the store for fifty years – from 1946 until the late 90’s.

Back in the day when Mr. Hays owned the store, you could buy dry goods and porta-huts (for livestock). Today, the store has a good selection of antiques and a few odds and ends such as dog food for sale…

And about a million bucks (or more) worth of pure vintage charm. You just can’t put a price tag on something like that.

The pink stove followed me home (I’m not quite sure how these things happen).

The present owner, Wade King, talking business with a customer.

Here is a nice video put together by our rural electric cooperative’s magazine, Rural Missouri, which interviews some of the regular card players at this history-rich store.

If you’re ever in Macon County, Missouri (northeast portion of the state), take a trip just a little off the beaten path to visit this charming piece of history.. frozen in time. From Macon, travel north on highway 63 (3-4 miles), take blacktop DD east about 4.5 miles and you are there! The store is on the northeast side of the crossroads, and is open Saturdays only from 10-5.

Artichoke Annie’s

Sunday afternoon found us at a wonderful Antique Mall -- Artichoke Annie’s near Columbia, Missouri. If you’re in the area and have never visited, may I just say…

By all means… GO!!!

I don’t know why it took us so long to finally get there. I was in awe of all the wonderful items. This mosaic is compliments of the cell phone camera.

They are open 8AM to 8PM every day. We were also told that they are hosting a HUGE flea market this coming Saturday, October 2nd.

And, after looking around for a couple of hours there, what did I buy? (Willpower is my middle name – sometimes…)

A burlap potato sack for an upcoming project -- $6.00. More to come on that endeavor later (if successful).

Hope your week is off to a great start!