Welcome to our family blog to keep you updated on all the happenings around the Walker cottage and "farm". Even though we live in a rural section of the Tennessee Mountains life is far from boring as you will see.

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

AUGUST NEWSLETTER


Hello!

Despite some showers it continues to be hot and dry, but then this is August. The blackberries are over and most of the green beans. I harvested lavender and chives.  I've been busy drying peaches and apples, canned tomatoes, did up tomato juice, and salsa. I also made two batches of 3 day lime pickles as well.  One week I tackled the attic and sorted through years of stuff that seemed to multiply the more I worked through piled up stacks- something I've been planning on doing for who knows how long and figured I'd better do it before I hit my 80's or 90's. Outside I trimmed the formal garden and the long & side hedge in the front yard that looked like a wilderness. Now I need to get the back enclosed garden trellis hanging with wisteria that resembles a jungle gone wild under control too.
I'm so thankful for the daily strength the Lord gives. One hot muggy morning as I was picking green beans and sweating profusely I straightened my aching back in time to see a couple hummingbirds darting around my 2-toned white and lavender rose of sharon bush blooms and then glanced at my cutting garden near the stream, which in reality is any plant I need to find a space for, to see butterflies dancing all over the red bee balm and the last of the flowering phlox and realized how blessed I truly am. Even though my house and gardens will never grace any magazine cover, I am quite content to be right where I am.

One thing I am not thrilled over is the squirrel population. I admit one or two or even three squirrels can be cute and they do all kinds of antics that can make a person smile, but those critters multiply like rabbits and unfortunately love the bird feeders as well. I realized I definitely had a problem when one day glancing through the living room window at the back porch I saw something that made me look twice. My gourd bird feeder had grown a bushy tail. An instant later a head popped out and the crazy squirrel looked like it was enjoying a personalized hammock squirrel-size swing. I took off running for the back door to chase it away. I had read lately that one needs to exercise in bursts of speed for maximum benefit. Well now-a-days I get plenty of bursts of speed between my front and back porch bird feeders trying to keep the squirrels off. I've even not filled the bird feeders for a couple of days to discourage the squirrels, but so far no luck. Tex also helps chase the squirrels every time he sees one but can’t figure out yet how to climb a tree to catch them. He will sit at the bottom of a tree, cock his head, and you can see his doggy brain cells buzzing trying to figure out a way to outmaneuver those furry critters.

Dana fell halfway through July and despite all the tests that came back negative I’m positive he had another minor stroke. Physical therapy had already been coming and Dana was gaining ground, but after he fell he regressed backwards and still hasn’t caught back up. His left side (the one the first stroke affected) is weaker and some days Dana is more confused and has trouble with his speech. He also has trouble keeping his left eye open. The other night after taking his nightly insulin and pills, Dana headed into the dining room instead of towards his bedroom muttering that it was dark and he couldn’t see.  When I asked Dana where he was going he said he was trying to find his bedroom. I had to turn him around and head him in the right direction. The lung specialist said she noticed Dana’s breathing was more restricted this time and ordered more tests. Then the eye doctor is concerned with Dana’s eyes and has me putting on ointment twice a day besides the drops. Today we went back after a month and he wants it continued for another month.

This past weekend Dawn and her family came for a quick visit starting Friday night. Saturday was a whirlwind of activity all day until they left that evening. It was grand being together again- just too short. They helped with a lot of things Dwight and I am unable to do.  After Dwight’s yearly comprehensive visit to the hemophilia clinic, they have scheduled more physical therapy for him too.  Dwight spent the other weekend putting new brakes on my vehicle. I am so thankful that he is still able to keep my vehicle’s maintenance up checking the oil etc as I’m lost if I turn the key and something doesn’t work.

Take care on your end and stay cool!
dorcas