Hello!
I hope you are staying
cool during these last hot days of summer. Already we are halfway through
August. How time flies- at least here on the Walker farm there is more to do than hours in a day when
one is responsible for the upkeep of the animals, the landscaping, and
housework all while caring for Dana, keeping up with his meds, and dr
appointments. No time to get bored. I'm thankful I am up on my feet, can go,
and work. What a blessing! Many can't
and are limited physically what they can do. So while there are times when I
wish life would slow down a bit, I'm glad to stay busy. I learned, while
bed-fast and on a walker years ago from when my Lyme disease came out of
remission and I was on antibiotics for eight months, that one can find spots of
joy whatever their circumstances might be. Having the Lord with us is the
biggest joy of all, but if one looks they can find things to be thankful for at
every turn.
One day last week I had
a joyful experience when I heard Tex barking down towards the back fence. I
went to investigate as you never know what wildlife may be roaming around in
these woods- like bears. I saw something run and then stop. Tex had quit
barking when I stood beside him. I carefully stepped sideways. Lo and behold
there was a young fawn standing still looking my way hardly twenty feet from
me. It had evidently gotten lost from following its mother. I softly talked to
this gorgeous creature while its large brown eyes watched me. After about five
minutes I reluctantly and carefully- so not to spook it- made my way back up
the hill towards the house knowing its mother would circle back and find her
child. I felt uplifted in spirit the rest of the day after this breath-taking
encounter with one of God's creatures.
Then over the weekend I
saw a large beautiful butterfly that stood out from the rest with a vibrant
blue color at the bottom of its wings. One of summer joys is seeing dozens of
butterflies fluttering over my flower beds. I quickly ran and grabbed my camera
and was able to get a picture of this winged insect hovering over the last of
the blooming phlox in my formal garden. If I have space at the end, I'll copy
the picture of it for you to enjoy as well.
Since I last wrote, I
have made nine more pints of blackberry jam, dried a bunch more apples, did up six dozen ears of
corn that made seven quarts to freeze, canned seventeen quarts of tomato juice,
and thirteen quarts of tomatoes. I still
am getting fresh veggies from the garden, but the amount has slowed down as we
near the end of summer.
I
finally finished the last of my long front yard hedgerow by my picket fence
yesterday. Whew! Now onward to my other smaller hedges and gardens that need
attention. Lots of exercise ahead. Still keeping a close eye on the water for
my animals that drink more in the heat and humidity. My ducks have started
laying lovely white eggs. I love using them for baking as the large volume of
the eggs really makes the cakes etc. rise higher.
Dana
made it to church this past Sunday again making it three Sundays in a
row-something he hasn’t been able to do for years. This week he had his second
cataract surgery done and his eyes are doing a lot better. Next week we head to
the dentist. With the high humidity, Dana has had to go back on his oxygen at
times. Some days, especially when outside where you break into an instant sweat,
I feel like I could use some oxygen too- ha!
Dawn
finished the last of her VBS’s this summer- last week at a camp up in IN that
went over two Sundays. It really wore her out, but thankfully she didn’t have
any breathing problems. Her pastor left them use their camper, which was such a
blessing, as the camp was small and it was quite hot. Randy went up on the
weekends and Monday brought the camper back to TN. Next week, Dwight will stay
with Dawn when he goes out to Nashville for his yearly comprehensive hemophilia
clinic. It will be the first long trip in over a year for him as his
back/shoulder continues to flare up at times. Staying with Dawn will help break
up the trip.
Well I shall close for now before I get too lengthy
and run out of room. Someone actually told me that my one page July newsletter
was too short- very dangerous to say to someone like me who tends to rattle
on. Take care and stay cool on your end!
Dorcas
