Hello!
While
the weather remains humid and hot the nights are starting to cool down and you
can feel autumn right around the corner. This year we've had a wetter summer so
my water barrels that usually run dry by August- where I have to carry water
for the animals- never did run out. The veggie garden is mainly over so I'm
gathering seeds for next year along with a few fresh tomatoes except for the
marigolds, zinnias, and Mexican sunflowers that are flaunting their bright
colors in full glory. Spending time in the garden is such a joy among the
flowers, many butterflies, honey bees, and hummingbirds that time goes by
before I know it. It also became my downfall when the other rainy Sunday I was
out in the garden hurrying to cut flowers to take to church. Some of my Mexican
sunflowers this year are over eight feet tall. I was gazing upwards and not
looking where I was walking when I suddenly found myself face down on the
ground. Talk about quickly coming down to earth! Thankfully no bones were
broken, but instead of going to church like I planned, I ended up in the
recliner popping pain pills with an ice pack on my right shoulder that I
wrenched again. Definitely not the way to spend the Sabbath day! So I was
slowed down for about a week again. Soo ratty!!!
This
summer I ordered some Monarch butterfly cocoons to hatch out. Its something
I've wanted to do for some years now as I noticed we no longer have Monarch
butterflies around like we used to. It was a miracle right before my eyes
watching gorgeous three inch Monarch butterflies come out of a tiny inch long
narrow capsules. And setting them free to see them for the first time
stretching out their fragile wings and soar up in the air was something I'll
never forget. I released six Monarch
butterflies hoping they would come back to me next year after hibernating and
spending the winter in Mexico. So imagine my surprise and joy when t his week
harvesting some milkweed seed pods that were opening to discover four Monarch
caterpillars and eggs! Even though I hadn't seen but a couple of the
butterflies I released, some had come back and laid eggs!!! Hopefully we won’t
get an early frost this year. Meanwhile I shall monitor the caterpillars and if
need be bring them indoors if the weather gets too cold.
I
really needed this uplift as seeing Dana’s brilliant mind slowly deteriorate
has brought back painful memories of taking care of my mother years ago and
going through the same process. It’s heartbreaking so see a loved one slowly
slipping away from you. I’m so thankful I have Dwight living with us to help
give support.
Dawn,
Randy, and their children all got the covid virus this summer. While the kids
had a mild case and quickly got over it, Dawn and Randy were sicker with Dawn
having pneumonia in one lung and having to go on antibiotics. Randy is back to
work now, but Dawn is still struggling so I’d appreciate prayer for her. It is
a big concern as she has had lung problems before.
Update
on the animals: Each evening I tie up Tex much to his dismay, who now is the
guard dog for the ducks and chickens to deter the fox that keeps trying to get
them through the electric fence (when he isn’t chasing them himself) so I can
get the animals up in peace. So like the shepherd with the sheep, each day I
count my fourteen hens to make sure they all are in- a process in itself as
brown feathery bodies mill around the pen. Then it’s time to put up the ducks.
I still keep the little brownish ones separate from the large white ducks as
the drake gets after them if they get too close. I’ve learned to put the small
ducks in their pen first so they can get in the duck house and up where to
where they spend the night. Like a conductor conducting a symphony, I wave one
arm to round up the small ducks and get them headed towards the pen while with
the other arm I keep the big ducks back for a peaceful transition. Of course at
times we have some loud jarring notes when the big drake decides to attack the
little ducks scattering them in all directions and the process has to begin
again as Tex barks a loud crescendo. By the time all the animals are put up,
Tex is praised for what a good dog he is, and given scraps, I’ve had a good
cardio workout and am ready to sink into the recliner to catch my breath. At
last peace reigns and I can once again relax for the night.
Meanwhile
I stay busy. I did up two canners full of tomato juice that I canned and put up
corn. I finished trimming the rest of the long hedge row in front, painted trim
on the duck house window that we took out, and gave my clothes line poles
another coat of paint this week. I also harvested lavender and some mint that I
dry for tea. There is plenty more to do so every sunny day I can I’m hanging
out wash and trying to catch up on some more chores before summer ends between
taking Dana to doctor appointments and taking care of him. I’m so thankful for
the strength God gives me each day. God is good to us!
Take
care on your end and stay healthy!
Until
next time~
Dorcas
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