OCTOBER WALKER NEWSLETTER

Hello!

Frosty mornings have arrived here in the Tennessee Mountains and soon all the leaves will change color. It is the weather for jackets and sweaters; also boots as we've had some more rainy days. I've picked the last of the garden tomatoes- even the green ones before the frost hit- to ripen on my kitchen windowsill and brought all the house plants indoors.  One day I harvested a big batch of lemon mint that I dried and use for tea.

My daughter loves autumn- personally I'll take spring any day when everything comes alive instead of dying.  As the temperature drops I have more increased bone pain, which slows me down more than I like. I do enjoy seeing and smelling the wood smoke curling up in the air and sitting beside a warm crackling fire in the wood stove when the weather is bad.

As the squirrels race around storing nuts for winter (and eating my bird seed) I too am trying to scurry around and get outdoor chores completed before it gets too cold. I've been transplanting raspberries, mums, ferns & hostas and doing some last minute outdoor painting a hunter green color on my clothesline poles, backyard swing, and backyard pots. That way I'll still have some green showing when everything is gone. One week I went around cutting sprouts growing on the trees- that should have been done months ago (just don't tell anyone)- and picking up branches all around the house to tidy things up. I even went over to Dwight's apartment in town one morning and weeded out the small space beside his door that nothing had been done to since he moved in and to me was a terrible eyesore (after all he is my son) putting in iris, lilies, mums- that I got from my flower beds- and daffodil bulbs that will come up and bloom all own their own. When I told Dwight what I was going to do, he smiled and shook his head at me. I'm sure Dwight has some hidden "green thumb" genes somewhere inherited like his sister and mother, who go crazy over plants. What a mother won't do- ha!

This past Sunday, Dana was able to make it to church finally for the homecoming after not being at church for over three months. Since his last mini stroke, Dana's oxygen stays low, it is harder for him to get around, and he has had a couple of seizures again. Then to make life interesting, his insurance decided not to pay for his increased prescription of insulin. Can you imagine??? So we were busy on the phone with the pharmacists, who gave us four boxes of insulin to tide us over while he and the doctor dithered around with the insurance company. Thankfully after a week they agreed to pay for Dana’s insulin. It should be outlawed that an insurance company can up and quit paying for something a person needs to live without warning. Such is life!

Then I had a scary experience heading to town one rainy morning. I had a wreck- something that never had happened to me before in almost 60 years. My vehicle went into a skid around a curve on a side road. Thankfully no one was coming, I missed a pole at the last minute my vehicle flipped around, I skidded backwards over a ditch, and landed on a wire fence that kept me from flipping over while I prayed and hung on. I had to climb out and over the passenger’s side to get out. The cop said it was a bad morning as another girl on a curve completely flipped her car down an embankment. I called Dwight, who was able to pull the Durango out with his pickup. I was quite shaken. Dwight told me to go back home and he would pick up whatever I needed in town. I was very thankful to pull back into my own driveway again in one piece. The next couple of days I had to increase my pain meds. Needless to say I’m avoiding that side road, whose curves are bad for wrecks, and driving extra slow when it rains.

The next week I took Dana down another very curvy road to see a specialist. The very next day when I went into town at the first stop a fellow told me I had a flat tire. To my shock the tire that had slid into the bank/fence was completely flat and sitting on the rim.  So I called Dwight again and was able to air the tire up enough to get me to the shop. Like the fellows thought mud had gotten in-between the rim and tire causing a slow leak. I had noticed that morning that my blinkers weren’t working so asked Dwight to check them for me as well. Lo and behold if not only my blinkers, but the brake light was out. The guys spent a couple of hours trying to run down what was causing the problem while I kept tabs on Dana via the phone. I left with all the lights working feeling quite grateful that on the day before the Lord had watched over me when I drove long distance keeping my tire aired up and the lights working. I’m so thankful to have a Heavenly Father watching over me!  What would we do without the Lord???

Oh yes, Dawn and her family came up for quick visit one weekend and along with Dwight and our two neighbors, with two chain saws going full steam and our log splitter three large trees and a smaller one was cut down, split up, and stacked in one day to clear space for the new chicken yard! Everyone was busy as bees- even the grand-kids. Six-year-old Katie Dawn helped me in the kitchen, gather eggs from the chickens, and run water and snacks to everyone else busy with the trees. What fun having the little Miss beside me for the day.

And did I tell you about sweet Princess (the only chick that survived from the batch of chicks hatched out this year) that I was sure was a hen, has turned into a rooster? Life stays crazy here on the farm. Well I need to close and get this out in the mail before another month goes by.

dorcas

SEPTEMBER WALKER NEWSLETTER

Hello!

The dry humid hot weather has continued with having to water stuff outside to keep things from drying up and dying. Due to the hurricane hitting the East coast we are finally getting some much needed showers up here in the Tennessee Mountains. When it is hot outside it's hard to imagine needing a fire, but we know that by next month the temperature will start dropping as autumn arrives. Dwight's friends from the body shop came and took the wood-stove to the shop where Dwight welded a new heavier piece of steel to the top of the fire box to get it ready for winter.  We've also been getting wood in as well to try and fill up the wood shed before winter.

The battle with the rats continues in the hen-house despite consistent putting out rat poison. When Dawn and Randy was here they with Dwight discussed the situation at length and decided as the hen-house isn't worth repairing, the wire-covered chicken yard is larger than we need and its sagging makes it difficult to maintain, along with the fact that I am getting older (surely not) they are worried about all the steps I have to go up and down since I have fallen a couple of times, that we need to move the chickens and tear down the hen-house. There is a small barn shed close to the house that I've wanted to convert into a garden shed, but ends up being filled up with all sorts of stuff that would be perfect for the chickens. So I've cleaned out the shed- it was quite the job- and moved my gardening stuff to the workshop, which I can then focus on getting more organized and has plenty of room. So another unexpected big project is underway. The next step is cutting down two large trees to make room for the smaller chicken yard when Dawn and Randy come back in a couple of weeks. I declare we shall get so organized around here until I won't know what to do with myself.

I pulled the  bush green bean stalks as yellow bugs had gotten most of the plants and the beans were nearly gone- gardening is not for the faint hearted for sure between too much rain, being too dry, or battling insects that love to feast on your veggies, but then that goes for life in general. I'm harvesting pole bean seeds for next year and thoroughly enjoying picking ripened tomatoes each week. Talk about pure bliss to sink one's teeth into a warm fresh tomato from the garden! No store tomato can compare with the taste of your own home grown tomato.

When I took Dana to the local doctor, he was concerned about Dana’s continuing weakness on his left side so scheduled an MRI and ultrasound to be done. Early one morning after getting Dana out to the vehicle- he is so weak he had to sit down before he even got out the door- we headed to the local hospital. For the MRI we were put into a small room (think large closet) where there was barely enough room for me to help get Dana undressed.  Since the MRI would take about an hour, I planned to pay a couple of bills and pick up milk & bread. Unfortunately, his roll-aider was too big to sit around as they were using a wheelchair so I rolled it out to our vehicle and load it again. I came back unloaded the roll-aider and pushed it back into the hospital only to discover that the MRI machine had broke down and we would have to reschedule for the next week. I got Dana back to the vehicle loaded up the roll-aider once again and drove home where for the final fourth time I unloaded the roll-aider. I had planned to do some chores once I got back home- after all we were only going for a short hospital visit- but by then I was so exhausted loading and unloaded Dana’s roll-aider (Dana weighs around 336 pounds so his roll-aider is extra large, not only bulky, but heavy as well) I ended up in the recliner for the rest of the day feeling like I had loaded sacks of feed all morning. Who needs a weigh set with barbells when you can heft a roll-aider about as big as you around? The next week I had Dana take his fold up walker he used in the house instead of the roll-aider to save my back. Lo and behold this time although the MRI machine worked, they couldn’t get Dana’s head and shoulders into it to take an MRI! If nothing else we got our exercise for the week.

One hot afternoon I got the hose and gave Tex a bath- at least that was the original idea. It turned out to be a romping rodeo with me using one hand on Tex’s collar while the other one aimed the hose at Tex to get his fur wet, dropped the hose and scrubbed his body with soap, and then danced around until I could get a hold of the hose again to rinse the dear fellow off. By the time I got done we both were soaking wet.

This past week I did up and froze 10 dozen ears of corn, which made 12 quarts. It was quite the job, but I love frozen corn. My grandson, Case, does too. He declares my corn is the best tasting ever. I love seeing my pantry and freezer fill up with food for the year. I realized one day one does the deep knee bends when having to squat down and pull out the blender from under the sink when cooking or canning. I used to be able to pop right back up with blender in hand, but now I have to sit the blender down and use both hands on edge of the sink to slowly get my body upright. According to the health magazines, I should be the healthiest person around.

While there are days I battle not becoming overwhelmed with all the tasks facing me, overall I am very thankful for everything I am able to do- even if I am slowing down way faster than I would like to and things take longer to get done.

I shall quit for now. It always amazes me how quickly the days, weeks, and months fly by and how much is crammed into each week. Meanwhile y’all take care until next month.

Dorcas

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

JULY NEWSLETTER

Hello!  Hello!

As usual things have been buzzing here on the Walker Farm despite the humid heat and dry weather. We really need rain. I've had to water my tomatoes and other stuff nearly every week along with my regular chores lately. So I try and get everything done outside early in the morning.  Despite the sweltering weather the roses, old fashion tall fragrant phlox (colors of deep pink to pale, white, and lavender), and dark red bee balm are blooming madly. My rose of Sharon in pink, white, and lavender has started blooming as well. My flower gardens are full of bees buzzing, butterflies fluttering, and dragon flies hovering from dawn to dusk. The hummingbirds are keeping me busy filling their feeders too.

 

A couple days after I mailed the June newsletter, I was out in the garden and fell spraining my left ankle this time so was back to hobbling around with a cane and having to keep my foot up. I was back up on my feet a week later when on Father's Day afternoon it rained hard and when I came back inside after going to the hen house my feet slipped out from under me- thankfully I had just set down the basket of eggs- and I re-sprained my left ankle!!! I couldn't believe it. (Note: I have since gotten better outdoor shoes that are not slick and black rubber mats at each doorway for when I come inside to help keep me up instead of down.)

That Monday Dwight helped me- as I had to use a cane to walk- take Dana down to the Livingston hospital where he was admitted. We didn't get back home until 10 pm. Dana spent a week in the hospital and was put on two more medications, which has helped him sleep better at night so he isn't falling out of bed.  Dana is weaker and more unsteady so physical therapy is coming twice a week. Dwight also helped me redo the bathroom seat and shower chair making it higher and sturdier for Dana. Dawn and her kids ran up one morning for a quick visit while she was down at Monterey doing a VBS. I've been picking green beans and blackberries- thankfully haven't had any more bear problems. Our neighbor gave me squash since mine hasn't come in yet. I love fried squash with my homemade apple butter. I also have been putting straw/manure from the chicken house out on my garden to help my plants in the heat and clean out the hen house as well. I redid all the nests with fresh straw much to the hens delight. Princess is growing, but I am still putting her up at night as I continue to battle the rat problem, which I am slowly winning.

Case is turning ten next week so this past weekend while he was here we celebrated his birthday. Can you believe it? He is almost as tall as me already and not even a teenager yet. These kids grow so fast. It was also hard to believe how big Dawn's kids were when they were here as we hadn't seen them for six months.

Well I'd better hush up so I can get this out in the mail.

Take care and keep cool!

Dorcas