Birds of a Feather

Releasing the Trumpeter Swans

The three swans from last February report (see Swans, part 4) spent all of last summer happily paddling around the mill pond enjoying life much to the disappointment of those who released them, and hoped they would find their way north for the summer. The swans never left the valley except for a short stay on the War Eagle River near Eureka Springs. Obviously, they are like the rest of us who love the Ozarks! Humans had plans for them to meet up with their relatives somewhere up north, spend the summer mating, nesting, raising young, then find their way back to Boxley mill pond in December, bringing more with them. I guess no one told them the plan!

So, again this week, wildlife officials in Arkansas and Iowa brought more young swans, called cygnets, to be released at the pond. You can read more about this at the Arkansas Game and Fish website. It was interesting to watch as the swans quickly adapted to their new home on the mill pond. It was a magnificent sight as they flew low across the water and landed-- glad to be free again after traveling 10 hours in a small crate! Their joy was evident as they dipped and splashed and chattered to one another

As of last Monday, the original three swans had come back to Boxley after a brief visit to a pond at Parthenon and joined the newcomers. The flock of seven beautiful swans make a lovely sight on the mill pond. However, they should be leaving soon to fly north for the summer. Do they understand "reverse migration" which is the goal those wildlife officials have for them? .One can only wonder why they didn't bring along a few old veteran swans to lead the way back up there. I have aways adhered to the notion that children learn by example. But I am no swan expert!

You made him (man) ruler over the works of your hands:

You put everything under his feet:

all flock and herds...the birds of the air..

How magestic is your name in all the earth.

Psalm 8

Where Are Those Woolly Worms?

Winterwonderland?

I'm still a little confused about the woolly worms and the persimmons as a prediction of a harsh winter. (See "Something Told the Wild Geese") However, the guys at the hardware store and the numerous fogs in August and the neighbor's huge woodpile certainly must have some credibility when it comes to predicting a bad winter!

The ice storm of 2009 will go down in history as the worst Northwest Arkansas has ever endured. Every single home in Newton County was without power after the storm hit on January 27. The next morning all of the Ozarks woke see ice up to 2 inches on everything! We knew it was bad, but it took several days to assess how devastating the storm really was. We were without power 12 days and were so blessed to have gas heat, cook stove, gas hot water heater and a wonderful generator! We suffered only minor inconveniences compared to many.

Yesterday, sixteen days after the icy blast hit, Carroll Electric announced all customers were back on line--two days ahead of projections. Thanks go to a lot of power guys from nearby states who moved in and worked diligently to replace broken poles (2500 total), string wires, and restore power through very rough terrain. Thanks guys!

This week the bluebird pairs are everywhere! By the way, one little bluebird actually spent his nights roosting in the porch rafters. We watched him from the bedroom window several cold, icy mornings as he hopped onto the downspout to check out the early morning scene before flying out. Heaven knows where he found his breakfast! When the ice melted, he moved on to spend his nights somewhere else--hopefully with a little female friend. We feed numbers of birds at the feeders, but so far, our little bluebirds reject anything we offer--raisins, berries from the freezer, suet cakes. We are ordering what is supposed to be a favorite of theirs--mill worms! We'll see!

We stepped out on the porch this morning just as the sun was rising over the mountain. Bluebirds were already up and singing. Their song is not the cheery chirping of some birds, but a calming, reassuring song of hope. Reminding all of us that "His eye is on the sparrow". It is nice to get back to normal for a few days!

Oh, no! The weatherman says "chance of snow"! We love snow!

He sends his command to the earth...

He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes.

Who can withstand his icy blast?

He sends his word and melts them: He stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.

Psalm 147:15-18

Cabin Fever

Pool at Kings River Falls

After a long spell of temperatures in the single digits and wind speeds in the double digits, we woke up Sunday morning to sunshine and mild temps! Cabin Fever had hit us hard the last two weeks. To make it worse, we had spent the last week cleaning and arranging (again!) the basement. This is a job we do once a year when the 'to do' list demands it. Jack put up another set of shelves, and I filled them. Finally, we can see some real progress. Of course, the throw away/give away stuff outside the door is still there. It makes no sense whatsoever, but it seems like we have been working on that basement ever since we moved in seven years ago!

So, we escaped for the day to one of the most beautiful places I have seen in a while--Kings River Falls, part of the system of state "natural areas". It is maintained by the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. (It is nice to see our tax dollars working here!) It has been on our list of places to go for some time, and we will definitely be back in the summer. It is located in Madison County and takes about an hour from our house to drive across Cave Mountain to the little community of Boston, where we turn on to county roads for the rest of the way. The drive was pleasant and we were in no hurry.

We were fascinated with the rock formations, the beautiful turquoise pool below the falls, the falls themselves, and the witch hazel bushes blooming along the edge of the water. The trail followed a fenced in pasture with an old farm house on the far side. In one corner of the pasture was a family cemetery, surrounded by an iron pipe fence, and a very large barn that looked as if it could come crashing down any minute. This was all on private land and, therefore, off limits. I noticed some signs of work in progress that makes one hopeful that the farmstead will be restored, at least in part.

I could imagine the old farm in better days. Summertime--cows grazing in the field, chickens scratching around the barnyard, the farmer calling to his mules as he plows the large garden near the house, his wife hanging out the week's washing--she catches the sweet scent of lilacs blooming near the fence. In the distance, a gently wind blows through the trees, and there is the ever present sound of rushing water as the river makes it way over large and small boulders on it way through the mountains. And, maybe, there is the happy sound of children playing in one of the many river pools glad for the freedom of summer. Down the road we saw an old school house--Dripping Springs, 1921, says the sign still hanging over the door.

No doubt the pastoral life on the farm as I envisioned it, was often wrought with sadness and hard times. The cemetery testifies to that. But, on this day, in 2009, I can imagine all was well, as it as with us when we made our way along the river trail.

"The days that make us happy make us wise." John Masefield

The Best Christmas Season Ever

Through a child's eyes

There are certain Christmases past that stand out in my mind. Like the year Santa brought my 'Toni' doll and a wardrobe of doll clothes exactly like the ones he left for me! I was about 6 years old. Mother must have spent hours at the sewing machine sewing the matching dresses--some with detailed embroidery on the skirts. She told me Mrs. Claus did it! As a teen, I remember the first Christmas gift I received from a boy--a pearl bracelet. I remember the beautiful wrapping that told me it was from a certain jewelry store in town, and therefore something special inside. I still have that bracelet--and the guy who gave it to me!

The Christmas of 2008 was another special Christmas and full of blessings. Early on I knew it was to be a very busy one, and my prayer was for safety and joy for my family and friends throughout this season. I also asked for a joyful spirit for myself as I prepared and participated in all the festivities. It was a precious Christmas gift that the Lord gave us. From the lights of Silver Dollar City and the Branson Belle Showboat to the special 'Journey On the Mountain" with church friends, and the four different family celebrations (ending with a New Year's wedding), it is a Christmas memory to cherish. Even the weather worked out perfectly with the warm, sunny winter days for celebrations coming between the fierce, icy storms that moved through these mountains intermittently throughout the month of December.

Our special joy was seeing the spirit of Christmas through the eyes of an excited little boy and his parents, (who forgot that Santa didn't bring everything fully assembled!) Jack Henry didn't know any better. Watching Daddy and Pops frantically put his toys together on Christmas morning was part of the fun!

Our family had much to celebrate this year--good health or a respite from health problems, new jobs, a promising future with a new wife, the expectations of the arrival of a new baby, the hope for a new adventure, a continuing contentment and peace, and the happiness of being together once more as we celebrated a holiday on the mountain. Our cup runneth over!

We know all these things are so fragile, and that thought makes them the more precious as we look forward to a new year that may or may not bring the best of news. But we know 'the peace that passeth all understanding will guard our hearts and minds'. And we are confident that 'He knows the plans He has for us..to give us a future and a hope'.

Rejoice in the Lord always!...Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4,6-7

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call on me, and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. Jeremiah 29: 11-12

And one more--

Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power...Nothing is too hard for you. Jeremiah 32:17

Sharing Boxley Favorites

Sharing Boxley Favorites Cookbook

Speaking of "the heavens", (see previous entry) our Ladies Ministry at Boxley Baptist Church is excited to announce the publication of our newest cookbook, SHARING BOXLEY FAVORITES. It is a collection of recipes by some of the "best cooks along the Upper Buffalo River".

And that's not all! Scattered throughout the book are photos and art work by professional and amateur artists in the area. The cover picture is by Tim Ernst a well-known nature photographer who lives on Cave Mountain. Other contributors (everyone, by the way, gave us permission for publication without charge) include Alice Andrews, Don Kitz,artists, and Ed Porter, Don Nelms, and Michael Dougherty, professional photographers who live and and work in the area. Other pictures are by members of the church.

You will also find a history with photos of the church and Boxley Valley.

It is truly a treasure for all who live or visit the Buffalo National River area.

For information on how to purchase a copy email me , Camille.

Price is $15 plus $5 mailing.
All proceeds go the the Ladies Of Purpose for mission projects throughout the year.

December Gifts

December Mountain Sunrise

I am again inspired by Ruth's Advent devotions--

These are the words of Zachariah, father of John the Baptist, at John's birth as he proclaimed the coming messiah.

"God's sunrise will break upon us, shining on those in the darkness, those sitting in the shadow of death, showing us the way, one foot at a time, down the path of peace." Luke 1:78-79

Many of us rise before the sun does, (and if you live in a rural area such as ours, most people do.) They either have a long drive to work, or they farm and have to "get up with the chickens" literally! In talking with friends this week, I have heard several comments on the spectacular sunrises of late. Jack and I have thought the same thing and so, this morning, after Jack drove off to work, I stepped out on the porch, braved the cold winds, and snapped the picture you see above. I told Jack as we drank our first cup of coffee in bed this morning, it would be nice to build a house so that the bedroom window is facing the east. What a wonderful way to wake up each morning watching the sunrise. It can't help but improve one's outlook for the day, nor can one help but praise God for such a beautiful gift each morning!

We moved from a house in the woods to a house on the mountain. It is still an awe-inspiring experience to observe the blazing oranges and reds of a sunrise, the azure blue noonday sky scattered with puffs of white clouds, the fading pinks and purples of the sunset, or the ominous dark gray storm clouds rolling in from the west. Even the vapor trails of silver jets traveling across the "wild blue yonder" are impressive! We named our long driveway up to our house "Blue Sky Road" because one has the feeling of traveling through the sky as the road winds its way to the top.

The weatherman can explain the scientific reasons for these occurrences each day, but no doubt God gave us sunrises and sunsets and a glorious sky as a gift to enjoy and help us remember his omnipotent power over the universe. My picture file of the heavens, as seen from below, continues to grow.

The holiday season is upon us, and there is so much to do. My prayer each morning for myself is -- "Dear Lord, Open my heart to the gifts of this day." I hope it will be yours too.

.

Ready For The Season?

Molly is ready for the season

We had a delightful Thanksgiving holiday--blessings galore! Great travel weather, fun with the grandson, wonderful cabin guests. And, for all that, and much more, we are very thankful. However, most of the time we don't get all the leftover turkey eaten before we are in the middle of "holiday anxiety"--planning, shopping, cooking, decorating (My! I am getting anxious just thinking about all the things I must do!) I was in that sort of mood as we traveled back home on Friday.

Yesterday, Sunday, was a good day to regroup. We attended church at Boxley in light snow. It continued to snow most of the day (I am now looking out the window at snow-covered mountains). In the afternoon, a dear friend, Ruth, stopped by to give me a gift--something she said I would want before Christmas. It is an Advent booklet of daily devotionals--one for each day of the Advent, along with a small candle encircled by a wreath. These are her original writings bound in a little book. What a treasured gift!

I will quote from her introduction:

"The Advent means 'coming' and is symbolic of Christ's coming to earth as a baby, His coming and presence in the believer's heart today, and His coming again in power and glory. This advent wreath is a reminder of God's unending love for us and of the gift of everlasting life that He gave us through His Son Jesus Christ. The candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and is to be lit as each devotion is being read. The Advent season begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas (November 30, 2008) and goes through Christmas Eve."

No matter how hectic the day promises to be, I will begin each morning of this Advent season with the reading of her devotional for the day, and the lighting of the Advent candle. It is my hope that you will do your own version of this. And, may it make your holiday season one of joy and love.

Prayer for Sunday, November 30--

Dear God, as we begin the Advent season, teach us the true meaning of Christmas. Each time we light the candle, help us to think about the mercy shown to us, and help us as we look at the lighted candle to "lighten up" and stop needing "perfection" in our lives. Amen

Ruth Moore