Everybody Talks About The Weather

  Ponca Low Water Bridge

       You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.

                                                                         Bob Dylan

     

I stepped out into the back yard recently--a sunny, perfect late fall day.  I could hear wild geese passing overhead--a steady honk, honking as they made their way south.  Their white feathers were gleaming in the sunshine.  The perfect 'V' formation constantly changing as one after another took turns as the leader. One of my favorite things is watching wild geese as they make their way to warmer climes for the winter.  It reminds me, "He who, from zone to zone, guides through the boundless sky they certain flight.  In the long way that I must tread alone will lead my steps aright". (William Cullen Bryant)

This is the time of the year when we listen carefully to weather reports knowing things can change quickly up here in the mountains.  My favorite weatherman is the guy on the Eureka Springs radio station, KESA--  possibly the most creative and interesting weather report you will ever hear:   

   "Wind blasts by the cabin door today, as the sunshine plays hide and seek among the clouds." means partly cloudy with strong winds. 

   "Temps rise to 44 and no more",

   "Wind takes the stagecoach westerly ", or "chases the hat to the south"

   "Sunshine floats generously o'er the Ozark hills."   

Today, he will probably quote Sandburg--"Fog comes on little cat feet" as the fog is lingering on our mountain hiding much of the valleys and beyond.

After a busy and enjoyable few days which included a long day of shopping with friends at the Pinnacle Promenade in Rogers, a dinner at Branson with another, and a weekend visit from the grandson, a foggy day is fine with me.  I am getting ready for one of those 'snow days' where "snowflakes float through the chilly air making their way to the frozen ground, as they can pile up with wreckless abandon in fluffy drifts beside the barn!"

Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.  (Attributed to Mark Twain)

A Thousand Thanks

Maple at Ponca near Lost Valley Store

"GRATITUDE is the key to happiness." C. S. Lewis

     This quote is written on the first page of a little book I picked up while shopping in Harrison recently.  It was entitled "1001 Things To Be Thankful For" (Hallmark)  Being a former librarian I really can 'judge a book by its cover'!  And, no, it wasn't the picture of the cute little boy (he just happened to look like Jack Henry!) gazing lovingly at the huge ice cream cone in his chubby little hands. 

     The book is a list of mostly little things that make life worthwhile.  I read them all at once and am now repeating a few pages each day leading up to Thanksgiving Day.  I am also compiling my own list.  I add a few every once in a while, and hope to eventually get my own "1001 Things I Am Thankful For."   It is pure therapy to mentally drift off for a minute now and then while working and add to the list in my head.  Later, I can sit down and write it in my journal.

     The book's list is in no particular order and is sprinkled with quotes and pictures.  Some of the things are obvious--the first daffodils of spring and friends who believe in you.  Some, I wouldn't think of--tire swings, a great hair day, sports mascots,or free cell phone minutes.

Here are some 'graditudes' on my list:

The many flavors of hot tea, windows with a view, birthday cards, retirement, a great radio station (KESA in Eureka Springs), new china, or old china, twinkle lights anytime of the year, old bicycles, did I say "retirement"?, wrap around porches, cabin guests who leave as friends, raspberries in the backyard, rocks of all shapes and sizes, cousins, old farmhouses, old stores revived as antique shops (I have several favorites!), photos of family on the fridge, lunch in town in the middle of the week with my husband, walkie talkies, old-fashioned bath tubs, peanut butter, women's Bible Study ...

My list is at 80 and growing.  I plan to get to 1001 by Thanksgiving!

By the way, the photo above is one thing I am thankful for.  I watch this tree in Ponca each year and marvel at its beauty.  This time I was able to capture it before the rains and winds took away its leaves. 

     

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,

to sing praises to the Most High.

It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning,

your faithfulness in the evening.

Psalm 92-1-2

Fall Full Blast!

Newton County Highway in the Fall

Every good and perfect gift is from above...James 1:17

       Jack and I make a point of never taking for granted the fact that we live in one of the most beautiful places on earth!  We really believe that, and many guests agree.  Proof of this is the fact that we and every other cabin/lodge in Newton County has a "No Vacancy" sign at the door, and are reluctantly turning away folks who want to visit last minute. Our October dates have been booked for weeks. We understand the lure of the Ozarks in autumn, and try to schedule our activities to allow lots of drives through the mountains and also time to participate in all the special events/festivals in the area this time of year. 

       We make War Eagle Fair an annual event--always going on Sunday afternoon.  Usually, the crowds are smaller and the shopping pace is slower--time to visit with vendors we know.  This year, the weather was perfect--cool and sunny.  And, the crowds had the same idea that we had! 

     We did enjoy the fair though.  And we always find a few special treasures we "need".  We  bought several Christmas presents for those who "have everything".  Bet they don't have a robin's egg-shaped bird feeder, or a hand-painted tin box for fishing flies!!!   Unlike the midway at the carnival, the food is not always fried.  The chocolate-covered strawberries-on-a-stick I got on the way out were somewhat healthy.

     Saturday afternoon the sun was out and so were the people as they participated in the annual Newton County Tour of Homes.  The old and beautiful "Orphie Duty" house has had a major facelift thanks to Steve and Jackie Ray from Kansas.  They lovingly and meticuously restored it and the surrounding fields and barns so it is once again the beatiuful old white home standing proudly by the side of the road in Boxley Valley. 

       Another stop on the tour was the old Villines Store--a small rock structure owned and brought back to life by Joe and Genevieve Villines, decendants of the original owner, Hez Villines.  The young couple choose to live and raise their two boys close to family and the farm that is a part of Joe's heritage.  The store is now a gallery for local artists.

       I have to stop and look out the large window by my desk. Oh! the beauty I see!   The gold, red, and yellow leaves are never still as the winds blow briskly across the mountains--another sign of fall in the Ozarks. It is not possible to describe such color!  Artists try as they paint greens, golds, yellows, reds, and every hue in between.  These colors are sandwiched between an azure sky and the emerald green pastures yet untouched by a killing frost. 

If we didn't remember why we kept coming back time and time again until we finally had to live here, we do now!

     Fall, a special time of transition from the business of summer to the slow-paced winter months ahead.  What a wonderful way to celebrate!  It is God's gift to all of us.

The earth is so full of a number of things

I think we should all be as happy as kings.

R.L. Stevenson

      

    

    

The Woolly Worms Are Back!

Behold, the Woolly Worm

 

Sing a song of seasons!

Something bright in all!

Flowers in the summer,

Fires in the fall!

      As we worked around the yard this week, we came across the famous woolly worm, a harbinger of cold weather. You never see them when you are searching for them. They only appear when you aren't expecting them! Like when you put your hand down to pull a weed or pick a flower. Then they will startle you with a little "fuzzy wiggle"!  They are never in a hurry, and had rather be left alone. The old weather tale about the size of the stripes is never clear to me.  Is it the wider the band, the harsher the winter?  Or vice-versa?  The picture above was taken last fall.  You notice the woolly fellow is solid black.  We had a historic ice storm in January.  Does that mean solid black means harsh winters?  As I recall, I also saw other last fall with various size stripes.  This year I have seen several--different width stripes.  One was solid tan!  There must be a better way to predict the winter weather. Guess we will just get ourselves ready for cold winter weather and meet it head on!  The generator is ready!  Let is snow!
     The guys at Handyman Hardware in Compton say the large number of bears we are seeing now are a sign of a bad winter to come.  Jack's trail camera attests to the fact that the bears are on the prowl.  Of course, they should be since they are storing up fat for the winter hibernation.  I read that they need up to 20,000 calories a day while getting ready for winter!  Gads!  Humans don't need that much in a month!

     The mama and cubs of several weeks ago are prominent visitors along the trail and are taking a large portion of the deer corn.  They are funny to see their antics on film as they try to get into the large barrel feeder in the tree.  We are also seeing a very large bear who has found a way to get his paws into the barrel!

     Signs of autumn are everywhere.  The trees along the highway going down into Ponca are already showing a lot of color, and everyone is excited and expecting a beautiful and colorful fall.  The elk are bugling full blast in the valley. (By the way, Color Fest at the Ponca Elk Center is the last weekend in October.)  I saw two hummers yesterday and none today.  (These are the stragglers and should be headed south soon. I'll keep a feeder out until I am sure they are gone--usually about the 15th of October.)
    The cool fog outside the window right now reminds me that summer '09 is history.  And, a  beautiful summer it was too, with cooler and wetter than normal days.  We are never satisfied--now we want everyday to be a bright, sunny fall day.  Then we will want bright, sunny and snowy winter days! 

In everything give thanks!  1 Thes. 5:18

 

We hail the merry autumn days,

When leaves are turning red;

Because they're far more beautiful

Than anyone has said..

                                 Charles Dickens

Rainy Days and Mondays...

Mountain Springs Spa

     It's not raining, nor is it Monday, but we have had rainy days for most of the last two weeks, leaving the yard in a wild state that reminds one of a hay field ready for cutting--if only  the sun would appear!  Rainfall totals are in the double digits over the last month!  And, the river was 3 feet over the low water bridge at Ponca on Monday. Should be great canoeing this weekend if it drops below the bridge by Saturday.

     As I look out the window, I see the faint beginnings of fall in the trees on the mountainsides.  Thanks to the rain, the flowerbeds are looking faded and in need of some sprucing up for the last of the season.  Bright spots are the marigolds that are planted by the birds and other critters each year.  In spring the little plants appear in unexpected places, so I try to let them grow, knowing that they will out shine most other flowering plants in the wanning days of summer.  A friend at church gave me a start several years ago.  It's an understatement to say they are the hardiest flowers in the garden!  To transplant them, just pull small plants out of the soil and transfer to another bed--no need to take a clum of dirt with them--they settle into a new home quite easily with hardly a drooping leaf.  They are capable of traveling hundreds of miles wrapped only in a wet paper towel.  My neighbor can attest to that!

     The few little hummers that hang around are enjoying the pineapple sage with its red, spikey flowers.  It comes to life when other plants are going to seed. We are noticing fewer hummers at the feeders in the last part of the summer--could be the rainy season has made wildflowers in abundance.  We are hoping that it the reason, and not the herbicide that the electric company is putting out under the lines.  We were given a choice of  declining their "offer"  which we and many of our neighbors did.

     By the  way, the honeybees are also having a hard time this year.  Eddie the Beeman has lost several hives this summer (down 60%).  He attributes it to herbicide and other poisons--as well as critters.  We know that one of his hives was destroyed by a large bear visiting the neighborhood a few days ago. Jack  'caught' him as well as the mama and cubs several times on the game camera set up in the woods.  Well, all critters have to eat!  But please, Mr. Bear, save some honey for us humans!

     The picture above is one I took on a hot summer day in June.  I'll tell you my secret--I fill it up in the early morning, letting the sun warm the water all day. At the end of a long hot day, I can slip into my swimsuit, and enjoy watching the clouds float across the sky as I soak in my "Ozark Hot Tub".  It also makes a good dog bathtub! 

     The tub is one of the things I will miss about summer, along with tomatoes from the garden, early morning coffee on the porch, late night iced tea on the porch with friends, flowers from my garden, cabin visitors coming and going, birds and their babies (especially the Blue(bird) family and their antics), visits to the river with Jack Henry, all our family and friends who come up in the summer, and the list goes on... 

     

 Goodbye to summer--hello to autumn!

    

The Lord will command His loving kindness in the daytime,

and in the night His song shall be with me--

a prayer to the God of my life. 

Psalm 42:8

   

    

    

    

The True Story of the Three Bears--Mountain Springs Version

Baby Bear Up A Tree

"Once upon a time there were three bears..."

       Our neighbor, Mike, called other day with a somewhat frantic tone in his voice. He needed help! A mother bear and her two cubs had wandered into his backyard, and his three dogs were, as they say, 'loaded for bear!'. He was trying to catch the dogs before Mama Bear got real aggravated at them and decided to protect her cubs. It is never safe to get between a mother and her babies (this is true for all mothers, human or other) we know.

       We jumped on our four-wheelers--somehow remembering to grab the cameras--and zipped down the hill to the scene of all the commotion. When we arrived, Mike had two dogs shut up in the basement. The other was dragging him around on a leash--straining with all her might to go after the critters! (This was Mama Dog from another story.) Mama Bear and one of her cubs were the edge of the woods about 20 yards away. We could see them ambling back and forth between the trees. The 'left-behind' cub was up a tree! There was a lot of squalling from the cub in the tree, and a lot of bellowing from mama in the woods. Now and then, we could hear a little 'snort' from the other cub who was probably a little bewildered with all the action going on around him! I'm sure both were encouraging the 'treed' cub to get on down from there! He would climb down a few feet, look at us and the dog on the leash, squall, and climb back up.

       We stayed around just long enough for a few pictures--not too close! At all times keeping an eye on Mama Bear,who was pacing at the edge of the woods all the while making an ominous snapping sound with her jaws. Obviously the bear family was not in a mood to pose for a family portrait! ( We had quickly devised a plan to run for the greenhouse a few feet away in case of trouble!) When we retreated to the house, dragging Mama Dog with us, the little cub quickly saw his opportunity and scurried down the tree to join his family. The hold episode lasted about 10 minutes at the most.

       Our cabin guests had reported that a noise from the porch had awaken them the night before, and they had seen evidence the next morning that probably bears had been snooping around. This confirmed their story! We haven't seen signs of the three bears since. We keep all animal feed and trash/garbage in sheds so they probably wrote Mountain Springs off as not worth the bother! Then, they moved on to 'greener' pastures. The picture Jack got is a sweet memory of the "Three Bears at Mountain Springs'.

       There have been quite a few 'bear sightings' in the area this spring and summer. Mostly they are just going about the business of finding a meal of bugs, berries, or whatever "smells" (garbage), and they aren't really interested in humans or any other animals for that matter, unless they seem to have the food. Mother bears can be very defensive if they think their cubs are in danger.

Going Green

Going "green" on laundry day

Growing up, one of my summer chores was hanging out the laundry. We had a electric dryer, but in the 60's, using a clothesline was not a matter of 'saving the planet' but of saving money. Most of the time, when Mother needed the laundry on the line, I was busy checking out the latest hairdos in "Seventeen", or listening to Ricky Nelson sing his newest hit "Garden Party"--still a favorite of mine! What would we have done with the Internet and cell phones! (I can't imagine the time I would have spent on Facebook, or texting, or 'twittering') Even so, it was never convenient for me to stop and hang the laundry on the line. Mother usually had to "remind" me several times. Didn't occur to me that the laundry needed to get the heat of the sun for several hours in order to dry before evening!

Through the years, I have always had a clothesline. Sometimes I would get nostalgic about the wonderful fresh smell of sun-dried sheets and go through a period of hanging out my laundry. It usually didn't last long since there were other things more important. How easy it is to load clothes from the washer to the dryer! Only seconds really! Anyway, there was always the chance the birds would use the clothesline for a perch. Ever go out to take the laundry off the line and find a purple "stain" on a freshly dried pillowcase? Saving money and the planet became secondary in my busy world.

When we moved to the mountain and lived in the little shed in the back (check out "About Us" at http://www.mountainspringscabins.com/ ). Jack was considerate enough to hook up the washer and dryer in the little mini barn close by. That worked for a while until the dryer quit! No use fixing it since this was only temporary anyway. We would be getting a brand new one for the house shortly. A temporary clothesline was stretched across the back from tree to tree. It worked! I had to learn how to hang and secure sheets in the windiest of conditions, and there were times when the sheets flew right off the line not matter what!

After we moved into the new house and started our cabin business, the clothesline was abandoned. Keeping laundry from two cabins going was a job that required help--in the form of an electric clothes dryer!

But I still missed the clothesline!

Last year, my neighbor, Darlene, got her new clothesline, which she uses a lot. Her husband, Mike, is a very handy man with a welding torch, and was nice enough to make me two T-posts just like hers. Jack set them in the ground and stretched the wires, and I painted them dark green.

Now hanging out the laundry is no longer a chore I put off. Just look at the scenery I get to gaze upon while I work! It is a brief respite in a busy day when I can let my mind wander and be amazed at God's beauty around us. And, I feel good that I am doing a little something to save both money and the planet!

If you visit us on a nice sunny day, you may see my sheets flapping in the breeze, soaking up the beautiful sunshine and fresh mountain air. If you stay at Eagle's Rest Cabin, you may even get to sleep on some of those sheets!

Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens,

Your faithfulness to the skies.

Psalm 36:5

Bluebirds Over The Mountain (A Song)

Help! What do I do now?

Bluebirds over the mountain

Sea gulls over the sea.

Bluebirds over the mountain

Bring my baby to me.

Doesn't seem long since I announced the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Blue's bird family. We watched each day as they first built the nest in the box on the porch post near the bedroom door, then noticed Mrs. Blue busy laying eggs and setting on them. We watched closely, but didn't see the babies actually fly out of the box. We did see them many times in the trees nearby. I have read, and no doubt its true, bluebird parents feed the fledglings a month after they are out of the nest. Much like human parents who never seem to let go of their growing children! This was in May or early June.

One morning in late June we noticed the birds were showing a lot of interest in the little birdhouse at the end of the picket fence in the backyard. It is close to the area where we park our vehicles and I'm sure Mrs. Blue chose this because she loves to sit on the mirrors and look at herself! (This causes us to have to do an extra amount of cleaning, you see!) Anyway, it was obvious they were building in earnest and had plans for another family.

The weeks went by. We watched the little house through storms and extreme heat. Once Mrs. Blue was so hot she popped out onto the little porch to cool off! "His eye was on the sparrow" (bluebirds) as we traveled for two weeks in Colorado. During that time Mrs. Blue had been unselfishly tending her eggs/babies while Mr. Blue watched overhead singing to her and bringing her a tasty worm or two for strength. A little later came the feeding frenzy of both parents in and out with breakfast, lunch and dinner for a brood of hungry babies!

Then, when we least expected it, we were privileged to see the little fledglings emerge from the safety of their nest out into what must be a very scary world. Jack captured the last one in the photo above as the little bird tried to make up his mind--poking his head out of the hole, inching out further, then quickly pulling in, only to try again as his concerned parents called out encouragement from a tree overhead.

Finally, he popped out onto the ledge where he tottered about wondering what he should do next. During this time his dad flew down to the house and fed him a small bug. When he slipped off the edge into the flowerbed I became a little concerned. However, he landed on the soft leaves of a bush below where he sat for a minute or two before getting courage to try his wings. When he did, he swooped up to the nearby light wire, which must have been a feat in itself to catch hold of such a tiny landing pad.

We see the Blue family now and then in the trees around the yard. Mrs. Blue perched on the bedroom screen yesterday morning while we were drinking our first cup of coffee. It was comforting to see her back to her old ways of checking in on us. She and her mate, and sometimes a baby or two, perch on the birdhouse occasionally--not sure why. And, we are regularly cleaning the car doors! We are worried that she is passing this habit along to the youngsters!

I heard the above song on the radio--Jack's oldies classics. On further investigation, I learned it was originally sung by Richie Valens(this is the version I heard), who was famous for the song, La Bamba, (the movie, La Bamba, is the story of his life). He was a part of the infamous Dance Party Tour in 1959, and was killed in the plane crash with Buddy Holly. (The Day the Music Died) The song was also sung by the Beach Boys on their Sunshine Dream( or Summer Dreams) album, 1990, . I found the song on Beach Boys Greatest Hits Vol. 2. I want to get a copy of both versions. I noticed you can even get a ringtone version on your phone!

A Summer Joy, Or Every Day is Grandparent's Day

Ponca Low Water Bridge

The house is very QUIET---

On the porch:

The little red "digger" truck (just the right size for small hands to drive along the porch railing) is abandoned on the swing, and the blue sand bucket with yellow shovel sits at the door ready for the next river trip.

In the kitchen:

The half-eaten banana turns brown on the counter, and a few stray Fruit Loops lay scattered on the kitchen floor.

The "dirt-dirt" sippy cup is now washed and dried and back on the shelf ready for the next chocolate milk break.

In the living room:

The magic markers (truly magic because they only show marks on special paper) lay in disarray on a tray on the table.

The little American flag, at one time clutched in a chubby hand, no longer waves.

The house is very QUIET---

Upstairs on the floor is the remains of a Lincoln Log cabin. Only a few hours ago---

"Mimi, build a house," says the child sweetly.

"Okay, Jack Henry, you put the roof on," says Mimi obligingly.

"Why! Jack Henry! You crashed your truck into my house!" says Mimi, not too surprised.

"Yep! Mimi, let's do again!" says the 'precious' child with an impish grin.

Molly, the Jack Russell, morns the fact that her new buddy isn't around, and Daisy relaxes again, relieved that her home is no longer invaded by a noisy pint-sized stranger.

The house is very QUIET---

"Pops! POPS! PO-AHHH-OPS!!!!!

"No! No bath! No nap! No go inside!"

"Mimi! Mimi! Pops made the scoop (on the tractor) go BAM! BAM!" (Arms fly into the air for emphasis)

"Read book again, Mimi, ple-eee-ase!"

"When is Mommy coming?"

QUIET everywhere---

With many waves and kisses, Jack Henry, our "grandest" is buckled into the car seat for the three hour trip back to the city.

"Go that way, Mommy!" the two-year old commands, as he points down the mountain---150 miles to go!

Two tired grandparents sit down in the living room, feet up, and relive the joys of the last two days--basking in the QUIET that takes over the house.

The Night Visitor, or Things That Go Bump In the Night

Night visitor at Mountain Springs

From ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggety beasties

and things that go bump in the night, Good Lord, deliver us!

Cornish Prayer

Jack is used to me waking him in the middle of the night with a whispered "What's that noise?" Usually, without really listening for a "noise", he will attribute the "bump" to our fridge. It has a way of letting us know with grinding and bumping noises that it is working hard all night to produce ice. In the dark house at night it does strange sound! However, this night I was awakened by Jack as he slipped out of bed noiselessly. His slow, deliberate movements made me aware something was going on.

Then I heard him laugh (quietly) as he told me to "Get up, there is a raccoon walking across the beam above the living room!" That got my attention! I was now totally awake!

When I realized this wasn't a dream, Mr. Raccoon was slowly making his way through the birdhouses etc. that decorate the space above the kitchen cabinets. From dealing with critters in the past (mostly outside), I knew not to make a loud noise or do anything that might startle one, especially when he is delicately balanced over our heads--in our living room! Whoops! One birdhouse down!

Jack instructed me to open all doors so the raccoon would have an escape route. What else can you do with a raccoon doing a trapeze act in the house? The raccoon made it across the cabinets and into the loft. From there he made a slow loop around the loft carefully balancing on the back of the sofa, across the bed, over numerous baskets, books etc. to my craft cabinet then on to the computer. That got him completely around the room back to the loft edge. The only thing left to do for a self-respecting raccoon in such a predicament was to swing down feet first, holding on the edge with front paws (much like a kid swinging down from a tree) and drop to the first floor--a height of about eight feet. He landed on the metal top of the log fireplace below with a bang! (thank goodness it was not burning at the time!) And, in a flash, he was out the wide open front door. He was as glad to leave us as we were to see him go!

The whole episode took five to ten minutes, but going back to sleep wasn't easy. How did he get in our house? It was stuffy in the house earlier in the evening so we opened the wooden back door, hooking the screen, to allow the cool night air to flow through the house before bedtime. We then forgot to close it. Mr. Raccoon was obviously up on the porch checking for leftovers in the dog food bowl which is close to the door. When he discovered, with a little push, he could slip through a corner of the screen door where, thanks to Daisy the frame was bent. However, the metal frame snapped back blocking him from leaving the same way he arrived.

And, how did a raccoon perch himself on the beam above the living room once he made his way into the house? That is a mystery! We cannot find a way for a critter his size to climb from the first floor and onto the beam without using the stairs! Then, he would have had to follow, in reverse, the path across the loft, over cabinets and onto the beam. Who knows! He's not telling!

Second Chapter: A night or two later, we let the dogs outside before bed. Immediately there was a commotion that sent me to the back door and Jack out the door and into the yard. As I stood at the screen door (yes, same screendoor), looking out into the dark night and fumbling for the outside light switch, a whirr of brown fur flew by followed close behind by two barking white streaks! We have a complete wrap around porch with railing so the race continued, making two complete laps around the porch before the desperate brown furry creature (by now identified as a raccoon, same one? Who knows!) bailed off under the railing--a height of probably 10 feet. The dogs had to go around to the steps which gave the desperate critter enough time to run across the yard and up the nearest tree. Enough excitement for that night!

Third chapter: The next night Jack set out the Have-A-Hart trap using dog food as bait. Mr. Raccoon made another night visit to the porch. He obviously can't resist dog food and carelessly crawled in and snap! All he could do was sit and await his fate which was a relocation trip in the back of the truck down the mountain to Kenner Creek Bridge. This is where I took the his picture before releasing a very relieved and tired raccoon. My last (I hope) picture of him was as he loped down the grassy trail toward the creek.

.

Twittering

The Blue Family Home at Mountain Springs

There's been a lot of 'twittering' going on at our house lately. No, it's not the newest internet craze! I don't even text. It's all I can do to manage this blog! Previously, I mentioned Mr. and Mrs. Blue(bird) had chosen the new bluebird house close to our bedroom door. About Mother's Day we realized the couple was spending most of their time in or around the box. Not long after that, it was apparant that babies had hatched. There has been a flurry of activity every since.

The picture above was taken from our bedroom door. Our bed is positioned so that when we awake each morning at dawn our first view is the Blue's house. They are usually already up and feeding hungry, demanding little fledglings. The parents are always greeted with a series of 'chrips and twitters'. This goes on throughout the day. Mrs. Blue usually stops long enough each morning to perch on our bedroom door screen. "Why are you humans still in bed?" I'm sure she is asking. Birds don't have the luxury of coffee in bed!

This morning when I awoke, my first thought was," How did the Blue family make the night?". Oh no! No busy parents flying in and out, no hungry twittering, nothing going on at this little house! We watched until Jack had to leave for his last day of school. He hurried out, forgot the pie for the teacher's potluck, had to turn around and come back after I called his carpool partner. On the way out of the drive (second time) he noticed a coon in the Have-A-Heart trap. Had to load him,still in the cage, in the pick up before I let the dogs out. (This is another story, coming soon to this blog) In the meantime, I had spotted Mr. and Mrs. Blue flying around the yard. Obviously picking up bugs and worms for breakfast just as every other morning.

It took me a good hour or so between phone calls (booked a week in July at Eagle's Rest) and answering emails etc.but I finally located the source of a lot of 'twittering'--a tree close to the Blue's house. I can see it as I write, and am convinced there are little bluebirds up there. My, they got an early start. Guess they could hardly wait to leave the nest this morning! I'm sure it was getting crowded in there. (This week I would often see a little head peek out). Even with my binoculars, which I keep nearby, I haven't actually seen a baby bird yet, but the parents are flying up to some branches and I will keep a look out all day. (I know, I don't get much work done!)

It is a beautiful, 'bluebird' day, unlike yesterday's fog and drizzle. It's a good day for little birds to try their wings. I wish them Godspeed.

"This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice!"

From the Fullness of His Grace...

Ferns and moss along the trail

Yesterday, Sunday, May 17, 2009, was one of those perfect days to store in my "memory bank" to pull up when I need a cheerful thought. The church service at Boxley Baptist was special. We honored a member, and former missionary to the Phillipines, who after retirement, moved back home to his Ozark family farm. He is a distinguished white-haired gentleman who has been blessed with Bible knowledge and the ability to teach. He spent 28 years in the Philippines teaching and organizing churches, and has spent his retirement teaching Sunday School and being a blessing at our church. He has always kept in close contact with his Philipino churches and friends. And now, he has agreed to return to Manila, where he will teach this semester at a school he helped found. He will be training ministers to pastor churches throughout the country. As he said, "God has used this once 'barefoot mountain boy' to spread his word." We wish you God's blessing, Art.

On the way home from church, we turned into the river access road at Ponca. There was a flurry of people coming and going, unloading canoes and kayaks and other gear, for a float down the Buffalo River. We decided to take advantage of this beautiful spring day in the Ozark Mountains by taking a hike. The trail begins at the low water bridge. We would hike this section ending at Steel Creek Campground--two miles. This is only a small part of the Buffalo River Trail. After a quick lunch and little preparation, we were off! The trail was a delight--high above the river, shady with cool breezes blowing, across streams and waterfalls, through rock formations and up rocky slopes. The best part was near the low water bridge where one can stand on the rocky overhang and watch below as floaters make their way upstream. (We never laugh (too much) at the antics of those with "less experience" we've been there!) Along the way we see stretches of cool, green, mossy flats that are fascinating to me. We finished the hike with a light snack at Steel Creek Campground and a few minutes strolling on the river bank studying rocks--fossils and, my favorite, heart-shaped ones.

As we were walking back through the busy parking area, on our way to the car, dodging folks, cars, and canoes, we passed by an old man whose appearance reminded me of someone who may have spent a long winter in a log cabin on a mountain!) He was sitting in his old truck with the window and door open, watching the parade of hikers, floaters, and sightseers. He called out to us as we passed by,"Great day to be alive, isn't it?". We couldn't agree with him more!

From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another.

John 1:16

Hope Flies

He makes springs pour water into the ravines;

it flows between the mountains.

They give water to all the beasts of the field...

The birds of the field nest by their waters;

they sing among the branches.

He waters the mountains from his upper chambers;

The earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work.

Psalm 104:11,12-13

Pictured is Wildflower Falls, located on our property. When it is raging, we can hear it roar from our porch as well as Eagle's Rest porch. May wildflowers are at their best in May.

The rains and storms of late have been relentless! We had another storm with an inch of rain last night. These storms are moving across our mountains about every other day, giving us little time to mow and work in the yard and garden. I will not complain! I know the water from these rains is stored deep underground in our mountains, thus filling our springs with plenty of clean fresh water to get us through the dry spells.

Speaking of gardens! Darlene, Debbie, and I went "greenhouse hopping" this week. It was one of the only sunny days we have had. We drove to Rogers and made our way down to Garfield, Eureka Springs, and Berryville--visiting a total of six nurseries. Needless to say, the car looked like a moving greenhouse by the time we got home. This was a good way to break in our new Chevy Traverse, and pick up some new perennials.

I have worked around showers and wind for two days to get everything in the ground. The winds, slight hail, and hard rains gave me cause for concern last night, but this morning everything survived except the two clay pots sitting on the porch. They were flung down the steps and onto the flagstones and are now only shards! Good thing we staked the tomatoes yesterday!

Mr. and Mrs. Blue are settled in the new birdhouse on the porch near our bedroom window. I'm sure the storm of last week convinced them this was the safest place to nest. Their old house was blown off the porch (I had it wired to the post!) And I had to glue the roof back in place. So much for that old house!

I watch Mr. Blue as he makes his many trips to the box with tasty? tidbits for his mate. He sits on the fence watching for a movement in the grass, then he quickly swoops down and grabs the hapless victim, which will soon be dinner. He usually eats a portion himself (maybe to get in under control) and takes the rest to the box where his lovely bluebird wife is busy doing what female bluebirds do inside their box. As she sits patiently inside, he is perched nearby, watching over her, sweetly singing his little bluebird song. Sometimes, she leaves the nest for a short time--always stopping by the window to check on us humans inside. Soon we should hear the demanding 'twitter' of little bluebirds, and then the parents go to work! These babies will be on a nearly nonstop feeding schedule until they are ready to try their wings.

The courage, determination, and devotion of these birds is sweet to watch. They convey a spirit of hope that is inspiring. Despite storms, predators, and the perils of their world they continue on--always with a song. What a lesson for humans!

From My Window

Hummer Feeding Frenzy

I find myself staring out the kitchen window looking out on the backyard quite often this week. The week long rains have kept me from outside work, and I have to be content with watching the wildlife that has to cope with making a living come rain or shine. It is a little micro world out there.

When the storms moved in last week, so did the hummers! By the dozens! We keep 4 large bottles out at all times. Later, when it warms up and more flowers appear, they will spread out across the mountain and find their own food. For now, we feel like we need to give them a boost to get them through the cold rains. Kind of like a rescue station, I guess.

Sometimes, when watching the hummers, I am surprised by a handsome black and gold Baltimore Oriole that lands on a feeder. We have two pair right now who help themselves to the hummers' food even though we have put up a feeder just for Orioles. They love the oranges that we have laid out on posts around the yard. But, it isn't "handsome is as handsome does"! They are very aggressive, and don't mind attacking the little hummers at their own feeders. It is just as well they are temporary visitors, and usually move on further north--to Baltimore, I guess :-) for the summer.

As I watch the birds, I catch a brown streak scurrying across the yard. It is one of the many chipmunks that live on the perimeters of the yard in holes, rock crevices, hollow logs, or anything that gives them protection. I watched one brave little fellow, make several trips across the open yard to the bird feeder on the fence. He would stuff his cheeks full of seeds and make the hazardous trip back to the safety of his den. Come to think of it, it was probably Mama Chipmunk risking her life to feed a nest full of babies!

Speaking of risking a life--I heard a commotion in the yard yesterday--dogs in a frenzy! They were tearing into a piece of the downspout (that was supposed to be attached to the house!) Molly at one end, Daisy at the other. They were dragging it all over the yard. I immediately knew there was a chipmunk somewhere--probably inside the gutter that was being tossed around! Poor fellow! ( My friend later described it as something like going over Niagara Falls in a barrel!) There was no escape for the little critter with a fighting Jack Russell at either end! I knew I had to come to the rescue. With two feisty dogs at my heels, I picked up the gutter only to see both ends were clamped shut. It has always amazed me how such small dogs can be so destructive (Daisy and the screen doors are another story!) There was no distracting the dogs long enough to let the chipmunk escape in the open yard. His only hope was for me to release him into a hollow stump nearby. After several attempts at this (when I would turn the gutter over so he could escape into the hole, I could hear his little feet scurrying UP the drain--desperately trying to stay inside in a place he thought was safe! After several attempts, I was able to slide him down into the hollow stump to safety. I put a large rock over the hole to discourage incorrigible dogs from terrorizing him any longer. Out of sight! Out of mind! The dogs soon lost interest. I would think the little creature needed some time to get himself together before exiting the stump and going home.

We are also seeing deer as they take advantage of the salt lick Jack put out down below the house. And, we see rabbits playing all over the back yard at first light--taking advantage of a time when the dogs are still sleeping inside. An occasional groundhog slips through the yard--checking out the garden, no doubt! I see squirrels running through the trees at the edge of the yard. Fortunately, they aren't a problem at the feeders. They are usually content to stay out of the way of the dogs and live off the leftover corn put out for the deer. They also find a tasty meal at the horse trough. And we obviously have a night visitor, probably a raccoon. This morning the backyard bird feeder had been knocked off its post. It is time to set out the Have-A-Heart trap, catch the unwanted visitor and release him on the next mountain or down at the river.

I love these verses and have worked to memorize them lately from Psalm 8.

When I consider the heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place.
What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?
You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.
You made him ruler over the works of your hands, you put everything under his feet:
All flock and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
All that swim the paths of the seas.
Oh Lord, How majestic is your name in all the earth!

Friends, Neighbors, and "Kids"

The newest neighbor

When we first moved to Mountain Springs, we never imagined we would be living in a "neighborhood" (as in next door neighbor). However, we have expanded our idea of what a neighborhood really is. We consider our neighborhood "as the crow flies". Neighbors may live in the hollow, on the next mountain, in the valley, or down the road. Some are weekenders such as the Mississippi family that bought a log cabin down in the hollow and the couple from South Arkansas that stayed in our cabin, fell in love with the area, bought their own piece of the Ozarks. They are in the midst of building a cabin of their own on Mountain Springs Road. Some of our neighbors have lived right here, on the same land, all their lives and have such a rich family history relating to the Buffalo River. And, some of our good neighbors are like us.They have such a love affair with these Ozark Mountains that they found a way to make it a permanent home.

It is the wonderful mix of lives and experiences that make visiting with the neighbors such a treat. Recently, the Moores, who live across the valley near Bradshaw Mountain on 400 acres, invited us to an old-fashioned Ozark supper-- to take place at the stone cabin they built with their own hands in the 70's when they first moved from Louisiana. They now have a lovely house nearby that they also built themselves. The menu included ham, beans, collard greens (my contribution), cornbread, and mayonnaise cake, which Ruth said she remembers her grandmother making on her old wood stove. The eight of us played games by the fire, ate by candlelight and had such a good time that we decided to start our own supper club. We will meet at the Jackson's new cabin (weekenders from Bentonville) and celebrate "Cinqo de Mayo" with a Mexican dinner this Saturday. We can actually see their cabin from our porch, but it takes about 15 minutes or so to drive around on Fire Tower Road and down the Section Road to get there--use the 4-wheel drive once you turn off onto the "driveway"!

Our closest neighbors, the Cullens, are just a few minutes away. They were in the process of moving when Hurricane Katrina hit their place. To get to their house, I can go on the main road or across our place and down the hill on the four wheeler if I want. If I am away from home, I can always count on Darlene to run up to the house to put Daisy and Molly inside if a storm comes up. And I do the same for her. We both have these crazy dogs that will do anything to get inside (including tearing up screen doors and windows!) at the first clap of thunder. We share flowers and prayer requests, coffee, books and Bible studies, as well as a love for this land.

The "baby" pictured above is one of the newest members of Darlene's goat herd. We have all watched and worried as the kids came into this world on some of the coldest and wettest days (and nights) of the spring. They are tough little critters and are thriving. I can see them from my window as they run and play down below in the meadow.

We make our friends, we make our enemies, but God makes our next door neighbors. J.K. Chesterton, 1874-1936

All Creatures...

Looking out at Mrs. Blue looking in

The bluebird couple has appeared again this spring--the fourth in a row! I named them Mr. and Mrs. Blue for obviously reasons. I decided since they insist on being a part of the family, they need to have a name other than just "the bluebird couple." As in years past, they hang around the porch going from window to window,often just sitting observing us humans inside. I wonder what they could be thinking! Personally, I think Mrs. Blue wants to move in with us and build her nest in one of the birdhouses displayed over the kitchen cabinets! Mr. Blue keeps trying to convince her to be content with the birdhouse provided on the porch railing.--one they have used for two years. I have to admit, it could use a new coat of paint! I saw his sweet gesture of presenting her with a juicy worm again this year. Who says birds don't have emotions!

Eventually, the Blue family will probably settle down in the house on the railing, and go about the business of raising a family of little "Blues". I can only pray for their safety. Even so close to the house, they are subject to dangers from high winds and rain (the winds last Sunday blew the house off the porch despite it being wired to a post!); and creatures-- from squirrels to snakes to hawks to raccoons-- who prowl the earth looking for innocents.

I saw the first hummingbird today. We actually saw the first ones at the neighbor's cabin yesterday. I hurried to get a feeder out early this morning, and sure enough, there was a hummer checking us out! Right now only a feeder or two is necessary, but in the heat of summer, we will be filling four to five quart feeders several times a day.

The goldfinches, who feed at the thistle seed sacks year 'round, are now sporting their brightest yellow feathers (at least the males are). The females are too busy getting ready for the little ones to worry about what they wear. Obviously humans don't think that way! I just purchased two new jackets--one in a beautiful blueberry and another in rosy coral. Couldn't resist the colors. Jack's new outfit is black and green--not quite so showy, but nice.

I look out the window and see new calves running across the green pastures just for the fun of it, and newly born kids (goats) literally kicking up their heels just for the joy of being alive on such a wonderful spring day in the Ozarks. I watch as chipmunks scamper from log to log just outside the yard (always wary of dogs), and squirrels flying from tree to tree as they chase each other--happy to have survived the cold, harsh winter, and secure in the knowledge that a food supply will be abundant in the months ahead. Much chattering takes place as they prepare their nests for the babies to come.

I think God's creatures have a good idea. I plan to get out, maybe go for a hike down to the waterfall. It is still a little cool and most of the wildflowers won't be out yet, but the sunshine will! And, oh yes! I will mow the grass for the first time this year, and probably pull up a few early weeds poking through the mulch in the flowerbeds--I won't even call it work today! Oh, the joys of springtime on the mountains!

All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord God made them all.

Cecil Frances Alexander

Spring Break Lives On!

Snow Bunnies

Spring Break '09 is history, but it left behind lots of memories! (Retired or not, every teacher knows Spring Break will come!) The memories started the first day of the break(Saturday) when Jack's archery team at Jasper won third in state. What fun for the kids, their parents, and the coach. The memories continued the next day-- a sunny Sunday afternoon at Branson Landing with a little shopping, a little seafood, and lots of time to enjoy sitting on a bench people watching, (with a large dip of ice cream in hand). Despite the gloom so often reported in the news lately, folks were there, just as we were, making the most of a beautiful springtime day.

We didn't know then, but the sun was going to be a scarce thing the rest of the week. We mixed work and play--going into town for plumbing supplies and eating at Neighbor's Mill knowing when we got home the downstairs bath was calling (no! crying out!). We spent one grungy day pulling out pipes, cleaning up spills, and finally finding that pesky leak that had haunted us for weeks! UGH! It's done! Thanks, Jack!

With the weather not at its best for hiking or canoeing, we found other ways to occupy the rest of the week of no sunshine. We took a drive on a favorite mountain road. One that lets us look back at our house and cabin from a distance. We checked the river stage at Ponca and watched the Buffalo as its banks, swollen from the recent rains, overflowed and gushed over the low water bridge--always an awesome site!

We enjoyed guests coming and going this week as they spent part of their Spring Break in our cabin--a family with children, a couple who brought along friends--just happy to relax and enjoy the mountains. Friday night at the Ozark in Jasper with our neighbors was fun. Joe Villines and his guests, the Sherman Mountain Bluegrass Boys, a group of young talented guys from the school, entertained outstandingly and topped off the week--we thought! Then another surprise!

The weatherman kept telling us we could have snow Saturday--we laughed! He had the last laugh! It snowed all day and night--2 inches total! It was beautiful sight watching from the windows, as the snow flew across the mountains, covering the hills and valleys. As this was taking place, we noticed a large white bird flying through the snow following a flock of Canadian Geese. They circled the pastures and landed in a pond across the highway. It was a very large bird, and I immediately thought of the Trumpeter Swans. With our spotting scope, we were able to verify it was indeed one of the swan group. Obviously it was lost! We were able to slip close enough to the pond and the bird to get the number off his collar and report the sighting. He (she) later left the pond, and we haven't seen him (her) again. I do hope he caught up with his flock. Some were seen last week in downtown Harrison on the lake there. His number indicated he wasn't one of those seen there, but a part of the same group that should be heading north. Poor things! When man interferes with nature, things don't always work out as man plans. "The best laid plans of mice and men...etc." (By the way we caught two mice and Molly caught one during the plumbing episode!) But that's another story! Back to the swans---What will happen to the disoriented young swans remains to be seen. Will they make it north to their nesting grounds? Will they even find their "home" at Boxley again? Will they reunite with the rest of the flock again? Reverse migration! Explain this to the birds!

On Sunday, with still one more day before Spring Break officially ended, we took off for Little Rock , leaving home early in the snow for a visit with family and the joy of our lives, Jack Henry, who didn't let us down. The joy was contagious, and we are ready for the new week and the rest of spring with joy in our hearts and, as they say, a spring in our step.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

The "Stuff" of our Lives

Someone's Old "Stuff"

Jack and I have moved at least seven times in our married life. Each time the amount of our possessions has grown tremendously despite an effort to "cut back." As we prepared for our move from South Arkansas to Mountain Springs, we convinced ourselves we were "downsizing." We gave away, sold, and threw away 20 years worth of things that filled a barn, two sheds, an attic, and numerous closets and shelves in our house. We left that moving day with only a small amount of "stuff" and feeling quite liberated. Being human, we immediately felt the need to start accumulating more! I guess we didn't realize that we didn't really have to fill up the wonderful storeroom in our basement! Now, eight years later, we are back where we started--too much stuff!

This hit home when we recently sold one of the cabins and had to clean it out. There was no place to put it! We are now back to square one--too much stuff! I sometimes think our stuff takes on a life of its own. It is my theory that if you pack something away in a box, put it in on a shelf in a dark place such as a closet or basement for a few months then, VOILA! That "stuff" has multiplied like little cells as described in Jack's biology textbook!

I've often tried to analyze why we can't rid ourselves of things. It is our nature for Jack and myself to save things that we might need later. I inherited this from my family who couldn't throw away even a piece of string, because "we might need it someday." My mother explained it by saying they were children of the depression. However, we are not, yet we save things--from old towels to plastic jugs. "We might need them someday!"

There is also another category of "stuff", and it is harder to let go of these things--things that have memories attached. I have boxes of dolls and the clothes Mother sewed for them that matched the ones she made for me. In my china cabinet are the white dishes with a golden dragon imprinted on them that my dad sent back when he was stationed there in the war (there's another set in a box in the basement!). I have twenty-five old family quilts that won't fit queen beds neatly folded in boxes under beds. Too many memories!

And, clothes! Each season a box of "perfectly good" clothes is taken to the Humane Society thrift store. It's easier to let go of clothes for some reason. Though, it took me a long time to finally cut ties with the LLBean coat with snowflakes that I loved so much.

I have a small sign attached to my computer that says "The best things in life aren't things." In the next few weeks and months, it is my goal to move out, throw out, sell, give away or by whatever means necessary, all"things" that are no longer relevant in our lives. Today, I am going in town to start just that. It is an ongoing process, and I realize that means I must not bring in more "stuff "to replace the old "stuff". I will NOT go in the new dollar store for anything other than necessary items!!! Walmart is off limits!

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy..But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven...For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19,20,21

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