Michael's War on Evil Plants

 I blogged last week about Michael getting into Devil's club and the welts, rash, burns and blisters he had. It is STILL nasty, but most have blistered and are now peeling. It turns out that the most prolific is the Cows Parsnip. THIS is what causes the burns and blisters if the sap is on you and then you are exposed to sun.  THIS  article is helpful. It seems they grow along with Devil's Club and Monkshood - both of which we also have and are also toxic. It's a battle.  

Michael tackled them again today. He wore a long sleeved Gortex and came in and washed immediately. It was also an overcast day. Maybe the key is to tackle them on overcast days. 

He reclaimed a lot of the yard. We need to haul it all to a burn pile in the back acre. THIS is not the season to be burning.  It also seems all these plants are toxic so maybe we should make sure it's not going to multiply if we burn them. LOL  They are evil...all of them...though they are kind of pretty. 

Off On An Adeventure

Monday adventures are the very best kind. Stacia's an excellent Dog Mama. She routinely takes Millie out for runs and drives.  Stacia and Millie invited me to come along with them today. Stacia will soon be starting a new job, it isn't easy for me to break away, but Michael stayed with GG and so we were off to find an adventure.  Millie has quite the set up in the back of Stacia's Vibe! She doesn't lay in the bed until the hatch is closed. 

Note the bed - which is anchored to the back seat, and the hooks around the back which hold her collapsible food bowls etc. Her leash is attached when the car is moving. There is also a suctioned bowl for water. She's got it made!  This is her sitting on her bed...Stacia put on piano jazz, Millie's favorite, and she settled right down. 

We drove down to a local river and tossed a ball, walked up ATV trails and inspected wildflowers.  

We were told we'd find Sasquatch in these mountains if we looked for them. We have and we haven't.

I'm glad we carved the time to steal away before Stacia is busy with more classes and a job. We live in such a beautiful state. 

The Rocking Chair

Mother's Day 2006 the kids bought me two beautiful white rocking chairs. I had dreamed of a porch with a rocking chair and in San Angelo, TX we had just enough room to fit two rocking chairs. Josiah was the oldest at home that year and he and Jamin instigated the advent of the rocking chairs into my life.  Michael was deployed that year. I'm sure this was funded mostly with Josiah and Jamin's money (though all chipped in). Over the years they got weathered.  I painted them this beautiful turquoise and gave them a new lease on life 4 or 5 years ago. One of them is in Michael's workshop as he thinks he can repair it. This one has been in front of the greenhouse but in keeping with my new commitment to sit and relax in the garden....I moved it to the garden.  The little stand to the left is from Josiah's and Carrie's. I nabbed it when we helped Carrie clean up her yard and shed a few weeks ago. 

In the past couple of weeks as I've wrestled with God in the garden, I've started sitting in the rocker to pray, to listen, to read...  Below you can view my typical set up with Bible, journal, GG monitor, ThermaCell and a container of crayons - which I've discovered are the perfect Bible highlighters - lots of colors and NO BLEED. 

I worked through a chapter or two of Hebrews. It was good. I needed to remember we all mature and learn much through suffering. I can't protect every person in my circle from suffering. I can also surrender my suffering to Him...and the parts about loving and showing hospitality etc. Good stuff. And He will NEVER leave or forsake me. Regardless. 

Quiet time View 

The little "Welcome Home" banner has taken on new significance to me as I work my way back to truly being "home." 

I have a habit of big stretches. At the end of reading, praying and journaling, I threw my arms and legs up, arched by back and CRAAAACK! 

Oh no!!! It was suggested it was time to move the chair to the burn pile. 

No!

I.simply.can't. 

Josiah used his pay from Chick Fil A, his first job, when he was 17 to buy these chairs for me. I know they won't last forever and it's probably time to say goodbye to them, but.not.now. 

new boxes in background prepping for more 
weed suppression 

I turned the seat from the chair into a stand for one of the glass fishing floats from Northern Japan.  I'll probably add a small plant or something before too long.  I will use the back for a short trellis in the new bed.  It's in the bed waiting for me to get more dirt. 

See the turquoise trellis? 

I'll have to move my sessions of daily grace to the uncomfortable chair... it will work. 

Turned the stand from CyRi over to hold a float

This new view isn't bad for quiet time either.