Garden, repairs and other updates with a little bit of faith thrown in

Today was on of those days of cleaning and cleaning up.  After visiting Dude at his work and eating lunch, I came home and began cleaning and mopping.  Dude usually does all the floors but I thought I would surprise him today (hope he doesn't faint ...wink).   
Otherwise here is an update from around the homestead.

Gardens 

I am doing my darnedest to lose weight. If you started homesteading to lose weight well, it doesn't happen by magic. I bought a fitbit to count my steps.  Shooooey! I had to get moving. You tend to stand in one place or sit in one place most of the day gardening. Now, putting up fences is strenuous but not something done every day.  Chores still need to be done, weeding, canning, stalls cleaned and coops need cleaning but I needed to add steps. So I have been walking or hiking every day. 

To keep cool I made some mint and lemon water.  It is so tasty.  Grin...I only use that word tasty because a friend of mine hates the word, thinks it is used with a lack of imagination...so tasty, tasty, tasty it is.  *smile*

Picked my first tomato of the year.  Despite it's size it was deeeeeeeeeelish!

Oh, the poor greenhouse took quite a beating this week with all our storms. The cover will need to be replaced before winter. If you want to have a laugh, be here on the day these two old farts attempt to cover a rather large greenhouse. 

Repairs
Besides the greenhouse needing repairs we did fix the broody hen's home after Monday's storm. 

We covered the pump-house in plastic until the tin for the roof comes in. 

Bees
Just like every year, we lost a hive just after they sprayed the alfalfa field with insecticide. Thank goodness the other hive is very strong. 

 The birds... well, they are doing just fine, thank you very much. 

Kindness of the day 

One of the ranchers shared some of his sweet corn with us tonight.  Thank you Chad!

Faith 
Today is the feast of St Mary Magdalene.   Now, I'm not sure if she was a prostitute, a woman of ill-repute or  just someone with issues (well, she did have seven demons excised from her) but I do know she was strong and courageous.  She stayed along side with Jesus, the Twelve and Mary.  They say she was a disciple to the disciples. She knew she would be judged but continued to be there anyway.  She was there to end.  Mary had strength and loyalty. She was there at the foot of the cross when others were no where to be found.  We admire saints because they continued their faith when it difficult to carry on.  And her story shows that God's love can change anything and anyone. 

Country living

I stayed in the city last night with family.  One of the first things you notice is how close the houses are to each other and then think, I never noticed that before.  The streets are full late at night and finding parking on the street can be a little tricky. Everyone and their friends have a car. Heading to bed after the late news  people are slamming car doors, there are street lights shining in the bedroom window, and muffled conversations can be heard across the street.

 

I remember when I first moved to the country. I didn't think I would get used to the quiet, the absolute darkness and the remoteness of the house. Our nearest neighbor is a half mile away and "town" is a mile and a half down the road. It took about three months before I got used to living out here. Right after we moved in there was a terrific snow storm and we were stuck here for three days. I now pray that I am home for a snow storm and find comfort in the silence of the snow.

Life on the prairie has a way of healing and bringing peace in a way the busy life of the city doesn't.

 

 

 

Now, as I head  the 55 miles to work each day, I dread leaving our land. I love it out here. I crave the quiet.  You begin to feel a connection to the earth and can almost hear those who have come before us.  This time of year you can hear the Canadian geese flying over during the evening feed. The goats and chickens ignore them but we know that means winter can't be far behind.  At night you can hear owls and you can see  a million stars stretch across the sky. You can't help but want to go outside even on a cold night and watch the night go by.

These are our traffic jams now and these are the neighbors we hear.

I don't know how long we live here but I intend to enjoy and live in the moment as much as I can.