# 579 - Moment by Moment

I now have a new computer and am thrilled because my others had given me headaches when trying to write and post.

Things are changing in this part of my teeny world since I've finally purchased and am using my first MacBook Pro. I'm now on a steep learning curve and often veer off path as I try to figure out this new existence sans a PC.

As for living with Addison's, this year we've jumped back into traveling with an effort far bigger than a splash. I'll be sharing how we've experienced beautiful travels as Addison's is a concern along the way.

Nana & Pappy on another cruise to the Western Caribbean this summer.

No matter, for 2022, I've enjoyed beautiful days of immense adventure and other bed-ridden days where I'm content to binge some series on Netflix or Hulu. On the difficult days, I struggle, but I constantly make peace with my day-to-day physical limitation.

Adaptation is key to living a great life with Addison's or with any physical condition that demands your attention, whether it be sudden or a snowball sort of attention-grabbing health issues.

The days when there are only slight taps on the shoulder, "Excuse me, could you spare me a brief moment so we can avoid the brick wall ahead," are the best kinds. On those days, you're in tune with your body, and no sneaky-fox Addison's symptoms are pouncing upon you.

Here I am at the start of summer at 54. No makeup.

Just me with my art supplies.

Traveling can be a challenging time when you have Addison's, but I don't let it hold me back, until it actually pulls me down and my moment of choice has altered to a moment of adapting to what I MUST do to get through the worst of it.

I take decent care of myself, and I don't hold back seizing the day. And yes, that means confronting my health needs, being prepared, listening to my body, and knowing when to stop seizing and to instead wave the little white flag.

On the white flag days, I make a hasty retreat to climb into bed and allow my body to do the dance of calming rest.

I've lived with Addison's a long time and have had a rather joyful existence despite very critical times... a broken neck and other multiple surgeries that were about as high on a surgical-risk scale as you can get for a normal, healthy person, but I got through them with Addison's. 

There have been illnesses and heart-wrenching deaths of people I most loved, and I figured out how to get through it all... with Addison's pouncing on my devastated state of existence. Staying on top of my blood pressure, heart rate, medicine, and it can be a juggling act. Times of loss can make it extremely difficult to manage Addison's. 

We all walked to a special spot in Texas to spread my father's ashes. With my mother's.

That's Coco, his oldest great-grandchild walking in front of me.

In 2020, I lost my father, and I will admit that the year that followed his death put a strain upon my body as never before. His passing caused extreme stress, which made managing Addison's a warring time for my body.

There were many months when I had trouble walking... forget stairs... and I lived with nausea. I did take stress doses, but there is no easy way around the ups and downs that come with profound loss. It was an Addison's nightmare that I did my best to handle without adding stress upon others, but it was probably the most dangerous phase for me, other than my surgeries.

Dad is now with Mom who died in 2006 at 57-years-old due to breast cancer. Dad was 74, and I had selfishly wanted more time with him. He went to Italy shortly before he passed, spending a good deal of time there. I'm glad he did so much in life, but he's now moved to a new address in Heaven, again with so many people he loved. 

I'll write more about his passing later because my long-time readers know of my closeness with my father. I have been blessed.

My mom and dad when we lived in Scotland. I took this picture of them.

But the good days give me reason to savor each second of treasured vibrancy, whether it be from a sedentary position or with me dancing in celebration. I go with what I'm given. 

I barter with my body. I know, for the most part, about the precarious give-and-take relationship I share within it. If I don't listen to my body's needs as it carries a passenger I must address, then that passenger, Addison's, will rule the day... and perhaps more.

To get to my next best day, I've got to listen to the passenger inside. I have to stay on top of things to keep it quiet and satisfied. Sometimes it makes demands upon me that I cannot overrule, and this is when adapting is the key to living a great life. I refuse to hand over more than is absolutely necessary to this passenger.

That means I don't let Addison's own me. I refuse to let it hold my life hostage. When strong, energetic days are presented, I don't question it. On those days, I get into the highest gear allowed and tackle as much as I can for as long as I can.

Pappy with our two oldest grandsons & Nyms.

With Addison's, you never know how the next day might go, so when the good days come, you make it work for you. Those are often catch-up days. Those are the days when I am enthusiastic yet a microscopic part of me yearns for the pre-Addison days when I hadn't known high gear would become a rarity.

These days, I have leveled-out, for the most part. I do not have many high-gear days nor too many days of feeling dissolved, but both kinds of days do make their respective appearances here and there. 

The "walking through mud" sensation I began having when Addison's decided I was a prime vehicle for it to hitch a lifelong ride in... that sensation is still with me, more or less. Depending on the day, there is either thick mud I must press and battle to wade through with each step or there are energetic days when it's easier to move, but the mud then can fall upon me from the Heavens, threatening to press me to the ground. 

Having Addison's is indescribable, but when my blood pressure and electrolytes go out of whack, I can feel like a rag doll surrounded by mud. That's the best way I can describe it.

Sometimes my symptoms are in check with treatment and are barely noticeable, but I've never had a day when the disease is completely absent. And yes, I have to turn down more invitations than I'd like. I have to ration my energy. For me, it is more than a precious commodity.

If I want to show true love for my family, I've got to be real with my limitations yet not use the disease to bail out of life. The stressful things do take a toll, that's the entire nature of Addison's, yet I have to decide how much of a toll I can manage with medication.

On a recent cruise in May. At the "no choice" phase. I had to rest.

Sometimes I appear normal looking on the outside, and then I'll have a day when strangers reach out to ask if I'm okay or their eyes hesitate upon me for too long as their expressions reveal concern. Boy, I don't like those days.

My grown daughters understand that my body requires more rest than it once did, and they're totally onboard with normalizing my normal, and I love their own adaptability. I have daughters who are now amazing women, wonderful mothers, and we all treasure one another.

With my oldest daughter, Heather. 

I can't put into words what she means to my heart and soul.

We can never make it through photos without cracking up.

Regardless of what each day holds, I keep wading through the mud on the days when it is all but a brick wall, and I must battle to get to the bathroom. And like I said earlier, sometimes the mud moves from in front of me, changing consistency and coming at me from a new direction... falling upon me, like an invisible light rain that isn't actually light. It is pressing. It's a strange resistance when our body is affected by the worst of Addison's.

And as I age, now in my fabulous fifties, I find some things are harder because of Addison's, but the strange thing is that a lot of things are easier. Living with this passenger for over two decades has taught me valuable lessons. 

Me with my youngest son-in-law, Brice this summer.

This specific, unique disease has taught me specific, unique life-saving attitudes and behaviors. Those translate to prompt me to make the best actions for surviving the mud-slinging disease I've come to study, respect, and learn.

After all, my attitude is the best shovel one can own against this disease. Years and years ago, I thought Finding Lana would be easier after Addison's hailed me as its permanent ride when I was 33-years-old, but I've learned that finding my adaptable self is a lifelong journey. Addison's means various phases of life will require additional adapting to the disease... in many ways. I'll age into new issues, but Addison's always complicates matters, and I do not ignore that fact.

If you have Addison's or any other disease or condition that requires vigilant attention, I hope you never stop figuring out how to help yourself make it through days when the mud is packed around you.

This is a recent 24-hour time constraint charcoal

of my oldest daughter, from when she was a kid.

Take notice of your body and take NOTES. Figure out what makes days better and what makes them worse. Monitor your vitals, Juggle those medications to give yourself the best Addison's ever-changing self-treatment that you can muster.

I want others to know there are treasured lessons that come from great struggles, lessons healthy people are often ignorant in knowing. That's not a bad thing. But, living with such a struggle can provide rare Masterclass lessons in countless ways, giving you "new" eyes for seeing everything touched by life. 

My oldest grandchild, Coco.

My youngest daughter, Stefie, with her beautiful family.

My goofy husband to whom I've been married a LONG time.

We not killed each other, and the lack of bloodshed has been worth it!

If you can figure it out, tell me the good lessons - the surprising lessons - and the lessons you might not have learned without the boost from whatever it is that requires you to adapt.

Keep your inner shovel ready, but know when to set it aside and tune-out the world so you can endure the worst, whether the worst be minutes long or longer. How do you adapt and make life matter during those moments?

What matters to you? How do you provide self-care and self-nurturing.

For me, I take actions to make life worth living. I savor the small stuff for as long as possible and spit out the bitter as fast as I can. I make downtimes work for me, either through that tv binging, through writing, or through art. During those times, my passenger must stay seated and well-mannered because I'm still in charge.

Treating my in-laws to another late lunch.

How do you hand peace to your inner-self in spite of a raucous passenger? What is your distraction?

Live well, MOMENT-BY-MOMENT, no matter your speed!

***

PS: Leave a comment. I'll have to moderate it, but it will then post to the comments section for others to see and for me to respond to.

# 575 - First Blogging, then BOOKS! What have I done?

Before I add my usual blog post, I want to let everyone know that I've been blogging for ages and will continue doing so...it's in my blood, but I've also enjoyed a long career that's included writing, but I'm now holding my own reins by publishing creative fiction books.

I've got several eBooks set for release, a novella series is the first on the schedule, and Book I was released a couple of days ago. It's a scary, spooky story balanced with humor, faith, and love. You can read it on any device...iPhone, iPad, Computer, Mac, or Kindle. You don't have to own a Kindle to read it! When you order, there will be a choice of where you want to have the eBook sent, and it's magic...it sends it to you with ease!

The button for choosing the place for the story to land will appear just below the purchase button on Amazon. It's easy and allows us to enjoy additional reading choices. You can read the eBook on the device you're using right now to read this latest blog post, it's super simple.

And here's summary of this first book...

Shelby, an energetic teenager, has recently returned from Scotland to America after living abroad with her family for a couple of years. They find a home in the Greater Houston area, close to her father's job and next door to a church, but Shelby doesn't like the house. From the moment she steps beyond the threshold of living room, into the heart of the home, she notices a dark presence, but she's the only one who senses it.

After moving in and experiencing terrifying encounters with an indescribable entity, she starts to question if her mind is the culprit. Perhaps her imagination is the source of terror...maybe her eyes are playing tricks on her, but she can't deny the blood. Circumstances spiral out of her control, preventing her from rationalizing all that she hears and sees. She can't escape the shadowed presence that targets her, but she'll find a way to fight back.

She won't give up or give in as she searches for a way to protect her family and herself from what lies in the middle.

Shelby's family includes a disabled mother, a workaholic father, and two siblings...Brother and Dovey. Brother keeps the humor coming as Shelby utilizes faith and bravery to accumulate useful knowledge to battle dark spirits, and she searches for a way to survive the necessity of sharing a home with a terrorizing presence. She refuses to live in terror, not in her own home, but how can she live with and battle the dark shadow that lurks around the corner from her bedroom, just beyond the threshold?

***

I hope you're able to gather the bravery to read this character-driven storyline of relatable people confronting irregular hurdles. This is the first book of the series titled "What Lies in the Middle."

I hope to discuss a few topics inspired by the book along with some personal experiences of my readers. I've made posts in the past of eerie experiences and reader-comments revealed many of us have experienced discomforting things that can't be explained. And even though this book is a fictionalized storyline, I know a lot of people have tried to explore strange happenings that might never find rational answers.

And to clear up any confusion...we decided to combine the book's title with a subtitle that is also the name of the series, rooting the two together; that's only for this first book. I'll let you know when the next book is due for pre-release with a definitive launch date.

There's a new Group on Facebook that I'd love for my blog buddies to join, and that link is at the bottom of this post

If you join the group, please let me know you're from our blog-sphere. And if you buy the eBook, especially let me know so I can thank you!

Just as I've written my blog and enjoyed a long-lasting fantastic interaction with my readers and fellow bloggers, I intend to maintain the same path with readers of my books, whether they are in the form of an eBook or paperback print...I want to stay in touch with you, give you behind-the-scenes details, and get your feedback along the way...hopefully you guys will be some of the first readers of this series.

***

As for building the never-ending farmhouse...it's still under construction. The long-time blog readers already know that we are slug-slow with finishing our house. We've had rains for months that have made the land a mucky mess. It can get quite depressing to be surrounded by mud, but I'm thankful we've not flooded. So many family and friends this last year were devastated by flooding in the Greater Houston area.

Despite the dreariness of the weather, we managed to work on the laundry room. I'll write a separate post about that experience. I LOVE my laundry room!

We used leftover tile to create a nice design in the floor, and I gave the bead-board a "weathered barn" paint treatment that I concocted on my own, which took me three days to paint.

The room is quite nice...mostly finished, but it still requires finishing touches, such as the trim around the windows and a window ledge for my little plants. I'll write a post about the laundry room because it deserves its own shining spot on the blog!

What can I say? I'm a thrilling woman who enjoys a great laundry room. After we finished this room to a certain point, I stood inside it to re-enact that scene from the Sound of Music as she spins around at the top of a pastured mountaintop with joy...yeah, that was me.

Of course, I wasn't escaping Nazis with a pack of children in tow; regardless, I spun around while surrounded by dirty clothes and stinky dog towels, and it was beautiful.

Aside from my laundry-room-moment, our family has also had some difficult and exciting things happening, which I'll share in my next few posts. With my new laptop, getting back to blogging is easier than sitting at my desktop. I don't know why, but for me, sitting at the desktop is a little claustrophobic. Blah.

Meanwhile, I'll enjoy my laundry room while wrapping up the second book to this series, so if anyone reads "BEYOND the THRESHOLD: What lies in the middle?" by Lana R. Black, then be sure to let me know, then get prepared for Part II of the series! The novella takes about two hours to read...it's an easy-read of about 100 pages, so it's an enjoyable commitment. Feel free to go onto the given Amazon link and stay in close touch by FOLLOWING my author page...there's a button below the book info on Amazon to follow the author. Please give me a review on Amazon after reading and be sure to use the highlight feature that Amazon gives its customers while reading an eBook...then share your favorite parts with me.

***
I've included the Amazon link that takes you to the first couple of chapters, then it will prompt you to buy it for $3.99 --- and that's cheaper than coffee! Isn't that the old line?

https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B07MYTBL9B&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_-JwsCb7GFYWPT

Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/768805986830396/

As always, I'll be reading your comments. Happy reading to my blog-buddies!

# 554 - First Week of Construction!

If you live in the South, you already know. If you watch the news, you already know that Texas and beyond has been experiencing record rainfall that has created widespread flooding, devastation and even death.

All the rain has made every step a more dangerous and prolonged, especially the timber clearing phase.

That should have taken 4-5 days and it ended up taking 4-5 WEEKS due to the nearly nonstop rain. But, once the home-site was cleared, I was amazed.

It might look like a massive pile of dirt, but we have vision. I can literally envision everything finished with lush green grass surrounding a manicured yard with landscaped zones.

After the clearing was finished, we had seven dump truck loads of fill dirt delivered.

That was actually a LOT of dirt, but our home-site is so spacious that the dirt looked ridiculous, as if it would make a ridiculous dent in our home-building process. Then, I reminded myself that the dirt was really to build the garage at a higher elevation because that structure will indeed be on a concrete foundation.

So, we got things cleared and prepped for construction to begin, but the rain kept pouring. And then...finally...we got three days of sun in a row, which allowed for THE DAY for the crew to put the piers into the ground!

It actually took two days for our construction crew to set the piers deep into the ground. Our builder needed to get them into the ground because we would have to wait an additional week before more construction could take place, to allow the concrete to set and not be disturbed.

The pier and beam foundation is exactly what we wanted and needed for our home. The piers are huge...not small ones seen on some older homes. Also, according to the government regulations for the lumber we're using for our piers, it is recommended for "Severe Environments." The next level piers in the rating system, just above our own, are suitable for "Extreme Weather" conditions, such as to build structures in tropical locations.

Our piers are meant to be used for ground contact and can be used in direct contact with water, sea-water, wet concrete, masonry and more. The piers are also treated so that they are not enticing for insects, which will keep the piers insect and termite-free. These treated "marine" piers are also less combustible, so they help prevent fire hazards.

This house will definitely have a solid foundation; it will probably be the most solid, sturdy home we've ever lived in. After living through our last home being gutted and rebuilt due to Hurricane Ike, we are ready for some extra-sturdy-construction.

We are thankful to be building this house. We are beyond sick of RV life. Sgt. Dave said he is NEVER GOING CAMPING AGAIN! HaHaHeHa.

Our 29th wedding anniversary lunch at a spot
on Lake Livingston.

We celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary on June 14th and we had lunch at a restaurant on the lake.

On the way home, we stopped by the muddy build-site, while still wearing our good shoes.




 

We savor the sight of our house being built. We don't take one moment forgranted.

This house has SEVENTY-SEVEN piers ready to hold up our house. The piers in the back portion of the house are placed closer together because the load is heavier in that area...that area will have a second story over head, the bathrooms and such. The front portion of the house has soaring ceilings to the second story, so the load will be lighter along the front of the house.

As for those piers for the house, I am thankful we have a builder who has the experience to select just the right lumber for the job, even going above what is considered normal to do a job better than expected. Tags are attached to each beam; the tags attest to the details for the lumber as part of federal compliance with regulations, and I can attest to the fact that our contractor goes the extra mile, and we are in great hands because we took our time selecting a builder and because we have kept outside interference on our job site to a bare minimum...meaning just the crew along with me and Sgt. Dave.

This is part of the acreage we've already gotten under control. Yes,
it took YEARS. But, it can all be just as beautiful with patience.

So far, that minimum crew has worked out beautifully...stress-free, communication easy and no bossy people trying to re-direct everyone or drive everyone crazy by standing over people as they work wasting breath trying to tell them what to do, as they are already are doing it. Yes, this has been a GREAT experience to avoid all of that, truly, it has been pleasant! We truly don't have any complaints! At least, not yet! :-)

# 552 - Clearing Land - a GrandBaby - a Niece!

The past two weeks have found us to be busy...nonstop. We first started with the unbelievably great experience of having our grandbaby Coraline with Nana and Pappy! I laughed about us being in an RV during our first extended visit with Coraline, but it was a blessing and rather easy to keep up with a 20 month old in a small space! She has stayed the night with us a few times before, but this visit was a week long visit...perfect!

Coraline and her babies as they are kissing goodnight!

Then, it became an extra delight to find that my daughter Heather had already been potty training Coraline and our stay gave her a warp push forward with potty training, probably because of the small space involved with our temporary living quarters. Soon, Coraline refused to wear a wet diaper or even a dry diaper and the good news is, in seven days of watching her, I only had to change ONE poopy diaper on her first day with us...all other poopies were IN THE POTTY! Yes, if you change diapers or have EVER changed a diaper during your lifetime, you can understand that this is newsworthy info!

One sunny afternoon at the park to let the
grand-baby RUN --- too many days of rain
had made us stir-crazy. She needed to be a kid!

The next week, I had my eight year old niece Shaye to watch. She was adorable. Actually, I had both children for nearly 48 hours, so I was reminded of what it is like to have two energetic children in my possession! It was wonderful! And I was thankful these cousins got to spend some time together.

Coraline and Shaye...My grand-daughter and niece. Super special kids!

I even got to enjoy a visit with my dad who got to cuddle and be delighted by his first great-grand-daughter. I know my dad, these moments were Heavenly to him. I could see the father he had been to me as he held is great-grandbaby girl. He becomes a puddle of mush when allowed to just be himself with the baby. I sure love my dad.

My daddy and his great-grandbaby.

Soon, Coraline was on her way home with her parents, back to the Greater Fort Worth Area and this gave me and Shaye some much needed time alone. So, we headed back to the country and I bought Shaye a pair of galoshes so she could go on a hike through the acreage to see the future home-site being cleared by the timber crew. I wanted her to see the construction process from the start. But, she had never owned a pair of rain boots and wasn't very confident in their ability to keep her feet dry.

Her Uncle David had to say, "Girl, step into that water! Those boots were made to keep your feet dry!"

She finally took a timid step and then she shared a HUGE smile as she realized her socks were still dry. Then, Shaye began to find every puddle in her path so she could tread across the muckiness.

Shaye and Gracie had a great time exploring the build-site together.

Of course, she got to have her new boots hosed off after the hike. Shaye LOVES her rain boots. We talked about her being able to wear them on rainy days and not worry about the puddles. I think she will be ready for the next rain day with a smile.

Next, it was my turn. Sgt. Dave hosed down my own boots as I stood and giggled. How does that man still manage to make me giggle and smile as my cheeks get flushed?

It is difficult to believe that our house will soon be standing in this area. We will soon have a REAL house, with a metal roof instead of an RV with slide-outs!

I can't wait!

Have I said that I can't wait?

Oh yea...I CAN'T WAIT!

# 501 - Raccoon Visit - Caught in the Trap

Man, I am far behind in my posts! I am trying to catch up, so I'll be hitting the posts heavy.

We had bought a trap set at the local Tractor Supply store and after setting it every night, we were pleased to soon discover a raccoon in the trap. Perhaps this raccoon was a small female, not yet grown, but very observant.

Truthfully, she was pretty darn cute with that mask-like appearance circling big brown eyes. But, she had to GO, and I was hoping she would run far away, but I doubt it. I don't want her hanging around here because she'll likely come back for my chickens

The little raccoon was rather docile, up until the part when Sgt. Dave's fingers got too close to the top of the cage. I have that moment on video. Otherwise, she kept an inquisitive expression.

Of course, our youngest daughter, Stefie, wants us to keep every creature we find. If we did, soon we would be opening our own wild life park. And our oldest daughter, Heather, is very involved with abused, neglected animals, but I think she knows this raccoon belongs in the country as a WILD creature!

To be honest, this raccoon's small size saved her life. Sgt. Dave said that her fur pelt did not have enough fur to cover his big head. I agreed.

The dogs were extremely curious, but we kept them at a distance...giving them enough room to get a look at her as she began the nasty hissing with arms reaching out of cage to scratch and attack. No, that's no so cute.

But, I am so fascinated by the unique appearance, intelligence and scavenger abilities of a raccoon. It's interesting that they usually stand at some body of water while eating so they can constantly wash their food as they eat it. I guess they are the OCD critter of the forest.

These Bandit-Masked Raccoons can get to about 23 pounds and they usually live 2-3 years in the wild. This little gal probably finds a lot of her food in the creek; she omnivorous and that means she's a mammal that will eat just about anything, including meat. But, most of her diet is likely to be frogs, insects, mice, and raccoons love to raid nests...yikes for my chickens!

As a side note...in watching the video, you see how fantastic it is for me to tackle a task with Sgt. Dave nearby...I try to video the raccoon and Sgt. Dave continuously puts himself in front of my camera action. Blah!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MPVPOmUlh4&feature=sharenoembed&list=UUoaSSiZFXLv3-gLeGBvODvQ&index=1

I joked with Sgt. Dave that his bait of the raccoon traps with cat treats has probably taught this little raccoon gal a lesson on traps. I wouldn't be surprised if we woke up to find her in the trap again in the morning, her tummy full of cat treats.

What will be next? A skunk?

# 489 - A Hike through the Woods

Today it was cold, but we went on a three-hour hike. We needed some play time. We had 12 degree temperatures last night and had to contend with three acres of plumbing pipe. Unfortunately, the one that went to my shed, in spite of it all being wrapped, burst. It was wide open, flowing into the shed for hours before we knew something was wrong. So, it was a stressful morning.

However, that hike was something we both needed to do. It's been far too cold to be outdoors that much, but we are feeling cooped up, so we decided to hike to the far corners of the acreage.

I wore sweats, boots, and one of my husband's old winter jackets. At least there aren't any fashion do's or don'ts here in the country. If it fits, if its comfortable...it works.

I'm standing in a wider portion of the creek bed that
runs through our property.

Our hike took me to interesting places on our acreage that I didn't know existed, such as being able to walk the creek bed through our property. I discovered that part of the land that I thought belonged to our never-present neighbor is property that actually belongs to yours truly.

The lake at our property...it was a beautiful day.



David is looking for ducks. Yes, it's time to eat some food that
we hunt on our own.

We live on acreage full of wild game, and it's time to start eating food that is hunted or captured on our property. Yes, I'm a bit nervous about it, but I'm wanting to utilize the resources of our land to the fullest potential.

I love the lake --- we have land to build next to the lake, which would offer GORGEOUS views, but the access to that part of our acreage is rather challenging. But, I could picture the rewards of making this area our home-site.

It's a nice size private lake, but one can only use a trolling motor on the lake.

As for our hike, Sgt. Dave uses a machete as he walks in the lead, chopping and clearing the area so that I might be able to walk through the same area with more ease...less thorny vines and low branches to reach out and grab me!

And here you see the Magic-Stick-Machete which is aided by the magnet in his pocket.

The puppy that was recently found on our acreage at about 10 weeks of age is now strong and healthy. She loves her adopted family and we love her!

Today, on our hike, we let her be goofy and run all around us as we explored the land. Eventually, we all had to cross the creek at a certain area, we all crossed, but she hesitated crossing...she was scared. After some encouraging coaxing, she finally made the leap!

Then, later in the day, Gracie explored the rabbit trap and got herself into a traumatizing predicament. She was a bit too curious and ended up being the creature trapped inside the wire cage. She's been warned to stay away from these cages, but this time her curiosity got her in a jam. She whined and cried; we hope this experience reminds her that the rabbit traps are not much fun.

 

This past week, we pulled in our first harvest of broccoli. I had actually mourned the loss of my last vegetable garden, but now we are beginning to enjoy our garden in the country. We're about to expand it further, and I'm dying to get a small greenhouse so I can always sow my seeds in advance. I don't like buying starter plants. I've always sowed my seeds and planted my own small plants in the ground.

Today, I worked in the garden to clean it up. After taking that three hour hike, it was nice to do something calming, productive. And we are committed to making our garden wonderful so that we can eat as many home-grown foods as possible.

This Spring, we should be adding pigs to the farm that will put high-quality food on our table; we will grow more vegetables to incorporate into our meal planning and to provide food for canning; and we will be getting meat-chicks which will be designated as the birds that will provide us with chicken for the year instead of having to buy the grocery-store variety. I am hoping to get a few goats as well, especially a milk goat so that I can have goat milk, cheeses, lotions and such. As much as we can do to enjoy sustainability and to utilize this acreage in meaningful, productive ways...that is the goal.

We have a lake that provides fresh fish, and the traps will hopefully help to catch small wild game that we will eat and utilize their fur hides for various purposes. We might eat squirrel, but we will be hunting deer, rabbit, and other animals might be trapped in an effort to save other farm animals, specifically our chickens. The raccoons will be dispatched, but their pelts will make a nice hat that will be treasured.

Next...today was the day that Gracie received leash training. For the first time, we attached a leash to her collar and she did not like it.

She pulled. She threw a fit.

But, I held firm. Gracie must learn to walk on a leash without acting like a wild beast.

Sometimes, caring for a young puppy can be a challenge.

Howdy tried to help guide her and to keep her from yanking me around. Finally, Gracie submitted and began to walk more normal next to me. She's a great doggie. In fact, our hike and time outside wore her out so completely that I was able to cut her toenails without any resistance. None.

I love country life. There is no way that I'd want to go back to the city, so if circumstances ever require that of me...I will always be busy trying to work my way BACK to the country! However, the best plan is to stay here, be set free from the RV and into our cabin, then keep enjoying and exploring our little piece of Earth that is ours to enjoy for the time being.

Maybe we'll be able to leave our mark here by doing good things. Since the Boy Scout troop is coming next weekend for their survival training, to earn badges. I'm thankful we have enough rural land for them to work out the survival scenario so the boys can practice their survival and life-saving techniques.

It's great that our land is able to give to youth --- the troop is thinking about having a fishing expedition out here...to teach the boys how to cook, clean, prepare and cook fish. I think that's a great idea. Anything we can do to promote the love of nature, to expose a bit of farming and maybe ranching qualities along with self-sustainable concepts...I am eager to do my part to contribute.

I am blessed.