Did I say that?

This is our swimming pool. For the past 10 years or so we've used this same pool all summer long to beat the Texas heat. Yes, we realize this is not actually a pool. It's a  poly livestock tank . 

If you've never seen one, it is tough plastic and ours is about 8 feet across and 2 feet deep. Basically, it's our big, indestructible kiddie pool. We bought this one new at Tractor Supply all those years ago, and it looks almost as good as the day we bought it. Children are tough on their toys, but apparently cows are even tougher, because this tank was built to last.  The kids even stand on the sides and jump in to make a big splash, and you can't do that with most kiddie pools.  And surprisingly you can fit several adults in with the kids if you don't mind the splashing. It's been one of the best investments we've ever made.

Most summers I've set up our swimming pool in the back yard, so that folks who drive up to visit us won't see a big blue livestock tank right off the bat. But for various reasons, we had to put it in the front yard this year. No, I'm not proud of it. But like I said, it's been a bargain and the kids have a ball in it.

Last night we sat down to dinner and I looked out the dining room window at the water shimmering in our pool. 

"We need to get a new tarp to cover the pool to keep the leaves out."

Mike said, "OK. I'll take care of it."

Then I said what I wish I'd never said. "When you put it on, be sure that you use the good bungees." 

He looked across the table grinning, with a twinkle in his eye. "You mean the 'company bungees'?"

That stopped me cold.  Oh, how I wish the words "good bungee" had never come out of my mouth! But as Omar Idn Al-Halif said, the spoken word is one of the four things that come not back.

Are these truly our standards? Are we so countryfied that we grade our bungee cords? Sadly, yes. We have bungees that hold the door closed on the chicken pen, bungees that hold rain tarps over sick baby goats. We bungee things to the truck and bungee things closed and bungee things together in bundles. We use bungees on the electric fence and bungees in the garden and bungees in the workshop. And after all that use, some of those bungees are just not fit to be used on the pool in the front yard for our visitors to see.  

I can live with having special, clean bungees for our guests to see, I suppose. I mean, we're happy, the kids are happy, and the water in the pool is clean and cool. I guess things could be worse. By the way, if anyone asks if we ever use duct tape around here, I'll deny it.

Growing

The kiss of the sun for pardon,

The song of birds for mirth,

One is closer to God in a garden

Than anywhere else on earth.

~ Unknown

The peas shown here are sweet and tender, just like the girl holding them.

Here at Pecan Bluff farm lots of things are growing! The vegetable garden was created when my parents retired. It feeds our big extended family with lots of extras. They lovingly tend it daily, and they love for the children to help. My mother (Gram) has hoed a thousand miles, and my daddy (DaddyDon) is an amazing wealth of knowledge and energy and ideas. He has amended and worked that soil until it is dark and rich. Many days my grandmother (we all call her Mom) joins us, supervising from a chair in the shade. We plant extras of everything, and it is such fun to work together and watch things change every day in our big garden.

Here are healthy rows of potatoes and onions. Eldest is holding a strawberry.

 It didn't last long after this was snapped.

My 5-year-old is proud of the beet patch.

My 6-year-old is showing a raised bed of salad greens.

 He's often seen munching a lettuce leaf

 and a handful of onion tops when gardening.

 There's so much learning going on in that sunny, green plot. And I'm proud to say that our children are showing us that they are paying attention to those life-lessons. 

Dream big and work hard.

Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty.

Finish what you start. 

Don't do a job half-way.

Be thankful, even for the small blessings.

Family is important~ Work and play together.

Respect your elders~ Listen and learn from them.

The fruits of your labor are sweet!

Happy Gardening!

 

Sunday Singing

In light of our adventures last week, I found this song especially appropriate. We thank the Lord for his protection and peace, until our storms passed by.

'Til the Storm Passes By

by Mosie Lister

In the dark of the midnight

Have I oft hid my face,

While the storm howls above me,

And there's no hiding place.

'Mid the crash of the thunder,

Precious Lord, hear my cry;

Keep me safe 'til the storm passes  by.

'Til the storm passes over,

'Til the thunder sounds no more,

'Til the clouds roll forever from the sky,

Hold me fast; let me stand

In the hollow of Thy hand.

Keep me safe 'til the storm passes by.

Family Fun

Some of Mike's family came down and we had a fun time with Granny, Grandpa, and Aunt Marla. Eldest had an open house violin concert that we enjoyed together, and the birthday boy got to celebrate again. His Sissy made him another great cake. As you can see, I failed to catch him and dress him for the picture. Regardless of season or occasion, he'd just as soon spend all his time running around in his skivvies. A swimsuit is semi-formal attire for this kid.

Cranky Mom

Mike is out of town for a couple of days. So last night I was flying solo with the children. We made it through the evening fine, and for family time Daddy called from his hotel so we could sing our songs and recite memory verses together on speaker phone. We had our prayer, read our stories and I tucked them in nicely. Then the storm hit. 

Lots of times the kids sleep right through bad weather, but this was a LOUD storm. Lighting flashed and thunder crashed and sheets of rain pounded on our metal roof. I hoped that it would pass quickly and the kids would stay asleep. Nope.

Eldest was already clutching her flashlight and clinging to me in my bed when the monitor brought a voice from the boys room. My 6-year-old stage-whispered, "Hey! Wake up! Wake up! There's a big storm!" I ran to their room in hopes of keeping the youngest asleep in his bed, but it was too late. He was squeezing his eyes closed trying to stay asleep amid the thunder claps, while his big brother was shaking him and speaking urgently just inches away from his face trying his best to wake him. It worked.

So I spent the rest of the night in bed with all 3 children and all their lovies, blankies, pillows and stuffed animal friends ~ you know we need all the support we can get when there's a storm and Daddy's not home. 

After several hours of clinging to the edge of my overcrowded bed with Tip Top the giraffe's head jammed in my back and a hot little leg thrown over my neck, I finally gave up. I crept out to let the kids sleep some more, and started my day around 5 am. 

It's been a bit of a blur since then, but the kids seem to think I'm a little cranky today. Maybe.

For My Child

For a Child

by Fannie Stearns Davis

Your friends shall be the Tall Wind,

The River and the Tree,

The Sun that laughs and marches,

The Swallows and the Sea.

Your prayers shall be the murmur

Of grasses in the rain;

The song of wildwood thrushes

That makes God glad again.

And you shall run and wander,

And you shall dream and sing

Of brave things and bright things

Beyond the swallow's wings.

And you shall envy no man,

Nor hurt your heart with sighs,

For I will keep you simple

That God may make you wise.

Monday Funnies

I sat on the couch nearby, watching my 6-year-old son stretched out across the floor. He was carefully building a Lincoln Log cabin.

"So, what are going to be when you grow up?" I asked.

"A train engineer on a steam locomotive," he quickly answered. "What do you wanna be when you grow up, Mom?"

"A mom," I said.

He looked up from his construction project. "Won't you be tired of it by then?"

Sunday Singing

Let Every Heart Rejoice and Sing

Henry Washburne and Geo. J. Webb

Let every heart rejoice and sing,

Let choral anthems rise;

Ye aged men and children, bring

To God your sacrifice;

For He is good, the Lord is good,

And kind are all His ways;

With songs and honors sounding loud,

The Lord Jehovah praise;

While the rocks and the rills,

While the vales and the hills

A glorious anthem raise;

Let each prolong the grateful song,

And the God of our fathers praise,

And the God of our fathers praise.

Birthday Fun

Here is a bit of the fun we had today. Lunch with Daddy, then a train cake~ for the 5th year running. Big Sis found this great idea for starters, then my little chef got creative with his own special touches. With pretzels for the load of timber and chocolate covered peanuts for coal, he was pleased as punch with the result. 

Happy 6th Birthday!

Today is my oldest son's birthday. This morning he grinned and said, "I have run out of fingers on this hand, so I am starting with a new hand!"

I shared this stroll down memory lane in pictures, but he is always so energetic and bubbly it is more appropriate that we leap, skip and hop down the lane. For me, his childhood certainly seems to be flying by at that pace anyway.

We will start our celebration by meeting Daddy at work for lunch, then we'll come home and make the birthday cake he chose. You guessed it~ a train! Then this weekend will be more partying with the rest of our family. He is one excited little guy today. 

We love you, sweetheart! Happy Sixth Birthday!

Time with Grandpa

We all enjoyed it when Grandpa stopped through last week.  We had a good time visiting and it was a special treat when he took us all out to eat. The neat bird feeder in the picture was a gift Granny sent. The kids have already seen dove and cardinals visiting it.  We love you, Granny and Grandpa!

Learn

"Come forth into the light of things. Let nature be your teacher."

William Wordsworth

Patience is a virtue

Hoping for some more great bluebonnet pictures with the kids, I corralled them in the yard and lined them up. In spite of my best efforts, I soon discovered that they are pretty burned out on photo shoots in the flowers. I snapped my fingers and made faces and shouted instructions anyway.

"Look over here!" 

"Don't blink!"

"Saaaaaaay monkey!"

I looked up from their forced smiles and saw this amazing little guy watching intently from his perch on the kids' playground set nearby. This male green anole  (Anolis carolinensis) is the only anole native to the U.S. He has the ability to change colors, and this bright green shade is stunning! 

He seemed to enjoy my antics and was following my instructions exactly. He looked right at me, eyes open wide, and I bet he was thinking "What's a monkey?"

He patiently waited his turn, and around here we try to reward patience.

Sunday Singing

I Know Whom I Have Believed

by El Nathan and James McGranahan

I know not why God's wondrous grace

To me He hath made known,

Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love

Redeemed me for His own.

But "I know whom I have believed,

And am persuaded that He is able

To keep that which I've committed

Unto Him against that day."

I know not when my Lord may come,

At night or noon-day fair,

Nor if I'll walk the vale with Him,

Or "meet Him in the air."

But "I know whom I have believed,

And am persuaded that He is able

To keep that which I've committed

Unto Him against that day."

Kids

Of both varieties! We love to see new baby goat kids at our place, and this is an especially cute little one. Sometimes a baby goat comes into the world to a mother that just doesn't get it. She steps on the baby while trying to get to the corn. She walks away and leaves the baby shivering in the cold. She doesn't recognize when her baby is weak and sick. She lets other goats bully him. She won't stand still while he tries valiantly to stand up on wobbly legs and nurse. We end up bottle feeding those poor little ones until they are stronger. Sometimes they make it and sometimes they don't.

But this kid  belongs to a nanny that really knows how to mother. Her entire life is wrapped up in taking care of her little one. She instinctively knows that her baby needs her like he needs air to breathe. She does whatever she must, to make sure her baby is safe and happy at every moment. She fretted over him for hours after he was born, licking and nudging and encouraging him. When we let the rest of the heard out to green pastures later that day, she stayed in the pen with him so he could nurse. Now that he is a few days old, she still hurries while she grazes so she won't be far from him for long. And she watches him while she eats, as he rests in a bed of grass. She's obsessed.

He's doing great, of course. Thriving under the tender care of his obsessed mama. Wish every kid had a mama like that.

Bluebonnets and my precious

She made me a mother ten years ago.

Now I watch her grow into a young woman,

and I stand amazed.

 She is my heart. My precious. 

Bluebonnets and my joy

He is our human smiley face.

He laughs at any joke, and dissolves in giggles

 if his sister so much as crosses her eyes.

 When he's in the room everyone will end up smiling.

My joy.

Bluebonnets and my baby

I know, I know. He's 5 years old.

 I can't keep calling him "my baby" forever.

 If it starts to bother him, I promise I'll stop.

Saying it out loud.

Recital

Today was solo recital day for eldest. She played Minuet No. 3 and did a really beautiful job. In the past few months it seems like she graduated from playing notes properly to playing music. And it is a joy to see and hear.

 Congratulations, dear. Keep up the good work. We couldn't be more proud of you and all you've accomplished!

Sunday Singing

What a Day That Will Be

by Jim Hill

There is coming a day

When no heartaches shall come,

No more clouds in the sky,

No more tears to dim the eye;

All is peace forever more

On that happy golden shore,

What a day, glorious day that will be.

What a day that will be

When my Jesus I shall see,

And I look upon His face, 

The one who saved me by His grace;

When he takes me by the hand,

And leads me through the Promised Land,

What a day, glorious day that will be.

There'll be no sorrow there,

No more burdens to bear,

No more sickness, no pain,

No more parting over there;

And forever I will be

With the One who died for me,

What a day, glorious day that will be.

What a day that will be

When my Jesus I shall see,

And I look upon his face, 

The One who saved me by His grace;

When He takes me by the hand,

And leads me through the Promised Land,

What a day, glorious day that will be.

We've been learning this beautiful song during our evening family time. Thanks to my faithful parents, I've known most of the songs in the songbook by heart since my childhood, so it's been especially nice for Mike to teach me a song that was new to me. We're still working on the melody with the kids, but hope to add some harmony soon. You can visit this site and find the tune to many songs.

Mike was blessed with faithful parents, too. I'm so thankful that he enjoys singing praises. He remembers enjoying What a Day That Will Be as a child, especially during visits by a special missionary from Burundi. I hope we can give our children the blessing of knowing hymns by heart. There is nothing more comforting to me.

Nature Study

We had perfect weather for a nature study day, so we ditched the books and took advantage. With boots, picnic lunch, field guides and binoculars we were off. We disturbed cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis) resting near the edge of the stock tank. These medium-sized white herons often hang around our cows. 

Next, the boys discovered a beautiful black mushroom. My close-up didn't turn out, but you can see it in the center of the photo. Anyone know of a great mushroom ID site  to help us name beauties like this?

We did a little more birding, then practiced our tree ID until we discovered the creek is full of all kinds of frogs. That kept us busy until lunch. 

We ended the exploration by checking out the pools that collect at the base of our bluff. We've had good rains this month, so they are full of water right now. They are also teeming with tadpoles of all shapes and sizes! We carefully collected all kinds of pond life. It is an amazing little world of activity. 

Whew. Tired kids. Exhausted mama. Muddy laundry. Jar of green, slimy water on my dining table. A possible case of poison ivy.

By all accounts, a great day.

Up close and personal

We had an unfortunate incident (unfortunate for the lizard, that is) while out west. The kids started dragging around a piece of plastic hose in their make-believe play. It had been on the ground outside the cabin undisturbed for several weeks, so their uncle decided he better check it for wasps and spiders and such. After whipping it against the ground several times, this poor, stunned lizard fell out in a daze. While he was semi-comatose, the kids got a nice long look at him, up close. He seemed to recover later and staggered away from our rowdy crew.

No lizards were hurt in the taking of these pictures. 

At least not on purpose.