Observing the Heavens

And here I thought I was taking a walk all by myself...

The Thursday Three

Our astronomy club is planning another night of viewing for the public. Only two of us are available to work, so we may have to limit the number of folk who come out. I enjoy taking my laser pointer and showing people the constellations and telling them the stories that rotate overhead.

I find myself drawn to look up into the skies each night to see what I can see. What do you see from your home when you look up?

What constellations can you locate?

Were you able to see the cluster of planets in the sky this week?

If you have been reading my blog for any length of time, you probably know that I enjoy the night skies. I can only see parts of the sky if I am too close to my house since we have so many trees. When I walk down the lane, I can see most of the dome above, but the small town in the northwest illuminates the sky enough that I am never able to see much there. One night a friend and I worked through all the constellations we could find—and only missed a couple of the northern ones since they were not above the horizon. My sky has been too cloudy for sky observing this week, but I’ve been watching Jupiter slip through Virgo this summer.

Blessings!

The friendly old lady has a carrot. Whoa! Loud tractor and open gate; it's a good time for an... 

Escape! 

Being followed by the old lady. Ha! No challenge here. 

Caught by the boy. No problem. Stubborn donkeys rule.  

Two against one. No fair. Back to the pasture. 

Hey look, guys! The little green thing on wheels is here to visit us! Maybe the buckets in the back have corn. I better rub my nose around on it and lick it a bit to see if it tastes good--hmmmmm.

Whoa! The little green thing is backing away from me. Hey! I'm not done checking it out! There has to be some corn in there somewhere. Stop! I better try to follow it--surely it will stop again...Ach! It's driving straight at me. Get out of the way!!!!! 

Fairview at sunset. 

Hubby and I went for a gator ride in the stream pasture tonight to check the cattle. I think this is one of the most peaceful places on our farm.  

Hubby in Wisconsin is standing next to one of the round bales in his hay field. 

And Then It Rained

The ground was dry, but the corn and soybeans emerged. We prayed for rain.

The small plants grew slowly and the soil began to crack. We prayed for rain.

The weatherman predicted rain. The storm went north of us.

The days began to warm. The normal Wisconsin humidity did not come. The plants seemed to stop growing. We prayed for rain.

The corn began to curl. The heat began to soar. We prayed for rain.

More rain was predicted, and we did get a misting. There was not enough that hit the ground to register in the rain gauge. We prayed for rain.

The cattle began to bellow because their grass was turning brown. We fed them hay and prayed for rain.

The hot sun beating down on the parched earth brought the temperatures into the 90’s. My tomatoes began to grow limp and I watered them. The plants in the field did not have that option. We prayed for rain.

We were watching a movie when we heard the thunder. We disconnected the computers, TV, and microwave so that they would not be damaged from a lightening strike. And then it rained. It was a beautiful rain—full bodied but gentle. It softened the ground. The soil drank it in thankfully. The sigh of relief could be heard from all living things. The cows stood outside letting the cool rain wash their dusty bodies.

More than three inches fell through the night. Again we prayed. A prayer of thanksgiving. A prayer of praise.

In times of troubles, it is good to know The One Who Loves Us Always.

Fourth Thursday in June's Thursday Three

It has been an interesting week on the farm.

This morning we found a 1st calf heifer in labor that could not deliver her calf due to the calf’s leg and shoulder being stuck. The calf did not survive, but we did manage to get it delivered.

Penelope is miserable. We need to give her a bath and give her something to keep the flies and bugs away from her. Poor donkey! I’m hoping that when the children go up to work their show calves, they will work with her.

Our neighbor had an appendectomy yesterday. Since they are Amish and we are the closest neighbors with a phone, we were involved. This morning they called us at 6:00 A.M. to ask if we would give them a ride home from the hospital. Normally they do not use our phone or ask us for transportation—but this seemed to be a good time to be involved and help out. I hope he does well now that he is back home.

My cousin’s youngest son has been here to visit us the last 3 days. The boys have had a great time camping in the woods. They drive the gator as far as they can and then haul their gear along the path that winds through the dense growth until they get to the top of the hill. They have a fire ring and a nice grassy spot for the tent. What a great way for boys to grow up!

And now for the Thursday Three:

1. If you had a time machine, where would you go?

I’d go to the future to see if they ever figure out space travel to far away places. Capt. Janeway, here I come! LOL!

2. Have you ever lived outside the United States and Canada? Where?

I went to summer school in both Spain and Mexico. I’d like to visit China.

3. If you had an extra 4 hours in your day to do whatever you wanted to do, how would you spend your time?

I’d walk more, read more books, and sit in my swing listening to the sounds of the farm.

Your turn! Have a great day!

The view from our lane in early evening. 

Streeeeeeeeeetch! Orion is named after the star constellation by the same name. If you use your imagination, you can see his white paws are the stars at the shoulders and knees of the constellation--and the stripe up the belly represents his "belt". This little guy's nickname was Wannabe because he wanted to be an inside cat. Now that he is older and getting more independent, my hubby calls him Shouldabeen. Have a good day! 

Hello, Blackie. Do you want your picture taken? Good boy! Could I scratch your chin? 

Did you want your picture taken, too? And you, too? And you? And you? And... Oh, my! 

Sunday Thoughts

Scattered Thoughts from my Big Green Chair

In the last week I’ve spent time in the offices of 4 different doctors, worked on spring cleaning the basement of my 100 year old house, watched my husband work 15 hour days trying to breed cattle, bale hay, or fix machinery, herded my children through long hours of school work that did not get finished during our school year, and kept up the normal schedule of laundry, meals, and housekeeping.

A long time ago I had dreams of becoming a missionary in a far away land. For a while I had hoped to become a lawyer. Other times, I had no idea what it was I wanted to do when I grew up. I know now that teaching is one of the gifts I have—something I love to do. I’ve not only taught English as a Second Language and homeschooled, but have taught many people how to knit, make soap, plant a garden, and knead bread.

When I first married, my husband was an engineer and I, a teacher. By that time my dreams had changed—all I really wanted was the chance to have a family. My husband dreamed about going farming. Both of us believed that we might never have the chance for either of those. We scrimped and saved and purchased our first farm as we jumped through the hoops of infertility testing.

Today we have both a farm and a family. But time has been marching on, and as our lives unfold, we find that we struggle to hold on to our dreams—the children are growing up and someday soon will begin to leave my nest. And the farm—well, the farm is a wonderful place to live, but it is not an easy way to make a living. What our future holds is in God’s hands.

And that, of course, is the one certainty in our future—God’s hands. It is good to look back over our past and remember the faithfulness of The One Who Led Us This Far. I am learning that what He gives us is never less than what we have—in one way or another, He gives more of Himself and raises up in me a person closer to whom He created me to be. I can walk into tomorrow certain that He Who Leads Me will still be there, choosing my path, giving me strength, and teaching me to grow in wisdom.

This afternoon my hubby left the hay field long enough to spend a little time with his parents and brother and sister-in-law. My sister-in-law had made a wonderful meal, and we were able to enjoy the time just being together. It is good to see that a man a long time ago became a father, and the son became a man who, too, became a father. In time, perhaps one of his sons will become a father as well. Each of these men have spent time working the land. It is something each of them has loved—and it is good to pass on what we have learned and loved to our children. It is their heritage.

To my children I wish most of all to pass on the faith in Him Who Is Faithful. If I do this, all else will not matter.

Blessings.

Friday's Thursday Three

O.K. I thought yesterday was Wednesday. Today we will do the Thursday Three since, to me, today is Thursday. (I know. I’m getting old and eccentric. Live with it.)

1. What is your favorite color?

I like green for grass and blue for skies, yellow suns, and many colored kitty cats. I look best when wearing pinks, purples, red-blues, and “summer” colors.

2. Do you plan to take a vacation this summer? Where?

We will probably do state fair. I doubt we will get much further away from the cattle, corn, soybeans and cats. I’d like to go to Vermont and travel up into New Brunswick and Nova Scotia…some day.

3. Tell about something you did and regretted.

Last night at about 4 in the morning a huge catfight got my son and me up. We found that one of the big, nasty neighborhood tomcats had treed our little Betelgeuse. Since we normally use an old, worn out b-b gun (at a distance so as not to do real harm) to discipline nasty toms, we tried to target the rear end of this visiting monster. The cat then crawled down the branch and hung in the tree like it was dead.

NOOOOO! I didn’t mean to hurt him! I just wanted him to get away from my kitten!

This morning my husband tells me he was hunting along side the road as usual. Nasty beastie!
Blessings.

This morning I pattered down the stairs with my two fuzzies who were trying to herd me to their food dishes, only to see outside my kitchen window two of my neighbors mules wandering in my back yard. I think my calf twins are a more appropriately sized as lawn ornaments... 

For those of you who want a taste of the farm, this is what happens when twins figure out how to get through the fence. Charcoal is on the deck above them checking them out. Anyone need a set of lawn ornaments?

In the evening, the mosquitoes were bad, so we'd escape to the screened in porch at the lodge. 

The lake at dusk. 

I snapped this photo while walking down one of the lanes near the resort.  

This is the cabin we stayed in last week. It is a rustic place, but it was comfortable. We could have done without the ticks, however. I'm slowly getting my computer running again--I've much to do to get my photos organized. I plan to show you scenes from our trip over the next few days while I search through the CDs to find the rest of my picture files. Blessings! 

Please Be Patient with Me

Our trip was wonderful. We are tired and glad to be home.

My computer is not so wonderful. I had to replace the hard drive, and now I need to get all the files we recovered transferred to the new hard drive so I can use them. I hope to work on this tomorrow. Pictures of the trip will have to wait.

How are all of you? What did you do this last week? Sorry to be gone so long...

:-) Blessings.

Hunky Dory Farms

I had pictures to post today, but I doubt that you are going to get to see them...my computer died yesterday. (Sob!) We took it to the doctor, and we are waiting to hear if it is terminal or not. I had backed up several files a while back, and was going to do that again this week before I left for vacation--bad timing. I am working on my husband's computer this morning, and I am glad I am still able to let you know what I'm going to be doing this coming week.

On Sunday my children and I will be leaving for a week at camp. I had intended to take my computer with me, but now it is doubtful that I will be able to keep in contact with you. I'll take photos of the lake--the mist floating over the surface at dawn--and bring them back for you. Each year the World Mission Prayer League has a week long camp for its missionaries and for those interested in joining the mission. I'll spend the mornings working with their children while the parents are busy, and then we will have the rest of the day free. I only wish my husband could get away from the farm to join us, but this is the end of planting season and the beginning of haying. He has never made it up to visit the camp which is called, believe it or not, Hunky Dory.

Hunky Dory is situated in the woods of northern Wisconsin near Amery. The mosquitoes are huge and plentiful; the cabins are, well, rustic. One year the shower drain cover was missing and we had a squirrel come in to visit us; the cabins have not changed much over the last 36 years. When I was a child, I attended this camp with my mother and sisters since my mother was a prayer partner with the mission. I loved it just as much as my children do today. I loved swimming out to the dock, riding in the paddle boat, and swinging in the swings that hung from tall oaks.

One summer a missionary spent time with me, and she told me that I was getting to the age where I, myself, would have to make the decision to follow in the faith in which I had been raised. She said that I would not always have someone telling me what to do--to attend church, read my Bible, follow Christ. I remember those words of advice and think that all children should hear them in their early teen years. It made a difference in my life because I took her seriously. She was a Godsent.

My children enjoy spending an entire week with people who take their faith seriously enough to be on the "front lines" of the battle. Many of these families live in countries that do not welcome Christians; they take their faith with them and share it while ministering to the people's needs. Many are doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers, and pastors. They are warm, friendly, kind people who, for the most part, are in real need of some time off to relax and enjoy some fellowship.

I remember sitting in a chair in the lodge one summer while I listened to a wonderful man teach the Bible study. I was in 8th grade, old enough to join the adult group for the 1st time. I felt the gospel burn in my heart that week as it had never done before. I longed to join them in their mission to share Christ. And although my God has never taken me to missions overseas, I continue to work with those who do through daily prayer.

And so we will be off, and you may not hear from me for a while; I will be back on June 11th. I will think of you, miss you, and keep you in my prayers--and look forward to coming home as much as going!

Blessings.

The Thursday Three

Let’s try this again! If you've never left a comment, go ahead and give it a try! Just click on "comments" at the bottom of the post, and then scroll down and click on "post a comment". Type you note into the little box, and hit "publish". Have a great day!

1. Do you have any pets?

You all know that I have cats, cats and cats! Do cattle and a donkey count as pets? My son wants us to get fish again, but I don’t want to take care of them and he hasn’t promised to do it, so no fish yet!

2. If you could delete one season out of the year, which would it be?

I’d get rid of the heat of summer. Winter is my favorite season, but autumn is a close second. On the farm, spring is usually mud season.

3. Do you have a blog? If so, leave a link!

LOL! I’ll leave my Web site link. http://www.mhtc.net/~fairview