Sunday Muse

The summer ends, and it is time
To face another way. Our theme
Reversed, we harvest the last row
To store against the cold, undo
The garden that will be undone.
We grieve under the weakened sun
To see all earth's green fountains dried,
And fallen all the works of light.
You do not speak, and I regret
This downfall of the good we sought
As though the fault were mine. I bring
The plow to turn the shattering
Leaves and bent stems into the dark,
From which they may return. At work,
I see you leaving our bright land,
The last cut flowers in your hand.

~ "The Summer Ends" by Wendell Berry

While We Were Lambing

During lambing season, we decided to take the back way home to catch a glimpse of the wildflowers.  The beautiful show of white trillium, red trillium, trout lily, wood geranium and violets made the trip up the steep, narrow, rough road well worthwhile.
Each time we come home this way our thoughts are drawn to what must have been going through the minds of our Great-Great Grandparents Andrew and Amy and our Great Grandparents David and Hannah as they made this trip by horse and wagon carrying all their worldly possessions to our high mountain home.
What a blessing it is to have the opportunity to travel so often in their 'footsteps'.

Sunday Muse

Almost Home

We are reflecting on the new year a little early, as there is much we wish to achieve.
Perhaps the most important is to hold on to the feeling of joy that bubbles up when we reach the top of this hill and see the sky.
No matter what the time of day, no matter what the weather, no matter what problems we are trying to work through... joy is there... at this moment.

This moment... we know... we are... almost home.

{this moment}

A Friday ritual.
A single photo - no words - capturing a single moment from the week
A simple, special extraordinary moment.
A moment to pause, savor and remember.
Participating with the SouleMama blog.

Roadside Beauty

It's that time of year when the roadsides are full of color.  You can't miss the beauty as you make your way through daily chores, wander a bit farther down the road or sneak a stroll down the proverbial 'road less traveled'.
Don't miss your chance to win a skein of our Hogget Millspun Yarn, just comment on yesterday's blog post. 

Meanwhile Back in the Barn

Spring has definitely sprung in our little corner of the world.  The redbuds are beautiful lining the river road.  The coltsfoot that provided that very first pop of roadside color have given way to the soothing white of the bloodroot, and coming up Rowlesburg hill the trilliums, both red and white, provide a blanket of blooms on the hillside.

Meanwhile, back in the barn, things are slowly moving along.  On Monday, Sweet Pea had beautiful lincoln-cross twins, a ewe weighing 11 lbs 5 ozs and a ram weighing 11 lbs 9 ozs.  Patience, not to be out done, also had a beautiful set of twins; a ram weighing 11 lbs 10 ozs and a ewe weighing 10 lbs 12 ozs.  She had them at the bottom of the hill, but kindly brought them almost to the top.  They were so cute following her up the hill.

We worked in the barn most of yesterday afternoon, moving things around and setting up additional lambing jugs.  So, in a very 'be careful what you wish for' kind of way, we are wishing that lambing kicks up into a little bit higher gear.  After all, we have four empty lambing jugs in the barn.

Signs of Spring

"Spring has returned.

The earth is like a child that knows poems."

~Ranier Maria Rilke

Not quite sure if you can see it or not, but there is a slight hint of red in our mountains, a sure sign that spring is finally arriving.  Flocks of starlings are flying through, coltsfoot are blooming by the roadside, bluebirds are back at the nest boxes and maple tree buds are swelling. 

Friday's Fences

Happy Fence Friday!

joining Life According to Jan and Jer for Friday's Fences

Friday's Fences

c o m i n g  h o m e

Friday's Fences

While our world is covered with snow at the moment, a sunny weekend provided a beautiful view of light, shadow and of course... fence.  Happy Fence Friday.

joining Life According to Jan and Jer for Friday's Fences

Friday's Fence

Evenings have been beautiful.

linking to Friday's Fences with Life According to Jan and Jer

Friday's Fence

We're enjoying the beautiful almost-autumn tones of the roadside, as the greens are slowly giving way to shades of yellow, orange and brown.  Here and there little sections of leaves on some of the trees are turning.  Right now it's difficult to embrace the changing season, but you can feel it coming, especially in the mornings.

Joining Life According to Jan and Jer for Friday's Fences

Friday's Fences

Roadside chaos.... Fence Friday

joining Life According to Jan and Jer for Friday's Fences

Sunday Muse

I want to wake up in the morning

Where the rhododendrons grow;

Where the sun comes a-creepin'

Into where I'm a-sleepin'

And the songbirds say, "Hello."

I want to wander thru' the wildwood

Where the fragrant breezes blow

And drift back to the mountains

Where the rhododendrons grow.

I want to climb up in the mountains

Where the rhododendrons grow;

Where the Lord is so near me

When I breathe He can hear me

And the whole world sings below.

I want to lay down all my burdens

And forget my worldly woes,

And stay here in West Virginia

Where the rhododendrons grow.

'The Rhododendron Song' ~ memories from 4-H Camp

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Out and About

After a quick decision to come home by the river road, and a climb over the guard rail, we found a pretty spot not already taken by fishermen.  The river was not really high but was running fast and loud, providing some beautiful scenery and moments of peace.  Just as I was taking some final shots of the river canyon, that peace was suddenly broken by the appearance of a helicopter from Camp Dawson.  The decision to leave was hurried along a little, as I told myself that it was hovering nearby just to make sure that I didn't fall down and break my crown as I climbed back up the steep bank. ;)

We thought we might as well continue our adventure and come up the back way... up Rowlesburg hill.  Spring time is a great time to see the wildflowers emerging along the roadside, and as you can see from the picture below, without summer's dense forest undergrowth, it is a great time to capture the true character of the road .  It is no longer maintained by the state road so it is full of ruts and bumps, but you are definitely not bothered by a lot of traffic.

So it was not a problem to stop along the way and enjoy the wildflowers... the yellow coltsfoot is still blooming but fading.  Bloodroot is now putting on the show with its delicate white flowers.  Spring has definitely sprung... everything is blooming about three weeks earlier than usual.

Closer to Spring

Slowly but surely we are inching closer to spring ~ the maple tree buds are swelling and  so are the daffodils.  The roadside wildflower coltsfoot are popping out and beginning to bloom.  The cardinals' springtime dance has begun ~ with first a glimpse... a glance... a flit... and a flutter.

In just one short week, it will be official... it will be spring!

Friday's Fences

Winter's white caps...

joining Jan and Jer for this Friday's Fences

Friday's Fences

We're once again, joining Life According to Jan and Jer for Friday's Fences.  Top photo is from last Saturday during the little snowstorm, and bottom from the sunny Sunday that followed.

Friday's Fences

Joining with Life According to Jan and Jer for Friday's Fences... have to admit to being a little fascinated with the snowy, roadside curves this week.

Friday's Fences

Our road-side fence at the old storage well... joining Jan's link-up for Friday's Fences.