Walking is the perfect way of moving if you want to see into the life of things. It is the one way of freedom. If you go to a place on anything but your own feet you are taken there too fast, and miss a thousand delicate joys that were waiting for you by the wayside. Elizabeth von Arnim

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Sunday, February 28, 2021

Sunday

 Sunset a couple of days ago from our front porch.



Numbers 6:24, 25, and 26 KJV

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:

The Lord make his face shine upon thee,
and be gracious unto thee:

The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee,
and give thee peace.

A blessed Sunday to all.
πŸ‘©πŸ»‍🦳 happyone ❤️

Comment Replies:
Tom - There is an Amish community near us and my drying rack WAS made by the Amish. 

Saturday, February 27, 2021

Walking in the industrial park

 We had just a dusting of snow last night.
33 degrees when I started my walk in town.
It was cloudy and after a mile or so a very light misty rain started.
Got a bit damp but not enough to matter.

The town pond is still frozen.

Walked up and down some streets in town.

Then  headed over to the industrial park and walked around there.
Some of you may wonder why I would choose to walk there.
It is not like most industrial parks.  There are only 4 businesses spread out over
quite a large area.  The roads are nice and quiet with fields around and even
the back of a farm is behind it.
I made a college of the roads where I walk.

Saw two men out walking their dogs.
One was the man with the friendly dog and the other was a man
with a dog named Lizzy. She doesn't bark but doesn't seem very friendly.

By the time I was back at the Jeep I had walked 6 miles.

☁️    πŸ™‚    ☁️

The temperature went into the 40's and we had a little rain,
but it was mostly foggy the rest of the day.

We drove into town to go to the Dollar General.
We didn't have our coupon but the friendly cashier gave us the $5 off anyway.
Ran into two friends while there, Joy, who goes to our church and
Lena who walks around town like I do.

Finished knitting another wash/dish cloth.
This one is a different pattern than I usually make and a little bigger too.

Just the usual and enjoyable day around the house.

Thanks for stopping by.
A happy day to you.
πŸ‘©πŸ»‍🦳 happyone ❤️

Comment Replies:
Vee - We still have the month of March yet so we still might have more snow but yes, I think the tide has turned.

John - Don't think we had any more snow this year than usual, it is just that the snow didn't have time to melt at all before the next snow came along and this year we had more ice which made layers of ice and snow.

Deb - A load of laundry fits on my drying rack. πŸ™‚It is taller than I am. Besides I don't have a choice because I don't even have a clothes dryer!



Friday, February 26, 2021

Oh no, miss cow still got out

This morning it was 20 degrees when I started walking around town.
Calm and once the sun rose my walk was a sunny one.

 One of the cemeteries and the ball park were still snow covered
but the lower cemetery was passable so walked around there.

The road down to the barn by the bulls was clear for walking too
so walked down there and said good morning to the bulls.

Three geese were sitting in the middle of the farm pond behind the
Drane house on the ice and stood up when they spotted me.
Seems like a cold spot to pick to sit.

Walked up and down the main street in town.
Mmmmmm delicious smells coming from the bakery as I passed by.

Didn't see anyone out walking but did wave to people going by
in cars and trucks.  

On the drive home I saw 4 deer.

Walked 6.2 miles

☀️    🦌    🚢‍♀️

We watched the red/brown cow by the cattle grate walk
back and forth along the edge and then saw her jump right over it.
Ken went out and chased her back in.
She is the ring leader and is always the first one out.
They are planning on putting in a wider grate with the
spaces between the bars wider.

Did laundry and was going to hang it outside on the line
but the day turned cloudy and stayed cold so had to hang them
on the drying rack instead.
Mentioned this before but I put the rack over 
a heating vent and the clothes dry pretty fast.

Had the usual day around the house.

Thanks for stopping by.
A happy day to you.
πŸ‘©πŸ»‍🦳 happyone ❤️

There are two ways of spreading light;
to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.
- Edith Wharton -

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Back to town πŸ˜ƒ

It was great to drive to town where I could have my normal
morning walk again. πŸ˜ƒ
The rain stopped sometime during the night and it was 
32 degrees, cloudy and calm when I started walking. 

I could walk up to the cemeteries and the ball park but
couldn't walk around them because there is still ice and snow there.

There were plenty of places I could walk though and I was happy
just to be back to town.  Walked around the streets that were clear
and went to the industrial park and walked there too.

Didn't see anyone else out walking and no animals either.
Wanted to go and see the bulls but the road down to the
barn was ice.  Maybe tomorrow I can get down there.

By the time I was getting back to the car, the clouds were just
starting to make way for blue sky and the sun.

Walked 6.2 miles
Found a quarter

☁️    ☀️    πŸ’°

Our neighbor cows have been escaping daily now that they got
a taste of getting off the farm so today Farmer Eugene and Aaron 
with Ken's help got the cattle grate unclogged.
The grate had to be lifted up and out which Aaron did with
a big loader of some kind and Ken used his tractor to clear
out the ice and snow.
Then the grate was put back in place. No escaping now. 
Will miss the cows coming over for a visit,
but I'm sure the younger ones will jump over it a time or two.

Did the usual chores around the house and then had time to read and knit.

We had another beautiful sunny day though it only stayed in the 30's.
Still, with all that sunshine a lot more snow is now gone.

Posting a bit early today.
David and Liz are coming over for a pizza supper with us and then
we are going to play the board game LIFE.
Should be a fun evening.
Such a blessing to have them live so close to us now!!!

Thanks for stopping by.
A happy day to you.
πŸ‘©πŸ»‍🦳 happyone ❤️

Comment Replies:
Carla - Thanks so much for the visit and comment. πŸ™‚

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

The melt continues

Lots of snow melting going on today.
Sunny and the temperature reached 50 degrees - felt like summer.

Got my house chores done first thing this morning.
Then we left the house to do a few errands.
Dropped off the trash at the dump.
Picked up a few things at the Shop and Save.
Picked up some books at the library.
(Still having curb side pickup)

I went outside in the afternoon in the sunshine.


Walked around out back again in the snow for my walk.
Only got 4 miles in but walking in the snow I figured its like 6 miles.
There's our house down there through the trees.

Shoveled most of the snow off the deck so I'll be able to hang
the laundry outside if we have a nice day.

Always like to get some reading and knitting done in the afternoon
before supper.

It's supposed to rain tonight so more snow will be gone by morning.
Pretty sure I'll be driving to town in the morning for my walk.
Sure will be nice to get back to that - last time I could walk
in town was Jan 15th!!! Have NEVER gone that long before!!

Thanks so much for stopping by.
A happy day to all.
πŸ‘©πŸ»‍🦳 happyone ❤️

Comment Replies:
PomPom - I may have looked cold sitting on the pile of snow but I sure wasn't.  I dress in layers and get hot when out walking!!

Bill - I know Catonsville well, we used to live near there in Ellicott City before moving up here. Pretty congested down that way!! We lived in Savage too at one time which is also near there.  

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Last Puzzle

 It's been in the mid 30's all day so a little more melting is going on.
We did have a few snow showers and saw the sun for a bit but
mostly it was a cloudy day.

Walked around out back making paths all around the place in the snow.

That's me sitting in the snow.
(Ken took it without me knowing)

We finished the last puzzle of the season today.
I'm puzzled out. 
1000 piece puzzle of our state of Maryland.

We live in the north west corner of the state right there by the arrow.

Did a few chores around the house, knitted, and read.

That's it for today.
A happy day to you.
Thanks for stopping by.
πŸ‘©πŸ»‍🦳 happyone ❤️

Comment Replies:
Beside - You got it a bit wrong. πŸ™‚The lane on the right gets passed up and we go down the hill and around the curve which leads to another road and we turn left. That takes us to the main road and a left turn takes us to town.

Monday, February 22, 2021

More snow but a little melting too

Sure was nice having that sunny day yesterday.
Today we are back to more snow.
This picture is from yesterday after I shoveled a path on the back deck.


This was from this morning.


Went outside walking today up and down the lane.
Turned left out of my driveway and walked up to the cows
which were in their own pasture today.
Coming back, driveway on right, and lane up ahead on the right.

It was 33 degrees with a bit of a wind and snowing when I started out. 
Got warmer and by the time I was back home it had warmed up
even more to 37 and the snow had turned into a light rain.
The rain and warm temperature was a good start on getting some of
the snow melted.

Saw David when I was out walking.  We walked and talked for about
a half mile and then went on our separate ways.

Home all day getting some work done around the house.
I don't usually make lists but every so often I get in a list
mood and make them for a while.
Made one today, but didn't just put things on it that I wanted to
get done today but for ALL WEEK.
It is quite a long list.

Nice to spend some time reading, working on the puzzle,
and knitting this afternoon.

Life is Good πŸ™‚
Thanks for stopping by.
A happy day to you.
πŸ‘©πŸ»‍🦳 happyone ❤️

Sunday, February 21, 2021

SUNSHINE

John 14:1 - 3 and 6 KJV

1. Let not your heart be troubled:
ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2. In my Father's house are many mansions:
if it were not so, I would have told you.
 I go to prepare a place for you.

3. And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again, and receive you unto myself;
that where I am, there ye may be also.

6. Jesus saith unto him, 
I am the way, the truth, and the life,
no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 3:16 KJV
For God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son,
that WHOSOEVER believeth in Him
Should not perish, but have everlasting life.

πŸ“–    πŸ“–    πŸ“–

Started of at 0 degrees this morning but the sun was out
and the temperature rose to 33 degrees this afternoon.
Just wanted to let you know that the sun really does shine
πŸ˜€ in Garrett County, Md. ☀️ 


Walked up the lane in sunshine.

Walking up our driveway I was greeted by my friend the cow.
(two others were there too)


A blessed Sunday to all.
πŸ‘©πŸ»‍🦳 happyone ❤️

Comment Replies:
Deb - Grew out my hair a while ago. Try to keep it now to just below my chin and it's easy for Ken to trim it.
Beside - No, haven't framed the horse picture to hang on the wall, but maybe I should. πŸ™‚

Saturday, February 20, 2021

Faith, the horse

Don't think any of you will be surprised when I say we are having
another day of snow.
Back down to the basement for walking.

This is our deck out back.


  It was 5 degrees and windy so didn't walk outside at all today.

Had an nice day inside puttering about in our nice warm house 
doing the usual stuff.
Only did the basic house chores!

I was looking back at posts when we didn't have any snow
and came across this picture of Faith who lives along the Farm Loop
at Farmer Bill's place.
This just might be my favorite picture I've ever taken!!

That's all I have for today.

Thanks for stopping by.
A happy day to you.
 πŸ‘©πŸ»‍🦳 happyone ❤️

Comment Replies:
Tom - For the most part Ken makes the details.  Some of the signs come on sheets and others he scans and prints them. The junk piles he often uses left over pieces from other scenes.   

Melanie - Ken's train layout takes up the basement.  He made it in the middle so I can walk around it. This post will show you the size of the layout and how I walk around it.

Beside - My hair is actually quite thin but it has a lot of body so appears thicker than it is. No plans to change my icon. Usually hate pictures of myself and the icon is one that is not that bad so I'm keeping it. πŸ™‚

Friday, February 19, 2021

Growing snow pile

 Didn't even try walking outside today.  Just too much ice around.
Though the ice grippers are good, with snow being on top of ice
it is still pretty slippery and you have to watch every step you take.
Sure am looking forward to the day I can drive to town and have
a normal walk!
In the meantime here's another train picture.

Had to go out and do a few errands today.
Dump
Library
Pharmacy
Track Auto

When we got back home I had Ken take a picture of me standing next
to the snow pile at the edge of the driveway that keeps
getting bigger and bigger.

Cleaned the bathrooms - sure glad we only have 1 1/2 baths!! πŸ™‚

Read this afternoon and will probably finish reading
A Storm of Swards later this evening.
Also knitted.

Ken made supper for us today.
This morning he put all the ingredients into the slow cooker to make beef stew.
Perfect for a cold, snowy, foggy day.

That's all for today.
Hope your Friday was a good one.
πŸ‘©πŸ»‍🦳 happyone ❤️

Comment Replies:
Beside - Replying to comments at the end of my post works best for me. 
Yes, the Ott light is long and narrow and I've had it for years and years.
The cows are getting out because the cow grate is covered in snow and ice and they can just walk out.  Sometimes the young ones will jump right over it.  Farmer Eugene knows and is always sorry they get out and is more than happy to come and get them, but we told him not to worry about it.  They eventually will go home on their own and we like when they come to visit.  We are right next to the farm on a dead end road in the woods so it isn't a problem.

Thursday, February 18, 2021

New Ice Grippers

Another morning, more snow!!
Tractor is mighty handy now that Ken put the chains on it.
I don't have to shovel the driveway unless I want to.
Usually like shoveling but getting a bit tired of it now.
In the morning he cleared out our driveway, top and bottom
in just one hour.


 My Yak Trax (on right) are staring to wear out and one of the wires have come off.
Ordered another kind called Limm Traction Cleats (on left).
The new ones came in the mail yesterday but they were too big
for my boots so I put them on Ken's boots and ordered two more
for my boots and high top walking shoes. 
The Limm ones have cleats on the bottom that dig into the snow and ice.

Just before lunch we drove down to the hardware store in town
and happy to say that the salt came in and we got 4 bags of it.

After lunch Ken went out on the tractor again to work on getting
the driveway to the cabin cleared enough so David and Liz can
get their Jeep up it. (they left on a little trip for a couple of days)

I left about an hour after Ken to walk up to the cabin to see 
how he was getting on.
Leaving our driveway I spotted the cows just leaving the farm again.
I walked up to them and herded them back home.
As you can see from the picture you can no longer see the
cattle guard across the road - the snow and ice have covered it up
and now the cows can just walk out.

When I got up to the cabin I saw that Ken was having a bit of
trouble clearing the drive.
Too much ice underneath the snow and too hilly.
Walked down the drive and took a picture of Ken on the tractor.
Was a bit scary at times - I thought he was going to slide off the
edge of the drive into the woods, but he made it down safely.

He then turned for the house and I decided to walk up the lane.

Didn't go to the end though because it was very slippery.
Underneath the snow in places was a sheet of ice and not knowing
exactly where made walking treacherous.

When I got back home we had a cup of tea and then I knitted awhile
and read till suppertime.

Thanks for stopping by.
A happy day to you.
πŸ‘©πŸ»‍🦳 happyone ❤️

Comment Replies:
Rose - My Ott light is a floor lamp and you can bend it right over what you're working on.  I love it.  It's just like working in daylight.



Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Waiting for a call

Only 8 degrees this morning with treacherous walking conditions so no
walk up the lane today.

Down in the basement sitting off in a corner I keep passing an old telephone. 
So today I finally brought it up and gave it a good cleaning.
Washed it and then shined it up with some Old English polish.
Now it sits on a side table next to Mr Snowman who is waiting for a call.


 It warmed up a bit to the high teens and the sun came out.
Ken worked in the garage making chains to put on the tractor back tires.
He bought chains and links and then cut them to fit.
This will make it easier to use the tractor in the snow.

I got bundled up and then tried walking around outside.  No way
could I make it down the driveway!
I then went off into the woods out back and just walked in the snow
trying to make a path.  Hard walking in snow with a coating of
ice. Looking back at the path I was making.
That wide spot there is where I slipped and fell, but at least
it was in snow.

Had just a little salt left so put that down on the driveway.
After Ken got the chains on the tractor we went up the cabin 
driveway to rescue the ATV which died this morning when David was
driving it down to the house.
Their Jeep still can't make it up the driveway to the cabin so
they have been leaving their Jeep here at the house and driving the
ATV up to the cabin.
Anyway I stood on the back of the tractor and we made it up the
driveway.  Then Ken towed the ATV back down to the house with
me sitting in the ATV steering it.
Had some trouble towing it up our driveway but managed to get it
back in the garage. Now it has to be brought in for service.

Made a trip in the truck to town to the hardware store for
some more salt but they were completely out.  
More is expected in tomorrow.

All in all it's been a busy day and we both should 
sleep good tonight.
It's been another good day and we are thankful for it.

Thanks for stopping by.
A happy Wednesday to all.
πŸ‘©πŸ»‍🦳 happyone ❤️

Comment Replies:
Vee - No, no rule about no puzzles after Feb - we both just are puzzled out.
Rose - Have you tried an OTT light.  I have one and they work terrific for needlework.
Beside - Yes, that's Ken's hobby - Building a HO Scale Train Layout.
Jeanette - No, my mom did NOT make her needle case - have no idea where she got it.

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Layers of ice and snow

No outside walk today and had to be content to walk in the basement.
Got bundled up and tried walking outside but couldn't even make
it to the bottom of the driveway and that was wearing my Yak Trax.
Layers of snow, ice, snow, ice, and more snow.

Picture today is a train layout one.

Knitted another hat.  Tried to enlarge the pattern but it still came
out too small for an adult.
I'll look for a pattern for adults and try again but not right now.
That's enough of hats for a while. πŸ™‚

Started knitting a new pattern for dish/wash clothes.
Got started on our last jigsaw puzzle for the season.
This last one is 1000 pieces of our state of Maryland.

Got some reading done this afternoon too.
It's been kind of a lazy day around the house but still 
a good day.

Thanks for stopping by.
A happy day to you.
πŸ‘©πŸ»‍🦳 happyone ❤️

Comment Replies:
Deb - I knitted hats for new born babies too a while back. πŸ™‚ 

Monday, February 15, 2021

Visiting Cows Again

 8:45 I was outside walking up and down the lane.
It was 22 degrees, a bit breezy at times, with just the slightest bit
of freezing drizzle which made the snow crunchy.

An uneventful walk but beautiful and peaceful in the snow.

I knitted another hat and this time I liked the pattern but the hat
 was way too small - a baby hat.

So now I'm knitting hat number 3.
Using the same pattern but on larger needles and adding more rows. 
Hopefully the third time will be the charm.

I'm knitting using my Mom's knitting needles.
She kept them in this case.

Some of her needles must be at least 70 years old.
As I knit I can't help but think of all the things that she knitted
using these needles.  Many of the things she made for me.
So glad I have these.

The cows decided to pay us a visit again this afternoon.
This time in the front and one of them looked like she would
come right up the front steps onto the porch.
Didn't call Farmer Eugene this time because he said they would
eventually go back home on their own.
He was right.
They walked around for a while and then made their way back home.

We saw the sun for a total of 4 minutes this afternoon.
Then back to clouds.
Supposed to have freezing rain during the night.

That's all I've for today.
A happy day to you.
Thanks for stopping by.
πŸ‘©πŸ»‍🦳 happyone ❤️

Comment Replies:
Anni and Bill - I used to feel the same way about church that you do, but after finding the church we go to I can't even imagine NOT being part of it and the ministries.  Not being able to go to church in person (we go on FB) is the thing I miss most about this pandemic.  My reasons for going to church you can find HERE if you're interested.

Sunday, February 14, 2021

Our Church

 Our church is not a great cathedral filled with works of art,
With statues carved of saints and cherubim,
But just a simple edifice that is built to honour God,
And where we meet to praise and worship Him.
We don't have famous preachers clad in crested, flowing robes,
Who speak of riches and prosperity,
But only humble men of God who tell how Jesus died
To pay for all our sins and set us free.
We have no lofty stained glass windows drawing the praise of men,
Or sound of mighty organs in our ear,
But as we lift our voices and we sing of Jesus' love,
We find the help to conquer doubt and fear.
We gather as a family to hear the Word of God,
And we are always blessed because we came.
Our fellowship and sweet communion fit us for the task
Of living to bring honour to His Name.
Our church is just for sinners who are washed in Jesus' blood,
Who try to follow Christ, His works to do.
And everyone who has a need is welcome in our midst.
We pray that you will come to know Him too.

- Betty Jo Mings -

A Blessed Sunday to you.
πŸ‘©πŸ»‍🦳 happyone ❤️

A quiet and peaceful walk up and down the lane this morning
in the foggy snow.


Saturday, February 13, 2021

Heart shaped cookies

 Left the house this morning a little after 9:00 to walk up and down
the lane again.  It was 18 degrees, cloudy, and windy at times.
Just a little dusting of snow overnight.

I've been wearing my Yak Trax on my shoes walking in the snow.
Coming back down the lane the first time I happened to look down
at my feet and saw that the Trax had come off both boots.
Up a ways in front of me I saw one of them sitting there in the middle
 of the lane and a little farther there sat the other one.
Sat down and put them both back on my boots.
I had just walked up and down the long hill at the end of the lane
for the second time when once again noticed one of the Yak Trax
had come off again.
This time I had to walk back up the hill to find it.
Never had that happen before.  
They both stayed on the rest of my walk.

Finished knitting Ken's hat last night but I'm not that crazy about it but 
Ken likes it and it will keep his head warm.

I've started another hat this afternoon with a different pattern and
if I like it will send it off to a friend.

Baked some Welsh Cookies this afternoon too. 
Usually make round ones but since
tomorrow is Valentine's Day I took my heart shaped
cookie cutter off the wall

and made heart shaped ones.

Pizza for supper tonight. πŸ˜€ πŸ•

That's all for today.
Thankful for another good day.
A happy day to you.
Thanks for stopping by.
πŸ‘©πŸ»‍🦳 happyone ❤️

Comment Replies:
Nellie - no ice, just more snow!

Friday, February 12, 2021

Friday

 Started my outside walk up the lane today at 9:00.
It was 18 degrees, with a bit of a wind, and just a few snow flurries
flying around.
Just stepped out of the door here to start walking.

This is where the snow plow went off the road and got stuck in the drainage ditch yesterday. The lane I walk up starts there on the right just by the mailbox.


A view into town from up the lane.

The lane is not county owned so it doesn't get plowed but a neighbor
went by with a plow on his pickup truck and made it passable.
Much easier for walking too.

Took a moment, stopped walking, and just listened to the quiet.
I heard a woodpecker off in the distance.
The tree branches blowing against each other made a clicking sound
and at times the trees moaned and creaked like an old door.

Walked back up the driveway and home.

Walked 6 miles - 2 inside when dark and 4 outside.

One lone leaf on the snow.

Knitted some more on Kens' hat this afternoon.
Looked through some old knitting magazines and saved a few patterns
that I'd like to try and then threw the rest of the magazine away.
I can knit simple things but don't consider myself a 'good' knitter.
Best when knitting, scarves, hats, blankets, mittens, wash cloths,
and things like that.

Hard to believe it's Friday already.  These weeks sure seem to fly by.
I'm thankful for another day.
Thanks for visiting.
A happy day to you.
πŸ‘©πŸ»‍🦳 happyone ❤️

Comment Replies:
HennyP - Had to smile at your comment saying you wish you could knit a hat like me, because I wish I could sew like YOU. πŸ˜€