Lots of changes... again!

Construction Man made it back again from Williston. They have to go one more time before the snow flies.
We will attend my nephew's wedding in Utah this weekend and enjoy my family for a short time. I am very excited for this!

Then, I will attend a class in a neighboring town for a few days through EAGALA. This stands for Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association.

I would eventually like to develop a program in our community that involved women and children in this very process designed for growth, learning, and healing from emotional issues... maybe even developmentally delayed kids, etc. Horses do so much for people in so many areas of our lives. They are a great gift from God!

As I near my fifty first birthday and read back over this blog I am filled with joy at the thought of my fiftieth year of life being so full and hopeful. I have come a long way in so many areas of my life and I am grateful for the people who have cheered me on in this endeavor as well as all the other goals I have achieved in 365 days.

Will I continue to blog? We'll see! :) It is a great way to keep in touch with family spread so far and wide across the continent.

I'll let you know how the class goes and my future plans for college, my returning husband's exciting plans for our future and that of my children.

Have a good week.



my own creation...

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday. I am here in Northwest Wyoming where the weather has turned to cold, and she is there in the desert of Nevada where the weather is just becoming comfortably less warm. I long to be there hugging her...

I am happy for my parents to live in their beautiful home, peacefully retired after lifelong service to their children/family! Having said all that, I realize now that my parents never stopped serving their children. They still love each of us with such deep and lasting love. They are amazing examples of how a parent does love their children. Thank you, Dad and Mom.

Oh, Mom! How does a daughter convey her love in a paragraph of simple words. I don't believe I possess the capabilities nor mastery of the English language to do our love enough justice!

I shall start with 'thank you.' Thank you to God for placing me in your care. How you lovingly and dutifully fed me, clothed me, bathed me, taught me, encouraged me and exampled to me a good mother so that your grand daughters could benefit as well. A mother's legacy of love handed down. God knew you would rise to this honorable calling of motherhood with the nobility of the fiercest of warriors. After all, what mother, like a grizzly sow, would not fight anyone or anything that might come between she and her cub? And this is how you defend your children. We have always known that we were loved with a fierce love! Thank you.

The word tenderness comes to my mind. I've watched you navigate some very rough waters over the years, and I recognize that face of utter concern when situations are at their most serious. I have watched you love my siblings through very difficult times and that only reinforces the fact that you are there for me in the same capacity. Thank you.

Your hugs, words of wisdom and encouragement carry great weight in my decision making. You have always said that I could do anything I put my mind to. Thank you for that. I still believe you and therefore I will continue to try!

I've watched you love my dad with complete forgiveness and strength that I am not sure even you know you possess. You have more "try" than anyone I have ever met. An unsurpassed determination to make things right... Therefore, I try harder to make this world a better place as far as it is concerned with me. Thank you.

You are Fancy Nancy! You are gorgeous, with impeccable taste in hair, make-up and clothing. I always tell the story of how each day, at the time dad would be coming home from work you would fix up a bit, no matter what chore you were in the middle of (and there were many!), to greet him at the door looking lovely.

Not to mention your taste in music! And this also a gift you passed on to your children! We all love music because you used to put Johnny Rivers, Tom Jones, Barbara Streisand, and Bob Seger on the stereo and we would dance around the living room (and shout off the deck!) You are an amazing singer.

As you can see, Mom, you have filled my life with life. I can't even begin to tell of all you have done for me, inside and out. I just know that I love you and need you. We will be together soon for the joyous occasion of your grandson's wedding. I can hardly wait to hug you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I love you.


Your old car

Me and Addy

Family lovin'

The Red Door

I've been painting my front door and side lights. We are very excited to be closing in on the renovations. Not to mention the joy of less watering with the cooling temps and harvest near completion.

I have freed close to fifty pumpkins from their vine entanglement. :) They seem glad to have found a home adorning my entry way. I know it makes me smile!

However, Hank has taken a liking to dried corn on the cob. I was saving it for my chickens but he shreds every ear he can get his paws on. He will be a year old on the twenty fifth of October. So much for corn decor. Maybe he will grow up soon...







Two Nurse Children... engagement picts.

Happy Birthday, Theologian! (For Yesterday...)

See! See how busy I have become this past week. I did not forget to wish my oldest child happy birthday, but failed to blog about this remarkable little lady!

Oh, forgive me sweet child. You must know I love you more than my own life. :)

Where does a mother's loving thoughts begin with that oldest daughter. The one she has known the longest out of all her children! The one that kept her company in those earlier years when the dad was out of town earning a living for his little family. The one who knows every word to every early Garth Brooks tune. The one who could read before she could read! The one who understands more than even she understands that she understands.

Is it hard being you, Theologian? Gifts given by God that will not reveal themselves before their time has come. Patience!

You have blessed this family more than words can say. You have loved us all so well with your perfect smile and infectious laughter. You giggle at just the right time, always. You never fail to please... another one of your best traits. You try so hard in every task and I've never seen you quit, unless forced to do so! This determination runs deeper than the strongest of currents. I am just sure you're going to need someday, somehow.

The tears choke my throat, as I miss you terribly and long to hug your neck! I know this road you are on right now doesn't make a whole lot of sense. But, in due time you will see why.

How do I convey how much I love you?

I don't know. But I do. We all love you... a huge cloud of witnesses cheering you on. Run the race well, daughter. It's gonna be worth it.

Happy Birthday, Austin Claire Whitlock Hackworth.

love,
mom

This year's party would have been even better!! :)

time passing...

Oh how the days, like waves upon the ocean, roll by. Like memories, forward and back I play the scenes in my head; rewinding the tape over and over. He said, she said... Undulating, sometimes pulling me downward to despair; sometimes pulling me to the surface for a breath.

Wedding venues? Really? Is it time to let another of my precious babies go into their life of womanhood? Of wifely duties, home care and children of their own. Seasons of life; cycles in every lifetime. The human experience in which all mankind shares. 'Nothing new under the sun' is how King Solomon describes it.

Construction Man has been home since Monday evening. It is so joyful at the start and becomes cloudier as the week progresses. Emotions flare in preparation for his departure once again. I hate this! You'd think after all these years we would be better at good byes. NOT!

He accomplished a good many tasks toward completion of the renovated kitchen this go'round. His handcrafted, concrete countertops are installed with the open, stainless steel shelving in place, full of plain white porcelain dishes and stainless bowls.

The exterior walls are sheeted and receiving their white paint today. No more TYVEK plastic glaring at front door guests.

I am planning for the fall decor at the front door as well. So many pumpkins have matured in the garden out the back gate. I can't wait to get my hands on them and create some MarthaStewartesque scenes!

Enjoy the last notes of summer. September has opened and is already beginning her descent into October. Where does the time go? I ask myself this question often.

Oh, and call your mother if you can. Sorry, Mom! I got carried away with all the wifely duties this week. :)

Tell someone how special they are and that you love them.
It's all gonna be worth it.


Go Martha!

Northern Michigan

Nurse Child and Fiance

Saving the Vineyard

I spent the other night in my friend Baerbell's vineyard. We were rescuing the beautiful clusters of red and white grapes from the robins that were hungrily attacking; methodically stripping the vines of their luscious fruits. Tomorrow she harvests. I have to go to "Chopped" and will not be able to attend the party. DANG!! I have looked forward to this moment since June.

But I am thankful to have been able to relieve her of her vineyard vigil for one night as she returned to her bed in the house for some rest. My friend, her husband and myself slept in our bedrolls right next to the vines only to arise in the morning to find that the robins had doubled their efforts and called all their friends to join in the robbery!

We managed to scare them off time and time again with the shot gun blasts, but robins are not easily swayed. Who knew? We eventually wrapped all the bunches with netting in the hope of preserving them for Tuesday morning.

I can hardly wait to taste the wine. She will transport the grapes to Billings to a vintner there.

Oh the time in watering a pruning has she invested. I only spent six hours one afternoon early on in the season helping with this process and feel like those shiny black and creamy orbs are my babies too!

I will never look at a robin the same way again!

Socrates

"Beware the barrenness of a busy life." ~~ Socrates

In the last year and a half of my life I have proven this statement true by the sheer quietness that surrounds me.

You may think that I am always busy, but alas I am not. There is much down time. Time to reminisce. Time to weed the garden. Time to do the dishes. Time to take care of minor details and major ones. Time to write out a birthday card for a nephew or niece. Seems like I am doing more of what I should be doing, and less of what I have dreamed up to please other people.

I feel as though I am coming through the grief of losing family members and that I am ready to embrace the second calling, or second half of my life again. I realize that nothing has changed in the world, but the changes are happening inside of me.

I got off of the carousel for a time. I put an end to the madness. I went back to my roots. Broke a horse, got a puppy to love and stayed home more. This year we really went all the way back to where we began nineteen years ago by coming home to Road 8. I planted a lush garden, got a part time job within our community and received mail in the usual place. I have cooked more again, very much loved on my hubby and kids and basically went back to basics.

I no longer feel barren and cold. I am warmed by the rays of autumn and the joy of an ordinary life. There is peace in being who we are...who we were created to be. I look forward to the holidays. I love the fall. Cool air and warm sun. Reminds me of riding my first horse, Candy, through our woods and by our lake in Northern Michigan. I just couldn't wait to get off that school bus and get outside before it got dark. With no saddle and our dog Pete following along, we'd ride through the crackling leaves, taking in the aroma of the black dirt turned up by my mare's hooves. The lake would be still as the earth prepared for a long winter's nap.

"To everything, there is a season." ~~ God

Everything belongs in this day. God will add or leave out what is necessary. His purpose for us remains: To love Him and glorify Him forever. We do so by simply being ourselves. Season after season of life...