I've Gone Country A blog about a city girl learning a whole new world

This is Lou Lou.  She is not our dog.  She just seemed to be everybody’s dog.  I first met her about 17 years ago.

She would walk over when she would see you drive up.  She didn’t greet you like most dogs. She wouldn’t jump up on you, or bark at you.  She wasn’t annoying at all, she didn’t seem to bother anyone.  You never even had to tell her to go home.

She would just come over and sit on the porch.  If you wanted to talk to her or pet her, that would be fine.  If you did not want to, well, that was fine too.

This picture was taken, about 2 years ago.  This was her normal place.

She has seen a lot of activity.  Just at this home alone she has probably greeted a hundred people through the years.  She was here when my husband was younger, she has welcomed spouses, children, grandchildren and even all their dogs.

She has been around when holiday events were held, she’s watched the kids play in the summer, seen firework displays, picnics, cookouts and bonfires.

Family reunions with Uncles and Aunts, cousins and yes, a lot of times their dogs came as well.  Occasionally Lou-Lou would have to tell the overly anxious puppies that she didn’t want to play.  Then all would be well or Lou-Lou would just walk home.

Most everyone that has stayed a day or two…..knows Lou-Lou. And expects to see her shortly after they arrive.

My Father and Mother-in-law have catered to Lou-Lou.  Especially the last few years, she would give her a treat.  That isn’t the only reason Lou-Lou would come around.  Even if you didn’t give her a treat, she would still come and quietly lay on the porch.  Content.

Often, it was just them, a quiet normal day. She would come to the back and sit while they enjoyed the swing or sat on the deck.  Sometimes she would just lay by the back door.  If you asked her to come in, she would decline. She just wanted to be near.

Lou-Lou passed away a few months ago.  I think it broke all our hearts.

She was at least 22 years old.  I do not think I have ever known a dog that old.

She had a really good life.

Funny how an animal can give so much love.  I’m thankful that she allowed us to be a part of her life.

Maybe we should be more like that.  Just be there for others.  Enjoying each others company.  Not being annoying, just pleasant to be around.  Content.

Hmm…I suppose we can learn a lot from Lou-Lou.

We have three precious goats.  Violet is the Mother and Jed and Pearl are her kids.

The previous owner could no longer keep them, so we were asked if we wanted them.  Of course we didn’t hesitate.  We have had them for several months now and really enjoy them.

The goats are always together.  One day I went to the pasture to check on all our critters.

I saw Violet and Jed as soon as I came through the gate…but not Pearl.  Violet was crying.  So, I said….hey little Mama, where is Pearl?

It was then that I heard Pearl cry too.  As I looked to the side….this is what I saw.

I know…pitiful isn’t she.  Now,we have plenty of nice green pasture and lots of area lined with trees for our goats.

Yet Pearl wasn’t satisfied. She went to a side of the fence where we had wood scraps and things stored. She decided that the little patch of grass on the OTHER side of the fence looked good.  So good in fact, that she wanted it.

I went to the other side of the fence to check out her predicament. She was crying and I was doing my best to comfort her.  I tried to wiggle her head back through the fence.  I couldn’t do it.  She was wanting free…but she kept pushing against me.  I quickly called my hubby and asked if he could come help.  He could hear her crying and he wasted no time getting there.

He was able to free her almost immediately.  He left, having to get back to work, I went back into the pasture.  She was frantically looking and crying for her mother and brother.  They had gone on to one of the fields and let us handle her situation. Once she saw them, she ran quickly to them and stopped crying.

I walked across the field so that I could make sure her little head was alright. Violet came and greeted me.  She let out the sound…well…you know…the sound a goat makes… then she gently licked my hand.  It was as if she was thanking me for saving her baby girl. The look in her eyes was so sweet.  She gave my hand another lick. Then she went back to eating her green grass.

I have been like Pearl.  I have gotten into situations.  I know that my mother cried out to the One who could help her little girl.  She knew she could only do so much. There are some things no matter how much we would like to solve them, we cannot. But she knew that she could cry out to God and he would hear her prayer. She taught her children to do the same.

Now, when a situation occurs, often of my own doing.  I realize that I have someone who can help me.  Someone who has the situation under control.  If I will cry out to God He will hear me.  When I stop pushing against His help, He comforts me. He blesses me with family and friends and provides green pastures for me to enjoy.

I am so thankful that she taught me to trust in Jesus.  I thank God for giving me such a godly mother.

Proverbs 22:6

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Laundry on the line.

Porches, Rocking Chairs and Flowers.

My husbands creativity and our Gold Fish Pond

Our Neighbors Tractor.

Watching the sun set through the Pines.

Sometimes it looks as if these animals are posing for a picture.

This is Zippy on the left and Moses on the right.  She looks as if she is saying…”CHEESE”.

This is our neighbors cow.  Sometimes we will combine the cows into one pasture.

The other night his girls came over for a spend the night party.  I call her Verde because of the green tag in her ear.  When I called her name she looked up.

I couldn’t help but snicker…the look on her face is priceless.

Like…What?….Do I have something on my face?

This is Pokey.  He looks as if he is saying…This is my best side.  As he poses with his leg.  Oh my, Pokey….you are beautiful!

This is Brandy on the left and Lee on the right.  Lee is a girl and was born September 4th, just before the tropical storm Lee came through.

Brandy is like any other mother…..she came and posed with Lee as if she was saying…hey …can you get a picture of me and my new baby?

This is a Mother/ son picture.  This is Cupid on the left and her baby boy Chuck on the right.  This is the birth I didn’t want to miss. The one I wrote about in an earlier post.  He was born on my sisters birthday!

This is Moses.   I don’t know…. but, I kinda think that all these little critters….love us as much as we love them!

It is fun to watch the changing of the seasons.  We all notice them.  I suppose though that I notice them a little differently now.

I get to see the ground being worked, being prepared for the seed.  I later see the green start to emerge from the brown soil.  With the rain and the sun I see it grow tall and lush.  Suddenly, it is almost like it happens overnight, the field is white and ready for harvest.

I go by the field and think…hmmm…I wonder when they are going to send someone to pick this.

Many years ago you would have seen many people with big sacks spread all over the field picking the harvest.  Reaping what had already been sown.

Most every one around us has picked cotton in their younger days.  It was hard, hot work.  Took most of the day to fill that bag.  You would be paid by the pound…it took a lot of cotton to make a pound.

Today, the workers are few.

The job gets done.  But it is just a different process. More ground can actually get covered with the newer system.

Hence more productivity.

I couldn’t help but think about this verse.

John 4:35-36

Do not say, “Four months more and then the harvest”?  I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields!  They are ripe for harvest.  Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.

I am appreciative for the hard work that the sower and the reaper put into this field.  I think of the things made with cotton that I enjoy each day…my favorite jeans, cute cotton shirts and skirts…even the cotton ball to do my toe nails… and many other items I use daily. Why, there are so many things I couldn’t even list them all.

I also know that like the labor force that has changed in the fields.  It seems to have changed in our lives as well.  Letting the Mega churches reach people. Having computers and all the things we use daily minister with new apps and other forms of spreading the Word.  It is wonderful to have the newer system that can cover more ground… spread the gospel. Like seed on a prepared soil.

However, do we even look in the field, do we stop to see if there might be a field ripe for harvest right before our eyes.

Hmmm….Maybe we are the ones that are suppose to work that field this time. Maybe someone else has planted the seed, watered and nurtured it, and it is time for you to harvest the crop for eternal life…so the sower and the reaper may be glad together.

Take time today to look and see if God has put you in a field that is white and ready for harvest.

I thought these would be fun for this time of year.  When you want to take something to a function, something you haven’t taken before.

Besides that…it is chocolate and peanut butter….can it get any better than that.

It just takes a few ingredients.  I opted to put mine together with peanut butter.

I used Nutter Butter rounds

Hershey Kisses

Nestle Chocolate Morsels

Peanut Butter

Take the little cookie apart.  I took the peanut butter that was in it out.  Spread some new peanut butter on it and put your kiss on.

I wiped the kiss with an ever so slightly damp cloth to make it look smoother…the one on the right is how they look if you don’t.  It really doesn’t matter.  Perhaps not wiping them might make them look more authentic. Totally your call.

Now put a dab of peanut butter on the cookie…in the middle and plop your chocolate morsel on.  I couldn’t get a good pic with it on the cookie …so I put the  peanut butter on the morsel so it could be seen.  It is just less messy to put it on the cookie.  I had morsels so I used what I already had…but… I think a pretzel stick broken rather small would look good as well.

The acorn on the top is made using the whole cookie.  Gives it a bigger cap.

I liked the smaller cap myself…plus by opening the cookie you get twice as many cookies to use out of your bag!

I think they are so cute.  I saw a picture of these in passing somewhere recently. I just decided to play with it and see if I could make it work.

I did find that the peanut butter does need to set a little.  So once you make them let them sit for a little while so it will stay together.  I made some the other night before bed.  In the morning they were just fine.

These are quick and easy and on top of that they are CUTE!

I put these on top of a leaf for picture purposes.  Probably wouldn’t want to do that to serve them.  But you could put leaves around the outside of your plate to add that special touch.  ENJOY!

I got tickled…we went to feed the cows some sweet feed.  I have been noticing that all the animals are getting their winter coat.  As I looked at “Punkin” I noticed she was sporting a new “do”.  She looked like she had what we used to call Wings!

I love the look in her eyes…like…WHAT?  You don’t like my hair?

So I decided to check out some of the other animals as well. Zippy is going with the Fringe/Bang this season.

Moses is wearing a “high and tight” this winter.  He likes to just get up and go.

Pokey prefers the Shag or maybe it is the Frat shag. All the boys on “My Three Sons” show wore that style.

Last but certainly not least is Gumby.  He has decided to wear the “Mop Top” made famous by The Beatles!

I was a cosmetologist for many years.  I can’t help but notice hair.

Luke 12:7 – Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

I like the way God put all the little details in the Bible. Now to some people this verse may not mean much to them.  But it does to me.

Did you know that most people lose 75 to 100 hairs a day.

Only God could keep up with those numbers.  Multiply that times how many people are on the earth.  More than that is the fact that he loves us so much that he even cares how many hairs are on our heads at any given time.

Maybe it is like us with our children…when we keep up with every milestone. The first tooth, the first step, the first haircut etc.  Why do we do that?  Because we LOVE them so much.  And how do we know all these first?  Because we are with them continually and we are so in love with them that we KNOW everything we can about them.

So it is with God. He loves us so much, we cannot even comprehend it.

I am thankful for love like that.

It’s that time of year.  Fall is here…wonder when we stopped calling it Autumn?  Probably the same time we went straight from Halloween decorations to Christmas decorations in the stores.

The weather this weekend has been beautiful.

Tomorrow is the day that we fall back.  It is great to get an extra hour in the morning.  Although my husband has already said…well…you will still be 5 minutes late for church.  Sad thing is…he is right.

When the time changes I find it kinda sad.  I love the long warm days.  The smell of the fresh mowed grass and seeing green everywhere.  Flowers that surprise you with new buds,watching the hummingbirds at the feeder and enjoying the daylight outside until 8:30 at night.

So it is hard for me to get excited about it getting dark before the evening news even comes on.

Today I tried to take advantage of the last of these warm days.

I took a walk in the woods.

I have to remind myself that even with the season change their is beauty all around.  It is just different beauty.

I walked up to the cabin where there is lots of firewood ready to do it’s job.

It is pretty to see it all stacked up.

I do LOVE the smell of a camp fire.

I saw some activity at the Bee Hives.

I suppose this little guy was enjoying the last of the warm weather as well!

This is Ellie…I took this picture this morning as she was eagerly awaiting her run. She is a redbone hound.  She is almost 9 years old….but you would never know it.

After Rosaline our bassett beagle mix died we couldn’t stand the silence in the house.  We went to the Pound and rescued Ellie.

She was so thin you could see every rib and every bone in her back.  Yet her eyes were bright and she was full of energy.

Immediately we both said…yes….this is the one.  They said they thought she was just 6 months old at the time.  Now almost 8 1/2 years later, she’s trim, her eyes are bright and STILL full of energy!

Everyone that has ever lived near us….knows Ellie.  That movie Funny Farm….with Chevy Chase…has the dog that runs away….and they see it every now and then run past….that must be Ellie’s relative.

When she gets on a deer trail…you can hear her in the mountain with that sound that only a hound makes.

We now feel like we know why she was in the Pound.  Her owners probably got tired of going and getting her out. HA

And that is probably why she was so thin….she still runs so much she stays in really good shape.

She is such a friendly dog…she meets no stranger.  She just doesn’t understand that everybody is not going to love her…like we do.

She has always loved the squeeky noise maker they put into dog toys.  She takes the toy apart and gets the sqeeker out every time. That came in handy when we lived in the city.  My husband would go in one direction and I the other holding my hand out of the car window squeeking it as loud as I could.  Sure enough she would come running up to the car IF she was in hearing range.

But then there have been other times that we retrieved her from the pound (again), posted lost dog posters, and had total strangers call us due to the name and number on her collar.

We have a lady that goes to our church now that I originally met when she too had some time with Ellie at her house….She saw me and said…hey, your Ellie’s Mama.

My husband and I have even thought that maybe she doesn’t really want to live with us…maybe she is disappointed every time we pick her up. She almost gave us a complex.

One sweet lady found her and brought her home in her car…and Ellie had been sprayed with a skunk…now that woman was a true dog lover.

Once Ellie was gone for 2 days.  We thought for sure that we wouldn’t see her again.  A lady called after seeing the signs and said she had her.  Ellie was in no hurry to come home though.  When I went to get her…she was in the house…like she owned the place.  The lady said she had been sleeping with her son the last 2 nights in the boys bed!

There are many, many more stories like those.

Being that Ellie is SO active…she pretty much goes with us on most every trip out of town.  We can’t keep up with her…so we know that others wouldn’t be able to either.

Saying that you will not be surprised to know that Ellie has runaway while camping at Talladega…. twice… and the Grand Canyon.  There is a whole lot of wildlife at the Grand Canyon!

I know you probably think well we should try to do something about that.  We have…we have had boundary fences, shock collars….we have tried it all.

For over seven years while still living in the city, we would make a daily drive to the land we now live on ….and let her run her little heart out.   You would have thought that would have done the trick.   NOPE.

If you have ever seen the movie Groundhog Day…that is what goes on here everyday.

My husband gets up, pushes the on button to the coffee pot.  He heads out the door for the paper and Ellie is in tow.  She sprints to the end of the driveway, retrieves the paper and brings it back in for her treat.

She settles back in her bed until my husband is ready to give her her run.  She watches patiently.  When shoes go on….well need I say more.

After the run my husband will either let her back in or I will get a text that says….Watch for Ellie.

Yesterday she visited the man down the road who has a really pretty fluffy white rabbit in a cage….and come to find out he now has a few chicks….uh oh.

Pretty sure this will become one of her favorite hang out spots!  But the gentleman…..loves Ellie.  He calls and lets us know he will hold onto her until one of us comes and gets her.

Always with a ….hey, no hurry, she’s fine…we like Ellie.

It is amazing.  Still we do not want her to bother other people. Yet, if neighbors do not see her around for a week or two…they ask if Ellie is ok, they say they miss seeing her.  No worries she usually will pop back in on them the next week!

We chose a red bone hound.  We often say….WHAT WERE WE THINKING.

With that comes a dog that loves to get on a deer trail, chase a rabbit, squirrel, armadillo and pretty much anything else that lives in the woods.

She came into the the house with this one day….Of course it didn’t stay in the house!

She is a mess.  But we love her.  I suppose it will be a very sad day when she no longer wants to run.

Everyday is interesting.  Matter of fact….my husband just poked his head in the door….Watch for Ellie.

See I told you….Groundhog Day.

About two months ago I was patiently watching Cupid, one of our cows.  She was expecting and I didn’t want to miss out on anything.  I watched for the physical signs telling me when the time was near.

As soon as my eyes opened in the morning, I jumped out of bed, dressed quickly and headed straight to the pasture.  Cows often have their babies in the night or in the early hours of the morning.  Probably so that people like me…won’t bother them.

Morning after morning I had this same routine.

I would sit on the 4-wheeler and just watch the herd as they in turn watched me. The morning’s were crisp and new.  The pretty green grass wet with dew. It was very still and quiet all around that early in the morning.

There was a little bird I couldn’t help but notice.  Seemed to be in the same spot on the fence each morning.  It would just sit there.  Still and quiet.  It wasn’t even singing.

I couldn’t help but think about one of my favorite songs.  IN THE GARDEN.  I remember hearing my mother sing this and I too learned it.  The older I get the more these hymns mean to me.  But not just the hymn…there is a verse that comes to mind as well.  It is as if God is always reminding me.

Be Still and Know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

I couldn’t help but think as I watched that bird, that often I am too busy.  I make myself too busy.  I need to be still.  Sometimes I need to hush……and let God speak to me.

Don’t get me wrong…I think we should be busy, just not so busy that we don’t have time for God.

We should wake up energized, excited and ready to go. Remembering that…I thought that EARLY bird in the pasture …probably GOT the worm!

However, I find that if I start my day with the Lord reading the Bible, I enjoy my day all the more.  It is a time for me to be still and quiet letting His Word speak to me.  It is sweet precious time.

I have to take the time….just like that bird.  Time to be still and hush.

Oh…and I did eventually get to see the birth.  But interestingly enough it was a day when I didn’t get up and hurry to the pasture.

IN THE GARDEN-this is part of the song…which spoke to me that day.

He speaks and the sound of His voice,

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,

And the melody that He gave to me

Within my heart is ringing.

And He walks with me,

And He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.