LIFE IN BALANCE

Sometimes I need to slow down . . . and breathe. 


I need to read more, watch television more, and talk with my kids more. I need to take more naps, stay home more, and always getting a good nights sleep.

It might mean blogging less and cleaning less and cooking less. But it's all to get me to a good place, to feel myself again, to live in the moment . . . with joy.


Whenever something feels less joyful, I need to change it up or take a break for awhile . . . and always breathe. And I need to remember, there are no I have to, only I choose to.


So I have been breathing . . . and choosing. . . 
and relishing in the small joys . . . 


 like the stream of cotton stretched across the skies,

 the delectable fragrance drifting atop heart shaped leaves,

  the green life unfurling before my very eyes,

  the confidence radiating from high in the tree,

 the glorious birdsong of the cardinal,

 the saturated hue of Jewelweed,

and the ripples in the pond from tossed stones.

I relish in the new life emerging on the pines ,

and life, that is itself Art, in the American Copper Butterfly, just about an inch wide,

 the strength and grace of the Great Blue Heron in flight,

and the woodlands filled with life in every nook and cranny.

It all fills my heart . . . and soul. . .

 with excitement, as well as peace, and gives me what I need to go forth.


And I look to the experts on how to breathe and take it easy. . 

I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order ~John Burroughs

                    happy day! happy breathing!




Linked to Barn Hop #14

GIFTS FROM MOTHER EARTH

 The unfurling, the blossoming, the greening, the warming, and the renewal from Mother Earth. 

It is the same each Spring, and never would I tire of it.

Spring's green bud is bursting fast, And winter's reign is o'er at last, And summer's sun Has now begun His genial beams o'er earth to cast.   A magic want in hand unseen, Decks nature in her robes of green; And liquid notes From songster's throats With music hail the brightened scene.   Rubies and pearls bedeck the morn; And golden vestments eve adorn; And life abounds, And joy resounds, Where melancholy stalked forlorn.   The flowing rivers, winds and showers, The sparkling rills, the radiant flowers, Leap and rejoice With sudden voice, Eager to test their new-born powers.   The choral anthem--incense sweet! With swelling melody replete, Fills ev'ry gale With grateful hail, The gentle influence to greet.   "Glory to the matchless sprite! Glory to effulgent Light!" Aroused from sleep, The land and deep Unceasing chorus day and night!   Should I then omit to bring My choicest gifts to welcome spring? Join in the choir With heart and lyre, And loudest in the concert sing? C.B. Langston

  

                                        

Linking to Barn Hop #8

MAKE A NEST HELPER

It's that time again to help the birds build their nests!

We gathered our supplies:

-horse hair from grooming the horses, 

-feathers on the ground from the ducks and hens

-mane from the horses

-angora from plucking the rabbits

-yarn that we cut into two inch lengths

-large wire suet feeder


We counted, measured, and recorded our ingredients. At a later date, we can see what has been used by the birds.


Next we layered them in the wire feeder . . . 

                      packing them loosely . . . 

and hung it outside, on a branch, for the birds.

We make these every year. See what we made last year here.
                   
                 happy day! happy nesting!


                 Linked to Barn Hop #6

PROTECTING THE GARDEN

Do you have helpers in your garden ?

" I see you have been out in your garden", visitors say as they comment on the raked areas throughout our flower beds and raised bed garden. 

But it wasn't me, it was them! My helpers.

But there comes a time that I need to say, Thank you but no more! No more eating the earthworms and other beneficials deep in the soil of the garden. 


I fill up the raised beds with our rich compost. . . 

 and then protect it from the chickens.


 I lay chicken wire, or other wire I have on hand, over each raised bed and secure it with a rock, heavy branch, or piece of lumber. 

The hens will still try but will be easily discouraged and move on their way.

Once I start planting, I set up a temporary fence so they can't get in the garden at all, but for now it's just the raised beds I protect.
  
I'm not willing to keep my chickens from free-ranging throughout our land, so there are extra steps I need to take to protect our plantings. 

A tip when putting in transplants, in an area that is not fenced in, is to surround the actual plant with rocks, right up to its stem. Flat rocks work best.


I learned the hard way. All my transplants were tipped upside down, with roots facing the sky, as the chickens made their way through the yard. Something had to be done.


The rocks protect the plant from the hens scratching. They still can scratch nearby but the transplants stay in place. Once the plants grow and their roots are secure in the soil, the rocks can be removed and growth can continue.

happy day! happy gardening!

Linking up to BARN HOP #5

and 

 Hearth and Soul Hop