the she owl named Zeus

After living on the farm for one month, a visitor arrived. She is our returning barn owl named Zeus (the one who rules the night). Soon I will snap a picture of her. Rarely seen during the day, her appearances have only been at night. She comes here every winter to lay her eggs and nest for a few months. Later, a clutch of about 3-6 eggs will hatch and I've been told are very noisy when the evening meal is desired. The nestlings will be fed by their parents for 40-54 days and then the fledglings begin to hone their hunting skills. It is rare that all fledglings survive. One or two make it through the entire process. I am really excited about Zeus' arrival and hope to see her Tyto mate also.

I find small patches of wild mushrooms while walking through the orchard. I have a vivid imagination and think they look like miniature villages for our local wee gnomes. They too, come out at night when most humans are safely tucked asleep in their beds...

Please tell me that Owls don't feast on gnomes! Eeeek

Mark...still our Christmas miracle

This is a picture of Mark and his sister Angela at Thanksgiving. Many of you remember the car accident that Mark was in December of 2006. Every year around this time I like to give an update about him.

Mark had another surgery this year to repair some of the weak tissue around his midsection. They added more mesh to his front and side. The surgeon also pulled muscle around from his back and attached that to his side, which in the end made it all look like he had had some plastic surgery done...such a beautiful job.

More good Marky news...he continued his studies and was chosen for the Respiratory Therapy Program class of 2010. So, that will begin in March and by mid 2011 he will be employed at a near by hospital.

If Mark had never experienced such a dramatic extended stay in the hospital like he did, he may still be wondering what his niche was, but Mark found his destiny through this ordeal.

All things work together for good.
Romans 8:28

come away with me

Come and take a walk with me. It's cold and a little foggy today, but that's okay because we have rain boots, scarves and thick over sized jackets. (we borrow these from the hubby...aka Farmer J) Don't forget to wear your pajama's, this is standard around here :)
Hmmm...where to begin? There are so many rows to start from. Sometimes I just zig & zag here and there. The paths are long, so it's quite a workout.
Even though we have only been here for 3 weeks, I have really come to appreciate the trees and am mesmerized by their different shapes.
Their branches give them a sort of personality and their thick trunks such strength. They twist and reach...it's beautiful and poetic to me.
This 5 acre parcel is already 25 years old. They will need to be pulled in a couple of years. Baby tree's will be replanted here and the whole idea breaks my heart. Almond trees stop producing as they age and when you're a farmer...well, out with the old, in with the new. Luckily, we also have 10 acres that are only 15 years old and 3 more of 4 year old. In the meantime, let's just admire these while we can.
Almonds that are left on the tree after harvest and begin to dry up are called "Mummies" I am learning so much living here.
Even the weeds that grow in the rows are beautiful.
And don't get me started about the many varieties of moss and fungi...stunning!
We have doggie pals that always walk with us. Baxter stays near by, his ferocious presence is very protective ;)
And then there's Ellie, my little explorer who suddenly has no fear and wanders far and wide. She runs everywhere and I can tell that she is loving our new lifestyle.
Okay...our time is up, I'm pooped and shed my boots in the mud room. I really enjoyed the fresh air and feel invigorated, but most of all I enjoyed the company...thanks to each one of you :)

a long road to a fresh start...

The last time I posted was in July...why you may ask?

Sickness took it's toll
I have moved
literally moved to a new city
let me explain:

I had one of the worst summers (health wise) in years. The Lupus flared something terrible and I was very sick for weeks. I was bed ridden sick, unable to go anywhere and visitors were non-existing. Thank God for family and I have a great one. Little do they know how wonderful they are and how important they are to my perseverance. I get regular calls from my husband, children, mom, daddy...and my sisters are fabulous. Most of you know my baby sister Denise, aka boho girl. I must take time out to love on her.

*tears* She lights up my life with "daily" text messages, pictures and video snippets of her and baby Cedar. This takes time to keep up with and I am positive that it's not always easy, or convenient. But her faithfulness to keep me connected is boundless and loving. I am her big sister and have often received crisis calls from her and offered my advice. She gives me big thanks and always makes me feel like what I say causes epiphanies, but I know the truth, that my words are very ordinary and safe. But what she does for me? ...is literally life saving. I can't count the moments of teeth grinding pain, only to hear the beep of a phone blessing from her. Instead of wanting to say, "I can't take this anymore" I end up smiling or laughing out loud and always realize there is so many more important things out there than what I am experiencing. I can't thank her enough...I couldn't love her anymore, or retun what she does for me. Other family members love on me too...I am so cared for by them all. Love you all xxx

The picture above is my new residence. We had our eye on this 18.5 acre farm for the last 10 months. The price slowly crept low enough for us to make an offer and Bam! We were suddenly selling our house, packing up 48 years of "stuff" and moving to paradise. We are now almond ranchers along with regular full time jobs. (well...my job is keeping healthy, J has the added responsibilities ;) I am surrounded by fresh air, trees, birds and other flora and fauna that is just breathtaking.

So, I'm feeling settled enough to get back to journaling along with other adventures. I may have new surrounding, but I'm the same gypsy girl that has a little spring back in her step and some mud on her new farmer boots.

It feels good to want to be back :)