End of March

What is it they say about March?  If it comes in like a lion, it goes out like a lamb.  It certainly has here.  This is what early March looked like for us.  Snow and wind.  Today the snow is gone on all but the peaks of the mountains, the sun shines and it is almost 50 degrees.
What is it about Spring that calls for change?  That urge to clean, to plant, to re-arrange.  It isnt truly energy, at least not in my case, but maybe an ancient memory that urges us to prepare while the weather is good.  Its time to pack away the winter clothes, to pull out lighter ones.  To move furniture, deep clean.  In the past, much of this was due to the way we heated.  Coal and wood fire, those created dust, so when spring arrived, you deep-cleaned the rooms.  Possibly it helped to move furniture to encourage the breezes in the house, now that the cold weather was past.  The house that I grew up in  originally had an  out-kitchen.  This was a building, just out the back door of the house, used in warmer months to cook so as not to have all the heat in the house.  Some knew it as a summer kitchen.  Very utilitarian, but it served the purpose.  My grandfather tore it down and modernised the kitchen in the house.   We dont do this today, although maybe grilling serves the same purpose.  I can remember my mother did less baking and roasting in the summer as the oven created so much heat.
On the farm, spring means new life and planting.  Maybe planning a garden or flower bed.  Im doing a bit  of that.  The ground on the property here is dry and sandy.  I will be digging in  the ground and adding manure to make it richer.  Thanks to the mules and llamas we have natural fertilizer.  Here we dont plant water-needy plants, and the elevation  will make a difference, so I am researching to decide what I want to plant.
I know that I am grateful to see winter over.  It was a long cold one, and I was shut-in due to sickness for most of it.  Now, it we can just get some rain, it will be perfect!
Happy Spring!!

Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, Day before Lent

Its that time of year.  A Brazilian friend was talking about Carnivale just ending, and how glad she was. She doesnt go, sees it as a wild time that doesnt include faith.  We might say the same thing about Mardi Gras.  It has become a drunken party more than a celebration.

The "real" Shrove Tuesday was a Lenten tradition, that involved eating some sort of unleavened bread.  Modern days include Pizza, Pancakes, Fry Bread and more.  Many  faiths discouraged the eating of meat during Lent, others  asked for a sacrifice, to give something up.  I remember as a child, our church advocated making a sacrifice during lent.  The Pastor said, it must be something you love.  You cannot sacrifice asparagus.  My usual was ice cream.  And when you know that you "cant" have something, you want it even more.

I was interested to see that one church has decided the "new" sacrifice should be carbon.  They advocate not driving, etc. during Lent.  That isnt really practical for most of the country.  Nor is the alternative of taking alternate-fueled busses.  Maybe the major metropolitan areas can do this, but what about those in small towns and in the country?  The little town nearest me doesnt even have a taxi.  Id have to drive about 3 hours to get to the first mall, where I might also find an alternative fuel powered bus.

I suppose that as with all things, it becomes a matter of choice.  Many people, if not most, dont observe lent.  Many today, no doubt have no idea what it is or why the sacrifices.  It was interesting to learn from my Brazilian friend that only Catholics in Brazil observe lent.  Other Christian faiths really dont.  When I said that in the  United States, many different faiths do, she was surprised.
 
At the end of the Lenten season comes Easter.  Bunnies and candy, big meals, holiday.  And oh, of course, the miracle.  We do seem to have our priorities messed up, dont we?  I wonder if, 50and 60 years ago, our parents and grandparents thought the same things. Did they think about what was easy to sacrifice, and what to server for Easter dinner with the family?  Or were their thoughts on how grateful we should be for that sacrifice, and miracle?

Do you remember getting a new dress, hat and shoes for Easter service?  I do.  I think I even had white gloves to go with it.  But this was late 50s and early 60s.   Im not sure when that changed.  I dont see hats and gloves on little girls anymore.  We had sunrise service and  if the weather was nice, our small country church held it outside in the picnic grove.  After that service we had a breakfast in the social hall of pastries, milk and coffee.  Most people stayed until the regular service at 9.  A few went back home. 

As you begin the Lenten season tomorrow, I hope that you let your mind take you back.  Think about what it really means, look at your family traditions.  I wish you a blessing in sacrifice, and a joy this Lenten season.
Hugs.

Like a Lamb

The say is that if March come in like a Lion, it goes out like a Lamb.  We have it reversed, having Lamb weather now!  Our weather is in the 60s during the day, still the teens at night, but ohhh it makes you want to be outside enjoying it.  Of course,  it is bound to change.  I saw this morning that we have snow expected for Friday. LOL

My cousin Gary said that he had been reading the blogs.  I love that he enjoys it.  It is a great way to keep in touch, let ppl know what we are up to.  And another cousin, Rita,  mentioned the one about childhood.   I had to laugh, as she is one I shared my childhood with. We sat on the same grandfathers knee, and climbed the same barnyard paths.

I have been asked to clarify how I ever ended up in Colorado, since I still get homesick for Ohio. It was one of those decisions that change your life more than you realize.  When the marriage ended, I was in a shock of sorts.  I wasnt sure who I was, as my identity was as Mrs, or mom. Yet, here I was, mom to a man in college, and no longer a Mrs.   I have read since, that a divorce is like a death, that you should expect to go through a mourning process.  I dont think that I did, as I was in such a wierd place emotionally.   The opportunity was offered to move to Florida, and I took it. I  began using my middle name instead of my first, and began re-writing who I was, thinking maybe it wouldnt hurt so much.

At that time, I owned a travel agency. I loved travelling, and loved sending people away, knowing that I had given them great deals. Even today, when people do so much travel booking themselves, there are better ways to do it, and get better deals.   After a few years in Florida, the offer came to go to Colorado and set up an ISO program for a small manufacturing firm.  I did some basic marketing as well. This came about as one of my travel clients was the owner of the manufacturing firm.  I took the opportunity to see a part of the country that I hadnt seen, and accepted the job.  At the time, I planned to return to Florida, but circumstances changed, and I stayed here in Colorado.  There were things about Florida that I loved, and people there that I miss, but Colorado is a great place to be. The weather here is odd.  We can have a -40 night here in the mountains, and then the next day it can be 50.  Not icey, like Ohio, not humid, like Florida.

I built the ISO policy for the company, passed the audits,took schooling and became an  ISO auditor.  I did this independently, and learned a lot about success in a company.   The marketing part of that company included brochure design, client contact, customer service and more.  I was still learning, and loved it.

When that company was sold  and relocated, I went home to Ohio for the summer, but by fall, I was headed back to Colorado.   I used my marketing and management skills to manage Hotels, taking them from a loss to a money making position.  I still sell travel, but only when asked.  I no longer market it.  And of course, Jasons venture in buying this property has kept me busy.  This was a Historic building, a Motel that was used by the railroad .  It was closed for many years when Jason found it.  Little by little, he is remodeling, converting it into small apartments.  It isnt easy, and there are certainly times that we get discouraged, but I remember Dad saying, "if its worth having, its worth working for".

So, that is how I ended up in Colorado.  I lived first in the north end of the state, in a cabin, and now we are atthe other extreme, in the southern end, close to the New Mexico border.  And of course, stories to  go along with those moves, will come another day!

I hope that your weather is Lamb-like, and that it stays that way.  I know we all are ready for spring.
Have a great week, we will talk again soon.
Lynn

Birthdays

Today is my sons birthday.  He was actually born a few minutes after midnight, on a cold, snowy night.  I have told him since he was a child that he was my blessed miracle.  I had suffered several miscarriages prior to his birth, and shortly after he was born, the doctors became concerned enough to begin a series of surgeries that meant he was my only child.  He has been a blessing to me since the day he was born, and I am so proud of the man he has become.  He wanted a quiet celebration, to spend the day in his apartment, staying warm.  So, he got his favorite foods for dinner!  Lasagna, garlic bread, vegetable pizza, and an ice cream cake for dessert. 

I remember as a child, birthday dinners were about a cake and ice cream, and lots of family.  As a young wife, it was about going out to eat...my in-laws, parents, and us, altogether.  I think it has always been more about food than gifts.  Doesnt it seem that our best memories involve food, friends and family?

I had never even heard of vegetable pizza until my sister-n-law, Lori joined the family. She made it, and Jason fell in love with it!  Since then, whenever I make it, I think of her.  I have many foods that way, that I associate with a specific person.  Each one is a precious memory, and I am so grateful to have them.

And so, in honor of Jasons birthday, I will post the recipe for Vegetable Pizza that Lori gave me.  Let me know if you try it. I'm sure there are several versions, this one is really easy.

Vegetable pizza
1 cookie sheet
2 tubes of crescent rolls
2 small pkgs of cream cheese
1 cup mayo or miracle whip
1 pkg. dry ranch dressing
vegetables of choice:
broccoli, cauliflower, tomato  are what I use
shredded cheese


Spread the crescent rolls flat on the cookie sheet, bake til lightly browned, remove and cool.
Chop vegetables to small, bite size, set aside.
Mix cream cheese, mayo and ranch dressing to a smooth mix, spread on crescent dough.
Cover with vegetables, then top with shredded cheese.
Healthy, fun way to eat vegetables, and in my house, a nice treat.

Enjoy your week from Windhover Ranch.

Homesick......

A friend, Katie Troyer, lives in Florida.  She was born into the Amish community in Holmes County,Ohio, although she does not live it now.  Katie takes amazing pictures of her surroundings, the Amish who visit, her travels and family, and basically anything that catches her eye.  Oh, what an eye Katie has!  Something as "normal" as people talking, when seen via Katies lens catches the imagination and takes off.
Last week she posted a picture of her great-niece washing her hands.  The definition of innocent with  braided hair, little dress and apron.  Katie noted that she would love to be a child again for a day.   Within moments I was homesick.  Out of the blue, I understood what Katie meant. If I could be a child again for even one day, I would see my parents again, and my grandparents.  The beloved aunts and uncles that are gone now, even some childhood friends that are gone.  And think of the freedom we had as a child!  I waded barefoot in creeks and tried to catch tadpoles.  I spent half the day outside, playing.  My mom made wonderful meals, and always looked and smelled wonderful. Dad and I  went sled riding, and he talked me into putting corn on my toes and letting the chickens pick it off!  Daddy worked hard, but we werent rich, by any means.  Food on your plate was meant to be eaten.  My new clothes were made by mom.  And you didnt just get something because you wanted it. 
I wonder at times what todays children will miss.  Certainly this is a society of gratification, and most often instantly.  If they never have to wait for things, how will they learn to appreciate it?  And do todays kids run barefoot in the summer, and still collect tadpoles in jars?  Are handmade dresses appreciated as much as ones with store labels?
 Im sure that we all have good and bad memories of childhood..and yet, wouldnt it be wonderful, for just one day....to go back?  So, for me, I treasure the coat  that I still have, made by mom when I was 4.  And I find joy in making things like the suede vest I am finishing now for Jason.  And I think, when it is warm enough, I am going to take off my shoes, and go walk barefoot, find a puddle to wade through, and dedicate it to children.
Have a great week!

Thoughts of Family

This is my son, Jason. He is such a great guy, and Im proud to be his mom.   It hasnt always been easy for him, and yet he seemed always able to see the bigger picture.
I  suppose I am thinking of this more now, since his birthday is right around the corner. He was a miracle child for me.  After several miscarriages, some late in term, one managed to make it to full term.  I spent much time in the hospital during the pregnancy, and was quite ill, but my Miracle was born Feb. 27, 1978.  There has never been a day that I wasnt grateful for him. 
I feel for the new parents of today. It seems that we get farther and farther from our roots. Our children often spend more time in school than they do with their families.  That alone is frightening.  I have many friends who have home-schooled  their kids, with great results.  If I were a new parent today, I know that I would make that choice.  And there are so many social connections available, church, scouts, 4H,  and more. 
I think of the article I read, a college statement.  The children born today will never know what a rotary dial phone was.  Many will never see a wristwatch. Polaroid cameras, even film cameras will be a mystery to them.  Searching the library, the dewey decimal system, will mean nothing.  These children will not know that man  wasnt always in space and on the moon.  They will not remember the racial riots, or woodstock.  I remember as I read this, I felt very old!
My grandfather was born in 1880.  He was a good man, intelligent.  For all that, he would be amazed at cell phones and gps systems.  And electric cars would be space-age technology, along with computers.  His time was more gentle. Horses, later in life cars, that went almost 50 mph!  Women didnt wear slacks and   a man was a husband, a father, and a good neighbor.
Was it truly a better time? Not if we consider the discovery of medicines and  the technology that makes life easier.  But maybe families would be better.   I dont have the answers, only the questions. Do you ever wander through your ancestors lifves and wonder  how you would have handled it?
Have a great weekend,stay safe and warm.

Murphy's Law

We are all aware of Murphys Law, the concept that "whatever can possibly happen will do so at the worst possible time."  Lately it seems like my life is a parody of  that. We have had pipes break several times this winter, the last one broke the pump. So,  a replacement pump and  many water lines later,  I am hoping for no more  negative 20s and lower temperatures.  Ive been sick off and on since Christmas, and finally am feeling human again, I would like it to stay that way!

Progress continues with the Llamas.  Harley will eat from my hand, and let me touch his neck briefly.  Dolly and the cria wont get that close, but Dolly is braver at least in sniffing at the corn in my hand.  Funny thing is to look out and see Sam, our big sweet Mule, with his neck lowered over the fence rail into the Llamas pen.  The cria actually nuzzles him, and hums, as llamas do. He is such a gentle animal, and even though she is not much larger than his head, she seems to not fear him.

Our small  family of deer are staying close by.  This afternoon I watched six as they nibbled at the side field. They work as a team, five eating while one watches, then trading off.  A neighboring dog was barking, and you could see that the watch-deer was anxious. Once she realised the dog was nowhere close, she seemed to relax.  They were in the same place for maybe an hour before moving off, maybe for a nap in the sunshine.

I finished some small sewing projects today before beginning some new ones.  I may post pictures later as the new projects take shape.  I enjoy finishing something that I started, the knowing that  I stuck with it, and made it useable.  Would love to hear of any projects that you have begun.  have a great day!