this world is wonky...

The sun hasn't quite risen yet, the birds are all waking up, the sound of them calling through the trees is one of my favorite sounds.  It calms my soul. I should shut the deck door, but I'm not ready, I need to listen for a bit. 

I don't know what caused me to have a sense of pure anxiety and panic this morning around 3 am.  I'd semi-realized that Hubs was up and moving around, just as I started to drift back to sleep I felt it.  No reason that I know of, everyone is okay (as far as I know), yet there it was that familiar feeling I get when things are wrong in my immediate circle of loved ones.  Anxiety, pressure, the skin on my head feeling like a million bugs are moving just under the surface.  After a few moments it went away, but it sure shot down any chance of going back to sleep.  When folks wake up I will do a check just to make sure it was nothing. Prayers are up and fingers are crossed. 

So question... did anyone else ever watch the original Twilight Zone?  Anyone else starting to feel like we are living it?  So many times lately I am struck by scattered memories of the shows being our reality now. Predictive programming?  Not sure, but wow. 

My daughter made a comment about books and how she couldn't understand anyone buying them in this day and age, you have the internet.  I love books, I love to write and leave notes on my recipes, etc., but when she said it I remembered the episode with the old man in the library.  Burgess Meredith, alone surrounded by stacks of books, finally having time to read and he broke his glasses.  Is that where we are heading? Will everything be digital, no one owning a solid copy?  Will there always be people like me left behind because we love the old ways?

While I was surfing this morning I noticed an article about a dust wall that happened yesterday up in parts of South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska.  Those were some incredibly fascinating pictures and videos. Terrifying also. It looked like a giant wall of dirt, something straight out of a movie scene.  There haven't been many pictures of the aftermath posted, but those that have been are worrisome.  I've heard a lot of power lines and trees are down.  

I'm sure that these things have been happening forever, I'm not positive, but nature seems to always have a cycle to it.  What I was struck the hardest by was the realization that the pictures this morning were so reminiscent of the ones we grew up learning the dust bowl of the 1930's looked like.  The only difference was the beautiful landscaped yards and homes vs the shacks of the 1930's and of course color photos vs monochrome.

It looks like we have a bit of rain moving in today and sticking around for at least a week. Seems they've been dealing with an ongoing drought, just like most of the western states outside of Oregon and Washington.

I hope the people affected are okay, I didn't read of any loss of life, but definitely loss and destruction of property. My heart hurt.  How much more can we take?  We have large parts of our country on fire again, this has almost become an expected terror in recent years, not sure what we've changed, but something has.  This has been a year of unexpected temperatures in other areas, on both the high and low side of things. And it isn't just our country.  I am fairly sure it was Australia yesterday that had several weeks... maybe months I was just stunned looking at all the water... worth of rain fall in a two day period.

Mother Nature seems to be as angry as most folks are getting. 

To top it off it seems there is something we should all be concerned about with the WHO.  And the possibility of a serious violation of our constitutional rights and the changes are being put forward by our own government.  Don't know about you, but what I am seeing out of China is not something I would like to have happen here in this country.  And it is a distinct possibility.  Again, fairly positive changes like that should need a majority of the country saying yes. Not just an unelected bureaucrat in DC. 

Hmmm... maybe there is another reason I woke up in full anxiety mode today. 

I am getting ready to get busy for the day, I have a lot to do.  With the storms moving in there is yard stuff that has to be finished today.  I need to pick the remaining radishes, it looks like the heat is causing the rest of them to bolt.  Makes me sad, but I knew it would happen.  I was worried about the peas, but it looks like I might actually get some as they are now flowering like crazy. I never did get the tomatoes planted yesterday, so I think I will do that before the sun comes up and starts heating everything up. 

I had Hubs pick up some more tomatoes last night because I realized yesterday that we had officially eaten or gifted the last jar of the stewed tomatoes I had made and Hubs loves them. So I will get those made up today and I have a couple of stews to complete, I was too tired to finish yesterday.  Today is also the day to finish up the chores I haven't made time to complete this week.  

And with the pups officially off of convalescence, it's time to return my house to normal.  Taking things off the furniture and putting them back where they belong.  It will be nice to start moving more freely around our home again. 

So much to do... it's definitely time to get busy... 

love and peace...
 

best life...

It's a lazy, hazy start to a full weekend ahead.  Hubs and I decided to stay around the house and do the things this weekend. We have "chores" that we have been ignoring a bit while we played.  This weekend is truly empty, there are a couple of craft shows that popped up on the events page, but nothing that inspires me to rush around and go to them. 

In fact, nothing is inspiring me to move from my cozy spot in front of the fireplace while the wind whips the dull brown leaves to the ground. I think we need to plant a red maple out back to add some beautiful color that lasts as the dark brown moves in. Yeah, I'm kidding, I really don't need anymore leaves to clean up, my lot is very wooded as it is. But the dull brown is a bit sad to see.  Luckily there are a few trees that are still vibrant green, so their beautiful colors are yet to come. 

I definitely didn't get everything on my list taken care of yesterday, instead, I played for most of the day.  I think I needed it. I started the zucchini chips early yesterday, I've been dying to try them and given how inexpensive zucchini is this time of year, I figured why not.  Worst case scenario, the possum would have a crunchy snack.  Best case scenario, Hubs and I would have a healthy snack that we could really enjoy with our meals.  I will modify the recipe a bit when I make them again, I sliced too thin.  I might also experiment with a few different balsamic vinegar's to enhance the flavors. But they are definitely on the list for preserving!  So tasty. 

Salt and Vinegar 
Zucchini Chips

My girl asked me to run errands and do some shopping with her and the little one.  I rarely get to spend quality time with them, so I had a blast!  Then unexpectedly my sister came to town, so we planned a family dinner.  I don't see my sisters often so it was nice to enjoy some time catching up.  The grands and my girl all joined us and some of us even saw the first snow flurries of the year. Hubs is still insisting that those of us that saw them are nuts and we sent him on a snipe hunt.  

My sister in Arkansas called with an update on the great nephew, it's pretty darn amazing news.  His life is going to be a real testament to faith, but it is very positive news.  Including the fact that the little bugger continues to grow and fight!  We now have an arrival date and will keep wrapping him in prayers and love!

It is always so nice to spend time with loved ones.  

Chores and to do lists can always wait.  

Hubs and I have made our to do lists, we'd enjoyed a yummy breakfast of Gingerbread loaf with Maple icing (still can't believe we can still have these yummy treats and stay grain free), we've worked on grocery lists and planned the day.  He's down in the man cave watching a movie and I am enjoying the lingering beauty of my fire.  Soon, the day will start. 

So if you have read my blog for a bit you probably know that I love Christmas music.  It warms my heart and fills my very soul.  But I will admit to being shocked when the local oldies station that is known for it's Christmas music started playing it yesterday.  I mean, it's not even Thanksgiving.  Again, I love it, don't for one moment think I don't.  But I gotta question the rush.  

I always start playing it while I sew and craft around the beginning of November, but I hadn't even gotten there this year.  I will even admit to starting in October some years, but that is simply because it calms me and helps me focus. 

I've been seeing all of the early Black Friday specials all over the place and even shopping yesterday I with the girls I noticed the overwhelming amount of Christmas.  If I hadn't known darn good and well that it was only the beginning of November,  I would have questioned the date. 

So... why?  Is it to offer hope and joy during these strange and uncertain times that we are living through?  Or maybe it is to encourage people to not wait, given the supply issues stores are facing in getting their merchandise. Or is it to get people opening their pocketbooks to spend far too much, when they simply don't have the funds. 

Personally, I'm leaning into the second two.  I think that far more people are thinking like me, that everything has become too consumer driven, to commercial and they are opting out, and the stores are feeling the pinch. Do I still plan to gift my loved ones, absolutely!  They are just going to be far more meaningful and thought out.  Not random and willy nilly driven by marketing pushes. 

I am not sure why that perplexed me yesterday, but it really did. And who knows maybe the powers that be felt the world could use a bit of Christmas spirit (they aren't exactly wrong if so), but I feel it probably has far more to do with advertisers pushing for an earlier start to sales. 

I'm watching the last embers of my fire, not quite ready to start the day, but knowing I need to get with it and start my chores.  We want to pick up more firewood, the ferns need clipped and the plants out front cut back, we are picking up an antique table to refinish, and there is life needing done.  I enjoy days like this when Hubs and I work side by side accomplishing the little things that make a house a home and our life a partnership.  

I am so thankful to be living my best life with my soul mate surrounded by all of my incredible loved ones!