The Thorn on the Rose ... or should I say, the thorn in my side.

As much as I love country living, there are a few definite drawbacks. One of which I experienced tonight.

Living so far out, we have two choices for internet service ... bad or worse. Instead of the slower dial-up, we have satellite (Hughes.net) which is marginally faster.

When Pat and I first met online, I doubt he had any idea how bad his internet service was. He knew it was slow, but had no idea he wasn't even getting near the service he was paying for. In matter of fact, his "faster" satellite service was not any faster than dial-up at times. It took us both months of wrangling with Hughes ... including contacting the state's attorney general ... before we managed to get satisfaction. At least now it is faster than it was ... that is when it works.

Tonight the modem went out. We knew it wasn't working quite right and I had already contacted them about it. Tonight it went totally on the fritz and I couldn't get online at all, no matter what I tried. Of course then I had to call Hughes and was put through to tech support in India. Having dealt with them before, I knew it was going to be a long drawn-out struggle, and it was. The Indian tech sent me through a long list of things to do, but still no luck, it was completely dead. I was then informed they were going to send a new one, free of charge ... Good! The tech then told me it would take four days to get here ... NOT GOOD!

Pat and I run an internet business through eBay. We have customers to take care of and a number of listings ending this weekend. We HAD to get back online.

I was sent the round of people to talk to and was even disconnected at one point, but was still not able to get the modem here any faster than Monday. No matter what I tried, I was not able to talk them into sending the modem overnight or even next day. I then began mentally trying to figure out which friends we would need to ask the favor of using their computer.

In the meantime, I unplugged the darn thing and went to take a shower. About an hour later I plugged it back in and low and behold it is working again ... for now. I just hope we can get it to hold out a few more days (sigh).

A Glorious Winter Day

From Simpli-Country

I was born and raised in South Texas. I rarely experienced freezing temperatures in the winter, much less snow and ice. Which means that living in mid-west has been quite an adjustment for this South Texas Gal. I didn't make my first snow angel until I was 50 and I've yet to build a snowman. While snow has been a delight in some ways ... it's beautiful to look at when you are cozy and warm ... it's also been a challenge for me to learn how to deal with it.

I never thought I'd look forward to 50 degrees with pleasure and anticipation. After all, where I come from that was sweater weather and downright cold. At 50 degrees we cranked up the heaters and made a pot of soup, stew or chili. Yet these days 50 degrees are a great excuse to get outside. So, if nothing else, winters here have taught me to celebrate the good days.

Today was not just a good day, it was one of those great days when I couldn't wait to get outside. Instead of the "normal" high of 40, it managed to get up to 72 here in our valley (it was in the mid-60's in the closest town). One of the blessings of living in the valley is that it is often warmer than the surrounding area, which is also a bit of a drawback in the summer and in the winter when it gets colder at night.

The weatherman this morning was saying a front is headed for us this weekend. There is a possibility of snow on Saturday and then on Monday. With that kind of prediction, I know I have to enjoy the weather while I can.

The first things I did this morning was open the doors and windows. I also quartered a chicken and put on marinade for the grill. I cook every day, but on the warmer days of winter (50 degrees and up), I can't resist getting outside and grilling. It gives me an excuse to be outside. Once Pat woke up, I headed outside to fire up the grill and to clean off the patio table. Good days were meant to eat outside and enjoy the sunshine. It's good for the digestion and the food always seems to taste better when eaten out of doors ... at least that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I wasn't the only one out and about on this beautiful winter day. A bee buzzed Pat and I while we were keeping an eye on the chicken ... actually we were soaking up the sun. I also saw a small butterfly in the front yard when I went to clean the table. The birds were singing their hearts out in the trees while we ate and flying all around the yard, probably looking for any insect that out enjoying the warmer temperatures.

I honestly meant to do chores once Pat left for work this afternoon. I did get a number of the outside chores done. Well, ok, maybe it was just two ... I took the trash out and got another wheelbarrow load of wood in for the wood burner. I really meant to clean the sliding glass doors and the windows (a good job for warm days), but as I took the trash out to the road, I noticed the tulips were starting to poke their heads up to see if it was safe to come out. The daffodils and crocus were doing the same. The red maple was starting to bud. It made quite a sight when a cardinal landed among its branches.

The beautiful day was just too much for me ... chores could wait ... the lure of the woods was calling to me. I head inside to grab my camera, put on my old shoes and, before you know it, I'm on my way to wander out back. Like a kid, I stop and play in the creek that runs along the border of the clearing behind the house. A bunch of leaves are slowing the creek down, so I free them and the water begins to faster. The creek is full of beautiful quartz rock, so I look around and collect some rocks by the creek. I'll take them home later to add to my collection. As I do so, I hear rustling of leaves up the hill and a squirrel starts to scold me for being in HIS territory.

From Simpli-Country

Eventually I start to wander on, following the creek. I watch the ground for tracks and spot deer and raccoon tracks. I pause from time to time to listen and look at the creek as it slowly meanders down through the valley. Coming out of the trees, I stop by the back clearing where Pat and I planted winter rye. It's pretty much gone. The deer have eaten it down the ground. Soon we will be planting it again ... maybe we'll do sunflowers again this year. Last year's field was a beautiful sight with all the yellow blooms.

Heading on, I leave the clearing to wander through the woods ... up the trail toward the salt block that Pat put at the back of the property. The ground is thawing, so I carefully watch my step, so I don't end up stepping in a river of mud. A sound up ahead makes me look up to see three white tails waving as the deer hurry away. I must not have startled them too much as they didn't bark at me.

From Simpli-Country

Before I know it, I'm back at the creek and also at the fence that borders the State Park at the back of the property. I take the creek and start to follow it back. Another squirrel is up ahead. He sees me, but he's not too alarmed and goes from tree to tree, then down the tree and across the creek, only to climb up another tree and jump across the creek. I watch him until he is out of sight, then continue down the creek bed.

As I travel, I think how lucky I am that I'm short. I can travel the creek bed with relative ease. I can bend down and go under most of the low branches. Even so, a few lower branches and wild roses runners grab at me as I follow the creek.

I find a couple of really nice quartz rocks ... one white and one red ... for my collection. Since I'm not sure I will find them again when spring leafs out the area, I carry them with me. As I travel on, I think about the people in the city who carry weights when they go for a brisk walk and smile. I am exercising ... country style.

From Simpli-Country

Before I know it, I'm back at the path to home. Crossing the creek once again, I look up the valley but can't spot the smoke from home. The breeze is coming from the south. Ever so slowly, I walk on home, arriving shortly after the sun hides behind the hill and before the outside light comes on. I'm home ... muddy shoes and all ... a bit scratched up from the roses and with a few twigs in my hair. Finding the twigs, I smile thinking of how many times in the past year Pat's has picked twigs out of my hair for me.

Since the sun is going down, it's getting cooler, but I still can't make myself go inside. I close up the garage, check the wood burner and then sit in the rocking chair on the porch to watch the sunset and the birds come in for a final meal before roosting for the night.

It's been a glorious winter day. I can hardly wait for the next one ... maybe I'll get the doors and windows clean then ... or maybe not.

Giving Up too Soon.

I'm tired. It's late. It's been a long and hectic Monday, but then Mondays always are.

Pat works nights, Monday through Thursday, so Friday through Sunday are "our days". I don't get a whole lot of chores done on our weekends, other than cooking, whatever chores Pat and I do together (like bringing in wood or working on equipment), and our Ebay stuff. I also don't get much time at the computer (except for our Ebay stuff).

So, on Mondays, I play catch-up with all my chores. Mondays are almost always errand days ... go to town (12 miles away) and do whatever shopping needs to be done. I always have to notify our buyers that their items have been sent and give them feedback and at least one load of laundry. There is also the disaster of a kitchen to clean (which is a 7-day a week occurance with the way that I cook). Plus, I had an extra chore tonight, Pat got a new computer chair that I put together for him, so I'm running later than usual.

All this is to say, I'm tired and that makes me a bit introspective. Frankly, I've been a bit introspective on the subject of giving up too soon for a couple of days now. I wonder how often in life we give up too soon on those that we love ... and lose in the process.

Two weeks ago, I thought Pat and I were going to have to put our beloved Spike to sleep. Pat has had Spike, an adorable Boston Terrier, for 17 years. Last year, Pat was complaining that he didn't have a dog any more, I had stolen her. Spike followed me around wherever I went. However, this winter has taken a horrible toll on my constant shadow. A couple of months ago she started having trouble walking due to arthritis. It has been getting progressively worse.

We feed Spike two aspirin a day in some cheese or in her Mighty Dog. We also bought her some "joint treats" that contains Chondroitin, MSM and Glucosamine. For her size she should only be taking one, but she seemed to get a lot better once we started giving her two a day. She's alert and not in any pain ... she just stiff and couldn't walk very well.

From Simpli-Country

Two weeks ago she had a couple of days when she could not walk and her standing was really shakey. One day, when I took her out, she could barely stand to do her "business" and ended up falling in it. I cleaned her up and brought her in. Maybe it was my imagination that day, but she looked miserable and she wouldn't eat. I knew something was horribly wrong when Spike wouldn't eat. The main reason she follows me around is because I do the cooking (and share my meals). It looked to me like she had just given up.

Now, anyone who is over 50, will understand that when we are inactive too long, it's hard to get moving again. If I sit at the computer for any length of time (or anywhere else for that matter), my joints get so stiff that it's hard to walk. Spike wasn't walking.

That day I tearfully told Pat that I thought it was "time." He said that he was just waiting for me to tell him when and he looked up the number for the vet. I called that day to ask for information on putting Spike to sleep, but I didn't set a time. I figured she might be able to hang on until Friday and Pat and I would go together.

Pat suggested we increase her "treats" to three a day, since it couldn't hurt at this point. In the meantime, I started to make her walk and also started giving her massages and working her stiff legs to make them bend ... in other words, doggy therapy. As painful as it was for me, I wouldn't help her to her food bowl and made her stumble to the door for me to pick her up and carry her outside. In a couple of days, she started shakily walking again and stumbling a bit less. Her appetite once again returned to its voracious normal.

From Simpli-Country

The past two days, Spike is once again "wandering" the yard when I take her out. She's also getting up on the couch all on her own. The only time she stumbles is when she gets in a hurry and tries to trot around like she used to do. She's playing with her bone again and standing on the edge of the kitchen when I'm cooking (something I didn't think I'd see again).

I know the day is coming when Spike will once again go downhill, but right now I am so grateful that she really didn't give up. I'm also grateful that we didn't give up on her. The past week has been wonderful with my buddy back again. Spike keeps me company in the evenings when Pat is gone, and I give her lots of love and treats in return.

So, tonight I'm wondering, how often do we give up too soon? If we do, will we always wonder if we did or didn't? If we had tried harder, fought a better battle, or tried a different tactic, would the outcome have been different? Spike's story makes me want to not give up quite so easily. It makes me want to keep on putting all my energy and effort into the things that matter most in life ... the people (and pets) that I love.

Critter Caper Update

The suet feeder has been found ... empty, of course. The critter that stole it cleaned that suet feeder better than I ever had.

Pat was sure that a squirrel had "squirreled" the suet feeder away, which meant that he was sure that it could be found up the hill behind the house. I wasn't so sure about that since I haven't seen a squirrel at the feeders all year (I have no idea where they have gone). Since I was determined to find it, I put on my hiking boots Friday afternoon and headed up the hill. Sure enough, I found it up the hill a ways.

Now my problem was how to attach the feeder, so it wouldn't be stolen again. I rummaged around until I found a chain that I had used to hang one of my hanging baskets last year. I was reminded of banks and how they chained up their pens ... so people could use them, but not steal them.

The feeder is now hanging back in the tree. It's close enough to the trunk that the squirrels (or raccoons) can easily reach it. Another benefit that I've discovered is that since it easily swings on the chain, only the smaller birds are using it ... and not the Bluejays or the Cardinals. That means that at least that suet will last a bit longer. The other suet feeder keeps ending up on the ground each morning ... empty, of course.

From Simpli-Country

FEBRUARY 24 MORNING UPDATE: I was a bit too optimistic about the suet lasting longer in the smaller mesh feeder. Whatever critter stole the suet feeder, emptied it during the night. I had to refill both of them this morning.

I was a bit late getting up this morning and refilling the feeders, so the Titmouses (or is it Titmice) were already getting the fresh suet I made last night off the porch (I had put it outside in the cold to cool and harden up overnight).

Thieving Critters

Pat has repeatedly warned me ... everything out in the country will bite you, stab you and/or kick you in the behind (or words something to that effect). I was reminded of his words this morning when I looked outside to see my suet feeders down again.

About 3 weeks ago, I decided that I might save money on suet cakes by making my own. After all, in these economic times, we really need to save as much as we can and I could make them using a lot of stuff that I had on hand or was going to be thrown away if it wasn't used.

As usual, I was wrong again. Oh, I'm sure they are cheaper to make than the store-bought ones, but the fact they are home-made seems to entice all the critters in the area to eat them as fast as I put them up ... hence I'm going through them a lot faster than one a week, like I was using with the store-bought ones.

Birds will literally line up on the branches for a turn at the suet. I've seen as many as 9 male cardinals (and their mates) sitting on the branches of the tree ... waiting somewhat impatiently for a chance at the suet. The titmouses (or is it titmice), sparrows, finches, bluejays and woodpeckers love it too. I will often see two and three birds on the suet feeder at one time (something I never saw with the store-bought ones).

I put a new cake out every morning. By evening most of it is gone, but enough remains to entice the coons to climb the tree during the night and raid what is left. Every morning I find the feeder on the ground with no suet left.

Yesterday I decided that I was going to fix that coon. I have a suet feeder with smaller mesh that would make it hard for him (or them) to get into. Not only that, I was going to hang it on a smaller branch, so they would have a harder time getting to the hanger.

I awoke this morning and looked out ... one suet feeder was down and the other was GONE. It seems that since the new suet feeder had smaller mesh, the coon decided to take it with him so he could eat at his leasure.

Here's what my feeders looked like yesterday (it's the one on the far right, with the tangerine, that got stolen):

From Simpli-Country

I looked all around the property after Pat left for work this afternoon and couldn't find it. If it is anywhere around, I'm sure Pat will find it for me (sigh). Although I'm great at finding most things, he seems to have a better knack at finding things that the critters haul off.

So I guess I'm down to one feeder once again. At least I'll find this one on the ground in the morning, instead of gone. Not that I really mind the coons eating the suet ... they have as much right as the birds and are just as cute. I just wish they would return the suet feeder ... so I can fill it for them again, LOL.

This is a photo montage that I created of the property in December of 2007

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

My Kitchen Window

From Simpli-Country

I actually wrote the following last week, but had nowhere to post until I created Simpli-Country:

I often ponder life as I wash dishes and look out my kitchen window. As I look out the window and watch the changes in my world around me today, I am reminded that the one thing that is constant in life is that it will change.

Washing dishes today, I watched the cardinals flying to the feeder and the snow melting because of our nice February thaw. A titmouse flies onto the porch to steal some of the suet that I made that I left sitting on the table. He is too impatient to wait for me to put it in the suet feeder. As I watched the titmouse, I noticed the breeze blowing the leaves of the magnolia tree. I could see that the breeze is coming from the south and realize that change is only a few short weeks away.

The breeze and the melting snow reminded me of life’s constant changes. I know that change is coming. In a few short weeks, we’ll be watching the crocus, daffodils and tulips that Pat & I planted last fall shoot up and grace us with their lovely blooms and the trees bursting into bloom.

I see the empty hanger where our hummingbird feeder resides in the summer. I know that it will be full of hummingbirds by May. Thinking of the hummingbirds reminds me that in only a few more months we’ll be planting and then watching our garden grow. By the end of summer and into the fall, our garden will be ripe with the fruits of our labor and beautiful fall colors will be decorating the mountains, which will be followed by leaves falling and snow falling down once again.

All this thinking about change reminded me that less than a year ago, I didn’t have a kitchen window. I lived in an apartment in the city. I was traveling every weekend to the country to see the man that I had fallen in love with … Pat. A year before that, I was in a deep depression over the slow painful death of another romantic relationship. After that relationship ended, I vowed to guard my heart from further pain, but, despite my vow, Pat managed to romance me and bulldoze his way straight to my heart. Due to his love, my life once again changed and my current happiness was born.

If I had resisted change in my life, I never would have found happiness again with Pat. If at any point in my 51 years of life, I had neglected my usual mantra of “This too shall pass” when times got rough, I would have not made it through to find my current happiness and satisfaction in life that I often thought was lost.

Yet, if there is an irony to my life now, it is that I am living a life that I once swore would never be mine … a housewife. The true irony of the situation is that at the age to 28, I repeatedly told my now ex-husband that if he wanted a “housewife” don’t marry me.

Being a housewife was never my intention when I moved here to be with Pat. I have sent out numerous resumes and I continue to pour over the job ads several times a week in hopes of finding a nice office job somewhere. Unfortunately, in this time of economic turmoil, I have not had any success.

My how times change … if I have learned anything in this life, it is that if we want to be happy, we learn to change and adapt. Perhaps one day the economy will change and I will find employment. In the meantime, I will savor being a housewife. It is no hardship at all. I have discovered a profound happiness and satisfaction in taking care of Pat, our dog Spike, our cat Brat, our yard and our home.

Pat often (somewhat reluctantly, I might add) offers to wash the dishes. I know he hates working in the kitchen and turn him down … not just for his sake, but for mine too. The kitchen window and warm flow of water over my hands gives me time to stand still, look outside (sometimes longingly) and reflect. I don’t think Pat has any idea (although he will now) what I am doing as I wash dishes and gaze out the kitchen window … I’m finding my inner peace and savoring life.

All these thoughts flit through my mind as I wash dishes and look out my kitchen window. Sometimes the view distracts me to the point that when the dishes are put in the drainer, I see a spot that I missed and have to start all over washing the dish. Not that I mind, it just means more time to look out my kitchen window and think.

Today as I look outside, I see the gazebo that Pat and I often sat to cool off after working in the garden last summer and also spent hours entertaining our family and friends … it is destroyed now due to an over abundance of snow last week. I’m sad to see it go, but I know that something just as good or better will spring up where it once stood. After all, life is full of changes and, with those changes, you often lose things you value to discover a different happiness and life that is even more precious.

Welcome to Simpli-Country

My life has changed so much in the past year that it is hard to fathom at times. About 15 months ago, I met my beloved Pat who lives on 23 acres that has a couple of property line borders on a Missouri State Park. I was living in Springfield, Illinois at the time. After he asked me to marry him, I packed up my cat Brat and moved to be with him in the country.

I love the outdoors ... always have, yet when I look back over the years, most of them were spent in the city or at least fairly nice sized towns. Now I find myself deep in the country with the man that I love. It has been a learning experience, one that I have enjoyed every step of the way.

The past 11 months have been quite a ride and an amazing adventure. Just a few of my new experiences include learning to split logs, drive a tractor and keep a wood burner going ... but those are the working part of living in the country. I've also seen some fantastic sights like the tulips we planted in the fall of 2007 blooming and our garden coming to life last Spring. I've watched deer come into the clearing in the back to feed, a plethora of birds at our feeds, and our field of sunflowers bloom.

The name of this blog was chosen as a play on the word "simplicity". If I have learned nothing else over this past year is that country living is anything but simple. It can be complicated and downright hard at times. Since I spent most of my childhood wandering the cow pastures of rural South Texas, I thought I knew what living in this Missouri valley would be like, but I've been in for quite a surprise. It is harder, but, at the same time, very rewarding in a sense of my inner-peace.

Although my life is full and extremely busy, I've missed writing (another hobby of mine), so I created this blog to share some of my thoughts and experiences. I welcome your comments and hope you will share some of your experiences also.