I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers. Ian is doing much better, and is going home from the hospital this afternoon. God is good..all the time! He just keeps on blessing us. A big thanks to Adam for being ‘his brother’s keeper’ when he was so desperately needed. It makes this Mom feel so blessed to know that my boys care for one another and are there for each other when needed…even middle of the night!

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10
(Thanks, Kat, for reminding me of this verse)

I insisted Ian go back to the Dr. this morning. He did and the Dr. sent him straight to the hospital. Adam went straight to his brother and helped get him checked into the hospital. They have already begun testing and have started fluids. He has an intestinal blockage…and he is in severe pain.
I am on my way there now…so I covet your prayers as we see what the day brings. Alex had to go to the Dr. this morning, too. His pain Dr. increased his meds. He is in the bed here at home.
Please keep us in your prayers, and I’ll check in when I can. Many thanks!

“Because of God’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning…..” Lamentations 3:22-23

This has been an very hard week. Alex has been so sick. We have needed to go to the house several times for decisions making, and Ian has also been in the ER and now at home…very ill. He, and Alex and I all will be visiting the doctors today. Prayers, please. So forgive me if I am behind on commenting…I will catch up soon!

I took a short trip yesterday…to the backyard. I had noticed something in a tree and went out to investigate. Sure enough, it was what I thought it was. A turning leaf in my beautiful tree. The first sign I have seen of fall. (Other than the horrendous Hall*w**n displays that scream at you as you walk in so many stores…they don’t signal fall, however, since they have been howling since July 5!)

As we strolled through the yard, Scooter and I, it occurred to me how many things I do not even pay attention to anymore. Things that have been in my backyard for years that have become part of the permanent landscape. Since I am still on a sentimental streak, I was reminded that those things will soon be gone. Suzanne and Adam will come in and make this place their own. And rightfully so! So, here is a few of the forgotten treasures in my yard. Enjoy the tour!
This is a rusty old angel that has hung on the deck for at least 15 years. She is at the entrance to the backyard. I have tried to get her to fly straight…but she has always had a mind of her own and refuses to ‘straighten up.’ So, I decided that was the way she was meant to fly and let her stay that way. Which is similar to some lessons I learned about raising boys along the way. 🙂

This is my favorite long time tenant here in the Owens Outback. I just love this moss that settled here and slowly started covering this pot. I am so ignorant of growing things, and I know this is nothing special…just some ordinary ‘ole stuff that grows under trees. But, I like it…in fact I think it is beautiful! I have a fondness for things that just decide on their own where they need to be and wiggle their way in and do their thing…bringing their beauty along with them. I don’t know yet if I will take this pot and another on right beside it. I’m sort of afraid to move it. I think maybe this exact spot is the perfect place for it to be…and I doubt if A&S will find it as appealing as I do. What do you think? Can I move it safely?
And, yes, I realize that it is silly to think this much about a pot of asparagus fern covered by common ground moss.

This is another favorite piece that is a reminder of a dear uncle and great times spent together. My Uncle Arthur Lee was the husband of my Aunt Marie. He lives with Jesus now. When Joy and I spent summers with them in NC, we experienced a life very different than the one we lived the rest of the year. Along with the Pearsons and the Warrens, the Popes taught us the little we know about farm life. I did learn enough to know I never want to harvest tobacco or shell butter beans…or pick them…same with peppers…and peas…and corn. I do enjoy eating them, however…very much. (Remember the Little Red Hen?) This is an old weather vane that was on one of his barns. It will move along to the Creek House.

Since Scooter was so diligent about chasing every squirrel that dared enter his domain, this is in his honor.

Sheep have long been a favorite of mine and Joy gave me this yard sheep one Christmas. And he has grazed quietly under THE tree ever since. Even though he’s gone grey, I think he’ll be quite happy in his new home.

As you have heard me say in past posts, I really love the the natural change that occurs on metals when left in the elements. I have several bunches of stars that are stuck in pots around the yard. I much prefer green plants to flowers because my flowers don’t live. These, then are the beautiful flowers in my garden. They will go with me.

Yes, these are faded old bamboo wind chimes. There are 2 more sets hanging beside them. There is nothing of beauty here that can be seen with the eyes. Oh, but the sound! I love the slightly hollow, very mellow sound that they make. They are hanging next to a window in my den, so I can hear them while inside. One of the sets was a gift from A&S…they brought them back to me from their honeymoon in St.Lucia. As you can see, the elements do not cause these to attain a beautiful patina…but it does nothing to dampen their glorious sound. It is a curiously comforting sound and I would have left them there until they rotted and fell to the ground. Sometimes you need to overlook appearance in order to hear the beauty. They will not go with me…and they will be in the trash soon, no doubt. (But, I’ll buy more.)

Well, here’s that lone leaf that drew me out on that early September afternoon. “Change is coming!” it seems to shout. And so it is. A good change…for us and for the sweet family moving in here. I will find places for these treasures that I have deemed worthy of moving with me, and in my beautifully wooded yard, I will search for the perfect home for them. And, as life continues to unfold in our family, and in our new home, there will be new treasures added as new memories are made.

Thought you may like an update on the Creek House. These are 2 pictures of the front door and the front of the studio. I think here you can see how beautiful the mortar wash is. I love it! And, don’t you love the beams on the front porch?

My furniture, from the gallery in Savannah, was delivered today. I was so excited to see my table. And it is better than I thought it could be. I love the color and the finish. To think of the history in this magnificent old door just makes me happy. I don’t want you to worry that I will have to sit on the floor to eat. It does have legs…they are just not attached yet. The table weighs over 400 pounds,is 10 feet long, and it was hard enough to move it without adding the weight of the legs.

I have had a vision in this scattered brain of mine since our family started growing with children, and nieces and nephews, and now husbands and wives of children and nieces and nephews. I have wanted us to be able to gather together at one table…at one time…and every body share together. And now we can. Now I don’t promise to prepare all the food to fill this massive table…hey, I built the house to house the table…but I’ll set the table, and make the Sweet Tea. I may even fix a dish or two…but Mom and Joy are the real cooks. It’s really gonna happen. I’ve got the family…and now I have the table. I have a fireplace and I have a beautiful floor. I have 1/2 of a kitchen…I just need the house…and the go ahead to move in! It’s getting closer…the house…and the dream. Now, where can I find some chairs?….or we may really have to sit on the floor!