All That's Gold

We've all heard the saying, "All that glitters is not gold".  

Well, I've come to realize, all that's gold, is glittering.
Just look around and it can be seen everywhere.

                                                           The first case in point is all of my

sisters, including the "in laws".  In this photo with Joe, are his three sisters Teresa, Mary, and Patty.  My sister Cathy took all the photos from this weekend.  Joe and I had a party Saturday afternoon/night, and two of my sisters and Joe's three sisters were so much help. Who needs two hands when you have 5 sisters?  All my sisters are just so wonderful.

     Saturday morning was an especially busy time for Joe.  He definitely glitters.  With my hand in the cast, I was little help with cleaning, carting things around, picking up, etc.  Carol showed up at 10am and after walking the three dogs, we set to working together on my "to do" list, mostly Carol doing and me directing.  She definitely glitters among the best!
                                                            Joe's poker buddies arrived at
noon, and they proceeded to lay down the cards, chips, and drinks.  The empty seat is where Joe sat, but he had to remove himself a few times to help with different things,  Patti and Mary came just after noon, next Cathy, Ralph and Ben, and later Tracy and Teresa.  Everyone pitched in to help get the place ready. 

     Guests started coming at 5pm... with Chris and Travis among them. Here the Golden Baker Boys from Indiana can be seen front lit by the gold hues of the sunset.  Teresa's husband Tracy was great to cook all the hamburgers, brats, and hot dogs for us. Brother-in-laws are gold too.  

     We had a really nice turn out at our party with so many awesome friends and neighbors.  We have quite a potpourri of people we know (and love), and they all seemed to really enjoy mixing and talking with one another.  All our family and friends are gold.

      People brought great food to share, adding to a tasty pot-luck.
No one was shy about digging in.

 




 


     There were lots of places to sit, eat, drink and be merry.  There were great conversations, joking around, and enjoyable moments, all of which were golden.  I only wish I could have been a part of each group all night long.
                                              









     Farm tours were given on foot, either guided or self guided.

     "Hay rack" rides were given with our little trailer Joe had put straw in.  He pulled it around with our little Kabota tractor for a tour of the property and gave its riders the opportunity to star gaze and/or joke around.



 







     I think Roni enjoyed having visitors come to the barn and also watching the commotion outside.  So did Amiga and Zorro.

     We had two fires going.  The larger bonfire was in the round pen.  It attracted the younger boys to begin with and the young men later in the night.





     The "bond" fire was in the fire pit.  This is where bonding happens as people sit around the fire, sharing food, stories, laughter, and some tall tales.

      It was a beautiful evening and night for a party.  The weather was gorgeous... warm enough for t-shirts until the sun went down and then ideal for cozying up to a warm fire.  The nearly full moon was shining bright with not a cloud in the sky and the breeze
was enough to bellow the fires but not blow things away.  Pure gold.















     We awoke Sunday to another beautiful day.  Sister Carol and I were up by 4:30.  I threw some logs on the warm coals and was able to enjoy more campfire Krispy Kremes.  They are scrumptious after being held over the flames for 10 to 15 seconds.  Carol helped me with grading papers which was 24 karat (pure gold). The folks who had stayed at the hotel arrived fairly early and we enjoyed farm fresh eggs Joe and his sisters cooked.  

     Most of the family hung around all morning, chatting, walking, picking pears, and enjoying the golden sunshine.  I got Courtney to cut my nails and then helped her as she picked the horses hooves.


     The Iowa clan left before lunch with Courtney and Joe to go for a tour of her new house.  The Ohio and Indiana folks left after having lunch here.  I took a much needed nap and then helped with more clean up of the garage and yard.  I was so glad I did not have to worry about school work, and just sat on the front porch looking out at the three horses in the pasture out front.

The cows coming in from the warm sun to get a drink. 
Frankie was a head of them before I started the video.

     Monday was another in a string of beautiful days.  I worked a great deal on this blog and finished all my grading.  I went to Marj's for a visit and to chit chat.  Turns out she is struggling with health issues as well.  I guess misery loves company.  I got my lesson plans done for the week in the afternoon, and relaxed at and enjoyed our Monday night Bible study.

     Many farmers are over half done with their harvest of "gold".  To the right Beck's has a "pot" of corn and below our neighbor to the east has a "pot" of soy beans.






     We don't have a goose that lays golden eggs, but many people love the rich gold color and taste of our farm fresh eggs.


     Monday I actually gathered a whole dozen eggs.  With 13 birds that are capable of laying, that is a good turn out.  Tuesday there were only 6, a more normal number.

     I did not give homework over the 3 day weekend so came home Tuesday with nothing to grade and the planning could wait until Wednesday morning.  So, I spent extra time reading my Bible out in the picnic shelter.  As usual, my cats, chickens and dog came to visit, and I think look for handouts.

     The neighbor was plowing
now that all his beans are in.

           The view from our bedroom window is beautiful... the rich reds, oranges and golds of fall.








The marigolds are also golden.

  








     The blooming mums in my rock garden have blossomed more flowers, getting larger and more colorful. 

     Wednesday was another one of the early start days for me, getting to school by 6:30, and with the schedule change, I didn't get home until 2:00.  Joe was home by then and taking a nap.  I sat on the front porch to grade, and a bit later watched Joe bring hay and water to the horses.  The grazing pens are eaten down each day and need to be moved daily.  Joe will give them hay to tide them over and throws each horse a pear once a day too. 

 

     The predicted rains did not come until nightfall, which is happening before 7pm these days.  There were several rain showers throughout the night and during the day Thursday.  The view through the screen of our bedroom window has changed, with lots of the leaves now wet on the ground.  That is Roni standing by the fence.

     I don't know if the gloom from the rain slowed me down or fatigue from bone healing and functioning one handed.  Everything I do takes so much longer, from washing my hair and dressing, to preparing a meal and doing dishes.  And school work involving grading papers, writing and typing is painstaking.  Thankfully Joe does all the labor intensive chores that are impossible for me.  I took a nap in the afternoon and was still ready for bed by 9pm. 

      Our golden retriever Kaysha is in her golden years, but still can run with the best of them and enjoys life on the farm.  I hope to spend more time brushing and walking her, since working with horses is temporarily on hold.


     
     It was good to see the golden rays of sunshine emerge as the sun rose Friday morning.  The promise for another beautiful fall day was in the air, as was the happy feeling that comes with concluding another work week. 

     The 28 mph winds when I got home led me to wait on my plan to start walking more, and I took a 2 hour nap instead.  My golden girl Amiga, grazing with her fly mask on last Sunday.

     My hand/wrist has slowly been improving.  Each day it is stronger, more flexible and dexterous.  I still have a long ways to go, but am at least making progress.  I can now tie my shoes, button my shirt, and kind of ring out my bag of tea.  I can lift my purse but not my book bag, but at first my hand wouldn't even grasp things.  The cast is getting old, and almost makes me feel claustrophobic somehow, like tight pants.  My left hand has also been hurting from being over worked.  I think it might be carpel-tunnel... ha ha ha.  My golden boy Roni peeking through the fence last Sunday.

     Once Joe and I got all the animals in and fed, and some doors shut to block the wind, we relaxed on the couch eating our dinner of popcorn and beer and watched a movie.  He is by far the shiniest of my gold.

I have to include this cowboy song,
even though it is a bit depressing.
I love the video pictures though.

Everything that Glitters is Not Gold -
sung by Dan Seals








And then there's the lyrics to that good
old Led Zeppelin song:
"Stairway To Heaven"

"There's a lady who's sure all that glitters is gold And she's buying a stairway to heaven."

     I am not that lady, but recognize all the glittering gold in my life, for which I am so thankful.  I also believe we can not buy our way to heaven, but are guaranteed it through our belief and confession of faith in Jesus. 
.