Saturday, May 31, 2008

Cabin News

Our first batch of 2008 chicks are finally hatched! They are eight of the cutest little critters and a very welcome addition to our little homestead.



Edmona


I didn't really expect to see them at all, as Edmona, their mother did not seem to spend as much time on the nest as I felt was necessary. Obviously, she knew a little more about it than I did, LOL!



Lucy

Lucy is also setting and if all goes well, she will bless us with another batch in a couple of weeks.


Susan, the lazy girl, doesn't seem to be thinking about setting, so we will have to wait and see what she decides.

Have a great weekend,

R~Mary

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Just For Fun!

I am Elinor Dashwood!

Take the Quiz here!




If you are a Jane Austen fan, you will enjoy this little quiz~if you have never read Miss Austen, perhaps this will encourage you to do so!

R~Mary

Friday, May 23, 2008

Remembering


On this Memorial Day weekend, we pay tribute to the men and women who have died in military service to our country, as well as honoring those brave soldiers that serve today.


Memorial Day, formerly Decoration Day, was first celebrated to honor Union soldiers that died during the American Civil War. The letter below was written by Major Sullivan Ballou, serving in the Union army, to his wife, Sarah, a week before he fought in the Battle of Bull Run.


This letter was featured by Ken Burns in The Civil War.



July the 14th, 1861
Washington D.C.


My very dear Sarah:


The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days—perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write you again, I feel impelled to write lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more.

Our movement may be one of a few days duration and full of pleasure—and it may be one of severe conflict and death to me. Not my will, but thine O God, be done. If it is necessary that I should fall on the battlefield for my country, I am ready. I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in, the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans upon the triumph of the Government, and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering of the Revolution. And I am willing—perfectly willing—to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt.

But, my dear wife, when I know that with my own joys I lay down nearly all of yours, and replace them in this life with cares and sorrows—when, after having eaten for long years the bitter fruit of orphanage myself, I must offer it as their only sustenance to my dear little children—is it weak or dishonorable, while the banner of my purpose floats calmly and proudly in the breeze, that my unbounded love for you, my darling wife and children, should struggle in fierce, though useless, contest with my love of country?

I cannot describe to you my feelings on this calm summer night, when two thousand men are sleeping around me, many of them enjoying the last, perhaps, before that of death—and I, suspicious that Death is creeping behind me with his fatal dart, am communing with God, my country, and thee.

I have sought most closely and diligently, and often in my breast, for a wrong motive in thus hazarding the happiness of those I loved and I could not find one. A pure love of my country and of the principles have often advocated before the people and "the name of honor that I love more than I fear death" have called upon me, and I have obeyed.

Sarah, my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me to you with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me irresistibly on with all these chains to the battlefield.

The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them so long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when God willing, we might still have lived and loved together and seen our sons grow up to honorable manhood around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me—perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar—that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battlefield, it will whisper your name.

Forgive my many faults, and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have often been! How gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness, and struggle with all the misfortune of this world, to shield you and my children from harm. But I cannot. I must watch you from the spirit land and hover near you, while you buffet the storms with your precious little freight, and wait with sad patience till we meet to part no more.

But, O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the garish day and in the darkest night—amidst your happiest scenes and gloomiest hours—always, always; and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath; or the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by.

Sarah, do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again.


As for my little boys, they will grow as I have done, and never know a father's love and care. Little Willie is too young to remember me long, and my blue-eyed Edgar will keep my frolics with him among the dimmest memories of his childhood. Sarah, I have unlimited confidence in your maternal care and your development of their characters. Tell my two mothers his and hers I call God's blessing upon them. O Sarah, I wait for you there! Come to me, and lead thither my children.


Sullivan


This letter was delivered to Sarah by Governor William Sprague at a later time. Sullivan never had the opportunity to mail it to her.

Remember to pray for all of the brave men and women fighting for us today.


Have a blessed Memorial weekend,


R~Mary



Monday, May 19, 2008

Monday Afternoon

Our weather has felt 'summery' today. We reached the high 80s and will go into the 90s the next few days! I love the fact that it's so warm, but not quite warm enough to turn on the a/c.

Okay, some of you turn it on when it reaches 90 or even before, I know:). But for me, it has to be closer to 95 degrees before I close up the house.

I finally got some of my plants put out in containers. We have tomatoes and peppers, right now, and I plan on cucumbers and squash as well. I also replanted my chives. I know that they are known as an 'aggressive' grower, but my oregano managed to kill out all of mine--so I'm starting over.

I'm also trying to get a weed-free place ready for some of my containers with flowers in them. I'm going to do some heavy mulching, and use some other type of weed block. I have come to the conclusion that the less mowing the better. We have 4-5 hours worth of mowing when we do the whole place, and that doesn't include weed eating.

Have a great week!

R~Mary

Friday, May 9, 2008

Busy Days!!

Hi everyone, just dropping in to say 'hello'! I've not been on the computer very much, lately. I've been busier helping my hubby on his new job and working outside than I had imagined I would be and I don't have a lot of time for blogging just now.

I'll be around now and then with a post--hopefully things will 'slow down' for us soon! I'll be checking in with your blogs whenever I get the chance to say 'howdy' and leave a comment. I'll be back to blogging on a more regular basis by fall.

Hope you're all having a great summer. I'll be checking back in soon!

R~Mary