I Am A Country Boy

I was country from the day I was born.  Born in a little rural town called Cassville at the age of newborn.  Raised on a family farm.  Learned how to handle a rifle, at the age of 8 – 10 Do not remember the age.  I think I was deer hunting alone by the time I was 12.

Hank Junior used to have a real popular song, “A Country Boy Can Survive”; and I do have a shot gun, a rifle and four wheel drive.  The four wheel drive is a Ford Super Duty F250.

The farming is my brother’s work now.  I live on my grandparents place.  It is the place where my Dad was born.  The house he was born in is still here.  I believe it is over 100 years old.  I still use the well that was drilled in the early 1900’s.  Not sure of the year, and it is only 30 feet deep.

No!  The well does not have the old hand pumper.  It does have an electric submersible pump, and still does a fair job of pumping water.  Thank the Lord for that every day.

As a Country Boy I have learned my survival is not dependent upon having that shotgun, rifle, or the four wheel drive.  My survival is dependent, every day, upon God the Father giving me my next breath of air, and the next beat of my heart.  Without Him I would not be living.

My survival is not dependent upon government either.  What they give they can take away.  Just ask the Native American we have called “Indians”.  Yes sir, and Yes Mam.  I survive as a Country Boy because the Creator of this Universe, and everything in it has me in His hands.

Thank God I am a country boy.

From the banks of Flat Creek

`tim

Tomato Plants

For where my wife and I live we planted tomato plants earlier than we probably should have.  We however had the opportunity to purchase some plants that were big and  healthy for a very good price; and I purchased ten of them; so they needed in the ground.

On Thursday April 09 I purchased 10 Hybrid-Big Ds from a former Cassville School Teacher, and Bus driver who had purchased several from someone he knew.  I was told these plants are selling in Walmart and other places for 6 – 8 dollars per plant.  He charged considerably less.

On Saturday April 11 in the early evening hours we (Madge and I) put them in our garden.  I have been concerned with frost dangers for the earliness of the time; but I thought of a very good cover for them.

We have a trampoline in our backyard, that goes unused for weeks on end.  I got to thinking;  “You know the grass grows beautifully under that thing.  Why not pull it down over the plants.”  I did that this morning.  Now no frost worry.  Now if there is a hard freeze or something, that will be a different story.

Looking forward to having some good tomatoes this Summer.

From the banks of Flat Creek.

-tim

Spring Is On the Way

Here we are in the middle of Winter, and I am thinking of Spring.  I do not think that I am alone.

It has not been a hard Winter or anything like that, but I am still longing for Spring.  Spring is a time of renewal, hope, life.

Yesterday I went out to burn trash, and noticed the singing of the birds in the trees in our backyard.  My what lovely music they were making.  I then noticed hundreds of birds fly from the tree tops, and they were Robbins.  There were many of them on the ground.  I guess they were looking for food, or something.  I do not think I have seen a larger flock of Robbins together at one time as then.

There were many of them on the ground in the backyard today.  Not near as many, but several, scattered over the whole yard.

I always see the Robbin as the hope that Spring is just around the corner.  I know what Phil said the other day.  I however do not need Phil to tell me there are six more weeks of Winter.  If you look at the calendar for the year; Spring begins on March 20, and it is about six weeks from February 02 through March 20 with only a four day difference.  So what?  Spring is on the way.

I am very glad.

From the banks of Flat Creek.

In Need of Some Rain

LORD God of creation we are a needy people today, and always.  Many places, including ours are in need of a good rain.  Send as YOU see fit for YOUR glory.

Thank YOU for the rain.  In YOUR blessed name.  Amen.

Our Driveway

For some who know where my wife and I live you know the drive to our house from the main road is a beautiful drive, and even that, this time of year you just might see an eagle, or two or more.  As you drive along the drive on the bluff overlooking Flat Creek the eagles often roost of the evening in the tops of the sycamore trees which reach out over the flowing water of the Creek.

When you get down to our home in the valley, our driveway is not so good when it is raining or shortly after a rain.  That is because it used to be pasture land, and we have worn a path through the grass, and it is without any gravel.  I have checked on having some limestone gravel hauled in and it is not cheap.  Now the thing about the limestone is that it would look nicer than the old brown creek gravel which we have plenty of.

We need gravel on our driveway, so today, I am going to go, the old fashioned way, borrow a pickup, and get my shovel and do some gravel hauling myself.  I will probably wear myself out again this Saturday, but that is good for me I suppose.

Get that gravel down, and then, we will have much better traction rolling out the drive to the road.  Last winter I could cut through the yard by the old house and get on the road.  This year we have an electric fence around the yard so it would take a little more effort to cut through.

I think sometimes it would be nice to have a tractor with a front loader and a small dump truck.  With those two items I could keep the potholes filled on the road to the driveway too.  But, that is going to have to wait.

Right now a pickup truck, a shovel and manpower is all I can do.  So that is what is going to happen today – God willing, of course.

When I got up this morning at 4 a.m. it was 18 degrees outside.  That is considerably colder than it has been all week long.  The ground will be frozen, but that will not stop the work.

Flat Creek is up and rolling right along in full view out our back patio door.

-Tim

Starting a New Week

Last week was full of surprise and activity.  That makes for an interesting time and keeps things moving; though sometimes it would be nice for things to slow down a bit.

One thing I like about Monday is that it is a new beginning.  The start of a new week.  It is a time for reflection for me, and I pray for others as well.  Of course I get up early almost every morning, and by early I do not mean 6:00 a.m.  I mean more like 3:30 a.m.  I enjoy that time of day.  There are no interruptions while I read, pray and write.  It is probably one of the most productive times of my day.

I know that everyone cannot enjoy a 3:30 a.m. getting up time; but you miss so much if you are not up, at least before the sun starts to rise over the horizon.  It is a beautiful sight to behold.  The glory of the creation of our God and Savior.

Enjoy the day whatever time your getting up time is.  I pray you will meet God somewhere within the day.  A time when you know you have encountered Him, and enjoy Him, and love Him forever; because He first loved us.

-Tim

We Got Rain

On Friday the 16th I bought some grass seed to sow on my dirt I had moved and filled holes around the yard and fixed in front of the house where water would be more likely to roll around the house rather than under it.  When I got home from driving the bus that morning I sowed the seed, just broadcasting it onto the soil.   Then, it started to rain.  And it rained, and rained and it kept on raining with short periods of no rain, but cloudy skies, and cooler air.

In all we had over 5 inches at our house by the time the rain had stopped.  Some people were giving reports of 6 inches and more, even 8 or more inches.  Looking at Flat Creek you would not know it had rained that much.  It just soaked into the ground, and I thought would have done my grass seed really good; but I was wrong about that.

I have found some of the seeds washed together, and bunched up in low spots.  So much for that.  I pray some of it will take at least.

At least now when the grass does start growing in these bare places it will look nicer and have something to mow, and care for.  Holes are still filled in, and that by itself looks pretty good.

Thank YOU Lord Jesus, Creator of all things, for caring for us and providing the rain.

-Tim

Archer, Butch, and Little Girl

The title is the names of the three dogs we have around here.  Some call Little Girl “Molly” – my wife and grand kids.  The reason I write of them today is because the Little Girl was barking almost non stop all night long, and especially after I got up at 3:45 a.m. so I put her in the pen.  That has pretty much quietened her down.

For some reason it seems that all the dogs of neighbors around are barking too.  It seems that they are a bit nervous about something.  Even Archer when I went to let Butch out of the pen came rushing in, and would not come out; so I left him in; and I have not heard a thing out of him since then.  Usually when he is in the pen he is barking wanting out, but not this morning.

Yeah!  We decided to call the littler dog “Butch”.  That was Madge’s idea, and it looks like that is going to stick with him.  He is getting where he answers to it; at least as good as anything else.

I am going to have to leave here soon and go pick up the kids of my bus route.  So I am closing from the banks of Flat Creek to go and drive a big yellow monster to pick up 60 or so little angels.

-Tim

What a Difference

It must be that we live in a low valley, and next to the Creek.  It must be what makes the temp here cooler than say, like in Cassville.  According to AccuWeather the temp in Cassville was 51 when I got online this morning; our thermometer right now at 4:47 a.m. reads 38 degrees.  BRRRRRRRR.

My that is going to feel brisk and cool this morning after just a few days go temps at 100 and above.  It will be nice for a change.  We do, however, still need some rain.  Especially since we moved our dirt mound yesterday.  As the wind was blowing we could see little dirt devils taking the dirt away.

We filled holes and low spots in the yard; what used to be a pasture, now our yard is beginning to look like a yard, but now has dirt spots which need some seed and grass growing.  It will not grow, though without water.

I thank my friend Dennis for bringing his skid steer and taking all his Labor Day to labor in moving all that dirt.

I thank GOD my Lord and Master for every good and righteous and perfect gift.

Cool on the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

Maybe the heat is gone

It has been over 100 degrees at my house for the past three or four days.  One day, Wednesday I think it was 109, and miserable.  Now though according to forecast maybe the heat is starting to go South for a while.  I like the heat of Summer, but the body and the earth can only endure so much of it you know.

Yesterday I did almost nothing.  We had Men’s Breakfast at church, and only four of us were there.  We had great fellowship and enjoyed the time and good food.  In the late afternoon we attended a surprise Birthday party for a niece (Sarah Kay), and celebrated her 30 years of living in this world.  She and her husband David have become a lovely Christian couple and have a wonderful family of 5 children.  My sister Judy invited us all to come, and we were served hamburgers cooked on the grill, along with hot dogs, and even had turkey burgers; though I did not even try any of that.

We had a great time.  It was a little warm outside.  James told us that when they arrived there the temp was about 98 degrees.  I am glad we had plenty of shade to be under.

I really hope and pray that all the heat will not be gone.  Without it we would all die in short order.

From the banks of Flat Creek, I am praying that all who read this blog will be right with the Lord and attend worship services in your local church today.

-Tim

Brush Hoggin’

We had a weed patch in our back yard only a few feet from our back door.  I had just let the area over our septic lateral lines grow up; and weeds and grass and no telling just grew and grew and grew.  Some of the weeds had gotten up to five or six feet tall.  They were also pretty thick in some spots.

I thought it was time to brush hog them, and get it looking better; especially since a man from our church is coming with a skid steer to move our dirt mound on Monday, and I want to place it on part of this area to level and smooth it out; so I can mow it next Summer with the lawn mower.

Now it is done.  It looks like a new world out there.  I also cut the mess up by the gate, down the road, and other areas.  I was working on the garden spot when a bolt broke in the PTO shaft; thus no more spinning blades.  When I went to town to drive my School Bus I stopped at the hardware store, and got a bolt; a 9/16 x 3.5 inch bolt; and found out when I got home it needed to be a 1/2 x 3.5 inch bolt.  So I did not get the garden finished as I had planned; and then I noticed I had a flat on the right front tire of the tractor.  I guess I picked up a thorn in the tire.  I have noticed that tire likes to go flat more often than the others.

Let me tell you a little bit about the tractor.  It is a 1966 Ford 2000 with a three cylinder diesel engine.  It has been quite a work horse.  I remember the day it was delivered to the house where I grew up; just about a mile from where I live now – as the crow flies.  I do not remember the date, but there is one thing I remember.

One day as I was driving it down the road, for a reason I do not remember I got off the tractor without locking the brakes; leaving the engine running; and looked back and it was rolling and rolled into a tree, denting the left corner of the radiator cover near the left headlight. It still has the body putty in that spot, and the old tractor looks pretty hard; but it is still a workhorse.

I do not really like using it.  Dad never had power steering put on it when he bought it new thinking that it would be like the old 8N that he had been using [steering wise], but it was not.  Without power steering it takes all the power you have in your arms to steer it; especially in rough dirt, and slowly moving.

Well!  I will get back to the brush hoggin’ in a few days; maybe Saturday.  When I get a new bolt and some air in the tire or fixed one.

That’s along the banks of Flat Creek

-Tim

Just a Few Words

I have just a few words for today.  Probably not life changing; and maybe not thought provoking; maybe just rambling.  I can.  It’s my blog.  Right?

I wrote in my journal again today.  I wrote of a verse in Proverbs.  It was in chapter 4 and verse 23.  It reads,

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

Just thinking of that causes me to realize it is the heart or inner being of individuals which determines our treasures.  Jesus did say, “Where your treasure is; there will your heart be also”. (Matthew 6:21)  Guard your heart it is the seat of what drives your thoughts and actions.

Now I don’t want to get this into being a preachy blog.  I have one of those already.  Nothing wrong with preaching; but it  is not my intention to do that here.

I am just a simple country boy with very little education; High School graduate, and two years of Bible “College” without graduating.  Still just a simple country boy with an Ozark twang.  That I am not ashamed of.

Thanks for coming and reading my few words from along the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

It’s Saturday

It is Saturday again.  They come around once a week; and most of us are glad they do.  They do for the living anyway.  It probably does not matter for those who have gone into eternity.

I just checked my online weather forecast for Cassville, MO. and there appears to be no rain in sight; and an expected high of 94.  Yesterday morning we had a low at our house of 51 degrees.  That felt good compared to some of the morning temps we had a few weeks ago.  As of this moment (6:23 a.m.) the low for today is 57 degrees.  Though I do like Summer and its heat I think I am enjoying the relief of approaching Fall, and its cooler mornings and days.

Without any rain today I plan on finishing mowing the yard.  I have an acre or so to mow in the back.  It is amazing how good a yard looks after it is mowed.  I have heard some make comments like.  “Why keep your yard mowed when you live back where no one can see it?”  Well!  My answer for that is, “I see it”.  I like a well trimmed yard; and my is a long way from well trimmed, but I am working toward that.

Today is also a day when I look forward to being in church and worship with the people of our local church.  My prayer is that the Lord give me the words for the sermon that will glorify Him; and work by the power of the Holy Spirit to draw every listener to Him.

As I write this morning the sun is starting to rise over the Eastern hills.  The banks of Flat Creek are still in a bit of darkness; but the light is beginning to appear.

From the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

Another One

The Little Girl was still gone when I left to drive the bus for the evening route.  However, when I returned home she was back, and had a friend with her; a small male, even smaller than her.  Now I like dogs, but I can only take so many.  After all I don’t run, nor do I want to run a kennel.  I do have methods for dealing with strays.  In other words, we now have three dogs hanging around here.  These two Corgi looking ones are probably someone’s or at least have been someone’s house pets.

No pet is allowed in the house here.  We have made few exceptions if they are kept in a cage; not running free in the house.  We don’t even have gold fish in our house; or an aquarium of exotic fish.  We have had, but not now.

Archer now has two friends.  He seems to get along with them well.

I am hoping that yesterday was the last of the 100 degree temps for the Summer.  It did make it to 100 at our house.

It’s great living along the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

Behind the Scenes or Out Front

The Creator of this Universe and all within it has called me to be a preacher of His Word, and the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am not a type A personality; you know; one of those who like to be in the front of everything, and seen by everyone.  That ‘s not me.

If I could choose to be something anywhere it would be a back row usher, or the maintenance guy, or the cleanup person.  I can do some things and not expect any recognition for it.  There is one place I want to be seen; and that is while driving an automobile down the road.

Some of these type A personalities are probably ones I meet of the mornings who don’t have the headlights on in their cars; when they ought to be on.  Let me tell you something; just because you can see, doesn’t mean you are seen.  Headlights on your automobile are an integral part of visibility for you in dark, night time driving; but also for being seen by others who are on the road.

It is the state law in Missouri that you turn on your headlights if you run your windshield wipers.  For me, when its cloudy my headlights are on.  When it is still slightly dark outside my headlights are on.  It is a safety issue.  Be seen by others while driving.

Just two days ago as I was driving my School bus to pick up children; at 6:20 a.m. I met two people driving without headlights on; no lights at all; not even parking lights.  Yes!  It was light enough they could see; but I could not see them without some effort.

To me these are idiots, and stupid people.  I am sorry for the terms, but that’s what you are if you drive without your headlights on in those twilight hours.  O, and those auto headlight switches are made to operate manually.  Use your head, and think while you drive; about driving.  It will be safer for everybody on the road.

Working from behind the scenes, to be seen on the road.  I want to be along the banks of Flat Creek a little longer; and I would think you would want to be around a little while longer too.  TURN ON YOUR HEADLIGHTS.  It doesn’t take too much effort; just thinking, and then doing.

-Tim

Gone Again

Just to let all who may be interested know; my Dad came home on Friday; and the family and myself want to thank you all for your prayers.

Now to what’s “Gone Again”.  That is the Little Girl.  The little corgi dog who just came to us is now gone again.  I don’t know what she is doing.  She was here about a week, and then leaves again.

I do miss her not being here.  She has a much different canineality that Archer does.  I know that’s not a word, but maybe it will be soon.  Can you call it personality in a dog?  I can’t.  They aren’t persons.  Now I sure don’t mean to offend any of you dog people or cat people but animals aren’t persons.  Get real and quit acting like they are.

Who knows Little Girl or Molly Moo as my wife and grand kids call her might be back tomorrow.  Who knows?  The last time she was only gone for a little over a day.  This time she has been gone now for a little over a day.

The last time when she got back she was wet like she had been in Flat Creek again.  Maybe she will this time too.

-Tim

The Day Ahead

My day ahead of me is planned to be spent finishing mowing the yard.  I will be mowing the back yard; if it doesn’t rain.  I don’t think it is supposed to.  It will take me three or four hours probably.  It took me most of the morning and into the afternoon yesterday to mow the front.

I will also be preparing for Sunday morning and evening at Carr Lane Baptist Church.  I always look forward to being with the kind, gracious and loving people of our church.  I also look forward to preaching the gospel of Jesus
Christ and the whole counsel of God from His Word.

It has been hot again.  The temp yesterday got up to 100 and possibly plus that some.  I have enjoyed the cooler temps the past few days; and the rainfall has given me grass to mow.  Thank YOU Lord.

I am thankful for the rest I receive during my sleep time.  I went to bed last night earlier than I have in a long time.  It was 8:30 when I told my wife, “I think I am going to lay down, and maybe get up later.”  It was later.  At 3:30 this morning I arose from bed rested and ready for my time with the Lord.

Thanks you to everyone who has prayed for my Dad.  He is home now.  Prayers are still needed.

From the banks of Flat Creek near Jenkins, Missouri I’m…

-Tim

What I’m Hearing…

I’m hearing that my Dad will be coming home today (08/19/11).  I don’t think he has improved in the sense of being better off.  He is most likely near to going home to be with Jesus our God and Savior.  He may have some strength for the days ahead to do what he feels like doing; and he may not.

Dad is still talking of getting up to go milk the cows.  That is what he has done all his life.  Even though his health has been failing him, he has endeavored to go to the milk barn, and help my brother with the milking.  It has given him a sense of self worth, and something to do.

There is one thing I know, and that is that Dad is ready to see Jesus Christ, King of kings, Lord of lords; and to be with Him for ever and for ever.  No one can actually know that of any one else, but you can see it by the way they live; and what is in their hearts and comes out of their mouth.  That is what has come out of Dad’s heart and mouth.  His love and concern for his wife, children, grandchildren; and others too.  It hurts my Dad to see family members at odds with one another – maybe I should say angry with one another to the point of not speaking.  I also know Dad has not been perfect; and he knows that too.

I am thankful that God gave me my Dad.  I am thankful that God has blessed me with the family given me.  I pray that I can be as faithful to God, and His Church as my Dad has been.

Like I said above,  I hear that Dad is coming home today.  He will be back near the banks of Flat Creek, his wife and family; and of course the milk cows.

-Tim

Summer is Ended…

No Summer has not officially ended; it does have another month or so for the sun to continue its downward trek to the South toward the Autumnal equinox and then to Winter Solstice.  Summer is ended as far as the education or our children and grand children are concerned; at least in many School Districts of Southwest Missouri.

As I typed in the title of this post I thought that sounds like a verse from the Bible; I looked and it is found in the writings of the prophet Jeremiah chapter 8 and verse 20;

“The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” (KJV)

No, children you are not saved from the coming of school, classes, math, reading, literature, Social Studies or what ever it’s called nowadays.  No, teachers you are not saved from the hustle and bustle, disrespect, sometimes disagreeable, and angry children.

The Summer is ended for vacation.  Its time to fill the minds of the children with the desire to learn.  Even to learn how to learn.  I think we adults sometimes forget that we all need to learn how to learn.  That must start in childhood.  From the newborn on through adulthood.  As you can tell by my writing; I am still learning; at least I hope so.

Summer is ended… for school students across Southwest Missouri and other parts of the Country; and the grass is growing, greening, and cooler weather is coming.

From the banks of Flat Creek with my rambling; I pray all the teachers, Administrators, bus drivers, maintenance workers, cooks and all have a great, safe, and wonderful new school year.

-Tim

She’s Back

She left us for a time; as I wrote of yesterday.  She was gone most of the day Sunday, and all day Monday, at least until late afternoon.  Wouldn’t it be interesting to know where she had been, or to see the world through a dogs eyes; or to hear through a dogs ears.  You know; the fly on the wall thing.

We can be in a conversation with someone; a personal conversation; and if a child or even at times an adult comes up we change topics quickly, or go quiet really quick, but if a dog is near… it doesn’t matter.

Well, anyway the Little Girl came back.  I guess she decided this was home now.  It also proves that my thinking about her finding her owners was wrong.

Madge and I were getting ready to eat supper last evening, I looked out the patio door where Archer had been laying just minutes before, and there lay Little Girl.  Just like that she was here again.  I went to the door and opened it then reached down to pet her; which she enjoyed.  I then went out to give her and Archer some food.  She ate, then came and got a drink of water.  Believe it or not I was glad to see her back.

Little Girl was wet like she had just came up from the Creek; that’s Flat Creek.  For those few who read this; you have probably noticed that I end the post with something about Flat Creek in every article; like the one I just wrote or like this…

From along the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim