Mowing in the rain

Today is a special Birthday party for a special granddaughter. She is planning on having it down at our family swimming hole; the Whirl Hole. That could be a little in doubt now though, due to some rain.

I went down to mow, because it has been over a month since it was mowed.  When I got started mowing it started sprinkling and as I mowed it came down progressively harder. I was soaked when I got to the house.

I kept mowing until I got a fairly large enough space for a party, and access to the Creek for swimming.

We have not heard for our daughter Monica; if it is still a go. Addyson will surely be disappointed if it is rained out for the Creek.

Even if it is raining I am sure she will enjoy the meal at Flat Creek in Republic.

Happy Birthday to Addyson Worley  14 years old.

Preparing the Garden Spot

It has been some time since writing on Flat Creek Rolling, but here goes…

I have nothing in the ground to call a food garden.  We have plenty of things to call garden. They have flowers and such growing in other spots, some have already bloomed and died off like they are supposed to do.

However, back to our garden spot.  It had been covered in tall weeds and grass.  I mowed it down, rode it down with the mower on Wednesday (6/6/18).

This morning (Saturday June 9) I went and tilled a small spot at the lowest part of the old garden.  My thinking is, that when the creek has risen out of the banks the time or two since we moved in here, the water, as it lowered left better soil for growing things.

I may be too late in planting anything.  I am going to plant some beets, carrots, and things such as that, but we need some rain. The ground, this morning, was really too dry for tilling, but it got tilled anyway.

I am going to try, and we will see what happens.

From the banks of Flat Creek,

`tim

Flat Creek is Still Rolling

This is a post just to let you know we are still here, and that Flat Creek is still rolling right along.

Many floaters; in canoes, inner tubes, boats, kayaks, etc. have come by.  I have not seen them all, but I have heard many of them as they float by and go over the small rapid behind our house.

With the rain we have gotten this Summer it has been a busy time just keeping up with the lawn mowing.  I have loved every minute of it.  I appreciate every drop of rain.  Thank the Lord for His blessings everyday.

My wife and I spent a couple of days with our son Philip and his wife Sarah and their daughters; Rene’e, Natalie, and Kylie in Booneville, AR. this past week.  It was kind of our family get together time.  However on July fourth we were with most of our kids at the family swimming hole for our annual Fourth of July get together.  It was a wonderful time, both times

Our daughter Monica, husband Sam with their two kids; Addyson and AlexZander were at Philip’s too.  All great kids.

Those Poplar trees we planted back in the Spring of 2011 are about twelve feet high now.  Some not quite there, but most are.  The Rose of Sharon’s we planted are just now blooming.  Some have not yet made any blooms.  Others are about to.

I have also built a Yard Deck, for our charcoal grill to set on.  I really like it away from the house where it will pose no problem with flames, yet not so far away as to be distant.  We have enjoyed the grill on the new deck two or three times this Summer.  Good food.

It is amazing how fast the Summer is rolling along.  School will be starting in just less than a month now.  I am sure no one wanted to be reminded of that.

From the banks of Flat Creek

-tim

Early Fall

It has been a week now that the Autumnal Equinox occurred.  We have received a little rainfall in the past week as well which is a real blessing.  It has, however, been quite some time since there has been any water flowing over the banks of Flat Creek.  It has been at least one and one half years since the Creek flowed over the banks.

With the rain we have received our yard has needed mowing, and  I have mowed some of it, but not all.  I am back to pushing a twenty inch push mower to mow my nearly three acres of grass.  That is hard to keep up with, especially when you have other things needing done.

I am thankful for the green grass.  It was such a drab to look across our yard and only see brown, dead grass lying on the soil.  The trees I planted and the “Rose of Sharon” shrubs, as well are doing well.  At least some of the trees are doing well.  I planted eleven poplar trees, and only six are surviving.  All twelve of the “Rose of Sharon” shrubs survive.  I watered them every morning during the century degree weather; which was nearly every day for a month here in our valley.  I watered them everyday even when it was not in the hundreds of degrees.  The tallest trees are about five feet tall now.  From maybe two feet to five.  Those that are five feet; at least two of them were cut back due to dog damage, yet they have out grown the others.

It will not be long and it will be Thanksgiving.  I try to make each day a day of thanksgiving; and I fear there are days I fail to be thankful.  May there never be another.

-tim

Eagle Call

I was out this morning watering my new trees, and shrubs.  As I was pulling the hose around the house I heard and eagle call just over my head.  It was probably just about one hundred feet above.

I saw one last Saturday as I was mowing the yard.  The reason I mention it is that this time of year with this kind of weather they have usually moved on, and they are not often seen around here.

I know that it is probably not likely, but this eagle seemed as though he called out to me, “I am here.  Watch me soar above” and I did for a moment until I could see him no more.  There are some things about the eagle that reminds me of the Creator.  He needs to constantly remind me, “I Am here.  Watch Me soar over your fears, heartaches and problems; and rest in the shelter of My wings”.   Thank YOU Lord.

-Tim

Easter Weekend

This past Easter weekend was a big event around our house; here along the Flat Creek, as it flows by.  Most of our kids and grandkids were around most of the time, and for a few hours all were around.

We had a cook out Friday evening with barbequed hamburgers on the grill, with hickory charcoal, and oak wood.  My were those burgers really delicious.

Madge and I ordered some trees, plants, flowers, and/or shrubs a while back, and they were delivered by our wonderful United States Postal Service.

I had an annual checkup with my cardiologist yesterday, and I am a research patient as well.  They are trying out Plavix on me.  I have taken it for a year now, and for a year I will be on a pill provided by the doctor’s office, Plavix or Placebo; none of us know.  For a year I do not have to purchase the pills, they are provided.  I also do not have to pay a co-pay, and they pay me when I visit the doctor.  Now, that is different.

Anyway, when we arrived back home yesterday afternoon I began planting trees.  They are just small seedlings, about 2 feet in length, maybe a little less.  I wore myself out, but I did get nine of them planted.  I have two more Poplars to plant, then three Blue Spruces, and 12 Rose of Sharons.  We will eventually have some shade around here.

Last Thursday evening I mowed our front yard, then I mowed the back yard on Saturday.  My it sure is looking good around here.  The old rider I am using is hanging in there.  I did break the bead on the left front tire Saturday doing some finish up mowing around the road.  I hit a hidden stump.  It will be simple enough to fix, unless I punctured the tire; I do not think I did though.

We got some rain this morning.  My how things green up after a rain.  The sun is shining now, and it is so gorgeous out.

Sunday morning was great for worshiping the Lord of the Universe, who died was buried, and rose bodily from the grave.  What a wonderful and glorious Creator.

-Tim

Yard Mowing Has Began Again

There are some who do not like it.  The greening of the grass in the pastures, fields, and of course; our lawns or “yards” as I am prone to call them.  Myself, it seems like something I thoroughly enjoy doing; that is as long as I  have no problem with the lawn mower.

I have almost three acres to mow; so I use a rider.  Last Spring and Summer I had to use a 20 inch push mower for a while, and it about wore me out.  I had mowed it a couple of times with the push mower when I found out I needed some stentz in my heart.  It was a work, a miracle of God, that I had not had a heart attack.

After I had my two weeks off from work, driving the School Bus, and resting around, I was glad to return and to mowing the yard.

This Spring I have an old rider, praying for a new Cub Cadet with a 50 inch cut, a lawn tractor. Something like that would, most likely, last the rest of my life; and even have some life left to pass on to one of my kids.

At any rate for the second time I mowed the front yard last evening after I returned home from bus driving, and getting more gas for the mower.  It astounds me to pay over 20 dollars for five gallons of gas.  Mowing the yard is not going to be a cheap endeavor this cutting season.  I have jokingly said, and have heard others say, “I need to take out a bank loan to fill the tank on my car”.  Have you heard that or said that before.

Thank the good Lord we have the fuel to use.  It is a blessing to us.  Thank Him also that He gives us the means to buy it.

Yes!  Yard mowing has began again.  What a blessing it is.

The truth of the matter is I will be mowing the backyard today, along the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

Frost on the Grass…

Wednesday morning when I arose from bed there was frost on the grass, on the cars, the trees, and the temp was 30 degrees outside.  It was not a heavy frost, but frost none the less.  We have had frost every morning since then.  And there is this morning as well.

I mowed the backyard yesterday afternoon.  It was needing it, the grass was still very green, however the tomato plants were wilted, so I pulled them, and dug the soil of our small raised garden we had on the East side of our house.  It never had much in it except tomatoes and onions.  Neither one did very well; though the tomato plants nearly diminished during the heat of the Summer, and grasshoppers demolished the green of the plants, they did come back when we got some rain.  The tomato plants were doing real well, just small tomatoes, and they should have been larger.

Just to let anyone interested to know; I am still writing in my journal; and almost every day.  I think I have missed one day since I first began on August 30.

I rejoice in knowing that the Creator of all that is is also my Lord and Savior.  Praise Him.

-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

Started Mowing

Yeah!  I mowed a few rounds around the front yard yesterday afternoon.  There are some green sprigs of grass springing up and starting to make the yard look more like it needs mowing; however, I guess it doesn’t need it bad enough to make a showing.

I could tell where I had mowed if I took careful attention to watch carefully as those wheels turned.  So I decided to ride the mower up to the cemetery and mow it.  It hadn’t been mowed since June or so, and still wasn’t too high; because it has been so dry.  I could see where I had mowed though.  I didn’t do any trim work, just the mowing.

When I came back; before I put  the mower away; I had to find a couple of screws to hold the forward/reverse plate in place.  They had vibrated out I guess.  Back in good working order now.  Ready for when the grass is green and growing steadily again; at least until the season is over, and the season of Autumn tells it to stop growing.

So no I didn’t finish mowing the yard.  It will be there when the grass gets a little thicker, a little taller, and maybe a little cooler

Watching the grass grow along the banks of Flat Creek.  All things are in the hands of the LORD.

-Tim

Maybe It was Mowing the Dirt

I wrote a post the other day that I title “After Mowing”.  I spoke of mowing dirt and the heat.  It has been hot; there is certainly no denying that, but I choose to be thankful for it, rather than complain about it.  I mean think of the alternative – it could be below zero, and without the heat of the sun to warm us there would be no life at all.

The other night while I was sleeping I had a dream of snow and slick roads.  I guess that was a way of reminding me of last February.  I must admit I don’t do much outdoor work when it is hot like this.  It probably wouldn’t be too wise for someone who has had stents placed in their heart to do so; at least too aggressively.

I did go out yesterday afternoon to move a mound of dirt which was out in the yard from the septic lateral, which I had to mow around.  It was just a small mound.  I took my pick and shovel to it and had it moved in short order, but in that 100 degree sun it made short work of me too.  I thank God for those guy and gals who are out in it doing road work, building houses, farm work, and all other legitimate work.  No matter what your age may be; working out in that sun’s heat will zap your body of needed nutrients and strength.  Take care of yourselves.  Drink lots of water; no caffeine or alcohol; these will harm you rather than help you.

Maybe it was mowing that dirt that caused me to dream of cool weather and snow.  I know it is a coming.

Watching the sunrise along the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

After Mowing

I spent the day yesterday repairing my mower, and finishing up mowing my yard.  First of all when I was mowing the evening before the right front wheel fell off.  The cotter pin had broke, and thus left nothing to keep it on.  So Friday morning I drove into Cassville to get me some new bushings; which go inside the wheel slipping over the spindle/axle; also some cotter pins, and washers.  When I arrived back home I fixed the wheel, adding a lot of grease to the wheel and axle and bushings.

Even though I was using a rider the heat was putting a lot of stress on this decaying body, and I took several breaks.  If you don’t know – I have about 2.5 to 3 acres that I mow.  It was starting to look a bit scraggly, as well as brown from no rain.  It still looks brown, but looks much better with it mowed.  Anyway, I finished the mowing about 4:15 p.m., and a refreshing, breeze came up, with a little rain shower.  I just stood out in it absorbing the falling water.  It felt pretty good having the falling rain cool me off After Mowing the yard.

The rain, was what I said it was; just a little shower, because it didn’t last very long, or come down very hard.  It wet the ground; until the sun came back out,  then it was g-o-n-e.

I thank my Lord and GOD for the moisture, and refreshing that came After Mowing, along the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim