Flat Creek Has Been Rolling Heavy

We have received 9 – 10 inches of rain from Saturday night through Monday evening.  At last look at my bucket it had about 9 inches in it and we received a bit more after that.

I am including some pictures.  The Creek has gotten as high as I ever remember, and it got higher than any of the past five years we have lived here for sure.

These pictures are in our backyard.

 

The following pictures are down stream at our swimming area, and called the Whirlhole, and the road down to the hole.

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” Proverbs 21:1

That is how it is on the banks of Flat Creek.

-tim

Dogwood Trees

I have noticed driving around lately; whether it be driving my bus route, in the car or truck; that there are numerous Dogwood trees in bloom.  They are so beautiful in bloom, whether they are white, red, pink, etc. they are lovely.

A year or so ago our son James and his wife Amber brought us three Dogwood plants, we planted them, but none have survived.  Sorry James and Amber.  Thank you very much for thinking of us.

Our son Timothy and his wife Sarah Lynn brought us three Dogwood plants to plant in our yard; just yesterday (April 17, 2015).  Madge and I went out this morning before the rain started falling, and planted them.  Hopefully these will make it.

I have noticed many Dogwood trees with a canopy top look; with a top that spreads out almost in a circular flatness.  It looks pretty neat with them in bloom.

I pray all are enjoying Spring.  I know I am. 🙂

From the banks of Flat Creek.

~tim

Recent Rain

I have posted here about our need for some rain.  Well from Saturday morning (August30) until Tuesday (September 02) we were blessed to receive 3.5 inches of the pearly dew from heaven.

To our bountiful Creator we owe much thanksgiving and praise.  Thank YOU LORD.

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

Lydia – My Grand daughter

Just this past Saturday afternoon our son and his wife came down with their kids.  The smallest one [Lydia] wanted to go and see the puppies, so I took her to go see the puppies.  They are no longer in the pen, due to a lack of shelter there; and one evening last week when it started raining Little Girl [Mama] moved them under the shed to keep the dry.  That is where they are still.

We went out there; and of course Little Girl was there seeming curious about what I was doing, yet so gentle, and good natured; not even growling but more like wanting attention, nestling up to me.  I got down on my knees, looked underneath the shed, and saw one of the puppies just out from the rest of them; so I took him out, and let Lydia hold him.  Mama is watching closely, yet gentile like.  After Lydia gets down on her knees to look underneath we put the puppy back, gently and start returning to the house.

On the way back to the house Lydia turns around, and looks upward to the sky in the  East, points and says to me, “What is that?”  I turn around to see, and it is the moon.  Not yet shining, because the sun is still up, yet there it is just hanging like our Creator intended it to.  So I tell her, “That is the moon.”  At that she says “Oh!” and continues toward the house.

Lydia is less than two years of age, but cute as she can be.  She even likes her grandpa.

I have several grand daughters.  Our oldest grandchild is a grand daughter.  The youngest grandchild is a grand daughter, but lives in Booneville, AR. so we do not get to see them too often.  They are all my sweet hearts, and I am very thankful for all of them.

It is raining as I am writing this morning.  It is great to live in the Ozarks of Southwest Missouri; especially on the banks of Flat Creek.

-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