Today I am thankful for the Creator’s provision. Without getting into the details of it I just thank Him for providing a need for today though His gracious hand.
I am also thankful for the rain He provides for our farmers, and everyone, and everything that needs water.
Thankful from the banks of Flat Creek,
`tim
When I came into my living room this morning about 4:45 the thermometer read minus two (-2) degrees. Thirty minutes later it was at -3 degrees. The last time a took a look it was at -4 degrees.
I just took a minute and looked again; now it is at -5 degrees. Is that what is called, “Dropping like a rock”? I guess it could drop a bit faster.
I am sure thankful this morning though. Thankful for a nice warm home. Thankful for flowing water. Thankful for many things.
I am praying this morning for all the farmers who will need to be, and already are out in this snow and cold caring for their cattle, and other livestock. For those who are maintaining our roads; praying for their wisdom and safety. For the EMT’s, and other emergency personnel. May I add, if you do not need to be out, stay in, and stay warm.
One more thing; if you just have to get out and drive on the highways turn on your headlights. It is good to be seen; not just able to see. It is a matter of safety; not just yours but others who are out as well.
-tim
Well we were blessed in the Spring with a good amount of rainfall. The Creek came up a bit, got washed out, cleaned up, but never rose out of its banks.
Now, however, is a very different story. We have not had any significant rainfall for several days now. It was June 15 when it last rained. We had a great rain amounting to 2+ inches. It was a blessing.
This morning before the sun was over the hill I went out and watered everything with a garden hose. It is not as good as rain, but it does provide moisture for the plants. I hope I did not wait too long to water the trees I planted a year ago last Spring.
Praying for rain. Thank you Lord for sending it.
tim
I received the following as an email from a friend. Thought it to be a good reminder of things.
-tim
The Green Thing
Checking out at the store, the young cashier suggested to the older woman, that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren’t good for the environment.
The woman apologized and explained, “We didn’t have this green thing back in my earlier days.”
The clerk responded, “That’s our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations.”
She was right — our generation didn’t have the green thing in its day.
Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled. But we didn’t have the green thing back in our day.
We walked up stairs, because we didn’t have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn’t climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks. But she was right. We didn’t have the green thing in our day.
Back then, we washed the baby’s diapers because we didn’t have the throw-away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts — wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But that young lady is right; we didn’t have the green thing back in our day.
Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house — not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of the state of Montana? In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn’t have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap. Back then, we didn’t fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn’t need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. But she’s right; we didn’t have the green thing back then.
We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But we didn’t have the green thing back then.
Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn’t need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint. But isn’t it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn’t have the green thing back then?Remember: Don’t make old People mad.
This past Thursday, July 19, I took a short walk to the Creek out our back door. Our dogs went along as usual. I was sitting there in my chair, and in the shade of the trees over the gravel bar; throwing rocks in the water for the dogs to chase after. I think that was the day the high temp reached 112 degrees here in our valley.
As I was throwing those stones in the water, and Archer in particular would chase after them; clouds came in, and it began to rain. Do you know how refreshing a rain is falling from the sky above, giving you a soaking, when it is near 112 degrees? Of course with the clouds and rain moving in the temp dropped dramatically.
With the rain falling I continued sitting there throwing the rocks, Archer chasing them, and I was getting wet without getting in the Creek. It is refreshing, especially when we are in a full blown drought, to sit in the rain and get soaked.
When the rain stopped I went back to the house, and the temp was below 100 for a few minutes. An hour later there was no sign that it had rained. The ground was dry. The buckets were dry. Now it was back over that century mark.
The refreshment of rain for the ground and for a wretched ole soul like mine. A reminder of God’s grace. The wonders of God’s grace.
A few drops of rain along the banks of Flat Creek.
-tim
I have already written of the rain which came yesterday. It was a real blessing, and we received an inch of blessings from heaven.
An hour or so after the rain had stopped I told my wife, Madge, that I was going to go speak to the buckets and find out how much rain we had received. I returned into the house and told her I had spoken with the buckets, and they had told me “It rained about an inch”.
You see, I had several buckets, out in the backyard. Some small, maybe less than a gallon, some medium size, about two gallons or so; and a couple of five gallon buckets. I had left all of them up where they would catch water. I had not really done it on purpose, but it had been done.
When I stuck my forefinger in the buckets, each of them told me the same thing. The water in each of the buckets came up to my first knuckle; and that is an inch. Buckets do speak if we will listen.
Having fun living on the banks of Flat Creek.
-Tim
Now, I do not know if “Rose bushes” is the proper description of what we were planting or not, but that is what my wife and I did on the fifteenth of this month.
I do not believe I have ever seen the soil so dry as it was. I dug down to nearly a foot deep, and usually in May the soil is a bit sticky with moisture, but it was not on Tuesday. It was dry, and in much need of rain. Anyway we got the rose bushes planted; and where my wife wanted them.
We are struggling to keep some of our trees going. With dogs chewing some of them off; then I come along and cut them off to get a clean cut. One I have done this with was coming back really well, then I look at it one afternoon and the pup or something had dug it up, practically destroying it. There was still a sprig of hope in the ground, so I filled the hole in, watered it and it still has a green sprig popping its way upward.
The Rose of Sharon shrubs I panted are doing very well. Looking forward to when they will begin to flower. I do not expect they will this Summer, maybe next year though.
It is pretty neat watching something you have planted grow upwards toward their Creator.
-Tim
It is the first day of Spring, and it is raining. It is supposed to rain inches and inches, getting rivers and streams over their banks.
Those who have planted their gardens will receive much needed water for them to grow wonderful veggies, potatoes, and it will be quite necessary for the farmers as well.
Have a great first day of Spring. Enjoy the rain, be thankful for it. Be thankful to our Creator for giving it.
From the banks of Flat Creek.
-Tim
On the afternoon of December 31 I took a walk along the banks of Flat Creek; from just below the old mill pond down around the bend, and then to the place where our family picnics and swims – the Swimming hole.
It was at the Swimming Hole that I sat down for a spell and just looked, watched, and listened for awhile. I have enjoyed doing that along the creek since I was a boy old enough to venture away from the house; and maybe even before I was old enough.
As I was setting there a bald eagle came soaring near me over the still water of the hole and I assume was looking for his/her prey for food for the day. I do not believe I was ever as close to a flying eagle as I was at that moment. I have seen them in zoos sitting on logs for all the world to gauck at, and admire; but never had I been as close as I was at that time and place; while they were flying.
I watched as she/he soared, flapped wings, turned out over the land on the other side, and back over the water, and then flew on down the creek continuing its search.
A beautiful, majestic, bird. Yet, “bird” for an eagle just seems so small a word.
Remember to go to church today and worship our Creator who has given us all things to enjoy and glorify His name.
-Tim
By the way… HAPPY NEW YEAR.
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
I attended an auction just outside of Clever yesterday. My mother called me around 7:30 or so while I was out tending our dogs, and told me that a couple who has been there long time friends was having an auction, and would I take them? At first I said “No! I have plenty to get done today”, but about an hour later I called her back and told her I would take them.
The drive up there was in much needed rain; and it rained and it rained and it kept on raining. By the end of the day we had pools of water, running water, my grass seed getting plenty of water. Yippppppeeee!!! Anyway; back to the sale. They had a few items I wanted to bid on. I never even got in a bid because they started out higher than I could afford or wanted to pay. I am happy for the couple having the sale; it was good for them.
There is something I have noticed about a lot of auctions I have attended. People lose their heads at these things. They end up paying the same price or more for a used item than they could buy a new one for in some cases.
I am sure thankful for the rain. The grass is starting to green up again. That is a good thing.
Thank YOU Lord for sending water to the earth and nourishment for it.
From along the banks of Flat Creek.
-Tim
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
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
Last October (2010) when the movers were preparing for the set up of our new manufactured home they poured concrete footings. All around what would be the outer edge of the house and about four rows of cement footing for blocks and shims to sit on underneath to level the house, and set on. When the concrete dried they moved a large amount of dirt off to the side; and a large part of that mountain of dirt is still there.
There are several low spots, dips and holes I need to fill so I have occasionally taken a couple of five gallon buckets filled them with dirt and moved some of it myself. This week I have done it practically every morning before the sun gets too high and becomes hot. I am waiting for the day when Dennis in our church comes and uses his skid steer to move it for us.
I told him a week ago to wait until it cools off a bit. Most of it is probably going to be moved over where the septic lateral lines run, to level out the ground and get them covered a bit better. I have used some of the dirt that I have moved around the front of the block skirting to slope the water from the roof away (that’s right we have no guttering, yet), and that is needed any way.
Back in the Spring I planted some wild maples to give us trees in the yard, but I am not sure they are going to survive the Summer. I water them practically everyday, but now the grasshoppers have eaten the leaves off of them.
Anyway this is supposed to be about moving dirt; so back to it. I have got a lot of dirt to move; and a lot of other work to do to get this place shaped up and looking really good. It looks good, but it can look better.
It won’t be too long and we will be able to see Flat creek as it rolls on by.
-Tim
Don’t worry! Flat Creek has not gone dry. It has gotten low a few times; with boaters and canoeist dragging their craft across gravel bars and shallow water rapids; but it has never gone completely dry.
I am talking about inspiration in our hearts. There are times when it comes to writing that I can have a thought and go with it, and the words seem to flow like that Flat Creek. There are times, also, like Flat Creek when it gets a little low, and the floating river boats need to be carried or dragged across the shallow waters.
Inspiration is probably connected to imagination; and I guess my imagination runs wild at times. However, at other times it is dry as the bone the dogs dragged in, and maybe even dryer.
When the river of inspiration or imagination runs dry for me I try and do what I am doing now; write any way. It may just be rambling; but I will not be held down by a dry river. I will carry the boat, canoe or Kayak if I must; and pray I don’t bore anyone to tears.
What I am saying to my readers here is, When the river gets low, drag your craft – don’t quit. Keep on going. A thought came to me a few years ago as I studied the book of Nehemiah in the Bible. “When you don’t know what to do; do what you know”. It has probably been said before and by greater men than I, but it makes sense.
The flowing waters along the banks of Flat Creek.
-Tim
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
As I write this morning a little rain shower is bringing some much needed water to our soil, grass and garden. It’s probably not a whole lot as of yet, but much appreciated.
The clouds are keeping things cool for a while longer. The sun has risen, but is out of view behind the clouds. Looking at the grass it almost looks greener already. Of course, that means mowing will be coming up soon. Of course I haven’t mowed my yard in nearly a month; and it needs it. It looks scraggly and dusty.
Yesterday afternoon our outdoor thermometer was showing 126 degrees with the sunlight hitting it; and when you were in the sun it felt every bit of it too.
I still like Summer. Its heat can be deadly if we don’t take precautions such as drinking a lot of water, not overdoing ourselves in outdoor activities – whether it’s work or play. What ever you do never leave your children or any disabled person in the car. It gets hot enough inside a car to bake cookies. I saw a news report where a man did just that in Springfield, MO. yesterday afternoon.
Thank the LORD for the rain shower we’re getting now; and for the ones to come.
We need them on the banks of Flat Creek, and every where else.
-Tim
Flat Creek Rolling 