Staycation continues...

When I envisioned our Staycation a few months ago, I had no idea the Pandemic would be raging by this time of year!  Numbers soar daily; it is heartbreaking to say the least.  Our decision to do a stay at home vacation is proving to be a good one for us.

Grand Teton

One of the things we are noticing is that God's hand is everywhere!  Our theme of visiting National Parks is so exciting; the research, the videos, the glory of seeing such beauty restores the soul.  Each day we have a different table theme; I've tried to capture something of the area.  We love being able to "sample" foods from the area, too.  Online research has provided a number of delectable dishes! I actually made Chicken fried steak for the first time in my life!

art by Hannah McCormick

We did take a real ride together in our truck!  Only one other time since February 14 have we been in a vehicle together.  We rode to Water Valley, MS to view a painting by MS artist Hannah McCormick.  This beauty sits on the beautiful grounds of the Church of the Nativity.  It was worth the trip and the time.




One of the things we try to do is keep a sense of humor.  It keeps us going despite the news.  We designated our Saturday to fishing!  I remembered a T-shirt I bought several years ago, and wore it for our fishing day! We spent part of the hot summer afternoon watching a trout fishing video.  It was wonderful.  We are learning so much.  I remember the simple days of  cane pole, string and a safety pin!

Old VBS props

Our Table theme for the day was "A river runs through it."  A little imagination, and a check of my "junk collection" provided all of the necessary items!  Our evening meal included salmon because trout is hard to find in our area.




All in all, we are having a marvelous time as we hunker down at home.  If only we could get to a fabric store or a thrift shop!  Maybe next year!! We're staying safe, the only way we know how: AT HOME!
More later!

Adventures in Staycation

     Getting away for a vacation is always work!  As one of my brothers attests, you spend two weeks getting ready to go on vacation and two weeks catching up afterwards--all for a week for R & R.  Staycation really isn't any different!  It is a little hard to detach from the chores of the Homestead, and to stay away from social media and the news.  We are learning.
     After much ado yesterday, we declared Staycation in the early afternoon and promptly took a nap!  Naps are so good.  Our day included a little "shopping."  I found some nice donut pans to make my Keto bagels.
Looking forward to it!  And it was in our budget.

     Before embarking, I finished a little fire pit that we will use later in the week.  We plan to make s'mores! What fun to use junk around the house to make this:

Later in the day, we "made" our way to Badlands National Park.  We dined in a neat little café--our dining room--and enjoyed what is known as Indian Tacos.  We ate the tacos using Fry Bread--very tasty (not low carb however!).  We have decided to eat in the dining room every day, setting it with different kinds of dishes and center pieces to enrich our experience.  Planning has been fun in that I have looked for food we might actually enjoy on the road.

Later in the evening, we explored the Badlands.  We are grateful for modern technology that allows us to "tour" right from the comfort of home.
It made for a wonderful evening as we closed out out day. And a refreshing change from the nightly news.

I might not write everyday on this Staycation; keeping up with farm animals and trying to Staycation, too, is a bit of a strain.  We are doing this because we feel it's not safe to leave home.  Lots of folks do Staycations--you see and enjoy the things around your own city or county.  When you can't leave home, it requires a bit more creativity.  And where would we be without the internet, Pinterest, and Amazon Prime!  I guess I'm in my element!

Create your own Staycation!  It's fun!

Getting there ...

     Our plans for Staycation are ongoing!  We have given the house a really good cleaning, mowed the grass, mucked out the barn, and are gearing up for a few days of R & R at home.  Of course, we will still need to tend some of our garden, feed our animals, and do the dishes!  No paper plates here!
     Vacation plans for this year included a trip out West.  Instead we are doing some of this virtually.  We do plan to take the car out for a spin (we need to drive it some), but only for something like we used to do on Sunday afternoon--you know that Sunday afternoon drive!  We will, in the virtual realm, visit some National Parks, really sample some regional foods (hence, why I still have to do the dishes), and perhaps have a souvenir or two along the way.
     We encountered one brief problem: our local library, which was just opening up, has had to shut its doors again due to the Coronavirus.  This Staycation has been put together with many changes but we're just going to go with the flow. We're keeping Amazon in business!  I'm already thinking of a fall "trip!"   

     Today, I am making out a quick list for a snack order, "packing" a few things like books and a knitting project, and then tomorrow, we are "off!" Emails and phone calls will have to wait! It's almost Staycation time! Check back for other details later!

Staycation

     Before George Floyd was killed, I was working on our Staycation plans--but I lost steam as I grieved for our nation and its many "problems."  After a slump and some new energy, I am returning to this! 

     So get ready for Staycation 2020.

     We were already "social distancing."  Hubby can't take the flu shot, so during flu season, he hibernates, and we stay away from folks.  2020 was to be our year for travel.  Alas, a pandemic--who knew?
      I believe one of the greatest gifts bestowed upon us by God is a sense of humor.  For some reason, the word Staycation  kept coming to me as if to say, "Pay attention!"  It got my attention.  We've done staycations before; done things around our town, or a simple day trip.  But this Staycation was to be different!  A Staycation where you only stay at home!!!!

    That's when the playfulness began.  I'd sing this little jingle about staycation and smile.  On my Facebook page, I asked folks for their suggestions for a Staycation for the elderly.  Some of the answers were just precious and very, very good.  Some were so hysterical that even my dog thought I'd lost my mind.    Thanks to all you responded.

     But this Staycation has to be different.  That's when I saw evening news and this clip that made my heart soar:
https://www.facebook.com/114288853688/posts/10158880978558689/?=e&d=n.


I knew that this was to take some creativity on my part and a continuing sense of humor, too.  As I trolled the pages of Pinterest, I became inspired, and went to work digging through craft materials on hand and trash!  I came up with this nifty little travel trailer.  It's a symbol to us that an adventure is about to begin!  Wish us luck!

     We are still planning, laughing all the way!  Stay tuned for more adventures!  Stay safe!  You, too might want to consider a Staycation!

Identity: Intercessor

COVID-19 knitted shawl

..prosper the work of our hands;
  proper our handiwork.  Psalm 90:17b

     It is difficult for me to believe that it is May 21; time seems to be moving on.  The seasons change; life moves on; gardens grow, and hearts grow weary of this COVID-19 world.  Each day we are presented with facts and figures that often dazzle and confuse us.  Some of them are sobering; and some perhaps, we'd rather not know!
     During these last few months, as I continue to form my retirement identity, it has become very apparent to me that one of my roles is that of Intercessor.  The life of prayer is a privilege; and a responsibility.  As a professed member of the Third Order, Society of St. Francis, daily office is a part of my rule of life.  This also includes prayers of intercession.  We have been given much to pray for in the past few months.
     One of the things I have noticed is how active my hands have become as I pray for others.  As I garden, knit, pray with the rosary, even knead bread dough, it is prayer that becomes the work of my hands.  It is, as Paul tell us, to pray without ceasing.
     The past few months have also given way to learning new things.  Recently, thanks to a friend in England, I have learned of slow stitching.  You can learn more about slow stitching here: https://www.craftschooloz.com/slow-stitching

     For the foreseeable future, I will take this role of intercessor very seriously.  It is important in our life together.  And, as my hands garden, knit, bake or stitch, I will be asking God to not only be present with those for whom I pray, but also to prosper the work of my hands... to prosper our handiwork.

Coronavirus and life...

It has been sometime since I last made an attempt at this blog.  There were planned entries, of course, but all that has changed in the last few weeks.  What we thought 2020 might be like certainly got changed in a short time.  We have new vocabulary words,  such as social distancing and PPE, and perhaps new ways of being in the world...at home.  Life on the Homestead has been good; we are staying home and learning to enjoy the changing seasons.  Our gardening life is taking off.

And we are in awe and amazed by the creativity of people; my colleagues in the church, other "farm" folks and even family.  We are all learning during these days.  We are perhaps more resilient that we thought!  We can stay home...

There are many heroes of these COVID-19 days.  We hear about doctors and nurses on the front lines; but there are also hospital staff who clean, chaplains who must deal with more death than normal, secretaries who worry.  Then there are Moms and Dads at home; home with their children where they serve not only as parents, but also as teachers.  And there are funeral directors and other funeral home employees--they are sometimes referred to as "last responders."  And even for those of us thus far less affected, we are all suffering in our own way.

Last year, I wrote a piece about knitting purple hearts.  You can read it here https://eclecticepiscopalian.blogspot.com/2019/04/purple-hearts-brings-needed-time-to.html?spref=fb&m=1&fbclid=IwAR3ro8LVxFVRxuon6j383uTn7hPuIzlYYNFdmC_cOaA6wB5Sss_T23Dx0z0://    As this pandemic spread, I found that I couldn't concentrate enough to write, or read, or some days, I couldn't even pray.  But I could knit.  I pulled out my purple yarn, and began to knit purple hearts.  I knitted and knitted and knitted; and I am still knitting them.  Over the past few weeks, I have mailed out a few to those who have been at the forefront of this pandemic. 

It is likely that we have weeks and weeks to go in this venture; we have many things to learn yet, many letters to write, many purple hearts to send.  If you know someone deserving of a purple heart, let me know.

Stay safe. Wash your hands.  Be kind.  Find at least one thing each day for which you can give thanks.  Laugh. Pray. Look for Joy. 

We are well; the goats are great.  The hens are laying each day.  And for now, we are content at home even as we are missing being with our friends .  In good time, we will be together again.  Until then, I'll keep knitting!

Identity: Goatherd

     From the time I was three years old, I knew I wanted goats in my life.  I felt drawn to them.  Perhaps it was from a memory I savored: as a young girl, a great uncle obtained a goat for my brothers and me to "play" with on a summer visit.  Oh... he was a mean little buck--with horns and a temperament that went with those horns.  We named him Jim Jeffcoats!  I cannot recall why that was his name.  And upon reflection, that wasn't the best introduction to goats! He was a bit much for my brothers and me!

    Later in my journey, there was a visit to a Santa's Village.  Perhaps it was there that my love of goats began to be nurtured!  Feeding baby goats with a bottle is a joyous things. Little goats frolic and play and seem so joyous!

And there there was my (almost) obsession with Tasha Tudor; an artist and author.I have always admired her lifestyle.  Tasha milked goats--Nubians!  I was hooked.

I had to wait almost 60 years to realize my own dream of owning goats.  What absolute joy they bring into my life.  Who needs TV when you can be entertained by the antics of goats in the backyard.  To witness birth of kids is one of my greatest delights.  And the milk! Oh fresh milk!  And the cheese we make is a part of our simple lifestyle.  We're not milking now, but we will freshen our goats this year and be back in the milking business next year.

For nearly 20 years, I served the Good Shepherd in active ministry.  This journey took me to many places to tend the sheep.  It was a privilege and delight to serve, and of course, in retirement, I find ways to serve quietly now.

As I reclaim my identity, I am proud to claim being a Goatherd as part of that identity.  Daisy, Lovey, Fiona and Blossom are my sweet herd.  As a Goatherd, I must care for the goats no matter what the weather or my mood-Neither snow or rain nor heat nor gloom of night, our goats must be fed, given fresh water and hay, hooves must be trimmed and coats must be brushed.  Not to mention mucking out the barn from time to time. In the winter and spring of 2018, we found goat friendly folks who aided us in a difficult season of health issues.  I have to admit, I've met the nicest people as my interest in goats grew over the years. Goats seem to bring out the best in folks!

Yes, a Goatherd--that's part of my identity.   

Reclaiming Identity

You have likely heard that old saying, "Of all the things I've lost, I  miss my mind the most!"  Yes!  My mind has been very scattered these last few years.  

In the twinkling of an eye, our lives can be rearranged.  An illness can bring on sudden loss; the death of a loved one changes things for us.  And retirement...it can bring on a loss of identity.  Who am I now?

For the past few years, I have deeply wrestled with the question of identity.  I retain some identity as a priest of the Episcopal Church, with the word retired following my named.  But what does that really mean?  It's not as easy to answer as it seems.  One of the myths about retirement is that it is not really a loss, but a gain.  Well...yes and no.  Grief accompanies this stage of life; most folks don't want to talk about that part of letting go.  No one really wants to talk about the loss of identity that comes with retirement.  Maybe we should talk about it; and grieve it too.

I am reclaiming some identity this year.  I am me!  Wonderfully and uniquely made--made in the image of God.  As I discover God's new call for me, I am exploring all the ways God draws me out of myself.  It's going to be an exciting year!

Blessings,

Ann+