The work across the road seems to be inspiring

Last week the men rented a post-pounder and put in more fence posts.  The fence lines on this farm are getting a much needed face-lift.  After the posts were in for the fence line Ian pounded a new post for my mailbox.

Today while waiting for the dew to come off the garden so he could pick more beans, Matthew set to work fixing the mailbox.

A jeep makes a good ladder! Especially when it is right there and you don't want to walk around the house to the shop to get a ladder.

One newly fixed mailbox.  Let the plows go by and throw up all the snow they like.  All that baby is going to do is swing in the wind!!!

Big changes happening on the farm!

There is a lot of excitement here on the farm.  Last weekend our local excavating firm dropped off their bulldozer in preparation for breaking ground to build a bunk silo and bunk feeder.

Yesterday bright and early the man came to begin pushing dirt.  What a glorious smell he made in the cool morning air!  There is something so life affirming about the smell of sod being broken and dirt that hasn't been exposed for years suddenly breathing the fresh air.

Of course along with the myriad benefits realized from being able to have the corn chopped and fed in a dedicated place for that and for ease in clean-up, all of this building is providing entertainment.

Last night when we went to bed the ground had been leveled and graded and sat waiting for today's advent of gravel.

Layn got up this morning, was pottied and took his breakfast outside so that he would have a ring-side seat for the early morning show.

Even if you aren't a little boy there is something compelling and thrilling about the sight of big trucks doing their jobs and hearing back-up beepers.

I know where we will be able to find Layn all day today.  The only difficulty that I see is getting him to tear himself away long enough to use the potty.  Is it too much to move the potty seat outside?

The Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord!

     There on the mountain the Apostles were astounded when Jesus was transfigured, changed, right before their very eyes.  They hardly knew what to say, so much so that Peter said something that was pure nonsense and yet perfect sense, "Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." (Mark 9:5)
     What Peter said made no sense at all because the incident would not be a permanent one so why bother errecting tents?  This was done for the purpose of strengthening their faith and for a direct revelation of the relationship between the Father and Jesus.  At the same time what Peter said made more than perfect sense.  It was indeed good that they were there!  How blessed and set apart they were to be given such a revelation.  All that they had been taught by Jesus to that point was solidified and confirmed there in that one incident. 
     What a lesson for all of us as well.  It is good that they were there, but even better that we have a record of this account.  It was through that revelation, that strengthening of the faith of the first Pope, that the Church of Christ was prepared so that we, in this day and in our time, can find it "good that we are here!"  It is also through the example of those struggling Apostles, who day by day in the Gospel accounts, became transfigured themselves that we have an example of how we should live our lives. 
     They feasted daily on the word of Jesus, no matter how hard it was to chew and swallow.  By their steady diet of the Word they and their lives became slowly transfigured into lives patterened after the Word.  It is now up to us to do the same; feast daily on the Word, whether we can stomach it or not, trusting that Jesus will nourish our flesh and our souls.  Then we too can be transfigured into ardent followers of the Word and be compelled to say, "Rabbi, it is good that we are here!"

The Simple Womans Daybook 6 August 2012

Outside my window...I am sitting.  This morning the air is drier and the temperatures are cooler so I took my work outside.  Layn is playing with his toys on the sidewalk beside me and watching the man run the bulldozer across the street in the pasture.

I am thinking....about life and how it ebbs and flows.  An over used phrase to be sure but it is true nonetheless.

I am thankful for....my beautiful, poised and very mature daughter.  I just wonder when she grew up into such a young woman.  Half of me wants to capture those little girl days again and live them all over and the other half is filled with joy at the blossom I see before me opening into such a beautiful flower.

From the kitchen...something will appear, it always does.  Currently I don't have a clue what but it will appear.  Perhaps it will include summer squash and green beans since those are what we have plenty of.  Maybe I can even throw some new potatoes into the menu.  Time alone will tell.

I am wearing...one of Doug's warm shirts and his boxers.  Strange outfit I know but it is a good day to dress comfortably and stay at home.

I am creating...something wonderful.  Yesterday I got out my pleater and threaded it up.  Now that cooler weather is coming it is a good time to start doing some hand work again.

I am going...to stay home today.   I think today it would take an act of God to compell me to move away from my home.  I don't even want to go far to take my walk.  I think I will just put Layn in the stroller and take him out the roadway that cuts across our fields.

I am reading....Jane Eyre.

I am hoping...to do the will of God, today and everyday of my life.

I am hearing....the sound of the bulldozer across the road as he does his job, the motorcycle that just went up the road, Layn calling to MK as she goes over to the barn to do her chores.  It is the smell's today that are more compelling than the sounds.  I can smell the dirt as the bulldozer uncovers more and more of it.  It has a rich living smell.  I smell the cherry tomato that MK just brought me from her garden, it smells of sunshine and muggy days.  I can smell the rainwater in the puddles leftover from the showers that we had yesterday.  So many odors that are revealed when the air has been washed clean by a storm.

Around the house...MK has everything picked up and put away from her party yesterday.  She was up with the sun this morning. 

One of my favorite things....the smell of the soil.  I could revel in it all day. 

A few plans for the rest of the week....taking care of the usual business of life.  I have three new subjects that I start today to work on and get well acquainted with.  There is the usual round of holy hours, laundry, dishes, and meals to prepare.  I even have a few plans to squeeze in some sewing.

Here is a picture thought that I am sharing with you...

The tables are all set and waiting for the guests to arrive.  MK sets a simple yet an elegant table.

Sharing

Papa and Layn doing a little Sunday afternoon reading.  Nothing like reading "The American Farm Tractor" together.