Belly Up

I held a tool in my hand on Saturday that I am a little embarrassed to say I don't know if I have ever used before. It was a shovel. My new friend came over and taught me how to make some flowerbeds where there were none. She and I broke up the very hard and dry soil with shovels.

Next we headed out to the horse manure pile that we have in our field behind the stable. I drove the riding mower with the trailer behind it over to the pile. We shoveled (again) the manure into the trailer. It was an old pile of manure, so we weren't sure if it would be too dry. It was nice and moist under the top layer and filled with crickets and at least one snake. That snake is now dead. It was only about a foot and a half long and appeared to be a "harmless" bull snake. I saw it and yelled that there was a snake, and my friend used that shovel at lightning speed and chopped it's head right off. She flung the body out of the way with her shovel, and it landed belly up. We continued to shovel the old poop.

When I was a little girl, I remember walking out by the garden with my Bigdaddy when we saw a dead snake. He turned it over belly up. The weather was dry, and he said that if you turn a snake belly up it will rain. He was part American Indian and had lots of great sayings. Very soon it started to rain. I remembered this when I saw that snake belly up. Our ground is so parched here, and we could desperately use some rain. I told Heidi about it and she chuckled. About five minutes after we drove the manure back around to the future flower bed site, the rain clouds started forming over the mountain.

She helped me with the entire project from start to finish, and it started to rain as we planted the last plant. What a great day of learning some new skills and enjoying a friend at the same time. To say that I am a little sore from the four hours of shoveling and planting would be a drastic understatement. I could hardly move the next morning. I never knew the ground could be so hard and so dry. I never knew horse manure could transform the soil. I never knew my forearms and shoulders could be so sore to the touch.

I have plenty of manure left on the pile in the field. It is nice to put it to some sort of good use. I am thankful for the day and a half of rain that followed my planting. I am also thankful for the remembrance of Bigdaddy as I was working. Was the rain from the snake being belly up? I don't know, but it was fun to pretend something good came from finding a snake.

Hosea 10:12 "Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you."

Random Oddities

Since I last wrote, we have had more than our fair share of odd happenings--- well, maybe odd is not the right word. Perhaps this falls under the recurring category of "things I never thought we would be doing." The last time I wrote about the snake I missed with the car. The next day we saw a GIANT snake in the road, and I swerved over and ran that sucker over with all four tires. It was right in front of the neighbor's house (about a mile or so down the road), so I hope they are not snake lovers who watched the crazy mother in the silver Sequoia mow down a snake.

There were no snakes out the next two days because it was freezing. We had sleet one day with highs in the low 40s. Today, however, was sunny and beautiful at around 75 degrees. On one of the cold days, I went to town for the day and did something that I have never done before--- I got my hair cut at WalMart in the salon. I got tired of waiting to figure out where to go and then make an appointment. I was already at WalMart for dog food and a few groceries, so I thought, "Why not? ". I emerged with about 6 inches less of hair and a satisfied feeling of starting over-- free of the dried long tired curls that have been pulled up or back for over two months now.

Our pushy puppy has days when we think he is settling in and settling down and then there is the rest of the time. He is "mouthy and pushy" according to the shelter. I agree wholeheartedly. He is also a giant. I am hoping he is a gentle giant. Right now he is a giant with tooth issues. He is having trouble chewing as he is losing baby teeth and getting big teeth- except for chewing on us. We tried out the training collar this afternoon for a walk and he hated it, but the walk was maybe 50% better than usual. We continue to have to wrestle him to the ground with a yelp and a growl. He relaxes and seems to give in for a little bit. We are trying to be consistent like we try to do with our kids, but kids seem easier at this moment. The boys had a new job this week that they did not appreciate, however, regarding the puppy. They became the pooper scoopers. Harland made each of them poop collectors out of old milk jugs that he cut the top off of. I suited them up with yellow playtex gloves and sent them to work. Nathanael requested a clothespin for his nose but unfortunately it broke after only a couple of minutes. He resorted to having to take a breather every now and then in the other part of the backyard before returning to the task. They did a great job, and it was pretty amusing to watch.

Tonight we went to a cookout at our new friends' house in the small town close to us. As the men were outside grilling the burgers and dogs, two of the neighbors stopped by the house in their trucks to alert us that they had just seen a bear around the corner. They were telling the boys to get the grill in before the bear smelled the meat cooking and came on up to get it. Harland and I had our eyes peeled waiting to see the bear, but we never did. Our host was trying to go on with the cooking and act like he wasn't alarmed, but he was looking as hard as we were and was cooking as fast as he could. No bears for us today, but I am sure it is coming soon.

On Saturday morning my friend Heidi is coming over to teach me how to plant a flower bed here in this soil. We will be shoveling horse and cow manure and mixing it in with the dirt. She is bringing some of her flowers and herbs from her flower beds. I really hope I don't kill everything. Maybe this time will be something I have never done before-- keep plants and flowers alive.

Isaiah 40:8 "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."

A Mouse, a Snake, and a Birthday Cake

Once again I must say a word or two about the wildlife here. I am sure the last thing anyone would like to see is another mouse story, so I will spare you. Just let me say that we caught another one last night, and she was so determined to get free from the sticky trap, that she ripped all of the fur off of her arms. That is some true drive and determination. She was, however, stuck on with her entire body, but she tried. The one we got the other night during our tv watching was still eating the peanutty bait as Harland took the trap outside--- I guess he wanted one last meal like a death row inmate.

The wildlife we encountered yesterday was even less liked than the yucky mice. I saw my first snake. Thankfully it was crossing the road about 1/2 mile from our house, but it was a wake up call for us all that the snakes are here. I thought it was a stick so I drove straddling it. I saw it was a snake and turned the vehicle around to go back and run over it--- (harsh I know, but that would be potentially one less snake that could end up in our yard). When we got back to where it was, it was gone. I hated that I missed it. The kids thought I was a little nuts to turn around and go back, but they got a good laugh out of it chanting something about "my mom is a crazy snake murderer". This morning on the drive to school, we were on the lookout, and I vowed that my vehicular aim will be better next chance I get. We saw no slithering snakes this morning, but this crazy mom will be on the lookout this afternoon.

I must be embracing some of the country mindset. Yesterday I was doing laundry and cooking and decided to listen to Pandora for some music. My husband started a new Pandora station the other day which is to play Alabama-like music. I turned it on and it was still on that station. By the time I realized it, my hands were dirty with chicken juice so I couldn't change the station just then. I began listening to the words and must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was mostly Randy Travis, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and the like. I listened to the words of wisdom and had to smile: "country folk can survive"; "redneck girl-- her hands are calloused but her heart is tender"; "mommas don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys". I have a newfound appreciation for the sentiments in some of the country songs. They somehow seem much more appropriate at this moment in our lives than some of the current pop-rock songs. It was good for a chuckle and even a sentimental tear as I prepared my chicken pot pie with my own calloused hands.

Tonight we celebrate Nathanael's eighth birthday, and he has requested for his "country birthday dinner" to be homemade french fries and chicken nuggets (since McDonald's is too far away). Eight years ago we were living in a suburb of Chicago when Nathanael came along on a stormy Saturday night. He has lived up to his name-- he is truly a "gift from God." He is filled with joy and always has a smile. He loves his family, loves affection, and he really loves his birthday. I look forward to having his little hand hold mine when I pick him up from school on his special day--- mine are calloused and are blue from the food coloring, but I know he won't mind.

Isaiah 40:12 "Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?"

Coming Along with Adjustments

Last Sunday was our snowy sledding day, and this Sunday was our sunny playing in the creek day. What a difference a week makes. Actually, what a difference two months makes.

Today marks eight weeks since we moved to the valley, and we are beginning to feel settled. There have been lots of adjustments and new things to learn, but I have noticed that we have adapted to some of them now to the point they are hardly noticed.

I know, for example, that there is someone in church who sits behind us that has a watch alarm set for 11:30 that goes off each week during the sermon. It lasts several minutes because whoever has that alarm set must not be able to hear at that particular pitch. It used to bother me... now I just know that it is 11:30.

I have become accustomed to the noise in the night of a mouse caught in a sticky trap. As we all sat around the living room tonight watching the Amazing Race finale, we heard a noise and paused our show, looked around, saw the unfortunate guest, and took a few minutes to dispose of the critter. We then set out a replacement trap in the hot spot and started our show again. It barely caused a stir.

I have learned when we drive pretty much anywhere and park in the parking lot, my car will without competition be the dirtiest vehicle in the lot. It used to feel strange to me, and I cringed a little. If you know my father you realize that the mud-crusted car is not what I grew up with. His cars are spotless. Ours have never been spotless, but now our Sequoia is literally two-toned--- brown on the lower half and silver on the top. We leap out so we don't get mud/dirt on our pant legs.

I must admit that our time here on the prairie in Southern Colorado feels like it has been much longer than two months. The days in the hectic pace of city life seem so foreign now. We now comment on all the crowds of people and traffic in Pueblo when we go "to town", and the four lanes of traffic on the interstate seem overwhelming at times. A mere eight weeks ago I was driving daily in 10 lane traffic without blinking an eye. We are always ready to get back to our dirt road on which we might pass one or two vehicles at the most and possibly a few deer or antelopes.

Don't get me wrong, things here are not perfect. There are days that I long for a Route 44 Sonic coke or a fillet of fish with no tartar sauce with a large fry from McDonald's. I miss having friends that are effortless. I miss the familiarity of the kids' old school and teachers and staff. Things here are not perfect, but they were not perfect in Texas either. They were just known. As we are learning and growing and adjusting to the newness here, we are adapting and changing and appreciating the things we are blessed with.

Lamentations 3:22-23 "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

A Beautiful Sight

There are many things here in Southern Colorado that I would describe as beautiful. This morning after the kids and I got the sticks picked up out of the yard so I could mow, I saw what was one of the most beautiful sights I have seen here. There was a black Tahoe driving into my driveway. It wasn't a work truck or delivery man or someone just turning around. I quickly took my redneck lawn-mowing bandanna from around my neck before the vehicle made it down the long driveway.

The black Tahoe held Heidi (a sweet gal I met at church) and her two kids. She came over to see if we wanted to join them for a picnic at the creek by the mountain park. We quickly changed clothes and got ourselves together. She even had lunches already made for all of us.

It was a great day of splashing in the ice cold creek, having a picnic on a rock picnic table, and playing in the park looking at the mountains. The best part of the day, however, was talking to what I believe to be a new real friend.

I think that that might sound pretty pathetic, but it is true. Moving and leaving everyone you know is hard. It is lonely knowing that there's no one here (besides my husband and kids) who knows me. They don't know my strengths or my weaknesses. They don't know what I like and what I dislike. I have to try to put my best foot forward at all times as I hope to be building relationships, and it is exhausting. Today was NOT exhausting at all, but refreshing. I was able to be myself and the conversation was easy.

I don't know if my new friend knows what a welcome sight she was, but I know how much it meant to me that she came over unannounced and took the risk. I plan to remember that for when I am no longer new. I would like to be the car in the driveway for someone else one day. For now, however, I end my day very thankful.

Philippians 4:19 "My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

Rocks

There are some things in life that are easily noticed. There are other things that are seemingly not worth a second glance. In nature I am continually finding new things and overlooking things.

There are rocks everywhere here. Our gravel road is made of small rocks of every color. There are rocks in our fields that are as small as a dime and some as big as a basketball. We have placed two big ones on top of our dumpster lid to keep the winds from blowing it open. They range in color from grays and whites to shades of pink with sparkles. We have been collecting some of the big ones out of the yard mainly to clear the grass and dirt for my mowing adventures. We have put them on the porch and now have a pile of beautiful rocks. My plan is to use them one of these years if and when I plant the flower bed I have in my mind.

When my parents were here and we drove up the mountain, they noticed the signs to watch out for falling rock. We saw several small rocks on the road and were all extremely thankful that the big ones remained on the side of the cliff. We drove to the Royal Gorge one day and found that in that area only about 1 1/2 hours from our house there were rocks everywhere that were sparkling like diamonds and when the sun hit them they looked like silver. We found ourselves mesmerized with not only the GIGANTIC rocks and gorge but also with the small shimmery ones we were walking by and on.

I took a walk last night with a friend who is a rock hound. We walked and talked and then out the blue she would jump down in the ditch or run up a hill to look at a rock. She showed me these big ugly rocks that looked like mud balls. They are called something long that I can't remember, but an unofficial name is a node. They were nothing exciting to look at-- to me. She, however, knew what was inside. She found one that had opened when it fell from the cliff and inside was clusters of crystal-looking formations.

These treasures just camouflaged in with the dry dirt, and I would have easily walked on by and never noticed them. I think people are much the same-- some are flashy and demand admiration on first sight but others have layers of "dirt" but when they are broken through hardship or trials their true beautiful identity is seen.

My rock hound friend said, "Isn't that just like God that he put something so beautiful inside something so ugly?" She was looking at the rocks, but we were both thinking of our own selves.

Psalm 40:2-3 "He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord."

A Sunday Afternoon in Early May

We finally bought a snow shovel on Saturday evening. The forecast for Sunday was snow--8-17inches. Sunday was May 1, you realize. Snow on May 1 is a bit foreign to me. I feel sure we had it when we lived in Iowa but that is a distant memory.

Isabel wanted to wear a summer dress and her white "heels" to church yesterday. I urged her to go take a gander out the window and see what she thought. She quickly decided to opt for a sweater dress with thick tights and boots. It was 24 degrees with about 4 inches of snow on the ground.

After church, we pulled out onto the paved road and saw the family of snowy foxes we had been warned about. The momma fox and two babies were in the culvert right next to the street. Our car was filled with some excited little people who have been watching that spot closely since our email alert, hoping to get a glimpse of the babies.

Next, we hurried home, changed into our snow gear, ate a quick grilled cheese sandwich, and headed up the mountain in search of deeper snow. We drove up San Isabel mountain to the lake area which is only about 15-20 min from our house. We found almost a foot of powdery snow with more falling. We tromped around and sledded for a couple of hours. We had the whole place to ourselves except for a couple of cold fishermen on the edge of the lake. We nearly had to pinch ourselves to realize we weren't dreaming. It was beautiful and peaceful and just plain fun. This is a good part of why we moved here-- why we fell in love with the mountains and the slower pace of life.

Our afternoon wrapped up with cups of whipped cream covered hot chocolate and coffee at the local diner while we thawed out.

This week is calling for highs in the 60s-70s and lows in the 30s-40s, but we are so thankful for one more burst of winter weather for us to enjoy as newcomers to the area. It was a vacation-like day---only it was just 3 hours on a regular Sunday afternoon. It was an affirmation of the lifestyle change for us all that we hoped for--simple enjoyment of the beauty around us.

Psalm 27:4 "One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple."