The farm update

High Button Shoe

The Tilda Collections

Ranting Raven September 2007

August 31, 2007

..didn't I tell you, turn 3 times in a circle on July 4th, and when you come out all dizzy, it is September? Ronnie, who likes to remind me of ALL things I say, (not always a good thing..)tells me that I say this each summer. Along with my theory that when we finally emerge from the hot humid weeks of summer in mid August that the remaining days have the smell, look and feel of fall. Such was the case again this year. For several days, it has felt like fall. And the deep temperatures of night time give the morning a crisper feel. These are the mornings I miss my wood stove to take the edge off the coolness. We finally got 8 days of rain (started literally one hour after we packed up from that outside show I did on the 18th WHICH by the way, when I got there at 6AM to set up it was 37 degrees !!!! like to have froze..)) , all at once of course, after weeks of no rain, so it didn't help the farmers corn fields or the second cuttings of hay, but it did mercifully green up the grass again, which I had begun to think perhaps was dead forever. I don't mind dead brown crunchy grass in March or April, but I truly don't like it in summer. You would think I would be used it that fact, as it is often a summer occurrence. However, it always saddens me, as you know I love mowing grass. I know. I know. But I have always loved mowing grass. I mowed yesterday, and the lingering fragrance of freshly mowed grass, and a tinge of herbs as I moved the mower into the herb beds, greeted me this morning on the front porch.

Beulah moved into our old house last weekend. That, of course, is why you haven't heard word one from me. I have been working in the basement of that house trying to empty it. Had it not been absolutely necessary, I would have given up on this task many days ago. I am weary of boxes. And no place to put the boxes, after I get them boxed and out of the basement. We have filled 4 garage stalls, to taller than me. FULL. These must be moved to the barns and many to the farmhouse basement before the snow comes, which in past years was often in mid October. The barns are already full. I have mentioned before, it takes little sometimes to throw me off kilter. I am definitely off kilter.

And of course, the barn is where Fritz (the anaconda)

snake still resides somewhere. This is ONE big snake. Ronnie, if he has seen Fritz, has not spoken of him to me. And still refuses to kill him. Old farmer, you know, thinks snakes are beneficial. As I am there each day, contemplating where Fritz may be loitering, ready to scare me of my one remaining wit, I plot his death. Working with a leather tool carpenter belt with axe, baseball bat, and a hoe hanging around my waist, ready to make several pieces out of Fritz, makes work difficult to say the least. However, I do still have the hoe. If I knew where my Arctic pack boots where, I would have them on. But I am wearing shoes at least. I find myself wondering where Fritz will go when the weather turns cold. Perhaps I can work easier in the barn then. His reflexes will be slower. Of course, so will mine. I am finding as the packing continues into the 3rd month, that my reflexes are waning anyway.

My next move, will be my ashes to the swamp I favor. Someday I will tell you about that. While I can imagine your perplexed look at the mention of that, I assure you, my heart smiles with the thoughts of my final resting place. And it is FINAL. I will NEVER move again.

Also while I still owe you the letter about diet and paint, I found my letter of July 14, 2004 about Esther Gaffney and I will send it on, as many of you have asked about Esther.

With Beu getting moved in, she will perhaps have time to update some things on the website, so keep checking. I will send you a note when we do....

and then hopefully I will be able to FIND what I photographed!

This note is to inform you that tomorrow, September 1 (yegads..I hate to even say the date..) ranting raven will be released. I know it is a holiday weekend. And you will probably be nowhere near your computer to look, but still letting you know we have 10 pictures uploaded to view after the release, usually later in the day. It will start with 2 patriotic September 11th

stamps... AND there are ONLY 2 available. Period. The link is below.

Enjoy your holiday weekend.

I am enclosing a photograph of the evening sun cascading through the kitchen window to fall on the American flag draped over an old green box. You know my photography skills rank often with my one wit and my dragging hind leg, but I have come a long way with this digital camera... Still... light, while beautiful to the naked eye, does not always transcend to the camera the same way. I thought it was beautiful and thought I would share it with you.

Thanks for asking to be a part of our farm!

Should you decide not to, let me know and I will remove you.

Oh, reminder... we are doing the Keepsake Collection show in Cadillac Michigan on September 29 and 30. I will have Beu post information on it on the website, when she gets her computer hooked back up. Ah..moving. Un-huh. My thoughts exactly!

in fond regard,

Tilda, the weary mover

keeper of the yet thriving rosemary

keeper of barns of boxes

73 pounds lighter

did I mention I hate moving ???? (perhaps a few times...)