Like a large portion of the country, we have been having our share of Weather. Since December began, we’ve had snow, rain, ice, extremely high winds and bright, sunny days. This past week has been c-o-l-d with wind chills below zero and the livestock water troughs would have frozen had it not been for the new de-icer placed in the middle. The de-icer is electric and can only be used near the barn were it can be plugged into an electrical outlet. There’s also a blue bucket, with an electric line, and that’s filled with water that will, eventually, warm for the sheep. I’m at the age where it’s cheaper to pay the electric bill than chop ice every day yet even in the depths of winter, I’ll still have to chop ice as the de-icer simply cannot keep up.
Winds have approached 60 plus miles per hour and it’s taken extreme energy to do battle to walk to the barn for morning and evening chores. The neighbors came and put the hay spear on the tractor so now two round hay bales have been set out for the horses. I throw out bats of rectangular hay bales for the sheep but my work load is still cut appreciably.
The wind storm has knocked down trees onto power lines and portions of our county and southern West Virginia have been without power for three or four days. Electrical line-men earn their pay…and then some!…because no matter the weather, they are Out There fixing lines so the rest of us can blow dry our hay and watch television. Thanks, guys and gals, you’re appreciated, as they say ’round here.
We’ve been flooded IN due to the amount of rain we’ve had. Falling Rock is the name of a local cave and it’s a beauty. I’ve been in it once, about fourteen years ago, and, even then, it was difficult. I had to first wade through two foot of muck and manure then duck walk fifteen feet, or so, under the cave lip. After entering the cave, I could stand up and appreciate the thirty foot ceiling over the underground river. There were blind fish in the water along with all sorts of fossils and other interesting bits and pieces. Anyway, that’s where our water comes from and a couple to a few times a year, it floods. When it floods, it crossed the road at two separate places and if we’re home, we’re home for a while and if we’re not home, we better find someplace to hole up.
In the above two photos, please note…this is not a true river, creek or stream.
This body of water is formed only when Falling Rock cave is so filled with flood water it can’t keep pace. The result is, the water exits the cave, floods the pastures, spills over the road then goes behind Thistle Cove Farm and onto the next low place. Eventually, after sometimes flooding the road another two or three times, the waters spill to the lowest point and come to rest and the water’s journey comprises some several miles, even as the crow flies. Sometimes the water goes back to the earth in a day or two, sometimes it’s much longer but always, Mother Earth and Father Time have their way with us and we can only grin and bear it.
The dining room looked beautiful by candlelight.
The oil painting was a gift from a local Russian government authority when I taught there in 2004.
The kitchen had various cheeses and crackers, olives and nuts. The large candy jar filled with soft peppermints is a household staple. There are folks who stop here simply to load up their pockets and then climb back on their tractors and proceed about their work day.
Blessings ~ good food ~ candlelight ~ ~ Christmas ~ water for a thirsty earth ~ excellent company ~
Sincere congrats to the wonderfully lucky winners!
I'm sorry to hear about the fierceness that Mother Nature has been dishing out to you lately, sweet dear. We too have been struck hard by onset of winter (a barrage of snow and gale winds attacked us all last week), but I by the sound of things you've had it even rougher. I really hope that as the resplendent day that is Christmas draws nearer, the weather will ease up and treat you with kindness!
Many hugs & endless wishes of holiday cheer!
♥ Jessica
I just love your photos and blog. I love seeing our weather shown on your blog. Even though I live here in the same area, I am so disabled now that I rarely get to get out to see it. Your blog means a lot to me, Sandra, even if I don't comment every time.
*hugs*
Kathryn
, your house, is really pretty all dressed up for the holidays.
Work from home India
We are so glad you stopped by to visit and thank you for your concern and well wishes for Buddy..and we send get well wishes to Boscoe…we are thinking about you and hoping and praying for Boscoe. What kind of dog is he?
I know how you feel…oh, do I know…I am thinking about you today…. and will check back on you later…
Fondly,
Kary and Buddy
xxx
I so enjoy reading your posts. I agree with farmhouse wares, I feel like I'm there, too. Your home is lovely.
I love all the details you provide. It makes me feel like I'm in your kitchen, getting ready to grab a handful of peppermints for myself. Stay warm and cozy.
Sandra….it really is beautiful!
You've had an amazing life! 🙂
Sandra, your home is so warm and welcoming, I would love for my husband's work to host their Christmas parties in a home such as yours…his work parties are held in a casino!
I was trying to imagine what the water would look like to the top of the fence posts…that is a lot of excess water, of course we only call it excess because it is too much at this particular time for US!Looks like you could float boats there easily.
As always, I get a sense of real thanksgiving and blessing form you at Thistle Cove, blessings to you today Sister.
Oh, your home would be lovely to visit…it looks so large and space so generous! Lovely to have a catered meal, and I just know all who came there loved it out on the farm…so gracious you are as a blogger, I can imagine how wonderful a host you'd be in person!
And…a MERRY CHRISTmas to you, too!
XOXO
Joni
Sandra, lovely to "meet" you! I'm enjoying my visit here, and I will be back for sure. My sister has Shetland sheep as well. What a full and interesting life you have at Thistle Cove Farm! Can't wait to return and read more 🙂 -Tammy
When we lost our home to Hurricane Frances, I think we were more excited to see the power trucks arriving from all over the US, than the food and clean water from the Red Cross!!
Your home is beautiful, Sandra. I shall visit one day. Lucky souls to have a Christmas party in your home.
Our snow has melted. But there will be more. I can wait..
Blessings to you and all the critters (as we say in the south!)
Misha
December Blessings to you!
Your lovely Diningroom looks so pretty and festive.
I'll hurray with you when your livingroom is completed. Waiting for the rooms to get done can be challenging at times. Maybe when I get our rooms finished we can hurray as well.
God bless you and may you have a blessed Christmas.
d from homehaven
So sorry about your weather. I figure you all would get hit hard since it originated from the west where I live. We got hit with it first and heads up we are getting hit again tonight. Yes you are right about the workers from the Power CO., they are the best and deserve the best.
The cold can provide beautiful pics, but I hope you all can get warmed up and soon. Blessings!
So very beautiful!
Congrats to the most lucky winners, but dang it, I so wanted to win the yarn!
How very beautiful indeed..and you home looks lovely…
I had such a nice visit today…and I enjoyed all of it so much….
I'll be back soon..
Fondly,
Kary and Buddy
What a beautiful part of our country you live in. And, your house, is really pretty all dressed up for the holidays.
Blessings,
Jo