Morning Glory Tepee

For several years we have had a Morning Glory Tepee. I don't remember which year we started it.This year early before we put it up, a bird built a nest in it and had four babies which she raised. After the birds left, I sprayed it green and put it up among the Morning Glory volunteers from last year. I got a tip from Jonathan who had planted the seeds I had given him and strung fishing line for the vines to climb on.  I tried it too and it worked well and we had a great looking tepee. Some years the deer have hit it hard and some years they have left it alone. This year they did major damage. Despite the dear little deer, it still blooms in profusion...over 110 blooms all from Morning Glory volunteers.

almost fully covered

after two nights of the deer eating it

March trip to Gardner Village

Pincushions in teacup at Pine Needles

We met at Gardner Village while Mary Jane was here from Michigan. While strolling around we stopped in at Pine Needles and found this cute display of the felted pincushions. Amy was willing to take this great photo for me. My only downfall was the Sixlets at Sweet Afton's. I don't know what I thought I was doing going into that store anyway.

..........Thoughts for a New Year..........

Old Farmer's Advice

Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong. 

Keep skunks and bankers at a distance.

Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.

A bumble bee is considerably faster than a Massey Ferguson tractor.

Words that soak into your ears are whispered.....not yelled.

Meanness don't just happen overnight.

Forgive your enemies; it messes up their heads.

Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.

It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge.

You cannot unsay a cruel word.

Every path has a few puddles.

When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.

The best sermons are lived, not preached.

Most of the stuff people worry about, ain't never gonna happen anyway.

Don 't judge folks by their relatives.

Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

Live a good and honorable life, then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.

Don 't interfere with somethin' that ain't bothering you none.

Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.

Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.

The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin'.

Always drink upstream from the herd.

Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in.

If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.

Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, and leave the rest to God.

(Claron sent this to me.)