'Reality' is only getting worse

Except, perhaps, for the filthy rich. But even for them, a Divine reckoning is coming....

After a few days of togetherness for my remaining eight ewes, little Miss Bernice, she of the teenage fling with her half-brother, starting escaping from the wooded lot. She is the smallest sheep I have thanks to her growth-stunting pregnancy, and she figured out she could squeeze under the old wire fence to graze the grassy verges of the driveway. I did my best to block her escape route, however inelegantly, and that seems to have done the trick.

In the meantime, I was sent this wonderful photo of the third of my ewes who left:

I must say they got a nice variety of colors and patterns. The little girl said she was going to rename one of them "Mary" because of "Mary had a little lamb." (Hmm; shouldn't she have renamed herself?)

My Inglenook Fibers/silk hankies yarn when my silk singles ran out:

I need to do a serious stash dive to see if I have anything that would be close enough to ply with the rest of the IF singles. If I don't, I may just ply it on itself and set it aside. The 2-ply I have should be plenty for a soft, warm neck accessory.

I've also finished spinning over half my navy SW merino/alpaca top on my Dovekies; four more ounces to spin before deciding whether to make this a 2-ply or ply it with something else.

Other miscellaneous photos I've made since my last post follow, some with explanatory captions.

New & shiny (we had to replace our 23-year-old range)

the Yarn Harlot featured this recipe during Veganuary and I had to make it; YUM!

sunset by horseback, above and below

Big Dipper

Orion

"Neighborhood Watch"

That's it for now from . . .

Reality, looked at steadily, is unbearable

Forgive me if I have used this C.S. Lewis quote as a blog title before. It just rings so true. Not for my own immediate reality, the reality of my quiet, rural life; that in and of itself brings both relief and guilt for having it so easy and safe. I was not born in untenable conditions of poverty, or famine, or war, or gang violence, or natural disasters, or societal pariahhood; I was born white in America, with an 'acceptable' name and face that does not raise prejudice or suspicion. While my near ancestors were immigrants and came with nothing, they came of their own volition and were legally able to work (on my mother's side) or obtain land to farm (on my father's side). Some call this the accident of birth, but it is no accident that there are WAY too many people who have no compassion, no ability or willingness to imagine themselves in someone else's shoes, with someone else's experiences. Even supposed Christians demonize others for these reasons, ignoring the teachings of Jesus and the Bible as a whole – not that that is anything new since early days.... Humans can just be so utterly vile that being one of the species can be depressing – if one looks steadily at that reality.

So look away, friends. Not to the point of being uninformed, but enough to stay sane. Look to beauty, especially in nature, which, despite all the damage done by humans, still reflects the Creator's hand. Remind yourselves of your blessings, and look to humans who demonstrate kindness, selflessness, generosity, good humor, helpfulness, faith. Strive to be that kind of human. And take care of yourself, because everything looks worse if you are short on sleep, fresh air, exercise, plenty of water, and good nutrition. Lastly (but most importantly for me), trust in God. Today is not guaranteed, but eternity is for those who trust in Him.

Making pictures helps me focus, literally and figuratively, on beauty. And I must say, despite the hours, frustration, and the loss of some data that was meaningful to me in switching over to a new phone, I am enjoying the new iPhone's improved camera.

couldn't have captured this distant Redtail with the old iPhone

Sabbath afternoon

Saturday night popcorn is POPULAR!

a pretty morning after the spectacular sunrise above

Notice Broadway at the bottom?

girls with new ear tags, above and below

another long-distance shot I never could have gotten with the old iPhone

Blessings to you from . . .

Never say it can't get more challenging

during early morning chores before work

heading home after work

Hi, blogpals. Isn't 2025 shaping up to be . . . something else? There's no point in talking about the raging bull in the White House elephant in the room; our country as we know it will either survive or it won't. All human institutions will fail before "the great (for those who love Him) and terrible (for those who don't) day of the Lord."  Is this part of that failing? I don't know; I'm no prophet, just another sinner needing the armor of God for protection. Ephesians 6:11:13

Without my faith, I would surely quail/fail at all that life is throwing at us this year so far. I've already mentioned that Rick's office manager cut her hours to halftime at the beginning of the year (and didn't work at all last week because her husband had surgery) and that the clinic has to be out of the space we've rented for almost 30 years by end of February. And no, there is still no plan in place for dealing with either of those major developments; have I mentioned how much my DH hates change? I am hoping to get both knee replacements done in the next six months, but obviously can't be laid up recovering while working five days a week or before we move the vet practice – or before my mom moves. (Great news – she finally got word that a two-bedroom apartment in the 55+ complex she's had her eye on is opening up at the end of February or early March! Alarming news – that's not long for her to deal with all her stuff and property and move from Texas to Nebraska with help from me, her ablest-bodied daughter!) Still, I am hoping to schedule surgery at my orthopedic appointment next week so I am on the docket. Crossing fingers that he'll be willing to do both at once; the other two surgeons I've consulted won't.

In the meantime Rick (with a little help from DS, who is still unemployed) is still working hard to get the shop finished as we will surely need it for storing some of the clinic stuff, if not using it for the clinic itself. He has been prepping for the concrete floor to be poured, which will hopefully happen soon.

compacting gravel at night

On top of chores and what housework I can manage, I am still squeezing in a little spinning and knitting, a weekly agility class with Poppy followed by a shortened visit with my cousin/cherished friend, and an occasional ride on Stella, who is getting fat from lack of exercise. And I'm still searching for pretty/positive/peaceful things to post to IG/FB; heaven knows there are enough of the opposite to find on social media! First, the IG/FB posts:

"Went with DH to x-ray a pretty horse on a preetty place on a pretty day." (three photos)

"Moody sky on my way home tonight."

"Dramatic sky on my way home from church today."

"Gaze with me upon our morning view."

"Mt. Adams in the morning."

"Yesterday was the first clear, sunny day all week–and my first time at hoe in daylight since the Sunday before. Got reacquainted with a few of my sheep and let the horses out for a much-needed romp." (three photos)

"I can't imagine a life without a dog or two."

"Good morning! Inside, a matching red glow in the wood-burner is keeping us warm."

"Not my usual 'dawn from our deck' photos today. These are 'dawn during chores and on my way to work' photos." (four photos)

Second, spinning and knitting updates:

first turtle spun in 2025

still working on my Playful scarf using my Advent snacks

That's it for now from . . .