God's blessing work and laughter

Such a good day here on the farm, Uncle Ken and Kenny Ray and I  cut and split three loads of firewood today ,  two on Uncle Kens porch and one on mine. We should have enough to last now,  hope spring will show up and stay , we had clear skies and fifty degrees today but a big snow storm is expected tomorrow I have heard any where from one to ten inches, crazy weather. After we finished the firewood, Kenny Ray and I went over to the Mennonite bakery and picked up some donuts for tomorrow morning and some birthday brownies as it is my birthday tomorrow. On our way back home we drove past the home of a Mennonite friend of Mine, and his son was plowing one of his fields with a big team of Morgan horse's. I thought the ground was still to wet and when we got back
the our little farm I decided to try and plow one of my gardens. I did manage to get one plowed but the other one was still to wet. I had spent Friday working on my old IH tractor and it started on the first try which I was very surprised as it has always been very temperamental, I got on my knees and thanked God and has caused me to lose my temper thru the years, but it was Uncle Ken's so I have an attachment. I am hoping it warms up enough and all the snow misses us as I would like to get the garden disced and potatoes and peas planted this week, and mom should have some cabbage plants about ready and she is expecting some strawberry plants in that she is giving me for my birthday.
                       Uncle Ken tried to buy Kenny Ray's dog Belle This afternoon for two dollar's after he watched her retrieve a duck decoy from the pond. Kenny Ray said two dollars was to much and a dollar was more fitting. Uncle Ken laughed and said that two dollars was about a dollar and half to much. Well I think there is hot water now for my shower Kenny Ray has had his and gave the Belle
one and she is past out by the wood stove. My body is aching but my soul is very satisfied , as I sat out by the freshly plowed garden with my pipe and thanked God for bringing me to this point in my life as I have never been happier all that is missing is my lovely bride and she will be here soon.

The first days of spring, here on the farm

One thing about Ohio if you do not like the weather wait five minutes and it will change. Yesterday was a beautiful first day of spring, clear blue skies and forty seven degree's. Today looks more like February, gray skies twenty eight degree's and snowing.
                Yesterday morning I got to burn some brush, which for some strange reason I always enjoy.
It brings back memories of days past when Uncle Ken , dad and I first cleared the ground here and burnt brush for two days. It never seemed like work when we spent time together burning brush , or cutting firewood for winter, or putting in a garden. We laughed and joked as we went, Kenny Ray at times all he understands is the work. I say son it is not work to me, when you are improving your land and taking care of your family, at the end of the day you can see what all your efforts did. When you work in a office or factory you see no fruits of your labor at the end of the day. In Ten years no one will say Hey remember the day I typed that report or The day I built that washing machine, but they will remember the day you planted that apple tree or cleared that piece of ground for the garden.
       I finished burning brush about noon Yesterday and came in for dinner, Kenny Ray had just finished his math we ate and discussed what we were going to do that afternnon. I said son we need some more firewood, we need to drag some out of the woods I will cut it up while you haul some top soil and leaves from the bottom of the hill to fill some of our raised beds, we finished around four thirty, a truck load of firewood and two raised beds filled, and after supper I went out and planted onions, lettuce , as well as set some cabbage, brocclie plants that my mother had gave , and covered the boxe's with some row cover. The job of placing the row cover was made more difficult as Belle { our six month old Lab pup} wanted to help I covered and she pulled it off. I finished the day as it began Belle and I walking the farm together thanking God.

GOD has a plan for me

Once again GOD has stepped into my life and altered my plans, he has humbled me and my ego. I feel he has been working on me for the last couple of months, as I look back over some of my writings I see he was preparing me now for what lies ahead. Those people that know me , know that I have always planned on trying to retire from the body shop business at age fifty, well I did not make it to fifty as my employer let me go on January 28, I would have been in the shop thirty one years come April eighteenth. I have worked a job everyday  since I was sixteen years old. It was kind of weird as I was relived, it was like a great burden had been lifted off my back.
I have spent the last month working on getting my affairs in order, and reworking the cabin as my families new home. Kenny Ray and I have been moving our family belongings a pickup truck at a time. My wife Tari is taking care of things in our city home and is still working until the end of May or til the that house sells. I have ordered our chickens as well as some more fruit trees which should all be here by the end of the month, and in the process of planning the garden for the year.
While I have had some sleepless nights I have not been all that nervous about what lays ahead.
I walk and talk to GOD every morning as I walk over this little piece of mountain land, and wonder what he has planned for me next. I will take things one day at a time and enjoy each day and prepare the farm for my wife's home coming.