Early Fall in Ohio Amish country……
Leaves just barely changing next to neat white farmhouses…
Wash day on a cool, crisp morning…
Tag Archives: Ohio
The Flies Are Driving Me Nuts
Don’t we all need a good laugh sometimes? Going through my archives and thought I would share this little gem.
The flies are driving me nuts. That is one thing about summer time when one has animals…..flies in the chicken coop, flies hanging around the horse. Ugh. I hate flies. What is their purpose anyway, except to harass?
Last summer I had some of the same issues……..
They’re Coming To Take Me Away…
horse fly, Diptera family Tabanidae, Tabanus sp. Location: Winfield IL USA (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
On this incredibly stinkin’ hot day in the rural Midwest, I thought we could all use a good dose of humor. I will allow you to laugh at my expense. Dawn vs. Nature. It is not a pretty sight.
I thought that we had moved to a picturesque setting in the rural farmland of Ohio. Actually, this turned out to be true, although I had no idea the other critters that had also chosen to live alongside us on our little slice of land. In the Spring we had a raccoon under the deck. This visitor caused our dogs to nearly go berserk. At 3 am in the morning. The dogs couldn’t get to the “scared out of his wits” raccoon, and the raccoon was NOT coming out with two “Cujos” on the loose. There was not much sleeping going on that night for anyone in a five-mile radius of our house.
We have a ground hog that has a vacation home down where our property meets the road. He is quiet and keeps to himself. Every time I see him, The Wind and The Willows comes to mind.
We have Bambi and family that trek across our side yard on a fairly regular basis. Fun to watch, unless one decides to jump out directly in front of the family van….then it is a little scary. The other night my husband laid some rubber on the road when he braked hard not to hit a deer that literally came out of nowhere, directly in front of us. My heart was hammering in my chest during that little moment, as I was nearly decapitated by the stupid shoulder strap safety belt. Are there any statistics on death by shoulder strap?
In August and September, we have the gnat plague. Where in the world do gnats come from? Honestly, there is no food sitting out, nothing like that….they just appear like clockwork. In August. They stay for two months and the family chases them around with the bug zapper before they disappear, or are inadvertently eaten, as they are always in my way while fixing dinner. Um…they look like pepper. Sorry. I looked gnats up on the internet. They are a nuisance, but harmless and will not kill anyone if eaten. I don’t know why they come here. It’s one of life’s mysteries.
In late Fall and early winter, the field mice decide that it is time for them to head toward their winter retreat. The retreat happens to be our garage, and if they are slick enough….the main living quarters. This does not set well with me. At all. I hate mice with a white hot passion. They mock me, as they scratch around in the walls. I find myself yelling at them ….and I know I am not imagining that I hear the faint sound of laughter. Go ahead and laugh! It’s all fun and games until I start laying out glue traps. Stinkin’ little fur balls. Then who will be laughing? I digress…….mice put me in a precarious mental state.
We are currently battling a horse fly population that has reached biblical proportions. Now, before I moved to Ohio I thought I had seen horse flies. I was wrong….at least not like these. I didn’t realize the name horse fly accurately described the SIZE of the fly. These flies are huge. Their heads are the size of my thumb nail. I am not kidding. One has to make a run for it when leaving or entering the house. If one should linger too long on the deck, there is a great possibility that said person could possibly be carried off by the mutant horse fly gang. They dive bomb anyone on the deck, like miniature Kamikaze pilots.
I better go. I’m heading out to the deck.
I think I’ll take the electric bug zapper with me. It reminds me of a lightsaber.
Just call me Luke Skywalker.
Related articles
- The Stinger Portable Bug Zapper Review – Swat and Fry Annoying Flying Pests (geardiary.com)
- The Insects Keep Coming (emilykarn.wordpress.com)
In The Country
Enjoying Springtime in the country……
I love the sky here. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of it.
America, the beautiful.
Dandelions are happy little pieces of sunshine. I can’t hate them, even though they are weeds.
Flowers in the field
Horses grazing in the pasture on an Amish farm. This is a common sight.
Our neighbor… I enjoy looking across the field, at the barns. It says “country” to me.
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- Differences (vannettachapman.com)
- Plain Change (The Amish of Lititz: The Plain Fame Trilogy) (amishchristianromances.wordpress.com)
- Side trip to the Amish. (bkshuman.wordpress.com)
There’s No Place Like Home
I grew up in the mid-Atlantic state of Maryland, went to college in Tennessee, taught in a small town in the Appalachian mountains, moved to the suburbs, lived in the city where I could get to anything in five minutes, and now am comfortably situated in the rural countryside of west central Ohio. For me there is peace in the quiet. A slower pace, causes me to stop more often and appreciate the beauty that is all around me. Appreciation. Gratefulness. A thankful heart.
When was the last time you stopped and stared at the clouds, allowed the sunrise to take your breath away? Have you recently taken a moment to marvel at the rural art of fields dotted with round hay bales? Listened to the early morning crowing of the roosters? Saw beauty even in the bright yellow of dandelions?
Then, there are the barns. I love barns. They are utilitarian monuments to a hard working life. Some of them big and strong, others faded and worn. All carry with them, a story.
Yep. I love it. I admit it. I’ve lived all over and seen a lot but, in my heart I’m just a country girl.
Here are some pictures I’ve taken. Pictures of my life………
Snowin’ and Blowin’
Going to enjoy a day inside…while there was a blizzard blowing its way across Ohio. That was my thought Wednesday as I stood looking out my kitchen window. Winter had indeed, arrived.
The pristine whiteness. Crisp cold morning air. Moon light on newly fallen snow.
Each season has it’s unique beauty.
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- Snow parking bans in effect across Ohio (newsnet5.com)
- Blizzard warning issued for parts of Ohio (vindy.com)
The Storms Of Life
Everyone is tuning in to hear the latest on the big storm that is going to hit the east coast. The weather people are calling it
the “Franken-storm”, the “perfect storm“, or just plain Sandy. Whatever it is called….it is big and messy. My beloved home state of Maryland is probably going to get a direct hit. Here in Ohio, where I’m at now, we have the wind and snow. It is snowing on and off even as I type this post.
How many times are we faced with storms in life? Sometimes, much like Sandy, we can see the storm coming. We can prepare ahead of time. We know what we are up against. Other times we are caught in a storm that slams us to the ground. We didn’t see it before it hit. We are left scared, beaten down, and drowning.
What do we do when faced with a “perfect storm”? How we react in the middle of the storm, when the waves are crashing hard, tells a lot about what we believe. More than that…it tells in WHO we believe…. He, who can calm any storm in life.
He (Jesus) got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. Mark 4:39 NIV
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Thanking Him even as the storm approaches……
* a warm, snug house
* taking care of all the pets, making sure everyone is fed and warm
* the smell of fresh brewed coffee
* a new chocolatey creamer
* goofing around with hubby
* steel gray, wintry skies
* the first snow flakes of the season
* new cars for sons
* happy faces of boys that have “wheels”
* big brown doggie eyes
* friends
* shopping with my daughter while she reads me interesting “Guinness World Book” facts
* warm, cozy socks and sweaters
Related articles
- Video: Why Sandy could be most dangerous hurricane (video.today.msnbc.msn.com)
- Focus: Faith Even inThe Perfect Storm … Day 27 of 31 (hopeannfaith.wordpress.com)
- What Hurricane Sandy’s ‘Perfect Storm’ Could Mean For Minn. (minnesota.cbslocal.com)
- PERFECT STORM: ‘Frankenstorm’ Hurricane Sandy to Pummel East Coast Next Week (VIDEO) (blippitt.com)
- “The Perfect Storm” – the Sequel? (11oclocknews.typepad.com)
Along For The Ride…
I had family visiting this weekend. It’s always good to be around family. We decided to go for a ride around the country side. My aunt and uncle had never been to our new house in Ohio, so it was a treat to play “tour guide” as we meandered through the rural landscape that my husband and I, and our children, now call home.
You want to come along and see the beauty in the quiet back roads of Ohio farm land? The solitude of a small country church. The hardworking Amish out in the fields…. Jump in and come along for the ride!
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Related articles
- Stowaway Ohio cat survives plane ride in suitcase (vindy.com)
- Bike Ride September 15, 2012 (mostlyaboutnothing.wordpress.com)
Is It Fall Yet?
I am looking forward to Fall. Not many more days to wait…….
Related articles
- Indian Summer: What’s Not To Love? (wasialife.wordpress.com)
- Fall Preparation (thedailycardigan.com)
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It’s Still Summer…And It’s Still Hot
I thought I’d read back through my blog archives from last summer. To make a long story short…nothing much has changed. It’s still summer a year later…. and it’s still hot. I still can’t wait for Fall to arrive. I look so much cuter when I’m not sweating. Just sayin’.
Because laughter always makes things better……I hope you enjoy the “oldies but goodies” that I’ve picked out of my file:)
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Beat The Heat
Ice cubes in a tray (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Image via Wikipedia
It is a hot, humid, sticky, stifling Monday morning in west central Ohio. I know there are a lot of people dealing with temperatures much hotter than the 90′s, but it’s still hot, regardless. I could gripe about the heat (and I probably will, because I am not above whining), but I will begin today’s blog with being thankful that we have a working air conditioner in the house.
The last severe heat wave we had, the air conditioner was not working. We couldn’t catch a breeze and I was quickly melting in a pool of sweat. It was a gross and disgusting scene. Just trust me on that. Moist skin, hair plastered to my head, and a sweat mustache are not my most beautiful look. Needless to say, I was happy to see the temps eventually drop. Now, this week, I am looking at 95 degree temps again.
Have I mentioned that I enjoy the laid back spirit of summer? But, not so laid back that I drop over dead on the lawn from heat stroke. Just sayin’. Don’t waste your time telling me I am a heat wimp…because I won’t even fight you on that point. I will just agree with you and then request that you go and get me some more ice cubes for my tea…..or fan me……or spray me with the water hose. That’s just how I roll.
The dog days of summer are very real at my house. The outside dogs just lay around in the shade, and pant a lot. I make sure their water bowls are always full. I tell them to drink up. I’m seriously considering buying them a kiddy pool. They can lay around in it and I can bring them their water bowls with little umbrellas in them.
I’m already thinking ahead. Three months from now will be October 18th. Aaahhh….cool days and crisp nights. My perfect season…..Autumn, I miss you. Please hurry. Before I melt.
Well, it’s off to find something to wear today. Something cool…..but, still decent. And legal.
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They’re Coming To Take Me Away…
Image via Wikipedia
On this incredibly stinkin’ hot day in the rural Midwest, I thought we could all use a good dose of humor. I will allow you to laugh at my expense. Dawn vs. Nature. It is not a pretty sight.
I thought that we had moved to a picturesque setting in the rural farmland of Ohio. Actually, this turned out to be true, although I had no idea the other critters that had also chose to live alongside us on our little slice of land. In the Spring we had a raccoon under the deck. This visitor caused our dogs to nearly go berserk. At 3 am in the morning. The dogs couldn’t get to the “scared out of his wits” raccoon, and the raccoon was NOT coming out with two “Cujos” on the loose. There was not much sleeping going on that night for anyone in a five mile radius of our house.
We have a ground hog that has a vacation home down where our property meets the road. He is quiet and keeps to himself. Every time I see him, The Wind and The Willows comes to mind.
We have Bambi and family that trek across our side yard on a fairly regular basis. Fun to watch, unless one decides to jump out directly in front of the the family van….then it is a little scary. The other night my husband laid some rubber on the road when he braked hard not to hit a deer that literally came out of nowhere, directly in front of us. My heart was hammering in my chest during that little moment, as I was nearly decapitated by the stupid shoulder strap safety belt. Are there any statistics on death by shoulder strap?
In August and September we have the gnat plague. Where in the world do gnats come from? Honestly, there is no food sitting out, nothing like that….they just appear like clockwork. In August. They stay for two months and the family chases them around with the bug zapper before they disappear, or are inadvertently eaten, as they are always in my way while fixing dinner. Um…they look like pepper. Sorry. I looked gnats up on the internet. They are a nuisance, but harmless and will not kill anyone if eaten. I don’t know why they come here. It’s one of life’s mysteries.
In late Fall and early winter the field mice decide that it is time for them to head toward their winter retreat. The retreat happens to be our garage, and if they are slick enough….the main living quarters. This does not set well with me. At all. I hate mice with a white hot passion. They mock me, as they scratch around in the walls. I find myself yelling at them ….and I know I am not imagining that I hear the faint sound of laughter. Go ahead and laugh! It’s all fun and games until I start laying out glue traps. Stinkin’ little fur balls. Then who will be laughing? I digress…….mice put me in a precarious mental state.
We are currently battling a horse fly population that has reached biblical proportions. Now, before I moved to Ohio I thought I had seen horse flies. I was wrong….at least not like these. I didn’t realize the name horse fly accurately described the SIZE of the fly. These flies are huge. Their heads are the size of my thumb nail. I am not kidding. One has to make a run for it when leaving or entering the house. If one should linger too long on the deck, there is a great possibility that said person could possibly be carried off by the mutant horse fly gang. They dive bomb anyone on the deck, like miniature Kamikaze pilots.
I better go. I’m heading out to the deck.
I think I’ll take the electric bug zapper with me. It reminds me of a lightsaber.
Just call me Luke Skywalker.
Related articles
- Ways to Beat the Heat (inyourneighbourhood.wordpress.com)
- How To Survive a Heat Wave (theredneckmommy.com)
- How you can keep cool during the coming heat wave (abc4.com)
Just Stay In The Race
1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..
OK, are you ready? Please give me your best five minutes on: Expectation
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I tend to have high expectations. There is nothing wrong with that on most days….
But, sometimes it can backfire.
Expectations. Standards. Measurement.
An imperfect person in an imperfect world. I set the bar and try to meet the expectation(s) that I have for myself. The “list” is in my head…. but,what I want and what I do, do not always match. As a matter of fact, many times they are not even close.
For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Romans 7: 18-19 NIV
How many times have I felt this way? Paul said it all, didn’t he? We all have expectations. We try. We fail…..but, we keep on going.
Paul later wrote to his young friend, Timothy:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7 NIV
I think I’m going to chance my expectation. It will be short and sweet.
Just stay in the race.
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- Ohio teen runner helps carry competitor to finish (wistv.com)
- Running The Race: A Marathon, Not A Sprint (jesusnsports.wordpress.com)
It Just Dawned On Me 