Passing of Dad

 On Friday, August 13th, 2021, at 9:44 p.m. EST, my Dad for almost 64 years passed away after a 6 week battle with a brain bleed and clotting issues.  He fought a valiant battle and had setbacks but got back up and continued to fight so he could return to driving the school bus route that he loved so very much.  I sat there along with some of my siblings in his hospital room as he gasped his last breath.  I felt a wave of deep sadness wash over me, knowing the void his absence would leave in my life.  

The funeral is over. Taps played at his gravesite and the V.F.W. fired three shots in the air - something that I will never get used to.  Now life continues minus one in all our lives.  I'm sure this is very hard for Mom, as Dad was her best friend. She held his hand the entire time we were all there at Dad's bedside. Now after all these years, she must face life alone.  

It won't be easy for any of us.  Dad was the closest thing to a saint walking the earth that I know.  He was good to all us kids and always full of jokes, both fun and bad.  A hole will remain in our life until we meet Dad again.  Enjoy your new life Dad! 

The Miracle of the Gravel

Not quite 11 months ago, I signed up to serve two service missions for my church simultaneously.  The one mission I work at what we call 'the Bishop's Storehouse' and assist people in the filling of their orders for long-term food storage.  The other mission is with Family Search in Salt Lake City.  I dedicate a minimum of 12 hours a week proofreading and approving pre-typed records of marriages, births, deeds, etc. to enable others to find traces of their family history that will allow them to build their family tree.

Over the months while serving, small miracles occurred that helped build my testimony that Jesus is the Christ.  However, I cannot explain away the power of prayer and how this Christmas miracle has affected me.  On the Wednesday before Christmas 2019, as I departed my home headed for my part-time job, I stopped at the gate post and surveyed my driveway.  

Just last month, the grandkids for my birthday had brought 13 large buckets of gravel to fill in my large potholes that seemed to be growing.  But this day on December 18th, the holes were bigger than ever and there was no sign of the gravel that we had filled the holes with.  Those same holes had plagued me for many years while living here.  They seemed to be bottomless, ever-growing between gravel trips.  I did not know what to do.

As I seem to do so many times lately, I turned my eyes and heart towards heaven and pleaded with my Heavenly Father for his guidance and help so that I would know what to do in regards to fixing my driveway.  I sat for 5-10 minutes spilling my heart out about how I would like not to be troubled with a driveway that stood in water for many days after a hard rain, how it would be nice not to see my gravel disappear so quickly after having it spread.  I continued to pray as I moved on down the driveway and prayed all the way to work that Heavenly Father would help me to know what to do to remedy my drive so that anyone that used it would not be plagued by the deep holes and for me to have the wisdom to know what I needed to do.

Once at work, my driveway left my mind.  After work, I had some errands to do which included the grandkids and getting ice cream with them.  It was after 10 pm when I arrived home and as I started up the driveway, it looked different.  Then I stopped.  I brightened my headlights to see white all the way up the drive.  I had gravel on my driveway!! How could this be??!!?? I had earlier in the day asked the Heavenly Father to help me know what to do in regards to gravel and now I have a driveway full of gravel! I began sobbing and praising my God for his greatness and goodness.  My evening prayers thanked him for the miracle in my driveway.  

It is quite humbling to know that my prayers are listened to and often answered by my Heavenly Father who always knows what I need the most.  He knew I needed to be humbled and to know that I am not the only person who does kind deeds for others, often people I don't even know.  The most unique thing about all this is that evening when I was ready to write in my journal, the scripture at the bottom of the page was Matthew 25:40 "Inasmuch as ye have done unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

I don't believe in coincidences.  I believe that our lives are carefully orchestrated to get us to our final destiny - eternal life in the heavens above.  Trials and tribulations are given us to strengthen us that we might be strong like steel from a heat treat process, pure like gold from a refiner's fire.  We have agency to choose good or bad which changes our outcome, but we can make corrections along the way that will return us to the proper path.  It's the final outcome and our choice of good over evil that will help us attain eternal happiness.  I choose to walk in the light, the footsteps of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  What do you choose?

Going Sugar Free

It has now been 9 days since I've eaten chocolate, cookies, cakes, pies, sweet popcorn, or anything else that uses corn syrup or sugar.  Boy! If I didn't know any better, I'd say I'm going through withdrawal today!!!  Anything and everything is calling my name!  "Just one bite. You don't have to eat the entire thing.  No one will know."

I must endure.  It will be worth it when I get through this phase.  It was hard enough when I had to go gluten-free because of the migraines that wheat causes me.  But sugar..... Sugar is in everything!

But oh! the taste of sugar lingers in my mind!

Busy Busy Busy

Whoever said that retirement is boring has never lived my life!  While I'm old enough to be retired, I am currently working 24-28 hours a week for the County and serving 2 part-time missions for my church that total 28 hours a week.  I am busy and happy. 

I just saw this video of a song that is dear to my heart.  I Am a Child of God

I cry every time I sing it and I know that my Father in Heaven loves me for remembering Him by singing this song.  It puts everything in perspective.

Other Side of Heaven

Has there ever been a movie that touched your heart and mind at the same time?  Well, 19 years ago, I saw Other Side of Heaven and it really touched my life.  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0250371/

Now, 19 years later, Other Side of Heaven, Part 2 is coming out.  The most unique thing about both of these movies is that they are true.  They actually happened!  These two movies are a testimony that Heavenly Father tests us to strengthen us in order to prepare us for the next trial.  Without strong faith, we will flounder through the test and not realize how much stronger we will be after the trial is over.  

Here is the trailer for Other Side of Heaven, part 2.  It is an astounding true story that will thrill you and delight you as it displays before your eyes.  
https://www.othersideofheavenmovie.com/  at a theater near you on June 28th, 2019!

Unemployment and Job Searching

Surprise! It's another year! 2019 started with me looking for a new job as my job was cut to due to budget restrictions.  I am trying to remain positive about finding a job that was as good a fit for me as my previous job, but I am finding out that in spite of all the available jobs out there, it isn't that easy to land one. 

I have found my self working on UFOs (Unfinished Objects such as sewing and knitting projects that have waited for me to find the time).  At first, I was excited about having all this time on my hands, but now that I have time on my hands I don't have the money to spend to complete my sewing projects in a first-class way.  Great.

Then there is Elsie and her medical treatment several times a month.  When we went to the vet on the 2nd of this month, Elsie was no longer in remission and her Prednisone was doubled.  She weighed in at 95 pounds which is a lot for a female Giant Schnauzer. She now gets pills three times daily.  Her food intake has been cut back to 4 cups of dog food (do you know how pesty a 95-pound Giant can be when she thinks she is starving to death???).  She can have green beans, broccoli, and/or brussels sprouts but not all in the same day.  They are to be used as fillers to make her think she has been fed.  But oh! the gas!!!

My old job was perfect for running Elsie twice a month to her specialist in Fishers.  How will a new job allow me to run Elsie for her medical care?  I really need a job to help pay for her care as it isn't cheap and neither is the gas money to get there.  I'm sure it will all work out as it is meant to be.  Keep us in your prayers.

Elsie and IMPA

https://www.gofundme.com/manage/vet-expenses-for-elsie/contacts

Meet Elsie, my 4 1/2-year-old Giant Schnauzer.  About 4 weeks ago, she was diagnosed with IMPA, immune-mediated polyarthritis.  This is an autoimmune disease.  It will not go away but can be managed with medications and frequent vet visits to a veterinary specialty clinic where they have neurologists, orthopedic specialists, and what have you for animals. I was referred to this clinic by my local vet.  

Elsie and I have been seeking a name to what she has since mid-August.  We have now known for two weeks what it is she has that causes her so much trouble.  At this point, all the vet bills are quickly approaching $2500 plus medications.  She is the best dog I've ever had.  She is smart and loving.  Everyone that meets her comments on how calm she is and how she leans on my every word.  I do not want to do the unthinkable to Elsie, but I also can't continue to pay out the vet bills I'm paying.  I'm semi-retired and soon to be 66 years old.  

Won't you please help me keep Elsie alive and on her medications?  We are currently making the hour and 15 minute trip to VCA Veterinary Care in Fishers, Indiana every two weeks.  Elsie's meds were just changed again and we will need to go again for the blood tests in two weeks again.  We are trying to find a medication that Elsie can take long term without damaging her in some other way.  Even the smallest amount helps.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for anything you can spare.

kate

1 year anniversary

It is fast approaching (2 days) my one year anniversary with no farm animals.  I can't say that I've been tearless.  To add to that, back in March, my beloved dog, Buster left this world.  He was 18 years old and a very good protector.  He passes through my mind daily as I think of his devotion and love for me.  He always met me at the gate and would lick my hand to let me know he was glad I was home.  I've never had any other dog be so sweet and gentle.  He would carefully remove treats from my hand so as not to nip me.  

I have only two classes remaining to receive an Associate's Degree in Applied Science (think Accounting).  One of those classes is a Calculus class that I am terrified of taking.  If my memory was as good as it once was, I would be fine, but my memory isn't that good.  Long term, I can remember everything.  Short term, well, let's just say that short-term is really really short.  I'm working on it and hope that I can once again whip my classes in short order.  After all, it is only 16 weeks.  Right?

Eight weeks remaining to school.  I am exhausted from math.  I can't remember from one problem to the next how it is I am to do it.  

April Fool's!

Yesterday was my church's, General Conference.  It is a time when we get knowledge about the church worldwide and we learn more about the Gospel. The time was filled with parables and the love of Jesus Christ could be felt throughout the chapel.  At the very end, it was announced we will be building 7 more temples, one of them at a yet unnamed location in Russia, others in places such as India, Nicaragua, and Argentina.

Later in the evening, I went to the Henrichsen's for banana splits and evening prayer.  I am always amused and amazed by all the children.  Sometimes they say things that I'm always pretty sure I wasn't supposed to know or hear, but they are children and all so innocent.

As I turned the key in the ignition to come home from their house, I took note that the temperature there was 43 and it was raining.  By the time I was halfway home, the temperature had dropped 5 degrees.  Within a mile of the house, I began seeing snowflakes.  Before I turned the ignition off, I took note that my car said it was 35 and it was snowing and sleeting fiercely.

Now, I don't know about you, but this is not a very nice April Fool's joke pulled by Mother Nature.  I had slightly more than an inch of snow but the sleet made it cover stuff completely.  Tomorrow it is to be 70 degrees here with strong storms passing through the night tonight to welcome in the warm weather.  Welcome to Indiana!

Farm Items for Sale

I have farm-related equipment for sale now.  Feeders, fencing, round-pen panels, fence posts, cattle panels, huts, etc.  All must be dispersed.

There are two feeders like this, each 4 feet long and one 8 foot long.  The roof is hinged on one side lifts up.  1/2-1 bale of hay will fit into this feeder.  Below the hay part is a feed trough that catches any hay bits that fall from the bitefulls pulled from the feeder.  I fed grain in the trough portion of the feeders.
I also have 4 large containers that have been flushed and washed with soap and water that make wonderful huts for goats and pigs, dogs and other small animals.  One of these containers has already been cut on the side as my Angora billy goat loved his hut.  These "container" huts do require a cover.  I used a tarp to keep the light in the summer from over heating the hut.  Others use sheets of tin attached to the metal on the sides.  The advantage of tin is that an overhang can be created that also blocks much of the wind-blown rain that sometimes gets into huts.  Bubba loved his hut.

I also have 8, 330 foot rolls of sheep and goat fence for sale for $225 a roll.  I have enough round pen panels to make a 60 foot diameter round pen.  Total for the panels is $500.  These were purchased from Rural King and are green.  Round pens are usually used to train horses in and make great pens for stallions.

As soon as I get the blades sharpened, I will have a Lister Laser clippers for sale (I'm not sure why they call them 'laser' as there isn't any) and a set of Premier 4000 shears for sale.  All my stuff must go.  I have to count the quantity of blades that go with each shearing device before I know how much I'm asking.  But the first to ask gets put on the list.  I also have a jug of clipper oil from Premier.  Feed pans, a feed trough (from Premier) and much more.  Just ask me if you want something and don't see it.  

End of an Era

The barn now sits silent and devoid of all activity since the animals have all been rehomed.  I walk to the barn and the silence is overwhelming.  I can hear the sheep and goats in my mind calling to me and wanting me to speak to them, touch them, acknowledge their existence.

I have thrown myself into my school work.  Twelve credit hours is a full-time load and then working 16-20 hours each week pretty much consumes me.  It occupies my mind and keeps me from crying for the loss of my beloved creatures.  I knew they needed rehoming because returning to school would take all my time.  They are better off in their new homes.  I hope they get spoken to and treated as they are members of the family.  They were here.

Spring, Lambs, and What Have You

Here it is, another Spring.  In the 15 years that I've had sheep, I've never had them lamb this late.  My first lambs arrived on March 31st.  A nice set of twin BFL lambs.  One a little ewe and one a nice sized ram lamb.

Then, yesterday, April 3, I had another BFL ewe lamb born.  All lambs are white, except the little ewe lamb from Friday who has a black spot on her front right knee.  The twins are bouncing merrily around as if they own the barn.  By the end of the month, I will have lambs bouncing and chasing all over the place.  I love Spring!


When I came out of the house yesterday, I turned left from the steps off the porch instead of right to be blinded by the large splash of yellow springing forth from under the edge of my wooden porch.  Against the dark green grass of spring, the dandelions screamed, "Pick me!"  But I didn't.  Soon they will become puff balls to blown about by the wind.


For those of you reading this that do not have sheep, goats, or alpacas, the unique thing about finding dandelions is that they are almost eradicated on my farm because they are a favorite with the animals.  They zone in on them and eat them first.  It must be a delicacy to them.  I noticed a couple of places in the yard that are springing up with dandelions not yet blooming.  I'm so glad that I didn't put the sheep and goats in the yard last summer to do my mowing.  The touch of color is beautiful!

Also, one last note on this post.  I have signed up for a booth and a pen on the grass at Hoosier Hills Fiber Festival in Franklin, Indiana at the Johnson County Fairgrounds on June 2nd and 3rd.  Just in case you need to investigate further...http://www.hoosierhillsfiberfestival.com/   They always have unique classes and I so wish I could leave my booth to take one!

Autoknitter with original wooden box for sale

Okay I have an autoknitter for sale. It has 3 cylinders and their corresponding ribber plates and the ribber attachment. It has 2 sets of weights and the original yarn winder as well as a packet of needles. I want $1100 for this circular sock machine.  Shipping will run about $75. I have had this machine in the box for 5 years and not gotten around to using it. I am destashing so I can build a garage so that I don't have to scrape my windshield of a morning.

If there is something else you want ask. I have more to list eventually.  I am building my garage before the the next winter hits.  Please contact me at windsongfibersfarm@gmail.com for pictures.

Brrr! Baby It's Cold Outside!

Happy New Year! The inevitable has happened! Not only have we entered a new year, but winter has returned with the promise of snow tomorrow.  I have mixed emotions about the snow coming.  I am supposed to go a good distance away Friday and pick up a wagon load of hay.  The journey is over winding, narrow backroads that are difficult enough with good roads.  Bad roads present an entirely different challenge!

If you know of anyone interested in having an Angora goat or 2, I have 4 does and a little billy that are for sale for $100 each.  I will be selling everyone off this year from the time lambs hit the ground until all are gone.  I love my babies, but there comes a point in everyone's life that what we do must change.  I have reached that point.  I would like to be able to go see my daughter without begging people to come care for my animals.  Seeing her once every 18 months isn't to my liking.  I am glad that she is so happy living 2000 miles away.  However, it isn't easy getting away at a good time when there is livestock involved.

I also have alpacas.  I have 6 months old up to 13 years old.  13 to be exact.  I love standing and petting them and letting them sniff my face and clothes.  I will miss them very much, but being alone and dealing with 50 pound feed sacks and 70 pound bales of hay is no longer feasible for me. Please pass the word along.

My bluefaced leicester sheep and a few oddballs like Agnes - who is half Clun Forest and half Border Leicester, and Brownie - a Cormo X, also will need to be sold. I am trying to make my life more manageable, less chaotic, and easier to take a trip.  Please spread the word far and wide.  I really appreciate everyone's help in this matter.

kate

Snow!

Today it snowed.  At the farm, it looked like we got about 3 inches and it was still falling when I left for work.  I hope it sticks around until after the single digit weather we are to have on Thursday.  Then Saturday the projected forecast is for it to be 51 degrees and raining.  Good old Indiana weather!

Now for some humor.....about 5:35 I made a trip to the restroom at work.  Upon completion of my toilet activity I reached for the toilet paper dispenser only to discover both sides of the dispenser to be empty.  I told myself not to panic, that someone would be in shortly to hand me some toilet paper.  So I sat and waited.  And waited.  When there is nothing left to do but sing, I did just that.  Still no one came in.  At 5:50, I remembered that there was a knitting class here at work tonight at 6:00 PM.  It just so happens that I have her number in my cell so I called her and asked her if she was coming to the Center tonight and if so, what time. I told her of my predicament.  She laughed!  But then said she was 5 minutes away and would bring toilet paper.

I have never been so glad to see anyone in all my life as I was to see her!  I would have had to wait until the Euchre players take a break at 6:30 before anyone would have come to the restroom and that would have been a very long wait!

I have combed the storage closet here at work and still can't find any toilet paper.  I have contacted my boss and he has thrown out suggestions where it might be, but I can only find glassware and cookware and past years' taxes, a Christmas tree and decorations and tons of what I classify as junk.  I certainly hope the night shift janitors know where it is or there could be trouble tomorrow!