A Little Bit of Where We Live

Quiet Country Mornings Aren't So Quiet

I'm just minding my own business folding some clothes and I heard a crash sound.  Loud enough to make Mitzu's ears perk up.  I couldn't find anything that would have caused this sound.  I searched the entire house (I actually had this happen to me about a month and a half ago at 2 am when Matilda had woken up and I was changing her diaper.  I never found the source).  So about 45 minutes after the crash sound Mitzu started barking.  I figured she saw Josh and Matilda drive up the driveway.  When I went in the living room, she wasn't looking at the front door, she was looking at one of the front windows.  I went over to the window to see what she was barking at and there on our bench was a hawk!  I ran and grabbed my phone and snapped a couple shots of him.  Then I went outside to check on him and make sure he wasn't sick.  This was midday and right up against the house.  I also didn't know if he had possibly been the source of the crash sound (maybe chasing something and ran into one of our windows?).  He could have been disoriented or something.  I went out and he flew on the roof and then flew away.  Josh thinks he was probably after some of the many barn swallows we've had nesting at the house this year.  I'm not sure.  Either way, it was a really cool experience to get to see one, in the wild, so close I could touch him!

After reading a little more on the symbolism of a hawk, it seems he is described as a messenger.  He indicates that we may be awakening to what our main purpose here may be.  I read that it is important to pay attention to things around you.  It's important to see things from a higher perspective. 

Music of the Day...

What's playing in our house this weekend?  The Neighborhood "I Love You" album.  It is amazing.  The entire thing is just great.  Also, Aaron Lewis "The Road" album.  I didn't realize that Aaron Lewis had turned country.  His voice + guitar is perfect, so I can see country being a good fit.  Love this album too.

Our weekend indulgence : donuts.  Matilda and I just *needed* some extra sugar today.  They were really good.  We don't eat like this often anymore (I couldn't tell you the last time I had a fast food besides Subway, which is a good thing).

Stay tuned for more things from our country life.  Is there anything y'all would like to know or see in photos?

Country Life

You know---just some scorpion killin' and some cattle watchin' today.

Oh and the second round of our porch baby birds are ready to fly.  While cute and everything there is bird poop all over our porch.  It's repulsive and I can't wait to power wash out there !

8 Months Out

Worst blogger ever these past few months.  Josh is 8 months out from his bypass and is doing amazing.  He has dropped so much weight (exercise + dietary changes).  His energy is through the roof.  I think that the lack of energy and weight gain were the two huge warning signs that we ignored.  Looking back, his GP Dr. shouldn't have ignored them either.  After surgery he was experiencing pain that felt like a rib rubbing on his lung.  He got an OK (and a "welllllll I wouldn't go to one but...") and saw a chiropractor.  It turns out that he had a couple of ribs that were out of place and the chiropractor promptly popped them back.  I will be the first to say that I've never been to one or needed one or really believed in them, but in Josh's case it was just what he needed.  While he will still get healing pains, his back discomfort seriously got better after that visit.

Here he is with Matilda.  Seriously, how great is this?

I can't stress enough how blessed we are.  How blessed that Josh took the initiative to get himself to the hospital instead of ignoring serious symptoms.  Had he not, Matilda and I probably would have found him. 

Please stay tuned.  I will be here more and will be sharing more things from country life.