Thursday, October 24, 2013

The Last Rose of Summer

October 24th -  Thursday -  Chilly with a few scatted snow flurries in the air

Finally with a threat of frost in the air, I decided to pick the beautiful red rose that was Al's favorite rose.  I had thought we had lost the bush this year, but hated to give up on it so dug out around it, gave it an extra dose of Perkins fertilizer and and watered it frequently and it did come back and did well.  It was planted by the back sidewalk, so he could enjoy it as he came in the door and Lou and I have certainly enjoyed it over the years and it is a beauty, aptly named Black Velvet.

My plans for yesterday got changed due to illness with the great-grandchildren, so I took a chance and got an appointment with the orthopedist physician and he thinks I am going to need to have additional surgery to my shoulder, which did not please me, but I do realize that I have to do something about the constant pain that I have had since the last surgery.  He sent me to have a MRI and it took five tries before that could be accomplished as the shoulder has spasms due to the pain and they are hopeful that they were able to get some shots that will show the problem.

I am now going to tackle my fall housecleaning as best I can in preparation for the upcoming surgery.  I started on kitchen cupboards this morning.  Thankfully, the majority of my work is done outside and I can assist Lou is what needs to be done outside now that we have had or will have a killing frost.

With the cooler weather, I have the urge to have an oven dinner, had Lou bring in an large chicken last evening and am going to bake that this afternoon while I clean cupboards and do a sweet potato casserole and a new cauliflower recipe that I just found that has fresh cranberries in it.  I called my brother and asked him to come and eat with us, but no luck again, can't get him to come out, think I will just fix him a plate and give it to him tomorrow.  I remember those days all too well and we keep praying for him.
 

Monday, October 21, 2013

Happy Cows

October 21st - Monday - Beautiful Fall Day

With the "S" word in the weather report, everyone is anxious to get last minute things done before the weather turns cold.

My brother got the rest of the corn harvested from the flat behind our barn and hooked up the electric fence and got the cows out there to pick up the corn that was missed and did they ever love it, as did the turkeys and the bear.  All of which had to come and have a taste.  Jerry told me that he kept seeing where something was digging under the fence and today noticed that there was black hair in the fence and saw where the bear and sat and enjoyed the left over corn and a neighbor said he had to wait for the bear to cross the road the other evening.  As I was talking to Jerry we noticed two deer that had eaten all that they wanted and laid down for a snooze.  One of the many things that I love about living in the country.

Our former pastor called us today and he relayed to us how much they are enjoying living in the country without any close neighbors other than the animals that they watch each day, the solitude of retirement is certainly a time to enjoy God's creations. We certainly miss Pastor Keith and Kathy but are happy for them and so glad that Pastor Keith is getting some relief with his health problems.

Lou and I went to Carlisle on Thursday and picked up our three month's supply of medication, went to the PX and commissary, stopped at Ollies and  Sam's Club on our way home, made a long day, but we were able to do a little Christmas shopping at the PX.  Friday we had lunch with friends that we hadn't seen in many months and we spent the entire afternoon catching up with them.  Lou's friend is having tractor problems again, so he has spent time with him and finally had to ask another mechanic for help and has spent several evenings working on that.  Seems like we take this project on every year just before cold weather, hunting season and going to Florida.  Hopefully, it will be solved quicker this time.

Think I finally have all of my flowers cut off, even though still haven't had a frost, in fact, I picked green beans tonight and pulled radishes and we still have tomatoes ripening, probably this week will be the end of the garden and then I can start on my fall house cleaning.  I am hoping the doctor can do something with my shoulder so I can clean, as of right now, I use my left arm for everything.

I am looking forward to Wednesday, as I am going to Maegan's house to do crafty things with the great-grandkids that aren't old enough to go to school.  She mentioned white sugar cookies, turkeys from construction paper and leaves.  Noell, and Sue are going to join us also, sounds like a fun afternoon.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

New Purchase

October 15th - Tuesday

I finally took the plunge and purchased a Bose Wave Music System.  I have wanted to do this for a long time, but hated to spend the money.  My stero system died months ago and I haven't been able to listen to my Sirus/XM music in the living room in so long nor have I been able to get my favorite Christian radio station in so long.  I started to do some research into Bose and talked to a rep. and found that perhaps with an FM antenna it might do what I needed it to do, so I ordered it.

It arrived and we played the CD that came with the system and wow it was amazing the sound that came from this little box.  I tried to play my Sirus through it and the connection wasn't right, so I called Krista and she and Matthew came down and she said that she thought she had what I needed and sure enough she did, and it worked.  Family Life was having their Sharathon this weekend and I got to listen to it, I have supported their work monthly for years, but this was great to finally get to hear it first hand again.  Once again, I am listening to Focus on the Family and Christian music.  I am blessed!!

I will also be able to play my favorite CD's along with Sirus/XM, i-pod, internet music, etc.  Think it was a good purchase and probably should have done it much sooner.  We can even play the television through the speakers.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Corn Harvest Time

October 14th - Monday

This is a picture that I took on  Saturday of my brother harvesting the corn that has been growing on the flat behind our barn.  He was able to plant it early in May,  hence it is ready to harvest earlier than most of the fields around us.  We have enjoyed watching it grow this summer and some days it seemed like we could really watch it grow during the day.  The only thing bad is we miss seeing the creek.

Today it was been cloudy and not the best of weather to work outside, so I have been cleaning out the registers and closing up the central air conditioning for the season and thinking about Scott and how much I miss him this time of the year, as he always loved this time of the year and as I walked through the kitchen I looked out the kitchen window and as I did there were two deer enjoying the lush green grass along the freshly harvested corn.  I quickly grabbed Lou's old camera and snapped a picture of them, but you really have to look hard to see them.
The deer are between the post on the deck
On Saturday while Jerry harvested the corn, Lou and I worked on putting up a new trellis for our bittersweet vine to travel along on.  Dale Martin planted it for me about seven years ago and it has grown well, but it has really out grown its spot and we didn't know just what to do, as it has broken over a post that was holding it up, so it was a major undertaking. We started early in the morning and when the sun went down we still had not accomplished the job, we have the new posts in place but have not gotten the trimmed bittersweet tied back into place.  Will have to wait for a nice day to complete the job.
You can see why the post broke off
I had suggested to Lou that we use the chain saw and cut it all down and let it come back up new, but he wanted to just cut out the old stuff and keep the new and he methodically cut and separated it so once it is completed it will look nice.













Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Fall Garden

October 9th -  Wednesday - Sunny and  Beautiful

Today is a day that brings back memories that never leave.   Today marks the sixth year since Al passed away and Lou and I both agree, we never forget those dates, but we have many wonderful memories and we are always sharing those memories with each other.  We noted today that Al's favorite rose is ready to bloom again and the year that he died, it bloomed in time for Krista to made a  boutonniere for his suit that he was buried in.

October has always been a very special month for me.  My oldest daughter was born in October, and I met Al in October and my first date with Lou was in October.  Plus fall is my favorite season of the year.  This year, I decided that I would plant a fall garden, as I knew we were going to be away for the month of August, when the summer garden would be coming in.  I am so glad that I did.  I planted everything just before we left, and today I harvested the first of the green beans and they were delicious tonight.  I also picked Swiss chard and cooked that for dinner to go with our stuffed pork chops and baked apples.  It all tasted so good.

Today was a day of accomplishments.  I was able to finish up cleaning the garage, it turned out being a two day job.  Lou finished up the sidewalk and got all of the spent flowers hauled away, after cutting the grass.  Such a good feeling to know those big jobs are crossed off our list for fall.  The rest of our jobs won't take several days to accomplish.

Monday, October 7, 2013

A Day with Great-Grand Daughters



October 7th - Monday - Rainy

Yesterday was a very special day for Lou and me.  We had the privilege of keeping three of our great-granddaughters.  They arrived at 8:00 am and attended church and Sunday school with us.  Our lesson was on faith and they made trees with bird seed on them, showing that we have faith that the birds would come to eat the seeds.

After church we went to Perkins for lunch/breakfast.  It was a delightful time and the girls didn't take long to decide what they wanted to eat.  They are all good eaters and ate all of their food and enjoyed every bite.  We came home and changed into our "play clothes" and the first thing they wanted to do was to go to the barn and see the pigs.  My brother raises pigs and beef cattle so we saw the pigs first and the girls were anxious to pet them and the piggies were only too eager to please.  Uncle Jerry was at the barn and ready to put the cows into a different pasture, so we got to watch all of the cows pass by us and that was a special treat.  After seeing all of the cows we walked down to the creek and watched the fish.

Our next stop was the Catlin Hollow Cemetery where we wanted to plant bulbs in Al's and Joanne's graves and to put fall arrangements at my parents.  The girls looked around for all of the Goodwin and Compton's markers and we talked about how they were all their relatives.
Catlin Hollow Cemetery
After we finished at the cemetery we came home and scrubbed our hands, put dinner in the oven and checked with Krista to make sure Matthew was up from his nap and went up to their house to play while dinner baked in the oven.  Krista painted the girls fingernails with cute designs for fall and Halloween.  We got down on the floor and played "little people" with Matthew and that is always fun.

Back at our house we enjoyed our dinner and for dessert I had baked an old favorite "Old Witch Cake" and while the kids enjoyed their cake, I read them the story that went with the cake.  Just as the kids were finishing their dessert, their mother came to pick them up.  It was a wonderful day and we all enjoyed it.  If you all remember, their parents ask that we not post pictures of the girls so that is why there are no pictures and it is really hard not to do as I really had some cute pictures.  Good memories were made today!!



Sunday, October 6, 2013

Catlin Hollow Methodist Church Doors

October 6th - Sunday

Today is an appropriate day to post the final picture of an ongoing project of our doors and to tell the story behind the "doors".

They are indeed the original doors from the Catlin Hollow United Methodist Church that was built in 1854. The church was originally named in their charter The Methodist and Baptist Union House for the use of Methodist and Baptist Churches.  It was built by joint stocks of $10.00 per share.  The Methodist were allowed to use it half of the Sabbath each week and the Baptist used it the other half of the Sabbath.  The next week they switched times, giving each party equal time.

They elected a President - Henry Bailey; Vice President - Dexter Catlin; Treassure - Edward McInroy
Wardens were:  Cyrus Catlin and Joel Catlin

The lot the church sits on in Catlin Hollow was purchased from Cyrus and Maria  Catlin for the sum of $25.00.  It was interesting to me to find that each family purchased two pews the reason they purchased two pews, was that the women sat on one side and the men on the other side.

Moving along, it was noted that the church and land and out building which now included sheds was later deeded to the Catlin Hollow Methodist Episcopal Church for the sum of $50.00 and this happened in 1891.
At this time Rev. A.W. Decker was the minister and with his help and with the support of the members many improvements were made.  Nathan  Austin supervised the carpenter work and did much of it himself.  He and Floyd Erway replaced the low ceiling of the church with the beautiful woodwork that is still in place today.  Mrs. Nathan Austin was president of the Ladies Aide and they raised money to purchase new pews, made the addition for Sunday School rooms.  

In 1950 under the leadership of Marion C. Finch we began the preparation for the rededication of the church for the Centennial celebration.  The men of the community met to paint the church buildings.  It was a known fact none of the men wanted to paint the bell tower, finally Daddy (Burt Goodwin) said that he would paint it and I remember a huge hurrah going up as no one wanted that job, so Daddy climbed the tall ladders and up he went with the paint pail in hand and did the job and honestly it didn't seem to bother him.  Other men prepared the lawn, planted shrubs, and trees.  In 1953 the interior of the church, including the sidewalls, floors and pews were refurbished and the church stood ready for the rededication ceremony.

Just to bring back memories for local people these are a list of the people that were active members at the time of the time of the dedication:  Dwight Austin, Floy Austin, Harold Austin, Gladys Austin, Dorothy Austin, Clara Austin, Mrs. Loren Bell, William Compton, Myrtle Compton, Truman, Compton, Verna Compton, Fred Compton, Irwin Clark, Elwin Ely, Agnes Ely, Mary Ely, Daisy Ely, Addie Ely, Charles Ely, Waunita Ely, Edna Fuller, Floyd Goodwin, Delilalh Goodwin, Buirt Goodwin, Ethlyn Goodwin, Dora Gilliland, Edytha Keeney, Margaret Kimball, Doris Lyons, James Meckes, Mary Meadows Grant, Robert Mattison, Nate Niles, Edna Niles, George Paris, Mrs. George Paris, Sybil Reese, Beverly Stafford, Fred Smith, Emily Spencer, Kenneth Spencer, Barbara Spencer, Catherine  Wilcox, and James Wilson.

The many hours that I have spent stripping the paint from these doors I have remembered so many things about different people from the 20 years that I attended this church and the years of memories of these dearly departed people, I could write a book about each and every one of them, all of them are a part of who I am, because we lived with them they were a part of our family growing up.  Fred Smith was my Sunday School teacher and what a sweet person and I continued that friendship throughout our lives and he recently passed away, but I know that I will visit with him again in Heaven as I will all of these folks.

I need to tell how I came about these "doors".  I knew that some one had purchased the church.  It had been a hunting cabin, then someone had purchased it for a home, and as I drove past each day on my way to work I noticed that the doors had been taken off and placed to the side.  I kept thinking I wonder if I could buy them from him, so one night I got up enough nerve to stop and ask, and he didn't know, but perhaps.  I told him that I had the history of the church from the beginning to the end, if he would be interested in it along a picture of the original picture.  He then told me he would trade the doors for the history and the picture.  I was delighted.  The next night I took my end of the deal to him and he had some of the stained glass from the windows for me along with the doors for me.  He even delivered them to me.  I was delighted with my new treasure.  They were solid and heavy.  Krista and Steve helped me carry them to the back of the house and we propped them up and I painted them.  Yea!, I was so  happy, but every time we had a storm they would fall down, finally, I put screws in the hinges to hold them in place.  That worked for a bit, but the doors were so heavy that caused problems, so Lou has redone all of that for me along with recaulking the restoring them, so it has taken the summer to get them back into shape and I am so pleased with the final results.




Beginning to scrape the paint

Lou taking over with a new tool Brion and Janet gave him
Inside all donw
Caulking and restoring 
Getting ready to paint the inside

The church closed in the 1960's.  I was the last person to be married in the church and Rev. Finch came back to do the ceremony.  At that time the attendance was very low and there was talk of closure then.  The church was sold for $5,000. and the money was given to Whitneyville Church and was used to help built their current parsonage.  Many of the people mentioned in the above post are buried in the Catlin Hollow Cemetery.  The church building will soon be 160 years old.  The doors are sold wood and were hand made and beautifully made.  I would love to know what craftsman's hands made them.

Friday, October 4, 2013

A Week of Many Accomplishments

October 4th - Friday - Showers off and on

This has been a beautiful week to accomplish tasks and we have been very busy doing just that.  If I had been working, I always scheduled my vacation for the first two weeks of October.  Fall is my favorite time of the year and I always enjoyed my two weeks of vacation to the fullest, even though I would be busy every minute of the day and most of the evening.

As you can see from the picture.  The barn has been painted!! Yeah.  Krista, Steve and Michelle came to our rescue and we used two paint sprayers and the brushes and made quick work of it.  I did all of the shutters the next day and got everything put back into place.
Steve and Lou working on the north side of the barn

Krista working on the south end
We thought it took Krista and Steve longer to clean out the sprayers than it did to paint the barn, but they did a good job and they are ready to use the next time.


Michelle started out keeping Matthew happy, but ended up using a paint brush

Matthew ended up with his own paint brush and had a great time and had a "little" paint on him, but after a huge lunch he enjoyed a three  hour nap.

Lou repaired out potting table and now has a fresh coat of stain.



The next job that Lou started was filling the cracks in the driveway and he has gotten them all filled in and then he tackled the sidewalk.  It seems that the ground cover is overtaking the sidewalk, so he decided to pull out the edging along the sidewalk and re-position it, found it was a bigger job that he thought it was going to be and he didn't get it finished before it started to rain.


We had company for most of the day today, so didn't back to it today, so will have to wait until next week to complete it, as we have an open house to attend tomorrow.  We enjoyed visiting with friends from Arizona today and I can't share pictures, as I left my camera outside and it got wet, so have to order a new camera.  Thankfully, all of the pictures that I had taken are fine.  Was an expensive lesson!

Our special thanks to Kris, Steve and Michelle for the help on the barns, yes, I forgot to mention that we were able to paint both of the barns, now am just waiting for Jeff to get new boards on our little barn by the house and I can get that painted and we will be in pretty good shape again.