DANGER: MAMA DEER NEARBY

It's Memorial Day weekend!  You wouldn't know it from the weather, it's in the forties outside this morning.  Spring has been crazy. We have always enjoyed this time of year and are aware of the new life that surrounds us out here in our country setting.  Each year we delight in the bluebirds, as they multiply their number, and we enjoy any sightings of newborn fawns around our home.  This year, however, we've managed to incur the wrath of one particular mama doe.

We first started noticing our dog, Pudge, playing some unusual games with this particular deer.  He would be on his side of the small fence surrounding our expansive yard and the deer would simply stand on it's side, just staring him down while he barked incessantly at it.  When we would intervene, the deer would bound away and we'd carry Pudge up to the house.  I figured it was some sort of game at first.  Then I noticed the deer apparently stalking us.  It would come out of the heavily grown over areas and peer across the yard to see what we were up to near the house.  Okay, I figured, this was a mama doe and she must have a baby somewhere near.  We'd be on the lookout.

Then it happened!  I was sitting under our deck on Mother's Day evening reading a book when I heard a commotion out front in the driveway.  As I turned to the left to see what was going on, this mama doe came right around the deck posts in hot pursuit of poor Pudge, who was running for his life!  He had to run around the patio, which is also contained by a small fence, and enter in the opening at the back of the deck.  Thankfully, Mark encountered the attacking mama deer in the back yard and shooed her into the woods at the back of the house.  Pudge was relieved and shaken by his encounter.  He had two muddy hoof marks on his back and backside.  Apparently, she meant  business.  Mama doe was seen stalking around the house the remainder of the evening.

For now, Pudge is not allowed freedom in the yard.  As I was taking him on his before bedtime walk in the yard, I noticed something at the top of the driveway to Mark's new building.  It was the fawn that mama doe had been , apparently, riled over.  How unusual to see it right there in the open, curled up in front of the building.  By morning, it was gone.  Mama doe continues her stalking and we continue to keep Pudge tethered during his outings in the yard.  Yesterday, the fawn was again left out in the open near the building, but again, was later gone.  I believe this is the first year that a mama doe has had her baby within the confines of our little dog fences.  It has sure made Spring a lot more exciting.  I'll be glad when the little one learns to clear the fence so things can get back to normal around here.

As far as other happenings, the bluebirds are already working on their second brood.  After only one set of babies last year, this is a wonderful blessing for us.  I'm working at our flower and vegetable gardens.  The gerbera daisies and morning glories from last year are doing well.  And, finally, it looks like I'll have beautiful hollyhocks, after two unsuccessful years of anticipating the colorful blooms.

We continue our Esther Bible study and hope to have a summer class for this, in addition to our Sunday morning class.  I've been reading a C.S. Lewis book, which I hope to reveal more about at a later time, as it's been a very curious journey which has led me to this particular book. And I might add one last thought that I have concerning the UpperRoom devotion readings.  God continues to enlighten me with the verses highlighted each day.  I was especially enthralled with the focus of Thursdays reading, which reminds us to not become like the Pharisees of Jesus' time.  We must be careful to remember that the reason for the law was to bring us closer to God.  If we lose sight of God's overall purpose of loving others, we are getting ourselves off track, just as those woeful church leaders had gotten dangerously off track.

It looks to be a beautiful day, though cool outside.  I'll be remembering the services and sacrifices of our military families and those we've lost protecting our freedoms.  Have a blessed holiday weekend.  Stay safe.  love, Susan 

WISTERIA OR LILACS? I LOVE THEM BOTH!

I love Spring!  I always said that Summer was my favorite time of year, but when Summer rolls around each year, I've already started to feel a bit anxious about what is coming.  It all starts with the first day of Summer being the longest day of the year.  I just know that each day after is counting down to Winter and that alone just sends shivers up my spine.  So, now I realize and declare that Spring my favorite season.  As each day progresses, I know that the days continue to get longer and longer, no reason to fret over the coming seasons.  I rejoice over all the signs of renewal that remind us each day of how our God loves us and is with us.  We can compare all the difficult times in our lives as Winters of sorts.  They're dark and cold, we feel abandoned and alone, but when we realize that God gives us hope and the opportunity of a new beginning, we can feel that joy that comes with renewal and reawakening of our spirit. Amen for that!

I made my second annual trek across the state of Kentucky recently.  It is my plan each year to visit Henderson and visit friends and former neighbors.  As I've always said, I love my neighbors, and just because I move away, that never changes.  It brings me such joy to visit them!  After a day in Henderson, I travel to Paducah for the Annual AQS (American Quilters Society) Quilt Show.  Last year seemed to be a long drive to the far western portion of the state.  This year was so much different.  My friend, Ann, made the trip with me.  We had a great time catching up with each other's lives since my move to Georgetown almost six years ago.  Hopefully, next year, we'll even have one or two more join us on the trip.

When we arrived in Paducah, we drove to my friend, Lori's house.  If you read last year's blog, you'll remember that she was my next door neighbor in Henderson.  She and husband Mike built the house catty-cornered from us.  When they moved to Paducah, they built the same house, only the mirror version.  Anyway, Lori made us feel so welcome and even packed us a nice lunch for the quilt show.  Wow, the quilts were amazing and we had a wonderful time viewing the handiwork of so many talented men and women.  I especially love the handquilted and traditional quilts.  Sad to say, the trend is towards machine quilting and non-traditional, but still, the quilts are amazing!  In addition to the annual quilt show, Paducah also hosts the Dogwood Festival and the AQS Quilt Museum, which houses all the previous grand prize winners of the show.  I'm already looking forward to next year.

I've finally been able to resume some nice long walks with the improving weather and also working out in the yard.  I've been enjoying lilacs on my walks and also cutting and arranging them, thanks to generous friends with overflowing lilac shrubs.  In addition to lilacs, I've been especially enjoying a sighting of a previously unnoticed wisteria vine that has overtaken an old car frame  located in the driveway of a house I pass on my walks.  Again, if you've read my previous springtime blogs, you know I experience a terrible case of not only lilac envy this time of year, but also wisteria envy.  Hopefully, this year I'll figure out how to obtain some of the early blooming wisteria to go with the late blooming wisteria that grows up some of the trees in our woods.

I've been feeling somewhat anxious lately about "wedding plans".  I've asked God to help me with these feelings and this morning he gave me the answer to my anxiousness.  Thanks to the fruits of the spirit that come with being a Christian, I've been blessed with patience in most aspects of my life.  God has reminded me to use that patience and to place my relationships with other people above my desire to help plan the "perfect wedding" for my daughter and her fiance.  I will continue to use His guidance as I go forward with the plans.  Jesus performed his first public miracle at a wedding and I know He will be with me as this special day approaches.

It is beautiful outside and it will be a busy day for me.  I hope you're enjoying your day and if you haven't lived the Springtime of spiritual renewal in your life, today could be the day for you to celebrate the joy that comes when your savior, Jesus Christ, becomes the center of your life.  Have a great day and stay safe.  luv, Susan