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. (PLEASE SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM TO READ MAY 1, 2, 3, ETC THANK-YOU) .............................. Wednesday, May 3f, 2006 Bob and Kathy Kathy is enjoying her friends at the gathering in Pennsylvania. Discussion, relaxation, meals, and phone calls to Wiscoinsin. :-) Bob did mowing, plowing, weeding, planting, and harvesting today. Lots of radishes, lettuces, and green onions still ready for the reaping. Today, additional beets, rutabagas, turnips, radishes, lettuce, spinach, zuchinni, and yellow crookneck summer squashes were planted. All were seeds. Thus, as current plants stop producing, go to seed, and/or die, there will be others starting to bear veggies to replace them. Recent heavy rains (several inches), washed out a few long rows of seeds and plants, but the raised bed effect has elevated them and enabled most of the seeds and plants to remain embedded in the soil. The last day of May. My, oh my. Where did May go? And so quietly, she tiptoed away. :-) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ............................... Tuesday, May 30, 2006 Bob and Kathy Bob joined his mom, Aunt Eva, and sister Rose for a card playing shoot-out at Mom's O.K. Card-Slinging Corral. Aunt Eva had been helping my mom clean out the fridge, go downstairs to do laundry, and other household tasks. Lots of laughs as we four relaxed and whiled away the hours with lots of friendly joking and teasing. Rose plied us with barbecue sandwiches, and after giving Eva a ride home, Bob got home before dark, and called Kathy, and also spoke to Lisa, out in Pennsylvania. They were all celebrating Lisa and Peter's Union Ceremony (today), and lots of excitement was in the air. Bob had been up till very early dawn this morning, working on the cover letters to go along with the Memorial Day Journal Entry, and updated websites, which he mailed out to several hundred people. Those e-mailings, all went out very early this morning. In all my years of writing e-mails, today's responses to that Memorial Day Entry, etc., have been the largest, most immediate response ever. Talk about loving responses! Wow! I am awash in seas of love! ......................................... Monday, May 29, 2006 Memorial Day Bob and Kathy Bob drove Kathy to the Madison, Wisconsin airport, which flew her to Ohio, and then Pennsylvania. Kathy will be attending ACIM gatherings hosted by her dear friend Lisa Stern. Kathy officiated at Lisa's daughter Gabriela's wedding, just a year ago in Pennsylvania. After leaving Kathy at the airport, the car drove itself to Brat Fest in Madison where Bob caught electric car rides from the parking lot (and back), and nearly overdosed on Brats! :-) Bob saw the Tommy Lee Jones movie: The Three Burials... with Ken and Sally, Don and Mary, Carol and her friend Karen, and Barb V (who happened to have just finished seeing the movie, and decided to see it again with us)! Barb V had not been home all day, so she never got my phone message to invite her to the movie. This is the second time that this has happened with Barb. The casting and the filming were outstanding! Bob arrived home by dark and then received a call from Kathy, who had just arrived at Lisa's home in Pennsylvania. Lisa had picked Sylvia "la Colombianita." up at the Amtrak station, and then picked Kathy up at the airport. I can imagine the wild reunion of those three "love sisters!" And then they were joined by Jeffery and Kerri Lake, and David Hoffmeister and Kirsten (from New Zealand), and others, so I am imagining there is alot of gaiety and laughter in Pennsylvania tonight. A short while ago, I received a cell phone call from Marcine, who had driven to Pennsylvania from Chicago to join the gatherings there. Marcine was an hour from Lisa's when she called so I imagine the "roof will be raised anew," with Marcine's arrival. I am at peace about my decision to not join them there for the ACIM gatherings, because of all the gardening priorities this time of year (lots and lots of gardens). My mother's health has deteriorated considerably during the past two months, requiring several hospitalizations, for numerous illnesses. For years now, when I tell her, "I love you, mom," she has repeatedly answered, "I love you, too, I must have, because I kept you." I always thought that her unwanted pregnancy, at 16, had prompted her dad or mom, or both, to opt for an abortion, or adoption. But, just recently, I was curious enough to ask her, "Mom, who was it that didn't want to keep me?" And she replied, "Me, it was me. I was 16, what was I going to do?" So, I said, "Well mom, you kept me, and so now, 70 years later, you have a visitor, a card player, and a place in the country to do bird watching." She was here yesterday, doing all the above. She called today. And we will be card-slinging tomorrow at mom's with Eva, her remaining sibling of the original 8, (and youngest sister, at 82). Together, they have about a century and a half of card playing experience. That......makes things interesting. My very best to everybody! ........................ Sunday, May 28, 2006 Bob and Kathy Phil and Mary joined us for our 10 a.m. service and then Sylvia said goodbyes before Le Roi took her to the AMTRAK Station in Portage for her trip to Pennsylvania. As Phil and Mary were leaving, Barb Voltz arrived from Madison, gifting us with a surprise visit. Then mom called and Barb and Bob picked up Bob's mom and his Aunt Eva, mom's youngest, and only surviving sibling (of 8 Koebler children). Various card games were played by Mom, Eva, Barb V, Le Roi, and Bob, interspersed with kitchen talk, snacks, and birdwatching. Kathy made a Rhubarb Crunch delight, because LeRoi has been making that request. Mmmmm, mmm, it is good. Barb V left for Madison and we, the two BobKats, drove the two octogenarian sisters to their respective homes. And now? HOME ALONE! GOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLY! ........................ Saturday, May 27, 2006 Bob and Kathy By 7 a.m. we were on our way to Pathways of Light in Kiel, Wisconsin. Bob drove Le Roi's Volvo both ways for the four of us. Le Roi and Sylvia spent the last half of the morning at a personal tour of Jerry's vegetable farm, and Bob and Kathy attended a POL Advisory Council Meeting. At 2 p.m., an Ordination Ceremony ordained 10 new POL Ministers, 4 from Maryland, and the other six from Texas, Virginia, Nevada, Massachusetts, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Th ten presentations by the ten candidates during the ceremony were absolutely awesome. Tears, laughter, and several acknowledgements that they had just spent the best week of their lives, together, in the final week of their training! Bob and Kathy co-hosted the final part of the Ordination Ceremony and prior to the annointing, got a well received response from the audience for a rousing rendition of their new song: I KNOW JUST WHAT TO DO. About 40 went out for dinner with the candidates for several hours, and then Bob drove the four musketeers back to Montello. Where we stopped at the Candy and Ice Cream Store to indulge. Arriving home after dark, Kathy and Sylvia continued packing for their travels. It really felt good to get home. But it was also an incredibly awesome day of interactions and sharings! ............. Friday, May 26, 2006 Bob and Kathy Room preps, plowing, planting, and meal preps. Le Roi, La Colombiana, and Kathy to Portage on a variety of errands. Sylvia made a Colombian Soup that was very delicious. Le Roi helped pound in more steel posts and stretch and tie fencing for peas, pole beans, and cucumbers, all of which have already popped up out of the ground! Le Roi and Bob watering by hand, carrying water from the 55 gallon drums (pumped there by garden hoses), and the 300 gallons of fresh rainwater from the house roof, which is now usable outside the house. Kathy harvested two rows of lettuce and spinach, and Bob reaped the red and white radishes from two different radish rows. The four of us came together for supper and then ended the day getting ready for our trip to Pathways of Light at Kiel, Wisconsin, early tomorrow morning. ........... Thursday, May 25, 2006 Bob and Kathy Bob and Kathy out early to the Veterans' Administration Hospital in Madison for Bob's appointment with a physical therapist, who fitted Bob with a knee support to wear pending his June appointment for evaluation of possible knee surgery. A leisure dinner at Perkins and then on to Don and Mary's in Middleton for a great visit and look at Don's current stained glass art project, a very impressive, life sized cow for a dairy association. Later, Bob had a visit with his mom in Portage while Kathy was shopping and we returned home to add corn on the cob to our veggie supper. Le Roi and Bob had picked lots of roadside wild asparagus during the day, so this is a very sweet and succulent addition to the salads. Le Roi and Bob had sampled quite a bit alongside the road, while, "stalking the wild asparagus." Unique birds are (but then, aren't they all?) the recently seen Orchard Oriole (brick red and black), teal ducks (fast, fast, flyers), and the gayly, grayly clad, velvety gray Cat Bird (it really does have an incredibl feline "meow"). And at bedtime, the frog symphony comes gently floating in through the windows..... .......................... Wednesday, May 24, 2006 Bob and Kathy Watering plants, mowing lawn, working in the woodshed, and relaxing with lots of bird watching in the Sunrise Room. New birds viewed for the first time this year through the windows of the Sunrise Room are the Brown Headed Cowbird (and mate), a gorgeous Indigo Bunting, and a large, large, wild turkey. Lots of work on Sylvia's visa extension and a trip to town to mail documents to the feds. And with The Frogs (an ancient rural amphibian singing group), in concert, we celebrated with large and chocolatey Chocolate Chip Cookies, and...........Chocolate Cherry Classic Ice Cream! ....................... Tuesday, May 23, 2006 Bob and Kathy Le Roi and Bob started the day by picking roadside wild asparagus to be freshly diced and added to the salads. They also sampled raw asparagus while they were "stalking the wild asparagus." Four workers in the gardens today! Hooray! Did we get a lot done! Le Roi drove in about 60 seven foot steel posts for tomato plants, and Sylvia and Kathy planted tomato plants, 16 pepper plants, and 20 broccoli plants. The 18 cherry and grape tomato plants by the entry south patio to the house were also planted with steel posts, and an herb garden planted between the south patio and the kitchen window (basil, thyme, oregano, rosemary, sage, parsley, etc). It was an interesting experience to hear Sylvia talking to the plants as she held them in her hands before putting them in the ground. Affirmations to the plants! Leting them know they were loved! Singing to the litle green growing "things!" Jeepers! Talk about happy plants! Bob went to his mom's for a card-slinging shootout, and was joined there by Victor, Flossie, and Mother Superior. Kathy went to a garden tour with the Master Gardeners Group at a nearby neighbor's, and then, with them, over to nearby Link's Greenhouse. Bob returned home after dark with lots of bananas and a gallon of Chocolate Cherry Classic Ice Cream. And we four......... did indulge. Fruit is important.... so....... Bob peeled three bananas for his Banana Split! ..................................... Monday, May 22, 2006 Bob and Kathy A time of harvesting! Champion Red and Icicle White Radishes, Red, White, and Yellow "Green Onions," lettuces and spinaches. We are eating fantastic salads and veggies. Every week or ten days more radishes and "greens" are planted. Lots of e-mail work on the internet with the "feds" to extend Silvia Lorena Gonzalez's visa to complete her ministerial training and also, documenting requests for her speaking engagements about her spiritual journy. Betty and Tom (from Illinois) visited us after shopping at Mishler's Amish General Store, and Sylvia gave an excellent narration of her expedriences in Colombia, South America, leading up to a series of adventures that have culminated in her being at Bumpity Road for a month now. Sylvia and Le Roi have both been very helpful in many ways, as we share the experience of livng in community. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! The joy of tribal union! ..................................................... Sunday, May 21, 2006 Bob and Kathy Breakfast was prepped by Aurora (scrambled 29 eggs) and Sandy (2 pounds of bacon), with Duncan, Le Roi, Silvia, Kathy and Bob all eating heartily! There was still food left over by the time Janet and Dana joined us. Our morning session was one of intuitively responding to The Abounding River Spiritual Board Game. Nine of us openly sharing and boisterously and abundantly, laughing. Then, around the fire in the Sunrise Room for Cherry Chocolate Classic, with Mocha Fudge, applied rather liberally. Ending an incredible weekend with 11 guests, who were all good hosts to the rest of us, who were also hosts to all the others. A weekend of great food, helping hands, profound and inspirational sharings, and, hilarious laughter! ............................... Saturday, May 20, 2006 Bob and Kathy Our discussions started early, informally over coffee, and continued all day long. We took breaks for a spinach, lettuce, radish and onion harvesting expedition. Wow! Talk about lots and lots of yummy veggies! And more to be picked. We also loaded up the hay wagon with large cushions, and collected those in the Sunrise Room and on the picnic table, for a long tractor ride around the various gardens. Lots of yelling and laughing from all the passengers on the "haywagon express." An incredible lunch, highlighted by freshly picked veggies, and Amish baked apple pie, great breads, sharp cheddar, tomato cheese soup, pasta salad, etc. Barb took several people on a trip to the Amish Bakery and an Amish Green House. Bob's mom joined us for about five hours, which was highly unusual, because of her ongoing discomfort, and subsequent reluctance to leave her home. Lots of laughter. Lots of sharings. Lots of fun :-). ................ Friday, May 19, 2006 Bob and Kathy Silvia and Kathy finished house prep in preparation for the weekend of visitors, and Bob did a lot of planting of varieties of squash and melons. And 49 tomato plants. Leroy, Aurora, Catherine, Dolly, Sandi, Joel, Mel, Barb, and GaryLee, joined Kathy, Bob and Sylvia for dinner and/or the Dream Interpretation Group, and?or discussion afterwards. It was a lively group with active participation from a friendly and articulate group of sharers. So ten of us turned in by midnight (in seven different sleeping areas). And the stars last night! Wow! Glorious! ........................... Thursday, May 18, 2006 Bob and Kathy Big focus on planting and house cleaning to free us up for our Relationship Weekend. Then Silvia, Kathy and Bob drove to Madison for Ken Adi-Ring's sixtieth birthday celebration. Suzanne and Duncan were assistant chefs to Chef Rafe, and between them they put a variety of foods on the counter for several hours. A great band from Endeavor Academy played for several hours. Dancing was fun to participate in, or just observe. Three hours of enjoyable conversation and entertainment. Then, a quiet drive home, at a lesisurely pace, which enabled us to avoid deer crossing in front of us. Twice. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! It was fun to go to the party. And it also felt good, getting back home. ...................... Wednesday, May 17, 2006 Bob and Kathy A quiet day. Kathy began doing POL coursework early in the morning with a student named Cathy in Arkansas. With lots of ACIM Pathways lessons shared beween Kathy and La Colombiana. They two nourished themselves with cheddar cheese and broccoli soup. Lots of e-mail, phone, and web site time, throughout the day. Chef Roberto cooked brown rice, baked large red onions in the wood cookstove (with a few dabs of honey), and a three bean casserole (red, pinto, and lima). Really, really, tasty! As was the Chocolate Cherry Classic ice cream with mocha topping. :-) ............... Tuesday, May 16, 2006 Bob and Kathy Bob planting and weeding in several of the gardens today. More winter and summer squash seeds planted, as well as watermelon, and canteloupe, a total of about 450 feet of rows, with seven foot wide walking paths between the rows. Sylvia and KATarina off to Mad City (Madison), to see a free viewing of The Secret, where they met with Duncan, Catherine, Aurora, and others. Bob got an urgent call from his mom about 6 p.m., she was feeling quite concerned about her health, so he spent a few hours playing cards and chatting with her. Four siblings met last night to discuss schedules for her health care, medications, entertainment, meals, etc., which turned out to be a really great effort and sharing by all involved. The two angels returned about midnight, so some of us had chocolate fudge cherry classic icecream with a dark mocha syrup topping. That was sooooooooooooooo good! :-) ................................... Monday, May 15, 2006 Bob and Kathy Bob's mom called for some card-slinging, so Victor got his guns and showed up with Mother Superior and Flossie. Mom is quite ill and uses a walker, but she sure enjoyed the shoot-out with the "card playing outlaws." We five had a great time! Left mom feeling alot better. She said I'd be hearing from her within a few days for more card-slinging. Barb W. stopped by with lots of K.C. fried chicken, shmaaaaaaaashed potatoes, gravy, cole slaw, etc. Containers of gravy and cole slaw, larger containers of smashed potatoes, and giant containers of Kentucky Fried. Jerry stopped by to help out, but we were still left with lots of left-overs. :-) BobKats went to a family gathering with the families of three of Bob's siblings, to coordinate all their efforts for mom's home health care and so;me of her entertainment. Phone and e-mail communications have been set up for all five siblings and their families. ............ Barb returned from her Amish friends with a substantial pail of freshly made "sticky butter," an Amish concoction of honey, blackstrap molasses, marshmallow, and peanut butter. Finger lickin' good! A quiet night, winding down at Bumpity Road..... :-) ......................... Sunday, May 14, 2005 Bob and Kathy Our 10a.m. service was followed by an animated discussion with Phil and Mary, Sylvia and Le Roi, Happy and Naomi, Kat and Bob, and then Aaron joined us later. Very moving, and insightful sharings, by all. Happy and Naomi took Aaron to Portage to connect for a ride, while they continued on their trip home to the Chicago area. The afternoon was quiet with a lot of little chores finished, and time taken out to watch the birds at the feeder. Sand Hill Cranes are intermittently calling out all day long, and, also at night, bugling their very unique calls. Two flew past the house, quite low, and looked like a couple of prehistoric pterodactyl visitors (flying reptiles, which they really are!). Four of us for supper, with lots of smashed potatoes, corn, cranberries, great and good green chives (just picked), and yummy yams! .................................... Saturday, May 13, 2006 Bob and Kathy Robert M. left early for P.O.L. at Kiel to attend a Gary Renard workshop. Bob continued planting various squashes and melons, and Kathy and Le Roi planted hundreds of red, yellow, and white onion bulbs for green onion meals. Plenty of rain. Night before last we had a 1/4 inch of snow! So, all the tomato, pepper, broccoli, etc. plants, are bathing in the warmth of the Sunrise Room. Kathy worked for the first time with Silvia on one of Silvia's P.O.L. courses. Happy-Happy arrived before dark with Naomi, straight from the Gary Renard Presentation and Discussion at Pathways. Le Roi and Kathy hustling in the kitchen, putting supper together for the six of us. Starlings, Downy Woodpeckers, and Humming Birds, all part of the Birg Gang today. What a great supper! Soup, salad, burgers, and scalloped potatoes. With lots of warm sharings. Laughter. And smiles. Now the five mouseketeers are off to play a spiritual board game called: The Abounding River. Bob watched them begin at 9 p.m., and found it all so entertaining, spiritual, and uplifting, that he observed and participated for 4 1/2 hours! It was a great experience, shared with our late arriving friend, Aaron. Everybody, was verrrrrrrrry inspirational! .................................... Friday, May 12, 2006 Bob and Kathy Both wood stoves going, one in the kitchen, (Miss Monarch), and the other in the Sunrise Room (Miss Atlanta). Robert showed up from Iowa on his way to Kiel, and we spent the afternoon chatting away and munching on scalloped potatoes. Lots of birdwatching and sharing. Later, on our way to the mailbox, we met Le Roi, Silvia, and Katarina, returning from the Onederful Wisniewski's near Plymouth. So, Robert M. and Robert T., sang a lively welcoming song to them in the driveway. Then supper, chatting, an Accessing Inner Wisdom Guidance session, and then the movie: Where The River Runs Black. A very moving stoy about the birth and first ten years of a rain forest boy's life, who had developed a special relationship with fresh water dolphins in the Rio Negro. The music (drums and flutes) is priceless, as is the photography. And the casting of every character, was perfect. It is also Bob's favorite movie. We keep our own video copy here at Bumpity Road for anyone to see while here. Throughout the afternoon and evening we shared alot about the warm and moving experiences that Le Roi, La Colombianita, y Katarina, had with Mary and Robert at Pathways, followed by several days at Linda and David's octogan house. And so, one by one, the five of us each slip off into the "sleeping dream." ....................................... Thursday, May 11, 2006 Bob and Kathy The trio of adventurers, Katarina, LaColombianita, and their driver, Le Roi, are staying over at Linda and David's for another night, and had the opportunity to do alot of wonderful sharing during their stay there today. (Including, Le Roi sinking in the mud while mushroom hunting with David!) Bob kept both wood stoves going today, so the windy, wet, cold, did not effect the inner temperature at Bumpity Road one bit. High winds probably took down our main electric service line, as we were without electricity for about three hours. Bob made a very large roasting pan of cheesy scalloped potatoes. And all the seeds are sorted out, by dates, for planting, and replanting, for the rest of the summer. (Our fifth planting of onion sets will go in the ground in a few days, and the first planting, from way back in mid-April, will be picked in another week. Keeping two home fires burning is a warming task. This wood has been stored in the house since last fall, so it is really dry, and burns very, very hot! Rose Breasted Grossbeaks are now making daily appearances at the feeder, and the Song Sparrow is now a regular patio ground feeder. The elegantly dressed Eastern Towee, occasionally stops by. (Black head, russet jacket and white pants). I hear crows alot, but I usually don't see them, except (my pet), the one that follows me around the fields, like when I was plowing yesterday. Tree swallows are nesting in a Blue Bird house in the driveway again, as is their custom I did my share of birdwatching on this humid, windy, and rainy day. And set a record today, by observing 20 different kinds of birds from the Sunrise Room windows!. ......................... Wednesday, May 10, 2006 Bob and Kathy Up in the morning out on the job work like a devil for my pay, while that lucky ol' sun has nothin' to do but roll around heaven all day. KAThy, Silvia, and Le Roi, off to Pathways of Light at noon, and Bob picking out seeds and plants for a day in his "many sandboxes." The bluebirds and wrens are making many entrances into their home sites, bluebirds into houses and wrens into Bird House Gourds. We watch them from the Sunrise Room. Blue Jays, Robins, and Mourning Doves, are other regulars, with the dainty doves coming up to eat off the patio. More early plantings in today of watermelon, canteloupe, more beets, turnips, radishes, carrots, lettuce and spinach. And a hundred hills of bird house gourds. Kathy called late tonight with glad tidings about dinner at the Stoelings, and then the Onederful Wednesday Night Sharings at Pathways of Light near Kiel. They are now on their way to spend the night at The Wonderful Wisniewskis! ........................... Tuesday, May 9, 2006 Bob and Kathy Kathy got up early, to share another Pathways of Light course with Lisa. Wow, we really embraced some powerful insights about our interactions with those who we've united with, to answer strong calls for love. These calls are from us and those with whom we share. Thank you Holy Spirit for giving us these constant reminders, to look closely at the message that is coming through. We are forever grateful, because in this, it allows us to open our minds to be able to truly helpful and free! Then......... .....a trip to Link's Greenhouse (two miles away) and then to the Amish Bent 'n Dent Store, and then Miller's Amish Greenhouse. Returning home with juices, chocolate, lots and lots of tomato plants (probably about 70 plants), plus, peppers, brussel sprouts, broccoli, eggplant, basil, and a variety of other herbs. We will be doing some planting, most days, for the next two weeks. After that, replanting things like, the different varieties of spinach, lettuce, onions, and radishes. Currently, we need a small warehouse to just put all our seeds and plants in one place to see what we have and prioritize the plantings! :-) La Colombianita and Le Roi arrived about dark and Bob had both wood stoves going, so they really got a "warm " welcome! We really primed the rain pump with all those garden watering cans we used to empty the 55 gallon water drums in gardens, G1 & G2. It is raining today, and will be for four days in a row! Yippee! .................................. Monday, May 8, 2006 Bob and Kathy We two met, by coincidence, at Canal Seeds, browsing on their "dent and bent" bargain shelves. We also purchased lots and lots of different varieties of watermelon seeds and different winter squash seeds, etc. Then we met Barb W. for a dinner treat at Granny's in Portage, where we ran into Mother Superior and Uncle Bob F. Bob T. went home and called the Veterans Hospital in Madison at 1:30 p.m. about the increased pain in his left knee, and, they had an opening at 3:30 with his primary physician, so Bob picked Kathy up in Portage and away they went to Madison! First, they stopped at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison to see Bob's mom (who was really zonked out with pain medications for mom's back and stomach discomfort), and then on to the Veterans' Hospital. Hugs outside of St. Mary's with Ken, who was also there to see his wife Sally, an R.N. there. Again, Bob's blood pressure exam at the V.A. Hospital dropped 20 points from the entire weeks daily readings at home, because, ........Bob is so delighted about seeing his primary physician (and friend), Doc S. Also lost 9 pounds since last visit! (Chives and sprouts help!) MRI results show torn cartilage, and other knee damages that have Bob using a cane now, pending orthopedic examinations for a brace or surgery. Then off to Southtown Theatres for the $2 matinee of: "8 Below," a Disney adventure film about malemutes in Antarctica, based on a true story. Many moving parts in the filming, including one where the wolflike dogs are leaping in the air to catch the many dancing colors of the aurora borealis, and also chasing the moving Northern Light colors on the snow. Then home to end the day with some quiet reading. Kathy into a health book that she likes very much. And Bob into June Singer's, Jungian Analysis of dreams, (for about the fifth time). Every time Bob reads June's book, he is increasingly awed by additional insights, and...... totally impressed anew, with "how little he knows" about himself! ................................. Sunday, May 7, 2006 Bob and Kathy Phil and Mary joined us for our 10 a.m. service and then we had a late breakfast with them here. We then watered plants, weeded, and picked up stones and branches. In the evening we watched a Public Television Program on Wisconsin Birds, that highlighted unique bird watcher attractions in various counties. Sunday, was a night that these two "reverse owlets" turned in to their nest, shortly after dark. ........................... ------------------------------- Saturday, May 6, 2006 Kathy and Bob Kathy arose early, to share a Pathways of Light course with Lisa. It is so powerful to go through these courses with someone else. For LIsa and myself, it is a fantastic mind watcher, because she and I have embraced a lot of similar experiences, in our willingness to serve Holy Spirit. For this reason, we are able to share very openly about our lives. We are strong mirrors and sisters, for one another. Bob rested, and came to embrace the day, after resting. Then, we went out into the green land, to welcome our natural home. We got the fields ready for planting more seeds in their new home, and then did that. We also mowed, plowed, and watered the plants that have been planted already. The gardens look very beautiful. There is rhubarb ready to be picked. The onions are almost ready for picking too. Mmmm, mmmm! We are sooooo blessed! ................. Birdwatching, several times a day, has become one of our favorite relaxations and quiet times. A new bird on the east patio that we have never seen before, is the White Crowned Sparrow. A handful of them arrived in the company of one White Throated Sparrow. They are rather large sparrows that scratch on the ground like chickens. The three kinds of woodpeckers are regulars every day also. The elegantly red hatted and elegantly clad Ladderback Woodpecker, the Hairy Woodpecker, and the extremely agile and acrobatic Nuthatches. All these birds have been seen from the inside of the house, looking out the windows. Some at the feeders, others eating bird seeds on the patio floor, others in the nearby trees, and some just flying by, or soaring high over the fields. Reminds us of Emily Dickinson's words about "hope is a thing with feathers, that perches on the soul." That's us! All of us! Birds of a feather, flocking together. Inviting each other to share...... .....the "perches in our souls...." ........................ Friday, May 5, 2006 Bob and Kathy Inside, outside, planting, pulling weeds, hoeing, getting together for breaks and snacks. Two kinds of basil seeded. And a sixty foot swatch of two kinds of sunflower seeds, ending by our mailbox. Also birdwatching every day. Five species of our regularly visiting feathered friends were here during one of our afternoon breaks: lots of bright yellow Goldfinches, (purple) Housefinches, Chipping Sparrows, Black Capped Chickadees, and Cardinals. We had a half-moon that was so bright, Bob was able to fertilize the seven long rows of the entire lower garden (G1) by moonlight! Our less expensive electrical rates begin after 8 p.m. (on weekdays), so 55 gallon drums at G1 were being filled with water, using a five gallon white pail as a "cork", which, rising in the big metal drum, let Bob know how high the water had risen to fill the drums. When he can see the whole pail, it is floating on the filled drum! After supper, we sat in the Sunrise Room and watched the flames dance in Miss Atlanta Woodstove. A night ending in Moonrise, and, "Flameset." ...................... Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday May 2, 3, & 4, 2006 These three days slipped away with an ongoing stream of inside and outside work. Making beds, cleaning, kitchen work, lawn, woodpile, brush pickup and stacking, planting and weeding, tractor (2) work, etc. We did take time out in the evening to see several dvd movies, two of which we recommend highly: Mr. Holland's Opus, and Maid in Manhattan. Both were quite moving! ..... The chives are growing faster than we can eat them, so they are available for every meal. Come on over for a "chive omelet"? love to all The BobKats ............................... Monday, May 1, 2006 Bob and Kathy Le Roi, La Colombiana, and KAThy off to the Amish Cheese factory to pick up a variety of cheeses and then to Mishler's Amish General Store for nuts, grains, popcorn, etc. A rainy day, with Le Roi keeping the fire going in the Sunrise Room. Le Roi made a big, big batch of mashed potatoes on which we sprinkled different kinds of cheeses. We four had a discussion (at Le Roi's suggestion) around the song, Juke Box Hero, and later in the evening another discussion and readings from Mindful Loving. Sitting in the Sunrise Room with a warm fire, gentle readings and conversation, with peaceful tribal members, was very relaxing, as well as inspirational. Bob started a fire in the kitchen wood cook stove, but stopped feeding it when the kitchen temperature went up to 80 degrees! We were obliged to cool ourselves off with bowls of icecream and sliced baked apples, doused with chocolate and strawberry syrups. And cinnamon. :-) ................................. |
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