I started the day much the usual with a before 6 ish roll out to my morning routines that has me washing down a handful of vitamins and supplements with my cup of hot green tea laced turmeric while I post this ramble then spend some quiet time with my Creator. I give thanks everyday for our blessings and for the health and recovery of many by name as well as for our nation and those who protect from the enemies. It seems now we have enemies within our nation who want to destroy our culture and way of life that so many gave their lives for to protect. I'm at a loss at those who voted radicals into positions of power and influence to destroy us from within and to openly wish harm on our Potus Trump. It's mine boggling that we have thrown our Judeo-Christian principles out the window and now are openly worshipping everything that was once wrong or bad and just the opposite is occurring with dishonoring the good and Godly mores that once made us the role model for the world.
After a hearty breakfast of sugar cured country ham which I now boiled with some water in a skillet before frying to take out most of the salt, along with a couple cackleberries(eggs) and a couple sliced tomato's I headed out to piddle around in the gardens and flower beds. The weeds grow overnight so I pulled several in one backyard flower bed which was nearly over grown before we headed up the mountain for our daily hike. It was rather warm on top which was bearing the brunt of full sunshine. At the cabin we were under the shade of the tall oaks that surround the area and the temps were at least 10 degrees cooler plus we had a nice gentle breeze but that was opposite at the top. Those who live on top have the million dollar views but do suffer so with the temps as its always colder there in the winter and hotter in the summer as they are exposed to the elements whereas our position down in the trees gives us both comfort and protection from the wind and sun when they are at their worst.
We visited with a few folks on top before heading down the back trail. We had really worked up a sweat but could feel the change in the temps as we worked our way down through the trees. I continued pulling weeds until it was time to head out to the Luffman Farm where we were meeting up with Mechelle to take us to the hayfields. We were a little surprised to find that area of the county bone dry as we had a thunder storm come through dumping some much needed rain on our area and the temps dropped nearly 20 degrees in just minutes. We headed out and sure enough that area was in bright sunshine and getting hotter by the minute.
Gerald had one field nearly baled with rows of the square bales throughout and eventually moved to a different field to bale. Kay, Mechelle and Nancy started pitching bales while I stacked the wagon with nearly a hundred bales of hay. We took one load to the barn and unloaded it in the hot barn. Nancy nearly passed out as she just can not take the heat any longer so we made her go out of the barn. We did that routine for a total of 4 wagon loads before getting the last of the hay bales into the barn. We were all hot, dirty and whupped when we finished around 5:30. I was covered in hay seeds and very itchy. Kay had planned on us eating burgers at her place so I showered at Mechelle's before heading over to their place. Gerald was in town getting things to make homemade peach and blueberry ice cream while I grilled the burgers. The supper was delicious as we all were famished after such a workout. I know it was a relief to the Luffman's to have the extra help by Nancy and I and it felt good to once again do what I use to do many years ago while on the farm. It's a tough dirty job but one that makes you feel great as you provide feed for the livestock.
Well we got back to the cabin around 8'ish and Nancy was in the shower. She was whupped and I was starting to feel the muscles in my arms and shoulders that I usually don't use with such repetition of lifting and tossing 40-50 pound bales or so constantly over your head. It was great to sweat profusely and my shirt was dripping with sweat much like when playing pickle ball at times. Well that was about it except for some catching up on the Ray's game and they beat the Tigers 1-0 at home in extra innings. They are still in the hunt for a wild card slot in the playoffs. Today is corporate worship day back at our mountain church Cornerstone in Sparta. Last Sunday we were at my old home church St. Johns near Winchester. Take time today and everyday and lift up our nation to our mighty GOD who has blessed us in so many ways that we might once again honor Him and the commandments set forth that made us a great nation and that His son has intervened to give us hope after leaving this life on earth. There is no other more powerful name than Jesus, LATER
