Autumn 2013, My Sister Lisa

Knock, knock?

Anybody out there?

Autumn is under way at Sand Flat Farm.  Our temps have been in the 70's the last week or so and will continue.  I still have time to winterize the chickie coop with plastic around the north side AND finish getting the garden put to bed.  We pulled and burned alot this past weekend, but there is still about a third of it to get done.  Flower beds need mulching again, altho the falling leaves do make a good protective cover. 

Shout out to Kathy at Spot On Cedar Pond - we've had some rain lately, and the gophers are popping up everywhere!  The moles, too!  I've got traps set all over the yard.  Not worried about the fields - our hay man takes care of that himself.  Gypsy can be spotted at any time of day with only her rear end sticking up above the hay digging for gophers.  (should be one more cutting before the first freeze)  You should see the holes she digs in our yard.  While it pains me to have to fill her holes, if she catches a gopher, that pleases me (I guess).  I was a little perturbed that she dug a huge trench in my rose bed that almost unearthed one of the bushes...

In other news, chickens are molting - they are hideous-looking and my #1 HCIC (head chicken in charge) is so embarrassed at her frock that she generally stays off to herself right now looking so forlorn.  Usually, she is keeping everybody in line and is always first in line for treats and to get out the door when they are ranging for the day.  She usually walks around with her chest puffed out like a little rooster and is not timid about attacking somebody that might get in her way to the food bowl...

Don't know how the autumn skies are where you are, but this is what our sunrises have been looking like lately.  They were utterly gorgeous - I've been out walking early...  Have to confess that I did amp up the color just a titch (like Vee says) but not much!  They were beautiful skies, and it makes me feel like heaven is coming down!

 

This is Texas Ranger Stadium in Arlington, Texas.  Many of you will recognize it.  This was the site on September 21 of the Ovarian Cancer Walk for the Cure.  Just about my whole family participated (including various significant others of the kids)  We walked in honor of my sister, Lisa.  She was there in fine form, but could not do the walk, but what a cheerleader she was!  It was a 5 K and we walked the course around the new Cowboy Stadium and Arlington Stadium and park areas.  It was a stellar day, and SO humbling to see all the family/friend teams walking for those they love.  Lots of survivors there, too!!!  We'll be doing this again!  Our team was called the Lollipops - my sister was called "Lollie" when she was young and momma still calls her that.  My niece named our team and had our Tshirts done - they were so cute!  Then we all went out to eat at Babe's to celebrate! 

L-R,   Lisa, Me, Mom, Lisa's daughter, & my daughter.  The menfolks were around somewhere... It was a great day!  Lisa has finished the first round of chemo.  3 weeks ago, she and I went to MD Anderson in Houston and she has begun another round.  Her hair is coming back and I like to pet her head.  She feels like a puppy...  Continue to pray for Lisa - she's a fighter and she has the most positive attitude!  God is with her and she is with Him every step of the way.  Thank you so much!!!