It is finally spring

 I am so glad that spring is finally here and all the trees are budding and the wild flowers are blooming.

I just love getting outside and taking hikes in the wild woods and see the new life take over the dreary winter scenery. Of course after being lazy all winter and then getting out,I feel so tired but refreshinging like a bear coming out from its winter sleep.

 Yesterday, I took my kids for a little walk on my farm and while the kids played in the creek,I was looking for wild plants to make a salas and or tea. But, I warm sun and reading my plant book,I got sleepy and took a little nap and thus I ran out of time for salad getting stuff. so I had to settle for spice bush tea for a snack.

Spice bush tea is so easy to make and only need very little bark/leaves/branches to make a decent 2-3 cup of tea. Just add about  2-3 cups of water and slowly simmer for about 10-15 mins and either drink it hot or cold and you can add sweetner,but I perfer mine plain.

I always have enjoyed walking in the woods and now even more now since the kids are older and can ask questions and can explain things better to them. Boy, are they like sponges and gather up the info and I can tell that they enjoy it being with Dad in the woods and hopefully they can take their kids in the woods and share the same experiences.

Today, is another beautiful spring day and maybe another walk in the woods after playing homemaker/yard caretaker. maybe some sassafras tea for a after walk drink.

Bees, Bees, and more Bees

 I sure in the heck don’t know how I missed not know there was a yellow jackets nest in my garage. The nest was located behind my electrical panel,right behind the electrical box,plugs and light switch and were flying around like mad. It is so weird that I never got stung since it was right beside my car door.

 I found them last night,after coming home from work and the day was humid and raining and when I got out of the car. I saw them at first and was thinking,boy there is alot of flies flying around. It was on my second trip to the car when I relised that they were yellow jackets and then I got scared.

 Yes, I hate bees and any kind of bees. Because when I was younger. My family used to raise honey bees and I always respected them and stayed away. But, one day we decided to move a bees box and there are thousands of bees in a box,and the box shifted and I end up with bees crawling and stinging me everywhere. I got stung so bad that I looked like a swelled up pincushion and got really sick.

 So, last night I waited until dark and used a whole can of spray on the mean little buggers and spread behind the electricial bos as best as I could and I don’t think I got em cause this morning they were still flying around. So,it looks like my car won’t be parked in the garage anytime soon.

 In a way they are interesting to watch them fly around and seeing them to go into protecting mode,but I just hate them when they are around me. I am so used to see them build their nest in the ground and was surprised to see them off the ground.

 It is truly amazing that nobody got stung cause the kids use the garage as their playarea/hideout when there is no cars in the garage.

 The only fall part I hate is when the bees know that winters a coming and they get so defensive and mean they will attack anything and me included.

Family Reunion

 My wife’s families are in town for the big family reunion and We haven’t seen some of them in years or not at all. Its funny how life keeps us from contacting each other or the promises that were made and not kept.

 My wifes older brother is in the military and stationed in Oklahoma and his wife is a Nurse. The kids we have never seen until this weekend are growing up very nicely.

 The little brother family lives close to us so we see them pretty regularly. The oldest of children has to have surgery in August for his clubbed feet and we all hope this surgery helps solve the problem. The littliest girl is one of my favorite niece,even thou she is one,she is so cute and adorable and always smiling.

 My Wifes cousins are from Virginia, R is a Firefighter/Paramedic for his local dept. The wifes get mad at us when we discuss are calls and training and says No Fire Talk when were together. The wife is a school bus driver in her district and you can tell she loves her job. R lives so close to the A.T. Trailhead,that I might have to sneak a visit done that way.

  H ,the other cousin lives in Virginia and her boys belong to many groups like 4H,shooting clubs, fishing clubs that they are well rounded in the outdoors.

 The Reunion started at meeting at my mother-n-laws for coffee on Thursday night and that lasted until wee hours of the morning. Then Friday morning I had a company picnic and then we left there to visit the grandmother,who is the eldest of the bunch and we all had a nice picnic supper and other cousins and neices and nephews popped in until late in the eve,

 Saturday,we had breakfast and coffee at my wifes Mom house so we all could meet and follow each other to the main Reunion. This is the second family reunion that is set out in the country,with a creek and field to play in. A big pool lots of toys,bikes water slide and of course plenty of food. The auction is so funny that relatives try to out bid each other that you can’t help and laugh.

 After the reunion we all decide to go to the movies but a Thunderstorm rolled through and we had to settle for bowling and guess what? we all stink.

 Then on Sunday morning the families met at eatnpark for a big breakfast before the big trip home for everybody. Even though the weekend was very busy and we couldn’t find the time to really talk . I think we had a blast. I know all our kids enjoyed the visit and hopefully we all could meet again like this real soon.

 I think today,My family and I are just goning to relax and enjoy our memories of the weekend. All I gotta say it was great.

 

My Bobcat

No,I don’t have a real Bobcat,but he was rescued many years ago. He was trying to drag a bunny that was hit by a car to a safer place,so he could eat. We have no idea how long he was there. We took him home and took good care of him.

 The Reason why his name is Bob is that when he was a little kitten,he had little tuff of hair growing up from the tips of his ears and he loved to climb up high.

 This little guy has been with our family many years and he is just now starting to come out for the kids. Bob is a loving cat and always want to sit on your lap at the computer or snuggle with with you in bed,or follows you room to room likes its his job to make sure you are all right.

 He is getting older in years now and the playful energy of a kitten has left him,but he still likes the attention of being loved over. I might be a little sensitive but, I enjoy our little moment when we are together and he laying on my lap,just purring and rubbing his face all over me,like he is telling me he loves me.

 

Early Morning

I just love the early mornings on a weekend. The kids are still asleep dreaming of childhood dreams,looking so peaceful like perfect little angles. I love the way the pure innocence shows up in their faces. I enjoy watching the sun rise with a cup of coffee or tea and listening to the birds sing and take care of their young ones.

 I know that in a few hours that life will be in full swing and being busy as a father,cooking meals,washing clothes,taking care of many Boo Boos,fixing bikes,finding lost toys,feeding their pets,being a referee.

Yes,I do enjoy being a Father and hoefully that when my kids grow up that they can carry to their kids the wisdom,caring,wisdom,understanding. I know I am not the perfect Father,nor will I try to be.

The sweetest part of being a Father is when the kids tell you that they Love You and they really do.

Happy Fathers Day to all you fathers out there

Your Inner Child

 Why does it take your kids to make you see things in their eyes. Example. When your child see a cloud and tell you they see a bird and you see just a cloud or when a child sees a stream flowing under a rock and make boats out of twigs and have little races and you see just a stream flowing or when the touch a leaf and tell you it feels like a soft feather and you feel just a leaf, or when they hear a bird singing a pretty song and you just hear a bird.

I took my kids and their cousins for a walk in the woods a few days ago and while walking they were just amazed of what they were seeing and where discussing their world only a child would understand. As I was walking and listening to them talk,I actually really listened to them and heard what they said.

I actually begun to relaxed and then felt what they where saying and experienced what they where. I can honestly say I haven’t felt that way in a very long time and I really for a short time felt like what they did.

It is truly amazing how my kids helped me to understand the world in a nice and beautiful place instead of violence,death,and corruption in this world and I hope they won’t see the world in that way.But, I know that as they grow older that they will.

My goal in life is to slow down and listen to my children more,so as they grow older.They can inspire in their children that the world is still in deed a wonderful place.