Letting the girls out. Their first time.

Yesterday when I got home about 6:30, I let the girls out. It took them awhile to figure out the door was open. But one by one, they all went out. They didn't know what to do or where to go first! It was just so amazing and exciting to be out there in the wide open world.

                                                              They went this way....

                                                                    and ran that way!

I love the look on this one's face. Like she's totally amazed at all the grass and bugs and wide open spaces she can explore now. Where to begin?

I let them out again about an hour ago. I'll keep letting them out a little longer each day, til they are out all day soon. They are really loving this! I just hope they will stay in the chicken yard and not in MY yard.

An "old lady"

She's always saying "the old lady is slow today" or "the old lady can't do what she used to do anymore". Today she said "when you get to be an old lady, things start happening." I asked her what an old lady is. She said someone in their 70's, 80's, 90's.

I met her 30 years ago. She was 66 then. We had just moved in next door to her. I was outside one day and looked up to see this beautiful tall white haired lady walking through my yard. She introduced herself and said she lived next door. She welcomed us to the neighborhood. We've been good friends ever since. Although now, she says my mother used to bring me to her when I was just 3 years old, to teach me my ABC's and art.

I don't know how she became an "old lady". When did this happen? I can't put a date or time on it. But really, she only started acting like an old lady about 5 years ago. Really forgetful. Repeating stories over and over. Using a cane. Really hard of hearing. The list goes on and on. To me, she's still a beautiful woman. Full of grace and charm. She's a true Southern lady. Born and raised in Chattanooga and lived there and in N. Ga. most of her life. She's amazing. And healthy to be 96. She says she's 99. That the date on her DL is wrong. She's the only woman I've ever known who says she's older than she really is. She just wants to be 100. She's a mess, this lady!

I hope that when I'm an old lady, I am just like her.

Hello September!

 This morning, I noticed the Silver Maple tree has some yellow on some of the leaves. And there is a different feeling in the air. Fall's on the way!

                                                       Yates apples all over the ground.

                                      This is on the Granny Smith apple tree. How strange is that?

And the figs are coming on strong! I go out and pick a lot every day now. I took a lot to the market last Wed. And also made 10 jelly jars of fig preserves yesterday. I just picked a bunch for my friend this morning too. I'll be making more preserves as the days go by. I have 4 bushes and they are all just loaded.

                                The blueberry bushes are starting to turn and loose their leaves.

                                           This is the sedum, decked out in it's Autumn glory.

I love Redbud trees. They are my very favorite tree. I have wanted them here ever since we bought this place. I got this tree and another smaller tree from my mother's yard a few years ago. This one is about 15' tall now. The other one is really small but is growing and will hopefully be as big as this one soon. I love the leaf patterns on this tree too. So pretty.

We need to get all the oak tree wood split and hauled to the farm soon. I think we'll be having an early fall.