Ponds, Happy Places, And A Late Summer Update

It’s a lovely September afternoon down here at my “happy place,” thinking about what to write for an Eden update. But I’m not sure yet, so I think we’ll just wing i! :) But first, in case you are wondering where this “happy place” is ~ it’s a pond. And here is a view from inside the gazebo where I’m sitting:

It’s a huge pond, full of peepers (tiny, but mouthy frogs that are corporately deafening in the Spring), and bullfrogs and banjo frogs in the early summer months. Later (like now) it surprisingly gets quiet, but often we are graced with the sight of a timid blue heron perched on the edges, or the sound of King-fisher birds diving in and out of the water for catfish. It’s a shallow pond with only catfish right now – small ones at that. But it’s a wild and healthy pond – and my personal blessing. I was raised up near a pond during a particularly carefree time of life – so it’s unique sights and sounds are a favorite.

Every morning I wake up and plan the day’s chores in order to hopefully finish them up early and come down here in the afternoon. It’s been a busy summer, and really hot, too, so time here is precious. Lately though I’ve just been “making the time.”  There’s no way everything on my “to do” list will ever -EVER – get done. :-O

Summer Happenings:

On that note, here are a few highlights this year:

1. Rentals – A new, increasing priority. This includes our house in town (until we go back to it in the winter), which has thankfully been rented for the last several months to some really great people! And now here on the homestead we are renting out the “Cozy Cabin.” Next year we hope to open the property to “HipCamp” tenters as well.

2. Visitors – The guest camper that is specifically for friends and family to stay has been graced by many guests this summer. It’s been fun to see both old friends again, and make new ones. Here’s a picture of some of us enjoying time together in the new firepit location:

3. Permaculture Projects. This includes Beehives – Vinny has 9 of them now. No honey yet – but hoping! And also Mushroom growing. Yes you heard right. :-) Here is a picture of Vinny and Charlie inoculating logs for a future Shiitake harvest:

4. Speaking of Charlie – This Spring a “stranger” found us through a website for “Woofers” (“Workers on Organic Farms”), and now Charlie has become our friend – helping us here in exchange for a place to stay.  He is a positive person with experience, talents, and, a servant’s heart.  It’s been so nice to have him here!

5. The Jungle. I mean Garden. :-) Which leads to one question we’d like to ask. Does anyone need free food? :-) Abundant life in a colorful shadow – for sure. This time of year a wagon like this gets filled up every day!:

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Changing Season, Changing Happy Place

Beside harvesting corn and pumpkins in the garden, there are subtle weather changes happening to warn us Fall is again (as usual) around the corner. For us, this means putting gardens to bed, preparing Charlie’s place to winter in, and beginning the process of “migrating” back to our little house in town just 20 minutes away. We are already talking about these plans, and I miss the pond just thinking about it! :-(

But truthfully – I know that a “happy place” is much more than a location. For me, the real inspiration of this pond is not the sights and sounds that bring back positive memories, but the time spent here falling in love with God all over again.

Until next time,
Pamela

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