Sixty One Countries

When I first started the blog it was really just to my friends, near and far, new and old. Now I have people from sixty one countries, as of today, touching my little world with their mouse. I think that's really neat. Thanks for stopping .

Some are accidental visits on their way to some place else. Some have become regulars I think. I'm glad to make all your acquaintances. Please say hello more often.

It really makes my day to share what we have here, especially of the farm. I know we are lucky, and I am happy to let you see our world. Just remember, its not real!!!

Foods of the Bible

Just a couple of days ago, I was invited to a dinner at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Ligonier by my new friend, Diane. The enticement was that it would be middle eastern food from the Bible. I jumped at the invitation.

This first course could have been my favorite. A meal in itself.

Those that know me say, "But its food . Of course you did." But friends, this was so different, and I didn't have to travel far to enjoy it. Right here in little Ligonier.
Sorry! What you are seeing is partially consumed food. Trust me and the other guests. It was so good and freshly made, we all overindulged. In between the courses we heard readings from the Bible illustrating the relationship of food and hospitality and culture. We also had little cards on the table that we all took turns reading to the table. It was a good way to get to know strangers and new friends alike.
Lisa Houser from Myrianms Table prepared the foods, and told us about some of the customs, and considerations which were taken into account when preparing a meal in Biblical times many of which she learned growing up in her grandmother’s kitchen.
In Biblical times a person’s reputation was largely connected to his hospitality - the sharing of home and food. The Fellowship Committee has a great reputation in my book.

Thanks for inviting me Diane!!

Lefty...That's me

This was from the Hunter's Moon night but the lighting cancelled out the moon at this setting.
Some how i have become a lefty and i am becoming pretty able at left handed typing. Almost no different than when i use two hands! i am suffering a pinched nerve in my shoulder or back and i am pretty useless the past two days. Seems i have bursitis in my shoulder that suddenly went berserk.

thank goodness for my dear neighbor Karen who has helped with the barn work for the past couple of days. i hope its not much more.

Just some pictures today from the fall and farm collection.

Guy Fawkes Night

Remember, remember the fifth of November,
The gunpowder treason and plot,
I know of no reason
Why the gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.

I remembered most of this rhyme from my childhood. Growing up in England, we always looked forward to "Bonfire Night". My understanding is that in recent years, Halloween has stolen a bit of the glory from November 5th, being so close on the calendar.

Guy Fawkes belonged to a group of men who planned to blow up Parliament while it was in session to protest discrimination against the Catholics. He was caught on November 5th, and since 1605, Londoners were encouraged to celebrate the King's escape from assassination by lighting bonfires in the city, and it has been a tradition ever since.

We always got sparklers, and every once in a while, we got a few rockets to launch. But the fire was a must, with the effigy if Guy Fawkes siting on top. Sort of Halloween and Fourth of July celebrations rolled into one.

The movie "V for Vendetta" was based on this piece of history, so when you see it again, you might appreciate the facts it is based on. See the article and the clip here. http://www.syracuse.com/have-you-heard/index.ssf/2009/11/happy_guy_fawkes_day.html

My school friend Ann, from Sheffield, England has been helping me recall these memories. Although I know I have these school pictures somewhere, she was able to find one and send it to me. Can you find the eight or nine year old me?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes_Night

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/allison-kilkenny/guy-fawkes-protesters-fin_b_346720.html

Frost for the Hunters Moon

Last night, I just missed the most wonderful coloring of the sun going down on the hill, with the moon rising over it.

But what you can see is the clear sky. In November, a pretty good indicator of a frosty morning coming. I got all my pots in last night, and good thing. The first sighting this morning - white grass.

A close up of the individual iced buds on this flower head.
Only nature could work so hard at outlining every leaf.

Mint Julep on the stem.

My assistant's foot prints melting the frost.

The wide angle of the Sedum Autumn Joy. Lichen on an old post.

While the Sun Shines

Its November, but the warm mornings and the blue sky give the illusion of ongoing summer.

Even with the golden grass, the reflection looks warm.

The rose hips shine like flowers in the sun.

A geranium manages a bloom and new buds for the plant pots being brought in and out of the cold nights.

Sunday walk above the pond.

Ripples and reflections.

Wonder what these clouds are bringing.

Patron Saint of Technology and the Internet

Today is All Saints Day. All Saints Day commemorates all saints, known and unknown.

I think the saints were with me, as they say, when I endeavored on the blog repair yesterday. Some of you may have noticed the right column had slipped underneath the left, and things were just a bit awry.


First I went to the official Blogger "Help" section, but it has an infinite amount of problems to search through. I guess I'm not the only fat fingered blogger. So I started putting in search phrases and came up with a few false starts. Finally I saw something that struck me as a possibility, and started the process of elimination. It worked.


I am very proud of myself. It is still working today, so I found the problem and made the correct repair. WOO HOO!! I get a gold star!


So who is the patron Saint of Technology? I found two possibilities.


Pope John Paul II was suggested to be a fairly high tech Pope, as was the Vatican at his time. Upon his death the media was texted for an announcement, and his death was announced via email. The public praying below his window were not aware of his death as soon as the television watching world. He is a modern selection who actually used this technology.

http://churchtechmatters.com/2005/04/20/high-tech-pope/


But it seems that a Papal Council designated St. Isidore of Seville, Spain, the official patron saint.
So, how does Saint Isidore of Seville become the patron saint for the Internet? The Observation Service for Internet, who drew it's mission from the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, researched the Internet and related technologies to select a patron saint that best reflects the concerns and ideals of computer designers, programmers and users. The saint chosen by the Observation Service for Internet was Saint Isidore. "The saint who wrote the well-known 'Etymologies' (a type of dictionary), gave his work a structure akin to that of the database. He began a system of thought known today as 'flashes;' it is very modern, notwithstanding the fact it was discovered in the sixth century. Saint Isidore accomplished his work with great coherence: it is complete and its features are complementary in themselves.


http://www.scborromeo.org/saints/isidores.htm

I don't remember calling on either of them, but we have an orderly blog this morning, so that's good enough for me. Now for an orderly desk! Patron Saint of Neatness?