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Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Picking up sticks


Dear friends, this is not just a pile of sticks..this is 5 hours of hard labor...

And this...
And this...

Today was beautiful.  60 degrees and sunshine!  I straightened the house, washed a couple loads of clothes and hung the quilt and bedspread out on the clothesline to sun. Bought a few groceries, rushed home, put things away, changed clothes and went outside.  The time was 12:00 noon.

The back yard is still a mess from all the trees that were cut last summer.  I am sick of looking out the bedroom window to a mass of downed trees, limbs, and logs cut into firewood strewn in the mess.  Five straight hours I worked, dragging away limbs and stacking firewood.

This is why I love to blog.  There are blogging friends out there who will listen.  Someone to talk to.  To tell how hard I worked and how much was accomplished and how proud I feel. You see, as wonderful as Poppy is, he is not one to compliment.  Not at all!

I could have money trees bearing hundred dollar bills growing out back and Poppy would not comment...if he did comment it would be something like," why did you plant them there?"

Not realizing the time, I was bent over sawing yet another limb that was hung under a tree. My face was red, my hair tangled into a rat's nest, a large hole ripped in my shirt from getting myself hung on a limb, I look up and Poppy is standing there!  I stood  up, smiled, and said, "look, we almost have our yard back. We can walk out here again.  Can you believe how much I've gotten done today"?  Poppy said,"you didn't happen to find my knife while you were working out here, did you"?  Folks, it has been this way since day one!  He does not compliment. Period!   Sorry!  :)

I was excited to see this Pileated Woodpecker in a tree just outside our bedroom window...





Around here, it is pretty rare to see one of these.  We have a pair that have been coming into the yard...

Here it is Tuesday morning and raining again...imagine that!  :)  And, I wanted to work outside again.

Not a very exciting post.  Thank you for visiting. :)

Love,
Henny Penny






26 comments:

  1. Henny - I read between the lines - I had one like that and it's hard - HARD !!
    You done good girl - I'm tellin ya !!

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  2. Henny, I am proud of you! I am in the same boat! The farmer never compliments that much either. I can clean something all day and the farmer will find something not done or done right. Oh Well we love them anyway!!
    Love you, Vicki

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    1. That's right, we do still love them. They can sure point out what didn't get done! Love you.

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  3. It's called being taken for granted ladies ! this is my year, the year I am escaping from such a thankless situation and claiming my life back !

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    1. They do take us for granted. Are you, seriously?

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  4. Dear Henny,
    If I had chopped, sawed, and hauled all those limbs and logs into the piles I see in your yard, and my husband asked if I found his knife, I think maybe he should be glad I didn't find it! Seriously, I think men often just assume that it's our job to take on these jobs, do them well, and get on with it. We listen to their commentary about the day at work, or a golf game, or a fishing trip, etc., and make appropriate conversation. But when we tell them much about our interests and efforts, they either aren't listening, or just don't know what to say. But for you, dear Henny, to work all those hours, and find joy and beauty in the Pilated Woodpecker sitting in your tree, now that's a beautiful thing! Our men are strange creatures, and we love them, but they are lucky to have us!

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    1. Pam, you make me smile! You are right. Probably a good thing I didn't find his knife! :) Oh, when he is talking, he has my undivided attention. I know more about Food Lion, their policies and employees than anybody around! But when I am talking, he says he is listening, but doesn't bother to look up from his reading or TV. Yes, strange creatures!

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  5. Good job, and from experience I know that is a lot of hard work. Are you going to have a bonfire? My husband is wonderful and most always notices things I have done..I am lucky:)

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    1. You are very lucky to have a husband who notices. I don't think Poppy means to be this way...just this morning he said, you should have taken a before and after picture of the back yard for your blog. ?? Maybe he worried all night. I still didn't get a pat on the back. :) I would love to build a bonfire.

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  6. My hubby worries that I work too hard..ah bless him!
    I spent the day baking today...nothing doing outside for a while yet except hauling firewood .That first pile looks huge...how did you even reach to throw stuff on the top?! Love Pileateds...they always sound as though they are laughing.
    Jane x

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    1. Yes, bless him! That is so sweet. I did have trouble getting some of the big limbs onto the pile, but kept trying. I love doing that kind of work!

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  7. I know EXACTLY what you mean. Got one of those guys living here too. At least he is good to do things that need doing around the house and keeps at it till the job is done. BUT a few words of commendation for MY work would not go amiss

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    1. Poppy too, is really good about keeping everything repaired and running around here. He is a hard worker and never misses a day at work. He just does not compliment! :)

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  8. Lovely brush piles, well done:) The birds will certainly appreciate them even if Poppy can't.

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  9. You sure did a lot of work! I know because I do it myself. I have one of those too. I am looking into getting a chain saw because I need to cut some "way overgrown" shrubbery that has gotten so big I can't manage them with a hand saw. You make your place look lovely. :)

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    1. Thank you! I do have my own electric chainsaw. I should have used it but in such a tangled mess I was a little nervous about falling with that thing going! :)

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  10. Oh, believe me, I get it! That is such fulfilling work! And great exercise too. And it does leave you feeling like you want to get back out the next day. I'm sorry that enthusiasm got rained on.
    Well done!

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    1. It is fulfilling work. My favorite kind of work. I love outside work much more than housework. I was exhausted but it good feeling tired.

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  11. Dear Henny,
    See to it that no one defraud you of your reward. Grow not weary in doing good, for if we faint not, we shall reap a due reward.
    Chin up, shine on. Your loving Father sees you and delights in your efforts. He rejoices over you with singing and appreciates you helping his son 'Poppy' to reach the other side.

    Love you, you do a great job!
    Jen
    l.

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    1. Dear Jen, thank you for your, as always, kind, loving comment. It is good to hear from you! Love, Henny

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  12. I know that proud feeling of accomplishment after hours of hard work. A pat on the back from me:)

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    1. Well thank you! I sure felt like I needed a pat on the back. :)

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  13. Hey Henny, I love it - you got right to the heart of the matter! Poppy needs to appreciate you more, but maybe he does think he tells you how good you are and hard you work, but then doesn't put into words...Hmm. Beautiful woodpecker, God loves you to send you so much beauty! Love Terry

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  14. How did I miss your sweet comment? Thank you Terry. I probably should not have posted all that! : Love, Henny

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