Hay, Iris, Popcorn and Birthday

How much hay can you get in the bed of a pickup? At Katie's invitation, Becky and I set off on another hay adventure to Robertson County to find out. A friend of Katie's had graciously given us a large quantity of spoiled hay for the garden so on a recent Monday, we went up to pick it up and have lunch with Katie. Katie, of course, had a camera to record the historical event. Thanks Katie for the pictures, for the hay and for not being too embarrassed to eat out at a nice restaurant with your farmer-dressed parents. The old in ground barbecue pit, that has been an eye sore in our yard since we moved to Leiper's Fork, has recently been converted to an iris bed which should be a great improvement. Early this Spring, Becky brought home some popcorn seed from Katie and instructions from Rebecca on how to plant and harvest it correctly. We decided to plant the seed in the garden and recently enjoyed the fruit of our (actually it was Becky's) labor. This past Friday was my brother Paul's 63rd birthday and another reminder that if he is 63 then I must be 64. Happy birthday Paul.

Becky reaches the summit,  with some assistance

Queen of the mountain

New Iris Bed

Part of the Popcorn harvest

It actually was pretty good

Paul caught in the act of stealing my birthday cake.  The cut little boy to the left is me.

Truck, Garden and Reflections on Life

It has been a interesting week of reminders that there is a correlation between age and and things wearing out.  My little red 1996 Nissan truck has been my faithful companion for 14 years and has not given me one bit of trouble.  In the last few weeks I have invested in a new battery, 4 new tires, a broken steering wheel and the phantom horn blowing.  The steering issue all started when I was turning hard to get out of a parking spot when something popped in the steering wheel.  Shortly afterward, anytime I turned (right or left), the horn would blow. Initially I didn't think this would be a big deal but when people began to make obscene hand gestures at me on my drive to work, I took it to a mechanic to repair what I thought would be a simple repair.  The estimate was around $1100 to replace the steering wheel and horn switch.  I decided to have the mechanic disconnect the horn and let me think about it.  I wonder if it is legal for me to drive in Tennessee without a horn?   Today, my aging truck has a loud squeak in the engine so maybe there is another trip to the mechanic in my future.  Our little dog Belle is really slowing down in the last few months.  She is approaching 15 years old and is not the pup that she thinks she is.  During my recent doctor's visit, I was told that I have high cholesterol, need to exercise and need to lose some weight but that I wasn't in bad shape for my age.  Not sure what he meant by that but will take it as a complement...I guess.  The bright side of life is I still have most of my hair, Becky looks 20 years young than me and I will retire in less than two years.  This week we started to put the garden "asleep" for the winter by spreading hay in the areas that were no longer producing.  This new system of gardening is great and we have been really blessed with a great yield this growing season.  For the last three years we have thoroughly enjoyed our neighbors three miniature donkeys.  Last month, they were moved since our neighbors have moved and put their home on the market.  It is sad to look over to their pasture and not see the "girls" anymore.   I have included some appropriate pictures for your viewing pleasure in yet another humble attempt at blogging. 

My faithful but aging little red truck

Former home of our 3 little donkey friends.  We miss you.

Garden starting to be put "asleep" for the winter

Another view of our garden

Washington Trip - Recovered?

I am beginning to recover from our visit to Kennewick for the birth of Payne Harrison and wanted to share just a few of our pictures to give you all a taste of our trip out west.  I returned to the Nashville airport late Monday night to discover my truck would not start.  I finally got a jump and in bed by 2:30 am.  On Tuesday, I went to work and then picked up Becky after my shift ended.  Thursday I got a new battery but had to put the truck in the shop Friday due to a steering column issue along with getting the Ford serviced.  On Saturday, I made my run to the land fill, some yard work, chemicals in the pool and off to work.  Today, after worship, I took a two hour nap and am starting to feel a little more human.  Tomorrow, Becky and I are making another hay run for the garden and meeting Katie for lunch.  As you can tell, my blogging skills are a work in progress but hope you enjoy my humble attempt.  (Thanks Katie for the help.)

Celebrating my 64th birthday a little early.

The little family is growing

Becky and Rachel doing the one month cooking project.

Eric and I with Mt Rainier in the background.

Addelyn was pure entertainment during our stay

The perfec baby - Payne Harrison

Noni being Noni

Hiking in Mt Rainier, WA

While visiting our new grandson, Payne Evers Harrison, in Kennewick, WA Eric invited me for a day hike at Mt Rainier.  It was a beautiful drive with Mt Rainier being a spectacular example of God's creative powers.  The four mile hike took us around 3 hours and nearly a third of the hike was over snow and a 1700 foot change in elevation.  It was a good reminder that I need to get in better shape and lose some weight.  Yesterday we all drove to Walla Walla, WA to visit the farmers market and today we worshipped at Bethel Church in Richland.  The trip has been too short for me since I fly out tomorrow with Becky following me on Tuesday.  Rachel has made me a little dangerous introducing me to Facebook and blogging.  More to come in the next few days.