Christmas Night

Well the busy season is about over. All my children,grandchildren and great grandchildren came on Christmas Eve. We ate lots and enjoyed all the family being together. I always put out my Nativity Set that I bought in Israel in 1993 it is made of olive wood. The great grandchildren like to move the animals and baby Jesus around in the manger. I also bought my four daughters a set and shipped to them from Israel. That trip was a memorable experience that I will never forget.
We visited many places Jesus had been and when you are there it gives you a closeness to Christ Jesus to walk where he had walked. We took a boat across the Sea of Galilee and we experienced a storm while we were on the boat. It came up so quickly and was really rough waves. We all had to go to the lower deck and prayed for it to calm down. It made us think of the storm on the Sea that Jesus calmed.
He also calmed it for us that day. We came home to the last big-big snow we have had in Tennessee --that was January 13,1993. We haven't had a snow that big since then.

I have to say Uncle Omar{Old Farmer Man} is not doing do well mentally. He got up with his gifts last night about 7:00pm and told me he was ready to go home. We all told him he was home and they all had to be the ones to leave. He is ready to go to bed about that time every night. He really scared me Christmas Eve morning---I got up and got his dog and went to his bedroom and opened the door to find his bed empty and had not been slept in. I frantically looked in every room and even looked outside to see that the truck was there ,and it was. I went to the basement door and opened and called for him and he answered from down there. I went down and he was curled up on the bed with one thin quilt over him--It is cold in the basement.
I asked him what he was doing down there and he told me some man got him by the arm and led him down there---It had to be his guardian angel that helped down those steps because he went down there in pitch dark and he never made a sound. He easily could have fallen down all the steps but didn't.
I thought he had gone to bed when I left him in the bathroom next to his bedroom that night and I had told him and shown him his bedroom. I didn't hear him open the basement door or close it and I was sitting close by watching Christmas Show on TV. I brought him up and put him to bed and he stayed in bed until noon and slept.
Now I have to be sure he is in bed before I relax and watch TV or anything else.
May put a buzzer on each door that would warn me if it was opened. He has been confused all day today.
Have a Happy New year.

Love,
Marie [aunt Maria]

Joy!!!

"Joy To The World",---Such a beautiful song. We have so much to be joyful about but let so much come into our lives that we don't feel very joyful some of the time.
I do love the season we are in and enjoy preparing for it. We should always be as a little child and enjoy --enjoy. Look forward not backward. Think on the good things and know God is in control. Have no fear for our Father knows all things and is there for us.

Today I made more cookies for the children and as gifts. I like making cookies but it takes a long time to decorate and bag them all. They do look good enough to eat.

Uncle Omar{Farmer Man} has been doing pretty good this week.
Each day though he talks about his sisters and where are they and I have to tell him again they are both passed away. Today he talked about me dying and leaving him---I told him I was not going to leave him that I would live to be old- old- old, because I have asked God to take care of me and let me have a long life so i could take care of him. He became happier and laughed. I laugh with him.

Love,
Marie{aunt Maria}

Tea Cakes!!

I love tea cakes. My grandmother made them when I was a little girl and she always put raisins on top --not a lot like 4 or 5. Her tea cakes tasted so good I just loved them. Today i made teacakes for the great grandchildren for Christmas. I make tea cakes often not often enough ---because all my family really like for me to make them. I make some that are cut out and they are a large chicken, I call them my,"Chicken Whisper Cookies". I didn't make them today I made smaller cut out.
Christmas is a fun time with all the family coming---But I haven't gotten many things done--not much decorating. I did make the uncooked fruit cake like my mother used to make. Not everyone likes fruit cake--- I don't know why it's gooey and sweet and full of nuts and fruit.

Today I went into town and Uncle Omar{Farmer Man} went with me. I sure don't get much done when I know he is waiting on me in the truck. But I really don't like leaving him here for long so if I go alone I still don't get much done I am thinking about him. He gets into things when I leave him alone--like going to his shop and hurting himself. He has a sore lip now looks like he hit himself in the mouth with something and he doesn't know how he did it.
He is like a little boy looking for things to get into. Grinding on the grinding wheel, buffing things is not good for a little boy---three fingers got ground pretty good. I know God is watching over him --- I asked him to because I can't always see everything. He only does these things when he is feeling better physically and he thinks he can still do all the things he used to do but mentally he cannot. His reflexes are not fast like they used to be, but he doesn't want me to tell him that.
Most of the time he is a good little boy and wants my approval and when I scold him like a little boy it hurts his feelings. Then he wants me not to be mad-- he says. I tell him I am not mad just trying to take care of him. Good thing I am the motherly type --don't you think.
Well enough tonight --my little boy goes to bed at 6:30 or7:00 every night and sleeps well and i thank God for that too.

Love,
Marie{aunt maria}

Make a Smilebox photobook

Snow December 5th.

May be we are going to have more snow this year sense it snowed so early. It was so beautiful even though it wasn't so much--- but i make a lot of a little when it comes to snowing. It feels a lot like Christmas to me. It was so cold my chicken's water was frozen hard. I went in the kitchen and got them warm water--I really don't think it stayed warm long.I had to make a smile box to share--some have seen it but maybe someone else will enjoy it too.

When I was a girl at home i was the oldest and had two brothers right behind me in age. I was always supposed to watch out for them but they did lots of things that could have gotten us in trouble. I loved to do this skating on the pond with them when it froze over. It got lots colder in the late 40's and 50's ,than it does now here in Tennessee. We would go out when it came a big snow and freeze and stay out roaming in the woods, snow ball fighting and skating on the ponds. Not once did the ice break with us. I loved it and so did they. I had another little brother but don't remember him being with us. I had a baby sis that came along when I was almost 16 and she missed out on this fun--{sorry sis} you would have loved it.

Uncle Omar ,{Farmer Man} has been about the same just wanted to know tonight if i had children, I said I have four, he said I have four too----I said yes ,I have the same ones you have, he laughed and didn't know how to respond, do we had some more talking of course. We just have to laugh and love each other and go on---even if it is confusing to me too. WOW

Love,
Marie--{aunt maria}

Christmas Projects.

I love making things for Christmas gifts. I used to make cabinets ,tables , blocks fancy things but now I have done very little this year and I miss doing these things.
I did paint a cabinet with a big beautiful rooster. I also painted a farm picture of our old farm house.
Last night our FCE ladies had our Christmas Dinner. We always exchange little simple gifts so I made two simple ornaments. One is copy of old world Santa's and angels. I got them from my computer and printed them and then put glitter on some places ---put in a hole and ribbon and you have a pretty ornament. I made one that can be a magnet or ornament. I cut out a circle of wood and took some of my small drawings and decoupaged it on the wooden circle ---put a mag on back or drill small hole in top for ribbon to hang as ornament.
I will show you a picture if the picture looks good.

Farmer Man is not getting better--- just more and more going back in time. He told me tonight my mother was washing his wash cloths for him, And that Mezzie was getting pretty smart with him. I told him to take a good bath. Life is different---
when I go to town for some short time shopping, he goes with me and sits in the truck. He does OK and I have better peace of mind knowing we are together.

Love,
Marie--[aunt maria]

Longest Night?

It is getting closer to the longest night of the year. That night is Sunday, December 21st, 2009.

I like long days I like being outside working in the yard planting the garden and flowers. I will soon start getting seed catalogs. They always arrive before Christmas --a lot of them do. As soon as I get one It makes me feel closer to Spring.

This has come to my mind because farmer man is going to bed every night about 7 and even wants to go to bed earlier. I feel lonely for some reason. I think because he can't remember where he and the dog sleep, he asks me over and over where do they go---he must feel safer when i show him and help him finds his way. It makes me feel like i am in a strange place myself---my strange place is helping my husband of 58 years find his bed.

He did enjoy everyone here Thanksgiving day and was not as anxious as I was afraid he might be. I asked if anyone wanted to tell what they were thankful for and many did, well Farmer man reminded me of the commercial on TV he said, he was thankful for the ham.
Love,
Marie--[aunt maria]

Chinese Silkies!!!

Today I got outside and did some get ready for winter things. I got my flowers and bulbs and took them to basement. My two beautiful ferns, I put them in the basement too---but they will not stay pretty all winter. I will enjoy them until I can't stand the mess they make.
While I was out I took some pictures or the last of the garden flowers and a few other things. I wanted to share with you the two beautiful Silkie chickens a friend gave me. My black cat Miss Millie and the snow white Silkie were a pretty picture.

We know winter is upon us one month from today is Christmas Eve. Oh, Thanksgiving is two days away --I am having a house full, I am thankful for all my family.

I am thankful for my husband of 58 years.Now he has gone back in his mind to when he was a boy at home. I am still thankful for him even when he thinks I am his sister or his mother. We talk about times in the past.

Love,
Marie[aunt maria]

Thanksgiving!!

I love the holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
My family is together a lot at this time of the year. We eat together a lot ---we like to eat, but even when we are not eating and the family is around we sit at the table and talk. We ate at church today and sat at the long tables and ate and talked.
I enjoy that a lot--everyone in this family and our church family are Good cooks.
I am so thankful for both my family and my church family.
This weekend I decorated a tree at the Fly Arts building and participated in a one day sale. Enjoyed being in the community and talking with friends and making new friends. My great niece helped me and we had fun decorating the tree.

The theme of my tree is,"Reading with Aunt Maria". I have my books, my cards, my ornaments and many other things on the tree. The Festival of Trees, at the Fly will be up through Christmas.

Farmer Man is not better he is having more and more days that he doesn't know me.
I do not leave him my himself much anymore. Yesterday one of the daughters and our son-in-law stayed with him. That is good but when someone else is here instead of me he becomes more confused seems. I have become his everything. I do have to go do somethings for myself though to clear my head and just be me. I am thankful i have a family that helps. My grandson and wife and children came today while I was at church and brought chicken pot pies for lunch for all of them while I ate at church.
I ask him to go to church with me be he hasn't yet maybe sometime.
Love,
Marie--aka aunt maria

Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia is the kind of dementia that Farmer Man has. The most common type
of vascular dementia is multi-infarct dementia[MID], which is caused by a series of small strokes, or"mini-strokes," that go unnoticed and cause damage to the cortex of the brain- the area associated with learning, memory, and language.
I found this information on Helpguide.org.
His Dr told us this is the kind he has because he has had one stroke that was visible but seemed to not do any damage at the time. Later though he started declining in memory and other things. He has had some of the mini-strokes I know because he has shown many changes in the last two months. Very fast it seems to me and sad too. He has gone back in time to his younger years and referrers to me as his sister sometimes. He does not know me sometimes now. To look at him he does not look like there is any thing wrong , he still looks good.
Last week we went on a day vacation with three of the daughters and had a very nice day ,he did enjoy but he gets more confused when we go somewhere different.
It was a good day though.
Love
Aunt Maria

Making an Astronaut Suit today.

This has been a beautiful week full of color and sunshine. I just sing my praises to God for all his gifts and love.

I have been busy-- my great grandson, little Brian wanted me to make him an astronaut
suit. I was given the instructions from the magazine,Family Fun, they said put together time was one hour---well they didn't say you would have to go to Lowes, the Dollar Store and Wal Mart , to get all the parts. I took farmer Man with me on this
adventure hunt, he did pretty good until lunch time and I said we would eat at Captain D's----Then he tells me we would have to take something to the girl at home,--oh my he thinks I am two people again. I tell him I am one and the same. There is not anyone at home she is with him and that she is me me me me. Are you confused yet--I sort of feel confused myself so he must really feel confused. He tells me how nice she is to him and she just laughs a lot. Well I am laughing cause I don't want to cry. You can't imagine the discussion we had about her --ME?

We ate lunch and came home to finish the project and he actually helped me some.
He had to cut the opening in the bucket for the helmet face opening. I am sharing some pictures of the finished project. Brian is in a program at school tomorrow night. I told him he sure did ask a lot of me, and ,he said I was magic---wasn't that sweet. Eight year old think things like that of us nannies.

Love,
Aunt Maria

Green Eggs and Ham?

This day has been a much better day. Farmer Man the scare crow has come home to stay.
He stands guard out on the hill by the old equipment. I will show you soon.
First I want to tell you the front porch to my cabin was put on yesterday and today I will show you the eggs I get from that front porch. All the boxes and treasures out there is fine for hiding a nest, they think. I have a little hen that lays a green egg. She is just a little white hen with a rose comb. I told you bout Miss Moses sitting on nine eggs, well she only hatched two babies and is very proud of them and is a good mother.

So now I can have Green Eggs and Ham? I am getting ten eggs a day now--I have fifteen hens.

Alzheimer or Dementia

Today was a beautiful fall day.Going to church at 8:30am, it was misty fog and rays of sun like they were floating through the mist ---The colors of the trees was brighter and more luminous looking. It was God's handiwork for sure--Everything seemed to glow. I heard more than one comment about the beauty.
Our Pastor Doug had a message that was definitely God directed. Is your bible worn or written in or just underlined a lot? I like to underline and make sideline notes and date it. We have had several pastors over the years and I have written their names and sermon topic and the date and scripture in my bible.

I have to say a few words about Farmer Man, he has lots of back pain and his legs are weak. He still goes each morning and night to feed the goats. He has to use a cane and he walks slow and he has fallen several times.

Alzheimer or dementia is a robbing aliment. It robs the person of all the memories of the present or that is what is happening here. He talks about his brothers and sisters a lot now and has told me i am a lot like his mother that passed away when he was fourteen.
He doesn't believe I am his wife because I am too old, but he says I am really good to him like his wife was. I don't know if this is the thing to do or not ,but I got a picture out of a younger me and an older me and showed him. I told him I am the same person on the inside I just look different on the outside. I said i am still that young 16yr. old inside and still dream dreams and want to do creative things like i always have. On the outside I just look different and so do you.

He said the other lady works around here all the time doing things and he was wondering if he should pay her--Ha Ha yes of course. I laugh and tell him we are the same person--Me and that cleaning lady.Well we just laugh him because he is confused and me because I don't want to cry.

Love,
Aunt Maria

Country Store

We also had a Chili supper and Country store for our UMW missions work. It was a great success. I have a picture of that and the children at Cedar Rock.
We small ones were having cookies and tea or water.

Had a wonderful weekend with the family. We had youth day at our church and our youth did a wonderful job and we had a visiting youth pastor and his wife that sang some beautiful songs for us. The pastor spoke about are we real or do we wear masks?
I have thought on this and we have to watch or we can be guilty of this.
I PRAY I CAN ALWAYS BE REAL AND NOT WEAR A MASK OF ANY KIND.
We also went to Cedar Rock, went on a hayride to see all the scare crows and the great grand kids had fun doing all the fun things on the farm.

Mr Farmer Man is doing pretty good right now. I know he is not the same as he once was but he got to go back to Ardmore Flea market again. Two daughters took him.
I got to stay home with the dog that walked back and forth to the door until he came home. He bought some treasures--- marbles, jars, some old wrenches and old knives, he had all of these things already. It's OK this gives him something to play with.
Love
Aunt Maria

News?

I have been so quiet lately. That doesn't mean things are not going on, they are.
Farmer man has been doing pretty good. He gets confused at night--every night.
We have discussions as to where the dog sleeps and which way to his bed? You know this is very confusing to him. I sometimes take him by the arm and say this way---Oh Yes, he says ,I know now. Life goes on no matter what.

Well I will tell you about my chickens, they are so smart. Oh, i am sure you think chickens aren't smart. My cabin where I do a lot of my creations, where i like to try to do some creating, is special to my little hens now. On my front porch i have a collection of lots of old things like wooden boxes, corn sheller, old barrel, trunk, little red wagon and other wonderful things. The hens have chosen this place to make their nests and lay their eggs everyday. I get 5 eggs there a day, and Miss Moses is sitting in the corn sheller again on 9 eggs and will hatch in mid November.
I will let you know when the babies get here. Well I will see if i can find a picture of my cabin porch to show you. It may be a mess to you but my little hens and i like it. This is not the picture I intended to be on here , this is a little painting i did for one of my cards. I will get the cabin porch some other time.
Love,
Aunt maria

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Just had to share all my chickens with you.
Love,
Aunt Maria [The Chicken Whisperer]

Some cute little faces.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Some simple projects using tin cans, paint, glue and felt, and happy kids enjoying themselves and some adults enjoying themselves too.
Love Aunt Maria

Wisdom?

Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is the principal thing;therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

Uncle Omar[Farmer Man] has had a pretty good week during the day but not at night.
Tonight he didn't know where to go again to sleep. He said, Louise told him where to go. I told him he was back at his old home again.I told him Louise was gone and then he gets quiet. I can almost feel the confusion he is having. I told him come with me and I will take you to your bed and tuck you in. I do that and he knows where he is at when I get to his room. So the thing I am trying to say here is I do try to have understanding in this life we are living now. I really don't think many people want to know about this kind of life. When you are young you never think about something like this. I have been there I know. Well I will write about this some to help me to get wisdom and understanding. I ask God for both. I know he hears me and I praise His Holy Name. Thank you Jesus.
Love,
Aunt Maria

Psalms 23:6 Living Bible

Psalms 23:6 Living Bible
Your goodness and unfailing kindness shall be with me all the days of my life, and afterwards I will live with you forever in your home.

Isn't it wonderful that we can speak to God personally one on one. I am looking forward to living with him in His home.

HOME---That is a place we all look forward to go to. After all your family is gone and there is no more home to go to it is sad. In your mind you can go back home and remember the good times and the bad. Mostly we remember the good things about home.

It seems Farmer man has been going back home in his mind lately. He asks about sisters that are gone. He wanted to visit one of his brothers that has dementia also. We did go visit him today and his brother asked about one of the other brothers that is also dead, he wanted to know if he had seen him lately.
These two brothers are so much alike , they sat on the couch together and talked some about things they did remember. It is alright that everything they talked about wasn't exactly correct, but they were together, they enjoyed that.

When Farmer Man was a little boy there was six little boys in the family and six little girls,WOW,and they slept up stairs, boys to the left girls to the right.
Now when it gets dark he asks me ,now I go up stairs and turn left ,don't I?
I say, "that's where you slept when you was a little boy". Now you live with me and sleep down the hall to the left. We do not have an upstairs. He says ." Oh yes I know that." We just laugh about a lot of things now and I cry some too.

I am thankful I still have a sister I can talk to not as much as I want to though.
I am thankful to God for the blessings each day.
Love,
Aunt Maria

Psalms 23:5 Living Bible

Psalms 23:5
You provide delicious food for me in the presence of my enemies.you have welcomed me
as your guest; blessings overflow!


Delicious food I did partake of yesterday, we had Homecoming at Mt Lebanon UMC and we had a wonderful day. There were many guests and old friends and lots of food-food -food. Blessings overflow as always where God is present. My four daughters
all came and lots of other family members --grandchildren and great grandchildren.
The oldest daughter Dianna, and the group she sings with blessed us with four beautiful songs


Even in the presence of having a blessed day things can change quickly.
Dr. Gray, my son-in-law stayed home with Old Farmer Man. We got home about 12:30pm
and found that Farmer Man was wrapped in blankets from head to toe having raging chills and burning up with fever. Dr. said it just came on fast so he thought he might be coming down with Swine Flu. He does this when he has urinary track infection or colon problems. I did go get Tami flu but we decided it was colon problems again.
I gave him Tylenol and Cipro in the afternoon and at bed time.

Amazing as it sounds people with dementia are much like a child they cannot tell you where they hurt. I have learned some of the signs and signals. I do believe last week when he was doing and saying some strange things, it was the infection coming on. He got up this morning and like a child again he was fine, he said. He is much better today and will take the antibiotics ten days.

In the midst of all this going on I was to go pick up my prize money,$500.00, for Old Farmer Man Scarecrow winnings. I did go get it and that if course was a blessing.

I live an interesting life now---Oh it has always been interesting and blessed.
Thank God for all of it.
Love Aunt Maria

Psalms 23:4

Psalms 23:4 The Living Bible

Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way.

It is wonderful to know that whatever place we are in God is with us. I am not afraid of what is next just always praying for His guidance. When you cry about the sad things you might be experiencing, you are not alone, He is right beside you.
Always ask for his guidance.

Today Farmer Man had a better day. I thank God for that. He was mixed up later in the day and told some wild stories. Wondered about some things and I tried to clear it up but that is almost impossible. He asks me about lots of people and most of them are gone on to the next life.

I was the first place winner with my scarecrow,"Old Farmer Man."
I will give you another view of him.
Aunt Maria

Psalms 23:2-3

He lets me rest in the meadow grass and leads me beside the quiet streams. He restores my failing health. He helps me do what honors him the most.

I have always loved the country living. I love to walk in the fields and woods.
Walk in the meadow grass. Walking by and wading in Sims Spring creek as a child was wonderful. Looking for craw fish and small snails was fun. God's critters and creation was my life---I loved it. I still love it all, all my critters here on the farm helps me focus on what I am doing. My chickens are my prizes they are so lovely and talk to me and I talk to them. I thank God for where I am and all my blessings.
I know he will help me through whatever comes.

Farmer Man was doing fair today until dark that's when he is was confused about his little dog Tinkie. He didn't think it was her. He had to look at her for a while until he said yes it was her, he could tell by the spots on her back.

23 Psalms

This is one of my favorite scriptures---Psalms 23:1

Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need.

In times of uncertainty you have to have something to hold on to. A shepherd watches after his sheep and keeps them near him at all times. He feeds them, he waters them, and he heals their wounds.
I am glad I am in the care of my Jesus the good Shepherd.

Today has been another confused day here. He got up this morning OK I thought, but after the day went on I knew he was still mixed up. I can talk to him about something that he is confused about and think he understands, then in a few minutes I know he still is confused. The progression of his thinking has gotten much worse in the last three weeks. He doesn't get mad he just seems quiet calm. I thank God for that. The really sad thing is he thinks I am a new wife. He thinks we have been married about two weeks.

He is so confused at times he gets me confused. I do know I am the same old wife though.

Being patient?

Today has been another confused day here. Where was his wife at. I am your wife.
No my wife has black hair and your hair couldn't change that quick, and his wife is fatter. Well I am her. No there is two women here, you and my wife. WE TALKED A LOT.
I know early in the morning and at night it is worse. God just give me the Patience
and understanding to help him. I know it is hard for him to understand and it is getting harder.

I found a picture about 19yrs ago a much clearer time in life.

Psalms92:4

You have done so much for me, O Lord. No wonder I am glad! I sing for joy.


Today was a good day here. Farmer Man had a better day than he has had in several days. He even had me take him to town to wash the truck. He didn't sleep all day
like he has been doing. He got out and picked up sticks in the yard and walked around more than usual. I went out and made his picture with his little dog Tinkie.
Wherever he goes she is with him.
I enjoyed this day, I picked peppers, okra, and tomatoes from what is left of the garden.
I cut okra, squash, onion and potatoes together and put meal on them and fried them in vegetable oil. Very good especially sense the fresh vegetables are about gone.

Psalms 96:1

Sing a new song to the Lord! Sing it everywhere around the world! Living Bible


We can sing new songs and sing them wherever we go even in unknown times. WE HAVE TO.

Some times things get all mixed up for all of us but with dementia it can get very confusing. Today has been one of those days here. The changing seasons? I wonder if that has an effect? It seems thing are worse now than they have ever been. But we try to laugh at some of the things that happen. When I go out and about I try to sing some silly new song to my chickens or my dogs or just to God.

I have made a Old Farmer Man scarecrow and entered him in a contest. That was fun and I used Farmer Man's old clothes and It looks almost like him. My daughter said all it lacked , was a goat eating out of his hands. I am sharing this funny man with you all.

Old Photos

I love old photos. I love to look mine and other peoples too.
Will share this one of Farmer Man and wife, when he had a beard.

Bryleigh

I cannot forget to put big sister and pawpaw's picture on here too.
She is 3yrs. and such a big girl and loves baby brother.

Ecclesiastes 1:4

One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.


It is funny to watch a new baby---they are so precious. When they start trying to talk to you whith those sweet face movements and the little lips form a sweet little heart. Little Fisher our great-grandson is 3 mos. old. Paw paw got to play with him and I got some pictures before they both went to sleep.
Paw paw sleeps as much as the baby now. He has not felt good this week.

Lost time.

Today Farmer Man didn't feel so well. I took him to the grocery store where he used to go to buy things for me and see all his friends. I miss him going and shopping for me. He would always buy some extra canned goods I didn't ask for. Canned pinto beans,white beans, corn, pork and beans, mixed vegetables and tomatoes, even though I canned tomatoes. He always said someone might come unexpectedly and I could fix a meal out of the pantry, that is true I have.

While shopping today he met some of his friends in the store, he said," I haven't seen you in about six years." The friend didn't know what was going on. When we got outside one of his old friends from where he used to work called to him ,and he came over and started talking. Farmer Man told him the same thing he hadn't seen him in so long , his friend said it hasn't been long. I told him about his dementia and he patted him on his back and kept on talking like always.That is good for him to get out some, but he doesn't have to tell everyone how fast i drive him around. Ha ha

Interesting things.

Ephesians 2:10
It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others.


Farmer Man hasn't felt very well today. With all the rain we have been having it has given us several gloomy days. When the days are grey and no sun it effects lots of people. He did get to moving around in the afternoon and playing with his rock collection. He is like a little boy with the things he collects. We go to the Dollar Tree and we buy bags of pretty rocks and he puts them in jars.

Champion Hen

I love chickens as you know by now. I found a news paper clipping from around 1930.
I want to share it with you all.

Overwork Kills
Champion Hen
Cudworth, England
World Titlist Jennifer---the hen that laid 10 eggs in less than an hour---was dead today from overwork.
The pink-eyed prolific chicken hadn't produced for Farmer Charlie Rogers for days. But he brought her into his home in front of the fire on Monday and Jennifer let loose---a jackpot of 10.
"Jenny spent Monday night in her cardboard box and I tried to make her eat,"
Roger's daughter explained. "But the laying effort had been too much for her."
Neither Jenny nor her 10 eggs will provide a single morsel on any dining table, despite Britain's food shortages.
"I've asked a taxidermist to set Jenny up in a glass case with those 10 eggs,"
Rogers said.

Wings Like Eagles

Isaiah 40:31 From the Living Bible.
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with
wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

I told Old Farmer Man we were going to have a little photo shoot today. I took pictures of him and then he did follow my directions and took pictures of me.
I am sharing some with you all. Today is a good day so far.
Aunt Maria

Good Day

Psalms 118:24
This is the day which the Lord hath made;we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Today is a good day!! Old Farmer Man is feeling good today---I am so happy for him.
It is raining today, so he will not feed the goats until it stops. His goats help keep him going. He feeds them too much like he feeds his little dog ,Tinkie. They all love him very much.

A NEW LIFE.

I am going to get personal today and I may write about this every now and then. My husband has DEMENTIA. The word ALZHIEMERS and DEMENTIA!!! These are words we don't even want to talk about. It is a reality in our life here in my house now.
"Old Farmer Man", my husband has dementia. WE laugh, this is what you have to do.Today when he got up he--asked me where are the girls? Well our girls are all grown and do not live here. I told him we are the only ones here. Then he wants to know where is Dorthy? That is his deceased sister. Then he asked where is Mezzie? Mezzie is my name and my greatgrand daughter's name. I told him Mezzie is with her mother. Then he wants to know where is Messie my wife? I looked at him and told him to look at me---I am your wife. He looks at me. He laughs and says," I must be crazy''.
I tell him he is not crazy just a little mixed up today. He tells me he is glad to know all the things I have been telling him and that I live here here too.
I don't know if he could have had a little mini stroke in his sleep, but he looks fine. He has had a lot of mini strokes the dr says in the past I give him his meds every day and he wears the Exelon patch to help his memory. I will talk about this again I am sure.
He loves this quilt I bought for him at a yard sale for $3.00.

Hill Farm Stories by Aunt Maria

I haven't posted my books but I am going to post two of them at this time.
Miss Henny and Mr. Squirrel, is all about my hen and chicks I watched one summer having trouble with Mr. Squirrel. It is very funny and cute. My stories are all true.
I did all of the folk art drawings and the watercoloring.
Old Farmer Man, is about my husband and his caring for and the interactions with the farm animals. All my books are funny and cheerful. All my books are for sale and if you are interested you can email me.
I have written 6 books. I have more to write and hope to do one before Christmas.
Aunt Maria

Simple Joy

Ecclesiastes 5:20
To enjoy your work and to accept your lot in life---that is indeed a gift from God.
The person who does that will not need to look back with sorrow on his past, for God gives him joy.

Something simple to enjoy.

Ginger, our grandaughter's horse became my horse out of loss of interest when Hannah grow up.
She still comes home to love her and talk to her. The last time she tried to ride her she got bucked off.
Ginger is very gentle as you can see in the picture I am leading her with the roap around her neck.This morning she opened the barn gate, she can do that, and she went on a walk over the front of the farm. She likes looking at the other horses across the road on the other farm. So here I am taking her back to the back field and she is ok with that. I am certainly glad because if she wanted to resist I would be the one being taken somewhere. Have a happy day.

The summer has gone so quickly. All the greatgrand kids are back to school. They didn't get to spend much time here on the farm this summer, I missed that.
My new chicks for this year are starting to lay, they are all grown up now. I hope to have about 20 layers. I do have a problem though---HAWKS. The hawks are pretty but I wish I knew how to keep them away from my chicks and other birds.
This is a picture my grandson did in 1985--We all like chickens.