Monday, February 9, 2015

ELMER TALKS OF WINTER

Even with all the snow coming down and the temperatures getting so low, the chores still must be done.  The cows must be milked, all the animals must be fed, the eggs must be brought in and more.  Plus that, with John gone, I have to do two farms and help at Sarah Mother's farm.

Before he left, John and I got the sleigh out and cleaned it up.  Also checked to make sure the blades were sharp enough to go through the snow.  During the worse of the snow, I have used that to get around from farm to farm.  Last Monday, when the storm was so bad Bishop Eli got a farmer closer to Sarah Mother's farm to go over and help her sons do chores.

Until the young folks get back, I have hired Jean's sons to go over and plow out our son's and Eli's son's driveway so that is one less job we have to do.  They are also cleaning the snow off their porches and walk ways.  We wanted the farms to appear someone is there.

Anna comes along with me sometimes.  She helps with the milking, if necessary.  Also, she collects the mail and checks the inside of the house to make sure everything is all right at John and Sarah's.  We haven't had anything go wrong yet, but we want to be sure.  They will be doing it for us while we are gone.

Speaking of Anna, when she does the laundry during the winter it usually gets hung outside if the weather is close to 30 or above.  If it is colder than that she hangs the laundry in the basement.  It is something to see laundry hung in the basement, if your not use to it.  Even with just the two of us, we sure do come up with a lot of laundry sometimes.

One thing I do like during the winter, though, is the looking out over the quiet snow covered land.  It looks so quiet and peaceful.  Some evenings Anna and I will sit on our porch and just look out over the land.  At least our little corner of the world is quiet, at peace, and we wish the whole world were like we are now.  It is the season of rest for not only the land, but for us, too.

We know that spring is around the corner.  Right now, it seems like a way off, but it will be here soon enough.  Then we will be back plowing the land God has given us to work and planting again.  But there is something special about this winter time, too.

The ladies are having their quilting bees now, too.  They are making up quilts for the Haiti Auction coming this June.  Anna also enjoys knitting in the evenings during this season.  Seems the ladies hands are always busy.  Right now Anna is knitting some lap quilts, I guess you call them.  They go to one of the local hospitals to give new patients.  It seemed they were getting low on them, so some of the Amish and Old Order Mennonite ladies are making more.  Also, they knit or crochet baby blankets for the hospital.  When it is time for the baby to go home with it's parents, they are given a handmade blanket to wrap the baby it.  These are all donated - the ladies do not charge for them.  It is their gifts.

Another good thing about winter is we get to eat the goodies that Anna has been canning all through the summer and fall seasons.  Anna's canned goods beat the taste of store bought goods any day.  It is also a good feeling to know that we spent the other seasons planting, growing and harvesting these goods.  We eat some as they are grown, but still it is great to eat the canned goods during the winter.

Do I wish this winter would end?  Yes and it will.  Am I looking forward to a trip to Pinecraft to get away from it?  Sure.  But if we did not have the cold and snow, I don't think that the fruit and vegetables would grow as well as they do after snow.  Some years, we have had little snow and they just haven't been the years for the best produce.   At least as well as I remember.

Trust God's Wisdom,
Elmer




17 comments:

Angela Tucker said...

Good morning, Marilyn. Please let Elmer know that his post touched my heart this morning. We all need a season of rest.

Vickie said...

Always wonderful to hear from you Elmer!

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Angela,
Sure will see that Elmer gets your message. So happy it touched your heart.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Vickie,

Will see that Elmer gets your message.

Hugs to Mabel and Henry,
Marilyn and Pierre

kymber said...

Elmer sure does have a way with words...and they are words that are close to my heart! this winter feels like a long one, but i am glad for it as like Elmer says, it is a time for rest and enjoyment of the beauty of winter...and that yes, lots of snow on the ground means the ground will be bountiful in the next harvest. i am also itching towards spring but know that there is a reason for every season.

thank you for what you do here, Marilyn. it is appreciated by many! your friend,
kymber

New York State Of Mind said...


Good Morning Kymber,
Elmer just seems to know the right words to say. Right now, there is snow on the ground here and it's still coming down.

Thank you for your compliments. I am glad that our work is appreciated. We try.

Your Friend,
Marilyn

Anonymous said...

Interesting to know what goes on for you+Anna during the winter months, not to mention the rest of the community. I'm sure all the "kids"are having a great time in Pinecraft, as will the 4 of you will when it's your turn. Wisdom-filled words in regard to this winter season. "Thank You, Lord, for all four of the seasons You have created and sustain.
Hi Marilyn, Hasn't stopped snowing here either. Already been ou early(7am)to get a friend from church to work, eye appt,and grocery store. With the condition of the roads here- 25-30mph or less/slow and easy. Blessings, Carol

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Carol,
I will see that Elmer and Anna get your message.

I haven't been out driving today and I don't plan on it. You are brave. All driving here is very slow, too. Of course there is always some nut who thinks he or she can drive like before the snow fell.

Blessings to you and yours,
Marilyn

Joyce said...

Enjoy reading Elmer and Anna's stories. I also hang my laundry out but in the winter hang it in my basement to dry. We also have the cows to be milked and taken care of. Thank God we are not getting the snow like you are. Enjoy Pinecraft because like Elmer says spring is coming with the field work to be done. I also enjoy making blankets to be given to Project Linus.

Anonymous said...

I guess not so brave, really. I come from CNY and have driven in worse conditions. Though, I must say, as I get older I tend to be more cautious than when I was younger. Seems like many people know only one speed, no matter the season, and that is FAST! Ugh! Carol

Anonymous said...

Oops! Didn't mean to sound prideful Marilyn. Being born and raised in CNY does give one quite a few lessons in driving in hazardous conditions. Hopefully also gives one good common sense,judgement,discernment, and skills to drive in this stuff. We must all remember that driving is a privelege, not a right. God bless, Carol

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Joyce,
Will see that Elmer gets your message. I think it is neat that you can hang your laundry in the basement during the winter. Glad you are not getting the snow we are. We have more coming. I will Elmer and Anna to enjoy Pinecraft. Wish I could go. That is very nice that you make blankets to be given away.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Carol,
I tried to back my car out of it's space and move it so they could plow where the car is, but I couldn't do it. It is stuck. I agree some people only to drive one speed fast. You are not prideful. I was born here, but still don't like to drive in this weather.

Blessings to you and yours,
Marilyn

Tom said...

Great that some folks still have a caring heart, too bad so many don't. Tom The Backroads Traveller

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Tom,
I agree with you.

Marilyn

Anonymous said...

Hello, Marilyn

I always appreciate the bits of wisdom that Elmer and the others are always willing to share with us.
I know for myself I sometimes forget to appreciate all the Seasons

Blessings
Wendy

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Wendy,

Will see that Elmer gets your message. I , too, forget to appreciate all the seasons - especially winter.

Blessings to you and yours,
Marilyn