Today at Iten's Acres: July 17, 2011

My Gardening Angels have planted three new wildflowers on Iten's Acres this year: spiderwort, smooth ruellia, and prairie coneflowers. And it's still only the middle of July!

Today at Iten's Acres: July 21, 2011

I'm being ganged up on. When Stella, my neighbor's black lab, wants to go for a walk (they don't walk her), she comes and paces in front of the glass doors where Mom is sitting, looking in with those sad brown eyes, as if to say, "Mrs. Iten can your chubby son come out and play?"

I hear, "Stella's out. (Pause) I like Stella."

Translation: "My chubby son WILL come out and play. Now."

I have no chance.

Today at Iten's Acres: August 9, 2011

The Advantages of Having a Huge Wild Flower Area:

1. It's a butterfly airport.
2. Every year there are new wild flowers and new "patches" of some of the old ones.
3. Bluebirds.
4. Feeding the Swallows.
5. No weeding allowed.

Today at Iten's Acres: August 10, 2011

I saw one of my Gardening Angels this afternoon--the one responsible for spreading cone flowers all over my property. Man, did he do a great job last fall! Anyway, there he was, sitting right on top of the tallest cone flower gathering seeds for later "distribution." It was the Archangel Goldfinch.

Today at Iten's Acres: August 19, 2011

The great things about phlox:

smells amazing
spreads like crazy--and not just in the beds where you plant it. It knows no boundaries.
changes colors as it spreads. plant one color in a bed and in a year or two you have three or four colors.
blooms 'til frost.

gotta love 'em!

Today at Iten's Acres: August 28, 2011

I'm becoming old and sedentary. My idea of a productive day is:

1. Sit on the bench by the pond and watch the turtles and frogs. It's easy. They just sit and watch back.
2. Admire the water lilies.
3. Pet the dogs if they happen to wander by.
4. Sneer at the scolding red-winged blackbirds.
5. Oh, and think about all the things I should be doing. (And who I can coerce into doing them for me.)

Today at Iten's Acres: September 1, 2011

Ahhhh. Gus is either completely brain dead, or he has no sense of smell. He had another encounter with a skunk. That makes at least four. I think I'm going to set aside the command "to pet your neighbor's dog" for at least a week or so.

Today at Iten's Acres: September 17, 2011

One of the stars of Iten Acres this time of year are the planter "gardens." The flowers in the planters have been maturing for four months now, and they are gorgeous: impatiens, marigolds, dianthus, alyssum, coleus, petunias, dahlias, snapdragon, begonia, mums, cosmos, lobelia, verbena, geraniums. . . Need I say more flower lovers? The flower beds may be on the decline, but there is still beauty to enrich each walk.

Today at Iten's Acres: September 21, 2011

The summer of 2011 has officially succumbed to the vagaries of the calender. Fall/autumn is here. Autumn appeals to my poetic side; fall is probably more accurate. The dogwood has started to turn. The red maple is beginning to live up to its name. The fall is coming. The wild area is immersed in yellows, whites, and purples--gorgeous. The re-blooming iris have been invigorated by cooler temperatures along with the snapdragons and alyssum. I love the change of seasons. God gets out His paint brush and redoes the scenery again!

Today at Iten's Acres: September 24, 2011

What a terrible afternoon. I had to spend the whole afternoon outside on a perfect fall day. Bright sunshine, a few white and soft gray clouds playing shadows on the lawn. A cool breeze too. And several monarch butterflies flitting about being beautiful. Lots of little yellow and white butterflies flitting about as well. Birds singing everywhere. And the cat bird doing whatever you call its song. What did I have to do all afternoon? Plant gorgeous flowers for next spring's flower show. Terrible, just terrible. Sigh. =) Somebody has to do it.

Today at Iten's Acres: September 28, 2011

I was pining last spring at the dearth of honey bees on my acres; but this fall the wild area is teeming with them. every honey bee in Morrow County must be in my wild area gathering nectar. zillions of them. my wild area buzzes. love it.

Today at Iten's Acres: October 1, 2011

I need a hard hat. The walnut trees knowing my disdain for them as a species, and my constant lobbying to have them included in "Plants that came after the Fall" use windy days to try to exact their revenge by bombarding me with nuts. I need a hard hat--or a chain saw.

Today at Iten's Acres: October 2, 2011

God had His paint brush out tonight: gorgeous golden sunset in the western sky competing with a glorious rainbow in the eastern sky.

"The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the works of His hands." (Psa. 19:1)

""For since the beginning of the world the invisible attributes of God, for example, His eternal power and divinity, have been plainly discernible through things which He has made and which are commonly seen and known, thus leaving men without a rag of an excuse." (Romans 1:20--Phillips)

Today at Iten's Acres: October 7, 2011

I think we're in for a tough winter. Evidence. Last year I had hummingbirds at my feeder well into October. This year? Haven't seen a hummer in a month. Last year when I mowed the acres in October, surrounded by barn swallows. This October not a velvet acrobat in sight. Evidence? Or have I just lived in the country too long and been infected with FAS disease and trying to read "signs" like a superstitious old man. (FAS--Farmers' Almanac Syndrom)

Today at Iten's Acres: October 18, 2011

Bonnie and Gus thought I needed help mulching this afternoon. Of course, every time I bent over to pour out some mulch, spread mulch, or anything else that required stooping, they were sure that was the sign that I wanted to wrestle with them and pet them. And since I lacked the fortitude to lay claim to all the new mulch, they were more than happy to provide me with some common scents. Interesting afternoon with the "neighbors."

Today at Iten's Acres: October 19, 2011

Behold the cosmos. Starts blooming in early June--pinks, reds, wines, white. By mid-October some of them are ten to twelve feet tall and covered with blooms. Some have so many blooms they fall over! They are unfazed by the chill and the certainty of the coming frost and winter. They have a "secret." Their seeds are everywhere and next spring--no matter how cold the winter--they'll be back. Gorgeous as ever.

Today at Iten's Acres: October 31, 2011

Must be big bird day: (No, not the yellow one.) First, the pileated and then this afternoon the Sentinel is adored with ten or so buzzards. Ugly birds. No offense Lord. Impressive though. Several are sitting there with their wings fully stretched out. Don't know if they're daring the wind to try to blow them off the limbs, exercising for the migration, letting the other birds know this branch is taken, or pretending to be Count Dracula for Halloween.

Today at Iten's Acres: November 23, 2011

Another joy of country living: a clear, cool, cloudless night. Can you see a million stars with the naked eye? It seems like it. Dazzling! And to think, He knows them all by name.

Backroads of Morrow County: December 3, 2011

My faith in the Amish has been somewhat restored. Last year they showed up at Wendy's in a car. This year they showed up at McDonald's in their horse and buggy--four families. The "somewhat"? Amish eating McDonald's? Maybe they haven't read Fast Food Nation or Omnivore's Dilemma, or Animal, Vegetable, Miracle? I should have gone home and brought them back a copy. Maybe next time they're going to be in the neighborhood, they'll call ahead? Oh, wait. . .

Today at Iten's Acres: December 12, 2011

I think I have a slight case of RVW. I mean, I don't have any of the symptoms. There's no wife, let alone a nagging one. I don't bowl very well notwithstanding the Junior-Senior trips to Seven Springs. But when I took a walk this morning, the pussy willow by the pond has blooms; a had a crocus coming up and blooming, and I have a couple of daffodils coming up. Is it April already? Did I sleep through winter

January Walking: 2012

Gorgeous day! I loved my walk in the falling snow this morning. I think the outlaw gang Bonnie and Gus love snowy days the best. Like kids they eat the snow, wrestle, run like a ricochet everywhere, jump on me no doubt wondering why I'm not frolicking in the snow. Dennis' goats are "hiding" in the shed peeking out at everything. The alpacas love the snow too. They just sit in the wind and snow perfectly serene. And the snow makes everything lovely. Even the bracing wind is marvelous--invigorating. Tracks of wildlife on the paths in the wild area. The deer were busy last night. And it looks like a 'possum' was all over the back patio looking for who knows what. The pond is full. Just a great day for walking Iten's Acres!

When I get new boots down here on the "farm," I regress to my childhood. When the snow is on the ground, I kick my way through the highest drifts. Now that the Acres are under water, I walk through the puddles, not around them. And I bask in the scolding from my 98 year old mother, when I track mud into her room. Ahhh, the good young days.

Iten's Acres: January 31, 2012

I saw him on Sunday. Frisky. Energetic. Gamboling all over the hillside. Stupid groundhog. His day isn't until Thursday. Why we give a fat, ugly, destructive rodent a day, I don't know? By the way, no doubt that he saw his shadow. I can never remember what that means. Six more weeks of winter? Spring's coming early? Does it even count if it happens on January 29th? Does it count if he comes out when the sun is behind a cloud and I shoot the varmint before he can see his shadow? The only good groundhog is a dead groundhog. Undoubtedly part of the curse. And while I'm pontificating, the only good squirrel is a dead squirrel. And the only good deer is venison. I mean, who was the "genius" who saw a groundhog on February 2nd and then marked his calendar for six weeks to see what would happen? And how many eons did he do it to come up with his theory? The only good thing about the inane superstition we call Groundhog Day is the movie.

Today at Iten's Acres: February 7, 2012

My friends, the outlaws Bonnie and Gus, gave me a gift last night at about 3 AM. They had it out with a skunk on my patio. Did you know that smell can permeate your entire house? =) I think I'll buy myself some air fresheners for my birthday. And not pet my furry friends for a few days. Slow learners those two. =)

Today at Iten's Acres: February 17, 2012

Spring has officially arrived. Yeah, I know the snow birds are still flitting around. The forsythia haven't bloomed yet so we have at least three snows to come--or so says the old "legend." (No, I don't know what a new legend would be.) And yes, the daffodils, tulips, glory of the snow, aconite have all been poking out checking on the weather for a couple weeks already. And I have my eyes on the snowdrops and the Lenten Rose because they've been budding since the weekend. But the official arrival? The first crocus bloomed this morning--lovely purple! (Sure, you city dwellers can be jealous.)

Homesteader Update: February 10th, 2013

Homesteader Update:
The white ghost continues to increase her influence over the world of Iten's Acres. Since Mom has been spending her nights sleeping in the recliner rather than her bed, Homesteader has made two adjustments. First, since Mom appears to need a living comforter, she spends a lot of time each evening curled up in Mom's lap. Several times a night when I go in to check on Mom, she has this living white blanket stretched out on the real blankets. If Mom happens to stir, Homesteader has developed a gentle version of the head butt, I guess, letting Mom know she's still there. And that women rule, of course. (Side note: the head butt is really rather ridiculous, don't you think? Even with helmets on. Grown men do some rather stupid things at times. Too many times to be honest.) Homesteader's second adjustment is the obvious one. Since Mom is no longer using her bed, somebody has to keep it warm. She has used her mathematical skills to find the exact center of the bed for her lounging purposes. Cats and sleep are quite attracted to one another. Especially if you throw in sunlight.
She has also become a frequent denizen of the upstairs room. It's basically an attic filled with odds and ends. I couldn't even tell you what all is lying around up there. But she loves it. Lots of places to hide for sneak attacks if the old man of the house wanders by. Lots of soft places to continue her sleep studies. I'm sure the paper will be out any day now. She has also developed an utterly bizarre behavior. When I'm up there rummaging around, she'll race as fast as she can from one end of the room to the other, and then come up and demand that I pet her. Every time such an action leads to an "electric shock" on her nose. I can see her flinch knowing it's coming, but she does it over and over again. Weird, demented creature. And she's still trying to hone her now non-existent claws on everything from the door jambs to the leather furniture. Instinct? Sounds better than mentally deficient, I suppose.
I seem to remember when Brad and Ben were young tykes that there was this cartoon called something like "Binky and the Brain," "Pinky and the Brain." Something like that--where this erudite rodent was always trying to take over the world and ended up being rescued from utter disaster by his brain dead mousey counterpart. I think someone must be developing an updated version using cats instead of mice. Homesteader appears to be auditioning for both parts.

Today at Iten's Acres: February 5, 2013

I had wanted a real winter compared to last year's "winter." Got it. So far. Lots of glorious snow. Some actual cold weather. Lots of layers have been a necessity for many of my walks. I'll bet I could walk on water if I had the nerve. The pond has to be frozen fairly thoroughly. The Outlaw Gang has been around but not as a gang, sadly. In fact, I've only seen Gus once. They've been keeping him tied up for some reason. Sigh. Bonnie is as active and loveable as ever. I am always greeted with her version of a handshake: two paws on my chest and a pair of brown eyes demanding a little affection. It's easy to respond in the affirmative. The new hound dog puppy always wants to come in the house. Sorry, little one. The Homesteader would not be pleased.
I moved the window/door bird feeder down so that it's easier for Mom to see. With her strength failing a little extra enjoyment is always a good thing. She and the Homesteader love to sit together and enjoy the drama. The chickadees are Mom's favorite. Homesteader has not expressed an opinion. They all look delicious to her. We did have two strange visitors to add to the scene. A hawk flashed in for a chickadee meal and missed. He hit the door and feeder so hard it knocked the feeder off the window and knocked the poor hawk senseless. Took him twenty minutes to recover and fly off. I reckon he'll do his grocery shopping elsewhere. But, then again, I have no idea how much short term memory a hawk has. The other visitor was a 'possum--in broad daylight. Seems to have a taste for the sunflower seeds that have fallen to the patio space beneath the feeder. Luckily for him (or her) Bonnie or Gus weren't around. After feeding, he wandered out to skate on the pond for awhile and then trekked back to the groundhog hole beneath the shed--his winter highway, I guess. If a 'possum sees his shadow a little later in February than the varmint groundhog does that cancel out the meadow rat's prediction? Hope so. (The best part of the movie "Groundhog Day" is when he drives the truck off the cliff--with the groundhog sitting next to him. Goodbye little critter. Weep. Weep. Yeah, right. Good riddance.) And has anyone ever seen a 'possum walk in a straight line? I thought it would take him two or three days to get where he was going.
The weather folks are predicting a warmer than normal February and March. I hope they're wrong. My plants and bulbs could use a nice long winter nap. Say, 'til about late April. The snowscape, the greens of the conifers, Lenten rose, rhododendron, and grape hyacinth are beautiful enough to enthrall me until late March at least. And there's always the pussy willow I love to brag about--uh, I mean, I just happen to mention every time I write. And another couple "bonus" are the few daffodils that popped up in December and the "magic lilies" that are always starting up this early. Winter, be good and hang around until you're supposed to leave. You owe us that from last time. Go ahead. Give me the cold shoulder.

Backroads of Morrow County: February 3, 2013

Backroads of Morrow County Update:

I love an early morning drive on a snowy morning. Strangely, it began with a sound memory before I even made it to the car. When I opened the back door to leave, it creaked and the sound took me back to the cabin doors in a camp I used to attend back in my Missouri days. It was outside of Ironton, Missouri, and it was a beautiful rustic place to spend a week. Lovely memories of good times, of an old place that I can see in great detail as I walk from my backdoor in Morrow County, Ohio--decades later. Memory--being in two places at the same time. Ever have a sound memory? A gift from the God of love.
The great thing about an early snow drive is that the plows have not yet destroyed the snow on the roads. All is white. The contrast with the starkness of the trees is lovely. And yet there is color. The trees and shrubs are not one color, but browns of different shades, even tans. The tops of the weeds look like cotton swabs. Some of the snow banks--maybe it's my imagination--have a blue tinge to them. The green conifers dot the landscape. They too are different shades. It is not a deep snow--yet--and the cornstalks still stand in their rows, orderly, disciplined. They will not surrender their place in the world until the plows of spring come. And then only reluctantly.
There is wildlife. Life, anyway. The horses seem unfazed by the snow. In the place that has a few of them, they stand together, companions. They are not looking at each other, but the sense of group is obvious. One place has a single horse. Spoiled, he has a blanket against the cold. He doesn't know he's spoiled I'm sure. His herd is made up of a flotilla of barn cats. They are not fans of the snow. They congregate at the doorway looking out. Cat church? Wonder who's doing the preaching? Yellow, black, orange, calico, white, multicolored--no robed choir here. One brave soul has wandered out and climbed up on a fence post. He sits face to face with the horse. It's as if they are discussing the weather. Storybook friends, if I had the time to imagine and write a tale. A huge flock of crows glean the corn fields. Can there still be food there this far along in the winter? Must be. It's quite a group--worthy of the Hitchcock tale. They'll never catch my car.
No flock of sheep unless they blend in. No guard llama for sure. Must be secure in a barn somewhere. Softies!
I do meet a car or two going the other direction. I guess on snowy roads the wave tradition is set aside. I wave anyway. I'll see who's brave enough to look away from the slick road and take a hand off the steering wheel to stand up for country living--to be a cornstalk in a snow storm. At least, on a beautiful snowy morning, I can creep along feasting on the beauty of God's black and white landscaping without any other drivers being irritated if they come up behind me. Snowy roads may manufacture trepidation but impatience doesn't seem to be flourishing. I did "catch up" to a metal horse--a white Mustang--that was creeping along even more slowly than I. Thanks! I knew I was going too fast. "Slow down and live" should be a highway sign everywhere. Life's too beautiful to hurry through a moment. I'm building up lovely memories for the decades to come. Now that's an investment no economic crisis can take from me--or you. Anyone--everyone--can be rich.