I am not really sure why, but since today is the first official day of my vacation, I feel more relaxed than I have in a while. Even yesterday evening I was feeling stressed and tired, but today is a different story.
Although I didn’t sleep really well, I have a budding happiness inside. Perhaps it started with setting the burn pile on fire. We are continuously picking up branches that fall out the trees, not only in the yard but also in the fields.
It doesn’t take long to get a pile big enough to burn. Of course, the conditions have to be right to have a fire. First, I have to check to see if there is a burn ban for the county. Secondly, it can’t be windy. And third, I have to have time to watch the fire to make sure that it doesn’t get out of hand.
It was dead calm this morning, no wind at all. The pile had gotten pretty big, but I didn’t expect it to all burn. It’s just one of those things, when I want it to all burn up it requires constant attention; raking it together, throwing partially burned logs back into the middle of the fire, etc.
The fire was slow to catch on, but it didn’t take long after that for the entire burn pile to be engulfed in flames. It was a very hot fire and even the grass started to burn. I filled a bucket of water from the horse trough several times to put the grass out.
Soon, the fire had burned down to some large logs in the middle of the pile so it was safe to move on to other things. Next, I moved to the fish pond.
I changed the fountain back to the original one I was using. Last weekend I had tried a different one to see if the wind would have less of an effect on it. My conclusion was that it was not better than my first one (which I liked better to begin with).
I had been worried that the water in the pond would not support the plants and fish that I put in there. I think I had shocked the plants by trying to lower the pH and hardness of the water, as they no longer looked happy. Leaves were dying on one of the water lilies and the other water lily had disappeared altogether.
I was getting really concerned because I hadn’t seen the fish in a several days; the water is not clear yet, and the fish are shy. While I was working on the fountain, I found the missing water lily floating out of its pot under the ledge of the waterfall. I have no idea why it came out of its pot, but I repotted it and added more stones around it.
I spent a long time fiddling around the pond and I finally saw one the goldfish come to the surface. It was right around that time that I got the distinct feeling that the plants and fishes are going to be fine. I will be looking for a couple more fish to put in there soon and that makes me happy.
My husband I are going to do some camping next week. We will camp at the state park nearby and do some fishing. I would like to do a little hiking, too if the weather is good. It will be the first time for us to go camping together.
We decided to stay close to home so that I could make sure my mom is doing okay. And since the garden looks like it is nearing harvest for some of the vegetables, it will work out well to be close by.
We are looking forward to getting away for a few days; it’s kind of neat to know that we can come back to the house anytime we need to. I am also looking forward to waking up at the lake; we can get on the water early without needing to get up quite so early. I am sure that the birds outside will be the perfect alarm clock.
If you are curious what we will be eating while camping, let me assure you that there won’t be any chips or sodas. Burgers and grilled chicken will most likely be what we have, and probably some veggies to throw on the grill as well (maybe our zucchinis from the garden will be ready to pick).
Whatever you are doing next week, I hope you make the most of it even if you are going to work. Keep your chin up—vacation will be here before you know it!
1 Chronicles 29:11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things.
