I hope everyone has a best friend for whom you would do just about anything. I have such a one, my friend, Lisa. She moved in down the road from me quite a few years ago. Possibly more than 20 years ago. We live on a deserted dirt road in amongst the trees. Never had neighbors until she came. I really liked my isolation, wasn't sure how having a neighbor was going to fit in with my lifestyle. I heard she had two boys around the ages of my youngest two girls. We finally met.

The first real meeting took place with Lisa falling out of a tree. My kids had already made friends with her boys. They were playing down at their house and got a toy plane caught in a tree. That's when I discovered Lisa has no fear of anything. She didn't quite make it down the tree as gracefully as she evidently went up the tree. I was naturally prevailed upon by my kids, to come and administer first aid because I am a nurse. I had to take her to the ER. That was the beginning of our adventures together.

We have had many a merry time together. There were times when her husband would ask, " who is going with you?" There would be silence after she said my name. But through the years I have won him over and now he's not quite so scared when we are together. We actually had a little trip today and John was pleased I had asked to go along. We just came back from Quakertown, delivering a side of beef to her niece. I kept her company. It only took us 6 hours in the old truck.

Tim, my husband, opened the store. I called at 10:10 and there was no answer. I called at 10:30 and still no answer. That's when I left the message,"you're fired." Lisa quickly reminded me that I might not want to do that, since there was no one else to take over for me when I needed last minute coverage, and who else would be the maintenance man? I called back and rehired him. It's great to have a sensible friend.

This is our grandson, Issaiah Allen, feeding the bees last spring. This was the picture in the Rocket -Courier this past Thursday, Feb 24th

Today is real

Tim and I do a lot reading in the mornings together. We call it our devotional time. We have been reading about thinking on what is true and real. This means not thinking in what if terms - the future, or if only terms - the past, or this isn't the way it's supposed to be terms - present. Think only on what you know to be true today. This gives us more energy to handle the situations that will arise. I was surprised how many times I have caught myself saying  if only and what if during the day.

This will take some time to change. The results will be worth the time, I know. So come and sit a spell and we'll talk about what is true today.

Have you ever had ones of those mornings? I did today. I was even up early to get a jump on all I had to get done. When I finally got down to The Cabin, late, I might add, I discovered I had no key. I had taken it out of my purse when we went to SC. Oh, and did I mention that when I got in my car this morning, the empty light came on. So what to do? Go home on empty and get the key? Go get gas and wait for Tim to show up with his key?

Well, that's what I did. I went for the gas.Tim was pulling in as I arrived back at The Cabin. Only he is driving his mother's car and not the truck which has the extra Cabin key on the keyring. OhhhhKayyy. At least now I have gas to run home and get my key. There is purpose in all things. That's what I keep telling myself.

One good thing about today. Our Massarelli fountain and birdbath order is on its way. That means so is Spring.

It is so hard to wake up to snow when you've woken up the last 7 days to sunshine. Oh well, Spring is supposed to be right around the corner. I felt better today taking everything red down from the displays and putting up greens and pastels. Starting Monday, February 21st, I am putting on sale all the pretty white snowflake pottery. There are teapots, mugs, bowls, and plates. All 20 % off.

Everyone did such a great job keeping things in order here at The Cabin and at home. No disasters! When we were dairy farming we went on vacation only twice. Both times a cow died while we were gone. Makes one want to stay home. This vacation was very, very nice. Great times with great friends. Come sit a spell and I'll tell you all about it!

Vacation

Woke up to our last full day here at the beach. Renewed, refreshed, and rejuvenated. Wonderful feelings! Tim has lasted the whole week without being totally homesick. I only heard once at the beginning of the sixth day," I'm ready to go home." You see, this is our first time being gone together for more than 5 days. We would do it again if given the chance.

We are looking forward to getting back and putting into place all our great ideas for Spring at The Cabin. Massarelli's called and our Spring order has started to be put together. They make each item as we ordered and the items go through the factory as one order. We have been to the factory and were so impressed with their workmanship. Masserelli's make our fountains and birdbaths. We can still add to the Spring order, so now is the time if you have been thinking of a fountain or birdbath. Check our huge catalogue at The Cabin and place your order before the end of February.

See Saturday, February 19th!

Vacation

We have arrived! We took two days to get here to North Myrtle Beach. Went to several Antique shops on the way down. Bought some interesting items. You'll have to come check them out when we get back. Only one incident so far. Poor Tim, thought he was in a fight while dreaming and ended up on the floor, hitting the bedside table on the way down. Has a nice gash above his eye and a very sore left face. Does that mean he lost the fight?

The condo is beautiful, right on the beach. We plan on learning about metal detecting this week, courtesy of Mike. There are lots of antique places to check out here. I did see the same Ruby Red glassware we have in the Cabin. Mine is a lot cheaper!

Remember, we are closed Feb.14th to Feb 18th. See you later!

Hurray! The truck is fixed, the tractor is fixed , and the parking lot is plowed in time for more snow. I am so thankful I live in a region that has changing seasons. The snow is beautiful but I am looking forward now to a change. As I watch the birds outside and see their puffed up feathers, giving them warmth, I have a feeling they are anxious for a change, too.

Harold Smith just stopped by. He makes our Log Cabin Bird Feeders and Oak Lighthouse lamps. He is an amazing craftsman. He is almost 90 years old. A very young 90 year old, he plays in a band. I can count on a visit from Harold at least twice a week. He's not one to sit at home being bored. He told me they had their gig canceled tonight up in New York state due to ice. He seemed disappointed. If you don't like to constantly fill your bird feeders, you should check out Harold's log cabin feeders. Very well designed, large capacity, and very durable.

Well, I've gotten chilled sitting here at the computer. I'm going to go make myself a hot cup of Organic Davidson's African Red tea. Harold says the roads aren't icy, come on over and sit a spell with me and I'll make you a cup, too!

I thought I would finally be able to open the Cabin today. Unfortunately, my husband is unable to clone himself. Why would he need to do that? Well, picture this- your are dependent on wood as your only source of heat at your house. As I'm sure most people do, you cut wood as you need it during the winter. At least that's what my husband tells me most people do. We have plenty of wood in the woods behind our home. We have a tractor to go get the wood and bring it down to cut. We even have a boatload of wood cut and piled up there, ready to be loaded and brought down. Unfortunately, the tractor breaks down. Tim, being an excellent mechanic works diligently on the John Deere to get it fixed, as snow storm after snow storm arrives.

Now fast forward to The Cabin Country Store. We bought a snowplow last year and put it on our old farm truck to be able to plow here at the Cabin. Tim put on the plow and started plowing after that first snowfall and suddenly, halfway through the job, the truck breaks down. Tim, being an excellent mechanic, now starts working on the truck in order to plow before any more snow arrives.

So the problem becomes this. Which do you concentrate on first? We are running out of wood; we need to clear the parking lot for customers to get here. See why Tim needs to clone himself? Tim rightly chose wood and fixed the tractor, got it running, only to have the hydraulics go. But at least he can get wood, which he is doing today. But now, after this last big snow and ice storm, I have an unplowed parking lot. So after he gets wood, he'll be working on the truck. He promises me he will have The Cabin ready to open tomorrow, Friday. So bare with us. We miss you. Come soon and sit a spell.