Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Ring Out the Old!


Bloggers everywhere today are producing 
"The Year in Review" on their blogs, and indeed, I 
did last year. 

Instead, this year, I'm going to show you the things we 
have been thankful for:


Eight, almost nine years with our big old boy... Big Dog,  Ranger Boy... how we miss him, but we are grateful he is no longer struggling to stand or walk, especially in this cold. 


Cousins to hang with. 


Baseball games to watch, both small....


and large, and oh, those wonderful anthems at Community American ballpark, well done, T Bones!

 Our snake friends keeping the old henhouse free of vermin... another well done! 


The first sight of our baby goats, the two we lost... Kody and Kaycee... thank you from our hearts, Michaele, Rielly and Rickee Oleson... we appreciate your kindness so much. 


And three of the four we have now, accompanying me on chores this afternoon. 


And one waitin' for a Ritz at the door...



And for a healthy chicken flock, who gave the food pantry 9 1/2 dozen eggs last week! 

When will I ever learn to "step out of the picture"?

For new babies... 


And their big brothers... 


and 2012 babies, celebrating their birthdays...


and hangin' at the mall with granddaughters... 


For nocturnal visitors who were fascinating to watch... 


And sometimes scary!


To gardens from the git-go...


to fruition, and good eating! 


And surrounded by beauty and flowers all summer... 



For Lilly Ann, Protector of Us All,


For Abby Lynn, 
Farm Assistant and Associate Protector of Us All, 


For Keith, without whom none of this could be happening, and especially...


We are grateful to God that we still have Nathan, (second from left) who fell through 
the ice of South Lake in Garnett on Thursday afternoon trying to get a football... his friend Manny, who went in after him, and their Guardian Angels who brought them up through the ice and back to land... a disaster averted... 

And ye, beneath life's crushing load,6
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow,
Look now! for glad and golden hours
come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road,
And hear the angels sing!
For lo!, the days are hastening on,
By prophet bards foretold,7
When with the ever-circling years
Comes round the age of gold8
When peace shall over all the earth
Its ancient splendors fling,9
And the whole world give back the song10
Which now the angels sing.


Brandon David, 

9/10/1991 - 5/7/2013 

12 comments:

  1. I was wonderful following your journey with you this past year. You are very blessed. As are we for your sharing.

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  2. May the coming year be a good one for you. God bless you both.

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  3. This was a good post, Mary Ann. Much to be thankful for, even with the heavy losses. Hugs.

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  4. Sweet Mary Ann and Keith,,
    We wish the best of everything for you to in 2014. This past year has had some rough journeys,,, lots of memories,,
    You share so much of what you have-- to humans and furrys and feathered.. We are thankful for you
    Happy New Year
    love
    tweedles

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  5. Wonderful things to be thankful for...especially glad that the boys are ok!!! Happy 2014 to you and your family!

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  6. That's a wonderful way to review your year.I loved seeing all the things you are thankful for. Hope you have a very blessed and happy 2014!

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  7. A wonderful review of things to be thankful for - lovely for us to remember what we have to be grateful for in our lives. Thanks for letting us bloggers a glimpse in to your world - I've really enjoyed learning about life at Calamity Acres.

    Happy New Year from us all here at The Three Muleteers!

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  8. It's great seeing someone who accepts and appreciates the good work of the majestic rat snake!

    Your gardens are beautiful.

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  9. Good for you, Mary Ann! After being sick the past 3 weeks, I'm feeling a little down in the dumps. You have no idea how much your post just inspired me to take 2014 by the horns and really enjoy how "rich" I am (and, no, I don't mean money!)

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  10. thanks for the review. My goodness, I'm so glad that Nathan is okay. Boy, was he lucky.

    All your angels shined over ya'll and are watching.

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  11. I feel honored to have been along with you this year and it's amazing what happens in a year, so many things, painful, sad, happy, and amazing. Sending much love and hoping for a wonderful year ahead, and one with less hard things. That picture of you picking up the baby goats just gets me, your face all the excitement. I'm so glad that you have ended up in a better happier place at the end of this goatie journey (or at least maybe not the end, but this part of the journey :)

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  12. I feel honored to have been along with you this year and it's amazing what happens in a year, so many things, painful, sad, happy, and amazing. Sending much love and hoping for a wonderful year ahead, and one with less hard things. That picture of you picking up the baby goats just gets me, your face all the excitement. I'm so glad that you have ended up in a better happier place at the end of this goatie journey (or at least maybe not the end, but this part of the journey :)

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