God is wherever

Posted on October 21, 2007 by freda

God is wherever you want to find Her. And yes, I know the feminine pronoun is contentious for some. But it is there to act as a kind of wake-up call. If I have learnt anything this week, it is that there are many ways to have a vocation. I have struggled over the last couple of years of being retired – particularly hard as it came about through ill-health. And many a time, as I have viewed churches needing the help of a minister, it has felt as if I am letting God down. But vocation is to be conscious of God in the present, learning to work actively in a world where good will overcome evil. And that means, doing the small things we can each do to make things better for others wherever we are.

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Rare peace

Posted on October 20, 2007 by freda

Last night in a moment of peaceful contemplation I looked around the living room. Him Behind the Wheel was busy trying to finish a novel borrowed from Son #2 and I was kind of smothered in young dogs. The two older dogs were lying at my feet. It kind of felt like being Pack Mother. Not so very different from the years in the Outer Hebrides bringing up four sons, and looking after two dogs, two cats, four lambs and a dozen hens.

The family come home today so they will be back in charge. The last few days have included: one shredded sock; one near-disaster forestalled as I found the Jack Russell with her head in the laundry bag; a trip out to Fraserburgh for supplies and a coffee (with no dogs); several playtimes with a ball on the end of a rope (is it my imagination or are the dogs all getting thinner?)  All in all a happy time with lovely weather. Yes, like a holiday. And all the while I am hoping that electricians and joiners and plumbers are hard at work on the Dalamory house extension. Well I can hope can’t I?

Off now to take some photos of the principals in this week’s drama.
Hope your weekend is turning out well.

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Hearing Aid

Posted on October 18, 2007 by freda

Not so much hearing aid, as hearing gone. The latest target of the chewing dog. Him Behind the Wheel left his hearing aids where an active Jack Russell could mountaineer. One shower later and one hearing aid was in bits. A sorry dog right enough, but a much sorrier hearing-challenged human!

What a way to learn a lesson about not leaving things lying around.

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Back to nature

Posted on October 17, 2007 by freda

This whole week is about being back to nature and to an appreciation of the rhythm of the seasons and the daily needs of animals. In this northern clime we are treated to daily flights of hundreds of geese going back and forth from feeding grounds to roosting areas.

A real sound of autumn. And an awareness of the breadth and beauty of creation.

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Boots

Posted on October 16, 2007 by freda

The year old jack russell pup has half eaten my outdoor boots. So I now have a brand new pair of pink floral wellies for animal chores.

They are kept in a cupboard away from the pup’s gnashers!

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You-know-what

Posted on October 15, 2007 by freda

For the uninitiated, “you-know-what” from yesterday’s post refers to horse manure. This has to be collected from the paddock each day and trundled to the dungheap.

Well you may be curious. Cold is improving and have nearly finished the latest Rebus book.

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Bad timing

Posted on October 14, 2007 by freda

Well the anti-flu vaccination symptoms have turned into a real cold and sore throat, and I am reliably informed from the net that this must have been a pre-existing virus. Sounds fishy to me, but there you are. Anyway, it is all rather bad timing as I am supposed to be helping to animal sit at Son #2’s place. 18 poultry (hens, ducks and a turkey); five cats (four sort of wild); 3 dogs (plus our own dog); and 2 horses. There is a routine of morning and evening feeds and checks to do, and so far all I have managed is to wander around sniffing kind of hopelessly. Him Behind the Wheel is being very much in charge and has even taken the ducks to water. Correction – he has taken water to the ducks.

Misty is enjoying being one of the gang, though she is a little bit wary of the horses, and we are having to shout at her anytime she goes near you-know-what!

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Flu jab

Posted on October 11, 2007 by freda

This year the anti-‘flu jab has caused more problems than usual. So much so that I looked up possible side-effects on the net. I should not have bothered……now it seems I have them all. My consolation is that if I feel yuck with the preventative method, I would be felled by the disease itself.

Normal service will be resumed in due course.

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Library van

Posted on October 10, 2007 by freda

Neil, our librarian in the countryside managed to reverse the library van right up to the house this morning. It got him a new client – from next door! So I am now stocked up with fiction for those reading attacks that seem to come on all of a sudden now that the nights are drawing in. Nothing esoteric – just the usual writers like Rosie Thomas and Libby Purves. Easy, comfortable and familiar friends. It all adds to the pile of reading matter, indeed I am also re-reading many old favourites from years back. (Daphne du Maurier for one.)

I suppose you could say I am a bookworm. Always have been, from the age of about four.

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Internet Banking

Posted on October 9, 2007 by freda

Like many other people I deal with several online banks and building societies. Why is it that some are so easy  (user friendly) and others so hard? I know banks are doing their best to improve security, but it is very frustrating not to be able to understand the system in the first place.

I think all the monthly bills are paid. Only time will tell.

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