Thursday, September 4, 2008

Twenty Five Years in the Woods!

August 16th was my 25th year in these woods. I can't believe it has been 25 years, but it has. Now that I am getting on in years, the thought that one day I may have to leave here, saddens me. But I try not to let it get me down. They have been good years for someone who loves nature; loves the serenity of these woods, loves her disposition to solitude. But I also have a strong social side, and love the times spent with family and friends. I'm out there often, having lunch with friends, yakking with many that I run into, when I'm in town. For I am a champion yakker, according to Eileen! :-)

But after three or four hours of lunching, shopping and yakking, I look forward to coming home again, where the serenity of the trees, field and pond fill me with peace, and where the wild things, who consider me as one of them, wait for me. (As do the not so wild things, like my dogs and cats.) And one of them I am; as much a part of nature as they are.

So, I thought I'd post a few of my recent pictures. Images that are always a part of my life; always loved and enjoyed.

When I sit on my deck, this is my view to the East- my small field, where the deer like to congregate. There are some in this picture, though way up in the field. Can you see them?


I love this picture of a grazing doe, while the setting sun casts a small, magical glow on part of the woods, behind her.


This is Bucky, my favorite young buck. He comes close, hoping I'll give him a little treat. I have known him since he was a tiny fawn.

The wild turkeys, way on top of the field, are heading to the woods, to spend the night roosting in the sheltering branches of a huge oak tree.
This is my small, wildlife pond, in the north corner of the field, close to the house. When I sit at my lap top in the little sun room, this is my view. I love the little pond. It is used by birds and beasts, and insects, of course. Dragonflies cruise back and forth, and lay their eggs in the water, and the fish do a splash dance for me, when I feed them.

Sometimes, a Great Blue Heron comes to try his luck at a frog dinner as well. I have even seen a thirsty coyote on the far side, taking a drink. And at night in the warm months, frogs serenade me to sleep.

So, if and when the time comes for me to leave these woods, I may leave them physically, but they will always remain in my memory and heart. And I'm thankful to God for the happy years I got to spend here, because He blessed me with a wonderful daughter and two great sons, who not only understood (!), they helped to make it possible!

I hope you enjoyed the pictures and my little lament. Thank you for reading. Blessings from the woods!

41 comments:

Nonnas News said...

What a beautiful home to have for 25 years! That is the perfect spot! It does look so peaceful. I would love being able to see the deer,turkeys and other friends on a daily basis. You have been very blessed Renie!!

Gigi Ann said...

Hi Renie,

I had always lived in the country until we moved to our present home in a small town. Which I very much love as well.

As far as yakking, I think we are all yakkers, waiting until the other one takes a breath, so we can jump in and take over the yakking. And eating with friends is always a fun thing to do...good friends and good food...it just doesn't get much better then that...except... maybe watching the wildlife?

I must say, I loved watching the wildlife when I did live in the country. One severe winter the wild turkeys came right up to our basement door for food. We put corn out for them. The pond was frozen over and we threw ears of corn out on it, so they could feed there daily. It was such fun to watch them, I ran to the window everyday and watched them.

And how I loved the picturesque visit to your lovely paradise home.
Thanks for inviting me to stroll through the field and how exciting to look Bucky right in the eyes and he didn't bat an eye;)

Have a nice quiet day in your little paradise home today...

Ann

Dawn said...

You are so lucky to be able to live out there! We have much of the same wildlife in our little river community. It's nice that you can go to town when you want and then return to your paradise!

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

You are living - what I left 13 months ago. I write about it on my new journal. Oh the memories and I miss it. But alone and the upkeep and isolation led me to my city cottage. I am attempting to create a minature of my gardens.
Of course I do not have the woods and wildlife but have heavily landscaped this lot so it is becoming my sanctuary.

ancient one said...

Your place looks so peaceful. Ours was peaceful when we first moved here in 1971. Who knew that when my husband retired, he would open up a lawn mower repair shop in our back yard? Now we have traffic through the yard all day. The neighborhood men come out just to sit and talk. LOL.. God has been so good to us... I shouldn't complain.. But I do miss the "quite."

Anonymous said...

What a lovely place. as you described each scene I could picture you in your peace and serenity. I could see you in your sun room typing away but looking out to smile at all that beauty. Yes we are part of nature, We just have to let it comsume our hearts, knowing it is a creation for us to enjoy and use. We were all born of the soil and everything we consume is nutured by soil, God created us in a Garden. What is more fitting.
Love Sue

Linda said...

You have such a lovely place to enjoy each day. I admire how you keep up with that much property. I'm able to enjoy the deer and other animals when visiting my son who has 14 acres. It amazes me how he has named the deer and can identify each one that comes to visit, just like you recognizing Bucky. And, yes I can see the deer in the first picture after taking a closer look.

From this post I guess you can say I'm a yakker too. I'm always starting up a conversation with someone, even when its in a check-out line at the grocery store.

Blessings to you Renie!

Patty said...

Dear Renie,
I hope you will be able to stay there forever. But I would think in the cold months, at least if you have any snow and or ice, it might make it hard for you to get out and into town.

Thank goodness we have a high privacy fence around out backyard. Of course we don't have deer and wild turkeys, but we have rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, all sorts of birds. At night in the summer we hear what we call tree frogs, although I've never been able to see one. So our backyard is pretty secluded and we've been known to go out onto the patio in our pj's, because our privacy gates lock, so we feel pretty safe. LOL

I've never lived in the country, except the one town we use to live in was like living in the country. No traffic, no noise. I've gotten use to hearing noise at night if the house is open, like cars going up the street, police sirens and so forth, so I don't think I would like it completely quiet.

Have a great week-end, it's just around the corner.
Your blogging friend,
Patty

Brenda said...

Renie,
I love hearing about how beautiful your property is!! I would LOVE to live like that instead of in a subdivision. I had just enough of country living when I was young to know the difference. I would not leave there until it was absolutely necessary. I looks and sounds so wonderful!
Hugs to you,
Brenda

Deborah Wilson said...

Renie,

You have a beautiful place - and I'm sure that you will be blessed with many more years. I wouldn't move unless I just had to...

The photos are beautiful.

audrey` said...

Dearest Renie

Your home is so lovely and warm.
Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

(((HUGS)))

Beverly said...

you made me wish I could live there too. Your descriptions of the wildlife is wonderful. I envy your relationship with Bucky, I can imagine how great your life is there.

Michele | aka Raw Juice Girl said...

Renie,

I'm SO glad I came by! What lovely photos and your descriptive words make your critters and the woods you call home really come to life in a way that makes us readers feel like we're right there with you!

I pray you have many more years of enjoyment on that land!!!

*smiles and hugs*
Michele

Janice Thomson said...

I hear you loud and clear Renie - I too live across from the woods that I walk in every single day - and I too love solitude - more than most actually. I love the beasts, the birds, trees and flowers...such serenity and peace that only nature can give. Thanks for sharing that special part of you in these wonderful photos.

Susie said...

You live in such a serene setting. I'd want to stay as long as possible too :)
I can see why it will always be in your heart no matter where you are!
hugs))

Mary said...

Renie,

I love your neck of the woods and know it has brought you many years of enjoyment and solitude. I hope you are able to remain there for many years to come.

Love the photos of the deer, the turkeys and your pond. I've loved that pond since the first time I saw a photo of it at the Suite back a few years ago.

Take care and be careful.

Blessings,
Mary

Tammy Pearson said...

I like you have lived in my house for over 25 years now and grew up right around the corner, just a stone's throw away actually on the lake...I always complain about how I would love to move to the big city, but truthfully, I would have a hard time leaving the country too...my dad built my house and it holds so many good memories for me, yet it is a log house and I am tired of brown walls, I want sheetrock and paint, but my husband being from the city, loves the log look...I think another 25 years, I am praying he will want some sheetrock up to so that I can paint and have color...I don't think I would want to move either.

Tammy

The W.O.W. factor! said...

Hi Renie, like I said before, your place has such a serenity about it. I absolutely love it! AND...I hope you get to enjoy all of its gifts to you for another 25 years at least!!!
Thanks for this post...it's beautiful!
Barb

Sam said...

Oh, I just love these pictures! It is such a dream of mine to live in the country someday! I just love the peacefulness and the serenity and the incredible beauty.

I'm a yakker too! :-)

2 LMZ FARMS said...

Beautiful pictures as always. Thanks for your comments on Emily and me.lol You are one blessed lady!! Hope you and yours have a blessed day.

Mary said...

Renie,

I have a little something for you on my Writing Nook.

Wishing you a great weekend.

Blessings,
Mary

Jenn said...

Renie

When we first moved from the city to the suburbs (country to a tweenie) you couldn't walk anywhere, mom had to drive, no one delivered pizza... that was in Feb 1982... I COMPLAINED A LOT...

When we moved from the suburbs to a small city (as a teenager)... There was too much noise, to much light, no crickets...I COMPLAINED MORE

Now I live in the BOOOOONIES... and I only complain to the gas pump when it surpasses $50 and my tank isin't full

LOVE your laminating and pictures.

Jenn said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
hippo chick said...

Renie,

You are truly blessed, and we are blessed by your sharing. Happy anniversary of wonderful wilderness living.

~hippo hugs~
Pam

Talk..to..Grams said...

The pictures are beautiful and I know you must love this place very much. Stay there a long as possible.You have been blessed to have such a wonderful place to be. Love and hugs, Grams

Mountain Mama said...

Sometimes we humans are blessed to find the place on this vast earth where our soul blends and thrives in it's surroundings. It's obvious that you found yours Renie and I am happy for you.
Take lots of pictures and you will have saved the sweet memories to enjoy over and over no matter where you are.
Your pond is so pretty. I could just visualize the critters coming for a drink as I read your description.
God bless you,
Love

Merle said...

Dear Renie ~~ A wonderful post about the lovely peaceful place where you
live and where the animals visit. I do hope you are able to stay there for many years yet. And we all like to talk, especially as we get older and more at peace with ourselves.This is a lovely post, thank you for sharing your life with us my friend.
Thanks for your kind words on my blog. Glad you enjoyed the flowers and jokes. It is nice that you are having such wonderful weather
and we are also, before we get the very hot and very cold ahead of us.
I hope the coming week is good for you. Take care my friend, Love, Merle.

Hootin Anni said...

Just, simply, gorgeous photos Renie!!

It's been a long long time since I've visited with you, and when I saw your comment link at Talk To Grams this morning I wanted to pop in and wish you a happy Sunday.

China Pattern said...

I'll tell you something you don't know about me. My back yard is very similar to yours, right down to the deer, the pond and the blue heron though I am not on a first name basis with the members of the deer herd. LOL. I understand your attatchment to it. We have owned this property for about 15 years. I have said I will leave here feet first and God willing that is how it will happen.

Annie Wicking said...

What a wonderful place to live. To see that everyday.

No two days would be the same, how lovely. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Best wishes, Annie

Linda said...

Wow! Your view is just Lovely! You are so lucky to live in the woods!
We have a lot in common!

Midlife Mom said...

What a wonderful post Renie! I can relate to every word of it. I too like to get out and about with friends but then I need to come back here where out back it is totally private and I can watch all of the wild life, listen to the birds and the peepers, see the moon and the clouds and hear the branches of the trees swaying in the breeze. Sigh.....I just love it!

Thank you for commenting on my Farewell post about Buddy. I miss him so but know this was God's plan. It would have been horrible for this to happen in the midst of winter so we are blessed that it happened now when things could be done properly and with dignity. xoxo

sandy said...

Renie! I thoroughly enjoyed the photos and your commentary and thanks for sharing what you see, while on your laptop or relaxing. You indeed, have been blessed to live there and hopefully you will have many many more years enjoying the views and yakking with your friends in town...

Mary said...

Renie,

Just to let you know I forwarded your message to Hootin' Anni by email.

Hootin Anni said...

Hi again....I just got your message relayed to me from Mary!!

Please, please don't fret over not being able to leave a comment. I understand. I don't visit with friends and expect a return...so, if you can't use the comment section...don't fret, okay?

I love the fact that you asked Mary tho, that was sweet!!!

Loretta said...

I think the sign of a great friendship is a lot of "yakking"...my friend and I have so much to catch up on we usually yak at the same time. But thats o.k, I can talk and listen at the same time.LOL

Jmkdreak said...

Awe, well you will be able to be there many more years! and no, not understand but have come to terms with it = ).
xoxoxox

Nancy said...

Oh, Renie, what a heart touching post! My mom hated to leave her home and come south to live with me, but I was the only one she had who would care for her. I was working at the time and couldn't move to PA where she lived. She said one day, "Oh, what's the difference? It's just a house." And then, after she was here a while, she said to me one morning, "I like our home here." OUR home, she said. So she had finally accepted living here. Like she said another time, "It sure beats a nursing home." I, too, think of someday having to leave my home. Guess we all go through it, don't we? I am a country girl at heart! I love where I live, just a couple of miles from the city, out in the country, off a two-lane road, and just 4 miles from the mall. That's close enough for me! LOL

You do have a beautiful property there! I grew up in deer, turkey, and bear country....nothing compares to it, does it? Your pictures were so enjoyable!!!

I have been a little out of touch the last couple of weeks. I have my son's 2 sick kitties here, caring for them, in addition to all of my own. One of my son's cats just finished her radiation again and the other one has a severe heart condition. She had an aortal blood clot which cut off the blood supply to one of her rear legs, and now it is of no use at all to her. But she is coming along better than she was. I will have them another 2 weeks and then he will take them home. Bless their little hearts.

I am so behind in my blog reading and commenting....but I am amking an effort to catch up with everyone.

You do have a beautiful home there....just enjoy every minute of it. I have nothing here to watch at all.....except my neighbors going up and down the street. LOL

(((((( HUGS ))))))

Melinda said...

this is a beautiful post and wonderful pictures. Thanks for sharing!

Tossing Pebbles in the Stream said...

I have been here on the edge of the Temagami Wilderness for 25 years too. I don't regret a minute of it. When I first came here there were lots of moose but no deer. Slowly deer have moved in as part of nature's mix.

I was delighted to see for myself recently wild turkeys have spread into the area.

Tina Coruth said...

Renie,

What a beautiful post! I hope you can stay in your woods for as long as you want. Your photos are always spectacular. I love the photo of the grazing deer with the golden sun bathed patch of woods behind her. Seeing your woods through your eyes in your posts, stories and photos is a joy!

Love & Hugs,
Tina