The day I had been eagerly awaiting had arrived. Josh was putting on the “final vinyl”…
When the scaffolding was removed, I imagined it was the feeling of finally getting one’s braces off.
Because of his busy schedule, I began looking for a reputable drywall installer, though I intended to tape and mud it myself.
For those just joining us, this is the drywall being delivered over a year ago, when you could still drive inside my house.
Once we found someone to hang sheetrock, Josh busted a move to relocate nine ceiling lights and build a safety railing.
Since we still only had one electrical outlet and one light switch, the result was a functional “stadium lighting” vibe.
The talented Claud brothers , Sam and Jeffrey, worked such long hours for me, but knocked it out in a week!
They even drywalled the impossibly narrow stairwell and high ceilings up to my studio apartment.
Looking at the work ahead of me, I decided to contract them to mud and finish it. Probably the best decision of my life!
I cringed to think of how long it would have taken me to do all of this- never mind so beautifully. I was positively joyful!
Freed up to play in my new greenhouse, I began to fill it with the fledgling plants started at Halloween.
They appeared to thrive in the controlled environment and grew quickly.
Eastern North Carolina had her first cold snap right before Thanksgiving.
The bird bath may be frozen over, but my babies enjoy Florida weather every day in their new digs.
Just a reminder that everything in this greenhouse came out of these two egg cartons.
Working for Peanuts
Having my coffee early one foggy morning in mid-October, I began to wonder why the crop was still in the adjacent field.
After all the fertilizing and fussing over it, it actually looked fairly healthy, lush and green. And here comes the cavalry…
The peanuts grow underground, so the first step is to turn over the plants with long steel fingers.
Another pass is made over the entire field, straightening and grooming the rows. The plants are then left to dry out a bit.
The neighbors’ dogs have escaped and are enjoying their fleeting freedom. Bella hears them and investigates.
This machine “sweeps” the rows, conveying the dry peanuts up into the large mesh bin.
When the hopper is full, it will rendezvous and align with another vehicle and offload.
There is very little waste with the peanut crop. The final step is baling the fodder for peanut hay.
I have new understanding and appreciation for the expression working for peanuts.
Apparently, harvest is not the final step and we’re not through here . Hundreds of birds have converged. It’s been two months.
I suppose they’ll stay, dropping peanuts and poop everywhere, until the food supply is gone. I’m just glad elephants don’t fly!
So, as I turn my hand to primer and paint, I sense a parallel with the coming new year. What will I paint on the walls of 2022? Although I was affected only minimally by Covid illness and death in 2021, it was, at times, a tedious year. My personal feeling is that things will never go back to the way they were pre- Covid, no matter how many boosters become available. I shall choose to live in the moment, looking for ways to serve others. Love covers a multitude of sin, and our light will always shine in a dark world.
“Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near:” Isaiah 55:6 KJV
Shalom. MH
Absolutely amazing!!! I love it…. I totally envy everything you have done.. So well deserved. Can’t wait to visit at some point. Wishing you a safe Happy New Year. 🙂
It’s looking great over there! We will have to come and take a look soon. Y’all have done a great job. I can’t wait to see it in person.
Home Stretch! So many accomplishments. May 2022 bring all the Lord intends for our futures.
We look toward Heaven and the Lord’s return.
Wow! That sure looks good. God bless, Dave and Mary Ann
It all looks so beautiful. I had hoped to visit over the Christmas holidays but it was not to be. I wish I was closer. I miss you. No matter what color you choose I know It will look great. I hope the insulation and drywall downstairs has given warm comfort upstairs.