Fantastic Gymnastics

I like doing tricks. They are so fun and sometimes easy. I learned how to do some gymnastics recently when Mommy showed us how. They are so enjoyable to do.

I can do a walkover, a summersault, a cartwheel, backbend, and I am working on a one-handed cartwheel. Things like that are so much fun. Moriah and Galilee like to do gymnastics too. I did some tumbling with them last month while we were at Ryan and Amanda’s house.

I wanted to keep these skills in shape, so I do them every day. This is my daily routine: Five walkovers, three backbends, two handstands, cartwheels, one handed cartwheel, and sometimes I make up a funny trick just for fun. I do flips on the trampoline, and I am trying to do a handspring.

What I like doing best is the walkover. They are simple and easy to do. First go up in a handstand, then split your legs apart, them put one foot down then the other. Then stand up from your bridge. For a handstand, do the same thing, but just stay up there as long as you can.

Ancient Greek competitors first practiced gymnastics 2,000 years ago. Gymnastics is one of the oldest recorded sports! Since that time, millions of people have grown to love the sport. I love it too. The largest gymnastics competition was held at the 1896 Olympics.

I am so thankful for my hands and my muscles and my legs, because without them, I would not be able to do any kind of tricks, including walking. I look forward to doing more gymnastics with Moriah and Galilee. We have a lot of fun together.

~Unique

The Taming Of the Stray

ACT ONE

Scene I- On a dusty gravel road.

Enter Mama and Halayah

Halayah. Hark! Dost thou hearest that noise?

Mama. Ah. It seemest to be the sound of a feline.

Halayah. It has moaned most piteously these three times we have passed here. Dost thou thinkest it could be in distress?

Mama. Let us investigate the matter. Come! The cries sound forth yonder in those trees!

 

Scene 2- At the Edge of the Woods

They advance to the edge of the woods, and gaze into the trees searching for where and whence the cries come.

Halayah. It appearest that the sounds come from that tree yonder.

Mama. Thou art right. Look there it liest, in that branch!

A gray and black striped kitten gazes at them from the branch in the tree and continues to moan.

Halayah. The poor creature! I would go to its aid, but I fearest the results, for this is not our estate.

Mama. Yes, and also it dost appear to be no friendly kitten we have happened upon, but the offspring of a bobcat!

Halayah. A bobcat’s young! Let us flee from this place!

Mama. Hold! Have no fear, it is only a poor abandoned cat, see that its tail now falls down long yonder beside the tree.

Halayah. Ah, yes. Well, assuredly, the feline shall probably get down upon its own.

Mama. Without a doubt.  Let us proceed on.

Exit Mama and Halayah.

 

                

            Scene 3- Next Morning at the establishment of the Cox Family. Front Porch.

Enter Halayah and Nathaniel

Halayah. Where couldest thou Grammy, or otherwise my mama, and Aunt Jayla be, Nathaniel?

Nathaniel. Ount’ noh (I don’t know).

Halayah. I am persuaded I sawest them return…

Nathaniel. ‘Mimi!

Nathaniel points to the end of the driveway at Grammy.  He and Halayah watch as Grammy and Jayla approach. Behind them follows a kitten.

Halayah. Distinctly, it is the same tiny creature that was fixed in the bush yesterday! Let us proceed and perceive what the rumor be!

 

                Scene 4- Afternoon on same front porch.

After many long hours of coaxing, the kitten finally warms up to its new surroundings and begins to eat bits of turkey from the hands of the young girls and toddler boy who watch it with interest.

Moriah. Look! It dost trust me now most wholeheartedly!

Galilee. Moriah, pray let me determine if it will ingest some bits from mine own hand.  

Halayah. Move most slowly. It is still affrighted.

Enter Jayla. Here be a trickle more meat for the humble creature.

Nathaniel. (Making clicking sounds in his cheek.) Chk chk. Kitty. Mouw. Holds out his hand with turkey.

Unique. Whatever shall it be designated?

Enter Mama/Grammy/‘Mimi. Alas, the creature’s moniker shalt be Okie, on behalf of Oklahoma.

 

ACT TWO

Scene 1- Present Day Farmstead in Oklahoma

The kitten dubbed ‘Okie’, for Oklahoma, its native land, is now a proud member of the Cox Family Menagerie.  A beautiful gray and black ball of fur, Okie, the now tamed stray, shares their farm with the three other cats, two dogs, chickens, guineas, and goats that already make their residence there.

 

ACTS THREE through FIVE

Scene 1- Waiting to be told as the future is not yet seen.

The story continues to unfold. . .

The Electric Shepherd

Shepherding sheep is one of the oldest occupations in the world, dating back nearly 5000 years to Asia Minor. Sheep were kept for their milk, meat and especially their wool. Over the next few thousand years, sheep and shepherding spread throughout Eurasia. Shepherds do still exist today, although modern farming methods and reduction in natural predators have reduced the number of shepherds needed in today’s world.

A shepherd’s primary responsibility is the safety and welfare of the flock. A good shepherd as the Bible says, will “lay down his life for the sheep.” He will allow the animals to peacefully graze, while keeping them protected from predators. He also keeps them in fresh pasture that is free from noxious weeds and harmful pests. A sheep herder, or the occupational surname shepherd, as we know it, provides safety, by giving boundaries to the sheep, thus permitting them to be at ease and peace while allowing them to grow.

On our farm, our small flock of Jacob and Katahdin sheep are mainly protected by an electric shepherd. While first used in England in the 1960’s, electric net fencing did not make it to the United States until the 1970’s by a company called Premier 1. Electric net fencing is a poly wire fence that looks similar to a traditional woven wire fence, but is portable and easily moved from one location to another. The net style electrified fence both keeps the sheep in and predators out. As one small pasture is grazed, another can be prepared, allowing fresh pasture at all times and keeping pests to a minimum. The sheep are kept happy by the electric shepherd, as boundaries are set and the sheep feel safe.

There are many qualifications to being a shepherd. One must be tough at heart, willing to do hard work, able to be humbled daily, have great endurance, keep a watchful eye, and must be patient. Our electric shepherd meets most of these qualifications as it is tough, by providing a strong shock, keeping sheep in and predators out. It never complains at the hard work of standing all day long. It has great endurance, lasting for years. It stands patiently with a watchful eye on the sheep, keeping them safe in new pasture.

There is a special relationship between the shepherd and the sheep. The sheep truly do hear the shepherd’s voice and come to greet him. The sheep need the shepherd, and the shepherd loves the sheep. While the electric shepherd cannot take the place of the human element, it has proven to be an effective support for our family, freeing up time for other endeavors, aiding in keeping our flock safe for years.

~Mark

Queen Anne’s Lace

A few days ago, while Mom and I were jogging along the road, Mom pointed out some Queen Anne’s Lace! The pretty tall flower was growing along the roadside. Its white lacy head swayed in the breeze.

Queen Anne’s Lace is also called wild carrot, bird’s nest, or bishop’s lace. It is believed that the flower got its name when Queen Anne II was tatting some white lace. She poked her finger with the needle and a drop of blood fell onto the lace. That is why the flower has a little red spot in the center.

Queen Anne’s Lace is a biennial plant. In the first year of growing, it does not bloom, but only has ferny leaves. In its second year, the plant flowers and sends up blooms from June to August. Since it is in the carrot family, the roots can be eaten. They have to be gathered in its first year when the root is sweet and tender. Otherwise, it is woody and bitter.

  

When the beautiful flower begins to die and all of its color fades, the Queen Anne’s Lace blossom starts to fold, making it resemble a bird’s nest. That’s why it is sometimes called Bird’s nest. The white laced blossoms add extra prettiness when in a bouquet of flowers. I like to pick them. Queen Anne’s lace is an amazing flower.

~Samuel

Lamb's Quarters For the Table

Today after doing the feeding, I went to check the watermelon plants I planted three weeks ago. While I was looking at them, I noticed several lamb’s quarter plants growing beside the chicken house. I remembered how good they tasted cooked in bacon grease, so I picked a handful for dinner.

I washed them, then got out the cast iron skillet and bacon grease. I put a spoonful of the grease into the skillet, and when the skillet got hot, I put the lamb’s quarters in. I salted them and let them cook for about five minutes. Then I took them out and they were ready to eat. They tasted really good.

Lambs quarters are good for all kinds of things. They are high in fiber, protein, and are loaded with both Vitamins A and C. They also have a bit of iron in them. Did you know that lamb’s quarters are also called pigweed? Lamb’s quarters can be found mostly in gardens, mulch piles, and disturbed areas. The lamb’s quarters I picked were weeds in our garden boxes, and along fence rows, and woodland edges.

While considered to be a weed by most people, lamb’s quarters are actually a very versatile plant. It can be eaten raw like spinach, or dried. The leaves can be used for salad, the tender stems can be eaten raw or boiled, and the seeds can even be used for bread! That is very remarkable.

Lambs quarters got their name from the ancient English festival called “Lammas quarters.” The festival was held in August. A lamb was brought to the altar. With the meal, they had vegetables, lamb’s quarters, and bread to celebrate the year’s harvest.

I am glad God created plants that can be eaten, and I am glad I decided to pick lambs quarters. They tasted very good and are very healthy for you.

~Jonah

The Family Meal Table

At our house, the family meal table is a very special place. A place where we not only fill our stomachs, but our hearts and minds as well. The Fruit of the Spirit is always served. We all hold hands and give thanks to the Lord for the blessing of the food that has been placed before us, before we enjoy the delicious meal.

We sit around the table and hear the latest news from Dad as to what is happening in the world. We practice our manners and learn proper table etiquette from Mama. Sitting around the table we can look at each other’s faces and talk of our happenings of the day. Many are the memories and stories that have been shared around the old oaken table. It is a time to re-connect and re-charge as we laugh together, learn together, and share a meal. In the Bible, it says in Acts 2:46 that “They [the disciples] broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.” Glad and sincere hearts. What a great way to be!

Our table is a place of encouragement and uplifting. At our table, if you are not smiling and joyful, there is no place for you to join. There have been times you are sent into the other room to find your smile that was lost. Hunger helps to locate it quickly, and a happy face makes the heart cheerful, and consequently, your tummy full.

My favorite part of family-get-togethers is when we all sit down to the good home-cooked meal. Stories are shared and laughter fills the air, compliments on the food are given, sometimes we even sing together. We can sit around the table for hours on end just enjoying each other’s company.

In our home, every meal is served with love. The Bible says in Proverbs 15:17, “Better is a dish of vegetables where love is than a fattened ox served with hatred.” No matter what we have for the meal, as long as we are together, that is what makes us most happy.

The table, surrounded by my joyful family is a very pleasant place to be. I will always remember and cherish all the times we have gathered round that beautiful oak table to nourish both body and soul. The family meal table is a wonderful place.

~Jayla

Their "Magnificent Seventh" Is Our Fourteenth!

Eden Charlotte Cox

was born to Ryan and Amanda recently.  

While they consider her their Magnificent Seventh, she makes grandchild number fourteen for us!  

We are so very blessed!

June 21, 2022; 3:41 am

7 lbs, 15.3 oz; 21 inches long