CIDER TASTING DAYS

If you read my dog blog,
Rocky Creek Scottie Adventures,
you might recall that every October,
we go to Meadows of Dan, Virginia
to have buckwheat cakes
and then to Foggy Ridge to
taste apple cider.

The above photograph is one that we took
while visiting Foggy Ridge Cider
and I have entered it in a
Virginia Living Magazine contest.
Should you be inclined to want to
cast some votes for me,
you may click on the picture
and it will take you to the site
where you may vote -
you may vote one time per day
for the next couple of weeks.

Blessings to all who visit here,
Lynn

STEPPING OUT OF THE BOX

Last week,
I made this bag
for the bazaar table
at the
Scottie Specialty Show.

It was one of the things
that didn't sell
so I brought it home with me.

Yesterday,
I posted its picture
on a Scottie group that I belong to
and out of it was born
Rocky Creek Designs!!

So far my "wall" is blank,
but we'll see where it takes me.

After all,
Vera Bradley
had to start somewhere.

Blessings to all who visit here,
Lynn

TAKE TIME FOR Y-O-U

In the hustle and bustle
of today's life,
many women forget
to take time for themselves.

For us to live our most
efficient and effective lives,
there are certain things
we should do daily.

We should spend some quiet time.
No matter what your faith,
some time for meditation
will help your day go better.

A few minutes for exercise,
even if you can't commit
to a full exercise regimen,
give it what you can -
once you get started,
you'll find yourself
wanting to do more and more.

If your doctor has
you on some prescription medications,
don't forget to take them as prescribed.

Flossing your teeth daily
will not only help you when
you go to the dentist,
it will help you have a healthier heart.
Set a timer when you brush
to make sure you brush
for a full 2 minutes
at least twice a day.

Don't forget the benefits of a great
cup of herbal tea.
Research the ingredients
and find the one that will help you the most.
Make sure that it does not conflict
with your prescription drugs.

Blessings to all who visit here,
Lynn

TODAY IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT DAYS OF THE YEAR

It's the day
that I go for my yearly mammogram.

All joking aside,
it's a very important test
for all women,
but it's also important
for us to remember
to do monthly breast exams.
Pick a day,
say the first day of the month,
and make it a habit
to check for any new lumps and bumps -
not just on your breast,
but all over your body
you'll be glad you did -
it could save your life.

Blessings to all who visit here,
Lynn

SIZE DOESN'T MATTER

This Summer has flown by
just like some of the tornadoes
and hurricanes
we have experienced this year.

Our small garden -
tomatoes, peppers and onions
has done really well due to the circumstances
and I've been able to can
12 quarts of tomato juice,
but most of it has been made
from cherry tomatoes.



My sweet Scottie-boy, Ruairi,
knocked over a flat of seedlings
early this Spring
that I didn't restart
so most of my tomato vines
are about 12 feet long
and cherry tomatoes,
but they have made juice just
just the same -
and when the Winter winds are howling,
I'll love that taste of Summer.

Blessings to all who visit here,
Lynn

I DID IT!!

Yesterday was the day
I was scheduled to
have my
occipital nerve block.

With much fear and trembling,
I enlisted my cousin
to drive me and I went for it.

It wasn't so bad -
like a bad bee-sting,
got a migraine right away,
but today
I'm just sore and stiff
and really fuzzy,
so I'm hoping
it does it's job.

And if it does,
I'll do it again
if I feel like I need it.


Blessings to all who visit here,
Lynn

OCCIPITAL NERVE BLOCK

Last week I spoke with the nurse
at my neurologist's office.
She said that he wants to try
"occipital nerve blocks"
to help me with my headaches.

I had never heard of this treatment before
but since she told me about it,
I have done a bit of research.
It seems, like anything else,
there are many people out there
who would never do it again
but many who have been helped
by it tremendously.

Have any of you ever tried this method
or know anyone who has?
I'd be interested in hearing your experience.

Blessings to all who visit here,
Lynn

WE'LL WELCOME YOU WITH OPEN ARMS

Forewarned is forearmed.

With summer travels,
it finds more and more bloggers
wanting to meet each other.

At
Rocky Creek Farm,
we have been fortunate enough
to have had several blogger visitors
and are expecting some more -
in fact this week!!

If' you are looking for a perfectly kept home,
don't look here.

In fact,
the front porch rarely looks
as well kept as this picture -
and the inside never is the tidy
farmhouse you'd expect.

But it's livable.

Back "in the day"
it was inhabited
by my Grandparents
and their 12 children
(more or less at once).
And
occasionally I still feel the presence
of one or more of them.
(no, I'm not too weird!)

And this is the smiling face,
you'll find waiting you greet you
as you pull into our yard -
and the arms that can't wait
to give you a hug.

(and if you see a cobweb
as you look over my shoulder,
just use one of my handy
hand-made brooms
to knock it down!)


Blessings to all who visit here,
Lynn

If I Had My Life To Live Over

If I Had My Life To Live Over

If I had my life to live over, I would have talked less and listened more. I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded. I would have eaten the popcorn in the ‘good’ living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth. I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a hot day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed. I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains. I would have cried and laughed less while watching television – and more while watching life. I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day. I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle. When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.” There would have been more “I love you’s” and More “I’m sorrys”

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute… look at it and really see it … live it…and never give it back. - 'If I Had My Life To Live Over' was written by the late Erma Bombeck after she discovered she had a terminal illness.

"Today is the first day of the rest of your life" - grab it with gusto and when your time comes to go, you'll have one less regret.

Blessings to all who visit here,
Lynn

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR MIGRAINES?

I suffer from migraine headaches
and am wondering if many of you
have the same problem.
I've had them for years
and the only trigger I can isolate is
MSG.

So that means
no Doritos,
very few flavored salty snacks,
many meat products,
and some ethnic restaurants.
Many people associate MSG
with Chinese food,
but beware -
most Chinese restaurants
will advertise "no MSG"
but other places won't
and you will find it in many meat dishes
and sauces.

Other things I have found that trigger them are
strobe or flashing lights,
intricate patterns,
frozen drinks,
and
sometimes a gentle breeze
blowing across my forehead.

And when I get one,
the best relief
is to go to sleep
in a dark room -
so far I have found
no medicine,
prescription or OTC
that will give me relief.

I will be seeing a headache specialist soon
and pray he can help me because
when I get a migraine,
I loose at least 24 hours
of my life
and have missed out
on many fun events.

My regular doctor
will give me a shot of morphine
when I get one,
but that just zaps me too -
and it has to be when I have a driver
to drive me home.
The good thing is that
when I wake up,
the headache is usually gone.

If you have any suggestions,
please leave them for me.

Blessings to all who visit here,
Lynn

A TRIBUTE TO MY MOM

Here she is as
May Queen
at
Sylvatus High School.

She and Dad
eloped to York, SC
to get married.

Both Mom and I
were in her sister's wedding-
she as Matron of Honor and me
as the flower girl.

And here she is now -
Happy Mother's Day, Mom

Blessings to all who visit here,
Lynn

WITH ALL MY HEART.....

When my friend, Deborah,
over a Meadowland Scotties
sends me an email,
she always signs it
"with all my heart".

And this morning
as I was changing the bed
for
The Sweet Babes,
I picked them up
"two by two"
and held them close to my heart -
I was able to feel Deborah's sweet sentiment.

In reality I will hold them
in my heart
long after they leave me
to go to their forever homes.

Just like any new Mother
who thinks her baby is the
sweetest, smartest, cutest,
that's how I feel about
this clan of puppies.
Every clan seems to reinforce
life lessons for me.




They give me great examples
of when to work,
when to rest,
when to play.

They make me smile
and bring so much happiness
into my life.

They make me focus on the important things
like faith, family and friends.

They introduce me to the nicest people!!


And for all of you out there
who remember a kindlier, gentler time,
if you check out this photo really close,
you will see that it gives a new meaning
to the phrase,
"sacked out".

Blessings to all who visit here,
Lynn

HE IS RISEN!!

HE is risen indeed!!

Blessing to all who visit here,
Lynn

THIS IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD ALL READ AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK

This is something we should all read at least once a week. Make sure you read to the end.

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying y young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come...

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Blessings to all who visit here,
Lynn

OH! SUGAR! SUGAR!

Just this weekend,
I had been mulling over,
in my mind,
how much sugar and processed food,
I eat in a day's time.

That toast for breakfast,
spread with homemade jam.
The lunchtime sandwich,
made with white bread.
The dinnertime cornbread,
slathered with butter.
And my favorite -
the afternoon Coca-Cola.

Do you realize that one 12 ounce can of Coke
has 40 grams of sugar -
and that is the equivalent of
10 TEASPOONS!!

Now, how many of us
would put that much sugar
in our coffee or tea?

According to a report
on The Today Show
this morning,
the average American
eats
90 POUNDS OF SUGAR
a year!!

But for me the trigger
is not only sugar,
it's things that taste sweet,
like Diet-rite Grape Soda.

I can do fairly well
if I don't even start with
a bit of sweet for breakfast,
but one chocolate chip
can set me off on a sugar rampage.

I might be hard to live with
for a few weeks,
but I'm seriously trying to cut back
on the sugar consumption.

I think I can,
I think I can,
I know I can!!

Blessings to all who visit here,
Lynn

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT STORY

Today,
I am giving a voice,
to a new friend.

Please see my dog blog,
Rocky Creek Scottie Adventures
for the incredible story
of
Sweet William the Scot.

Blessings to all who visit here,
Lynn

WHAT'S MY PASSION?

Yesterday,
at Sunday School,
our teacher gave us an assignment.

We are to ask 5 people this week
what they think our passion is.
Some of you know me better than others-
some of you don't know me at all
so
I
ask
YOU-

What do you think Lynn Spencer
is passionate about?

Blessings to all who visit here,
Lynn

HAPPY ST. PATS

Blessings to all who visit here,
Lynn

AS WE STROLL THE HIGHLANDS....

As we stroll
the rainy highlands
of Virigina
it stirs something deep
in our Scottish souls
and makes us dream of
the scent of heather......

Even though no
self respecting
Scottish dog
would wear a raincoat,
we give in
because we like to lie
on the couch
after our stroll.

We, especially the boys,
love to splash in mud-puddles
and run in the rain -
Mom doesn't always approve!!

We check out the fields
for new born babes.

Too soon,
Mom makes us come in
and dry off

and now we are

dreaming of summer
in our peaceful slumber.

It will be here before we know it!!

XOXO
Lilly, Piper, Carrleigh and Ruairi

MOVING UP ON FAT TUESDAY

I'm hoping you haven't noticed
that the ticker on my weight
is not moving -
I must admit,
I've been having some major food issues -
need to kick those
delicious
Girl Scout Cookies
to the curb!!

I have to keep reminding myself
that the scale is only one measure
of health.

And that now I can easily walk
for 30 minutes on my treadmill -
without holding on all the time.
I'm noticing that not only
is my endurance better,
but my balance is better too -
and that's a major thing -
I've always been clumsy,
but the older and stiffer I get,
the harder it is to get up.

And that 251 calories I burned -
how many pancakes does that translate to
on a
Fat Tuesday?

Happy Mardi Gras!!

Blessings to all who visit here,
Lynn

A FRIEND SENT THIS AND I THOUGH I WOULD SHARE IT WITH YOU

A Father, Daughter & a Dog - story by Catherine Moore

"Watch out! You nearly broad sided that car!" My father yelled at me. "Can't you do anything right?"

Those words hurt worse than blows. I turned my head toward the elderly man in the seat beside me, daring me to challenge him. A lump rose in my throat as I averted my eyes. I wasn't prepared for another battle.

"I saw the car, Dad . Please don't yell at me when I'm driving.."

My voice was measured and steady, sounding far calmer than I really felt.

Dad glared at me, then turned away and settled back. At home I left Dad in front of the television and went outside to collect my thoughts.... dark, heavy clouds hung in the air with a promise of rain. The rumble of distant thunder seemed to echo my inner turmoil. What could I do about him?

Dad had been a lumberjack in Washington and Oregon . He had enjoyed being outdoors and had reveled in pitting his strength against the forces of nature. He had entered grueling lumberjack competitions, and had placed often. The shelves in his house were filled with trophies that attested to his prowess.

The years marched on relentlessly. The first time he couldn't lift a heavy log, he joked about it; but later that same day I saw him outside alone, straining to lift it. He became irritable whenever anyone teased him about his advancing age, or when he couldn't do something he had done as a younger man.

Four days after his sixty-seventh birthday, he had a heart attack. An ambulance sped him to the hospital while a paramedic administered CPR to keep blood and oxygen flowing.

At the hospital, Dad was rushed into an operating room. He was lucky; he survived. But something inside Dad died. His zest for life was gone. He obstinately refused to follow doctor's orders. Suggestions and offers of help were turned aside with sarcasm and insults. The number of visitors thinned, then finally stopped altogether. Dad was left alone..

My husband, Dick, and I asked Dad to come live with us on our small farm. We hoped the fresh air and rustic atmosphere would help him adjust.

Within a week after he moved in, I regretted the invitation. It seemed nothing was satisfactory. He criticized everything I did. I became frustrated and moody. Soon I was taking my pent-up anger out on Dick. We began to bicker and argue.

Alarmed, Dick sought out our pastor and explained the situation. The clergyman set up weekly counseling appointments for us. At the close of each session he prayed, asking God to soothe Dad's troubled mind.

But the months wore on and God was silent. Something had to be done and it was up to me to do it.

The next day I sat down with the phone book and methodically called each of the mental health clinics listed in the Yellow Pages. I explained my problem to each of the sympathetic voices that answered in vain.

Just when I was giving up hope, one of the voices suddenly exclaimed, "I just read something that might help you! Let me go get the article.."

I listened as she read. The article described a remarkable study done at a nursing home. All of the patients were under treatment for chronic depression. Yet their attitudes had improved dramatically when they were given responsibility for a dog.

I drove to the animal shelter that afternoon.. After I filled out a questionnaire, a uniformed officer led me to the kennels. The odor of disinfectant stung my nostrils as I moved down the row of pens. Each contained five to seven dogs. Long-haired dogs, curly-haired dogs, black dogs, spotted dogs all jumped up, trying to reach me. I studied each one but rejected one after the other for various reasons too big, too small, too much hair. As I neared the last pen a dog in the shadows of the far corner struggled to his feet, walked to the front of the run and sat down. It was a pointer, one of the dog world's aristocrats. But this was a caricature of the breed.

Years had etched his face and muzzle with shades of gray. His hip bones jutted out in lopsided triangles. But it was his eyes that caught and held my attention. Calm and clear, they beheld me unwaveringly.

I pointed to the dog. "Can you tell me about him?" The officer looked, then shook his head in puzzlement. "He's a funny one. Appeared out of nowhere and sat in front of the gate. We brought him in, figuring someone would be right down to claim him. That was two weeks ago and we've heard nothing. His time is up tomorrow." He gestured helplessly.

As the words sank in I turned to the man in horror.. "You mean you're going to kill him?"

"Ma'am," he said gently, "that's our policy. We don't have room for every unclaimed dog."

I looked at the pointer again. The calm brown eyes awaited my decision. "I'll take him," I said. I drove home with the dog on the front seat beside me.. When I reached the house I honked the horn twice. I was helping my prize out of the car when Dad shuffled onto the front porch... "Ta-da! Look what I got for you, Dad !" I said excitedly.

Dad looked, then wrinkled his face in disgust. "If I had wanted a dog I would have gotten one. And I would have picked out a better specimen than that bag of bones. Keep it! I don't want it" Dad waved his arm scornfully and turned back toward the house.

Anger rose inside me. It squeezed together my throat muscles and pounded into my temples. "You'd better get used to him, Dad . He's staying!"

Dad ignored me.. "Did you hear me, Dad ?" I screamed. At those words Dad whirled angrily, his hands clenched at his sides, his eyes narrowed and blazing with hate. We stood glaring at each other like duelists, when suddenly the pointer pulled free from my grasp. He wobbled toward my dad and sat down in front of him. Then slowly, carefully, he raised his paw.. Dad 's lower jaw trembled as he stared at the uplifted paw Confusion replaced the anger in his eyes. The pointer waited patiently. Then Dad was on his knees hugging the animal.

It was the beginning of a warm and intimate friendship. Dad named the pointer Cheyenne . Together he and Cheyenne explored the community. They spent long hours walking down dusty lanes. They spent reflective moments on the banks of streams, angling for tasty trout. They even started to attend Sunday services together, Dad sitting in a pew and Cheyenne lying quietly at is feet.

Dad and Cheyenne were inseparable throughout the next three years.. Dad 's bitterness faded, and he and Cheyenne made many friends. Then late one night I was startled to feel Cheyenne 's cold nose burrowing through our bed covers. He had never before come into our bedroom at night.. I woke Dick, put on my robe and ran into my father's room. Dad lay in his bed, his face serene. But his spirit had left quietly sometime during the night.

Two days later my shock and grief deepened when I discovered Cheyenne lying dead beside Dad 's bed. I wrapped his still form in the rag rug he had slept on. As Dick and I buried him near a favorite fishing hole, I silently thanked the dog for the help he had given me in restoring Dad 's peace of mind.

The morning of Dad 's funeral dawned overcast and dreary. This day looks like the way I feel, I thought, as I walked down the aisle to the pews reserved for family. I was surprised to see the many friends Dad and Cheyenne had made filling the church. The pastor began his eulogy. It was a tribute to both Dad and the dog who had changed his life.

And then the pastor turned to Hebrews 13:2. "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it."

"I've often thanked God for sending that angel," he said.

For me, the past dropped into place, completing a puzzle that I had not seen before: the sympathetic voice that had just read the right article... Cheyenne 's unexpected appearance at the animal shelter. . ..his calm acceptance and complete devotion to my father. . and the proximity of their deaths. And suddenly I understood. I knew that God had answered my prayers after all.

Life is too short for drama or petty things, so laugh hard, love truly and forgive quickly. Live while You Are Alive. Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second time.

God answers our prayers in His time........not ours.

Blessings to all who visit here,
Lynn

I'D INVITE YOU OVER FOR SUSHI, BUT......

Most of you who visit here
"know" me and my philosophies.
If life gives me lemons,
I add tequila and salt,
and get on with it.

This past week,
I was not pleased
at the "lemon" I got
and even though
today is
"National Margarita Day",
I don't think I'll be adding
any libations to my "lemon".

I'm not even sure
where I'm going with this,
but remember the title of this blog -
"Rocky Creek Ramblings".

I guess I should look at this stroke of fate
as a gift -
and let me ask this,
"how many of you got a new washing machine
for President's Day?"

I thought that my washer,
which was only 7 1/2 years old
still had a lot of life in it,
but when the repair man visited it,
he gave me the dire news -
"Ma'am, I don't know how to tell you this,
but that machine is plumb wore out".

Not what I wanted to hear -
but getting a new machine
wasn't the worse part of the problem.

The worse part was dealing
with an addiction -
and no, it's not tequila.

Check out this mess -
good news is that I can't get to my stove
and hubby brought home dinner,
but before I could
move in a new washer

I had to empty a bank of
four cabinets
so the delivery many could
get to the old washer to get it out
and
bring the new one in -

and they were all stuffed full
(I didn't get a picture before I started packing).

But I did find these sweet little salt cellars -
just the right size to hold a piece of sushi.

But until I get this mess straightened out,
I won't be making any sushi.

And,
by the way,
don't bother to call me to RSVP -
my stinkin' phone is on the blink too!!

I hope my computer doesn't go next -
where would I be without you?

Blessings to all who visit here,

Lynn

DREAMIN' OF KOKOMO

This morning before I did my
workout on the treadmill,
I decided that I needed
a definite playlist -
The Beach Boys,
Jan and Dean
and Bob Seger -
all classic rock.

But as I walked
and belted out the songs,
I got to
Aruba,
Jamaica,
ooo, I wanna take you -

and it gave me a goal
yes, I'd love
to take my sweet hubby to Kokomo,
but since he has an aversion
to beaches,
it would have to be on a cruise ship.

Have any of you
ever gone on a cruise before -
what would you recommend?

I definitely know that I
have to keep
"walking to Kokomo"
so that I could feel confident enough
to wear shorts in public.

Blessings to all who visit here,
Lynn