mind the sign

Another burro got killed Friday morning on 118 about a half mile north of Terlingua Ranch Rd.  81,92,50,0,B,.16

The Tribulation

Is the end near?  Yesterday is gone - today is all we have - tomorrow is never guaranteed.  Having studied the Bible this past year while watching how our society and the world in general is growing darker and darker...there is no time like today to start getting ready.  My friend Melanie felt compelled to post this message a couple of days ago - like many, she sees the darkness growing and I think this scripture compliments her message.  1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
 

Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease , and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate , even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
 
Revelation 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

http://bible-verses-insights.com/2010/02/7-year-tribulation-why-7-years/

birthday visit

Visit today from my new San Antonio friends Robert and Danielle.  Happy Birthday, Dani!  72,92,71,0,B,0

bunny love

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people day for my boys

Visitors now get to be up close and personal with Ben and Bud.  They are both really getting used to being around people...and a good way to see how big they are getting. Today was their Aunt Michelle and Uncle Chris' turn. 83,96,57,0,C,0

time to collect the core charge

Took six of my original batteries out of service today...almost 6 years old.  They did pretty good for me considering all the abuse they took over the years.  Didn't bother removing a bunch of old wires from the wind turbine days because this system is going to move over to the hut when the new system for the greenhouse get's installed.  77,94,54,0,B,.12

only at the last resort

Ventured far down the Ranch Rd.- past the pavement this morning.  Paid a visit to Casey and Sara Colando (and their illegitimate man-child, Dr. Gig).  Placed my solar order for the Field Lab system upgrade...details to come when my order arrives.
http://allenergies.net/ are the go-to folks for solar out here.  I got a great deal on stuff and even got 2 jars of Sara's prickly pear jelly and a pumpkin from her garden because of my order (she is obviously the brains behind the operation).

Update on the new mattress test:  I didn't sleep very well last night.  The mattress is great but my body will take awhile to accept the change.  I've always had trouble sleeping in a strange bed.  78,92,56,0,B,0

Serta

On the way home from church yesterday (via go kart), I happened to run over a small chunk of old fencing. Took a half hour to untangle the mess.  Got home to find Carl and the girls waiting on my front porch.

Supply run to Alpine.  Bought a new real mattress on sale from Alco.  It was time to retire the almost 6 year old kids bunk bed mattress I've been sleeping on.  The new Serta is twice the thickness of the old one. Giving it a test tonight.  85,97,56,0,B,0

trust and try

I have only been vaguely aware of the reality show Duck Dynasty until earlier this year.  Some kids that came to my church back in March all started calling me Uncle Si and the parents explained it was a person on their favorite TV show.  Of course since then I know more about the show although I still have yet to see an episode.   I have also come to understand that the family in the program are devout Christians which explains why a Christian family visiting my church would even have a favorite TV show.  A friend shared this link on Facebook yesterday so now I am sharing Phil Robertson's message with you.  

the underworld

Took up the pavers on the north side.  I think the damage has been done by a combination of critters...mice, bugs, lizards - and just natural settling.  This entire area once had a one inch layer of sand on top.  Planning on wetting this down and packing it hard before adding sand again - with some diatomaceous earth mixed in with the sand and hardware cloth around the edges to keep it from shifting again.  72,84,63,0,B,0

north/south

Cleared the north and south alcoves.  Moved all the stuff (to be sorted later) to the newly cleared east end. Going to take up all the pavers in these areas, re-level the sand, and install a critter barrier around the perimeter. Whoever is responsible has moved a lot of dirt and rock out from underneath.  Cleaned up the reserve battery bank in preparation for a solar upgrade next month now that the price of panels a quarter of what it was when I first came out here.
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Harverst Moon

Cleared the east end.  In honor of the harvest moon, I harvested my lone pomegranate.  Not much there, but what there was - was pretty dang good.  70,80,68, .35",B,.11

undermining my authority

Well...I put it off for as long as I could.  Finally got started cleaning up inside the greenhouse.  Chucked 6 tomato plants and 2 jalapenos that just weren't producing and my 2 pear trees that died.  Took 4 hours to make sense of the west end.  Ever since I finished the pavers, some critters have been tunneling underneath an pulling "my oh so carefully leveled" sand out and depositing it on top.  Still not sure who is responsible but it's a mess and some of the pavers are lopsided now - toads, lizards, rats?  72,84,67,0,B,0

cleaned the chicken castle...

Since Carl and the girls are spending their days patrolling the grounds now, I was able to remove the bird netting and get in there for a clean sweep.  The new bedding in the coop got christened with its' first egg this afternoon.

Seems I have a new burro buddy.  He must have heard that critters are welcome here.  This one I named Buff after my uncle who passed away a couple of years ago.  He has come in for a snack and some water every day for a week now.  Not able to hand feed him yet - but we are getting closer.  78,84,68,0,B,.16

rain ready

Good chances of rain coming up (not a drop so far) so I shuttled some tank water around to make room.  Added a larger tank for the west shade gutter.  Installed a drip edge on the hut to keep light rains from seeping around under the roof...something I should have done 5 1/2 years ago due to the shallow pitch..

Carl has decided we are friends again so I let him out of jail  The two hens seemed happy to roam around with him all day.  They have been penned up their whole lives until today.  It was also time to mouse proof the chicken feed.  80,89,70,0,B,.26

Pass or Fail

Each day there is a test.  A test we all have the free will to take. Everything from moral dilemmas to simple acts of kindness are part of the test.  How we act/react/interact is tested.  What we ask for, are thankful for, and thankless of - are all part of it.  God doesn't grade on a curve but He gives you a 50/50 chance...True or False.  Good or evil, righteousness or insolence, empathy or selfishness.  Satan loves to confuse the test with multiple choice questions.  All his answers are wrong but at least one of them doesn't seem as wrong (or bad) as the others.  The lesser of two evils is still evil.  Our earthly experience makes us want to choose the multiple choice questions (we love having lots of choices to help justify our actions) while the Holy Spirit guides us toward what is true and what is false.  Listen carefully for His tutoring and you will pass the test. The test is given every single day. A passing grade leads to "above all that we ask or think".

Ephesians 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named , 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think , according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen

Help a friend of Mr. Floppy!

Someone didn't bother to put forth the effort to find his donkey that got loose last year on Terlingua Ranch (and I'm pretty sure I know who it is).  Mr. Floppy probably spent some time on the range with him.  The poor critter got hit by a car and severely injured but was rescued.  I just wish I had corralled him last time he stopped by to visit with a herd of wild burros.  TMR Rescue Inc has been rehabilitating him and they could use some financial assistance. The Field Lab is helping out - and so should you if you are so inclined.
Here is the info: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.590302544347017.1073741897.535031779874094&type=1
and where to contribute:  http://www.kapipal.com/ce97ecd0824b4a3ea5eb41e56418ea60
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the good front

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