Well, Challenging Months for Me

 It's been a bit since I posted.  

First, we had a very successful Ringle Harvest Day, it was my 29th year organizing it.  With my disease I was praying I wouldn't fall and I didn't.  We had a beautiful day, so many happy customers and vendors.  On to 3oth...

I did fall, Monday after, at the town meeting.  Good thing the fire department was right there.  I did break my femur.

In all honesty, I don't remember much of the first several days in the hospital.  I had surgery and then moved to the inpatient rehab area.  I was in hospital for 3 weeks.  

Look at all my hardware....

After a home visit, some moving around of furniture, fresh painting of a few rooms, resanding, staining wood floors (because, why not...rooms are empty.  Thanks Al) and transfer approvals, I was able to come home.  I am able to have in home therapies for now.  

I was totally blown over with a surprise from our town.  They made me a sign...I can't believe it.  My friend said, "it's not a memorial (because of disease) but a recognition of your accomplishments, we all still expect you to keep doing what you do."  The television station was there too.  I was so overwhelmed with emotions.

 

I feel so blessed.

We had a nice Thanksgiving just our children here.  Al helped me with the food.  The girls each brought things too.  

A few more last of season bouquets from a flower subscription someone gave me.  I loved it!  

Al's new drone's birds eye view of the farm

Al did get a 7 point buck for rifle hunting season.  

My friends took over a selling space next to my office/shop and we have been selling like a Christmas Conjunction.  It has been fun, the days I was able get out and go over there.  We have this week yet to sell - it was meant to be just seasonal.  

Well, that rounds out October and November for me.  Looking forward to December activities.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Putting Garden to Rest

 

My gardening looked different this year.  My new mobility offers opportunity for falling, so I stayed on safe ground.  However, Al took over and we had a garden.  We decided to make it smaller for next year.  

Marry someone who will try their best to make your crazy ideas and dreams come true.  Honestly, this is 3rd time trying to get flowers in this field.  If it doesn't work next year, I'll let that dream go.  Ahaha.  

 

Next year we are preparing for strips of flowers - working with nature not against it.  I don't know, too many years of it being a pasture and natural grasses.  We will try again.  

It was 80 in Wisconsin this weekend.  My little mobility garden did not disappoint this year.  I loved sitting out there on my walker.  

Getting ready for the Ringle Harvest Day Saturday, October 11, 2025 - 29 years!  From here on farm to the whole downtown of our little town.  Thank Lord!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Look Back at National Plaid Day

10 years ago today.  Wool plaid blankets still my favorite.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconosin.  

https://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2015/10/national-plaid-day.html

Freeze Dried Herbs

 

Before:  Cut, wash, take stems off all except thyme (too small) freeze dry.  

After, take thyme off stems, fill jars.  I've always air or dehydrated my herbs.  This, freeze drying left them nice and green and they smell wonderful.  I'm so happy with the results.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Well, Thank You!

Thank You!

It only took 15 years....ahaha

Nevertheless, I'm proud of my work!

 Went thrifting at the "bins" in Appleton.  My walker wasn't holding me back.  

More subscription floral arrangements - Thank You!  

Happy Daughter's Day to mine.  So proud of the women they are!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Fall Activities

 Well, the Lord answered my prayers.  I wanted to have a "mobile" summer and I was able to get around with my walker.  I am still wheeling along, so on to a "mobile" fall with His help.

We went on a family trip up to Munising, MI.  I LOVE Lake Superior!  I am a water person.  

This area in the UP is known for all the waterfalls.  I even made it back to one that had a path.  

Moving into fall, I am still working on the event I do for our community Ringle Harvest Day  I can NOT believe it's been 29 years!  

My friend, Lisa and I are still working.  We are doing online estate sales posts (lot drops) almost every Tuesday.  We even did a whole house near us online in August.  So, I'm still working, thank the Lord.  Town Hall Trinkets  We have an "office" space for pick ups of lots in Hatley - a few miles down the road.  

We are participating in the Vintage Shop Hop  This is a wonderful collaboration with hundreds of shops in IL and WI.  

I still share an afternoon with my granddaughter, Lauren.  She is in 3rd grade this year.  Today, we are doing a science project.  

This week we will also be going down by Anna to watch our grandson, Ezra.  He is into tractors and getting stuck in the mud stage.  

I will try not to blog too much about my disease, other than to tell you positive things going on in my life.  I was encouraged by a reading yesterday in church about healing.  Now, I want all of you to know that Jesus will heal me.  We may not see it on this side of glory, but I will see my healing in glory.  Until that day, I will continue to have faith in His will for my life, how to use this for His glory and trusting in my healing - either way.  

I have always been an optimist, even being called "Little Miss Sunshine" by many teachers and neighbors.  I have always been able to adjust and adapt to challenges.  I am using that gift to help me each and every day.  Thanks for the prayers.

Blessing from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Frost Tonight

 

 

The weather says FROST advisory!  No...my Zinnias are so pretty, I want to enjoy them longer.  I hope the cloud cover keeps it warmer.  I had been outside in the garden, but when I came in and saw the weather, I had to go back out and pick the rest of my peppers.  I also had to repot some houseplants that spent part of the summer outside.  I love my little garden and greenhouse.  

I also went down a rabbit hole today with boxes of fabric and vintage clothes from an estate buyout I did years ago.  I was reminded of how my mom and grandmas would save every little piece of fabric scrap.  Even the cut off fabric from hemming a dress.  There were even dresses taken apart to use the fabric.  Truthfully, I may use one of them as the bottom of a repurposed dress I want to make.  It was a cute dress bottom cut off at the waist.  All I need do is sew on a top, possibly even a t-shirt.  We will see...

I've been feeling pretty good this week.  Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Face vs. Fake Book

 ,I know I have written other blog posts about "Fakebook" and "Instasham" (Five Finger Death Punch song).  As true today as it was before.  Sometimes, my best "thinkin'" comes early in the morning.  This morning, I woke at 4 am, used the restroom and returned to bed.  I was thinking about the dream I just had where I was cleaning out in my building.  In the dream I made a comment something like..."Fakebook" is making me "face" my cluttered mess.  "Fakebook" turned into my "Facebook" of showing and selling my inventory.  I sell now, like 75% online and 25% face to face.  

I started working in the old shop I had on the farm.  I was calling it my studio.  It is 16' x 60' and it's full to the brim.  Things I thought I would redo, resell, craft with - all the things.  Oh my it was shameful.  I held on to things that I should have tossed years ago.  So, my daughters Justine and Anna came over and we got busy.  I was so happy that they actually wanted some of this stuff.  "Yes, please take it"

Day 1....we made $1 tubs and boxes 

making progress ....

Loads to go for the sale on the boardwalk of our little "office"

I SOLD over $600 things for $1 each.  The last hour of the sale everything was free.  Once I take it out of the building, it's not coming back.

The empties, the bags for the dumpster (yes, I tossed this time) and boxes by wall were sold waiting for pick up.   Ta Da...

This was momentum I needed to keep going.  Going I have been.  We cleaned out barn stalls (all full!).  I listed large items and they all sold.  We took 2 loads to scrap yard, gave some away and I've been selling stuff every week.  We did pick up an estate sale in August so my stuff has been on hold.  However, getting back to it today.

I can see the floor!  I have organized boxes in groups of what it is - Christmas, fall for Ringle Harvest Day booth, fabric, craft supplies.  It's getting there.  This project will probably take me 2 years.  

When I first was diagnosed with IBM, I just wanted a fun summer of mobility so I could work on this.  Thank you Jesus I was able to.  Now, I am praying to stay strong enough to walk around (with walker) and keep selling for as long as I can.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Summer 2025

 Hello, I have been adjusting to my new "mobility" and haven't shared much on here.  This post will be just pictures from random things this summer.  

Goals:  

Keep Moving - check

Work on Cleaning in my buildings - check

Keep Working - check

Keep up with PT - check

Enjoy Family - check

Enjoy Creating - check

Blessings from Ringle, WI