Gathering Rubies

It’s finally over! Now I can tell you about the “experiment.”

I called it an experiment as I didn’t want to announce that I was alone for three weeks. Some of you knew of course and some may have guessed. Now the cat’s out of the bag.

As you know, I have been doing most of Larry’s tasks for the past three weeks as well as my own. I learned a lot from this too. First and foremost, I learned I do not like being alone!! That’s right; Larry has been in CA for the past three weeks visiting his 88 year old mother and his brother and sisters. I couldn’t make the trip because I couldn’t leave my mom on her own for that long, nor did we want to ask our friends to take care of our critters for three weeks.

Karla and I drove Larry to Texas to his sister’s house and they flew from Dallas to Fresno. They flew back to Dallas yesterday and spent the night at his sisters as it is another three hours to our house; one way.

To celebrate his homecoming I made barbequed pork spareribs, potato salad, deviled eggs, baked beans, garlic toast, mango-peach tea, and for dessert I made an Allspice Cake.

Second, I learned that taking care of the chickens is a lot of dirty, smelly, hot and sweaty work. Oh the things we do for fresh eggs. I also learned that I was able to show those contrary critters who really rules the roost. They are hefty little eaters and they um, well let me just say they seem to “deposit” three times as much as they eat. Also as I mentioned in earlier posts; spiders love hanging around the hen house. They spun big circular webs on all four sides daily and always just about in line with my head and face. I imagine to any onlookers it appeared like I was practicing voodoo as I approached the coop each day. I did the stick wave, up and down and all around to knock the webs down, walking ever so carefully trying to keep my eye out for snakes, who also love hanging around the hen house. Thankfully I only had one encounter with a snake, still it was one too many. I will admit though that I am as afraid of spiders as I am of snakes.

The third lesson I learned is that pockets are a good thing when working outside, I didn’t have any and as mentioned earlier I put my cell phone “somewhere else” and it didn’t stay put. First it fell in the floor of the coop, not a pleasant place and the next day it fell in the water. I now have a new i-phone. I didn’t get the newest one though and I am quite happy with the old 3GS. It really is a ‘smart’ phone.

Last I learned that absence really does make the heart grow fonder. I was beyond happy to see my man again.

Today is our 30^th wedding anniversary and having him back home is the best present ever. We have never been apart for three weeks in all the years we’ve been married. I admit I had a few melt-downs. Nights were the worst, no one to hold my hand, to throw my arm around. No “I love you” and no goodnight kiss. I may never let him out of my sight again.

Just a few more things to mention…I slept a lot less while he was away, I ate a lot less, (no fun cooking for one), I worked more and I found out that we have incredible and wonderful friends. Karla is like a sister and we either saw each other everyday or talked on the phone. Other friends took me to dinner, called and visited, and last Sunday evening Russell, Jim and Kevin came and mowed and groomed our yard.

I especially have a much greater appreciation for all the things Larry does around here too, things I have never had to worry about and I don’t come close to filling his shoes.

Lastly I learned that for those who have lost their loved ones there is a huge void in their lives. Friends and family are wonderful and awesome, but no one can take the place of a husband or wife.

Abba Father, in the name of your precious son, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for my husband and I thank you for bringing him home safely and for your immeasurable love, grace and mercy. I thank you too for friends who “love at all times.”