…on a snowy evening, with Mr. Robert Frost ~ 1923
American farmer/philosopher/poet

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Until tomorrow ~ may all your travels be snowy ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost ~ 1874 – 1963

Where will your road lead?

When it’s time, we will be ready to welcome you on our road less traveled…come along.

Until tomorrow ~ in His time ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

This past Saturday afternoon, I did what I always do when my head becomes too filled with thoughts.

I head to the woods.

I rely on Nature’s beauty to calm my soul.

I am mourning the loss of summer.

My days not spent on my soil.

How does one get past this road block?

If only I could find a way to spend my days where my heart lies.

“Your heart will be where your treasure is.” Matthew 6:21

In the quiet of the woods, I got my answer.

The answer is to keep trusting.

To keep moving forward.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

Until tomorrow ~ God willing and God trusting,

Woodswoman

The onset of Autumn brings many chores and delights at Russ-Stick Acres.

Fresh hay bedding stuffed in 16 dog houses brings on a thank you from Hawk, one of our youngest Siberians.

With such keen sniffers, they get intoxicated by the smell of the hay.

Our stash of liquid gold from previous years is now down to the last sweet jar.

Now we will focus on this year’s batch of Maple Syrup.

It’s always exciting to experience each year’s flavor and texture.

The local wildlife encroaches upon our dance space, looking for a smattering of grain left behind by our chickens.

“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12

Yes, Fall is a celebration of the senses ~ making one feel more alive than ever before.

Until tomorrow ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

Sometimes beauty is hidden.

Imagine the other side of this leaf.

Or under my boot.

Sometimes it’s the quiet ones that slip by, barely noticed.

And the loud and flashy get all the attention.

Bigger, bolder doesn’t always work with me.

Not that I don’t appreciate inspiring views…I do.

I just tend to go for the quiet, the serene, the hidden beauty.

And that beauty always leads me back home.

Until tomorrow ~ hoping the leaves stay around a while longer ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

Every summer, a melodic sound can be heard in our woods.

My favorite sound in the entire world ~ bar none.

The HERMIT THRUSH.

Ironically, the first sound of the season was heard on Mother’s Day, for several years in a row.

What a delightful gift from Mother Nature.

I pray they never leave our woods.

Click here and scroll down to experience it for yourself.

Until tomorrow ~ drinking in nature’s songs ~ God willing,

Woodswoman