What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Why I Love My Open Window -Updated

Good Morning Friends!  I can't believe it is already August 9th...this summer has just flown by. Down here where we live many children have already gone back to school...or they will be any day now.  Personally, I am looking forward to fall...can't get here soon enough for me! I'm getting weary of the muggy, buggy, too hot to trot days...I can't even seem to think of anything new to write...so this post is a repeat from about four years ago!  But nothing much has changed! I still love my "open window" here into the woods...and now that I am retired, I get to enjoy it every day!

I wonder if I could have a seat in this Adirondack chair and take snooze?

I've had people ask me ever since we moved out to the forest why would we ever want to live so far out from "civilization"?  I want to ask them, "Why do YOU want to live in the middle of too much civilization?"
Too much crime, too much traffic, too many crowds, too much noise, too much strife. Too many rules and laws about such petty things, like how many shrubs you can plant in your own yard, and what kind, and how close to the road.  What kind of grass you are allowed to grow...and what days are you allowed to water your yard and if you are caught watering on the wrong day or too often, you could be fined.  What color you are allowed to paint your house, how many cars you are allowed to have in your driveway at any time, what kind of flags you may fly (if any), how long you may leave up your Christmas decorations or any other kind of decorations. How long your company is allowed to visit...and the lists go on and on and on. You may not believe all of those rules, but I assure you they do exist in communities right near where you live, if not exactly where you live.

I know people who never open their drapes or blinds because they don't want the neighbors to look inside their house, or for the burglars to see what they have that they might want to steal.  There are people who are afraid to walk outside of their homes for fear of the neighborhood hoodlums or even the nosy neighbors.
They live in fear and darkness all the day long. I cannot imagine living like that.

Okay, I know many do not have any other choice. And I apologize if I appear critical of your situation when you may wish you could be somewhere else.  But I started writing this because I wanted to answer the question about why I would ever want to live so far out from civilization.    True, I don't have many shopping opportunities out here in the woods, nor do I have many choices of places to go out to eat.  I don't really have too many close friends or neighbors, although we are working on the "friends" part little by little. And it is true that I have to drive over thirty miles one way to go to my place of employment everyday. With today's skyrocketing gas prices that is a bit of an inconvenience and expense that I'd prefer not to have. But I can't do much about that yet. I still need to work to pay for all this wonderful lack of civilization!     2017 Update:  I retired almost two years ago, and then the gas prices went down...for which we are thankful, even though they seem to be creeping back up again...but we don't have to go anywhere very far...so I can't complain!

The title of this blog is "Closed Doors, Open Windows."  Our choice of a place to live is the result of a closed door on a home that was far too expensive for us when my husband lost his job due to job cuts, and no longer worth the amount owed. Miraculously, God "opened a window" of opportunity for us to get out from under that burden and placed us in a home that not only was affordable, but exactly in the type of place my heart had always longed for.  The woods. The country. The "boonies", if you wish.  Back to nature. A place where I could leave my window open for a view upon the exciting beauties that only forest living could provide.  Nearly everywhere I look I see green trees and leaves...

Looking out from the sun porch.  The fence is there to keep the bears out of our
patio/courtyard area. Although that doesn't always work, we found out recently!
(This picture was taken in 2013.  That is now where The Secret Garden grows!)

looking out into my back yard from my bedroom window



You never know what you might see when you look outside my open window:
Looking out my kitchen window we saw this big fella came to get a drink of water one morning

This little guy has been visiting us rather frequently the past few days.

Now this might be a little more than I want to see outside my
open window, but he IS a harmless black snake...and he
takes care of the mice, rats, and even other poisonous snakes!
This little cottontail has become the closest thing to a pet we have. He
seems to feel safe here in our back yard...and we enjoy talking to him. He always
listens and twitches his ears at us as if he really knows exactly what we are saying.
You never know where you might find a new friend peeking out at you!
Then there's these funny lizards who love to show off their "colors".
They think they own the place and show us every chance they get just
who's the boss around here!



Oops! Excuse Me! I didn't mean to interrupt a private moment!

What are YOU looking at?
2017: This beautiful female Summer Tanager was perched in the Secret Garden one afternoon this week...just sat there waiting for me to come take her picture! Isn't she lovely?


Okay, I know you probably aren't all that impressed with all my "wild friends" and neighbors.  I suppose I just get overwhelmed with the beauty I find all around me, and I love to share it with you. We don't have a fancy home or great amenities to offer. What we have here is Peace. Joy. Love.  We have hope. The presence of God is in this very place.

Perhaps your place in the middle of "civilization" isn't as bad as I've described above. You may have lovely neighbors, parks, friends, churches, places to shop and enjoy lunch with a friend.  God may have placed you in that exact location to be a lighthouse to others...a person who can be a true friend and neighbor to those in distress. Your home may be exactly what you've always wanted, right in the heart of the city. And that's wonderful...for you! It's where you are supposed to be. And the presence of God is also in that very place.  If you look around you, you can find many things to make you rejoice and be glad for where you are.

I guess it is all in the attitude of the heart.  When I lived in the city I loved where I was at the time, because I knew that was where I was supposed to be. Now that I am in the country, I love where I am, because this is where I am supposed to be. If I had to move back to the city, I would probably be like "Granny" from the Beverly Hillbillies, and you'd have to tie my rocking chair to the top of the truck to get me to move...(just kidding) ...no, seriously, if that is where I believed God wanted me to be, I'd be there, with a smile on my face.  (well, at least I'd try to smile!)

One thing I have learned (and am still learning) in this life is this:

"...I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  (Verse 13:) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  Philippians 4:11-13

And to add to that, I have also learned this:

"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:19

So, no matter where we may be living, whether it be the country or the city, be content. And if you think that is not possible...claim verse 13 above...and believe what verse 19 says. God will give you the strength you need to be content and to endure the things that you may not fully love about where you are...and if necessary, He will supply the means to get to a better place, in His time and His way.

I pray that wherever you may be tonight, whether it be where you want to be or not, that God will give you His peace and comfort and strength. That He will give you the courage you need to step out on faith to change your situation if that is what is necessary. Or that He will give you that sense of knowledge and gratitude that He has blessed you exactly where you are.

"Finally, brethren, (sistern?), whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy~meditate on these things."
Philippians 4:8 

23 comments:

  1. Pam, I enjoyed your post this morning. I agree with you, although sometimes I think it may be nice to live closer to the city. I live 10 miles outside the city. When we first moved here there were only a few houses near us, now there is too many but it is still quiet and peaceful most of the time. I find neighbors aren't as neighborly these days. When we first moved here when someone would move in nearby I'd take cookies or a cake and welcome them but that's the last I'd see them. Oh well, I'm learning to be content also.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know as we get older we may want to rethink our idea of peace and quiet, but until then I am quite content. You are just the kind of neighbor I would LOVE to have! I would also love to be that kind of neighbor, but it is difficult while I am still working. That is what is wrong in most neighborhoods today...the wives all have to work, so they don't have time to bake cookies and stuff anymore. I am so looking forward to retirement...some day!!!!! Like Mr. Rogers sang: "Won't you be?, Won't you be? Please won't you be my neighbor!" :)

      Delete
  2. Hi Pam,
    I'm visiting you today from Kim's over at Marmee's Pantry. What a refreshing beautiful place you call home! And isn't it exciting how God closed the door on the house in the city to open the window to where you are now...the place of Peace, Joy, Hope! I love it when He does those things for us. He is always a faithful provider.

    We live in the country also...and we find some beautiful critters roaming around here also...white tail deer, black bear, squirrels, rabbits, and many different bird specimen. Recently, we've been having a red tailed hawk visit on a rather regular basis. He sits on our fence and looks for birds and other things he can prey on.

    I enjoyed my visit here today and have bookmarked so I can come back again! SO nice to meet you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, Dianna, any friend of Marmee's Pantry (Kim) is a friend of mine! Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit today! I must check out your blog too. Your home sounds wonderful. Are you in Ohio? We are in Florida. Our bear friend has been visiting our yard a little too closely lately...tore down a few slats from our privacy fence the other night trying to get into our courtyard where the BBQ grill is (we had grilled steaks that evening...and I guess he wanted some too), but he couldn't get in. We hope he doesn't try that again.

      I love the birds, deer, and other critters so much. Yes, the hawks can be menacing to the other birds. But they are so pretty themselves you can't stay too angry at them. In our former house before this one we had Barred Owls, which I had quite a "relationship with." You should go back and read some of the blogs I wrote about them. Here is a link to one: http://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/2011/04/last-farewell.html (I guess it didn't post the link, but that is the address).
      I hope to get more acquainted with you in the near future.
      Blessings to you and yours...and come back again soon!
      Pam

      Delete
    2. Hi Pam,
      As much as I wish I lived closer to Kim, we live in West Virginia. I love our state, but it would be fun to be close enough to Kim that we could visit in person OFTEN! ;-)

      I know what you mean about not being able to stay too angry at the hawks because they are so beautiful. At some point next week I have a couple of pictures I took earlier this week of this beauty that I want to share on the blog. I will spend some time soon reading many more posts on your lovely blog!

      Thanks so much for "following" me! That was so sweet of you!

      Delete
  3. It's like Wild Kingdom out there!

    "Our choice of a place to live is the result of a closed door on a home that was far too expensive for us when my husband lost his job due to job cuts, and no longer worth the amount owed. Miraculously, God "opened a window" of opportunity for us to get out from under that burden and placed us in a home that not only was affordable, but exactly in the type of place my heart had always longed for"

    Isn't God good?

    A bear...you have a bear...

    Is that type of bear...um, docile? I mean, what if you had been out in the yard? Maybe that snake would have saved you. ;-)





    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha ha Sandi! These black bears here are "docile" as long as you don't get them cornered, or as long as you don't mess with their cubs...and as long as you don't run away from them or turn your back on them. And as long as you don't leave food/garbage where they can get at it. Normally they run from us when they see us, but we never want to take that for granted. We respect their space and so far they have respected ours. Generally we make a lot of noise when we go out at night as that is when they are most likely in the area. I'll have to post a few of my night pictures for you soon. And yes, God IS good, all the time good!! Thank you for visiting! Come on down and we'll watch for the bears together!!

      Delete
  4. Glad you are enjoying the forest!
    I am surrounded by water and Pine Barrens but conveniences are close by.
    Lovely photos of your nature friends too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you, Annie. Your part of the world sounds perfectly lovely too. I always enjoy your pictures.

      Delete
  5. Pamela, even though we live in a metro area, our forested yard is a haven for so many birds and other wildlife. I like nothing better than sitting on our deck, listening to the wind in the leaves and the bird song that fills the air. Every day I give thanks to have the best of both worlds. Thanks for sharing your lovely thoughts and photos today!
    Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Martha. We are blessed when we can enjoy wherever we are and see God's beauty everywhere. Such a wonderful way to live!!

      Delete
  6. We live in the north end of our town. We have bunnies, opossums, and various other creatures in our yards. My husband grew up on a small farm in the southern part of our state. When we used to go camping down there at this State Recreation Area, we would hear the sounds of certain animals. We saw deer. Like you say, we live where God plants us. I live nature but I also love the closeness of our hospitals and grocery stores. Peace and Blessings on you and yours.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know it is comforting to be closer to medical help and good grocery stores, etc. Right now we have to travel at least 20 miles to Walmart, and a hospital is about 35 miles. Thankfully we are healthy, but we also have a good EMT/ambulance/fire station about a mile from us if we need it. Our Dr. is only 15 miles away, so that isn't too bad. We may eventually move closer to "civilization" as we get older and tired of travel, but for now this works for us. Also, when our sons move on, we may also try to stay closer to wherever they are.

      Delete
  7. Like you, we have lived in the city and the country and both had special meanings for us. I couldnt decide which was best. If we let God be in charge, He makes no mistakes for where we live or when. God bless.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I believe God guides us to where we need to be when we need it! I am enjoying this for now, but realize that as we get older we may need to "downsize" and move a little closer to civilization. Plus, like you, we want to stay close to at least one of our kids...

      Delete
  8. I truly had no idea that communities with all those rules exist... that sounds like living in a Communist country. I love where you live... I'll take the boonies any day! 💜

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beware, some so-called "retirement" 55+ communities can be quite restrictive. We almost bought a house in one before we read all the HOA rules, and I'm so glad we found out before we signed the dotted line! They literally had rules for everything from mailboxes to Christmas decorations to flags, etc. Many HOA's will tell you what you can and can't plant in your yard, and you have to get their permission if you want to plant a tree or bush... so...yes, I'm a bit too much of a "free spirit" to have to live with those kinds of rules! I love the "boonies" now...maybe someday I'll want to be closer to "civilization"...but until then let the bears stop by for a drink of water any time they want! LOL

      Delete
  9. Came back to see photos again and have to say I love your open window too :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Pam, the area where you live sounds perfect for you at this point in your life. Wildlife is amazing, scary (at times), and entertaining. :) Even though I live in town it's a small town--it's rare but deer have wondered into town. Like you, I'm a free spirit and wouldn't want to live in a "gated community"--I'm pretty low maintenance with yard type things, since plants come to me to die, I only have stuff that can survive with God's care.

    Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Kim. It is perfect for this time...we are thankful for what the Lord has provided and enjoy every opportunity to watch His wonderful creation in action! I am not good with house plants and/or potted plants...I leave the watering up to God because I really am not always faithful to take care like I should. This summer has been good for the plants/trees because we've had a lot of rain. I love that you are a "free spirit"...helps keep life more spontaneous and fun! And it gives God more room to help us grow!!

      Delete
  11. I enjoyed your post today, it's great that you live out where you love to be. I love the country too, but only for a visit...yes I'm a town (not a city) girl!! Differences is what makes the world go around, as long as we're happy and keep God with us, where we live is just a matter of preference. Always enjoy visiting the country at your place!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And you are always welcome to visit here anytime! Sometimes it's better to visit 'at a distance"...you can appreciate the wildlife without having the worry about them suddenly showing up and doing who knows what! Yes, as long as the Lord is with us, our home will always be our special haven. Thank you for stopping by!!

      Delete

Thank you for visiting here today. I would love for you to sign my guestbook and let me know you stopped by. I always enjoy reading your comments and words of encouragement! May you be blessed as you go on your way. Please come back and visit again soon.