With Springtime arriving, I am grateful for the tools I use to keep my property in shape.

1. Hose
2. Zero-turn mower
3. Drip irrigation system
4. Shovels
5. Weed-wacker
6. Brush Hog with five foot mowing deck
7. Frontend loader
8. Rakes
9. Sprayer to help control weeds
10. Five by eight foot trailer
11. Chain saw
12. Clippers

I am also very grateful for the young men who work for us helping with the mowing, edging, raking, and hauling. Over the years we’ve hired high school students, college students, young men on probation, guys who needed the work, and guys who simply did a good job. Of course, our sons did most of the work around the property when they lived at home. But none of them live in our town now, so we hire help. 

I enjoy tractor work, and I love my zero-turn mower. Playing with the front-end loader is great fun! But traveling prevents me from keeping up with all the work, and some of the heavy lifting I am unable to do.

For a few years the drought made it easy to keep the grass mowed! In 2014 I only mowed the whole property three or four times. But the rains last summer meant lots of mowing! J.R., the young man who works for us now, earned his pay last summer! I’m grateful for him; he’s a hard worker. J.R. is kind, respectful, and honest. He’s the type of man I like hire. He’s going to college and just works part time for us. We pay well above minimum wage, and he does honest work. Its a good deal all around.

Lord,

Thank you for the tools we use to maintain our property. And thank you for sending us strong young men to help out around the place. Thank you for sending  J.R. to help us. Keep him safe as he works this spring and bless him in his studies. 

Lord, we enjoy the beauty of the land and especially the Texas sunsets. Thanks for making everything so pretty and diverse. I’d appreciate if you’d bring back the Horny Toads to our place. I miss seeing them around. I’ve been letting the red ants prosper these twelve years in hopes they would attract some toads. But if not, thank you for the roadrunners and everything else I get to see while I’m using my tools.

Amen 

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The Accident was on August 12, 2013. For months the 12th brought me to tears. Then, about a year later, I decided to choose gratitude and healing rather than sorrow. Thus “Twelve Things I am Thankful for on the 12th”.