Rest For The Weary



One of my life's pleasure is this place called "Pumzika Acres".  If you are a regular follower of this blog you already are aware that this is a Kiswahili (language of East Africa) word and that it is in the simple imperative form, meaning simply, "You Rest!"  Naturally, after my recent attempt to walk the "100 Mile Wilderness" section of the AT, I thought it would be a good idea to come out here for a few days and rest.  Of course - after letting things go here for a year now, the first thing was a little bit of cleaning.  In the picture below you see that I have pulled on a rubber glove to dig the last of the rats out of the stove.  The medicine I put out last September has taken out at least a dozen of these fur-lined and industrious critters.

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Here you can see the ambitious plans that these critters had, as they carried paper, cotton, pieces of wire, immitation flowers, paper towels and cotton under the stove top.

My missionary friend, Gordon B. spent the better part of the day burning up fallen limbs from the horrific gusts of wind we have had in East Tennessee this summer.

I washed the dishes one day in water fetched from the creek.  It was such beautiful weather outside!

As some old rotting pieces of lumber were tossed onto the fire, this young snake crawled out and headed straight for me.  Fortunately I saw him before he saw me. 

One day my good friend (Ed W.) brought his accordion out and we sung til we could sing no more.  This man is an accomplished musician who has written over 200 songs - some of which have been very popular in church music.

On one of our trips around the mountain (riding the Kawasaki Mule) we spotted this beautiful butterfly!

And another butterfly!

Across the creek we met Bonnie and Lee.  Lee is a Baptist Preacher with a wonderful testimony.  Very interesting couple.

I'm Still Here!

It has been so long since I have posted here on my "You Rest" Cabin Blog.  "Pumzika", the Kiswahili word for "Rest" is what I have had to do because of the bout I have had with Stage IV Colon Cancer.  "Stage IV" meant that it was spreading and doctors declared it could spread quickly to other vital organs if we did not get treatment immediately.  It was discovered last October.  I had surgery in November (the week of Thanksgiving).  In January the doctors started treatment with a specially mixed Chemo-cocktail.  In February I felt the need to get out here to mow and check on things at the cabin.  I found that 3 of my neighbors had mowed the grass for me.  I finished the treatments last month and doctors now say they see no signs of remaining cancer.  Thank God!

Of course, the Lord had said to me in a dream last November just before surgery, "I'm healing you."  The book of Joel reveals that in the last days "your old men shall dream dreams" - so I guess that means I'm now "old".  I don't feel old yet - but I'm getting there.  Ha.

I think it was late June when I took my brother (Lowell) and his wife (Janis) out to the cabin for the purpose of picking blackberries.  What a wonderful time we had and together we picked a gallon and a half of berries.  On another day I took Lowell out and we dug sassafras roots for tea.  I've had two missionaries out here in July and August ... Gordon B. amd Jack M. both seemed to enjoy themselves.  So the cabin has not been sold off nor forgotten.  The main problem was that I had not the strength to compose my thoughts and take the time to write about these experiences during my time of sickness. 

Here are a few pictures.  Hope you enjoy them.

Lowell Boarding The Mule

Lowell Removing Thorns From His Hands

Janis Picking Blackberries

Treating Ourselves At The Fast-Food Place For Supper

A Black Walnut Tree Loaded With Walnuts

Missionary Jack M, From Australia Sitting On The Porch Swing

Recent Thunderstorms Meant We Had To Cut Logs Out Of The Trail

Break In's Are Downers!

I first posted this on my "Fred Alton's Page" without realizing it.  I must be getting old.  Old?  Naaaaa.  It's just the drugs I'm taking.  Doc has me on 81mg aspirin every day - so I'm on drugs, right?

Well...some of  you know that I am on chemo-therapy for stage 4 colon cancer.  So maybe I did have somewhat of an excuse.  Anyhow - I'm moving this post to "From The Cabin."

 

On Wednesday, February 8, I woke up feeling fine. I drove myself to Chattanooga to the doctors office for my regularly scheduled blood test and then back home by 9:30a.m. William W. ( good friend and fellow church member)was bringing me a dump truck load of driveway gravel and was bringing his Bobcat to help me spread the gravel and perhaps help me with a few other touches on making the grounds look better. When we arrived, this is what we saw!

Screen ripped off the window leading from the kitchen to the front porch.

A rocking chair had been taken from the front porch and placed in front of the bed-room window. Both glasses had been shattered.

Inside the bedroom the bureau drawers had been opened and rifled through. It appears to me they were looking for a handgun? How foolish do they think I am?

Now, while William dumped the gravel, I tried to find a board adequate to cover the window that had been broken. I found a piece of 5/8 Advan-tec - but it was too narrow. However, by cutting it with a hand-saw and stacking them, plus a piece of outside siding that had been in the scrap pile, I was able to seal it all up.

Naturally, my feelings sunk. I had no heart to eat. I managed to eat a pack of peanut butter crackers and drink a bottle of water. All that exertion had exhausted me. I think that's why the next day I still had no appetite and felt rotten. Checked the fever and it was too high. So - I was from the bed to the couch to the lounge chair for the next three days. Dr. Rick Moore, a friend and respected professor with a doctorate in Old Testament (who also happens to be a nephew) came by last night and prayed a special prayer for me. He is a rare individual who is in touch with God. Today, I'm much better.

NO...don't worry! Just breathe an extra prayer. I'm going to be fine. In Jesus' Name.