Happy Valentines, everyone! I hope your day is going well. 
Here in South Dakota, there are so many heart rocks that I have found. Sometimes while walking on my driveway, I look down and I see a little heart-shaped rock, as if meant just for me. My neighbor has a HUGE collection of heart rocks that she's found on her property; small, big, huge, shiny, dull….oh my goodness, so many types! Here is a rock my mom got me for Christmas (she knows I'm a huge rock junky) it's in the shape of a heart, which is so appropriate for Valentine's!
I think it's absolutely beautiful. It's even better, because the rocks that the rock shop sells (in keystone) are all found from the black hills.
It's going to be a little sad to see all the decorations that we put up for Valentine's Day get taken down again after this week. We are going to have a little family party, with sweets and drinks. I can't wait!
Sending love! 
Whoohoo! I finally researched all my herbs and have everything planned out in where I want to put them. I'm so excited.
I also wanted to post another blog 😳. Sorry if I ramble on, but here goes:
This morning was super bright and sunny, and the little birds (big ones as well) were all swarming around the melting ice puddles out back. One little chickadee began scolding me with its little twitters and chirps because I wasn't fast enough with bringing the seed out. I tried telling it- "to us each a little rain must fall"-but they never seem to understand. (They also know they can scold me all they want because they know they're too cute for me to get upset, LOL) We're supposed to get rain over here. I really, really, REALLY hope so! We've been in a drought, and I want it to be over!🤬🤬
The coyotes began to howl as I was studying early this morning, and it sounded haunting to me. It actually brought chills to my skin. I looked out of all the windows, but I couldn't see them anywhere, even though they had sounded so close. They always seem to do that, and then when not expected, show their faces. They really are beautiful creatures, though my brother, Johannian, may argue profusely that wolves are better.
A lone female deer had been eating when the coyotes began their cry, and as soon as she heard them, her head and ears immediately went erect and she peered anxiously into the forest. For a solid three to four minutes, she just stood there, barely moving. Then I knew the coyotes were gone when she relaxed with her tail down, and began to peacefully eat again.
I wish I could've seen them, but at least I was able to hear them. And I enjoyed watching the doe graze. She was so pretty, definitely not as dainty or small as a full-blooded white-tailed deer typically is. I think she was a mix of a white-tailed deer and a mule deer.
Ok, I'm going to go eat. My stomach is growling like a lion.😅
I hope all your guys's gardening is going well. Don't forget to keep your fingers crossed for spring! 🌸☀️🌧
It seems to me the weather has a mind of its own. Does anyone else notice this? Just yesterday, it had been 30+ degrees higher than it is today. It had been a nice, peaceful day, and then…BAM! The wind appeared, showing its scowling face for all to..yes, to hear, not to see. "Oh hi there, didn't know you'd be visiting tonight. Could you go somewhere else so I can get some sleep? You arrived pretty late…what a nice time to pick, just as I'm dropping off, to blow things around outside so that it sounds like a war zone." I shake my head at the inconvenience, though I must say it IS pretty awesome how strong the wind gets. I enjoy it, though at times I wish it would rain instead.
We're supposed to get some snow showers today, but over here it seems like no one, and I mean NO ONE can predict the weather. Well gee, it was supposed to be 70 degrees one time, and yet ended up snowing in 28 degree weather instead. How does that happen? Sorry peeps, I don't have an explanation.
I hope everyone's having a great day😄 (I know some of you are cranky about winter, but keep those fingers crossed for spring!)
Well, this is going to be my first time doing an herb garden…and I must say, I'm pretty nervous 😬 my gardening area is all cleaned up and ready to go. It had been a mess of weeds and rocks before I weeded and tilled the soil, but now it looks so much better. The herbs I picked are ones that can be used in tea and as natural healers. I also added a few that can be cooked with.
I think the hardest part about doing my garden is having to worry about all the critters eating my plants. I find that sometimes plants say 'deer-resistant'…and then the next thing I know my plant is chowed down to a stub by greedy deer.
So guess what? I'm putting up some strong chicken wire (or something of the sort) so that those voracious critters can't eat my plants. I'm all good with pollinators though! Here's the long list of herbs I'm hoping to plant:
1. Basil
2. Dill
3. Sage
4. Chives
5. Thyme
6. Feverfew
7. Sunset hyssop
8. Bee balm
9. Lemon balm
10. Rugosa rose
11. Roman chamomile
12. Alpine strawberries
So wish me luck, everyone! Because even if I fail, at least I can learn from my mistakes. 😉
We're leaving 2021, and making room for 2022. I'm not exactly sure how I feel, but all I know is that it's another new year. And what have I done to amend for the past mistakes and bad habits I've made in 2021? Hopefully something good, something that actually changed my perspective on observing these habits and mistakes, so that I won't continue on with them for 2022.
People have to deal with bad habits, mistakes, and failures all the time, but it's part of life. The saying "New Year's resolution" should actually help to motivate myself and other people to make a change in our lives as we move on to the new year. "These are my New Year resolutions" shouldn't just be something we say to a fellow friend or neighbor, and then shrug it off as we enter a new year. It should actually mean something. If you're going to make a New Year's resolution, push yourself to put it in motion.
2021 seems to be a bit of a harder year, and I have no doubt (forgive me) that 2022 will be the same way. But if our own lives have some order, we can gladly march on to the year 2022, whatever it brings. Because at least then we know we tried harder and perhaps our best to change those habits and mistakes we made in 2021, and that we won't be bringing them into 2022.
Needless to say, I am very happy that I was created, and glad I will be able to step into yet another year with my soul full of blessings and gifts.
Happy New Year!!
