34,000 Words

They say a picture says 1,000 words...

Cows across the highway

Where the garage used to be

The old gate is still hanging on. (The sun was in our eyes, so that's why we look like we are struggling.)

The little bit of gravel left from the driveway.

Can't walk down this path between the house and garage anymore.

The lane toward the barn and the fields. That huge tree is one of the last pecans left.

The big pond is tucked behind all those trees. The biggest one being in the top right corner.

Out there, pretty much dead center, was my tree. The stump isn't there anymore, but I think I found the spot. There is even a coyote den where the roots used to be.

Looking back toward the house. It is hidden by the trees.

Can you see why I love this place so much?

Walking back by the main barn.

the old sink

The other side of the path between the house and garage.

The back door to the basement. My grandma used to have flowers back here and on that wagon wheel.

There used to be two trees here and the bird feeder was in the middle. We would sit and watch out the first window on the right.

This is the brand new hammer that I lost in the snow the year my grandma died.

This old red door stuck on my one more time, just for good measure.

Everything was still in its place, like he never left.

The window we used to look out.

Row of Elms and the old chicken barn.

I hope I did it justice in my writing, but in case I didn't, I want to share with you what I love so dearly about this place.

The Watching Tree

Missouri Veterans Cemetery

I make my home among the rows of little white marbled stones,

And watch them stand silent on hills of green.

Somehow they remain unphased by weather and time,

preserved in their sacred scene.

As gentle breezes bring down leaves of Fall,

and Winter is summoned by whirling snow,

my arms spread wider with each spring and summer as new life emerges

among those who will wake no more.

Row by row and hill by hill,

they are standing tall, forever still,

robed in white forever encased,

as new recruits join their ranks.

They stand upright, unflinching through the ringing gunshots and bugles song.

As people honor them for answering the call.

Some chose, others were chosen.

All together they earn one final promotion.

Day by day and year by year

I'm slowly growing as new places are cleared.

Occasional spots with earth displaced

They lay down and rest in their allotted space.

Many have come to stay

Beneath the comfort of my shade.

I've watch husbands join wives and fathers join sons.

Weeping together for their lost loved ones.

Over the years, I have heard the sorrowful cry of a broken heart,

laughter of sweet memories, and silent longing when words seem to fail.

The folded flag, the empty shells,

the mournful cry of the bugle rang,

But today it was not the same

Today they laid to rest

A marine, a sailor, a soldier, an airman.

I have guarded his Tiny love for many years, since that frigid February day,

waiting til the time when he would join her.

Today he earned his final pair of wings.

Today he joined the greatest of ranks and I watched as his family gathered.

I saw their tears and heard their laughter and witnessed their silent longing.

I wished I could reach out, let them know that I will be here,

standing guard, through summer and snow,

preserving for them that sacred place under the watching tree.

Written By: Shani (Pyle) Simpson October 16, 2018

[I wrote this on the drive back to the hotel the day of my grandpa's funeral.]

We're back!

This summer has been crazy and fun and full of adventures! We are finally settled (ish) into our new home and I'm trying to get back in the habit of writing. With everything we've been up to, I have a long list of potential topics to share, so get ready!

Just as a general update, we moved into our new home in Navarre about 6 weeks ago now and are finally feeling settled. The only room I have left to organize is the office, so I'm feeling pretty good about the rest being done. This week we also started planning our backyard expansion/ future garden that I have lovely nicknamed the mini-homestead. Our dream is to also add some chickens and maybe some ducks in the next few years as well. For now though, I'll settle with my garden, and boy is it set to be a doozie. I can't wait to share those plans with you and bring you along on our process.

I am also trying to get back in the swing of things in my kitchen. From canning, to trying new homemade recipes and DIY hacks, be ready for some fun (an interesting) ideas to try for yourself.

We are also about to join a gym! This is something we have wanted to do for almost 2 years now, but the week we went to sign up, I found out I was pregnant (with twins, unknown to us at the time) so we changed our minds. But, it's time now. Since the YMCA is just a few minutes away, we went ahead and jumped on that opportunity. If anyone has suggestions for workouts or things they like to do at the gym, I am open to hearing your advice. I have never worked out in a structured manner before, but I am excited to start! Besides the fact that it will benefit my own physical (and mental) health, I am really excited to set this example for my kiddos.

Which brings me to my next update, Kyle and I have slacked on eating 'healthy' basically since the twins were born because life got crazy, understandably. Not that life has settled down any, but it is time to jump back into focusing on living a healthy lifestyle for ourselves and for our kids. I plan on updating you guys as we figure out how and what we will change in our day to day. One of my big goals is to find ways to still make the delicious meals we enjoy with a healthy twist. I really don't want to compromise on flavor, so that will be a challenge. As I figure out how to rework our favorites, I plan to share them with you.

Well, that's basically what has been going on with us. Thank you all for reading and be on the lookout for more posts soon!