Monday, February 9, 2026

Pure Country Life

 A ride to the farm (which is only 5 miles away) instantly slows my heartbeat....and it slows it in a very good way.

Windows down, fresh air rushing in, and that unmistakable smell of the grasses and the earth.  These are smells that you just can't buy but you arrive in the middle of them when driving the dirt roads.  And the Pine Trees...the best smell ever!!!

Right off, Sam and I were treated to a little farm-side surprise:  TWO roadrunners.  


(roadrunners are widely considered symbols of good luck, strength, and protection in many Native American and Mexican cultures, seen as "medicine birds" that ward off evil spirits with their distinctive X-shaped tracks and revered for their speed and courage. Seeing one is often interpreted as a positive omen, bringing good fortune, swiftness, and protection against negative energies, with their feathers also used for spiritual purposes.)  



The First Roadrunner


The second one...

We tried to get closer to this last one, but it was just to fast...I always love spotting them because I think of seeing a roadrunner as a sweet wink from nature.  

We drove on down toward the lake, the one that's home to the alligator..




This is one of the smaller lakes on the farm and it just happens to be the home of "Chomp" the gator.  

NO SIGHT OF HIM......YAY!!

I couldn't help but think that he might be eyeballing us from just beneath the surface.  🐊

The farm itself looked like winter had definitely  been there.  One big change that I was sad to see, was the disappearance of the OLD BARN..
I have not been down to the farm since before Christmas and I was so surprised to see the barn gone.  Sam had it torn down a few weeks ago.  The barn had been there for probably 80 years and had seen some better days.  It's bones just could not hold up any longer.  While it was sad to see it gone, there was also a sense of peace in knowing it served it's purpose well.  





I never get tired of seeing views like these....

This was another one of those days that fills up your soul without even trying.  A drive, fresh air, a few unexpected sightings, and the comfort of familiar land.  It felt really great to be there and to be there with my sweetie.  I never ever get tired of these trips just five miles from our home!!  


This is what I call

Pure Country Life!!

Blessings Y'all.....
Shug...💛




35 comments:

  1. Oh Shug, I would love to come and wander around the farm with you. It's so pretty and peaceful. And roadrunners! (Beep, beep... I always think of the cartoon)
    Glad you got this time to spend with your sweetie and that you are feeling well enough to do that.

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    1. I would love for you to come hang out in East Texas...We would definitely go on a road runner hunt. although, we might see more armadillos than anything...lol

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  2. Hi Shug~ What a beautiful farm! Who knew about the road runners?! I to love to see road runners in Arizona when my mom lived there... They're fast little buggers! It must feel like spring in Texas, it's so beautiful there! Have a great week, Shug! hugs, Barb

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    1. I think it is so neat to see the road runners. They sure are fast and I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to even capture a picture of one of them must less both. Have a wonderful week Barb.

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    2. By the way....I still am not able to get into your blog...makes me so sad...I'm not sure what I am doing wrong. I guess I need to get one of my tech savvy kids to help me. Hope you all are doing well.

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  3. I have never seen a real road runner. How cool is that. And I suppose all that is your property? It is gorgeous. A nice peaceful drive.

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    1. This is the first time (after all of the trips to the farm) that I've seen one down at the farm.. and to see two was wonderful. Yes, this land is all family land.

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  4. Cool place, looks a lot like where I grew up minus the gator. I often feel sorry for urban kids who never get to experience such surroundings, which are a healthy balance to cities.🏞️

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  5. I love this post because I have always wanted to see a roadrunner. But I think they are only in the Texas area. I used to love the Roadrunner & Coyote cartoons. The next to last photo...just left of center, is that some kind of bird? Maybe the roadrunner?

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    1. Yes Ginny...that is the second roadrunner... I zoomed in and you can actually see it better in this photo.

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  6. Where there's roadrunners there surely must be a coyote...lol Cool sighting. Such a lovely farm. Nothing quite like country air. How could anyone prefer big city living over that.

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    1. LOL.. Ann...so true...I am sure there are plenty of coyotes out there. We just never see them.

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  7. That drive, just five miles from home, must have surely nurtured your soul like no other medicine can. I'm glad you were able to get out to enjoy it. xx

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    1. Dianna...this was such a pleasant and peaceful drive. Of course...there are a lot of bumps on the old dirt roads, but nature makes up for these..

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  8. What a beautiful spot! I love going down into our forest.

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    1. Nature is sure a pleaser for us. I love everything about being out in the woods and down at the farm.

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  9. I love a drive in the country with the windows open and a fresh breeze. Sounds like a wonderful time at the farm and glad that alligator kept far away.

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    1. Me too Judee...They are very fast and you never know when they are near by.

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  10. We live on a few acres northwest of Fort Worth, and we do love it! When we've been off into the city or on a trip, it's such a sweet refuge to come home to.

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  11. absolutely.. We actually live in town..of course, our little town is small, but I do enjoy going to the farm. fresh air always! have a good day!

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  12. I've never seen a roadrunner. I think they might have them here in the desert. I love that country air fragrance. But if I take in too many deep sniffs, I start sneezing, the roof of my mouth itches and the eyes water. I might be allergic to hay or something out there. Right now with everything blooming it's that time again. So glad to hear you are feeling better and that Sam is too. Nice photos, Shug and thanks for sharing.

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    1. They are really very pretty but soooo fast! I know what you mean about the sniffles. I'm that way around cedar trees. Pine trees are my favorite and especially this time of the year when things look so bare.

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  13. I'm breathing in that Pure Country Air via your blog !!!
    There is nothing like IT...
    How wonderful to have that piece of Heaven so close to your home.
    Sad about the barn but I do understand why it had to go. 80 years shows what a good life it had.
    I saw my one and only RoadRunner about 8 years ago. Dave and I were scoping out some petroglyphs in the Mohave Dessert of Nevada and one came speeding by us. Wow, are they fast. I ended up with one blurry photo but at least I saw a real one and not one with Wiley Coyote ... haha ...
    Sounds like you are on the mend. Prayers continuing.
    Sue

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    1. They are so fast Sue. I'm am very sorry surprised to have been able to get these photos. That old barn had seen some good days.. I have some pictures of it, but would have to go through many photos to find it. Enjoy your Valentines week...

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  14. Thank you. ❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕

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  15. Dear Shug, your photos are lovely! I am continuing prayers for you, dear friend.
    One sign I am thankful to never have seen here in Montreal is "Beware of alligators". These reptiles, both alligators and crocodiles, especially crocodiles, can pack a mighty strong bite that can kill any human or other animal.

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    1. You are so right Linda.... It has just been in the past 10 years that alligators have shown up in our area. Thank you so much for the prayers.

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  16. Well, I saw your title, pure country life, and came right over, because nothing is more appealing to me than country and mountain living. How fun to see the roadrunners at the farm. Everything is bare as we're in the heart of winter, but it still looks so pretty, and it gives such a peaceful feeling to be one with nature. So nice that you and Sam got a chance to spend some quiet time in the country. That old barn sounds like it's been around forever. Thanks for taking us along on your drive, Shug. I thoroughly enjoyed it all. : )

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  17. How wonderful to have a sanctuary to call your own so close to home! Those roadrunners crack me up. Tho' they were the state bird where I grew up (New Mexico), I never saw one until I moved to Arizona. Characters, all!

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  18. How wonderful to have a quiet place to visit near your home:)

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  19. It sounds as though you're almost completely well again. Familiar scenes are very comforting.

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