R.G.'s Complaint

So, the other day R.G. was looking at one of the adorable posts on the blog and we had the following conversation:

R.G. - "Why do you always have to do 'cute' posts about little kids going on adventures or fuzzy baby chicks?"

Me - "Because I happen to like cute posts featuring cute little kids and fuzzy animals, and so do most of our readers, considering most of our readers are related to them."

The cute little kids, that is. No evolutionists on THIS blog!

R.G. - "Why can't you post nitty-gritty pictures of us loading up logs to take to the lumber mill, you know, when one of the logs almost broke Michael Doolin's leg?"

R.G. must live his life through the lens of a 1930's film reel.

Me - "I think that whole broken leg comment answers that question."

So, I have been poring through our pictures, looking for wild-west, homesteading, depression-era looking pictures, just to make my dear eldest son happy.

Here are the results:

Burning Bush...I mean brush

More brush burning

R.G. looking sufficiently cowboy-ish, I hope.

GRANDMOTHER DISCLAIMER: DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE GOING TO GET OVERLY WORRIED

After hearing the descriptions of R.G.'s and Matthew's experiences burning brush on the ranch where they work, I think they are the ones who need to be taking the pictures. I guess it's the norm to drive a backhoe into a giant, flaming pile of brush and hope and pray that the backhoe keeps working long enough for you to drive it out of the giant, flaming pile of brush.

Anyway, enough of that. Here are some more not-cute-at-all pictures.

A big buck that came to our deer feeder.

R.G. looking like Alvin York, except I'm not sure Alvin York actually ever ate a piece of meat that big.


Standing precariously close to the edge of a 150 ft. drop off at Hawksbill Crag overlooking the Buffalo River.



Matthew's antlers off one of the deer he killed this past winter.



R.G. asked me to add this picture, to make sure everyone knew that this was no bonfire...it was an all-out-raging-20-ft-high brush burn.

Well, I hope these pictures were sufficiently, um. Arkansaw. I guess I could have posted them all in sepia tones, that would have probably made Mr. No Electricity happier. Nevertheless, I shall attempt to post a few more grimy, sweaty photos in the future.

posted by Mama

Baby Chicks/Random Pics

A couple of weeks ago, we received 225 - yes, that's 225 - baby chicks from our favorite hatchery. We are raising out 100 meat birds, and we got 50 more layers that will hopefully start laying this winter. The rest of the chicks are some that we ordered for other people. I'm so glad that Robert was here when the chicks came. He is far more dutiful and detailed when it comes to getting chicks started the right way. Robert actually enjoys taking each chick out of the box, making sure it gets its own drink of sugar water, tenderly putting it in the brooder, etc. I just want to get it DONE! Anyway, we have had great success with these chicks so far, having only lost 3 or 4 out of 225! I attribute this to my husband's diligence while he was here and his insistence on our diligence after he went back on the road. I'm very thankful for Robert's desire that his family do things "decently and in order"!

Sam is inspecting the merchandise.

Robert and Benny making sure everyone is happy and healthy.


This is not the best picture...and I have NO IDEA WHAT IS UP WITH ANDREW!!!

Obviously, the chicks came when the Doolins were here. Julia loved the chicks, even if she isn't an animal lover!

Joey loved the chicks, too!



One of Robert's favorite pastimes--watching animals get settled in.

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RANDOM PICTURES

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Matthew tenderly caressing one of his favorite things -- ammo.

Sorry about the background mess. These are Matthew's and Daniel's dresser shelves.

Robert isn't too happy with this picture, but you need it to go with the next picture.

The burgers are ready!

I think Sam was threatening someone with the water hose.

Mama and Rachel picking the endless banana peppers in the garden.

Daniel and Benny playing a tension-filled game of Rock, Paper, Scissors.

Looks like Benny won this round!

Joey and Sam thought Michael was a great substitute for a playground!

Hope you enjoyed the Baby Chicks/Random Pics!

Posted by Mama

My Sister Is In Labor!

My older sister, Beth, is in active labor! We would deeply appreciate your prayers for her and the baby.

Katie

The Doolin Gang

We had some more visitors recently. The Wonderful Doolin Siblings --Michael and Julia--came and helped out for a week this July. I purposely said helped out rather than visited, because we Millers feel pretty guilty for all the incredible help they gave us. We hope they enjoyed themselves, because we really enjoyed the time we had with them!

Making green tomato salsa. Julia really seemed to like this. She put it on everything!

Sam and Mama making dessert

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PICKING BLACKBERRIES

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THE REWARDS OF OUR LABOR!

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I think Julia took this picture to make me feel good. She actually made the blackberry jam. I just stood there holding it!

The kids ate the 8 pints of homemade jam up in about a week and a half.

(I might have helped a little)

Mealtime

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THE NEXT BIG PROJECT

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Robert begins making much-needed shelves for the shed. He was greatly assisted by Daniel and Michael.

Benny helped his Daddy, too!

The finished product...ready to be filled with Rubbermaid containers!

Rachel and Julia making jalapeno poppers.

Devotions time --They weren't supposed to notice the camera!

R.G. and his good friend Michael -- dressed in Miller style, as usual!

Sweet Julia reading a book to the little ones. Sam figured he could see better if he sat ON the table.

Snapping green beans.

Well, as you can see by the pictures, we had a great time with Michael and Julia. We would be honored if they ever decided to come back and visit.

posted be Mama

Two Surprises

The first arrival!!

The big boys' long awaited Dodge Ram Charger.

Robert's parents gave this to the boys for Christmas, and have been getting it road worthy for them. New paint, new tires and all that good stuff. They shipped it up to us this last Friday, and the boys are so excited to be getting it!

Delivered to our driveway, all the way from Florida.


Checking it out.

As usual, the boys wore their best clothes for their pictures.

Note to self: Next time, evaluate the condition of Daniel's t-shirt BEFORE you take his picture.

Note to self: Next time, evaluate the condition of R.G.'s jeans BEFORE you take his picture.

They love it! Thank you, Mamaw and Papaw!

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A Birthday Present For Sam and Joey

A package arrives.

Trying to figure out who it's from.

Wow, is this for us?

Anticipation!


Daddy gets to work.

It's like a water park in your own back yard!

(I sound like a commercial)

They had a great time!

Fun for all the little ones...sorry big boys! Besides, y'all have a brand new truck to drive around in!

Thank you, Grandmama and Granddaddy!