Barbie Perkins-Cooper, Author

Category: Country Life

  • Loving This Amazing Country Life

    Loving This Amazing Country Life


    Dearest Readers:

    Today is a beautiful day in the country, now. Earlier, the sun peeked out, only to be covered as rain poured. While writing this, I’m looking outside from the windows of my office. Sometimes, while writing, I’ll see a deer walk along the back of the pond. Not today. Later a group of six deer will run to the front meadow, anticipating their food.

    Weeks ago, they hesitated while the king of the deer group, a four-point antler variety, would approach the deer feeder. He walked tall, holding his head high. The female deer hesitated until he marched to give his approval they could join him. Now, it is deer season. We haven’t seen “Rudolph, the King” in weeks so I suppose he was killed, either by an insensitive hunter, or a car. I’ve had several acquaintances mention hunting on our property. Of course, I said No! As an advocate for animals, I do not understand why we must have “deer season.” I believe it is a fact of life that deer were here first. We invaded their territory! Aren’t we wrong to want to kill them, hang their antlers in our homes, or taxidermy them?

    I feel so blessed to have this beautiful property where deer feel safe to run and eat. Birds fly around, flapping their wings while enjoying their seeds and fish and turtles listen to me singing before feeding them. At the moment, there is an occasional wind gusting around, forcing trees, lantana, azaleas and lots of greenery to dance around, doing a beautiful, swaying ballet. Leaves are falling now after the arrival of fall. My red maple tree is naked. A lone duck swims gracefully in the pond now. Normally, I see two ducks. Today, only one. A beautiful blue heron loves to fish here but it isn’t time for him yet. About five o’clock he will arrive. When the deer rush by to have their dinner, he quickly flies away.

    Funny. When I was a teenager, I conversed with a guy named Neal after meeting him at a restaurant. He lived in the country in (if my memory is correct) in Blairsville, Georgia. We became pen pals for a bit of time. For Christmas of that year he sent me a beautiful Holy Bible. I still have it! In one of his letters he asked me if I would love to live in the country, as his wife. He said I would be a farmer’s wife. To be honest, I confess, I never wrote to Neil again after sending him a thank you card for the beautiful Bible. I suppose he got the message. If he was searching for a ‘farmer’s wife’ I would not be the candidate!

    During those days I had big dreams, never wanting or wishing to live in the country, on a farm! I believe I was about 14 at the time. I wanted to be a singer and live in a big, metropolitan city. Now, just a few years later — I am the one who stated I wanted to live in the country when we discussed moving from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Never did I imagine we would find a five-acre country setting that could easily serve as a farm. Never did I imagine I would have the desire to plant vegetables and have my own garden! Yes, I still sing, although lately, simply car karaoke! Thank you, Corona!

    Every day while sitting on my porch, walking around my property, or enjoying the pond, I thank God we were blessed to buy this beautiful Serenity Oasis. For me, it is truly a little piece of Heaven.

    Although I wasn’t able to plant a vegetable garden this year due to my fractured back injury, I’m hopeful early next spring, I will be able to plant it, along with daisies and perennial flowers. How I wanted to work in the garden this year but I had to recognize, my injury dictated what I could and could not do. This year, I’m looking forward to the holiday and Christmas season. Still, I desire to have a party so my friends can see our new home; however, due to Corona Virus threats, we’ve placed that idea on the back burner. My life consists of staying home at the moment since I’m considered high-risk due to asthma.

    Tomorrow is another day, and now, I must get my curio cabinet ready for the items I plan to display in it. One day at a time is my philosophy now while attempting to dance around just a bit as I step into life in the country!

    Today is just another beautiful, quiet life in the country. If only Neal knew I’m enjoying this country life!

  • Nine Months of Change…Living in the Country

    Nine Months of Change…Living in the Country


    Dearest Readers:

    Today is Friday, September 25, 2020. The day to give special respect and thanks for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. An impressive, strong, determined woman who made her mark in American history. Some people do not respect her because of all she did for the Women’s Movement, Women’s Rights, Equality and so much more.

    I respect and admire any woman who will stand up to men and the world to simply ask “why,” or “why not.” I remember how difficult it was for me to break into broadcasting, film, writing, and other venues — simply because I’m a woman!

    I planned to write in my blog on Wednesday, September 23. Nine months since the day we moved, and nine months since I broke/fractured my back – L-1 early in the morning while we were packing up trucks and cars to move. For a few hours we were homeless, after our former home sale closed. I remember driving around, praying we could close on our new home and not be homeless. Just where and how would we sleep on that night if we didn’t close and couldn’t move in? It isn’t a good feeling to feel homeless. We could make a reservation for a hotel room; however, our dogs were with us. Not many hotels in Charleston allow dogs! I confess, our dogs are barkers, although they do not destroy things, nor do they potty in the house, but this was a different day. A day to move, and a day to almost scream from the pain in my back.

    At four o’clock in the afternoon, we closed on our new property. Since the furnishings were packed and in storage we could not get our furniture delivered on that date, so off to Walmart we go to buy two queen air mattresses. Now, my back is hurting so dreadfully I can hardly move. Phil wanted me to go to ER. “No,” I said. “If we go to ER, I’ll spend the entire night there. Just what will we do with our pups?”

    We left our pups in the new house! Four days later, I went to Urgent Care to get my back checked. Somehow I knew I’d broken it. After it was confirmed, I made an appointment to see an orthopedic doctor. When I met him, he said I had osteoporosis.

    My response was “How do you know I have osteoporosis without checking my back.

    “I’m a surgeon. I know what it looks like and you have it.” Then he wanted to book a date for surgery.

    Not on my back!

    I’ve gone back to that doctor’s office several times for checkups. I met with a physician’s assistant. She ordered a bone density test. Much to their surprise, combined with a feeling of “I told you so,” the bone density test confirmed I did not have osteoporosis!

    Thank God I am a stubborn woman who isn’t easily influenced by others! Although it has taken my back about nine months to feel better, I am happy to say, I’ve had eight good days now with very little back pain! Finally. Back surgery? Not even an option!

    Now, I am working hard to empty boxes and get my home ready for the holidays. Yes, I know, it has taken me over nine months to unpack and get the rooms ready for company. Never did I imagine it would take nine months. I still have days where the pain is almost unbearable and when I do, I sit down to rest. Wednesday night I was actually able to cook a meal and not ache with pain! I’ve cooked more in this home than I was cooking in Mount Pleasant!

    Finally!

    This morning, I sat on the front porch drinking my coffee while the freshness of rain danced in the pond. Now, the sun has returned. There is something so different and amazing while learning to live in the country. I’m thankful for every beautiful day, and every rainy day. I love looking out to see hundreds of trees along my five acre property, to see the changing colors as the leaves fade to yellow, then orange and fall into the pond. Later in the day, I might see a deer walking along the garage, turning into the thickness of the woods, while ever so quietly heading in the direction of our deer feeder. Geese fly over, glide into the pond for a quick swim and head in the direction of the deer feeder to steal the corn. Wildlife is so precious and beautiful here. My favorite is the deer I’ve nicknamed “Big Ears.” Her coat is darker that the other deer, and she does have some distinctive big ears, hence the name, “Big Ears.”

    While writing this, the seven geese have arrived. They are circled around the deer feeder while one of them reaches high into the bottom of the feeder to steal the corn. Just another delightful day in the country!

    Now, I must open two boxes and continue finding a spot for everything, or placing in the donation boxes.

    Have a beautiful weekend, readers. May you enjoy glancing into your neighbor’s windows while you are in your home. Homes in subdivisions really are built close together now. A bit too close for my comfort! As for me, I’m enjoying watching that silly, bossy goose poke his nose down while demanding the other geese to leave the food alone. They scatter away as if they are afraid of him! He, or she, is the one stretching his neck to steal the corn. I don’t believe he likes to share it. Silly geese! They are quite funny. Messy, and bossy! I haven’t learned geese language yet. Still working on deer body language, but I do know “Big Ears,” knows who she is!

    Enjoy the weekend!