Sunshine and Shadow....

....one highlights the other
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This picture was taken at Fall Fest several weeks ago at church. I was reminded of that evening last night, as once again, I was absolutely FREEZING for the sake of the kids.

We went to a local hot dog roast for homeschooling families in the "neighborhood." (in Iowa, the term "neighborhood" can include anyone within 20 miles, excluding cows, sheep, and anyone who owns a hog lot)

Fun times of fellowship, a scavenger hunt for the kiddos, and Ma doing her best to generate heat by eating a lot. (I find the cover of darkness ideal for clandestine snarfing. Nobody can see how often I go back for hot dogs, and, most importantly, even I am not aware of the amount of food inhaled)

Most amusing story of the night? When our host reminisced about being sent to the principal's office in Kindergarten for cheerfully sharing the following Yuletide info with his class, "My Mommy sleeps with Santa Claus!" He knew where the Christmas presents came from, anyway....

My children don't usually get in such verbal dilemmas, but they did accost me IMMEDIATELY upon returning from my morning walk.

Ethan and Carolyn: "Mommy! Mommy! You have a mouse caught in a trap! It's still alive!"

Carolyn: "It's only caught by it's foot, Mommy..."

Ethan: "Can't you let it go outside? Or across the road? PLEASE, Mommy??"

Carolyn: "It's so little, Mommy, PLEASE??"

*sigh*

Me: "Oh, I sup-pose I could....of course, you know he'll probably just come back..."

I had my doubts we would even make it to the door. Instead of being caught by one paw, it looked more like three toenails. Three teeny, tiny toenails that might disengage at any moment.

But, despite valiant mousely efforts and impressive 360 degree turnings and twistings, the clamped trap held on. I traipsed to the other side of the gravel road and delicately disengaged the snappy-part so as not become engaged with the delicate teeth of the first-rodent-to-receive-a-pardon.

It immediately started running back across the road towards the house.

"WAIT A MINUTE....." I thought to myself, "THIS is not gonna happen, fella."

I blocked his way numerous times, but he determinedly headed straight for the largest mouse hotel in the area. I was forced to grab him by the tail and gently but FIRMLY hurl him across the ditch.

That ought to slow him down for a minute or two, anyway.

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