One more thing.....

....Loren would appreciate your prayers for tomorrow, starting tonight.

He has another heart biopsy up at Mayo on Thursday. (you know, those fun procedures where they stick a wire down your neck vein--while you are TO-tally awake--and thread it into the heart where a little gizmo on the end of the wire takes five to seven tiny chunks out of the heart muscle, to be stuck under a microscope slide and checked for rejection)

And since he is working today, and getting home at the early hour of 7:30-9, there will be no opportunity to drive up tonight and stay over in a motel.

SOOOOoooo, Loren will be arising at 3:30 a.m. to drive up and make his 6:30 rendezvous with the needle-wielding blood gatherers.

I'll remain à la maison, as I have for the past several visits. Fun as it would be to go where sorrow, hope and misery waft about as entwining smoke curls from a sickly fire, I'm staying at home.

It's just easier for me to deal with the odd recalcitrant kid and noxious smells from invisible dead mice, et al.
 

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Snapped while shopping

There's a first time for everything, and Ma now has to show her driver's license to the pharmacist and get put into the computer before buying that grape-flavored kiddie medicine at Wal-Mart. (cheap version of Dimetapp)
 It contains pseudoephedrine, and Iowa has passed a law limiting the sale of certain cold/allergy medicines. I'm not against the law or anything, just never had to jump through any hoops to buy the "purple stuff" before.

Presumably, one could still obtain this "drug" for a sick child if the pharmacy were closed....

And WHAT, is this ?
  
Is it:
a) a large remote control car minus the remote?
b) Al Gore's next limo?
c) A lab experiment gone horribly wrong?
d) One of Red Green's Handyman specials?
e) Suzuki X-90?
f) all of the above?

If you answered " f " you are correct!

I saw this outside the Goodwill store, so....I guess it's possible it was a "drop-off."

*grins*

No offense to anyone who owns one, but I think they look a little weird. AND, if our family owned them, we'd need five or six....plus a coupla more drivers.

p.s. Red Green rocks
 

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Lego Chess

 When you can't find all the pieces....you make your own. This entire design is Melinda's workmanship. The board is crafted from a file folder. I especially like the Knights :-) At left, Carolyn (11) waits placidly while Melinda (13) contemplates her next move..... 

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As May nears its sunset

  
 

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Don't you do anything besides take pictures?

Ha! Are you kidding? Of course.

Why, just this morning I got up in a fog, put my bathrobe on inside out, turned it around, and went downstairs to pack Loren's lunch and set out his breakfast.

You wouldn't think this takes a a whole hour, but it does.

First, I have to visit the powder room, where I endeavor to improve my understanding of financial matters by reading, "Dave Barry's Money Secrets."

After those morning ablutions are completed, I wander around the kitchen, trying to remember which cabinet I'd wanted to open, and indeed, what I'd needed FROM that cabinet, in the event that I ever remember which one to open.

After circling the table several times, the neurotransmitters start to fire and I begin to open cabinet doors at random, which usually leads to some productiveness.....as I, one by one, eliminate items I don't want.

Eventually, the ol' brain cells start to click, and Ma begins assembling different items for the packed lunch. This task is only completed because: a) much to Loren's chagrin, I pack exactly the same food, every day, and b) I pop a wake-up Dove's into my mouth to start the crucial chain of synapse activity needed to bring about packing a lunch and setting out breakfast--all in the space of a mere hour.

You see, I am still recovering from yesterday.

A couple of days ago I asked Jason, "Jason? We might as well have Memorial Day also be a sort of graduation day for you, so why don't you pick out a dessert you would especially like?"

"Well," he hesitantly starts, "If Sharon were here, I'd might pick out Raisin Cream Pie, but....."

"WHADDYA MEAN ?!? You think your own mother can't make a raisin cream pie? Ha! Just for that, I'm gonna do it!"

I give you, Ma's Raisin Cream Pie :-D
 So what if I forgot to put in a couple of the ingredients. It tasted fairly decent.

*looks modest*

It took me 47 plus years to make my first meringue, though I hardly think I should be held accountable for those first 10 years of my life...

(Oops, I just realized I put in another picture...sor-ry)

One other noted event of the day was picking out a movie to watch. I was hoping for "The Glenn Miller Story"....I mean, Jimmy Stewart....what's not to love? But despite the chance to hear Big Band music, the response from some of the kids was less than enthusiastic.

Then Loren suggested a Jerry Lewis movie listed on the afternoon TV schedule, "At War With the Army."

This was actually pretty funny. Or at least, the parts where Jerry Lewis has free reign. But there was a most unfortunate occurrence at the end, when the digital station went out for the last 15 minutes and we have no idea what happens to poor, Private Corwin.

(See, this doesn't happen with the old technology....)

So now I might have to buy a DVD collection or something, to insure that the kids don't suffer irreparable psychological harm and end up like Private Corwin.

But enough of this....I have to take my walk. It is my incumbent duty to maintain some semblance of physical and mental health.

So, despite the appalling lack of results, I continue to walk my two miles, six days per week, barring inconvenience or any other excuse I can think up.

For all too soon, it will be time to stand before the cupboards, again.
  

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Remembering

  

War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things.
The decayed and degraded state of moral and
patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is
much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is
willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his
own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has
no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the
exertions of better men than himself.
— John Stuart Mill (1868)


We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready
in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm.
— George Orwell


Keep your fears to yourself, but share your courage with others.
— Robert Lewis Stevenson

 

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More Prairie Bridges Goodness

Iowa's state flower: : Wild Prairie Rose
 These are quite prolific along some of the ditches, and just now coming into bloom.

While I was waiting for a glimpse of the Red-bellied Woodpecker, a little chipmunk climbed out and around the same tree.
 He nibbled a maple seed and was so surprised to see me, that I got one quick picture of him before he scurried off.

A common blue flower, probably some type of flax. *makes note to acquire wildflower book*
 

Mid-sized gosling having his quiet time on a dappled bank.
  
He is content, since Mama and Papa are close by.
 

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Life at Prairie Bridges

Mr. Frog chills in the luscious pond scum.
 

The goslings are growing :-) I think there used to be four, but I can't even find my earlier picture to check. There is also another family with two youngin's.
 

"Plup....Plup....Plup..." Silly, ol' fish. They thought the fluffy cottonwood seeds hitting the water were insects . They're either really dumb, or they eat seeds.
 Kinda creepy mouths, though.

Mr. Bluejay, caught with his crest down. (on closer inspection, the crest must be hidden behind that poplar leaf)
  

Unfortunately, there are more people starting to come to the park. (especially this Memorial Day weekend)

People tend to ruin the whole atmosphere of a park, from a picture-taking point of view.

This last time I ran into a group of five young people taking a quick dip in the pondy scum. It sounded as though most of them had a combined vocabulary of 8 or 9 words. And not all of those were re-peat-able.

*sigh*

I'm hoping most teenagers aren't like that.....

*goes back to picture sorting*
 

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It's pool time!

With the temps forecast to hit 90 today, and a hot wind from the south, it seemed good to get out the wading pool.

It can almost fit four people...as long as some of them stand up.

Nolan get good shock response after a splashy jump into the pool.
 Not sure if that float is really necessary, Ethan :-)

Demonstration of the refilling technique:  let the hose heat up in the sun, then run water into the pool JUST until it starts to turn cold.
 Ethan has safety uppermost in his mind, as he never lets the the snorkle from his lips.....thinking outside the box, Trevor utilizes his apparatus as a straw, making crucial comparisons between the taste of pool and bathwater.

Quick, Ethan! Reinsert the snorkle before it's too late!
  Carolyn is caught up in a wading pool reverie as Trevor now makes "alternative tonality experiments" with his "horn."
 

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Backyard

  
 

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Brothers

  
 

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Public Service Announcement

*ahem*

Ma is currently performing a scan of her brain cells, in an effort to locate and repair any damage incurred during a migraine earlier this week. This mostly consists of weeding outside and eating cinnamon toast inside.

OR, it could involve feeding toast to the woodchuck and weeding her indoor plants. We can't be sure until the scan is completed.

She hopes to be done in time for Monday's Memorial Day Hoopla, when daughter Ardith comes up to visit the family. Ma will be grilling bratwurst and burgers, provided the propane tank has not run out after the hubby used it to thaw a frozen pipe over winter.

In the event that there is no gas, all the candles in the house will be lighted--mostly birthday candles--and we'll see what develops.

Of course, Ardith the Braced probably cannot eat the burgers and bratwurst, but there will be plenty of soft foods available. Mostly cooked over a period of several days.

In the meantime, please amuse yourselves with this cartoon, which Ma thinks is a giggle.

Thank you, and have a nice day.
 

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Calling all bird identifiers.....

Ma needs help.

Let me rephrase that....more specifically, I request all interested birders to give me their best guess as to what these two specimens might be:

This one must have a home inside a little hole, way up high on our house....possibly where the previous owners blew some rather ineffective insulation.
 He (or she) behaves somewhat as a Brown Creeper, in that he creeps along the side of the house. But the markings do not comply. Also, if you notice the nifty tail is somewhat forked, with a white spot at the end of each part. (I think)

Now this is a tad blurred, but that is entirely the bird's fault, not mine. I saw it while going over a little wooden bridge...so it is near a small stream, if that is any help. No bigger than a grackle, and possibly a little smaller.
 Rather strange, don't you think?

I'm really going to have to get some decent bird identification books.

The online references are somewhat helpful, especially if you can type in so much info that the need to identify the bird becomes moot.

So help me out, O Wise Ones. To definite IDers I promise the following rewards:
-recognition on the blog (excluding personal data such as phone numbers, addresses and current weights--for the most part)
-prizes, prizes, prizes
-nomination to the Audubon Hall of Fame (just in case there is one)
-more prizes

Hopefully, some will make the attempt, despite the above promise.
  

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Well isn't this just super....

....another uninvited squatter on the premises.

I give you: "Chucky Woodchuck," or "Prince Charles," for short.
 Hmmmm....I was tryin' to figure out what to have for supper tonight.....

Nice little choppers, eh?
 Too bad that corner of the garage is so dark....makes it hard to get a good pictures. Oh well, at least there's a fab background to work with.

Now, I was sup-POSED to be pruning the roses...
  

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Good News.....for my students!

Your prayers have been answered!

Yes, I have finally gotten the Latin and Greek Roots test to print out! (please try to hold down your excitement, though I know it will be difficult)

Sorry, but it's only four pages long....*sigh*....we must ALL learn to deal with life's little disappointments.

And no, Ethan, you will NOT have the "matching" option. Third grade is no time to start sluffing off, I always say.

Line up early, gang...the test should only take an hour or two....

"Mwah, hah, hah, hah ha."

Power.....it's just so great :-D
 

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Mr. Brown Thrasher

 We have a new resident in our bird community, who likes to sing atop a pine that's been struck by lightning so many times the top is dead. He has five or six components to his song, which he sings with wild abandon at various times during the day. 

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The Tale of Legotown

  
Several of the children built a huge Lego town and started playing a real-life scenario. Ethan was elected Mayor, and then--to his everlasting regret--convinced Jason to join them.

Jason immediately set up a Mac Store, and changed Arby's to a combination eatery and Internet Cafe. After that, it was time to call for a new Mayoral election--Jason against Ethan.

It all came down to Trevor's decision. A certain unnamed candidate made rash promises of "a Mac in every household."

Despite all odds...*rolls eyes*...Jason won his bid for Mayor and immediately began making proclamations:

"Whatever you want...you name it, you get it!"

"The mayor can do whatever he wants....the citizens have no power over him."

"Stop complaining. Would you rather have Ethan as a dictator, or me as a dictator?"

"The mayor now raises taxes, 100 %"

Shortly thereafter, he brought in the military, and threatened to resign.

"Jason, NO, we love, you..." cried his adoring (and obviously brainwashed) fans.

All to no avail....the newly elected mayor left the city, but not before he'd renamed it "Mac Town."

-The End-
 

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An All-Chocolate Newsday

Ma has been combing the web for healthy and/or interesting stories concerning chocolate, which begs the question, "Ma, don't you have better things to do ?"

We'll just assume that was rhetorical and ignore it....

I am so very glad for this story, absolving me of guilt and explaining why all my babies were very happy. For the most part.

Ever wonder if you could combine a career in technology and nature's perfect food? Look no more! Dutch researchers are utilizing the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, all for the sake of smooth chocolate.

And while we're on the topic of science, Al Gore would be proud to know some are finding ways to recycle leftover....uh.....blood, to make edible products. Oh yeah.....hopefully none of you are eating lunch....

Last, but not least, brain power. Chocolate can enhance it :-)

The main question....am I getting enough....?
 

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It's race night.....

 
....at the county fair grounds track...conveniently located next to Allison Bible Church, where folks gather for Wednesday night prayer meeting.

"...and we thank you, dear Lord....*vrrr-RRRRROOOOOOOM*....for the beauty of this spring day.....*vrr-RROOOOOOM-ROOOOOOOM*....for the signs of new life, the trees in leaf, the birds in song.....*vrrr-RRRRROOOOOOOMM*....which we can almost hear......*vrr-RROOOOOM-RRROOOOOMMMMM......
 

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Mad, Mad, Hero Ma

As I was driving home from Cedar Rapids the other day, an oldie came on the radio, "Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown." For some strange reason, I got the sudden urge to change the lyrics......

(Bump, ba bump, ba bump, ba bump, ba bump, ba bump, ba bump, ba bump, ba bump, ba bump, ba bump, ba bump, ba bump, ba ba BAH)

"Well the middle of the mid-west
Is the slowest land by far.
And if you're ever there,
You better just beware
Of a gal name o' Hero Ma.

Now Hero's more then trouble
You see she stands in the five foot range.
All the midwest ladies call her crazy-Ma-Hoyt
All the men just call her strange. (ba ba BAH)

(chorus)

And it's mad, mad, He-ro Ma.
Maddest ma in-a Iowa.
Madder than an ol' Ding Dong,
And lamer than a doctored song.

Now Hero, she a rambler,
And she like her Goodwill clothes.
And she like to wave her nutsy blog
Under e-vah-ry-bod-duh-y's nose.
She got a cam-ra bought off eBay,
She got some pic-tures on her 'pute.
She got a bag full o' choc'late in 'er purse for fun
And a Di-et Coke to boot. (ba ba BAH)

(chorus)

And it's mad, mad, Hero Ma.
Maddest ma in-a Iowa.
Madder than an ol' Ding Dong,
And lamer than a doctored song.

Well Friday, 'bout a week ago
Ol' He-ro huntin' mice.
And she came on a smell
That would curl your hair
And it turned her blood to ice.
Well she cast her eyes around her,
And she sniffed a-bout the house,
And Hero Ma learned a lesson
'bout messin' with the life of a zealous mouse. (ba ba BAH)

(chorus)

And it's mad, mad, Hero Ma.
Maddest ma in-a Iowa.
Madder than an ol' Ding Dong,
And lamer than a doctored song.

Oh the mice had took to dying
All behind the kitchen wall,
And from the smell you could tell
It was more than than a few, plus a pony or two, as well....(ba ba BAH)

(EVERY-body...)

And it's mad, mad, Hero Ma
Maddest ma in-a Iowa
Madder than an ol' Ding Dong
And lamer than a doctored song."

(Bump, ba bump, ba bump, ba bump, ba bump, ba bump, ba bump, ba bump, ba bump, ba bump, ba bump.....)
 

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Blooming Rugosa

 
(Just to prove that not all my pictures turn out indistinct) 
 

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Red-bellied Woodpecker

I was wandering about Prairie Bridges Park, and as I approached a little wooden bridge, I heard the tell-tale hammer of bird-beak on wood.

Being very quiet, I looked up and soon saw little puffs of shavings floating off the tree. Glimpsing something that resembled a flicker, I carefully maneuvered to try for a vantage point where the bird was not actually be-hind the tree. However, it was scared into a higher branch, where I snapped what I could.
 

Upon further scrutiny of a bird guide, not to mention the safe haven of my computer, I realized this was not a Flicker, but probably a Red-bellied Woodpecker...and since there is so much red on the head, it must be a male.
  

Of course, one has to wonder why this bird was given the name "Red-bellied," since the entire breast and belly of the bird is a tawny buff color....

Getting back to my car, I was amazed to find my entire shirt covered with little woodsy shavings. Guess I must have been down wind :-)

I proceeded to the pharmacy for Melinda's Advair, and the friendly pharmacist asked me, "How are you, Becky?" whereupon I launched into a rhapsody of my recent interaction with one of God's glorious creatures, the noble woodpecker.

Unfortunately, her opinion of this bird is not quite so rapturous, as one starts hammering on her house, quite regularly, at 6:30 every morning, apparently unaware that her abode is covered with vinyl siding, in which the chances of finding bugs to eat is somewhat remote.

And so we learn two important lessons:
1) Woodpeckers are persistent. Dumb, maybe, but persistent.
2) Do not, under any circumstances, mention "woodpeckers" to the local pharmacist.
 

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Western Meadowlark

 
Yes, Ma has finally captured the elusive songster on film....or pixel...or...or, what-ever.

It's not the greatest, but these pretty birds have a knack for winging off just when you start to get within camera range. So Ma is happy.

Very, very happy :-) 
 

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Mister Phoneman

"Doot doot, doot doot, doot doot doot doot, doot doot doot doot dooooot....
Doot doot, doot doot, doot doot doot doot, doot doot doot doot dooooot, Mister

Phoneman,
Come by the house.
Hook up that phone, now,
Don't be a louse.

Ma drove down 'specially
To sit in the house-y,
When I should be at home
With our dead mouse-y, Mister

Phoneman,
Lend me your ear.
Could you explain just why I was here, won't you
Please find time to come....
So that I won't think you're a bum.

Doot doot, doot doot, doot doot doot doot, doot doot doot doot dooooot....

*key change*

Doot doot, doot doot, doot doot doot doot, doot doot doot doot dooooot, Mister

Phoneman,
While you weren't here,
I spiffed up beds, the
Weeds I did clear.
I raked the grass that Ardith's been mowin'
And got a sunburn where my skin was showin' Mister

Phoneman,
You didn't stop by.
But it's OK, I'm not gonna cry, 'cause I
Had a love-ly day....
Still, I think you could have called and TOLD us the phone was hooked up already and someone just had to be there in CASE something went wrong.....and I'm sorry, but now I'll have to put you on "hold" and you can listen to "Feelings," played over and over and over...

For a REALLY LONG time.

p.s. Do not be surprised if you receive a dead mouse in the mail.

All my love,

Ma"
 

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I can't sleep.....

Which means it's time to post about criminal rodents and flying saucer birds.

First the mouse.
 Yes, it would appear something has chewed its way into Ma's exclusive oatmeal. This mouse obviously has good taste, since it went for the "Old Fashioned" variety rather than Melinda's pathetic "Quick Cooking" cereal.

The bad part, was that the cannister was nearly full.

The good part, was that I did not find the mouse when lifting the compromised lid.

I decided to just toss a couple inches off the top....and so far, I haven't died. The fact that I've hardly eaten it since, is quite beside the point.

Naturally, I dug out the poison pellets.

They are an attractive shade of turquoise, and claim to be effective on "wafarin tolerant rodents." (Wafarin, you'll remember, is the generic anticoagulant that Loren used to take....though doctors frown on patients partaking of it in that form, despite its easy availability, low cost, and the fact you could purchase it without a prescription)

ANYWAY, I was told that this stuff kills the mice without the ensuing "WE HAVE A DEAD MOUSE SOMEWHERE" smell. See, they bleed to death and that's suppose to dehydrate them and.....well, you get the picture. (isn't this fun? I should really stay up late, more often)

ANY ANY-way, there have definitely been a few casualties. How do we know? Becaise there is ICKY DEAD MOUSE AROMA ALL OVER THE KITCHEN, PERMEATING OUT INTO THE ADDITION AND CREEPING OVER TO MY COMPUTER AREA.

In short, my personal space has been violated, and there is no one to sue.

Some of the kids are literally not breathing when they pass through the kitchen and head out of doors. And while I've always been a fan of breath control, this is not what I had in mind, pedagogically speaking.

Although I will say this....it is nice to put those scented candles to use, other than those days when I clean out the refrigerator.

And then, we may have hit upon a new appetite suppressant.

But enough of this odiferous talk. It's time for....

Flying saucers!
 Yes, Ma has seen a UFO and even snapped a picture of it.

Oh sure, some folks might have thought it a mere bird, but I know better.

Pictures don't lie, people.

And now that the eyelids are heavy, it is time to try for sleep, once again, for tomorrow is another big day.

I shall head down to Ardith's house, to wait for the telephone guy, who claims he is coming at the precise time of, "Somewheres between nine and five. Fer sure."

That way, she won't have to miss yet a-nother day of work, get frustrated and start whining.

Best leave that to a professional.

Like me.
  

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Ma's News Nuggets

Why is it the funniest stories always center around food? Maybe it's just my world view shining through.....

Apparently, beans on toast is a popular snack. I wouldn't know, since I've never eaten that, but Heinz is hoping others have. The big question om my mind is, "What Would Teresa Do?"

Moving right along to bomb-filled potatoes, please be advised to check your fries thoroughly, before eating.

Clear your head--and possibly the room--with this new scent.

What's next? chocolate perfume?
 

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Philosophie de Trevor

 
Cooling his heels with Carolyn, inbetween Sunday services 
_____________________________________

(conversation with Maman)
I jiss wish I could get dis dirt outta my nose...*sniff*...."

"You've got dirt up your nose?"

"Yes...I don't wike it."

"How did that happen?"

"Well, I put it there."

"You did? Why would you do that?"

"Because I WIKE to."
____________________

(setting up a Lego story scenario with Nolan)

"OK. Now Nowan, you say, 'What's dat?"

"What's that?"

"I don't KNOW....hee, hee...."
____________________

(excitedly after conversing with Jason concerning lawn care....)

"Jason's going to mow down da trees and I'm going to eat the stumps and LEAVES....!....'Cause babies like dat!"

*blink*

"Ja-SON...?...."
 

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Small Maple Watches Sunrise

  
 

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Adith's move--part the first

The master packer does his stuff...."Jason, bring me that sledge hammer....I just know we can get this on...."
 On the right is part of Ardith's car, The Green Wonder Jetta.

After a three-vehicle caravan across town, and after everything's been carried in, and after people making vague threats about starving and whatnot, we sit down to a pizza repast. Two two-liters bottles of pop was not quite enough....
 This is the living room, though it's not quite that yellowish looking--couldn't get the light right. Notice the pretty window treatments? Tres elegante :-)

We decided to roll a couple of holidays into one, and celebrated Ardith's 23rd birthday along with New House Day. She blows the symbolic candle out atop her Almond Joy cake, which I didn't com-plete-ly mess up....I'd forgotten she is mostly eating yogurt and the like, after getting her top teeth "embraced." *sigh* It took a while for her to chew...
 As you can see, there are hardwood floors.

After the meal, and before the bed was fixed, came the really im-PORT-ant room, the "office." Ardith is hunting for cables or something while Jason's hand looks on. Poor Ardith, she's been scrimping and saving so much to buy a house, she has to do without a traditional computer case...
  
Quote of the Day comes from Jason:  "A whole Saturday....shot ! But, at least I got to see Ardith's LCD monitor...."

(Do you see now, what I have to put up with?)
 

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Ardith's Move--part the second

Checking out the backyard: fragrant bushes on the left, lead one back to a little garden bench nestled in an arbor. (Ma will take her plant catelogs down, next time, to make more definite identifications) In the far back is a neighbor's house, surrounded by police tape because of that triple murder.....no...wait.....it might be construction tape....yes, it IS construction tape for the contractor doing improvements. There is a massive maple in the center of the backyard, sourrounded (possibly at gunpoint) by several variety of hostas.
 In the center is Derek, behind which is Trevor, trolling for mosquito larvae in a small fountain that is not hooked up.

This is a closeup of the large maple, which upon further inspection, appears to be one of the lost Entwives.
 I think it's safe to say the former residents were bird and nature lovers :-)

An attractive azaela blooms in a side landscaping area.
 

Back of the house, with second large tree, behind which the azaela hides.
   Both trees have large forks which are cabled together. Not sure how the Ents would feel about this....
 

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Ardith's Move--part the third

From inside the breezeway. Notice the pretty stenciling :-) Door on right goes to garage. Door just to left of it goes out to front walk. Not seen on left is door going into kitchen. Not seen on right, back is door going to backyard.
 Basically, a breezway is a "structure with lotsa windows and lotsa doors"--but "breezeway" is shorter, so that name stuck. Through the window you can glimpse Ardith's 15 passenger van....oh wait, that's ours. It is used exclusively for taking trash to the dump and moving college graduates to and fro.

Stairway to attic, which is not finished, but has mucho roomo for storage. Also, the kids discovered that window at the top opens and then they can yell out to people in front AND back yards. I'm pretty sure they closed that before we left....
 

A nice, finished room in the basement. Loren dated himself by coming down the stairway and commenting, "Oh....a rumpus room." :-D
 Ardith plans to make it her "entertainment" room. Notice some of her books stacked along the back counter....approximately 1/4 of her collection.

The proud homeowner outside her new abode. It has a nice corner lot, with a one-car garage just to her right, and the house, proper, to her left. It's laid out in a crescent, rather than one straight line.
  Maroon shutters and nice flowerbeds give it a finished look.

"You done good, ma chère."
 

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The Moore Update

Here is David Moore's latest update.

He has been started on Dilantin and will have further tests scheduled.

In the meantime, he is being very Moore-ish and continuing to do the things he'd planned--like visit the world's largest radio and computer flea market and show :-)

(Please, nobody tell my husband about this trade show....)
 

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Prayer request

I know there are people out there who consider it a privilege to pray for different folks....even those you do not know.

And so, I am asking for prayer for David Moore, a recent graduate of LeTourneau.

He has suffered a seizure, apparently while driving....

I have met his father, who is a wonderfully gracious man, and his mother drove all the way over to my father's funeral, even though she didn't know him.

Please pray. This is a very sweet Christian young man.

Thank you
 

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Slightly worse for wear

 
I can relate to this Black Swallowtail 

Did you know that the instructions on a cake mix box call for one half cup oil instead of ONE and ONE HALF?

In the event that you ever do something as stupid as I, and first put in the latter amount, dip out as close to the extra cup as you can, then slip in an extra medium egg. That's, one extra egg of medium size. I don't believe they make "extra medium" eggs in the same sense as they make "extra large" eggs....."they" being the chickens.

*sigh*

On another note, the Lord sent me a little down payment from the Trevorboy this morning. We were coming back up the basement stairs, he in front of me....

"Hurry up, Trevor, this laundry basket is heavy"

"I am wooking at a dandy-wion...."

"You mean Daddy-long-legs? Dandelions are the yellow flowers outside."

"Yes, but I can't SAY dat....so I jiss caw dem "dandywions...."

"Oh. Right" *grins*

*Ka-ching*
 

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Tomorrow

Tomorrow is a big day for all of us. Ardith is moving from her apartment to her very own house! This is assuming the closing goes well today and none of the hundreds of pens used run out of ink.

In light of that, I go now to finish my cleaning at the church, one day early.

It is pretty simple, really. Sweeping, washing windows, straightening chairs and tables.

This is some of the same kinda stuff I do at home, only....let's see.....oh yeah....

I get paid for it

Come to think of it, I probably do this more often at the church, than at home....heh, heh.

It's peaceful, it's quiet and it doesn't require a lot of multi-tasking.

Did I mention it's quiet?

Anyway, I will take my camera tomorrow, so as to let everyone in on the big scoop of moving. It shouldn't be too hard, since Ardith doesn't have a lot of heavy furniture.

She does have a lot of books, though....
 

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The Layin' O' the Stone

BIG, big day up at the house.

Time for the annual resurfacing of the roads. For the gravel type, this involves laying down an "unconsolidated mixture of rock fragments or pebbles."

Like I said....gravel.

It's noisy, dusty and involves lots of trucks and largish machines.

We're talkin' heaven for little boys.

This is also why Ma decided to walk on the treadmill this morning, instead of the road. Even before they lay gravel down our particular patch, they spend days tearing up and down with intimidating trucks, and raising vast clouds of dust as they work on other roads.

I don't know.....there's just something about coughing my lungs out with dust and dodging speeding trucks that leaves me flat.

But the whole procedure is interesting to watch. Trucks come in a never-ending cycle to lay a strip down the middle of the road.
 

For about 20 minutes, trucks are EVERY-where.
 

Then a pair of roadgraders come through to smooth it out to the edge. Carolyn holds Trevor, who has turned a little incident where he stepped on barbed wire into the need for being carried everywhere....(he's just fine, by the way)
 

Nolan is distracted by a tractor across the road--(trucks AND tractors in the same day!)--while Jason {I mean Ethan. ETHAN!!} looks longingly at the departing graders.
  

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