HAVE YOU MISSED ME?

 

I’m so out of touch here that I hardly know where to begin!

On Monday (June 22). Mike and I drove to the farm in the old pickup, hauling a load of gravel and practically everything we would need for a successful family gathering and work weekend. Instead of making a firm food plan, I try to be flexible and anticipate our needs. It’s a given that there will be some failure and a lot of leftover stuff. Oh well.

That same day in the afternoon, Farmer Kyle and son came and moved the big pine tree by sections from the north field into the far side of the yard near the barn where Mike can more easily cut it into firewood. Speaking of which, on Wednesday (June 24), Mike’s new wood splitter was delivered, a unit large enough to handle those big wood rounds. In consideration of the cost to rent a splitter, he decided he’d rather have his own so that he can work at his leisure. (Does Mike ever work at a leisurely pace?)

The idea was that our children were coming to help with the chores, but Mike had other ideas. Working with a hamstring injury, he spread the gravel in the barn to make a base for stacking the firewood, but one thing always leads to another, doesn’t it? He also cleaned out the barn and piled refuse onto the pickup bed once it was free of gravel. I was his assistant.

Of course, I was busy cleaning the house. I made a list of priorities, but just as I was ready to get started with the real work, I lifted a rag under the kitchen sink and discovered that the mice had had a party there. In addition to the usual evidence, there was also something that looked like cherry pits. It was cherry pits! And now I have to reveal just how haphazard I am about housekeeping. Last summer when I pitted the cherries from our Lapin’s sweet cherry tree, I considered drying the pits to make a foot warmer for Mike. I gave up on the idea and tossed the pits, but I guess I didn’t do it before the mice found them. The timing seems odd, but I can’t argue with the evidence. Well, I rearranged my priorities and cleaned under the sink.

I also allowed myself the time to sew, and I actually finished the “Duck Duck Moo” quilt for Silas’ bed. Please note – I saw this project through from start to finish.

One evening, Mike found a little bat between the dining room window and the screen. He carried it outside in a rag, and we watched it fly off. What would I do without Mike to handle the critters? I wouldn’t like to find out.

Despite the rain and cool temps, we had a wonderful family weekend. More about that with the next post. KW