| I have zero expectation that the eggs are viable. The geese, however, are obviously convinced their efforts are worthwhile.  Blossom the White Chinese.  Talon the African. | |
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| Lately our flood days have landed in the middle of the week, so I've been mostly on my own. C came out and helped me right near the end. His timing wasn't too bad, actually, since I just started fighting a gopher hole leak a few minutes before he showed up.  C.  C. Mud is often a big part of the gopher fighting game. It was hot today. I was thoroughly worn out by the time I was done.   The ducks enjoyed themselves, though. | |
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| My actions inadvertently led to the death of S's White Rock rooster, Undead. A bird some of us (read H and I) hated, but S loved with all her heart.  I put him in the isolation pen today, to try to let the three newest hens be back in the main chicken yard; the rooster had cut one of the hens up pretty badly trying to mate with her, so I didn't want them in the same yard anymore. I watched him at first, and after furiously checking the fenceline for a few minutes, he seemed to calm down and settle in the shade. When I checked on him a few hours later, he was dead; there was not a mark on him; the only conclusion I could draw was the stress of being in the new location killed him.  We burried him and planted a lantana in remembrance.  | |
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| When I went to turn in H's and C's 4-H books to their leader last night, I found a very sleep deprived leader and this adorable pair in her house.  Three days old, bottle fed every four hours, because their mother rejected them, and very friendly. Repeat after me, "I don't need goats, I don't need goats, I don't need goats." | |
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| M's parents visited for Memorial Day weekend. When S was showing Grandma some of the clay creations she had made of late (including her dragon necklace), Grandma made an offhand comment wondering if S could make a fox. As it turns out, the younger cousin on that side of the family loves foxes. So, offhand comment led effectively to a challenge accepted moment for S.  Oh, yeah, the other cousin loves cats, so she gets a new necklace, too. | |
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| The other day the kids were sitting around the kitchen table coloring, listening to filk music. It was such a sweet scene. H made a large set of Fallout ponies, one of which C colored as his Fallout OC. He was so pleased with it, and the minion pony below it, I got him a dollar store frame to hang it on his wall.  Today, after showing me page after page of gorgeous Fallout ponies, H started drawing Steampunk ones. Then she gave me this one.  Me as a Steampunk pony. | |
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| S had her first violin lesson last night, and she came out smiling.
So I guess she's going to do this, at least for a little while. | |
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| M, H, and I went to see Urine Town last night.  I knew, going in, what it was generally about, thanks to the magic of YouTube. I am glad, however, that I didn't have spoilers for act two. It was amazing. The theatre was very small, so we had center seats five rows back. The director used this close quarters well; the facial expressions on the actors added so much to the humor. Ms. Pennywise was absolutely brilliant. She had a phenomenal voice and played the part perfectly. I also liked the way the main bad guy, Cladwell, was played; at one point they had him up the stairs by the audience with a megaphone. My favorite song, was, and still is "Don't be the bunny." I highly approve of the coreography of their version; they even had a guy in a full bunny suit. I did not sneak video last night, but if you are curious, here's a link to a video of a difference productions version of the song. | |
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| Three and a half years. That's a long time to devote to something, even if you're an adult. For S that was basically a 4th of her life. I'd be impressed by that level of dedication even if she didn't end up with her black belt on Saturday.
She did it, though.
So many pushups, leg lifts, jumping jacks, and planks. So many kicks on the bags. So many combos and forms. Over an hour of sparring.
The sparring was my favorite to watch, but the best part was off the testing matt.
The level of comraderie and respect that flowed between S and an older boy, C, about their sparring matches was amazing to see.
S worked hard for her belt, willingly giving up 4 afternoons a week for over 3 and a half years to achieve her goal.
I'm proud of her.
Now on to her next project. - Tags:kids
- Mood:optimistic

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