It was filled with it's usual drama (came home from Easter festival to find to half dead hens wrapped up in a fishing net)-they're ok, we saved them together, the usual hard work (we felled 2 15-18 ft tall maple trees with a HAND saw and cut them into fence posts with the same saw-then built the fence) and the usual laughter/good memories and unforgetttable one liners. I am exhausted, the kind of deep muscular exhaustion you assume rail workers from the old west felt. Everything hurts. But it feels GOOD. As I stood outside this morning with Edd, watching the Brahmas explore the "play pen" we built them in the early light of the morning, the dogs (chico & hank specifically) began to chase each other. We watched them , mesmerized by the agile movements and deft deflections at each curve and turn. They were HAPPY. Edd said so. Actually he said,"everyones happier out here baby". He's right, it's obvious, even the teenager laughs more now.
We attended the neighborhood Easter festival this morning and I gotta admit it was nice. Comfortable and totally unpretentious. Owyn won the three legged race and the sack race and the raffle. She was festooned with ribbons and prizes and a smile that spread from ear to ear ALL DAY LONG! The older children spent the morning gorging on the largest cotton candy tifts I have ever seen and drinking more soda than they've been allowed to have all year so far!! It was great to hear the kids talking about the egg hunt and Owyn's squeals that," I have 35 eggs!!".
We left to build fences and plant corn and thats exactly what the kids and I did. but first we had to rescue the pullets. grace and java had gotten stuck in a fishing net that was left near the porch and were close to death when we arrived home. The kids saw them immediately when they got out of the truck and we all lept into action. I was so proud of them all. kieren ran into the house for fresh water and Dawson got some scissors, while Layla knelt with me on the ground and began to untangle the silly girls from their trap. Grace went limp and Dawson quikly cut the net(it was his and he never hesitated) and took her from me with Kieren to the "infirmary" to rehydrate her. They are fine. I repaired the net and all is well.
Edd had to work at 11 so the children and I armed with a handsaw and some basic tools(hammers,pliers) felled 2 maple trees, each approximately 15-18 ft tall, then cut them into fence posts and sunk them into the ground and built a fence. The garden safe from hens and rabbits we hoed rows and planted Cherokee corn and cukes and mixed bell peppers and carrots. Tomorrow we will transplant the brussel sprouts we started in pots into this garden and for a day or two I will be content. I am extremely proud of the kids today. They worked in the hot sun for over 5 hrs today to get our garden fenced and protected from foraging critters. It wasn't easy, it was frought with bitching and perils (Dawson got glass in his foot, I skewered my big toe with a post hole digger,Kieren got a "fencepost" dropped on his toe) but it got done and it was done as a family,TOGETHER. I am typing this blog and listening in an off hand way to my husband playing LIFE with the kids and the peeps chirping gently in the background and I am happy. I stood outside a minute or two before I started this blog and the air is heavy with the smell of rain. I am anticipating waking to the sound of it drumming on my metal roof in the morning so I can snuggle into Edd's chest and drift back into my dreams with the fragrance of lilacs trailing close behind. I don't know what tomorrow witll bring, but I know now more than ever that no matter what it is we will face it together. A unified front, working for the same goal,like it or not, WE WILL MAKE IT. ZOMBIES BE DAMNED!!!
I have great kids. They are respectful and compassionate and more like me everyday. They have an amazing step father ,who just happens to be an excellent husband too. I am broke. I haven't worked in 3 weeks and have no idea how I will pay the electric bill on Tuesday,and thats OKAY. It will work out,I know it will because it is not my priority. We could live out here with out electricity just fine. As long as I have them here with me, theres nothing I couldn't manage. On that note, I better get the rainbarrel ready for the storm-we may need it to shower next week! LOL
Night-night ya'll. My pillow is calling me.
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