'Take Flight! (A Sisterchicks Devotional)' by Robin Jones Gunn and Cindy Hannan

One of our daughters has enjoyed reading all of Robin Jones Gunn's Sisterchick books with me, one right after another.  And while I consider them light Christian fiction, they're threaded through with bits of insight and real life.  There's always a message that strikes a chord.  This devotional called Take Flight! by Gunn and Cindy Hannan is no exception.  They share hardship, financial difficulties, cancer---all the things that we, or folks near to us, experience on a daily basis.  And rather than sugar-coat a woman's life as all pretty and organized, they talk about how hard life can be. I find that refreshing.  Because it can be.  Hard.

Many thanks for taking a chance at sharing the tough stuff.  For giving hope when there seems to be little hope to be gathered. Much appreciated.

(i received this book free to review from multnomah books)

'A Pug's Guide to Dating' by Gemma Correll

As an owner of two Pugs (and I think they deserve a capital letter), I've thoroughly enjoyed Gemma Correll's two Pug-themed books. The first is called A Pug's Guide to Etiquette, and the latest is A Pug's Guide to Dating.  I can see a whole series taking shape, and that'd be wonderful.  I know Violet and Daisy would appreciate that.

Gemma's illustrations are adorable, and besides her drawings, the dialogue is hilarious.  Truly, when I read her books, I tend to look over at our Pugs, frown and then nod my head, agreeing that they do indeed all act alike.  From smelling a bit dusty, to snoring and licking the floor (no matter what the surface happens to be), Pugs are a breed apart.  But my eyes have been opened in regards to their attitudes toward dating.

For any Pug owner, these are a delight to read and re-read.  Hint: Keep the books in handy reach of your own Pugs, so that they can refer to them frequently.

More, please.

A Pug's Guide to Dating by Gemma Correll is published by Dog 'n' Bone at £9.99 ($14.95 US) and is available from www.cicobooks.com.

(i received this book free to review from CICO books)

Friday afternoon

Ready to chill for a bit.  Got up early to be dressed when the termite guy got here.  Was planning on putting the chickens back in the hen house while he was here, but with Nora setting, we didn't.  They get flustered when all are in the coop when one is laying.  They need privacy at that time. :)

I think the termite guy was intrigued with the chickens, and I don't blame him.  It's not everyday you see them in the city.  He was most curious as to whether they bite.  The answer is no.

Then took half a dozen to a neighbor.  Interesting story:  She's in her seventies, and has lived in the house across the street with her youngest son, who's my age, for about 7-8 years.  She's the one with the grown kids and grandkids who always fight and scream in the front yard.  Anyway, she's a strong Christian woman, but her lifestyle would put you at odds with that fact.  Turns out, her husband who she married in 1953, is moving in with them after the new year begins.  When they married, she lived with him 2 weeks (with his extended and large family) then went back home.  She already had a child before she met this man.  After she left, they went their separate ways, but always kept in touch.  They never divorced.  She went on to have 6 living children.  None of her children are his.  At this point of information, I had the sense to ask no more questions.  Too much sharing.

A year or so ago, the married man she'd had a long-term relationship with passed away.  The kids weren't his either.  Gary went to the funeral (the only white face present) and he said it was strange to see this man's wife for the first time.  And our neighbor's husband has been living with another woman himself for decades---being unmarried seems to be acceptable.  I know our neighbor wrestled with the fact she was playing around and not pleasing the Lord. She's said as much to me many times.  I think she feels relieved to be having her husband back.  So strange, but a good ending to the story, I think.

Our second son, who goes to an inner-city black church, says that the black community is well versed in living a different life away from church than they do on Sundays.  At total odds.  That's one of his major frustrations in being there.  There's not a serious attitude about taking that Christian witness beyond the church doors. Guess the temptations of the world overwhelm any good that's done on the weekends.

Don't get me wrong.  It's not just a black issue.  Just seems very prevalent in that venue.

Folks come from such a variety of backgrounds.  At Bunco last night at church, which ended up being not-Bunco since we only had four show up, there was lots of sharing about families and friends. It's sad to hear of so many families with step-children, broken homes and divorce being so common.  To be married over the long haul is an oddity for some people.  

Shaking my head.  Such brokenness.

Anyway, after that visit, to ground myself a bit, I got the kids working on their artwork and I took some scratch (cracked corn and seed mixture) out to hand feed the chickens.  Settling and quiet. Hens are good therapy.

'The Mercy Prayer' by Robert Gelinas

In Robert Gelinas' book The Mercy Prayer repeated references are made to the Kyrie Elieson (Lord have mercy), which we sing each Sunday at the Anglican church I attend.  And honestly, the reason I first selected this book to review was the cover, which has that ancient church look, always appealing.

Love that he makes numerous Scriptural references, backing up the importance of praying for God's mercy. Really, what more do we need?  He knows our hearts, and for us to be in subjection to Him makes all kinds of sense.  To ask for mercy is to ask for the Lord's heart to be listening to us, to show pity and sympathy. Gelinas shares this beautifully.

I've been a fan of contemplative, mystical Christian literature for so long.  To find modern authors who will take the chance to spread the sweetness of contemplative prayer that the ancients practiced touches my heart.  The icing on the cake was his chapter at the end on The Jesus Prayer, which I've learned as 'Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'  I'm currently on the hunt for my own copy of the book he refers to, The Way of a Pilgrim.  More goodness.

Thank you for spreading the richness of this sort of prayer, Mr. Gelinas.

(i received this book free to review from booksneeze/thomas nelson)

Mid-week

• an excellent song from a guy called shane harper---happy music
• would love to dance to it
• gary'll slow dance, but wouldn't try anything faster
• feeling wonderful today
• can't account for it
• considering it a gift of grace from God
• house is a mess from moving the treadmill to a different room
• i have my dining room back, which is great
• school was smooth as could be today, as was yesterday 
• sunny day and breezy
• all is well
• bills still late, but today, who cares?
• i've got happy feet listening to that song with second son's bose headphones he's lending me
• wow
• back to the treadmill story
• the table we switched it with was covered with junk
• now i have a floor full of misplaced junk
• when i get up from here i'll have to do something with it
• gary says, "it's okay to throw away"
• he says that all the time
• when he's not saying, "now what?"
• he appears to have a limited vocabulary
• must go now
• meatloaf for dinner with all the trimmings of gravy, mashed potatoes and english peas
• pure comfort
• and one more thing---the least one made prancer cookies and we realized with fresh eggs, the risk of salmonella, etc. is pretty nil
• cool
• take care, all

{60 eggs to date, 3 so far today}

About the tea tray...

My husband and I both have little daily routines, and they might just be what keeps us sane.  He eats ice cream out of the same bowl, using the same spoon, eating the same ice cream and cookies topped with a splash of milk every night.  Like clock-work.  He says if we're even out of milk, he's sad.  It has to be the same pattern all the time.  He's done this for years.

I set up the tea tray every morning, not the night before.  Get the kettle boiling, take out my tea (currently PG Tips with cardamom added), my sweetener, whatever cup and saucer is the choice, get half and half into the little pitcher, get my stirring stick for the tea (which is a hand-carved chunky crochet hook one of the boys made me---not shown in the photo), fold a napkin, pour out my oatmeal, get a spoon and preferably a particular one.  And I add a little bowl or cup for my teabags or the tea strainer as well.  You get the idea.

It makes me feel safe.  Usually I have loose tea, but for now it's the PGTips in bags.  Not even sure if they make a loose one.  When I bought the tea, I took out some of the bags, put them into a tea tin and sprinkled on the cardamom. Tastes wonderful, a nice change from plain, old tea flavor.

Steadiness in the midst of our sometimes chaotic lives.  And it helps.  Really it does.

{57 eggs to date---3 today, so far}

Sunday evening

That's my daily morning tea tray in the header photo.  I was getting it ready over the weekend, and the light was just right in the kitchen, so I took a snap.  Even with my cellphone, it turned out like I wanted it to, and I'm no photographer.  Still, sometimes things just work out.

And church was so special and sweet this morning.  Two of our children were confirmed today and with the bishop there and the church all dolled up, the service was extra-special.  And as usual, I cried throughout the whole thing.  I do that.  Just wished I'd come prepared.  Sad, old tissues in the purse just don't do a person justice when they're needed in an emergency.  The Holy Spirit at work. Besides our son who was confirmed is the same one I shared about several months ago.  He's made a turn-around and it's been comforting to see his diligence in making changes.  In addition, our priest is watching him and he's accountable to him as well as us.  All good.

Add to that, the sermon given by the bishop was what I needed to hear.  He talked about how the Lord puts us into a place where we might be uncomfortable, but it's still where He'd have us to be.  He's not deserted us (I will never leave you nor foresake you.), but that's where we've been placed.  More tears.  The bishop is a very sweet man besides.  When the confirmands went up to kneel before him, he spoke to them individually and specifically---placing holy oil on their foreheads and praying over them.  This is serious business. It's not just a ritual, but a sacred benediction on each person.  More tears.

The bishop is well-versed in hardship.  He and his wife were involved in an awful traffic accident a few years back and he still doesn't appear to have full control over his walking or hand movements.  And his wife is battling cancer.  We all have our struggles.  Just hard to see other folks' hurts when we're so focused on our own.

A wonderful start to the week.  Enjoy yours. :)

{54 chicken eggs to date---four today, which seems to be the norm now.  Milk still refuses to participate!}

Friday afternoon

Milk drying off inside...a pug behind her

Rain.  Glorious rain.  It's been alternating pouring and sprinkling since about 9am.

I can't remember the last time we had a shower here. Probably over a month, but I don't know.  What I do know is that the lawns have been turning brown, and my black-eyed Susans were past their sale date quite awhile ago.

As a celebration I let the kids off the hook with school. They've done their work privately, and as of this minute are supposed to be involved in some sort of creative pursuit.  I know the least one is painting, and her older sister is playing with glitter.  Not sure what youngest son is up to, but whatever it is, it's alright.

I sat on the front porch earlier and took the leaves and petals off of the echinacea I'd cut down last week. After they dry I'll grind some of them in the coffee mill and put them back for later. When I can order more glycerin capsules, I'll have enough pills for winter. Will make more tincture as well.  I have some steeping even now.

It's been good to putter around today with the kids occupied.  I needed a day to play and have tidied the kitchen, dining room and have begun the same in the living room.  With the dry weather, the dust has been horrid, so I've enjoyed cleaning up the place.  I put different old floral tablecloths out too, which is always nice when the seasons change.

Hope to have a restful night as well.  Might take the kids to the art gallery in the morning, but tomorrow ought to be light as far as busyness goes.  Sunday is Confirmation Day for third son and middle daughter so a celebration on Sunday will be nice to think about too.  Nothing pressing, just a quiet day.  Take care.

{grand total egg count to date---46, but only 2 today}

Chickens and such

Having a bit of a laugh here.  After dinner, Gary hooked up the desktop computer we have---one I'd totally forgotten about since he usually has the screen set to the television.  So used to the laptops that to see the tower is a bit odd to say the least.  Dusty too.

The funniest part is that it's running Windows XP.  A Zen experience for sure.  I could do crafts in the time it takes the computer to load up stuff, not to mention the inability to run videos in a timely fashion.  But am I in a hurry?  Well, like never!

Anyway, I was thinking about my day, how it started early with chickens and the contrast to my former days without the birds.  I was up before 7am letting them out of the coop.  Within an hour or so, my Nora had laid her second egg of the week.  She's an every-other-day layer, and is so quiet about it.  She calmly goes in the hen house, settles in, waits a bit and out it comes.  One perfect light green egg (which is the normal color for Easter Eggers).  Over the next few hours Piglet, Anastasia and Madelyn had laid theirs as well.  Milk continues to keep her eggs to herself.

The Black Star layers are a bit more enthusiastic than either Nora or Madelyn (both Easter Eggers), screaming out their accomplishments after the fact. Youngest son is a bit quietly high-strung (as is his mother) and when he repeatedly heard their loudness this afternoon, went out there with a shoe to throw at them. We had to head him off, trying to convince him that they really sound like geese after all, don't they?  Maybe the neighbors think it's geese.  Can't have him throwing things at the chickens, though..  It's hard enough lately settling arguments between Daisy the Pug and Milk the head chicken.  Daisy gets pecked on the backside, turns around, high-tails it after Milk, who in turn squawks and runs for all she's worth.  Fat Daisy can't catch up and Milk isn't that fast, so actually, they're pretty evenly matched. They tire out pretty fast.

Anyway, more of the same tomorrow.  Early rising, maybe my tea out back, which is what I did today.  Sort of nice to watch chickens do their business with the sun warming my hair.  If I time it right, I get outside before the least one, who's quite the farmgirl.  I thinks she's truly found her niche.  Glad to supply it for her. Barefoot and toting chickens around.  That's what she's loving the most these days.  Wouldn't take anything for that.

This will be brief...

...for necessity. Blogging by phone because now Gary's laptop is suffering.  He's got a trick to work the plug, but I don't mess with it.  We need a get one free/get second one free laptop (yeah, you heard me) offer. :)

Anyway, just wanted to pop in and say the bill got paid, but not without tears and a meltdown by me.  Daughter stepped in at the last minute, and I'm not kidding.  But funny thing is...Gary got a deposit on a refinishing job minutes afterward, and an accepted bid this morning.  Not my idea of fun, the deadlines and all, but for today and tomorrow, I'm basically worry-free.

And in other news, an older woman at church has asked if I'd help her write her family history. She asked Gary about it first, being she's one of his long term clients, and is a new friend to me...we go to the same church, and it was her husband's funeral reception I helped at recently.  I told Gary I wanted to wear a pencil skirt and black pumps for the gig with her. Think that'd work? :)

Take care...gotta go. Having to backspace way too much.

(total egg count is 36---4 today)

Sunday afternoon's thoughts and prayers

Here's the thing.  I have a history of disbelieving that God is Who He says He is. And considering I've been walking with Him for forty years now, you'd think I had a better handle on faith.

And not to blast my parents, but my dad was a huge fan of Oral Roberts.  His seed faith teaching was what appealed to my father.  He figured that if he himself did something, then God would do the same.  Works oriented.

On the flip-side, my mom and her sister are closet Pentecostals, and I remember one time my aunt asking my mom, genuinely confused why our household here had the flu if we'd been faithfully praying.  Gary's first comment was that we're in a fallen world and sin is part of it.  Not that sin caused us to have the flu, but it's a messed up world we live in and we don't live sanitized lives.  You can't be a Christian and expect everything to always pan out.  You'll get sick, the paint will peel, the dog will mess up on the carpet, your car will run out of gas, and away we go.

Being a believer doesn't equal a perfect life.

We've experienced a hard summer.  Money's been as tight as it ever has been. We've done without, and have barely kept our heads above water, but God has provided for us.  Last week we needed dinner one night, and while we had some small funds I was going to the store with (after dinner-time hours), a neighbor called just as I was about to leave, and she said she had some BBQ and asked if we'd like to have it.  Her boyfriend didn't want it and she's a vegetarian, so you can see the way that conversation went.  We said yes, ate a delicious meal, and Gary just laughed.

I'm learning in my old age that I really can pray about something, leave it with the Lord and enjoy my day.  I really don't have to tote the baggage of unanswered prayer around with me.  I can trust Him.  My habit and practice for years and years has been to pray about something, then spend an inordinate amount of time fretting over whether the Lord actually heard me.

I know Jesus is the Son of God.  I believe in my heart everything concerning His birth and resurrection.  I trip up, however, on the part where I trust Him with my problems.  It's not that I can do better, but I know I fail and how can I believe He'll answer when I don't hold my mouth right.  Darn those Pentecostals.  It's not about how well I can pray, but about trust.  And I'd say I'm working on it, and that'd be true, but I don't want to work on it.  I simply want to believe like a child.  No work, just faith.

Tomorrow we need X amount of dollars for the balance of a bill we partial-paid last Monday.  If you follow here you read about us getting funds 45 minutes before the online due time.  Here we go again.  Deadline tomorrow.

Do I trust Him for this?  Actually, yes.  Am I curious to see how this pans out? Absolutely. :)

{egg count to date today---30}

More 'bout dem chickens...

After finishing up schoolwork for the day, I set to filling up glycerin capsules with ground Red Clover I'd wild-harvested awhile back.  Ground up a bit too much, being that those flower heads are fluffy.  Took FOREVER to fill them.  Sort of like stuffing dandelion seedlings into the capsules, if you can imagine.

Anyway, I'd just finished when I could hear Anastasia bok-buh-CAWing, and went to investigate.  She was standing on the perch outside the coop, screaming to the world, "I JUST LAID AN EGG."  We'd had one each from Piglet and Madelyn already today and I figured we were done.  Must be that Anastasia read my mind and was wanting to make sure I understood that she too was an overachiever.

The funniest thing, though, was that there'd been someone raking across the street.  I could hear them clearly.  When she'd cluck so loudly, they'd stop raking.  Then it didn't help with me talking to her in a high-pitched baby voice (one I use with Pugs and Chickens...never our babies), about how proud I was of her laying an egg.  She preened.  They began raking once again.

Gary and I got into a conversation last night about how noisy they are.  He said that folks use blowers, weedeaters, play loud music and argue outside, what's the difference with chickens?  And they're legal inside the city limits....the hens are, at least.  We just like to stay under the radar, you know.

Must go eat my baked potato now that's finishing up in the microwave.  Someone drew a smiley face on it with a magic marker a few days ago, but I'll just eat around that part.

Take care.

{current egg count to date---21}

Chicken update

~some of the eggs

Since three of the chickens are consistent layers now, sleeping in is a thing of the past, both for them and us. I was hoping to get a bit more rest this morning, but Piglet decided that she'd get her laying over with.  What a noise.  And Madelyn was anxious to lay as well, but hesitant to be in the hen house at the same time as the Pig.  Finally after a bout of squawking, Madelyn got in the other nesting box, so we had two of them side-by-side in labor.  That's the first time that's happened being that these chickens are very territorial, and really, really moody.  Females for sure.

I never appreciated eggs like I do now.  Imagine.  They can produce one egg every 24 hours.  Think of what an egg consists of, including a hard shell and as soon as an egg is out of the hen, another is on its way to being made.  That's work you never see.  And to drop a fresh egg on the floor (storebought or homemade) is different now.  A sacrifice was made for me to have that egg.  Waste just isn't in the picture.  I figure there's a spiritual metaphor tucked in there somewhere, but not sure where.

And egg-laying isn't painless.  It's not like simply going to the bathroom for the hen.  It takes time to get it out and it's hot work.  They pant and fluster about, thought I admit that Madelyn has it easier than Anastasia, who's only laid two now.  Body parts much stretch after a bit.  Seems reasonable.  They wait patiently, put wood chips on their backs (to make themselves invisible), and pant some more.  They fuss about, then just sit---head down, backside up. Squawk. Then wet egg. Then incredibly thirsty.  Grapes are a favorite as is watermelon. Anything quick and wet.  

Fourth son brings home leftovers from work, where the owners daily go to the store and buy fruit, donuts and cheese for the employees.  Very generous.  Some we eat when he brings it home to us, and we share with the chickens.  Hence fruit to spare.

Oh, and I saw a possum at the bottom of the steps from our front porch last night. I stared at it a bit---I'd been sitting out there in the dark---and it looked like a huge rat.  Wasn't though.  Made me jump since they're known chicken predators. Went and made sure we had extra barricades around the coop, and thankfully all was fine this morning.

You take care as well.

{egg count to date at 18 today}

Silent screams!

Good grief.  Had a bill due to be paid online at 3pm, and the mail brought money with it.  At 2:15pm.  Could we cut it closer, please?  I got in oldest daughter's truck to take it to the bank (thankfully there was a vehicle here to take), had to hit the brakes as I was clipping along on one of the busiest streets, because the car in front of me decided to suddenly let someone facing our direction in the turn lane cross over 3 lanes to get to a store.  I promise there couldn't have been more than 1" between me and their bumper when I finally stopped. Then there was a train. Then the ATM was closed and I had to go into the bank dressed like a bag lady. Could it get any better than this?  Tell me.  Could it?

Then had to race home to get online to pay the bill, being leery of making the payment before the money was accounted for in the bank, but probably could've done the paying before the dashing out.

Is it time to quit, yet?

Here's the deal.  When a person (or in this case, couple) prays and prays and is in God's face, the evil one is shoving his fat face in the way.  Trying to cause you to fail, attempting to cause accidents, and in our case, messing up miserably.  Not sure why our finances are so screwed up, but it is what it is.  Living on the edge has never been more aggravating, though.

And, yes, not wanting to appear ungrateful, but the time crunch here really wasn't my favorite thing.  Don't want to leave with you thinking I'm a stinker. Okay, I'm a stinker, but rushing around at the last minute sort of got under my skin.  Thankful, yes.  Annoyed, okay, yes to that too.  But really, very thankful for God's provision.  Btw, now the time is 2:57pm.  Phew.  Yes, I had to blog as soon as the dust settled.  Whatever is blogging for if not for a rant now and again?

{and current egg count is at 16}

Chicken update

• we stand at a baker's dozen of eggs now
• madelyn is the queen layer as the first one (she lays every/other day), piglet close behind (laying everyday), and anastasia laid her first this afternoon
• i never knew chickens could be so LOUD
• when they get into, what the girls call, labor mode----well, they cluck and cluck
• haven't had any neighbors complain, but who would?
• our neighbors are so noisy with their yelling anyhow, they're definitely louder than the chickens
• and the chickens aren't consistent
• they bok-bok-buhCAW a couple of times, then they're done
• it's when one is on the nest and a different one gets hacked off
• usually the next layer in line
• and when the egg's been laid, the hen who's laid it stands at the door of the coop and announces it
• and, yes, we can hear them in the house
• we have 2 nesting boxes, but they use only one
• gary has a friend online who has 16 hens, 8 nesting boxes and they all use one---only one
• they must line up to use it like women at a ballgame outside the bathroom
• silly old birds
• funny, but the combs and waddles change color when they get worked up
• all red and brilliant when they're laboring over their eggs, but all pale pink when it's over
• phew!
• then after a few minutes, they get a lighter red---midway between red and pale
• learn something new everyday
• guess what's for dinner?
• eggs and toast, and yes, we'll eat a few of our hens' eggs, but not all
• madelyn laid a double-yolk the other day, and I did make a wish
• it's fun to see how pretty they are in the fridge
• nice to count on some the next day
• according to their record to date, we should get at least one tomorrow, maybe two

....take care all.  enjoy your weekend. :)

This and that...good old blurry phone shots

Three photos, and not sure what order they'll fall into once I load them.  They are.....part of the room where the memorial service was in yesterday, presently being renovated.  I want you to see the coffers (look up) Gary made and youngest son helped him install.  The wall on the right will have the bookcases he's working on this very minute. Supposedly they'll be ready to install on Monday....fingers crossed. :)  And yes, wine. Those Episcopalians/Anglicans must have their wine. Hard for this former Presbyterian to get a handle on. :)

And the sparrow the least one saved from the dog's water bowl outside this morning.  The bird is presently eating gruel in a cardboard box in the fort.

And Milk looking wicked.  That's what happens when the least one gets hold of my phone and takes photos at eye-level with a chicken.

Annnnnnd, btw, there's a laptop giveaway being offered at Sarah Mae's blog via Staples.  Go here!

{egg count now stands at 10 total}

Just a minor rant...

Busy shaking my head like a St. Bernard, slinging slobber hither and yon.  I feel way overwhelmed and don't know where to land.

I was called yesterday by a woman (I don't know) at church who's getting together the memorial service food for an event tomorrow afternoon.  My name was recommended to her by our priest, which is pretty blush-worthy.  One of my favorite people there just lost her second husband and at this very minute I'm cooking chicken and have cream cheese sitting out to soften.  I'm the sandwich person, it seems.  It's been ages since I've participated in a baby or wedding shower, but the process is the same.  Pimento cheese, chicken salad and cucumber.  A piece of cake.  We'll get there early and put out the table cloths, dishes and flowers.  I really love that sort of thing.  Service behind the scenes. Just my style.

It's just the timing that's a bit wonky.  School has started and that's exhausting, just the fact of me using my brain for a change.  Algebra and Geometry.  Ugh.

And while I get all fussed up, it IS an honor to be asked to help.  That's a fact.  I can handle, pretty much, any inconvenience when I stand back and see what's really going on.

But for the last two days, I've caught a look at myself in the mirror after teaching the kids and the word 'hag' isn't too off course.  I look like that old saying, 'Rode hard and put away wet.'  Not a vision of loveliness, that's for sure.

And with no car, am juggling with borrowing from oldest daughter, second son and Gary.  They're all willing, but it's an added difficulty when you (that'd be me) have to pick up folks as well.  More driving around that I care to do.

Whine, whine, whine.

Think I'll finish up here and rest for a bit before mixing up my sandwich fillings. You take care. :)

{and btw, we're up to eight eggs now}

Monday chattering

*Was thinking about getting out of bed this morning, and all of a sudden heard a bit of 'bok-bok-boking' from the chickens in their coop.  It's just outside our bedroom window, partly for safety's sake.  We figure we'll hear if any wild animals decide to investigate in the middle of the night.

Anyway, I let the birds out, and there was a brown egg all warm and toasty in one of the nesting boxes. Assuming it was Piglet again, after laying one on Sunday. And considering I'm teaching the kids Spanish now (we live in the South; it seems appropriate), we say, "Tenemos seis huevos ahora."  Yeah, we have six eggs now. Madelyn laid her fourth today as well.  Have we eaten them?  No.  Kind of enjoying our collection.  And there's a rhythm now.  The layers are hitting it every-other-day.  When the other three catch on, we should have quite a bowl of eggs.

*And had a nice time last night at dinner with sweet Indian boyfriend and his dad who came over here.  SIB's mom and sister have been in Florida over the weekend, so we had a cook-out and asked the men to come over.  As always, it was interesting to hear SIB's dad talk about India.  And with him being raised over there, he still interjects Hindi into the conversation.  So different.  So amazing.  So foreign!

*Lastly, struggling over Sunday School for our teenage kids (one is our youngest son who's 17, and middle daughter who's 14).  The church (while very conservative in a political sense), is more liberal in some of their entertainment choices.  The young folks have been invited to have what they're calling Christian movie night this weekend, with 'Batman Begins' as the choice.  Something about teaching them varied views of 'justice.' I'm sorry but I can't get my head around that.  Besides some mild language, which is a bit bothersome, the violence is enough for me to say....NO.  Supposedly 'Christianity Today' magazine (which I'm on the fence about anyhow) has a curriculum using movies to reach out to teens.

What I'm seeing in parents and their children is a growing attitude involving a changing of the roles.  The kids are very strong-minded, with the parents the opposite, so the children are instructing their parents on how they want to grow up and not the other way around.  I see the parents as easily intimidated by their own children. What is UP with that?

And the language some of these kids spew out of their mouths.  Good grief.  In the church hallway, after church.  Are you kidding me?  One homeschooled girl was talking to middle daughter on Sunday after the service, and said a particular word within my hearing.  Our daughter winced at me as I turned around, and the girl just had a goofy expression on her face.   She thinks it's cool, I guess.  Well, it's not.  These girls need to be learning to be respectful and respectable young women, not loose-talking so and so's.

So I have issues with the whole attitude toward the young people at church. Nobody's leading them, but allowing the bad behavior and manners to flourish. Gary says to not criticize vocally unless I have a solution. Brother. I'm already helping teach the little children's SS.  I don't have all the answers, I realize, but there's a problem.

Don't get me started on their Facebook pages either.  Some folks weren't taught to have filters on their mouths.

Now we have four...

Old Note from the Least One

Dear Momma,

You are the best momma I have ever had.  I love you more then food.  I love you more then stew.  I love you more then huskeys and art.  I love you Momma more then Nana.  You wood never dump me.  You are the Zen one in the  house.  We need to respakt you more.

I love you.  You rock.

Love,

{the least one}

(misspellings and all kept intact because it's so darling)