The state of things

I've come to realize that we're the kind of family who sees the good in things other people might not. You have an old farmhouse kitchen island that needs some TLC and a new home? We're just the ones to take it in. Don't want your old riding lawnmower that won't run? Go Kart that needs serious repairs? Minibike? Generator? '57 Chevy? Oh yes, we have all of those rejects, the last ones of course go straight to my husband and somehow in very short order are running and functioning probably better than ever before. Well, all except for the car, that's still in a million pieces in the barn, but if I know my husband it will run one day.

But the biggest surprise so far, hands down, is this exceptional, fantastic, smart-as-a-whip border collie we were given. They didn't want him. He didn't fit their family, he had a few little quirks, needed a little structure, a schedule, a fence, walks on a leash, a buddy and a family to love him no matter what. He found us, pure and simple and things are better than ever.

And when you hear the old cliche that opposites attract, I give you proof in the form of dogs.

First, we have Sunny. While she looks quite regal in this next photo, just about everything she does reminds me of the first dog encountered in the movie, "UP". Have you seen it? Well, there's this slightly dense and goofy dog in the movie who is nothing but a wiggly, jiggly, perpetually happy mess.

Sunny: "You have ball? You want me to chase? I chase ball, I bring you ball. (wiggling) You have ball? You want me to chase? (runs into me) I chase ball, I bring you ball, I lick you all over face. I love you. You have ball?"

You get the picture.

And then we have Quill who sits gently at your feet, looks straight up into your eyes with deep concentration and attention.

Quill: "Would you like me to reorganize your kitchen cabinets for you? I'd be happy to. You say your checking account needs balancing? I'm your man."



Goofy and the guard dog.

The licker and the listener.

Puppy and Prince.

Luckily, opposites attract.

And even highly trained dogs can let loose every once in a while. With the proper incentive.





A match made in heaven for sure.

Still at it

Little by little I manage to make more. The summer schedule will hopefully be conducive to more creative time than the school year when time at home is consumed by homework, a schedule to adhere to and a zillion things happening all at once. It is so nice to be able to slow down, even if just for a bit.

Here are some new variations on the familiar theme of simple, yet intricate summer neckwear. They can be found here and here. Enjoy.

Going, going, gone

Life has officially hit warp speed. The fifteen year reunion of my PT class this past weekend was a clear reminder. Fifteen years, I can hardly believe it and I wonder where I've been. You laugh but it crosses my mind. Where was I when the younger me crossed the stage and snatched the diploma vowing never, ever to go to school again, ever?

Where was I when marriage swept me away, when we renovated one, then a second house and had three kids all right in a row? Am I really that same girl who worked here and there and then took a break for 9 years so I could manage the kid circus that life had become?

"Time will fly" we've heard a thousand times from a thousand people who have gone before us. We learn from them that we'll blink and our kids will be grown and married and before we know it we'll be grandparents and we can hardly believe they're right when we're in the middle of diapers and pregnant bellies and exhaustion and sleepless nights.

I don't know if they're right because I'm not that quite far along yet, but what I think at this point is that there must be a part of us that is timeless. We hold all the information as if it just happened yesterday but the circumstances that we find ourselves in and pictures that fill our keepsake boxes remind us otherwise.

Our children who once crawled are now swimming, doing multiplication, reading long books and winning art awards. They play songs on the piano and write diaries, develop strong friendships and suffer sometimes too. And each year that my son hits baseballs farther than the last I mark the passage of time, knowing that one day they will sail over the fence in the outfield. When they do we will cheer and shine, knowing that the goal was achieved and that while he runs the bases and touches home, that he is well on his way, away.

Come sail away

It might start to look like I have a thing for sailboats.

But really it's just that the sailboats have a thing for this place.

Urbanna.

Can't believe neither of us had ever been here before. I have an excuse, but my Virginia boy does not. I think we'll be back.

And one day you may find that we've sold everything and run away, or rather sailed away on something like this.

But if we don't do that I'd really like to live in something that looks a little like this.

So we can watch these all day.

And walk up the hill holding hands to have lunch at our new favorite little place.

It was a good, good anniversary.

Farmhouse decorating

I'm so far past overdue for some "post addition" pictures that it's pretty pathetic. I just have one little update for you, that rescued piece of furniture the man of the house brought home a while back.

Looks pretty good, don't cha think? Not going to repaint it but I might give that thingy on the wall above it a little spray of black. That'll be right after I paint all three kids' rooms. (she chuckles to herself)

As fate allows

This is the story of a boy,

and a girl.

He loved her from the start.

She loved him right back but there was a problem.

There was a fence between them.

Still he came to see her, the 1/2 mile jaunt through the woods from his house to hers as often as he could muster.

And he would stay.

She would revel in every minute.

And wait for him to come back.

Until one day,

he finally became a part of the family.

Meet Quill, the best little adoptee anyone could hope for.