Conflicted

Okay.

Sometimes I think the word verification
is completely and randomly computer-generated,

and sometimes I just don't know what to believe.

*

Quote of the Day

At Walmart, walking cheerfully through the home improvements section,
twin boy glanced up and read the sign aloud,

"Do It Yourself.

(pause)

Boy, that's kind of rude."

*

Unplugged

A few days ago, we felt the storm coming.
So we went out onto the front porch and watched it blow in.
The trees bending with wind gusts,
lightning flashing, the air growing still again, sky slightly green...

We stayed out there until the power went off,
and then trickled inside to light candles and wait for bedtime.

I got my guitar and the children grabbed theirs and we each played something.
And we really listened, enjoying each other.
Because there was nothing else to draw us away.

Then we started singing a made-up song,
and twin boy invented a little descant,
and we kept singing it over and over,
making little changes each time.

And it went something like this:

Summer rain is falling down.
And it lights up the night sky.
We count one-two-three, Mississippi.

She is scared, and wants to go inside.
But we beg her to stay for a little while.
And we count one-two-three, Mississippi.

In the darkness we play our guitars.
And we watch the candles burn down.
We count one-two-three, Mississippi.

Autumn soon,
Winter next,
Spring then,
Summer now.

Summer now.
One-two-three, Mississippi.
Summer now.
One-two three, Mississippi.

*

Ribbit

We've had tadpoles living in an outdoor plastic "pond",
and recently have begun letting them go 'cuz they're jumping out.



Freedom is a scary thing.



But new friends await.

Slugfest

Last night, a mission to destroy the bean-plant-eating slugs
with salt.

Had to wait until after dark.
Had to use flashlights.










Mission accomplished,
headed home.

And home always looks so good,
'specially after hard work.