Storybook babes

Why is it, when you want a child to calm down, she never will, but when you want her to smile or laugh or be photographed, her somber side comes out?

Amanda had the kids' pictures taken and Alyssa, usually the life of the party, would not smile or grin. It really didn't matter though, the pictures still turned out beautiful, and this picture of Alyssa shows her more thoughtful side.






Alora stole the hearts of everyone.


















Ethan looks like he might be ready to con someone out of their life savings, or is just ready to sweep someone off their feet.







The three of them look like they're right out of a storybook.

Wow, what a day

I came in the house to find a large horned toad lizard lying on the floor, playing dead, Bailey standing over it. I sighed, and praised the silly cat. Then I picked up the lizard, who was uninjured, and put him outside. He wiggled, looked around, then scrambled away.

That's when I saw Horace. He and Sassy (white cat) were making acquaintances, Horace with his head and tail raised, trying to look vicious. Andy wanted to get in on the action, so I had to grab them both up so Horace could get away.












Then I went to feed the goats. I opened the lid to the grain and there was a lovely field mouse in there. That's when I noticed the squeaks. I looked down, and all over the floor were tiny little baby mice, had to be a few days old, waiting for momma to retrieve food.

The cat noticed the squeaks and wandered over. I scooped momma and the babies up and dumped them out onto the grass. Sassy was interested, and very grateful. Horace missed out on a very nice lunch. (Annie, pretend you didn't read that.)













In the barn, Leia was just about to deliver. She'd been in labor about an hour and now needed some assistance. With one firm yank I pulled baby boy out. Leia was glad I could help. He's twice as big as Bella.

Now I need a name. It needs to start with a B.
Boris? Babar? Bellafonte? Bilbo? Any suggestions?













Apparently Leia only had one large kid. I "bounced" her to see if there were any more in there but didn't feel anything but mush.

Signs

There's this film I love called Signs. One of my favorites. There are many good messages in that film but the one underlying theme is, in life we get signs for many things, we just need to learn how to read them. Sometimes signs help us know how to think and respond, and sometimes signs give an idea of what to expect.
Sort of like a road sign.

Some road signs are helpful. If you've ever been near Mexico you may have seen this one, telling you to watch out for families trying to escape border patrol.

Some signs are practical.

Everyone should know when drunk or old people are trying to cross the street.










Some signs warn of danger. Who wouldn't want to know when a plane - or even a person - might fall on your moving vehicle?












A few signs make no sense at all. I'm not really sure how to interpret these, or if I really want to.











Unlikely signs show up once in a while. We can either take them at face value, find their double meaning, or just scratch our heads.

Signs can be helpful, entertaining, or confusing. Just like in life, the signs we encounter can teach us something. We might not always understand them, but sometimes the lesson is in the observation itself.

Incidentally, these are actual signs. For a long time Stephen used to keep a collection of bizarre signs (like these) but I don't know if he still does. Someone should make a book or website of just goofy road signs, that would be fun.

The Silk Murder

As I turned the corner to enter the hallway, something grabbed me. Tea went flying all over the floor, covering the dog, and my shoes.

I yanked my arm free ignoring the mess. I had to keep going. I had to get to the phone.

Entering the dining room I was grabbed again, this time yanking the door on its hinges. Three times that happened. I felt that same familiar tug entering my office.

This was getting old.

With hardly any tea left in my cup I decided to head back to the kitchen. Water was hot - but if this happened again I could hurt myself.

Last year for Christmas Michelle sent me this silk robe. It's beautiful, 100% Chinese silk, and just warm enough on cool spring mornings.

But the robe has it in for me, those big sleeves seem to just reach out and grab every doorknob in the entire house. It's frustrating when you've got your hands full of hot liquid. It's even more frustrating when you're carrying a plate of nachos and melted cheese.

At least the dog isn't complaining.

In one day I managed to let this robe yank me around 14 times. It's embarrassing. If this keeps up one of us is going to commit a murder. It's either me or the robe.

If you need a copy of the will, call my lawyer.

It's been a little slow lately

When I say slow, I'm not talking about the Internet, I'm talking about things. Nothing has been happening lately unless you include the relatively stressful chore of trying to force deworming meds down my cats throats - that's a dangerous task, let me tell you.

We've had no goat babies at all and no signs of them, though Leia continues to groan and grunt while just lying there. I can sympathize, those feelings are not easy to forget.

I took Andy for a walk the other day and, as I turned up my roadside to hike (out of sight of any humans), I realized how long it's been since I've spoken to a human-being face-to-face (I wonder if the lawn care people count). Nearly all my contact, especially for work, is through the computer and/or the telephone. Some people might think that's a little weird, thought it's perfectly normal for me, I'm OK with it. Although I could name a few humans that I miss and would really love to see right now.

It IS nice, though, not to have to sit in an office and listen to co-workers -- or worse, bosses -- gossip and nag.

Glad to be me

This is Leia. She's full blooded Boer and should be kidding soon - at least I hope so - she can't possibly get any bigger.

I had Leia's due date as April 6. But that's come and gone and so far, no kids. Either she's got one enormous moose in there or she's got a whole brood.

I sure would like to know which, I think I'm more anxious than she is. She waddles around and eats all day, takes a nap, then eats more.

Sounds like me when I was carrying Luke.

Slimy refreshment

When I was younger my grandparents used to take me to visit my aunt and uncle in Cookeville. They had a murky old pond that my cousin and I would wade out into on miserably hot days.

Our pond is equally as murky but that doesn't stop Yogi from enjoying it's refreshment. It does, however, keep me out. I've had enough of that green slime on me to last a lifetime.

Excited to be alive

Bella's bouncy. Every time I go out there she's jumping around and will hardly take time to nurse. I have yet to see her nurse for longer than 20 seconds, she just seems to have more interesting things to do.

Like jump.

She's two days old exactly and getting more sure on her feet, though she still has a long way to go. Leia's not so impressed with her antics (she's the dark headed goat in the vid). Notice Leia lying there trying to keep that baby from bouncing on her huge belly. I think she's anxious to get one of these bouncy things for herself, though. Leia really looks miserable, while Bella looks happy to be alive.

Meet Bella

Bella is my first kid this year. Her name fits (Steve says it means pretty, and that she is). I just thought you'd like to see her after Tahoe cleaned her up. The first photo from the other post she was only minutes old. This one she's a couple of hours old.

These videos are really boring but you can see how quickly kids change from hour to hour. The first video shows how Bella moves at 30 minutes old, then a couple of hours later how much better she can walk.

I didn't get to film her first steps because I was helping her make them. She was born against the fence and I noticed her little foot was part way through it so I jumped over to free it before she was injured. I wanted her to get up and stand right away so helped her do that, she looked a little weak at first. We (Tahoe and I) got her nursing right away so she would gain some strength.

Leia is supposed to give birth next, she's enormous, but doesn't look quite ripe yet. Maybe the next couple of days I'll have a set of twins.

Gathering the goodies

An update on the post below: my first baby came in the sunshine today and the only thing I needed was the camera. Baby girl is light brown and SO cute! Tahoe (the mother) is again, the first to give birth this year.














It's getting closer to birthing time for two of my does. The baby monitor is turned on now 24/7 in the barn so I can hear things out there. I cleaned out the birthing stalls on the weekend and now I'm gathering all the things I might need for the happy event. Hopefully I won't need any of it except the camera but it's good to be prepared.

I've got the following things in my bucket:

Flashlight
Trashbags
Cloth rags & Paper towels
Rubber gloves (in case I need to "go in" and retrieve anyone)
Dental floss (to tie off the umbilical cord)
Disinfectant (like Betadine)
Qtips (to dab the cord)
Scissors
Instant coffee (for a very weak kid, supposed to "jump start" if needed)
Powdered kid milk replacement (in case I have a stupid mother doe)
Nipple and bottle
BoSe (Selenium supplement for a weakling kid who can't stand)
Vitamin E (also for weakling kids)
Camera
Whiskey/Brandy (you never know who might need it)

I'll keep you all updated - hopefully I won't have to wait too much longer. I'm getting anxious to see my new babies (as I always am).

Just call me Han

"It's not my fault!" Have you ever heard someone say this? Have you ever noticed how it sounds?

It makes me cringe, and think less of someone when I hear it (which should remind me not to say it myself but doesn't always).

It also makes me laugh.

I heard this phrase just today, in line at the market. I chuckled as I had a flashback of a scene in Star Wars, when Han Solo said (repeatedly) that same thing. I think the woman at the market was offended, she scowled at me, which made me laugh more.

I must be watching too much Sci-fi.

It's true though, everyone wants to blame someone else. It's easier than saying "I made a mistake," or "I didn't think that through," or "I'm an idiot."

But sometimes things aren't our fault. Stuff happens. Life happens. Sometimes brakes really do fail, the bank really does close the wrong account, or the boss really didn't judge a situation fairly. So what then?

Of course, when those things happen we could just swear, get angry, or pitch a fit. But then that takes me back to my first reaction. There goes the respect.

Someone should coin a new phrase for those occasions, maybe something comical, that would remind us not to make excuses. We wouldn't have to go as far as taking complete responsibility, just something sort of compromising. At least it might prevent someone from remembering Han.

I'll start. How about "Oh crackers." Does that work?

Ok, maybe not. Perhaps "I'm an idiot" says it best, at least it's more truthful. Except for when life happens. Then maybe it's best just to say nothing at all.

Just call me Han.

Selling out

It's for sale - all of it. Every book, every game, every last single (or double) thingy I have. Especially the stuff I used for schooling ever so many years ago. Why keep it?

I used to think I should keep it in case any of my kids wanted to use it. Then I listed (and sold) a couple of books and
B-A-M - I was hooked! It felt so good to get rid of something, especially something I hadn't used in so long (and create some space), that I began to weigh my reasons.

I was keeping stuff .... why? .... because, someone, someplace, in some year, might want to use it?

So I considered these reasons:

1. I can't take it with me
2. If my kids need stuff they're going to want new, up-to-date things, not old dusty ones
3. Someone that actually wants this stuff could be using it now, instead of it just sitting on a shelf, and
4. If anything should ever happen to me, NO ONE is going to want to clean this stuff out, so I know no one is going to want to keep it

That's when I decided. It's far better to reap the benefit of cash for my junk now, than to leave it stored up for no one in particular.
Don't get me wrong, I treasure my things, especially my books. But I re-read very few of them. Oh, there are a few I'll keep that are special, but the others? Well if, by chance I do need one of those books again, there's always Amazon.

But it's far more than books I'm clearing out. The only sacred things here now are my photos.

It's surprising what sort of things people will buy. It's even more surprising what they'll pay for it.

Let this serve as an official warning: if anyone wants anything I have - SPEAK UP - because it ain't gonna be here much longer.

No more smoke alarms

I finally managed to get my vent hood fixed - and now that it works, I think I'm going to miss the smoke alarms blaring, it was always so much fun watching people react.

I ordered this thing in January and they finally finished the install - although I can't use it until I have it vented below.
It works nicely, and has a slider so I can adjust how high I want the fan go. The high setting feels like it might just suck my hair off.

Notice in the movie how the cabinet doors open and close - that's because the exhaust isn't vented yet. I'll have that done next, then I can blow all my grease down under the house instead of keeping indoors.

Great hunters

Today there was a rodent running around on the lawn outside my office window. It looks sort of like a gerbil but I'm really not sure what it is. It has a short tail and doesn't run very fast, and it has eyes so it can't be a mole. It's the cutest little thing with soft, brown fur.

The cats chased it around for hours. The poor thing must have been exhausted. The cats got bored.

At one point it ran right up to me, possibly for protection.

At least someone knew what was supposed to happen.

Spring again

Every year I see this, and still I enjoy it as much as the year before. I came home to springtime with my cherry tree in full bloom. Next, the pear trees will turn white, they're already starting to bloom, and today I noticed the red bud trees flowering, too. It's amazing what a difference 7 days will make.

Recovery

No one needs a vacation so much as the person who has just had one.

We had a good time, and a long, long flight home. True to form, our flight - which should typically take 8 hours, took almost 14, and that was just the first leg.

By the time Steve, Jean, and Al got home they'd been up for 28 hours straight. My flight was slightly shorter since my second flight was only an hour. Plus I didn't have anyone to greet me (except the animals), so I didn't have to tell the details to anyone.

Still, I think we all need another vacation to recover from this one - even with all the laughs.

Happy 80th Birthdays Jean and Al, early for Jean, late for Al, but at least we got it in the ballpark.

The Quote Board

A few holidays ago, our friend, Jenny, started something we still enjoy: the quote board. This is where we jot down all the dumb things someone says when we're together, so we won't forget.

Not that we're likely to forget how goofy we all are but it's still fun, and generates loads of laughs for everyone.

Here's our board - it's JUST the beginning, so if anyone from this trip remembers a quote that's not here, please, please, PLEASE post it under the Comments.

I realize that most readers of this blog won't appreciate how funny these quotes are. Still, I wanted to share them, in case you happen to have a fairly good imagination - especially if you know us.
---------

**Charlie, what are you talking about? ~(Steve)
You didn't follow that? That's what you get for not being ADD. ~(Charlie)

**I think I just dislocated a rib. ~(me trying to get back in the rear of the car)

**Ok, Jean, PUSH-PUSH!! It's a girl!!!

**Charlie, stop turning the GPS upside-down, we're going to end up going backwards.

**Why is Charlie reading that map?
Here, give me the map, Charlie will just get us lost again. ~(Bette)

**I guess I should have shared my whiskey at breakfast ~(G'ma, trying to comfort Charlie)

**Does anyone know where we're going?

**I want to try a traditional Irish dish, like the blood pudding, I've heard of that one. What's it made of, anyway? -BLOOD? I'm not eating that! ~(Charlie)

**I wonder if they sell socks here. ~(Charlie)

**I haven't seen one cat yet. ~(G'ma)
Did you want to see a cat? ~(Steve)
No, I was just thinking I haven't seen any. ~(G'ma)

**Charlie, you've looked in your suitcase 10 times for your wallet, it isn't there. ~(Bette)
I thought I might have put it in there since the last time I looked. ~(Charlie)

**Are they serving wine today since it's Good Friday? ~(G'ma)
Did you want wine? ~(Steve)
No, I just wondered if they're serving it. ~(G'ma)

**I have too many people minding my business. ~(G'pa)

**Charlie, you skipped a whole section of the directions ~(Steve)
I was trying to get us there faster ~(Charlie)

**Bonita, BONITA! Are you asleep? ~(Steve)
GRR. I was asleep. WHAT! ~(me)

**Why isn't this GPS working? ~(Steve, as he bangs the GPS on the dash)
I told you they don't work when there's cloud cover. ~(me)
That's for real? I thought you were kidding. ~(Steve)

**Dad, what were you and Ma doing in that bathroom? ~(Steve)
You'll never know, and I'll never tell. ~(G'pa)

The island drive

Ireland is roughly the size of Indiana, so driving around it really doesn't take all that long - unless you're us.











We've had fun exploring, even though the view from the backseat was limited and even though we didn't always know where we were going. The hardest part was finding a toilet when G'ma needed one.

Our route took us to the following spots;

















A. Dublin (home of endless unmarked roads)
B. County Cork (home of the Blarney stone and Connelly roots)
C. Dingle
D. Shannon
E. Cliffs of Mohr - tallest cliffs in Ireland
F. Sligo and Innisfree (home of Coleman roots)
G. County Kildare - (home of the first Guinness brewery)
then back to Dublin to fly home.

We discussed our favorite spots, and agreed it's difficult. I think I liked the last two places the best this time- Sligo and Kildare. I remember before liking County Galway and Clare the best, which are just below Shannon. It's all lovely. Ireland is a nation of farms.

Driving along the highway we just happened upon this farm house. It's not a tourist spot, someone actually lives here. It may not be typical of most homes but the thatched roof is certainly reminiscent of Ireland's past. How can you not love this place?

Innisfree - W.B. Yeats

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made:
Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honeybee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.








And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight's all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet's wings.
I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;












While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.













Innisfree is the one place Steve really wanted to see and it's in County Sligo just minutes from where we stayed. Does anyone know why Steve wanted to see this?

The only problem with Innisfree is that it is totally uninhabited. It's just a tiny island in the middle of Lough Gill (pronounced Lock Gill - "lough" is the Gaelic word for "Lake"). John Ford made Innisfree famous and it doesn't even exist - except for in the minds of people like us longing for Ireland, and like the author who first mentioned its name.

Yeats

So what is there to see in Sligo? Not much, I told Charlie.

Then he found out that William Butller Yeats lived here. His home is open to the public, except on holidays, when we just happened to visit.

It's OK though, because Charlie didn't know who Yeats was anyway. Still, he wanted to see it so we walked over in the rain.

Now Charlie can go back and quote Yeats and tell people he saw Yeats' house.

Being a professional BS-er, I'm sure he will.

The Cliffs

We finally found the Cliffs of Mohr - and surprisingly we had sun. G'ma didn't want to climb up, so G'pa stayed in the car with her while we hiked.
















Afterward we needed to find food and toilets so stopped at this great little diner. G'ma felt a lot better after that.

Mapping the route

This is the town of Quin, near the Carrygerry house. It's just a quaint town where one of the attendants at Carrygerry lived so we decided to find it. The ruins of the Quin Abbey are quite photographic, as Steve attempts to get some pictures up close. I'm in the back seat taking pictures of him from across the street.













With Charlie trying to read the map again, we're trying to figure out how to get to the Cliffs of Mohr. At least we know this map is being viewed right-side-up.

Castle stop

For a first trip to Ireland we've covered a lot of ground, and not of it in a lot of detail. So when we get the chance to stop and take pictures, Bette jumps out and catches all she can. This stop at Dromoland Castle is one place we all enjoyed, if only for a few short minutes.

This is one of the only photos of Bette and Charlie together. With Charlie not always willing to get out in the weather, Bette is often out enjoying the scenery on her own.

I just want to mention here that Charlie did remember his socks today, and he's showing that off. I think he realized how socks can make getting out of the car a little more pleasant.

O Porridge

When G'ma ordered porridge for breakfast it seemed like no big deal. But what we didn't know is that, in Ireland, porridge - AKA oatmeal - is served with Whiskey and Cream.

G'ma got hers and proceeded tasting the whiskey a tablespoon at a time. I was a little surprised not to even see her blink or flinch when she swallowed.

Then she poured the whiskey over her oatmeal, followed by the cream.















We ate dinner here the night before, and the food was spectacular. This is the Carrygerry House Bed and Breakfast outside Limerick near Shannon. After dinner we sat in the bar and just enjoyed the fire and atmosphere.














The food was better than spectacular. Pictures really don't do it justice.

Photomasters

I'd like to introduce our photo specialists, trying to get a picture of the Bunratty Castle. Or maybe they're trying to figure out how to use the camera. In any case, the photographs are largely up to them many times because they are the only ones who can get out of the car easily.














G'pa seemed to really enjoy stopping at Dromoland Castle, it's a golf resort and working hotel. Good thing we didn't stay here, we would have never seen him.














Charlie's always trying to instigate something. G'pa is trying to document it for later extortion.

River walk

Walking Sligo in the rain, along the river, need a cup of coffee - Has anyone seen Charlie's wallet?

Everyday conversation

"Oh look, Bingo every Friday night - but of course they'd have Bingo, it's Catholic. Must be St. Bingo."

"Get out of the car, Mom."

"I need to get my gloves."

"Your gloves are right here," as Steve hands her the gloves.

"Leave them there, I don't need them."

"Why would you ask for your gloves if you don't need them?"

"Oh, I don't know. I just remembered that I forgot them this morning."

"We need to find a cemetery. It doesn't matter which one, any cemetery will do."

"Do we know where we're going?"

"No, but it should take us about 3 hours to get there."

"We're going home in the morning, I need to get some postcards."

No internet

No internet at the moment, no way to post any news, other than we are alive and well, in Sligo.

G'pa wants to know if he can move here, his suite overlooks the river and I think he likes it.

What a day

We got sidetracked on some backroad and found this beautiful old abandoned abbey that Steve and Charlie had to explore. The rest of us stayed in the car - me because I couldn't get out from under the suitcases in the back; Bette, Jean and Al because it was cold and windy and really wasn't a tourist spot. Some of the best pictures come from places like this.













It's nice to finally get to your destination. We learned that fact on Monday when it took us over 2 hours to go five miles. On Wednesday it only took us 6 hours to go 100. But we did take the scenic route.

We went from County Cork to Dingle which is due west of Cork then north to Shannon.





We ended up at this fabulous bed-and-breakfast called Carrygerry House, on 7 lovely acres surrounded by farms. Steve loved the cows outside our window. When he saw the place he said he was home.

He finally got a welcomed rest - no sleep the night before but this is a perfect spot for a nap.