And Saige’s

 

Saige had her first game(s) tonight at Lyndon.  She is in the same age group as Harper.   They don’t  have as many nights at the ballpark, but all their nights are double headers.   Saige played a little right and left field and did some pitching   

She had some hits against a pitcher who threw pretty hard too!  

She did a great job!   He team came up short in both games - the second game they lost by 1 run   

Saige likes playing softball, and we had fun watching her team.  

Harper’s premiere

Harper’s team had their first games last night.   It was a double header against another team from Carbondale.  Harper has been playing on this  same team for several years now.  They have been “The Electric Tunafiah” I was amused last night to find that they had matured into the Barracudas!   Harper likes playing softball, and it makes me happy to watch her.  

She had a great night.  Got on base each time up, and had one heck of a monster hit!  

She also played second, short, and right and left field.  It was a good night and they won both games.  

See the umpire?  It is cousin Alex!  He did a good job too! 

And here is her really good slide in to beat the tag - not the best photography, but it was a good play! 

 

A much needed day off.

 

In the last 3 weeks we have 

Attended 2 concerts, ended the school year, cleaned and turned in a bus (big time consumption), been to graduations for 4 kids, hosted 2 parties at our house, attended 2 memorial services, taken a week-long vacation, opened the pool, made, filled and  planted a couple of raised bed gardens, broken the mower, dealt with adult kid car issues, started summer ball practices and games, all while balancing our jobs and still trying to do regular life.  When I say I needed a day off, I was not kidding.  My sanity was in desperate need of a day to have no schedule, no big plans, and no place to run off to.  And I selfishly took it.  We slept in.  I helped Harper with chores, moved baby goats into a bigger area, started getting ready for our broiler delivery later this week, sat around staring at the tv, then weeded the gardens, and went with Jim to get groceries (which we did pick up on to save energy). At o’dark 30 this morning, I recalled that I was supposed to pick up some rabbits on my way home yesterday, and I completely spaced it off.  I was able to get ahold of the seller, who I have dealt with before, and he was very forgiving.  My plan of picking  up 2 little does somehow managed to turn into 5 new rabbits - I bought 4 little does and the guy threw in a free buck from a previous litter. Jim was a very good sport, helped me carry the new babies, and smiled as we drove away with “Harper’s” new buck on my lap.   I think he has somehow become used to my insanity.  Or maybe Jim’s sister was right this weekend when she said maybe he likes this insane life.  

And insane seems to be the rule of the land.  I went down to work on the potted flowers and because I was doing things the lazy way today, I drove the car.  Blitz jumped in.  She loves riding in the car, so when I was done with the flowers, I took her for a long car ride.  She was so happy. She’s a good dog.  I think she has missed us being around lately!  

We are still moving dirt.  I am still creating projects despite having plenty to do.  But I am so excited that the strawberries I planted are growing.  I haven’t ever been successful with them before, so I am cautiously optimistic that I might get a few berries and have a patch I can pick from for years to come!  Maybe!   

The 4 new little does.   They are mini Rex babies.  Three broken and one black. Seem like good quality and the girls and I are in complete love with the sweetness overload!!   These will be the girl's rabbits for competing in showmanship this summer, and they will show them as well.  They have some older rabbits as well, but they are grouchy!  

This little buck is not show quality.  He is a black, but has white feet, white toenails, and a white belly.  He has too much black fur to be a broken, and no patterning.  He will be fine to breed though. He has a good body type and very nice fur quality. And he is amazingly sweet and calm.  He may not be our primary buck, but he is a good addition!  I am glad to have some new blood for our barn.  

Madison sent me this sweet picture of Evie feeding the goldfish at her grandma’s new house.  I thought it was just adorable.  

Of course, as all days off go, this one went too fast.  I am thankful for it though, as the break was exactly what I needed to reset my mind and gear up for the upcoming week.  The next time we have a day off will probably be in July.   I wish I was kidding!   

Memorial weekend

 

It is Memorial weekend.  We also attended a memorial service for Jim’s dad.  His death was complicated by Covid times, and additionally, he donated his body to science, and so they postponed an in person memorial service for later.   Yesterday was later.  It has been close to 4 years since grandpa Ken passed away.  It seems surreal that it has been that long.  It was a nice service, with a lot of people traveling in from far away to attend.  It was amazing to see Jim’s sister Pam, her husband Ben, and their daughter Sarah again.  Aundrea, our niece whom we haven’t seen in quite a while, Uncle Ray and cousin Lindi, along with her husband Rolf made the long trip from Indiana.  It was good to see them all.   A few of Jim’s high school friends and a fraternity brother also came by.  I know it meant a lot to Jim, and I enjoyed visiting with them.  

That being said, I’m unsure how to properly say goodbye to a person who is responsible for raising my husband.  So many of the qualities that make my Jim amazing I know came directly from his father.  His patience with my nonsense, his acceptance of trying all the things, his need to learn about things the kids are involved in, the extreme love for rules and order, the insanely proper manners, the incessant question asking, and his love of debate  - all directly and distinctly came from Ken.  A lot of the people who spoke yesterday mentioned some sayings that Ken used to say.  Things like “stay curious.”   I’m not sure I exactly recall those things, but I do recall that anytime I talked to him about things we were doing, the next time he saw me he would have learned something about it.  I told him I wanted to get some goats.  He sent me a ton of articles about the benefits of using goats to clear land.  He became a huge fan of my goat farming ideas.  He also occasionally emailed me and asked questions about how the goat farming was coming along, and sometimes told me how proud he was of Jim, and the things we were doing.   We didn’t spend as much time with him as we could have or should have, but he was always in our fan club, and he was good about letting it be known.  I do miss the articles and the occasional “well your dad thinks it’s a good idea” when debating with Jim.   

My kids lost a good grandfather, Jim lost a man he had a deep love and respect for, and I am minus “my favorite father-in-law” there aren’t words to express the loss.   There aren’t adequate ones anyway   We can only laugh at the crazy memories, and hope that the things he taught us won’t be forgotten   

After the service, Jim went fishing on his “old stomping grounds” with Andrew and Evelyn.  It is something he has been wanting to do for a long time, and I am so glad he had the opportunity.  They got home pretty late, and had the pizza leftovers from the dinner I shared with Colin and Spencer, Cameron and Mallory and the girls.  It was a good day, and I always like when my kids come home!