Saturday

The frost came and did its harsh work against the nasturtium and all sensitives plants out there. It wasn't a hard frost, but a mild one -- a funny distinction, because for most annuals, frost is frost.

It was cold enough for us to focus on farmhouse work.

After breakfast.






For me -- well, there's a potpourri of little things to tidy up. For Ed, it means fixing the shower. It turns out to be a whole day project and to get right to the denouement -- by the end of the day, it remains broken.

A seemingly little chore turned big.


The afternoon is somewhat unusual in one other way: the kids are at the farmhouse, as the parents are otherwise occupied.

Only minimally encouraged (egged on?) by me, Snowdrop launches a story. A fish story. It has to do with the fact that Sparrow has this toy fish...






(It's a tale of many twists and spins.)






(Funny moments abound.)






(Sparrow follows along good naturedly. Even though his access to his toy fish is at stake.)






(After all, there are other fish to fry.)






Snowdrop reaches a moment of great drama:  Sparrow cannot be on that play mat! There are little fish swimming around and they bite!






No, Gaga! Do not put away that pillow! It's fish food!






(A serious pause for watermelon.)






"Does that mean I can have my fish back?"






Yes, go for it, Sparrow. Snowdrop has moved on to her Lego characters.






Maybe you and I can read a book?







Later, much later, Ed asks me if I want to go to Home Depot or Menards. He wants to dismantle the shower further. He needs a little tool for that job.
Maybe we could play a round of disc golf?

He seems so worn out by the day of work that has brought no resolution to the shower problem. An outing is a great idea.

And it's a beautiful outing. We pass fields of cranes...






...doing their flirtatious, territorial dance...






So many birds, big and small, looking for ways to survive the next season.