Tuesday - 165th

The storms went to the north, to the south, to the east. They passed us by completely. And in their wake came a new blast of very warm air.

That's okay. We love our air conditioning on days like this! And the garden? Well, it looks like a "last days of August" garden.

I'll take it!











Breakfast? Cool enough in the morning to eat on the porch. With meadow flowers and sprigs of calamintha -- a minty plant that blooms now and attracts more than its share of bees.






Since it isn't totally hot yet, Ed takes out his pole saw to finish up the tree trimming out front. This is when the kids arrive.





Fascinated!

Preferring to stay in the shelter of the old maples than close to the falling branches of the tall, skinny spruces.






I cannot tell what inspires Snowdrop to feel the joy of farmette lands today, but she does. She proclaims her love for the place with a dance. Sparrow does a dance too, though probably without the same recognition of farmette beauty.






Both kids are happy to stay outside. I don't even have to ask.






("Sparrow! What are you doing?? No, do not pick up the bee from the flowers! Let her go! Phew, buddy, you dodged that bullet!")






Easily distracted by Happy.






Rooster and young lad, in step.






...While Snowdrop waters the tomatoes.





It's probably our longest nature-outdoor-flowers-plants-and-chickens play session of the year.


And because kids like to prove that they're unpredictable, Snowdrop begs for wading pool time. That she enjoys this still, surprises me no end. That he likes it? Well sure, he's two and he has his sister with him.






It's close to lunch time by the time we retreat inside. Since their hair is a little wet, I tell them this is the right time for haircuts. Snowdrop loves long hair, but it's getting tougher to control and if I'm to do the job, I have to do it this week. To last many months...






Both kids.





I'm definitely not up there with the good hair cutters, or even okay hair cutters, but still, the kids look fine.


And now Snowdrop is on a "dig out old toys and find new beauty in them" roll. She unearths a jigsaw puzzle. Then colored pencils. She insists on drawing. Now, before lunch. She's inspired.






Sparrow is euphoric: he can participate in everything!






Snowdrop wants to take her picture home, but then changes her mind.
You want me to hang it up here? I ask.
Yes, in a frame.

No shortage of frames in the farmhouse. I find a good sized one and fit in her little sketch. She points to a perfect spot for it. Ed puts in a nail.





And so goes the day. By the time I get the grand duo home, the groceries are about to be delivered to the farmette and the cats are prowling about, hoping for an early supper. They can't guess that this is the day when we want to chase down the last three teenagers for their second vaccination. But how do we trap the correct three?

It isn't without without its tricks and needed adjustments, but we do it!

Two hours later, Ed is back with the cats and I am just about done with a frittata. Broccoli, corn, potatoes, garlic, mushrooms. No photo needed! With all the cheese piled on top, it looks exactly like the frittata of last week and the weeks before.

A really full day. You're not tired? I am!

Good night, with love.