This that and more

I realize I was going to try and post much more often but life has me living in my car and it just isn't possible to sit at a keyboard like I used to. Here are some of the stories I have been living..

Lord Stanley's beauty will live on through his little one... if it lives! 3 of 9 eggs hatched. One chick survived the week and now we are watching as the hens rear their young one. It is a wonderful sight but don't get to close otherwise Henny Penny will give you a flying peck attack!

I purchased 4 small "indoor" mushroom growing kits. One each of maitake, lions mane, reishi and shitake (although the Lions Mane is back ordered). Once they have fruited the remaining spawning material can be placed in logs or on compost (depending on strain). I will raise them under the tree at the front of the house.  By beginning this way, I can become more directly acquainted with the fungus and their particular "temperaments"  in our environment before the next phase. Ever moving forward.. At what sometimes feels like a snails pace.

My friend Susan ( I borrowed her truck when we moved some wood. Did I tell you I broke the back window completely out when a board hit it?! And she still loves me!) Anyway, her son has been home heartsick with the knowledge of his parents divorce so I have been offering him a shoulder and some laughter. So while I may not have done much writing (I have about a chapter fleshed out), it has been a worthwhile use of my time.

And speaking of Susan, she knows that the drifting I have been doing since school starts has been tiresome. Of course I have made the most of it, but, if I am not helping at the school, I have two hours to kill in the am before the Library opens. Ive made the coffee shop circuit (all three of them) but don't care for the prices (For the price of tea I could pay the gas to make the trip home and I am staying in town to save that money. Ive sat at the beach but that is not a lasting solution as the weather is not always agreeable. Ive snuck into stores to use the bathroom but felt guilty because I didn't make a purchase. And even if I am at the Library, the computers are usually tied up and I am without a computer.. well, as such it seems like I am pissing away my time to a certain degree. I has undoubtedly given me ample opportunity to read and write. And read and write I have but the situation is limiting. Susan, however, came to my aide and has made her otherwise empty apartment and computer (and unlimited internet!!) available to me any day I need. 

I have located a company offering a scholarship for a month long course, in Carson City of all places, on creating mycelium cultures. I was never adverse to lab work and the ability to grow our own mycelium really improves our potential. Sort of exciting. I still have to polish up my letter to them requesting the honor as well as determine what dates (a whole month is a long time and so Summer would probably be the time) and we will see what comes from it.

 

 I have made a new acquaintance of another mother whose son is also taking Fencing at school. She is a professional landscape designer who can get me into an 80 acre wholesale nursery. Im excited to go with her and hope the opportunity comes soon.

School is challenging the children greatly. Being dropped into Spanish with students that have been learning it since 3rd grade is one example but the kids are picking up on it. And there is a lot of homework and Project Preparation. Im not complaining about that though. Practice makes perfect after all. Connor is studying culture and is in the midst of a huge project to define his. It will end up being a movie and I will post once it is done.

The other night we heard a ruckus out in the yard only to learn that a coyote (or two) had carried off Ivan .. my favorite goose. All that remained was his head. The .22 now lies close at hand. DIE MOFO! Im a little pissed. Connor seems to be having the hardest time with this little bit of nature. Its a hard lesson to learn when your only experience with animals have been of the domesticated kind and you have never experienced the likes of a predator. With tears backed by rage, he asked me in earnest why can't all the creatures of the world be vegetarian. He has such a sweet soul. Speaking of gentler species,  I have not seen the deer in about a week... Maybe I don't have a deer problem anymore. Damn Coyotes keep eating my dinner!!

High School is turning out exciting for the two older children. The move to a new school was a bit worrisome to start but they have both settled in and are making (so far) favorable impressions on their classmates. The social side is so much healthier than it would have been in Marina. I think we are all sighing a breath of relief. How the academics compare I do not yet know but hope both are adequately focusing their attention on those important interactions as well.

Last Night I got a call from a dear and missed old neighbor friend hoping that my vantage point might offer a better view on some unusual activity in the sky out over the bay. There were multiple  "planes" (or perhaps not) flying in unusual patterns over the sky. They were lit up with white and red lights that strobed and gave them the appearance of twinkling stars.  Moving close then apart .. always in a straight line sometimes fast.. sometimes slow.. and often changing directions. Some were stationary for long periods. It was unusual to say the least and I wonder at its meaning in a global political context.

Greg is off to Nashville soon for a week and later in the month he will be off to Florida. His work is overwhelming him greatly but he is managing. He really has made a career for himself and his ability to handle everything he does at the office astounds me daily.

Work in and around the Farm continues steadily. Not being home to attend to the grounds during the week result in weekends being filled with physical labor and effort. Im glad I find it enjoyable. I am also glad that the seasons have shifted and we are warming up and the fog is burning out.

We are still planning to have a little celebration in October, which weighs on my mind but is not getting the attention it deserves but I know we will pull it together just fine.

Long story short.. life is busy and full of good work. Everyone is healthy but for the occasional cold and I have very little to complain about.. well.. I could complain that I don't get enough time to sit and keep you adequately updated as I would like.  But in the scope of things, that is a little one.

Time for me to turn my attention else where... Love you Mom!