Bubba babysat this morning. Boy worked in the orchard all day. Jesse worked at the barn. I ran Bubba around this afternoon after babysitting so she could get all her important errands done. Then it was time to pick Boy up at the orchard. We stayed a bit and picked strawberries. Mmmm, fresh strawberries.

Tomorrow, Bubba works at the orchard. Boy will get a computer day. Jesse will work at the barn. I have to prepare hors d'ouerves for a party in the evening, but I fully intend to enjoy the promised sun in the morning and the afternoon.

Chess club today! In the nature preserve! So much better than being inside.

Kyle played two games at the same time, and Abby did her Pied Piper routine with the little ones after the games were over. She has Dave's golden touch with children, and mine with animals. It's funny seeing it in action.

They hung out and read at the nature preserve afterwards for around an hour. Pretty day, intermittent clouds, steamy warm. Felt soooo good to sweat.

My first baby, darling Jesse girl turns 20 today.

Here she is, eleven years ago

















And here she is, now

She is strong-willed, self-confident and assured. She works hard and has a way with horses (and most other animals). She is very good at selling, at networking and at writing, although she hates to write. She's imaginative, compassionate and very focussed. She sometimes treats her siblings like wayward horses, but she is mostly kind to them. She continues to be primarily self-taught, choosing to learn on her own, in her own way, rather than in groups and by rote. If she wants something, she figures out how to get it, the right way. She is moral, ethical and tries her best to live by the Golden Rule. She still cuddles up to me, gives me great hugs and sweet kisses on my cheek. Sometimes, after a long day at work, she'll just lean into me, like she did when she was little. She still talks to me, 'tho' less now than she used to.

Before I became pregnant with her, I dreamed of a baby like her, but I never dared hope I would have one. The first time I held her in my arms I was overwhelmed with such an intense and fierce love - I did not know it was possible to love anyone that way or that strongly. I have loved raising her, teaching her, living with her, watching her grow and learn. I am so proud of her and I love her so much. I wish and hope for the best for her, for her to find and nurture a good love, to be happy, to give back to this world, to grow and learn all of her days and to spread joy and peace in her path.

Happy Birthday, Jessebear!

I had to work today, so the children took my cell phone and walked the five plus miles to the library.



It was beautiful today - nearly 70 degrees, sunny, not too windy. The children took back roads so they would not have to walk along the country highway, and along the way, they saw this























And then they saw this











And they frolicked a bit

More Spring in New England

The little six-lobed plants below are a rather rare wildflower, Bloodroot. it was used by the native americans as a medicinal palnt. When you pick it, the sap runs red, like blood. Of course, we don't pick it as that is illegal. It has beautiful white flowers (should be blooming in the next few weeks).

SPRING IN NEW ENGLAND

After six and one-half days of solid, often torrential, rain, the sun broke through unexpectedly this afternoon. Abby, Kyle and Julia went on a three hour walk, over thwe fields, through the woods and down by the lake.

Ketsuka!

Our three white belts, ready for class. It looks like Dave may get tested for his yellow belt tonight - we'll see!

Chess Club today! It was warm and sunny, so instead of meeting at the library, we all met at the nature preserve. After many chess games were played, the pirate ships came out for some, others trekked down to the pond to see what life they could catch, identify and release. Abby took the youngest ones through the museum after the pond adventure and Kyle hung out with the boys outside. A good day.