Ordinary Time

When it rains heavily, the pony stall tends to get filled with water which means the ponies need to move into the barn aisle for a few days while it dries out. They don't like it; I don't like bailing water out of the stall; no one is happy. J. decided that perhaps if there was a gutter along that side of the barn, the water could be drained away and the pony stall wouldn't flood. So today he added a gutter.  You can't even really see it, can you? What I love is that he put it on so that it blends with the light panel and makes it virtually invisible.  The downspout still needs an extension at the bottom to move the water away from the barn.  This is a better view where you can better see the gutter. So that was the barn, then it was time to move onto sheep. Actually that should be a sheep, singular. Clark is the only sheep with horns and because of the way they curve, we have to keep an eye on them, otherwise they would grow into his skull. As you might imagine, this i...

It's just me binge watching the Great British Sewing Bee (because I have teens who know how to find these things), compulsively making things, compulsively reading non-demanding books, with maybe a bit of rage cleaning thrown un for good measure. Sometimes I read the news because I should stay informed, but an never very happy to be informed, so go back to my previous activities. On the plus side, I've been very productive... many things made, many books read, and my house is generally tidier than it usually is. But, boy, I really wish I did not feel the need to keep the state of the country out of my mind. How are all of you holding up?  And for the curious who are not on Facebook, here is where I found a home for my new spinning wheel. I only had to find a home for the table which used to be in this space, and I was able to do that since it was a little smaller. 

We've been working on making it possible for Y. to learn to drive. She will need to go through various state agencies to make this happen because there is just no way we can pay our of pocket. This has been one of my summer occupations. We are making progress, I think, but it is an extremely slow process.  To anyone who thinks I'm naturally patient, I'm not, but I can fake it when I have to. This morning was one such example. After a very long conversation on the topic, the final question I was asked was whether or not Y. has her permit or her license yet.  I'll just pause while you ponder that. I've been pondering it all afternoon. And then taking multiple deep breaths.  So while I can make a good pass at being patient when necessary, it does mean that my margin for being patient in other parts of life is extremely co-opted. I realize any filter I may have had is virtually non-existent at this point in my life.  And here's my public service announcement for the...

First the clarification. I hope no one was concerned for me yesterday due to my post . That wasn't my intent. I've known the end of homeschooling was coming for the past sixteen years. Because I knew it was coming, I have been actively working to fill my life with interests outside of active parenting (I'll always be a parent, even if my grown children) and homeschooling. I can appreciate the fantastic times we've had (and have yet to have), but I can also be appreciative of having a bit more disposable time. There is a reason my farm and business is Bittersweet. Most things in life are both at the same time. Now the advertisement. Feel free to pass this along to whomever you think might find it useful.  The start of a new school year can be a time of big transitions, especially if you are sending a child off to college. Transitions can be challenging. With this in mind, I'm offering a special package of book three sessions but only pay for two for parents who have ...

Yes, you read that correctly. I am sharing a photo of G. and L. before they head off to school.  School being the community college where J. works. And this was yesterday, I didn't get a picture of Y. this morning, but it wasn't her first ever day of school because she took classes last year. Technically it was L.'s first ever in-person day of school because she took an online Introduction to Archeology class over the summer. But you get the idea.  They are all taking dual enrollment classes which give them both high school and college credit. This is what D. did his last two years of high school as well. Needless to say, with these three being the youngests life is going to look a lot different at home this school year. Those with classes go to school with J. first thing in the morning, stay all day, then come home with him at the end of his work day. There are a lot fewer people around during the day here at home.  The other significant change is that after years, we wo...

I bet with that title you were thinking along these lines, or maybe even these, though I would have used the group term, flock. Instead what I brought home today was added to my herd of spinning wheels. This lovely wheel came home with me today.  This is a great wheel, also known as a wool wheel or a walking wheel. It's kind of large. I have wanted one for quite a while, both because I wanted to learn to spin on it, but also because I happen to think they are the epitome of spinning wheel coolness. So when you see a functioning one with all it's parts on sale in your town for less than it costs to take everyone to the ice cream stand, you don't pause and think, "I wonder where I'd put that." No, the appropriate response is, "When can I come pick it up?" So bring a reasonable human being this is what I asked and picked it up earlier today.  Then, I was very self-controlled and did all the house-type things that needed to be done before I allowed mysel...