Happy to annouce

I am happy to announce.... LITTLE BUCK MADE IT THROUGH HUNTING SEASON!!!  Here he is, in all his glory!  We've been seeing him for about a week now! Isn't he beautiful?

He's been coming in closer and closer to the house. This afternoon, he found the black sunflower seeds in the bird feeder! *sighs*

We haven't seen any sign of Widey, or Tallee- They were much larger than Little Buck (hence the name- and yes, I agree... I'm not terribly imaginative with my wildlife names- HA!).  I pray that someday, they will show up in our backyard, safe and sound. For now, I'm just grateful to know Little Buck is alright. :)

BEER!

I came downstairs to the kitchen and it smelled like beer!  Bruce enjoys an occasional bottle but he never drinks enough to make the kitchen smell like a brewery... but that's when I figured it out!  Our kitchen WAS a brewery!!!   The kids, Cass, Chelsey and Cade, had gotten together before Christmas to discuss their gift for their father. They decided he needed a hobby- and if they pooled their money together, they'd be able to buy him a home brewery! A kit to make homemade beer!  I guess you can get pretty fancy with it once you learn the ropes- mixing flavors, changing up brewing times, etc.

Bruce had started this particular batch about 2 wks ago. It had been sitting in a keg in our Butler's pantry. Today was the day it was supposed to be bottled!  He'd been looking forward to doing this. What fun!

He had to put a Tablespoon of sugar in each bottle before pouring in the flat beer. He poured a tiny bit out into a cup, and it was flat alright! which I guess is how it's supposed to be at this stage. But it was also, very definitely, BEER! Cool!

I guess the bottles have to stay in the Butler's pantry for another two weeks, before you can put it in cold storage. (It's apparently carbonating). After two weeks, you CAN drink it! or you can do other stuff to it.... like letting it sit longer to condition... or something like that.

Bruce really is having a ball with this! He can't wait to try his homemade beer, and to get on with making the next batch! GREAT gift idea, you guys! :)

Gone

First it was Cass. He had to leave Jan. 2nd to fly back to Santa Cruz and his Life. There was an immediate damper on the festivities... an urgency to fill each day. We could see "normal" life looming, larger and larger. The end of the holidays was nigh.

When Chelsey left, just 3 days later... 2010 demanded attention.  I had to start thinking about lesson plans, and preparing to teach the preschoolers. The Christmas tree had to come down, as the needles had begun to drop and we were worried about starting a fire everytime we turned on the lights.  BUT... I still had my youngest home! so, we still made time to watch movies, and play some games.

Cade got to pick out whatever meals he wanted, which translated to all the fun stuff we don't normally indulge in- tacos, chili dogs, etc. YUM! But Cade doesn't really eat much... and he didn't want any more desserts. The Christmas goodies were gone, the leftovers devoured when I realized Cade was leaving soon.

The Child decided he'd better get back to "real life" at the Univ. of Idaho- classes were starting soon, so on Sunday, Jan. 10th, the last of my children pulled out of the driveway and headed away.

I do understand that this is the way it has to be. I would not have the best years of my life... my children, my husband... had my parents held me imprisoned at home. And I would NEVER, never, never consider depriving them of their adult lives- whatever, and wherever that expresses in them. BUT..... I miss them so VERY, very much. My life feels so right when everyone is home.

Ice fishing

Bruce came home with a story about seeing a man in town who laid down $600 for an electric augur used for ice fishing.  We marveled at someone having that kind of money to spend, and wondered if they REALLY LOVED the sport, or just had money to burn. 

One thing led to another, and Bruce and Cade decided they wanted to go ice fishing again.  (The last time was years ago!)  They assured me the ice was a good 8 inches thick. Bruce found the old manual augur in the garage, and the three of us headed down to the point.  Obviously, I had to go, too. SOMEONE had to stay up on shore with a cell phone pre-programmed to dial 9-1-1.

The only way down to the ice (or water, for that matter) is to rappel down the steep slope using a thick rope. During the summer, we get good at this, and pop up and down the incline like mountain goats :) We even carry tubes, towels, skiis, etc. but I digress.

It was about 5 degrees that day. We were grateful it wasn't below zero as had been predicted.

Bruce took the first turn. I stood up on the point, and let out tiny screams, and gasps at each crack, and groan the ice made. He worked and worked and worked.... and finally made a very tiny pile of ice shavings. The hole was, maybe a 1/2 inch deep. Cade calculated it would take them 8 hours to break through to water if auguring continued at this pace.

 

Cade took turns, too.  It didn't seem like they were making much progress and eventually I left my post to entertain myself by taking photos of the Shelties. Don't worry... I was definitely within earshot! I'd even had time to formulate a plan to save them in the event my over active imagination proved psychic.

Piper found something gross, and I had to chase him down to take it away. YUK!

Selkie got tired of being with me and made her way down to the ice where she was warmly welcomed.

She wanted to know what was taking so long. After all... there were squirrels, and birds that needed chasing, and deer trails that should be sniffed out.  And since the men were not making much headway with their fishing hole, they reluctantly agreed.

They made their way off the ice, up the embankment, and discussed how intelligent that man in the store had been.... plunking down ONLY $600 for an augur that would really work!

Jan. 6, 2010

The Eagles have left. One large Raven circled my head three times this morning before flying off. It's over.

I've come to view the Eagles as angels, of a sort. Dispatched from Nature to purify, to cleanse. Proud and regal, they are more than scavengers... they've been sent to do a job. To hasten the task of returning Koosa's body, her vessel, to earth.  This I can bear.

Jan. 5, 2010

The eagles have come for Koosa... at least 3 Bald eagles, and 1 Golden.  I've become resigned to viewing the process as one would an organ donation. I begin to get upset, and then I calm myself thinking ... organ donation- organ donation..

The gathering is so loud. The crows still squabbling. The Eagles with their piercing, solitary cry. I see them perched in the tree, and I know exactly where Koosa's body is.

I keep Hobbes in and watch the Shelties closely. Too many Eagles around- too many predators prowling the area who might take a moment to snatch a small pet. I can't lose another friend right now.

Jan. 4 2010

The crows found Koosa today. They are squawking and squabbling- and it just feels ghoulish and ugly to me. I know that what's left is just the vessel her spirit was using. I know that Koosa isn't there any more.... but it bothers me to hear them- to know what's happening. It really bothers me.