Thursday, July 06, 2017

6~ Refresh, Renew

Good company, a willing crew... just the thing to get a job done, and just what I found in Alex, Max, and Maria. We hauled everything out of our barn, to sweep, and vacuum, to make fixes, and wipe down shelves. We repaired the bed, and turned it around. It's a barn, yet not really a Barn. But, you've probably heard this one before.

And while it was a big job getting stuff out, and tidying everything, it wasn't such a pressing or urgent project, so there were breaks, with time to gaze across the lawn, watch chickens, weave grasses, make plans.

It was an ideal, early evening time, when we felt the day cooling, but no mosquitos were out, and the dampness that comes to our neighborhood was not settling in, still. We cleaned the windows, dusted corners, chased away spiders. Max reached for a tie beam and dared himself to pull himself straight up onto the loft... the loft he made. And he did it, too! He lifted himself, until he could swing his legs over a one of the roof tie beams, then squeezed himself over to the narrow loft, where we stash sleeping bags, and a six foot tall (plastic) skeleton. The skeleton was a bit of a surprise!

I also watered the garden beds, and admired the light on the sunflowers.



More pickles, soon!

And pesto, too.

The barn is refreshed and restored. There's a door that probably should be replaced, or boarded up. And a few things we want to move around. A nice thing about a little barn is how easily it can be renewed, especially with willing company, a good crew.

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

Wednesday, July 05, 2017

5~ Her Adoring Gaze

If you find your days are feeling long, and your stamina short, if you need an afternoon pick-up, or a break from your Twitter feed... look no further! Please, you have my permission, to print this image of Ada Lovelace Goat. Tape it in your locker, add it to your smartphone wallpaper, print hundreds and wall paper a room! Make it wallet size. And whenever the world has got you down, or you've run out of steam, Ada Goat will be there for you, with her adoring gaze, her soulful eyes, her enduring smile that says, ""Hey, look at me, let's butt heads and chew things. Life is beautiful. Don't worry. Everything's going to be fine."

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

Tuesday, July 04, 2017

4~ The Hero in Each of Us

Yeah... that's totally one of those click-bait headlines, reeling readers in with the promise of news of profound insight, knowledge to empower, and deep discount coupons for fro-yo. Then you realize it's just a cat discovering he may be Batman. I think even the cat is disappointed.

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

Monday, July 03, 2017

3~ One Cat, Four Views




Neo Cairo Nepenthes aka... The Boop, Lazy Eye, Jon Snow, Half-Fat, Baby Fluff, Puppy Cat (he catches and retrieves balls!)

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

Sunday, July 02, 2017

2~ Garden to Kitchen

Armenian cucumbers don't need peeling. And look at how adorably these slice up, all crinkled, as though I made a special effort!

About half a cup of white vinegar, a teaspoon of salt, some garlic cloves and this sprig of fresh dill went into the jar. The next day, they were picklelicious!

One tree, and only about half the fruit! And it's a small tree! Our Annas and our Golden Dorsett trees have always been incredibly generous.

We peeled and sliced these... and I'd call it a half-hearted peeling. Then we added them to a pot where I was simmering unfiltered, organic apple cider with a cinnamon stick. When the apples were soft, I threw them into our blender. The apple sauce was scrumptious.

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.