We'll call this the day late and dollar short edition. Or maybe the long rambling thoughts I have been thinking edition…

1.

Saw this pair on the fence posts outside the kitchen window when I came downstairs the other morning.  Don't know if this is a hawk or falcon.  We pretty much call all large prairie birds hawks. Comstock flunkies, we are. But hey, this is from the woman who chased killdeer around the yard, after all, wondering why they weren't flying off…

Can't tell if the hawk/falcon is just gazing fondly at the robin-ish bird or if he is doing some menu-planning..

Let me tell you, it's going to seriously impact my bird watching when I can't wander around in my jammies to catch a shot. 

2.

The 4 minute run has turned into a 7 minute run.  Sandwiched between a half hour of hills on the treadmill.  It's going slowly but I figure for a woman who has delivered ten children it's not half bad.  I try very hard not to think of Mary Lou Slonkosky when I tell myself that.  Our old friend from our very first homeschool group back in Ohio is now mom to ten and running marathons.  I would really be happy to just break a mile at one stretch….

 3.

Walked past five-year-old in the sunroom with arm frozen in midair holding a football.  ??  He said he was pretending to be a (trophy) statue.  I told him THAT was a marvelous game.  Maybe needs more practice though.  Keep at it. ; D 

4.

I have absolutely no time for furniture refinishing this week but I made some.   We have been talking about redoing the girls bedroom set for years and I decided now was the time since I already know where to buy spray paint in this country. So there is a lot of this happening.  My trigger finger is nearly numb : ) 

some before and after's

  

5.

We are at that disconcerting stage where the pictures and curtains are down and things are starting to disperse.  At least that is always disconcerting to me.  Judging by how closely two little girls are sticking to me, it seems I am not the only one.

 It is interesting to note how much we rely on our physical surroundings for our peace of mind and well-being. I am chewing on that a lot this week and whether I really am 'content in all circumstances' as St Paul says.

The whole sticking to me thing reminds me once again of how God 'makes' us lie down.  Abbie wants to be on my lap.  At all times.  Which has led to my sitting down at the train table, sitting and building legos, and sitting while she eats – which must also be done on the lap. But hey, sitting with this little person IS a green pasture indeed. 

6.

One neat thing came of the movers yesterday.  We had several glitches which were no one's fault – ok, some of them were my fault – but needed to be handled so I was busy doing that.  Towards the end of the packing I went out to the barn to get a serial number off the generator. One of the soft spoken young men who had spent the day here was out loading.  He  began making some small talk about the ranch.  Then said very matter of factly, "You are Catholic,"  which I guess is apparent if you walk through our home. He said,"I am too," and looked me in the eye almost questioning.  He asked where we went to church. I replied and returned the question.  He said well, his family sorta lost their way after his grampa died.  But, he was thinking now that he was going to go back. I told him to do just that.  Jesus misses him. : ) 

I am very emotional this week anyway but I can tell you I get choked up thinking over our short conversation. You see, I really intended to completely redecorate when we moved. I wanted a retro/Euro/mod thing.  REALLY wanted that. But in the end a friend told me Kim, it's not you.  After touching everything we own in recent weeks I've come to agree.  This is us. This is who we are.  Everything in this house screams who we are and what we believe – loudly enough to witness to lost young men. 

"Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words." – St Francis of Assisi 

 7.

Because of all of the above I am a bit out of touch with what is happening in the bigger world.  Volcanoes? Homeschool methodology debates? local going's-on? I know very little that doesn't require sorting or boxing at the moment.  I have decided this is a good thing – because why?  Because as a rule most things I don't know about, and probably a fair chunk of those I do know of, are none of my business.  Thought of that when I read this:

"I frequently tell myself, 'Joyce, it's none of your business.' A major problem is brewing in your mind when you ponder your opinion until it becomes a judgement.  The problem grows bigger the more you think about it until you begin to express it to others, or even to the one you are judging. It has then become explosive and has the ability to do a great amount of harm in the realm of relationship as well as in the spiritual realm. You may be able to save yourself future problems by simply learning to say, 

'This is none of my business.'"

– Joyce Meyer Battlefield of the Mind

Amen.

Ok y'all, it's going to get wild and wooly here this week so this may be it for a bit.  I will have access to my gmail and Facebook while traveling:  starryskyranch at gmail dot com

God bless you. : )