Annie, the Duck Bus

Annie, the Duck Bus

Meet Annie, the new addition to our family – named by Abigail, of course. We picked her up yesterday and brought her home. She is a Mallard Sprinter – hence “Duck Bus.” Today, the Carpenter has become the Mechanic and is changing filters, sparkplugs, and a bunch of other things I know nothing about. Both Phin and Abbi are trying to help now and again: “Phin, hand me that filter.” “What filter?” “The thing I gave to you a little while ago!” “I don’t know where it is.” “Find it!” “Oh. Is this it?” “Yes, son. Thank you.” In a couple weeks we are going to take a trial trip up to Lake Ontario to visit G-G (Great Grandma). The kids have been told that, yes, they can be excited about a trip to “Camp” but that they need to NOT whine or beg about wanting to go sooner. Their solution? “Elroy [the dog]! Do you wanna go to camp TOMORROW?! Yeah, boy! Sure you do! Mama, Elroy wants to go to camp TOMORROW!” Hmph.

On a different note, after we had been singing on the car ride home from getting Annie, I got all teary eyed when Abigail said, “Mama, if you were silent for 100 years but you were still alive that whole time, I would really miss your voice.”

Random Ramblings

You'd think that since I now have more regular internet access I would post my rambling thoughts more often. I guess not. But here are a few of them, in no particular order:

Summer snow: The cottonwood fluff floating on the warm breeze, sticking to wet, dewy feet in the morning sunlight. I like this snow!

Multiflora Rose: Invasive, persistent, threaded with thorns, choking out other life... but such a heady scent! I can't bring myself to dislike this glorious plant! Now it blossoms in splendor; in the autumn it will be laden with tiny hips, tart on the tongue, full of goodness.

Ice Cream: Whoever invented it was a genius. I hope he died fat and happy.

Lady's Smock: That white and purple fragrant flower that we all call wild phlox. I've had armloads of them brought to me by the children! And there is even one persistent plant growing high up in the crotch of a tree! We had fun imagining the fairies planting it... or the chipmunks... or the birds... or the wind.

Orioles and Full Moons: Last week we had a full moon. The nights were crystal clear and when the moon was at its highest the quiet night was shattered by the voice of the oriole we have nesting in a nearby tree! Incredible music. Breathtaking. Clear, simple, pure, lovely!

Anniversary Apricots: Yesterday was our anniversary! The Carpenter and his wife have been married for 8 years; each grows sweeter than the last. To celebrate we had "Anniversary Apricots" - apricots soaked in brandy with pieces of vanilla intermingled in the jar. They sat for two months; it really was a coincidence that they were ready on our anniversary, but we took advantage of it! They are yummy. Not something that you would necessarily crave and want to consume vast quantities of (like the afore mentioned ice cream). But they are refreshing! If you come and visit, we'll share!

Well, that is all for now, except for a quaint little funny that Abigail said earlier today:

Twice today our Suburban would not start; the battery is old and lacking. So, after the second time, Abigail declared that "Papa needs to get us a new battery. He can get rid of the old one and put the new, baby one in and it can grow up to be BIG and STRONG!!"

"Do you have a wife?"

Uncle Philip is visiting. Philip is a friend of Andrew's, a dear brother in the Lord who just finished college. He came for supper tonight. The past few times he has visited, Phinehas has asked him, "Do you have a wife?" Here is how the questions came tonight:

Phin: "Do you have a wife?"

Philip: "No."

Phin: "Why?"

Philip: "Well, I just don't right now."

Phin: "You should get one."

Philip: "Oh. I should? How?"

Phin: "You can catch it!"

Philip: (laughing) "That would be wild!"

Phin: "Yeah, and you can tie it up with a rope like a cowboy!!"

Fortunately, we have a bit more than a decade to change Phin's wife hunting philosophy!

Quote for the Day

Phin and Abbi were sitting at the table drinking juice and talking about playing. I think Abbi was trying to teach Phin a new word:

Abbi: "What is a playmate?"

Phin: "Hmmm... I think a playmate is a kind of fruit tree."

But better than that was what Phinehas said after his nap:

"Mama, I want to help."

"Help what, son?"

"I want to help unload the dishwasher."

"Oh... that is nice, but it is already done."

"Then I want a chore!"

"Absolutely!!!"

Quote for the Day

The following must be a result of having a nursing mother in the house!

After supper, while eating oranges:

Abbi: "OOooo! Can I have a baby orange, too?"

Me: "Sure, if there is one."

Abbi: "We mostly have mama oranges, right?"

Me: "Uh huh."

Phin: "And Papa oranges?"

Abbi: "No. Just mama oranges 'cause they're filled with the goodness that we get to eat!"

Kid Talk

This morning over toast and eggs:

Phin - "Abbi, I'm going to tell you a funny joke."

Abbi - "OK!"

Phin - "What if a pig was yellow?!"

Abbi - "Hahahahah!!! Then it would be rolling in egg yolk!"

Together - "Hahahahahah!!!!"