Flowers!

There was a sale at the local nursery so Gretchen and I bought loads of hanging baskets. Here's how mine look. It will be good to have Dan home this weekend and share coffee in the shade of the petunias.

Katie's Farm Pics

Since I'm too lazy to make an effort at creating an interesting blog post, I figured I'd dazzle you with Katie's lovely photos. These are the twin baby girl goats who will find a home next month on approximately a million acres over on the other side of Lynchburg. Today was such a fun day despite the alarming global warming that came on so suddenly. In the morning we read stories to children at the library, then went to the local pool with friends. At home we mellowed out in the central air watching Rupert Everett as Sherlock Holmes while Laura prepared a delicious dinner of glazed pork chops with wild rice pilaf. Afterward, we met a delightful family through, you guessed it... a Craigslist goat posting.

You've Heard of Feeder Fish?

Well, we have feeder squirrels here at Providence Farm! This is a common view from the back door. There are five squirrels now, and we think the more the merrier when it comes to enjoying squirrel behavior. Neither of these is Lottie, our darling pet squirrel. But she still comes around daily for love and for food.

Jeb

This is Jeb. He's moved into the girls' hearts and our home. I have to put up signs and talk with the animal control officer to see if he has an owner, but if nobody turns up I suppose we'll have another mouth to feed at Providence Farm.

Katie took pictures for the blog today. Here are the garden vegetables and a bee on clover. With Dad's death this spring, we didn't have the time and energy to create a spectacular garden, but at least we have the swiss chard, tomoatoes, peppers, and onions.

Puppy!

I was at the bank getting a loan this morning when this cute little fellow greeted me hungrily. The tellers weren't going to take him home, so at the end of the day when I was driving back home past the bank, I stopped and got him. I thought his mask was appropriate wear for loitering around a bank. I don't pick up just any old strays. This pup is extra sweet with bright eyes and a trusting personality. I don't want to keep him, but I do want someone to give him a good home. The girls like him. That's unusual in our family because here, Mom and Dad are the ones who have to beg for more animals. The girls aren't usually fans of puppies at all or pets in general. They've tucked him in on the porch with a blanket, food, water, and a nightlight.

Summer Nights

So far since public school has let out, our family has been running ragged with play dates that last well into the night. That means we're doing our own school days at a slower pace, but I don't want the girls to miss these chances to play. We have so many good friends from soccer this year, and that makes life in the country even sweeter. Here's our neighbor. Tonight they were rough housing in the living room after the mosquitoes got too thick outdoors. Becky made us dinner and we ate while enjoying a fascinating episode of SpongeBob Squarepants. Then, this...