I just thought some of my Northern Readers would like a glimpse into the warmer clime of the South. Yesterday the boys and I worked on the backyard habitat. We are digging a pond for a water source for the habitat. The boys rolled up their pant legs and waded in the water left from recent rains. They played in the water and mud for a couple of hours. (I guess I was the one working on the habitat.) Last night #2 slept outside in his tent- all by himself, all night. Very brave in my opinion. I think the funniest thing about yesterday was this conversation with #2: "I'm going to sell buckets of this mud to men for their wives. It will be like a day spa. They can put zucchini on their eyes and cover up with mud. I'll charge 10 cents a bucket." So anyone want to be the first customer? Perhaps he was his own advertising, as he said this with his face plastered in mud.

I had a thought yesterday that was new to me. I was thinking about places that stop everything if they find a spotted snowy owl, or some other rare species. My thought had always been, "That is ridiculous for one owl. What really does it matter?" Yesterday the thought came to me, "What if someone said that about a person?" I know people are more important in the scheme of things than animals, but didn't the same God create the owl that created me? Should I berate the craftsmanship He put into the one, just to advance the other? ____________ I had a great day yesterday. All 5 children were here all day, and I still got a good bit done. It was helpful that I could send them outside too. Love that Spring-like weather!! Anyway, my Mountain heritage was coming out and I was cleaning and working up a storm. I finished my Man Who Moved a Mountain a couple of days ago. It was a very good book about a culture becoming exposed to the love of Jesus. I most definitely recommend it.

Yesterday on MSN I read an article about paving your yard. After having just read Last Child in the Woods, it was very disturbing to read MSN. Some guy in CA had paid $90,000 to clear his back yard of any living plants and install a grill, sink, patio, etc. Others are doing the same, even to the point of spending $2,000 on fake plants that will look real for 2-3 years. Why not buy a real plant and get another every year to replace it? Much cheaper and better on the environment. I have to say I was stunned. One statement was that people want everything to look perfect, even if it isn't in season. Some people live in a dreamland. Then I went out and started digging a pond with the boys. We're working on a backyard habitat.

"Much of their language remained unchanged. Some words were straight out of Shakespeare: sallet for salad, sech for such, and afeard- a word Lady Macbeth used. They rhymed yet with wit, and changed it to hit for emphasis- just as Chaucer did. They used double words for clarity's sake- biscuit-bread, ham-meat, ham-bacon, toad-frog, tooth-dentist, church-house, and granny-woman (midwife). An irritable man was techous, and a spotted horse was piedy. A lazy man piddlediddled his life away; an energetic one worked from kin-see to cain't-see. Some picturesque expressions evolved: morn-gloam, dusty-dark, a nothin'-doin' sort of day. A man given to boasting about his travels was journey-proud. And since Scots seldom made generalities, they would qualify: "Least I've heared it that way all my life," or "I never knowed it to happen out that way." I have started reading a book called The Man Who Moved a Mountain, about the life of Bob Childress. It is the biography of a mountain man of the Blue Ridge who turns preacher. So much in the book has had me reflecting on my own life. Many of the words just shared are ones from my childhood. Many of the traits and characteristics of people I can find in my own family and self. Much has changed in the last generation- I believe because of better roads and television- so that those growing up now would probably not know these things. My own husband- city-raised - doesn't remember many of them. But he has been on mission trips to Appalachia, Deep Appalachia, and he has seen so much with his own eyes. People waste their lives with drugs and alcohol because they don't see any future, and know nothing else from the past. My family escaped that; none were given to drink and education was esteemed. But just down the road, in any direction, you could find the characters of this book. I am sure I will write more about it. ___________________ I have #1 in my drama class in co-op. Yesterday was our first class, and he is really quite good. He knows how to make an entrance, how to add a little drama, can provide direction to others. I was impressed. He also has been doing well in our poetry unit we started this week. He has a way with words, and knows how to paint a feeling with words.

We have been reading Mark in school lately. I noticed yesterday that I had underlined parts in the past. I underlined phrases that showed people's response to Christ. The people pressed him, pushed him, ran to him, crowded him. I have been missing that drive for a while now. I haven't felt the need to read scripture as often or as deeply. My mind has been consumed with other thoughts and projects. I have been tired, preoccupied... I have not been the Lover that He deserves. I have not stopped praising him and thanking him for all that he has done for me, but like a selfish child, I have thanked him and expected more for nothing. I am confident that I have disappointed my Lord. This is my public announcement to do better. Out of the mouth comes the overflow of the heart. May my speech be full of God.

Well the kids are back. I got them on Friday and we made it back for #1's first martial arts class. He said he remembered a lot of it from when he took lessons years ago in TX. He will also be taking martial arts on Fridays for the next 6 weeks in co-op so he ought to be good at it. The kids had a cotton day on Saturday with 4-H. They each had sewn a knapsack. #2 won first place in his age category. #1 somehow missed that he was supposed to put his article in to be judged. But perhaps that is better since he won't have any hurt feelings. So by Saturday evening the kids had meltdown from too much vacation and a long 4-H day. We spent it quietly trying not to kill anyone, though Daddy said they were about to head to Military School. Sunday we went to see Bridge to Terabithia. It is very, very sad. It wasn't really what my kids would normally watch, but I think it was ok for #1. Probably 4 grade and up would be best. There is a little swearing, be warned. ______________ I found out that a friend keeps a Sunday "Sabbath" and I plan to ask about it. Hopefully I will learn something.

This is my last day without the kids. It is amazing how much more I get done when I don't have to teach school. I guess it is like having another full-time job. The kids have had a good time, but are ready to come home. I got my husband a card and donuts for Valeantine's Day. He got me a can of mace. Doesn't sound good, I know, but it was a sweet thought. The goat keeps attacking me and he was trying to protect me. I guess Elvis will get maced today. Poor thing.

Something happened yesterday that surprised me. My dad told me a few weeks ago that he wants to sell the farm, but wondered if I am planning on coming back to it. I laughingly told him to let me know when he has an offer and then I will decide. He often makes statements for the joy of a response, so I wasn't really worried about it. Then yesterday I had a conversation with my mother-in-law and she asked what I thought of my parents selling the family farm. Evidently dad told her that they won't sell it soon, but after mom retires in a few years, then they will sell it and travel. That wasn't really what surprised me. I didn't like hearing it from someone else, but still consider it blowing hot air. I started thinking about my childhood there, about not having a "family farm" anymore, where would my children and grandchildren consider me to be from if they don't know my farm... on and on the thoughts came. But as to what surprised me, in the afternoon I had this thought, "I have no idea what will happen between now and then, why am I worrying about this? God has always provided what is best, and why would it be any different now? God this is all yours. You solve it however you want and I won't worry about it anymore." I have given things over to God before, but it was the swiftness with which I gave it to him that surprised me. Normally I would think about it, solve the problem, think of all possible scenarios, and then, when I am wiped out, then I will give it to God. What a joy to only hang onto this for an hour or so.

The rain has held off here, so I am working outside still. I am trying to have a good attitude about it, but I am struggling. We had to replace the chicken coop wire because the goats have torn it up and the chickens keep getting out. Well, Elvis stuck his horns into the wire again and nearly ripped the new wire. I put him in the goat pen and he broke down the gate to try and get back to me. So then I had to fix the gate as well. The chickens can get out under the field fence and with the french drain work starting soon, I need those chickens to stay in the field. The goats keep eating staples and cardboard and getting in my way, the chickens are digging in all of the things I am digging and planting, and the cats and dog just can't get enough attention. I feel like my kids are still here!! It would be ahumorous movie, but living it is not that great. The kids are having fun. They have played in the snow enough to last all year. They also have that Big Grandma tied around their pinkies. They asked her for a bell and a menu for breakfast, and she provided BOTH!! Everyone needs some spoiling I suppose.

My husband passed out yesterday. He got up from bed to walk to another room and just passed out. It was a full-body fall, with no idea it was coming, so he is sore today from the fall. He seems to have a cold today, but otherwise is fine. It was disconcerting, but we seem to be ok now. The boys are enjoying lots of snow. They got to snowboard and sled. Today they go to the other grandparents. If all goes well I will get them this Friday, but it is supposed to snow 12 inches in the next day or so. So I am hoping to get lots done! Today is the only nice weather we are to have so it will be spent outside.

I drove half-way to WV yesterday and met my in-laws. We all had lunch, and then they took the boys on home with them. The boys are staying with my parents for the weekend, since my mother still works. Then they will spend the week with my in-laws, and we will meet again on Friday to return the children home. The boys hope to enjoy some sledding and snowball fights. Hopefully the temperature will warm up enough for them to do that. On the way back yesterday, I saw a flock of swans. At least that is what it looked like to my imperfect eyes. They were too big to be ducks or gulls, and they were white. So I think they were swans. I have never seen anything like that, except for in the movie The Ugly Duckling. I have made a list of things I owuld like to accomplish while the boys are gone. Some will need the weather to cooperate in order to complete, but it looks like today will be a lovely day. So much for my talk about resting! _____ I had a chicken die yesteray while I was gone. No idea why, just dead. I also listened to a talk show while driving back. It was discussing poultry and the Avian Flu. There seems to be a lot of disagreement about what to do.

I was talking with some friends last night and found that I am not the only one who has a problem with the idea of Sabbath. How can we find an entire day to rest? If we give up a whole day to "holy leisure" then the rest of the week is very stressful trying to catch up. Learning to say "No" to other events seems to make a difference through the week. But still we deal with the issue of getting our kids to other functions, giving them opportunities, filling our lives. One statement we read was that Modern Man's life is no longer lived by days, but by events. _______ Tonight is Achievement Night for the County 4-H Program. Our club hopes to sweep the house! The boys go to WV tomorrow to enjoy some winter weather for a week. They had 7 inches of snow fall just a few days ago.

I started reading a novel by Francine Rivers this week. I have had to take a break, because of my schedule and because I am tired from staying up late to read. The book is about a man who is told to marry a prostitute during the California Gold Rush. It is a parody of Hosea. There are many thoughts that have intrigued me, but the most impressive has been that Satan's voice is the voice of Reason. It is not God's voice that tells you what seems to make sense, but Satan's. He tells her this man can't really want to love her. As soon as other, more appropriate women, come to CA then he will leave her. On and on...and it seems to be what you would expect. It is God who is saying give it a chance, trust me, it will work out. How often in life we must hear the voice of Satan, and it seems reasonable. God's voice is a small whisper, that seems to make no sense, but eventually leads to a better life. No wonder it takes faith to be a Christian.

OK, this does not surpass getting chickens and a duck from a wedding, but here is what happened yesterday. I was trying to take a Sunday afternoon nap when the doorbell rang. As I rushed to dress, #2 answered the door and then yelled for me. As quickly as I could, I got to the door. There stood a hispanic man and around the corner of the house came another man and a boy about 10 years old. The man at the door asked me in very broken English if I had any chickens for sale. No I didn't. He said "Oh." and then hung his head and kicked his foot, like a sad little schoolboy. So I asked him if it was ok if they were young- 4 months- and how many did he want. He wanted 2 and yes it was fine if they were young. I got little else out of him because of the language barrier. Every question I asked was answered with yes. Do you want it to eat or do you want a layer? Yes. Do you want it to eat? Yes. Do you want a layer? Yes. Do you have something to put them in? Yes. So I stopped talking and just got him two of the wedding chickens. He was excited to see the goats and asked if I would sell one of them. I told him no, I need them still, but in a couple of months I might sell Elvis and some rabbits. I caught the chickens and they climbed in their van- I never saw them put into something; I can't imagine what the van looks like! So they left 2 chickens richer and $10 poorer. I wonder how many more people will show up on my doorstep now. ____________ #1 won the chili cook-off in his category last night. He entered the Burning Bush category. His competition was the best cook in the church, so he should be very proud to win. #2 and I were 2 of the judges. I won't do that again next year- I am paying a high price for it today!

5 Baby rabbits entered the world yesterday afternoon. There are 4 black and white spotted and 1 black. Christa made a great nest and they are very warm and comfy despite the cold weather. I figured out hte January bills last night and discovered that I made $28 on the farm this past month. Of course, I spent more than that on the animals, but at least it is a little more balanced. Plus we get great milk and eggs! ________________ I took the boys to the community building last evening to register for martial arts classes. No one showed up to register the kids. There were about 40 children there, mostly very young, and one of the parents started organizing games with them to keep the kids occupied while we waited. It was such a good thing to do. At the same time, another parent was moaning and complaining about all of it, and then felt her child had been called out when he wasn't. (I didn't see the play so I don't know.) She continued to complain during the 45 minutes we were there. Then at the end of the time, we signed a paper saying we were there and they will call us about the class. I passed the sign-up sheet to the complaining woman and gave her the pen too. She said she had a pen. I said well it wasn't mine and maybe it would be good to pass it on with the sheet for those who may not have a pen. "Whatever Lady," was her remark. I walked off mumbling to myself about what a pleasant person she was, but when I got to the car, I realized I should have responded with sympathy for someone who must have been having a rough day. Christian responses are not instinctual.

It snowed yesterday in East Carolina! We had about 1/2 an inch, but heard that Kinston had 2 inches. I needed to go to a store in Kinston, so I loaded the kids in the van and we took off. We played in the snow at the Nature Center, and had a great snowball fight. The rain started around 10:00, so it was short lived, but I was reminded of how beautiful the snow is. The most wonderful thing was seeing a flock of robins land in our yard and field when the snow started. I didn't know robins travel in flocks, but we counted 16 and there were many more. _________ Right now Christa is making a nest, so we should have baby rabbits today! At least it isn't freezing, raining still though. _________ I have had a week of friends this week. I watched the children of a friend on Weds. while she went to a job interview, and then we got to visit when she returned. I went to a friend's house on Tuesday evening to help her with something. A friend invited me to dinner on Weds. to celebrate my birthday, and on Thursday evening I went to a movie pre-screening with another friend. It is good to be surrounded by friends. _________ The boys finished their sewing projects yesterday, knapsacks. They did a good job for a first project. It is for a celebration of cotton. The National Wildlife Federation has an interesting cotton article. Did you know that only 35% of cotton is used for cloth? Nearly 60% is used for oil and meal. Cottonseed oil shows up in cookies, potato chips, marinades, salad dressings, and many other processed foods. Cotton meal is given to dairy and beef cattle as a high-protein feed supplement. Seven of the fifteen pesiticides commonly used on cotton in the USA are listed as "possible", "likely", "probable", or "known" human carcinogens by the EPA. Who would have thought organic cotton was important?