things you've been missing

the view from the second story we were building onto the cob house

I am so behind! The past few weeks have been so hectic, I just haven't had time to catch up. It doesn't help that my laptop will no longer pick up the internet, making it more difficult for me to update conveniently.  I just need to work out a new routine.

Anyways, onto some of the things you've been missing!

- We spent five days in Kentucky at Disputanta Cob, where we learned how to build a cob house from the ground up. It was an amazing trip, truly life changing for Jonathan and I. We feel so confident in our abilities to provide for our own construction needs now. I will go into more (much, much more) detail about the cob workshop in upcoming posts.

- My baby sister, Amy celebrated a birthday. She has always been my best friend in the entire world, and we are closer now than ever before. We had a cookout at her house on her birthday with my parents, then on Saturday we went to dinner at a cute little Italian restaurant with the best sorbet ever! Happy birthday sis, I love you.

- My big sister, Christina, graduated from college for the second time! She is now a physical therapists assistant, and I couldn't be more proud of her. She has gone through school while working and raising her three children, and I know that she has been stronger than I could have been (and I know, because I took the same classes and dropped out.) I'm so proud of you sis!

- One of our ducks was killed by a racoon, who was quickly taught a lesson by our dog, Dakota.

- We adopted four new ducks to even the numbers of girls to boys. One of them had a bum foot, but we welcomed her anyway. The former owners toddler son didn't take it too well, saying "she can't take Pogo!" and starting to cry. I promised him we would give her a good home, and he could visit anytime.

- Our plan backfired, we ended up with three boys (at least they are smaller than the two we already had) and one new girl, who has the bum foot. The new boys were immediately bullied by the two boy pekins, who are much much bigger. A night of hard thinking ensued.

- The two pekins were adopted by an older couple who already had three girls of the same kind. They will be spoiled rotten, I have no doubt. When I was picking them up, instead of letting me put it in the cage, the man insisted on taking it from me, holding it in his arms, stroking his head, and saying hello. I am glad they have found good homes.

- Sissy duck, our original girl rouen, whose sister was taken by the racoon, and whose "brothers" were now gone to a new home, spent the first few days very destraught. She shied away from the new group, and spent most of her time quacking in a way that I can only interpret as crying. Thankfully, she is now bonding with Pogo, the other girl (with a bum foot) after several days of forced companionship away from the boys. I hope they become friends.

- We moved our first groups of rabbits onto grass, and have four more litters of babies growing.

- The farmers market started, it was a slow start and we did not make any money, but it was great to be back. The other vendors are so great and friendly, I have found my place in the community there more than anywhere before. To make the most of our time, we are inoculating mushroom logs on site each week, which is great beacuse it draws in the customers and gives them the opportunity to learn how we do it.

- My friend Savannah's wedding is in less than a month, and we got to see the renovated venue last week, which was a bit nerve racking because the inside and deck are not finished. Thankfully they assured her that it will be ready in time, and hopefully it is. Regarless of what happens, we will work through and make the most of it. It will be beautiful and edgy and fun and just like Justin and Savannah. They are two of the most original and amazing people I know, and I am so excited to be a part of their big day!

- Our life inside, that is, work- has been rough. We have been working ourselves ragged, going above and beyond without any extra reward, pay, or recognition, while everyone else ceases to do even the most basic of tasks has been mentally and emotionally draining. We have been on the look for something else, we shall see where the road takes us...

- I almost forgot about Mother's Day. I am very fortunate to have two great moms in my life, my own and Jonathan's. Not only are they both great; supportive and loving, but like-minded and rational, but over the years since Jonathan and I met something unusual to most families somehow happened - our mom's became friends. They go swimming together weekly, talk on the phone every day after we go to work, and we can even celebrate holidays as one big family. Mother's Day was a particularly nice celebration, with both of my sisters and their families, my grandmother, and both of my great mothers.

Thank you both for being there for us, we wouldn't be where we are without you.

Well, I think that's enough for now!

Until next time,

Angela Kelly