batten down the hatches

The laundry disaster I must face today... Yesterday, my computer died. I'm crossing fingers that the new battery that will arrive today is the solution. In the meantime, I'm counting it as a gift as I take on the crazy task of dealing with the laundry madness before hurricane Irene comes knocking on our door this weekend. Out here a power outage is most certainly guaranteed. Thank goodness for oil lanterns and a cool spring to keep our animals watered. (even if it is a raging river by the time this is over.) Happy weekend friends. Batten down those hatches. And cross fingers that I'm back here on Monday!
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this morning

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This morning the girls slept in after a late night at the farm welcoming home the honeymooners.

This morning there are fresh flowers from the garden on my kitchen table, brought in by my husband.

This morning Emma is at the barn, learning that sometimes your responsibilities come before play.

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This morning, there is a breeze coming through my kitchen window.

This morning there is homemade jam and soft butter.

This morning I am kind of looking forward to a day of laundry and clotheslines, tidying and dishes.

This morning, there is a young rooster testing out his new-found voice from the side yard.

this morning...

This morning, everyone is home and heading to the stream to cool off. 

This morning was just the morning I needed.

 

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lay it down

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I had a therapy session last night. A therapy session of the free variety. It's when I get on the mower, earphones + ipod and take off across the fields. As my neighbor says of me, who noticed my penchant for mowing grass, "that woman can really lay down some grass."

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And last night could not have been a more beautiful night to be out there. The clouds, the colors of the sky, working and racing the setting sun, hoping to get it all done before dark. 

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I know it sounds silly but there is so much I love about being on the mower. The immediate satisfaction of seeing the grass trimmed and tidy, the accomplishment unfolding before my eyes.

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The watching of my family through the veil of good music in my ears. Happily muffling the whining, or the bickering and only seeing the play and the running and the laying down in the grass and the network of farm animals trailing around the field behind them. 

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I'm learning to cherish these moments on the mower (that's obvious, isn't it?) because someone else in this family has finally become old enough (and trustworthy enough) to share the "duties" with me. There's some competition over who gets the job. 

lay it down

But I'm not ready to pass over the reigns just yet....

....Here's hoping you find your own moments to "lay it down" today as well....

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