Urban homesteading, the curly way

Here they are, folks. Our brood of free-range children!

On her way

 CurlySue went to kindergarten yesterday. She made her own lunch. She put her hair in ponytails by herself. She kissed us goodbye and had a wonderful day. And even went back again today.

For the love of trout

Oh we love the fish hatchery. Feeding the baby fish little cups of food, watching the fishermen in the nearby stream, scaring away their lunkers, and yes, even petting the fish. What more could you ask for in a vacation spot?

Doings

I know you’ve been wondering about…

the cherry picking (too little),

 

and saying goodbye (too many),

and the garden (delicious),

 

 And my color-coded bookshelf (you haven’t?).

 Enough to fill two months? Well, not quite. We have had a few other adventures, and are gearing up for a few more. Vive la Summer!

Sisterhood

The combination of distance, children, and budget  means I miss (“am not present for” and “feel the loss of”) most extended family events. Soon I’ll see my sisters though, and I’m thinking of all I learn from them…  

My sister joked that her life improved when she stopped “hanging in” and started “hanging out!” Giving me the gift of a laugh during times when I was barely hanging… on.

My sister was told she had a gift for making things beautiful but waited until her youngest left the nest to share it with the world. Teaching me that 25 years or so is not too long to be patient.

My sister was a hatching chick in a college dance recital– the most graceful, entertaining thing I’d ever seen! Making me grateful to have a role model even if I could never live up to her.

My sister is MacGyver. Really. I saw her hang her paper program off the pew (to leave her hands free for her musical score), and I learned to never stop searching for the better way.

My sister invited me to every Christmas, birthday, and parade that I was alone for, and even seemed like she was glad I was there. And I felt loved and miraculously, not alone at all.

And my sister dyed her hair and got a henna tattoo instead of running away and joining the (real) circus when her life got overwhelming. And I knew that each sister soul is important not just for what she does, who she tends, or how much she earns, but for who she really is.

I’m a little bit of a slow learner on some things. Good thing I have lots of help.

No hands

“Mom,  know what I’m gonna do when I grow up? Play soccer on a REAL FIELD!”

He already has his defensive moves ready.