raindrops are falling on (their) heads*

 *credit to B.J. Thomas for the lyrics

still pinning

Sometimes hanging up the laundry to dry feels like one more chore to add to my busy day. I wonder why I can't bring myself to use the dryer sitting in my back entry like "normal" people. My fingers freeze as October takes hold. I know that inside chaos reigns, schoolwork forgotten the moment that storm door clicked shut. There's rain in the forecast, so I also know this particular load will probably receive a second rinse before I can make it out to the line again. If a certain little boy would finish potty training most of this load wouldn't have needed washing...and on and on I could go.

 Other days I feel deeply appreciative that my father sunk posts for my "new" laundry lines on one of his very first visits to this house. It is a birthday gift that I have used week in and week out in the past year. I have doubtless saved hundreds on my utility bills. It feels good to be outside, all alone with my thoughts for just a few minutes. Schoolchildren need regular breaks; it helps their little brains coalesce information. The leaves are at peak and I would never have noticed the neighbors tree were I not pinning socks just now.  We are blessed with enough clothing that I could go days between loads and still potty train a two year old. There is no smell in the world like clothes fresh off the line and no sound like the snap of a towel in the brisk fall breeze.  I daydream about countless mothers before me doing this very task.  I hang contentedly.

Fall in adjectives

 crunchy

 rare*

tenacious

crusty

nourishing

tart

cozy

*October sabbatical

Do like a duck does

On wet days like this, I miss our ducks. I hope you're enjoying them, Mr. Craigslist guy with big ambitions for a small property. All that to say, today we went out to play in the mud for awhile, just like ducks. quack.

Boy#1 worked HARD (his emphasis) at spreading hay. About 90 pounds at a time, *if* you can believe it. Until he found an earthworm. Then he played HARD (my emphasis) at finding the perfect new home for wormie, complete with hay to sleep under and dirt to sleep on and neon orange walls to give a sense of...containment.


Boy#2 quickly tired of spreading hay, preferring instead to use his "dirtbike" to flatten some ruts in the yard and his new shovel to flatten some dinosaur heads (giant snowballs).


Boy #3 discovered that the sidewalk makes a perfect escape route,

and was NOT thrilled to be re-routed back to our area again. Mollification came in the form of snack. And then he wanted to nurse on the porch before going off on another rambling adventure. Yes, we still do that and no, it's not weird.


Even the dog was out, if only by default. According to her, cold mud is only slightly more appealing than whining almost all alone in the house (apart from the sleeping dad).


I spread a little hay and took a few pictures. The lilacs are forming buds, I cannot wait to see them in full bloom for the first time.


The grape vines are looking pretty dead, but I pulled a bunch of them over to our side of the fence (neighbors don't seem to want to harvest) and I know from last summer that this vine still produces yummy concords.


I also grabbed a handful of tiny bulbs to bring inside to force. I don't know what they are, they were a surprise found in the side yard when I was planting a little tree last fall. I'm hoping for daffodils, but they're pretty tiny. Do snowdrops have bulbs? And, for the record, this is why I don't *do* my nails. Though I have heard mud is good for your skin?



PS: If you have a kid who still likes picture books, do try to find Do Like a Duck Does at your local library. Super cute, even for a girl with no rhythm like me.

benefits of a side yard: sledding hill!

Boy1 has decided it is his job to shovel this winter. Dad and Mom can help, but he will "be the one doing most of the work." No joke, the kid is out there every single time it snows, sometimes before breakfast. By the way, wool is spectacular. Check out the reinforced knees! After shoveling the sidewalk a few days ago (while mom did the driveway and the remaining 2 boys wreaked havoc inside watched from the window), we decided it was time for some fun!Thanks to a warm(er) day and the shoveling of one momma and one neighbor girl (thanks M!) we have our own pint-sized sledding hill in our side yard. It was great. Except, of course, when it wasn't. And then we went inside for spiced juice and lunch and a great nap, wherein I was able to mend 2 holes in my favorite slippers AND enjoy some chai in my new mug.

uh... really?!

So, snow? In October. Come on.

Fer likes it.

Putz dog is not so sure, but she got in the mood eventually and thoroughly enjoyed eating the snowballs chucked her way.

Jury is still out on the ducks....

I was not ready for this.