The weather changer that has galloped across the USA made it here today. A good amount of rain ended the warm spell of the past week or more. Toby dislikes getting wet so was happy to stay on the porch until Jasper came up from the barn to see if we'd let him on the porch. These two cats are still hostile, but no horrible yowls now.

I got to wander around the "tractor store" while Wendy was getting some goat fence panels for gates that will be part of the new fencing in a few days. Hunting is big around here and the store has enough hunting paraphernalia to satisfy a Dick Cheney photo op. Besides the macho stuff there is plenty to browse including books to guide one through chicken or cow husbandry, and at least one that helps the novice survivalist. It has an ax on the front.


A little while ago our second meal in the dining room took place. Modest food--soup and tuna melts--yet there is something that happens when we sit down together for a meal in dedicated space. Some thoughtfulness surfaces, a sense of connection and, not least, laughter happens. Not that some of this hasn't happened when we ate at the little kitchen table, but somehow it comes in a concentrated form in the dining room. Just saying...