Thanksgiving, Family Times, Toby and Dogs

Few of you out there avoided Thanksgiving entirely, and yours truly was no exception as I dug in with Wendy and we did turkey and all trimmings. She kept up with the morning milking besides and I took little rest stops here and there to accommodate the lingering effects of the condition that came upon me this month. Besides the continual repurposing of kitchen horizontal surfaces and shifting of the fridge items along with the cheeses and yogurts she makes we did a wonderful pull-together and the feast was on by late afternoon. The turkey itself was handsomely dressed out by Necessity Farm entrepreneurs where it was raised nearby.

Aidan had the table set a day ahead for Keoni's homecoming.

Also, a day or so ahead Aidan and I went late afternoon to the park for soccer moves. On the way he used my camera to quick get this out the side window.

By Aidan.

Felt so good seeing them together again.

And Keoni playing violin again.

Aidan's cello is coming along very well, and he demonstrated his cello chops for Keoni, too. I expect to hear some combined playing before long.

The family spent the afternoon stretching wire around the far pasture to goat-proof it. Just as I approached the scene of family enterprise on my walk, they all flew back to the house for a break. As I finished my walk they were heading back out to labor some more.

Break time.

Fortified and heading back out.

Wendy's idea is to let the near goat pasture (with Austin in it) lie fallow for awhile to get rid of worms. Soon she'll be able to shift their browsing out to the far pasture.

I loved all the Thanksgiving well-wishes. One reply from Utah was amazing. Elijah is 10 and growing exponentially, as is his cousin Aidan...

Elijah.

He is prospering with his school work and bringing home excellent grades. He likes his school. Yea!  Go Elijah! Dimetrios has stayed pretty healthy so far this fall. Young Kingston is having his first holiday season. I am smiling.

Wendy told about Toby the other day. She called to the dogs to come in while she went on errands, but only Sebastian came. She called and called the other two, Fancy and Frezz. Finally, she went out on the porch to call some more. There she could see the outdoor steps. Toby sat on the middle landing looking down at huge 130 lb Frezz and (at least) 85 lb Fancy standing below him. When Wendy called to them again, Toby took a swipe at them and they backed down. She had to chase him to get the dogs in. He and Sebastian play together and chase each other. Sebastian sort of is wise to Toby, too. Or, each other.