Prehistoric

Why do I love them? Here's a thousand words... and then some.

The Story

Ok. I am addicted to this CD. I generally burn my own because I find that half of the songs on the average albums are not to my liking & I end up constantly skipping through the tracks to find my favorites. But I downloaded this Brandi Carlile CD in it's entirety from Napster (only a few hours on our speeeeedy dial-up) and I haven't listened to anything else since.

I love "The Story" & "Turpentine" & "Wasted" & "Have You Ever" (which makes me think of Cole out wandering the hills) & "Until I Die" and "Downpour"... OK I love all the songs. Unheard of! And to top it off Cole listened to part of it last night and didn't roll his eyes or talk over it. Really.

So here are the lyrics to one of my top favorites from the album, its a waltz - so read the lyrics with a sing-song rhythm. When I hear this track I picture drifting gently down the river. So melancholic. The lyrics are great - but to hear the song brings chills.

"Cannonball"

I was born when I met you

Now I'm dying to forget you

And that is what I know

Though I dreamed I would fall

Like a wounded cannonball

Sinking down with my heart in tow

-

Bright lights like white lightning

Who shot me down

Who'll cut me down

I'm frozen in my bed till the day comes around

How I'm lost

How I'm found

-

There's a man all alone

Telling me his friends are gone

That they've died and flown away

So I told him he was wrong

That your friends are never gone

If you look to the sky and pray

-

Bright lights like white lightning

Who shot me down

Who'll cut me down

I'm frozen in my bed till the day comes around

How I'm lost

How I'm found

-

Someone told me a lie

Someone looked me in the eye

And said time will ease your pain

But behold, when you fall

It's that same old cannonball

Coming back for your heart again

-

Bright lights like white lightning

Who shot me down

Who'll cut me down

I'm frozen in my bed till the day comes around

And it may come around

Until the day comes around

How I'm lost

How I'm found

-

I was born when I met you

Now I'm dying to forget you

And that is what I know

---

Hunting for a Fresh Meal

Yesterday, while on the phone with Dale, I glanced out the kitchen window and saw this fellow...

A Big Bull Snake

I bet if I'd grabbed him by the tail he would be as long as Gillian is tall. Don't get me wrong - I like snakes, had a ball python as a pet in college - but somehow this guy gave me the impression he wasn't interested in physical contact. He occasionally rattled his tail in the dry grass in an effort to scare us off and I'm getting a distinctly dirty look from him in that last photo.

Anyhow - Charles & Gillian were very excited to see such a big snake slithering through the yard. I was very happy to know our little week old kits were safe upstairs and not filling this guy's belly!

5th Season Tom

He's a beauty! 24 pounds & an 11 inch beard - all plucked and soaking for tomorrow's supper. Here are some photos of the hunter with his prize...

What a Reader!

A man doesn't learn to understand anything unless he loves it. - von Goethe

I am so pleased - Charles had discovered the true love of reading!

I'd brought home the first 3 books in a series by Tony Abbott, called "the Secrets of Droon" Previously I'd been having him focus on reading the Magic Treehouse series as part of our history studies... 2 chapters a day, discussion after, and he didn't really want to.

Well, I'd started out last week with the 2 chapters a day schedule on the first book of this new series "The Hidden Stairs & the Magic Carpet." After the first couple of days he seemed less reluctant to start his daily reading. Then this Monday I had him start the morning with the first two chapters of the second book "Journey to the Volcano Palace."

Yesterday he read chapters 3&4 aloud to Gillian in the morning and announced during our little picnic lunch that he wanted to read more in the book and get ahead on Wednesday's reading. Instead of reading just a bit he kept right on going! He finished the whole book - 10 chapters in just over a day!

To top it off he wanted to start the third book last night just before bed. So he read a couple of chapters in "The Mysterious Island." This morning he dove right back in - before even having breakfast. He just came in as I started this post to let me know he'd finished the book. Looks like I'll need to stock up on more next time. Luckily there are 30 books in the series & 4 special editions.

I am so excited! Here's what Charles will be reading next...

Beautiful Spring Days

Woke early this morning to a beautiful mist hanging over the fields and bottom land. The fog made for an amazing sunrise & Cole really (really) did not want to head off for work. He's taking Thursday & Friday for the last days of turkey hunting.

We've enjoyed the warm spring weather over the last few days. The garden is completely in the ground now - the potatoes & yellow onions are off to a great start.

Our little "meat bunnies" are getting fat fast. Gillian loves holding the little girl, but says the boy is too "kicky." Charles is taking on more chores, helping to feed and water the doves, feeding the chickens and making sure there is always water in the rabbits' crocks.

Yet another of the joys of living in the country... offering our children the opportunity to learn compassion & empathy by caring for other living creatures. I think Charles and Gillian are developing an understanding that though some of our animals will become our food they are no less worthy of kindness and proper care.

Speaking of kids & animals... Cole called the kids outside late Sunday night to see the first tree frog of the spring, I was busy with work in the kitchen and missed it. But - yesterday he reappeared and even posed for a picture!