Three eggs in a bush

  I found this nest a few days ago. It's located right on the dirt road leading to our house. I don't yet know what type of bird laid these and haven't seen an adult bird nearby until today when I saw a small bird flying away from the back of this small tree. Don't know if it's parent to the eggs or not. I hope to be able to keep an eye on it as I walk by each day and photograph the yong ones as they hatch and grow. Stay tuned. The nest is only about four foot off the ground. If anyone knows what kind of bird laid these eggs, please post a comment.

  Yesterday, Thursday, June 19th, 2008, was my oldest son, Erik's 31st birthday. This photo is of him and me last year at this time at Morakami Japanese Gardens in Florida. Erik's still working at Kaplan and studying furiously to become a paramedic (then firefighter). His cousin Kyle and brother Kevin are doing the same. We couldn't be more proud. He truly has a beautiful heart and his inate kindness towards people will surely serve him well in paramedics. Grandpa would be proud.

Hickory Nut Gap Farm

Tonight Franklin and I went to a Land Conservancy recognition ceremony at the Big House. There was a photographer there, Ken Abbott, who has been documenting the whole Clarke farm and clan for several years now. He had lots of wonderful photos there tonight and a short film of the farm. You may want to go to the URL I've included and click on the link to Hickory Nut Gap Farm to see some of the photos for yourself. He hopes to one day publish a book of the photos and with a history of the place. www.kenabbottphoto.com

Raising the Roof on the Barn - AGAIN.

  Here are a few photos of what's been going on with the barn/house remodeling this week.

 Franklin and Russ put on the trusses and then dried it in today.

 It's looking kind of "housy".

  Here's a shot this morning before dry in. Whenever we've gotten to this stage I always have a desire to keep the building as an open-air house with no walls. It helps that it was a warm, breezy day today with no mosquitos or rain or snow.

"Christian Comforts"

"I think the number one enemy of Christians fulfilling their full potential is comfort. Instead of pursuing God, we pursue what makes us comfortable." From Oak Leaf Church blog

  A True Friend Shares Her Secret Cherry Picking Spot: At knitting last Wednesday, Anne Tansey, whose house is the setting for our Knitty-Bitty gatherings, put out a bowl of fresh-picked cherries. We were all being polite and not gorging our selves. Finally I asked her if this was all she had or if she had more (so I'd know whether to keep helping myself or not.) She said she had two neighbor's trees down the road that were loaded and that she was allowed to pick all she wanted. In that case, I said, I'll help finish this bowl. She then invited us to pick with her Thursday morning early - which I did. I got about four gallons that day. Went back this morning too and got maybe 3.5 more. A relative of the woman in the house where we were picking pointed us to a yellow cherry tree out back and I got some of those as well. Some are going into the freezer as is for frozen winter treats and I'm borrowing a cherry pitter for the rest of them. At the price of cherries (organic ones at that), I figure I made about $40/hr picking these beauties.

Dusty - The New Lawnmower

  This first photo shows us getting ready to pour the foundation for the kitchen addition. Jake & Tucker shoveled gravel onto this and Thursday the cement truck comes.

  Second photo is of our new miniature donkey, Dusty, eyeing the goats. This is just after he got out of the trailer.

  Third photo is a good side shot of our newest lawnmower.

  Fourth photo: Isn't he cute? And he eats grass AND weeds. He's as affectionate as a dog. We're waiting for the goats to warm up to him (he wants to play but they're afraid) and then we'll introduce him to the dogs.