Our little wardrobe queen.

Robin's come to a conclusion regarding the homeschool approach for Elizabeth. Each of the kids is different of course, but Ellie presents some new variables into planning. She exists for color and art. Some time ago Robin gave her a big bag of fabric to play with. It all became garments in short order. We've never seen somebody more inclined to arrange flowers, make paintings, create clothing, and to narrate the world with song.

It seems this all fits in well with the Waldorf model for teaching, so Robin's on the trail of homeschooling with the Waldorf method. It's really uncanny how closely the model, as described in Robin's research to date, seems to have been written with Elizabeth in mind. It's as though our daughter were the prototype. It is nice as this system is quite popular with wealthy families and private schools, so there's LOTS of material available and lots of people who've been down this path already.

Robin once again amazes me with her capacity to juggle 3 kids, a farm, her own outside interests, and dealing with me. Perhaps she'll come up with a new vegetable invention next. I have no doubt there will be something surprising.

Prep for planting...structure

We have predators, we have scavengers, we have pesky critters of all kinds. So things have gotten a bit medeival around here. We cage our animals at night so the bobcats don't eat 'em. Mostly it works. Sometimes it does not. Bobcats are smart and evidently very dextrous.

Today we were preparing garden beds for planting a million tomatoes and for my peppers. The pests in this case are the pet geese who will eat everything. So luckily we only need to make it a bit difficult (very short fence) and they give up and chew on the lawn. Nice.

Jerry found these ancient fenceposts somewhere for free, so we're putting them back in the ground. Beautiful and primitive. Woodhenge.

Then he made the dirt into swiss cheese with all the holes. It'll be really nice when it's all planted of course...breakfast on the garden patio will be amazing this summer...but it's kinda nice right now too. I like to just look at it and imagine the possibilities. Kinda like havin' kids.

Mugshots

Hello out there...I've recently been in touch with some very old friends...or should I say people I've known a long time. We're not so old really. Many have never met my kids so here they are. Elizabeth, Aliana, and Isidore from left to right.

The kids got ahold of a website called "simpsonizeme" that turns them into Simpsons characters. Odd they know about the Simpsons when we have no TV. So the site needed a picture. Out on the porch and 2 minutes later we had this. So here you are. I could not resist.

More on the farm tomorrow. For tonight it's all kids.

Dig This

Last year we bought a mule. Her name was Dinah. She was a sweetie, but strong as ... well ... a mule. Stubborn too. Seems all the cliches about mules are based on fact.

I went to a charity auction and bid on this plow. For the back of the mule.

So when we got rid of Dinah the mule (she really tried hard to kill my father in law) I thought we'd never see the plow actually get to work.

Too bad. It's a really nice plow. Total frame-up rebuild with new handles all the way from Vermont.

Well today Robin and her dad hitched up the plow to the tractor. Damn. Nice straight rows the first time out. It's sooooooo good to play the record, saw on the fiddle, and yes...actually plow with the plow.

I was online with some friends last night talking all about life and spirituality and stuff...and then this morning there I was scattering seeds like the parable. Using that learning too I guess.

Here's Robin and the plow. I am a very blessed man.

My girl can kick Brendan's butt

My dear brother Brendan likes to think that a great part of his history and personal power comes from his early success at competition flower arranging. He's right.

But he'd better be prepared to contend with the new talent. Ellie.

Here's her latest.

Uh. Wow.

My girl.

Just for my sister

Sometimes Elizabeth reminds me of my big sister Francine. When we were little, my brother and I used to torment my sister regularly. Nothing particularly malicious, but we were persistent. Had we behaved any other way we'd have been drummed right out of the International Brotherhood of Brothers.

So when I got this shot I immediately grinnnnned from ear to ear. For if my sister had come around with a huge pile of balloons, Brendan and I would have attacked too...though not nearly as enthusiastically as Izzy here. He's a big brother after all, not a little one. At least not to Ellie.

Sisters of the world look out...your brothers are menacing and ready to pounce!

go go GOAT!

Joanna, our number one goat, finally burst forth with young. We were hoping for a new doe with her genes, since Joanna's history is one of abundant milk. Alas we were blessed with two little bucklings instead.

So perhaps not so much milk and a little more kebab.

At least for now and until we stop milking her Joanna will be back in production like the old days. Robin is off to check on her again, since we're not sure she's done birthing. Maybe we'll have a new doe after all...sometime late tonight.