Getting Ready for Halloween

My preoccupation with school has caused me to not blog.  It has also caused me to not clean, but that is a different story.  Last night was the beginning of Halloween preparations at the house. Vince was here to lend his skill to the evening.  I was amazed: this is the first year the kids have been able to scoop the seeds from their own pumpkins.  Willie and Falcom designed and cut their own by themselves.  Marina probably could have done hers all alone, but, it's more fun to have dad help.

This will be Willie's last year of pumpkin carving with us.  Next year he will be away at school!   I had it in my mind but didn't want to bring it up and spoil the mood. Ah!  These beautiful children are growing up!

Another way I know that he is growing up is that this once completely shy and introverted person got up on stage this week and played in the English classes 'Hamlet'!  I was proud!  I couldn't believe it...  The kid I used to know could barely hold eye contact let alone get up on a stage and speak.  He is growing and I am so excited at how far he has come!

Vince's dad Tom comes tomorrow to stay with us for a while.  Should be a trip.  I think Vince failed to tell him that we have a dog now.  Oh my...

The following week my long time friend DT is coming to stay with us for a while.  I am glad he is.  He's got this brain aneurysm thing and well, this is a long story that hopefully I'll have time to write out later.  In the mean time... I'd better get back to the getting on with school. 

Regular Tuesday

Summer before last, our cousin in Ohio asked "What happened to your Regular Tuesdays with Irene?  Did you two have a falling out?". Irene and I had a great habit going on there for a while, coffee while the kids are in school. It was an ultimate klatch!

There was no falling out. She got busy. I got busy. I got really busy and now, she's moved!  She will never be the queen klatcher in Flagstaff the way she was here. That is obvious. But what about me?  What will I do to ratchet up my klatching?


School is cranking way up for me. I guess they do want me to do things to earn that 14 units they promised to give me. Because the classes are distance based there is little reason to come to town. It has been interesting to live under my self imposed austerity measures. It has been interesting to be really, really, really busy!

For entertainment this week I took Chester on a 4 wheeler ride in the autumn sun to the Kilcher Homestead where I klatched with Charlotte about her wonderful agricultural high tunnel and ducks!  It is hard to believe what some metal hoops and some advanced visquen can do to the farming output of our area.  Every now and then I get a flash of desire for my own high tunnel.  Then, I get past it.  Marina and I are now referring to our ducks as 'the people of the mud'.   Why are Charlotte's ducks not filthy the way mine are?  Hum...

It was a great visit for both Chester and I and it was great to be with such a wonderful long time friend again! Next week I will pick up Janet from her house and put her on the back of my wheeler for more Kilcher Road Klatching!


Miss you Irene!