Tiger Salamander

Our area of Missouri has received more than nine inches of rain over the norm so far this year. (It feels like we've received nine FEET over the norm.) We haven't been able to cut/rake/bale any hay yet this year; and the garden is the consistency of quicksand.

The ponds are full of tadpoles and frogs, as well as mosquito larvae and many other plants, animals, and insects. My son, Mitchell, was able to capture a Tiger Salamander I had found hiding in one of our window wells.

It was about eight inches long and had yellow spots on a brownish/black background. After I took the pictures, I researched them online at the National Geographic website and the Missouri Department of Conservation XPlor website.

On another website, which I can not locate right now, I found out that it's not good to handle the salamanders because it hurts their protective slime layer. Hopefully we haven't damaged this one - the kids didn't handle it very long.

We released it in a shadowy, wet area next to the pond. Since they can live up to 16 years in the wild, perhaps it has many more years to go.

Genesis 1: 20, 24, & 25b "And God said, 'Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky.' And God said, 'Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind.' And God saw that it was good."

View from a tractor

Here's the view I had this week while working. My sister pointed out that it is a convertible. It was a gorgeous day and it was great that we were able to finish the first cutting of hay. (Normally, at this time of year, we would be working on the 3rd cutting of hay.) We haven't had many periods of three days without a forecast of rain.

Not the prettiest tractor, but it works great for raking hay. It is also forgiving for a novice tractor driver like me!

2 Thessalonians 3:6-10 "In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." '

Massachusetts August 2009

Make way for ducklings bronze statues in Boston. We bought the book, posed with the ducks and bought the t-shirt!














4 y.o. with the Auntie A














On the tractor with Uncle B















Me and my oldest brother



















My husband on the T-boat from the Boston aquarium to the U.S.S. Constitution.














Us at the Boston aquarium. (I'm posing kind of funny because I was trying to keep the 4 y.o. from falling off the ledge!)


















Eating at Quincy market in Boston.














Oldest brother, niece, Memere, nephews, kids.

We had a great trip to Boston August 12-18th. We went to the graduation party of one of my nephews, visited Boston with one of my sisters, and my husband was able to meet most of my family for the first time. There were several things I wanted to do, but we didn't have time - like visit several friends I haven't seen in years and visit the Calvin Coolidge historical museum in Vermont. Perhaps next year when I go back for one of my nieces weddings!
The day after getting home, 17 y.o. started public school. I've home schooled him for the last three years, but felt it was best at this point for him to go back to public school. New teacher, new curriculum, etc. He is a junior.

We hoped to come home to finish the first cutting of hay. However, between the day before we got home and the day after we got home we had 5.5 inches of rain! We did finally finish the first cutting this week.

I did get some more story ideas while I was in Boston. I also worked on an article since I've been home. I hope to submit it to my instructor (Institute of Children's Literature) today.

This is the verse I am trying to instill in my 17 y.o. so he has a strong work ethic: Colossians 3:23-24 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

Rain

Rain...a day passes... more rain... another day or two.. more rain. This describes Spring this year. Not good when you can't get a tractor into a field.

We planted about 14 rows of corn in the garden the other day -- in the rain. Last night we had heavy rain and winds.. it blew over the corn in the garden we planted a month or so ago. I planted flowers today... it sprinkled (but it poured 10 miles from our house). I would really like some nice weather so we can finish the crops and get the first cutting of hay done!

Looking forward to having my husband's family reunion this weekend. barbecue, watermelon, homemade ice cream and to top it all off.... a fireworks display.

I haven't been able to work on a scrapbook I wanted to finish by this weekend and I haven't worked on my "WIP" (work-in-progress) lately. Hmm, perhaps next week?!

Psalm 24:1-2 The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.