Moonshadow

     This week we have had a waxing gibbous moon, until Friday night, when it was full. The graphics in the left photo are by Karen McGady.  In Cat Stevens "Moonshadow" song video, you can read the lyrics of this song.  The words "Leapin and hoppin' on a moonshadow" suggest playfulness.  According to Ted -Victoria,  "Cat Stevens wrote this song about finding hope in any situation. Be present and joyful. See life as it is, right now, and don't compare it to others' lives, or other times in your life. Every moment in life is rich and unique; whether we are aware of it or not, we are always leaping and hopping on a moonshadow - the inescapable present moment. If we are wrapped up in our whirlpools of worry and concern about what could be, or what has been, we are missing the richness of life as it is".  

     Saturday was a busy day of shopping and straightening up the house and yard before going to the B/N airport to pick up Britney.  Three ladies from Church were also at the airport to welcome Britney home.  They brought her a beautiful gift basket.  It was really good to see,   hug and talk with her.

 
     Britney was so tired from travel and emotions that after we got home she was soon napping in the hammock.




And look who else needed a nap.




     I made shish kabobs for dinner, using polish sausage, a meat Britney had missed and requested. Then we watched well over three hours of Survivor.  Britney and I re-watched last Wednesday's show and then Joe
joined us for the two hour end and also
the reunion show.  We were up till
11pm.  Before going to bed, rather late,
I brought the horses in and sent Kabob out with Stew.  He started charging at and head butting the ground and I couldn't figure out why he was acting so silly.  Then I realized he was playing with his shadow in the moon light.  (Leapin' and hoppin' on his moon shadow.)  It was so cute.

     I went to first service by myself Sunday and then subbed in the 16-20 month room during second service.  Britney came home with me, and Joe went on to his card game after they attended second service.  During Mike's message, he talked about how tough life can be (take Job for example) and I realized that for me at the moment, life is going great.  For this, I am sooo thankful and I am enjoying it just as it is.  But, I need to be attuned to the afflictions of those around me and lend them a helping hand when possible.

     Britney did three loads of laundry and aired out her musty smelling bags on the front porch.  Abbey had to take a look.  They probably smelled odd.

      Britney brought home this painting by Carlos Lopez that she picked out.  It was gifted to her by SI.  To me it looks like a rising moon, but I think it is actually a sunset.

     It was a lazy day including a nap on a lounge chair and riding Amiga.  I helped Courtney for a few minutes when she was ready to ride Zorro.  Then she came in and hung out with Britney while I rode Amiga at Becks.  Amiga did very well, but was quite scared to walk past some blowing plastic trash caught up on a fence.

     Britney is taking an on-line graduate class so she has lots of homework (reading and writing) to do.  She alternates between school work on the computer and chatting and sharing photos with friends.


     We went for a walk after a late hamburger dinner.  Why is Britney squatting in the ditch?


     She was just playing in the tall grass.  Soon after we got home, I headed up to bed.

     Finally, on Monday morning, the Replex pool was warm enough (83 degrees) to have class.  It was nice to get back into the routine with the Water Lilies.

     Britney was hangin' out on the front porch with Brother when I got home.  I got so tired by mid morning, after my second breakfast and cup of tea, I took almost a two hour nap.





     Reading, messing on my computer, and hanging out with Britney made up most of my day.  I did make brownies to take to Growth Group.

     Britney, Kaysha, and I went to Courtney's at 5pm.  The girls ran while Kaysha and I walked.  I really like being in town, out of the brutal wind and/or hot sun, to walk.


     These are two of State Farm's large buildings and their lake.  The trail we walked was primarily on their property.



     I let Kaysha stop to cool off in the creek a few times.  After we were all done, Britney dropped me off at Johnson's.



     When Britney went out to shut the chicken coop, she found this baby Robin, dangerously close to a barn kitty, so brought it in overnight. We got pelted by wind and storms during the night, so it was probably best for the bird to be in a cage.  Tuesday morning Britney released it back by the chicken coop.  It was soon able to fly up to the roof.  The barn swallow I rescued last week had also eventually flown off.

     Mid morning, we (including Kaysha) went into LeRoy to mail a stack of letters and buy a third graduation card.  Then we went for a walk around town.



     After lunch Tuesday, Britney and I sat and read out on our lawn chairs.  First Brother distracted Britney.




     Then Hercules and some of the hens drew her attention away from reading.








     Even Kaysha came over, but she was tired from our morning walk...








     ...so Kaysha took a nap.





     Brother and I were soon to follow.
It was a warm, sunny, lazy day. 

     All of my Iris are in full bloom.  These are an unusual color.  When Joe got home, I went out to get some work done; cleaning stalls and the barn yard and moving the grazing pen fence.  Joe moved an old hay/manure pile from the paddock and then mowed.

     Our Rhododendron are also quite pretty.  Britney went to the Replex with me Wednesday morning.  I joined the Water Lilies and she ran and lifted weights.  
 
     This is a view out my car window on my way to the park to eat lunch with the Water Lilies.  The sky was like this off and on all day, but we only got a few sprinkles a few times.

     I hurried home to load Kabob to take him to the vet to be castrated and get his shots.  Britney helped me lure him in from the back pasture.  Notice he is coming at a run.


     Britney had to help push him up into the trailer, but it went very easily.  The vet and his assistant did all their work right in the trailer and we were soon back home.

     I kept Kabob in the calf pen all night so Stew had to hang out with the horses.  Joe and our insurance agent friend soon arrived from their golf outing and we talked annuities, investment options and long term health care insurance for almost an hour.  Then I needed to get packed for our road trip, which I have decided to wait and tell you about in my next Blog, since there are so many photos.

     King Harvest "Dancin' In The Moonlight" song video has several great moon photos, and I love the idea of dancing... anytime.

"Dancing in the moonlight
everybody's feeling warm and bright
its such a fine and natural sight
everybody's dancing in the moonlight

We like our fun and we never fight
you can't dance and stay uptight
it's a supernatural delight
everybody was dancing in the moonlight"