happenings and lessons

We had a good week.  

* There were after school adventures involving garden & barn trespassing, tree climbing, ice cream eating, and even the holding of a baby goat.  It was a 32 hour old goat, ya'll.  Knees were knocking and he had to take a nap every 2 minutes to recover from being alive.  A NEW goat.  Man, there's nothing cuter.  I was too busy making cooing noises and changing nursing pads to take a photo though.

* Work has been busy, but good as we're gearing up for spring.  If you're so inclined, check out my friend's store, seed factory, here.  We'll be updating the online shop more this week.  (And follow us on instagram- @seedfactory).

* We also had good friends (sportweasel) over for dinner and drinks.  The highlight that night was going upstairs to check on the kids...

I take my last step up the last stair and I hear Joni Mitchell playing at full volume.  It's already funny.  As I turn the corner to peer in (they can't hear me because Joni is in one of her full on cat-in-heat moments), I see a brightly lit bedroom.  Like every lamp and overhead light is turned on.  Neve is fast asleep, mouth agape, on the bottom bunk.  Their son, Mike, is sitting across from Fiona at their small homework table.  He is talking to Fi, although I couldn't make out what he was saying because, again, the Joni moment is still in full effect.  I really hope he was talking her ear off about skateboard ramps and video games and whatever other things boys love that bore little girls.  Fiona has her head bent down over some project.  As I get closer, I see she is papier machéing a volcano.  Because really, is it ever a bad time to start a papier maché volcano?  Yes actually.  This would be a bad time to papier maché a volcano.  Nothing says "I don't care that you're here" more than starting a papier mache project when your friend has just come in from out of town for a visit.  And then blaring Joni Mitchell while he's trying to talk?  The ultimate middle finger.

So I poke my head in and say, "hey guys".  Mike jumps up, out of his chair, and politely but quickly explains in 9 year old language that he is in no way responsible for the noises coming from the speakers.  Fiona doesn't even look up.  She is fully immersed.  Having a moment of sorts.  And for not upending the table or falling asleep on the top bunk, he is such a good friend.

Later, I thought I overheard Terry explaining how to be more considerate towards our guests.  Instead he dove right into the greater life lesson to be learned, 

"Fiona, Joni Mitchell is private music.  We don't really listen to that when other people are in the room."  

* And let that be a lesson for all of us.  May your week be filled with adventures and good deeds, good food and giggles, papier maché volcanoes and Joni Mitchell.  But only a little and then close it up tight and goodnight.