The weatherman is the boss and totally in charge in the summer when it comes to making hay or planting crops.  Every farmer knows that if the weatherman calls for rain than he had better not mow or he had better get what he has on the ground up.  Last night was no exception.

Ian had hay down and the weatherman said thunderstorms were going to be on the docket for last night and this morning.  So, just like a sergeant marshalling his troops, Ian and Doug put their heads together and decide on the best plan of action for getting the hay raked and baled in the little time they have before the sun goes down, the dew falls, and the hay starts to get too tough to bale.

We have old tractors for the old farmer.  Just right to pull the rakes clacking around and around, rolling the hay into nice windrows that the baler can pickup.

We have newer, fast tractors for the young farmer.  Strong enough to pull the baler roaring and clanging and drawing the hay hungrily into it’s great maw and spewing the bales out into the wagon behing.

Sometimes the rake chases the baler and wagon.

Sometimes the baler chases the rake.

In the end all the hay is off the ground, on the wagons and into the barn.  The weatherman may have been right but we beat him once more.

something that I want to capture and preserve forever as a bit of perfection.

You see what that boy is wearing?  Camo has been his favorite color since I can remember.  Was it inevitable?  Yesterday he went to see the Army recruiter. Today I am answering all the usual questions.

If I was a different person I would kick and scream and have a tantrum.  I would be fighting against this. After all what other mother has given five sons to the US Military?  What other mother has given more than her all? 

But I am a different person and so I hug them good-bye and pray.  I am so proud of you Matthew. You are a man of exceptional honor and fortitude.  You take what is the best from all that you see and make it a part of yourself.  I am sure that you will do the same in your service of this country and make all who come into contact with you the better for having known you.

Rather than being jealous of the presence of the new baby in his life, Layn is over-the-moon happy.  He can’t seem to love her enough. What a blessing to have a grandbaby so well loved that at 1 year he knows how to give it away.

Savannah                                        Layn

Not very far from us is a little building with a big sign on the front that proudly proclaims it The International Boxing Hall of Fame. The place was built by a gentleman named Ed Brophy to honor boxer Carmen Basilio and his nephew who are both natives of Canastota, New York.

I don’t know a lot about boxing and I don’t recognize the faces or names of the men who were there but others who see this might.

I got a picture of the back of Mike Tyson. He was totally surrounded by security when he went by.

Julio Cesar Chavez was there along with Billy backus, Gene Fullmer, Danny Lopez and many others.

I am ashamed to say that it is the first parade that I have been to since the Hall of Fame opened in 1990. I think I am going back again next year.

Yesterday a miracle occurred.  My second grandchild came into this world.  Her name is Savannah Ann and she weighs 5 pounds 15 ounces. 

Outside my window….the clouds are hanging low.  It looks like a brooding day. Perfect weather to fit my disposition.  Brooding days are good for thinking deep thoughts.

I am thinking…about beginnings and endings.  Births are beginnings and deaths are endings.  Comings and goings are beginnings and endings or a sort too.

I am thankful for…every scrap of every second that we get to spend loving each other.  Love is the essence of human existence.  Love is the key to salvation.

From the schoolroom….I’m in the home stretch of this semester.

From the kitchen…I haven’t a clue. I feel such a disconnect from everything that has been going on around here that I haven’t a clue what has been served or what will be werved. But I am sure that it will be good.

I am wearing….jammies but I ought to change.

I am creating….a place in my mind where events, thoughts and feelings make sense and I can understand.

I am going…to water aerobics class this morning then home to write. Three research papers due next week so writing will be on the menu from now until then.

I am reading….nothing for fun right now, no time!

I am hoping….for answer to many prayers.

I am hearing….Layn getting washed up from his breakfast, Matthew preparing his own, the coffee maker putting forth its morning offering of energy, and the birds singing outside my window.

Around the house…the place is a disaster but I am paying no attention to it. There are far more pressing things on my plate right now.

One of my favorite things…..the comfort of a knowing look from across the room.

A few plans for the rest of the week….writing and more writing.

Here is a picture thought that I am sharing with you…

It won’t be long and he’ll fly the coop too.