tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39137715443792582462024-03-07T23:06:13.841-05:00Smartinof4stevesmartinof4stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03012903196847383612noreply@blogger.comBlogger356125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913771544379258246.post-23012502624954151262020-12-10T14:24:00.000-05:002020-12-10T14:24:59.044-05:00Switzerland 2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">
One Friday evening in September 2019, family movie night was interrupted by a "bing" from my phone courtesy of the Hopper app. Flights from Memphis to Geneva had dropped to $500...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"> From a 2020 perspective, this may seem ridiculous, but 2019 was an intense year for our family, and the idea of putting a bow on the year and jetting off to a winter wonderland sounded perfect. It was also time for the kids to visit their heritage-land for the first time. (Alexe's too, more on that later.) </span></div>
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Flash forward to late December: the BTC was tucked in for winter break, Christmas was behind us, we started to merrily pack for our trip, and... all the farm animals started having babies. And the closing on K's big renovation project, scheduled for mid-December, was punted yet again by one of the 31 attorneys involved in the financials of the project. Not the neat bow we had hoped to have in place before leaving.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">We left anyway, with the farm in the caring hands of our good friend and neighbor, and the attorneys blissfully generating more billable hours.</span></div>
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A series of flights later, with our grinning Mississippi babies getting to watch endless television on the Atlantic crossing and wander the Amsterdam airport in a fog, we found ourselves in Geneva for New Year's Eve. Where someone wanted to have cocktails at the Ritz.<br />
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<span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br />There was some downtown exploring before the festivities started, with swan feeding.</span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br />
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Some time later the music started, three different dj venues along the waterfront, a strong international, (and internationally welcoming,) vibe.<br />
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<span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br />We lasted for a little while, then the jet lagged crew turned into pumpkins and we headed back to the hotel. Our plan was to wake up in the morning, grab our rental vehicle, and take a leisurely drive the short distance around Lake Geneva to Begnins to visit family. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">A was the first to wake up at 1 pm the next day, an hour after check-out time, and we went from zen travelers to jet-lagged scrambling for the next few hours.<br />
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We made the short drive to Begnins, a beautiful village looking over lake Geneva from a few kilometers up into the mountains. It had been 17 years since my last visit to Switzerland, and though my uncle and aunt have lived in this town my whole life, my memories of running through the vineyards and playing on the tank barricades in the woods weren't the most reliable navigation aids. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">This was when we learned that our phones would not play nicely with the Swiss cell networks. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">So we did the classic obnoxious-visiting-guest move; parked in the middle of town, and relying on my shaky memory, walked to my aunt and uncle's home and knocked on the door.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br />I can't give justice to the amazing reception we received from our family, at that moment, and throughout our visit. So warm and welcoming! Since returning home A and I frequently talk about "what would our Swiss family do," when presented with guests of our own.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">Keep in mind, we landed on their doorstep on the 1st of January, with my cousin and his wife focused on their 2 week old daughter... Yet so welcoming!<br />
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The proud new parents.<br />
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Their beautiful daughter.<br />
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My dear uncle the architect and new grandfather, and his son the physicist and new father. <br />
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Pumpkin soup for dinner, from my uncle's garden. Garden's are a big thing in our family, as you'll see. <br />
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<div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">Proud father. (It's getting tricky adhering to the no-names rule I keep for this blog...)<br />
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And his sister, the new aunt.<br />
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Mother and daughter. (My aunt and cousin.)<br />
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After a lovely evening with the family, we went back to our hotel at the crossroads in the middle of Begnins, and spent a restless night failing to make the time adjustment, playing Bananagrams, and watching Friends episodes.</span></div>
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After a pleasant breakfast by ourselves in the hotel restaurant, (courtesy of my uncle, it was a quiet time of year, and I think he pulled strings to get the kitchen open for us,) we headed out to explore the area. In all the trips I've made to Switzerland I don't feel like I've ever really seen the country. If it wasn't within walking distance of my grandparents' house in Vevey, I don't remember seeing it. I was very excited to do things differently this time. </span></div>
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We headed down towards the lake to explore Nyon and a nearby chateau.</span></div>
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Interior pictures never turn out from these chateaus. Suffice to say it was very cool, and had the same fascinating history as many of these large castle-ish structures: bankrupting a long series of folks who thought they could afford to repair and maintain them.<br />
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This one is convinced she could do it better.<br />
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Some toodling around on the lakeshore, then a drive up the mountains to try to escape the low cloud cover. When we broke through into the sunshine we found ourselves in yet another lovely village, with this amazing tree and church. According to my uncle this is one of the oldest trees in Europe.<br />
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Taking a moment in the church yard...<br />
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To enjoy the spectacular view. Alps and Lake Geneva in the clouds.<br />
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This working farm is in the middle of the village.<br />
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I may have taken pictures of every cow bell collection I saw. <br />
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A lovely fondue dinner in town with uncle and aunt.<br />
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And cousins.<br />
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And we headed out of town the next morning to our next destination. Which turned out to be Gruyere, the castle, town and cheese factory. (This was an impromptu decision, made possible because of the freedom of the vehicle, and Switzerland being so navigable! Yes, the Swiss rail system is amazing, but I love the go-anywhere option allowed by a vehicle.)<br />
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So. Beautiful.<br />
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Gruyere Castle is huge. It took hours at a steady pace to look through all the parts of the castle we were allowed into.<br />
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Luckily this duo, that loves to dream about variants of their life that could have been, learned about another long line of folks who had over-estimated their financial ability to maintain a castle.<br />
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In the valley below the castle, the Gruyere factory!<br />
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On our way back to the lake and the apartment we had rented for the next few days we stopped in Vevey to walk around a little. <br />
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The waterfront is as heart-stopping beautiful as I remember.<br />
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We walked up the hill to visit Saint-Martin. I was following my nose, remembering the walk from the waterfront and train station up the hill, past the water fountains and church yard, to get to my grandparent's house. Both my grandparents are buried here.<br />
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And right around the corner from the church we visited my grandparents' house. This house is no longer in the family, and seeing it in this condition put me in a bit of a funk.<br />
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This is how I remember it, when my grandfather was flexing his green thumb, and my grandmother was giving out warm snuggly-hugs. These two pictures were in photo albums the Vevey family brought out after dinner the next evening.<br />
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Grandpapa and Grandmaman. </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">Missing here is a picture of the house A's father spent several years living in with his mother and two brothers. Less than 2 blocks from my grandparents' house, where my mother spent her childhood. Mind-bending, eh?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">
A walk along the lakeshore that evening, before retiring to our apartment. Missing from these pictures are all the grocery-store stops we made to find tasty treats since landing in Geneva. We were in a Migros at 11 pm on New Years Eve, and continued to indulge in our favorite past time (grocery shopping!) at least once a day.</span></div>
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<div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">The next day the whole Swiss family congregated in Vevey at the apartment of u.D and a.R to welcome us. My two uncles live 40 minutes apart, and their four children and 5 grandchildren all live in the same region. Another cousin, the son of my aunt who passed away several years ago, made the trip from his home in the Swiss-Italian region, and his son came in from Zurich, freshly graduated from law school.</span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br />
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<div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">I can't tell you how charming these two uncles of mine are. The life of any party, great story tellers, full of passion for life and food and adventures. This multi-course meal included meat from one of u.D's co-op animals. (I don't fully understand how shares of animals are purchased in Switzerland. u.D tells stories about the dairy cow he owns on a farm nearby; I think he pays for room and board and receives the cheese produced from that cow?)</span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br />
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</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">For her first time in the country and meeting my Swiss family, A fit right in.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqszej5DQ9NIM45MoXlbcMakiJmV6nc9INkVOq6_m4N7_NnVuAycTQ_pnvDp4AmmZmQQQBJNrKtcAkdd3pMmhuemG3eqR4HMBYayQxqOLAVkUqtADCUyMkmXcEsT4sGuv_O09Z7BZZz2R/s1600/IMG_8555.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqszej5DQ9NIM45MoXlbcMakiJmV6nc9INkVOq6_m4N7_NnVuAycTQ_pnvDp4AmmZmQQQBJNrKtcAkdd3pMmhuemG3eqR4HMBYayQxqOLAVkUqtADCUyMkmXcEsT4sGuv_O09Z7BZZz2R/s640/IMG_8555.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">Most of the clan, missing a few including the new parents and their daughter. Again, no names, but to a person, my cousins, uncles, aunts, and the newest generation of cousins were warm and welcoming to all of us. </span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7h9ouNSZbzx0ATrBfk1kf93fNfhQwTdcdRVTavYaCbGAE1qWFSGbON6GQs9eZ7rZxIXllICZTGtAQNLly3eZKgKXkAZkPSqpEMcddTo9RLVR6qAY8Si0qLcilp9zBnmMlt0jK-wywF9d4/s1600/IMG_8607.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7h9ouNSZbzx0ATrBfk1kf93fNfhQwTdcdRVTavYaCbGAE1qWFSGbON6GQs9eZ7rZxIXllICZTGtAQNLly3eZKgKXkAZkPSqpEMcddTo9RLVR6qAY8Si0qLcilp9zBnmMlt0jK-wywF9d4/s640/IMG_8607.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">We took a digestive walk by the lake as a clan, and popped into u.D's clubhouse. In his younger years u.D had a crew of friends that took an old mercedes to northern Africa, and who knows where else. That same group of friends continues to meet in this smithy shop weekly for a group meal and gab fest. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div>
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Going through the family photo albums. <br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09fs5iI_DWGUfq8ikAmQqEF0_cvfGGJI2rrVchfbTS0hIGvURFZtPHE9UgtXT-WiFSiBE98QYB93s7PA8nHkGC1cN1JT0d2a6Quewj7gBCusbKogudygMKenZbU_Q26wgiVJEwvnHEOzc/s1600/IMG_8642.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09fs5iI_DWGUfq8ikAmQqEF0_cvfGGJI2rrVchfbTS0hIGvURFZtPHE9UgtXT-WiFSiBE98QYB93s7PA8nHkGC1cN1JT0d2a6Quewj7gBCusbKogudygMKenZbU_Q26wgiVJEwvnHEOzc/s640/IMG_8642.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">After a full day of family reunion time, we left early the next morning for a leisurely drive around the lake, and headed up into the mountains. We arrived in Saas Almagell, one of the three ski villages clustered near the Italian border, and checked into the cute apartment Alexe had found for us. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgai-uicGrCqYDhcRh2vqbJfytLM4LVwF2kmS2P0YCH-DrQhdqca4Tu2Lq0D4p_F3Ub4q4NetfJYG-fyGjkIemzOdU2DGT_sZPSTKsNs-6xDyaso_Mm9cBXiIqK5ZXht-kptXiUdb8kvFdL/s1600/IMG_3646.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgai-uicGrCqYDhcRh2vqbJfytLM4LVwF2kmS2P0YCH-DrQhdqca4Tu2Lq0D4p_F3Ub4q4NetfJYG-fyGjkIemzOdU2DGT_sZPSTKsNs-6xDyaso_Mm9cBXiIqK5ZXht-kptXiUdb8kvFdL/s640/IMG_3646.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">There were a few errands to run, including renting ski equipment, exploring the grocery options, and catching a little hockey in Saas Fee before retiring for the evening and getting ready for a big day of skiing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBxGNr5CLUaVXUSuIES-gd0uyoqJTD0zq-fGEWKslQzhfFOzl1UWWh7wwVqtZ-a7RZNbUenFyJaCo9eZC_xYN8o_rxWy3tfYjj0zLNh0i_omCE17GEt-0qB5BX9mOYqlMryLt1HUongWy/s1600/IMG_3654.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBxGNr5CLUaVXUSuIES-gd0uyoqJTD0zq-fGEWKslQzhfFOzl1UWWh7wwVqtZ-a7RZNbUenFyJaCo9eZC_xYN8o_rxWy3tfYjj0zLNh0i_omCE17GEt-0qB5BX9mOYqlMryLt1HUongWy/s640/IMG_3654.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div>
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<div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">How our family recharges.</span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBlCsY7om1T6ro7_UYDlNfybhxbXwlnOewUx_Ai-J_Yet39gu6niLLWS0W4Mx_D2CM_K5sTReaT6uqVqlIHWOMwnsJfimWT1rESm2uFjElxPIYRC-TYuRH1GLfjJX5fhjjRG3-DmCD7zR/s1600/IMG_3675.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBlCsY7om1T6ro7_UYDlNfybhxbXwlnOewUx_Ai-J_Yet39gu6niLLWS0W4Mx_D2CM_K5sTReaT6uqVqlIHWOMwnsJfimWT1rESm2uFjElxPIYRC-TYuRH1GLfjJX5fhjjRG3-DmCD7zR/s640/IMG_3675.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">Early the next morning we headed for the slopes of Saas Fee! </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0LeFUc8ztpXmOdtLJIkvxxcJ02X8efwztsBfueOeBVtpfQ4MEEBtdbRZt9ZIZIagZmm4TL_fcgY4IM3YSGANniiy_IiXiEe_UVO0et_f0qckFpGxA4IRlJUn2nydasJeZ46VW6NfFDsk/s1600/IMG_3682.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0LeFUc8ztpXmOdtLJIkvxxcJ02X8efwztsBfueOeBVtpfQ4MEEBtdbRZt9ZIZIagZmm4TL_fcgY4IM3YSGANniiy_IiXiEe_UVO0et_f0qckFpGxA4IRlJUn2nydasJeZ46VW6NfFDsk/s640/IMG_3682.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">A had not been skiing since her teenage years...</span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br />
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<div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">And these two pumpkins were strapping on skis for the first time! We checked them into their ski school, and A and I headed up the mountain to play.</span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQP9tFR6ndIN_nkIeBj8LIRb7hGE8q3Ft4o2TkwJV7DjTbX1GhUVMmnSWpqwMgsr_xNpnv3CZwCiHXNEZVVGeeNWxdOETpWjvOGSvJ5p9GJOqpNlcJkgCusEY3z8IhxvY7UN7vrKcG3Kp_/s1600/IMG_3697.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQP9tFR6ndIN_nkIeBj8LIRb7hGE8q3Ft4o2TkwJV7DjTbX1GhUVMmnSWpqwMgsr_xNpnv3CZwCiHXNEZVVGeeNWxdOETpWjvOGSvJ5p9GJOqpNlcJkgCusEY3z8IhxvY7UN7vrKcG3Kp_/s640/IMG_3697.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">We had a shaky start. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7SgtNTeSXMzrvpDXFrzrKJKU0HczRK-4HizE_USr3W_Sdl_kmDG-zi_YrNzbK0_UFx1TU5txZ-70DYA9qxTkDIufK_R3eASCdlXgC3n0yeGaUt5vYiMC9aVc7piR6vfO0sDck4ffZxTQV/s1600/IMG_3705.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7SgtNTeSXMzrvpDXFrzrKJKU0HczRK-4HizE_USr3W_Sdl_kmDG-zi_YrNzbK0_UFx1TU5txZ-70DYA9qxTkDIufK_R3eASCdlXgC3n0yeGaUt5vYiMC9aVc7piR6vfO0sDck4ffZxTQV/s640/IMG_3705.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">The trail we decided to start with near the top of the mountain, though labelled a medium trail, was a little beyond A's comfort level. (A waiter later told us that trail is notorious and everyone believes it is mislabelled.) A was a champion, never giving up, and worked her way down the mountain through a series of terrifying episodes. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVCGyqeIp3ECoLCD001iq-ig6rgpdyA3W5ZGQKJjgluQCuVa1FSunCtj7PQi5UKw2_W6wgv0iqRj2o979QgQuPRl23As41QoH25gk51uA004vS2p7SbJ81xVy5LW3fdttn_6fxoLiDjuB/s1600/IMG_3706.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVCGyqeIp3ECoLCD001iq-ig6rgpdyA3W5ZGQKJjgluQCuVa1FSunCtj7PQi5UKw2_W6wgv0iqRj2o979QgQuPRl23As41QoH25gk51uA004vS2p7SbJ81xVy5LW3fdttn_6fxoLiDjuB/s640/IMG_3706.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">From there on we did a better job of keeping to the appropriate trails, and had a fun morning of trying to stop ogling the amazing location and do some skiing. </span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br />
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<div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">Later in the day we picked up the kiddoes, and spent the afternoon being super-impressed with how confident the kids had become after just a few hours of learning how to ski. Their personalities came out in their skiing, and we did several family runs, and then took turns waiting at the bottom and taking the kids on independent runs where their new prowess could be individually appreciated. The biggest challenge they had was with the rope-pull ski-lifts. The older one would fall off and trudge over to the trail, the younger one would fall off and refuse to let go, getting dragged up the mountain on his back, skis akimbo.</span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br />
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<div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">I'm burying the lead here. This was a's 12th birthday! We may not be able to top learning to ski in Switzerland as a birthday present.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvu2pbumBVTLXPQEB1nyj55oZzh-rpfHIC8LmEyLzymEbUxfT5LzAf_tqTk0_UiCA_DBeBmIZco0uQlYAVuTztiJnvqlb3DecOqaCTXD-YKNeMw8jXuF-EdqUZDBZF2_R79xyQmyHIpZ0v/s1600/IMG_3733.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvu2pbumBVTLXPQEB1nyj55oZzh-rpfHIC8LmEyLzymEbUxfT5LzAf_tqTk0_UiCA_DBeBmIZco0uQlYAVuTztiJnvqlb3DecOqaCTXD-YKNeMw8jXuF-EdqUZDBZF2_R79xyQmyHIpZ0v/s640/IMG_3733.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">With the family thoroughly tuckered, they headed off for some apres-ski beverages, and I was able to run to the top of the mountain for some speedy solo runs.</span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoG9b9kP9ySyl0ARk0jorAr1qC38YRI0O-QLgY8sYl7FvYi7tAP-eUf_0gSJwP_DsyxBmpien1PLzCnaKtVf5pH0q051ATQodaJ_r3zF9UCepcXHEj-BKVWpWnQVyV4MGo1LqT-7SdcVr/s1600/IMG_3753.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoG9b9kP9ySyl0ARk0jorAr1qC38YRI0O-QLgY8sYl7FvYi7tAP-eUf_0gSJwP_DsyxBmpien1PLzCnaKtVf5pH0q051ATQodaJ_r3zF9UCepcXHEj-BKVWpWnQVyV4MGo1LqT-7SdcVr/s640/IMG_3753.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">Happy boy, feeling home.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpC_Zf2F9fEJNeJ8c8D3chrooxHBg9mBmFJB3Dzr28sfIWLDE-ZLP9Jc2_SGJQuQAzGDq_TrwxzQxh9kS9e5MlyVjQ-av9eDIXAopPVHFJ8kzZS9wfsUF5X9RrxtT9rX-w2kHPtgvHF-Tt/s1600/IMG_3740.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpC_Zf2F9fEJNeJ8c8D3chrooxHBg9mBmFJB3Dzr28sfIWLDE-ZLP9Jc2_SGJQuQAzGDq_TrwxzQxh9kS9e5MlyVjQ-av9eDIXAopPVHFJ8kzZS9wfsUF5X9RrxtT9rX-w2kHPtgvHF-Tt/s640/IMG_3740.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">Somehow we're missing pictures from the evening's birthday celebration, relaxing in the sauna and steam rooms, and watching the mountains glow as the sun set.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">The next day we hit the more family-friendly slopes of Saas Almagell, and had a great time in the sun, with slopes the kids could run on their own, and a fun windy trail through the woods that took us almost all the way back to our apartment.</span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvwAPjruHNAeEzH8fz9bIMGyj7LWamQ7NDpu6jp88IANNnZ8REZvOsVCuGocr9KK2Z7GatgQ70HmuCQlzBBGIFZKyujU1PFbdBPT49SakSAjli3N-pRwsWtOhSc_-p_RQSKSi1WuXe-7r/s1600/IMG_3768.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvwAPjruHNAeEzH8fz9bIMGyj7LWamQ7NDpu6jp88IANNnZ8REZvOsVCuGocr9KK2Z7GatgQ70HmuCQlzBBGIFZKyujU1PFbdBPT49SakSAjli3N-pRwsWtOhSc_-p_RQSKSi1WuXe-7r/s640/IMG_3768.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">With very convenient spots adjacent to the slopes where the parents could relax while the kids zipped by.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZi1ynqv5qT8LxtcbMj2YA0wslmCP7_ZKBMk0At_M0Lzs9p3usxGrmsG7CWRmAzqHKRlQduKMU7MOTctTAhd4LV5cqia8adp61p236Hfodpa35CxMhgXqDsS8Qv4H2mDOVabe8CbTTRS-7/s1600/IMG_3773.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZi1ynqv5qT8LxtcbMj2YA0wslmCP7_ZKBMk0At_M0Lzs9p3usxGrmsG7CWRmAzqHKRlQduKMU7MOTctTAhd4LV5cqia8adp61p236Hfodpa35CxMhgXqDsS8Qv4H2mDOVabe8CbTTRS-7/s640/IMG_3773.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">The next day saw us retracing our steps back to Geneva, with a few stops. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">A comment here about the great little diesel SUV that took us all over Switzerland, getting 40+ miles to the gallon in four wheel drive luxury. Wish we could buy one in the States. </span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-y5umD15v6meNQcHTqi0AF-q27n3Hp_HpFuR8csQmTedHX7P2xzch95P9tywTlmztZSu8iO6hGkXQPdqcCKd9OAC7PGWQUhKqCj6-gaH8iz-1ESMT76zCJcOOPLITJFcBJEevAjRehCu6/s1600/IMG_3808.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-y5umD15v6meNQcHTqi0AF-q27n3Hp_HpFuR8csQmTedHX7P2xzch95P9tywTlmztZSu8iO6hGkXQPdqcCKd9OAC7PGWQUhKqCj6-gaH8iz-1ESMT76zCJcOOPLITJFcBJEevAjRehCu6/s640/IMG_3808.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">Castle Montreux. It was a long walk around the lake from my grandparents' house, something like 8 kilometers, with lovely things to look at for a young me the whole way. (I particularly remember getting to walk along the top of the stone wall that bordered all the swimming spots along the lake...) Bringing A and my children into these memories was intense in all the best ways.</span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br />
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<div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">Photo-bombing pre-teen.</span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfhDACsTbqLD5dDPryckMbw3jGa5kM79o2_QLH-rBQkR4AEhpspHGw87nTWJyYHNr8VLVWuomwVcZMhvYmP94LWHbYaf0jSX_SqnZSQDA8IZ9dBb7o2Y_ZXGpYsUsP4_p71hyIb1OHHvS/s1600/IMG_3894.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfhDACsTbqLD5dDPryckMbw3jGa5kM79o2_QLH-rBQkR4AEhpspHGw87nTWJyYHNr8VLVWuomwVcZMhvYmP94LWHbYaf0jSX_SqnZSQDA8IZ9dBb7o2Y_ZXGpYsUsP4_p71hyIb1OHHvS/s640/IMG_3894.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">I have vivid memories of running through these dungeons with my brother. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1RLUvOl_ivCn2KE-1DOKFyNnrpF-wMj3iiUaSwNObVioccVD-mdZgfqhnbbhttI7VmVB7fiZf3o6zz046wG5iRM7FHDE-vh_f8ih3jgmrT7Q2stKkAsr-8Rm8RwdyFMXd7aXvdumHB2u/s1600/IMG_3832.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1RLUvOl_ivCn2KE-1DOKFyNnrpF-wMj3iiUaSwNObVioccVD-mdZgfqhnbbhttI7VmVB7fiZf3o6zz046wG5iRM7FHDE-vh_f8ih3jgmrT7Q2stKkAsr-8Rm8RwdyFMXd7aXvdumHB2u/s640/IMG_3832.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">If you're only going to have one view, this isn't a bad one.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGF7YEjbbgjviH78Tg6uo7kxdEeYZ7ro8a_eX1kp4j6TucjP6eollFk6Qe3cJYGdX1TCAT8xFizY8Cg5xCSXqCskWvj-OsUq7A4fyyEtMrKocuHth5hq7csUKxGhjo7cVyNI8PcoZ1iRo/s1600/IMG_3834.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGF7YEjbbgjviH78Tg6uo7kxdEeYZ7ro8a_eX1kp4j6TucjP6eollFk6Qe3cJYGdX1TCAT8xFizY8Cg5xCSXqCskWvj-OsUq7A4fyyEtMrKocuHth5hq7csUKxGhjo7cVyNI8PcoZ1iRo/s640/IMG_3834.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">Heart exploding.</span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br />
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<div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">We paused in Vevey again on the way back to Geneva. This waterfront is possibly the most beautiful place in the world I have ever been. I remember climbing on these brass statues, and feeding the swans. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">My kids feeding the descendants of those same swans... (Who knows if that's accurate, but a fun thought.)</span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4-3v0eJMW455-IzzQ9P947myaM8gxDMWuMpA29mb0le201xnBt2wnTk368lOHeOM0zvEOvqX_CY0e-7WPnrZ7OqRC7a28yx43QsjoHjlj4R-GGt7w6qAYJ-X5YoaP3n6mFNo2nqlpAHF/s1600/IMG_3915.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4-3v0eJMW455-IzzQ9P947myaM8gxDMWuMpA29mb0le201xnBt2wnTk368lOHeOM0zvEOvqX_CY0e-7WPnrZ7OqRC7a28yx43QsjoHjlj4R-GGt7w6qAYJ-X5YoaP3n6mFNo2nqlpAHF/s640/IMG_3915.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">I won't spend too much time on all the things the Swiss do so well. They have an amazing sense of priorities around preservation of systems that work well, national security in the literal sense, as well as food, historical, and cultural security. There are cool farming programs that subsidize the farming of the steep and difficult lands up in the mountains to keep a strong agricultural base, even in a country that is affluent and could easily import everything. (Subsidization rates literally correspond to the gradient of the land...)</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">Below is my favorite example, in the center of Vevey, Switzerland, on the waterfront. The most prime real estate in a country where even the smallest apartment in the farthest reaches of a remote village will fetch north of $700,000. I can't fathom the monetary value of this land. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">Do you know what this is? The public school. </span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">Because children and education are important.</span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">The high school I attended in Vermont was built a couple miles outside of our town, in a swamp. Nothing near it. The schools my children attend in Mississippi are equally located in out of the way locations on the least valuable pieces of land around.</span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br />
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<div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">To drive this point home further: This is the property to the immediate right of the school. It is for sale right now for a price tag that would require a "B" in your wealth category. Alexe has designs on it...</span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br />
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</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">With a last look around, swirling memories of departed family, and a new stock of wonderful memories to carry us through the coming years, we headed back to Geneva.</span></div>
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</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">We were all sad to go. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGgMOn2XeEBYDTLJlsl4lJj9n1LR4VQ-zU2Rr3lvMF1iPP3RnACp-aBpbDKFQxEvcCHlAKZ7Yai0RBSD7iw-mE4xVjqnkyBK5UVBO6st_3yH4T0wJHREC0S4J2PeLHuCZly44sCE8PC8g/s1600/IMG_3952.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGgMOn2XeEBYDTLJlsl4lJj9n1LR4VQ-zU2Rr3lvMF1iPP3RnACp-aBpbDKFQxEvcCHlAKZ7Yai0RBSD7iw-mE4xVjqnkyBK5UVBO6st_3yH4T0wJHREC0S4J2PeLHuCZly44sCE8PC8g/s640/IMG_3952.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">Not all of us bouncing back as quickly as the pre-teen.</span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3WICV686Eas5YdlhIvif7yJHlug5gq1_E-PMXHu-aeo77zlK2fr85SzC3qRyvAF3AYX2bvqsx8Y_WWduBd_Bt6PU66Uoygf_1-DOyAc2oyJS_NkimGTwAAAzGtpWXrKERFkgvd09PMcn/s1600/IMG_3958.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3WICV686Eas5YdlhIvif7yJHlug5gq1_E-PMXHu-aeo77zlK2fr85SzC3qRyvAF3AYX2bvqsx8Y_WWduBd_Bt6PU66Uoygf_1-DOyAc2oyJS_NkimGTwAAAzGtpWXrKERFkgvd09PMcn/s640/IMG_3958.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">We've spent much of this catastrophic year strategizing on how we might relocate our whole life to be closer to Switzerland. </span></div>smartinof4stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03012903196847383612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913771544379258246.post-50510550541621178442019-02-05T15:14:00.001-05:002019-02-05T15:34:56.773-05:00Barn!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Foundation, started in November of 2017. The barn footprint will be 30' x 50', not including the 12' shed that runs down the right side. Pouring the foundation in three 10 ft wide pours, so that I could handle the pouring and finishing by myself, with a little help on the other side of the scree board.</span></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />This first section included water piping for future radiant floor heating to keep my birthing mothers toasty.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLaPH2ekuaS75BZMtKpAfKik_HB7wKOq0jSmY8BCMS_8-Lo7PRIiu9-IVLCfcIvP7QzoSWPbZkifMdVnJ2eNrgo3nAvloPrGogfoiBPD-BC7URuujvhLsKo_RC19hJGhbj-r_nauylBAGH/s1600/IMG_5177.HEIC"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLaPH2ekuaS75BZMtKpAfKik_HB7wKOq0jSmY8BCMS_8-Lo7PRIiu9-IVLCfcIvP7QzoSWPbZkifMdVnJ2eNrgo3nAvloPrGogfoiBPD-BC7URuujvhLsKo_RC19hJGhbj-r_nauylBAGH/s640/IMG_5177.HEIC" /></a><br /><br /> Lots of rebar, with vertical pieces to tie into the block walls.<br /><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHqjQHRqVoVb2G4NM4DPLO6-u4Bx9_cJ5dshTyuURA8olb2Y0RGL4MzKkN3JJAVuL-Nt5ZVwkh-fkR5F1NpL_M0BY2ehf1TBgs9JHCzD30PSd91EqzZaGlOMlj3I-e3iPzBHKiWSYumUe/s1600/IMG_5178.HEIC"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHqjQHRqVoVb2G4NM4DPLO6-u4Bx9_cJ5dshTyuURA8olb2Y0RGL4MzKkN3JJAVuL-Nt5ZVwkh-fkR5F1NpL_M0BY2ehf1TBgs9JHCzD30PSd91EqzZaGlOMlj3I-e3iPzBHKiWSYumUe/s640/IMG_5178.HEIC" /></a><br /><br />The middle section required some plumbing for the floor drain, and strategically placed steel plates anchored to the rebar network for future anchoring of vertical support beams.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrX0vtkZ34oGd3CrEgP_VzMQav9Jbfeq0xTq_716-wBdytPcka8T5bVi-QHWiu12Hy-BMxgPbdFMIjw3tfSuskiBTZdchBITzI90tBdLmnHO09mcu1G1F4UcOmM2WNFR1NMHjelTYxd_G/s1600/IMG_5210.HEIC"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrX0vtkZ34oGd3CrEgP_VzMQav9Jbfeq0xTq_716-wBdytPcka8T5bVi-QHWiu12Hy-BMxgPbdFMIjw3tfSuskiBTZdchBITzI90tBdLmnHO09mcu1G1F4UcOmM2WNFR1NMHjelTYxd_G/s640/IMG_5210.HEIC" /></a><br /><br />Final section, with plumbing in the front right corner for sinks.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAOPORb6prFHKpdaDaza9sdpHjsIomw5KyR_a3y89HGzwzF0aFOebHcML57xGWhG5u0ByX4f-rdVhkcXjj4HR2tiQ1ouXz8l8Ym0rtJ_fv42weErBQEAh2nrk5bnbxrzd_S0YUiKU50NY/s1600/IMG_5220.HEIC"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAOPORb6prFHKpdaDaza9sdpHjsIomw5KyR_a3y89HGzwzF0aFOebHcML57xGWhG5u0ByX4f-rdVhkcXjj4HR2tiQ1ouXz8l8Ym0rtJ_fv42weErBQEAh2nrk5bnbxrzd_S0YUiKU50NY/s640/IMG_5220.HEIC" /></a><br /><br />Caspian helped with the final pour, and our handprints are near the front door.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_jafzU3Gyb59ENFdZ0I6FPnS19WCinonRANcCL_vAgdu_BmiNJOba4YsAHzT_JBn8eGA3iqhzLcKAxO1agwPQWDESsyjlxCRDhTfmsZTbuZHfc4DRTEhbGlHuW61MYDqZrauA1TPm8O0/s1600/IMG_5221.HEIC"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_jafzU3Gyb59ENFdZ0I6FPnS19WCinonRANcCL_vAgdu_BmiNJOba4YsAHzT_JBn8eGA3iqhzLcKAxO1agwPQWDESsyjlxCRDhTfmsZTbuZHfc4DRTEhbGlHuW61MYDqZrauA1TPm8O0/s640/IMG_5221.HEIC" /></a><br /><br />For the blocking of the walls, I called in my friend Jerry. He is my favorite mason / baptist preacher, who can lay blocks as fast as I can bring them to him. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpSP7AgbDcu1ufVsoaSm2GKkq2dJXJ2mnc1COpgVoYKTEVFwUV8hZgZ3fjdGs7AT2jMVEqDGPZ0LK3C_e3YV_zAK2TuRBqiE0yvdnQZzCrNVbCF5MJFyjD3pVlJ4pTk6J5YlaD01M-ZLV/s1600/IMG_5314.HEIC"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpSP7AgbDcu1ufVsoaSm2GKkq2dJXJ2mnc1COpgVoYKTEVFwUV8hZgZ3fjdGs7AT2jMVEqDGPZ0LK3C_e3YV_zAK2TuRBqiE0yvdnQZzCrNVbCF5MJFyjD3pVlJ4pTk6J5YlaD01M-ZLV/s640/IMG_5314.HEIC" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFU0SEmDZq9hyFbU-o_ILkmsrowP59Os3Hta4GxM0XyWd3pu9uOd6rbgM8kaX5yWogCoSM2yO2WNW6QdKIcNRMpmatNIQ48PgFiAIEseb4e0x6405RcHozurJSg5KZtM-moLu5QQhB0byJ/s1600/IMG_5317.HEIC"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFU0SEmDZq9hyFbU-o_ILkmsrowP59Os3Hta4GxM0XyWd3pu9uOd6rbgM8kaX5yWogCoSM2yO2WNW6QdKIcNRMpmatNIQ48PgFiAIEseb4e0x6405RcHozurJSg5KZtM-moLu5QQhB0byJ/s640/IMG_5317.HEIC" /></a><br /><br />We had a pleasant two days, me running to stay ahead of his mortar and block needs, and chatting about various theological points. <br /><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPq9b0dFVAkAjTAyz7M9jCtnor29euQEU9-8VmP5N3mwrmmS62Ja-gwtNPaNVmeUGTnFhqJVy7rsBMhOHvPEzl8t4VUwyRiTcqBsKlp6JpsQJNSIqG3G_PJroO0_yRceQwSYBYXOSdnQq/s1600/IMG_5315.HEIC"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPq9b0dFVAkAjTAyz7M9jCtnor29euQEU9-8VmP5N3mwrmmS62Ja-gwtNPaNVmeUGTnFhqJVy7rsBMhOHvPEzl8t4VUwyRiTcqBsKlp6JpsQJNSIqG3G_PJroO0_yRceQwSYBYXOSdnQq/s640/IMG_5315.HEIC" /></a><br /><br />This is when Jerry left, the last help I had until Alexe and some friends helped lean the roof trusses into position. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67lg_M79s7p-Lly6jMd9chNoIBs8tjGnHhyphenhyphenm0mm2_qp3ncDL2s4_G2kSa2-A95pCxRx3Ieqdpw87PppxsnxHeRvOoF065Rv1EZYuSyAPF8JLjZnX2_zKyXMOq79HfsSqbLylbDPwfOGSl/s1600/IMG_5321.HEIC"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67lg_M79s7p-Lly6jMd9chNoIBs8tjGnHhyphenhyphenm0mm2_qp3ncDL2s4_G2kSa2-A95pCxRx3Ieqdpw87PppxsnxHeRvOoF065Rv1EZYuSyAPF8JLjZnX2_zKyXMOq79HfsSqbLylbDPwfOGSl/s640/IMG_5321.HEIC" /></a><br /><br />I ended up laying a couple more courses of blocks on the back left hand corner, and then poured the walls solid with concrete, with lots of rebar.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHAleABTfFhciYV00Q3JtON2HjJ-YSqfblU4kW2d0aDSyslCUtXyX8ANU14ttx1QT4nP2zyDlcu9QjRep8wLF9xclftIOFoww-UKp0gJeenZDQ-ShBtyv3QmhFo9HAFZsMoTi-eqyR5AS/s1600/IMG_5434.HEIC"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHAleABTfFhciYV00Q3JtON2HjJ-YSqfblU4kW2d0aDSyslCUtXyX8ANU14ttx1QT4nP2zyDlcu9QjRep8wLF9xclftIOFoww-UKp0gJeenZDQ-ShBtyv3QmhFo9HAFZsMoTi-eqyR5AS/s640/IMG_5434.HEIC" /></a><br /><br />I took my small sawmill out to the pile of logs that had been curing since I cut them down during the big pond project a couple years earlier, and started milling.<br /><br />And after cutting three logs into beams, realized if I started at this point in the process I would never get to build the actual barn.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh12FJVJsd1R3z9QbR5iuveHCY1mquZOodJmYsDvL2dox5xuasV2YdFTX58YVn_xn9u_9p1upRyN9Dx8xgzsSWf12gDUi02WgZjDIDxK5koaKy2qmxhYE4Ubynz1TTr5Z-NnxDD_fR_cqs/s1600/IMG_5437.HEIC"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh12FJVJsd1R3z9QbR5iuveHCY1mquZOodJmYsDvL2dox5xuasV2YdFTX58YVn_xn9u_9p1upRyN9Dx8xgzsSWf12gDUi02WgZjDIDxK5koaKy2qmxhYE4Ubynz1TTr5Z-NnxDD_fR_cqs/s640/IMG_5437.HEIC" /></a><br /><br />As I was looking around for other options, my father took ill, and there was a 6 month interlude.<br /><br />At some point in the spring I did upgrade my welder in preparation for getting back to the barn project, where there was going to be no electricity and a generator would be very helpful during construction. A gas powered welder/generator would be perfect, and I traded a friend my electric mig (along with some $$) for his.<br /><br />Which I then practiced with, making brackets to bolt timbers together. A little chopping, drilling, and welding.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybQoJZirXr2aWqrDRF9BXJq-QYorZZqaQv4G9F2QXBbQlbdk1V4bQ0HnvzI1tUgM3oiu9NJnl4crR0u0Njn9XMXxdk0m_qq4pdWLgGDB-s2dkfsJwYtOJE6ucbbonsJnhH6yFh0MOYeQ1/s1600/IMG_6115.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybQoJZirXr2aWqrDRF9BXJq-QYorZZqaQv4G9F2QXBbQlbdk1V4bQ0HnvzI1tUgM3oiu9NJnl4crR0u0Njn9XMXxdk0m_qq4pdWLgGDB-s2dkfsJwYtOJE6ucbbonsJnhH6yFh0MOYeQ1/s640/IMG_6115.JPG" /></a><br /><br />At some point in the summer I connected with a sawmill in Randolph, MS near the Amish community, and ordered everything I would need to build the skeleton of the barn.<br /><br /> July 17th, the first load of timber picked up at the sawmill. After barely making it home with this load, the kind owner of the local lumber yard took his giant lumber truck to the mill for me to pick up the rest. With that big truck it still took him 3 trips to bring the rest of the structural members to me.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbCHQF6Bf66ffHLn0svEmB5Z42tuMtLrf1oAWOkj9EuXGg-OOnBFXOGxPZQHIE486KX9RUa366_Bq2AAPvxi4b9GPwoGeGAY6BV4ZGeGG0WVIrlEFNw49ZGPPZ_lNtjts8VR564x1hUXR/s1600/IMG_7485.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbCHQF6Bf66ffHLn0svEmB5Z42tuMtLrf1oAWOkj9EuXGg-OOnBFXOGxPZQHIE486KX9RUa366_Bq2AAPvxi4b9GPwoGeGAY6BV4ZGeGG0WVIrlEFNw49ZGPPZ_lNtjts8VR564x1hUXR/s640/IMG_7485.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Verticals sitting on top of the block walls are 8"x 8" oak. Full height verticals are 10" x 10". Even the small pieces were barely moveable by hand. Everything was a juggling act with the forks on the tractor.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfc0jDRzv9mQQcbc9dA6owSHJ5VnEk-j4BZTCMtgRLjHxQwcfvmvirlmZl6goKMlexcf3iB2RnjiiYFngz9aAQbzJkBVtDVKVM8wD9a6QnzogWX05TMzwXBnev9rtoU3sW3ZnarUIMj4L/s1600/IMG_7487.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfc0jDRzv9mQQcbc9dA6owSHJ5VnEk-j4BZTCMtgRLjHxQwcfvmvirlmZl6goKMlexcf3iB2RnjiiYFngz9aAQbzJkBVtDVKVM8wD9a6QnzogWX05TMzwXBnev9rtoU3sW3ZnarUIMj4L/s640/IMG_7487.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Squaring off the ends of each timber with a chainsaw with a new blade, ends sealed with paint to minimize cracking, and hoisted into position. These shorter pieces I was able to set on the walls with the tractor, and stand up by hand. <br /><br /> Sill boards are 2" cypress.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8l1NnVODbGggvXZKuhLIqnACjDAiGNj1vNESH_F0yEAbdEv2IeABL_DLMp2Uup1H8Sh6OuenhKbzKll3cKf88wagCjk-MTr9DCI6jaFu-BvByG8PMv30PO5gS55nBnwMItyAFpPZl_TA/s1600/IMG_7488.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8l1NnVODbGggvXZKuhLIqnACjDAiGNj1vNESH_F0yEAbdEv2IeABL_DLMp2Uup1H8Sh6OuenhKbzKll3cKf88wagCjk-MTr9DCI6jaFu-BvByG8PMv30PO5gS55nBnwMItyAFpPZl_TA/s640/IMG_7488.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Steel roof trusses, built by a small family steel company in Northern Alabama and delivered. There was no supplier in the state of Mississippi who was willing to build these in the shape (gambrel) that I wanted.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-25je5Z-cUFv8hirN08zy34S9e4AIwjU8pnt3DX0cJPxf2Wj7vHWbguGwNKpy6ndaeN1URbaplnNgejLdusHYGrSjkBP5G1tLa8CH42FVGhBCmB6w0d0NFWz_45l2rUIH1rlAdUqgBPGC/s1600/IMG_7489.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-25je5Z-cUFv8hirN08zy34S9e4AIwjU8pnt3DX0cJPxf2Wj7vHWbguGwNKpy6ndaeN1URbaplnNgejLdusHYGrSjkBP5G1tLa8CH42FVGhBCmB6w0d0NFWz_45l2rUIH1rlAdUqgBPGC/s640/IMG_7489.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Working around the perimeter...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKOAYNYKyixzLKEWcv8B_ucGh742Ka-RBXev8oD2WoMEwoqfZrdjX9rgUf7Ha3IvB8wuc-_lK1NZuFagoj1c5muXwegUWIP8PBeGGu3Dwt65MjHFCyoh5JO9CXCIRLhYp3LWeCsxrj2KDg/s1600/IMG_7490.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKOAYNYKyixzLKEWcv8B_ucGh742Ka-RBXev8oD2WoMEwoqfZrdjX9rgUf7Ha3IvB8wuc-_lK1NZuFagoj1c5muXwegUWIP8PBeGGu3Dwt65MjHFCyoh5JO9CXCIRLhYp3LWeCsxrj2KDg/s640/IMG_7490.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzMol5F9H-jBru4XmxcGQMFndkr7HcYsZNfro8y3VMLlaGeRGTr4BXXh3A-UMmxSkuWC6Vysdt8_Q_LjKZbVZ2pqaSxyWf36YUowD-iMc3oRxZymaWdyJaKikIhSwsOi1jLAuTe8HNJtw/s1600/IMG_7497.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzMol5F9H-jBru4XmxcGQMFndkr7HcYsZNfro8y3VMLlaGeRGTr4BXXh3A-UMmxSkuWC6Vysdt8_Q_LjKZbVZ2pqaSxyWf36YUowD-iMc3oRxZymaWdyJaKikIhSwsOi1jLAuTe8HNJtw/s640/IMG_7497.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> The rest of the lumber arrives. Days are spent re-stacking everything with spacers to let this green lumber air out and avoid mildewing. Luckily Larry's truck had a built-in fork lift for unloading.<br /><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBESKBahPOxjFY0Wq3UvmcJVnElSUj2NOrE2unfBr7RD6Qm2CvkzCYz5LIBxyD3ND7RqCEGUvhfNJO5t4iQxpR8t6ddzVxFPtQkmFOG7MJlazxSqFIESHceMET1qg3KpEnEaBvFaF9knii/s1600/IMG_7494.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBESKBahPOxjFY0Wq3UvmcJVnElSUj2NOrE2unfBr7RD6Qm2CvkzCYz5LIBxyD3ND7RqCEGUvhfNJO5t4iQxpR8t6ddzVxFPtQkmFOG7MJlazxSqFIESHceMET1qg3KpEnEaBvFaF9knii/s640/IMG_7494.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIjFiJy5s8OZwAui3rQzEf1zPj4VAGiIVLoHwcwDHXpIDFzV6XtEHabp2TAOJyO6dN306WYOxUDF8sbzRc1vDK_purWlVKEuii1JRZhpPXpv1t0B51R7yc6mz9vuZGBBDqM5tGmhfxr4K/s1600/IMG_7499.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIjFiJy5s8OZwAui3rQzEf1zPj4VAGiIVLoHwcwDHXpIDFzV6XtEHabp2TAOJyO6dN306WYOxUDF8sbzRc1vDK_purWlVKEuii1JRZhpPXpv1t0B51R7yc6mz9vuZGBBDqM5tGmhfxr4K/s640/IMG_7499.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> The tent is for sun protection: We're looking at July/August in Mississippi, ambient temperature in the high 90s, humidity about the same.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpIbr5xAXkMr2fnm2CSs8m4sW5Zjkmj6VvCsRBW6fBvvDDoYUQueJbaW-5lqCpSgCbWAXn2L5BWrtOvUzIMSUyctFiic3QsXwHy9JcQ2s6Oy_sle9UvBh_Oc_M7ocLs8N87NP7HdbQJCt/s1600/IMG_7501.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpIbr5xAXkMr2fnm2CSs8m4sW5Zjkmj6VvCsRBW6fBvvDDoYUQueJbaW-5lqCpSgCbWAXn2L5BWrtOvUzIMSUyctFiic3QsXwHy9JcQ2s6Oy_sle9UvBh_Oc_M7ocLs8N87NP7HdbQJCt/s640/IMG_7501.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Horizontal beams. 6" x 12" oak, roughly 10' long. The tractor could barely lift these, and the lifting height of the bucket was not sufficient to get the beams to above the vertical supports. Some shims on the forks to push the beams to the tip of the forks gave me about 3 inches of clearance. Lift into near-position with the tractor, then hoist off the forks onto the verticals by hand.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIh4xEpz_JeJNkjLQwyIIqw1qWMJUbrSX5nYctdUbx6xjIjqDs7_n3fPthAuVZKS5Gd7rFYb9DL1vqxmzuSz29yRTdQmgpjYqJ9bdn9URJIZG6wNmNRavgi0YEP6mx-HTM1tY1RwmqLi6/s1600/IMG_7566.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIh4xEpz_JeJNkjLQwyIIqw1qWMJUbrSX5nYctdUbx6xjIjqDs7_n3fPthAuVZKS5Gd7rFYb9DL1vqxmzuSz29yRTdQmgpjYqJ9bdn9URJIZG6wNmNRavgi0YEP6mx-HTM1tY1RwmqLi6/s640/IMG_7566.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Not the safest worksite for visitors. The family would converge in the evening to ask why it was going so slowly.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2t-Ahk0h4OO0RKfHSG7ZyZ0oeC9x4UA3Z2qpcBQYQ-m8k4fgHezUOyPduv9W8pEoBycW0fBrOIjfXSWd-pV3Gyw4kCRzmWbaPneZh64PujkW0EWexiQ-WQBPucuivePHcgvwH3A9yznSz/s1600/IMG_7573.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2t-Ahk0h4OO0RKfHSG7ZyZ0oeC9x4UA3Z2qpcBQYQ-m8k4fgHezUOyPduv9W8pEoBycW0fBrOIjfXSWd-pV3Gyw4kCRzmWbaPneZh64PujkW0EWexiQ-WQBPucuivePHcgvwH3A9yznSz/s640/IMG_7573.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Sticker-ed lumber, plugging away on the skeleton. The full height verticals, (10" x 10"x 10' oak) were entirely up to the tractor. With a sling on the forks I could get them vertical and roughly in position. Sledge hammer used to bump them into their final positions, (with the tractor sling acting as a back-up in case they tipped over, which happened...) Once in position, a steel plate was welded to the steel imbedded in the concrete foundation, and bolted to the post.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffc7EvoeBpYTfnMbrPrEV6YA5yZUbeUWpVi4fmLxuHUE3DAXPdXz2OUvI88HO9LmQW1lOvIC1Do6srX_xX_Zuzs3TK-wLpbl7Oou9MDorvD2zxJpbdo98K5dLuLQWyEdWIJf-_kSeIeso/s1600/IMG_7585.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffc7EvoeBpYTfnMbrPrEV6YA5yZUbeUWpVi4fmLxuHUE3DAXPdXz2OUvI88HO9LmQW1lOvIC1Do6srX_xX_Zuzs3TK-wLpbl7Oou9MDorvD2zxJpbdo98K5dLuLQWyEdWIJf-_kSeIeso/s640/IMG_7585.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> The skeleton was "wobbly" as it was being constructed, and would only firm up as everything tied together and diagonal braces could be installed. Setting the horizontal beams could take a couple attempts, with a vertical being knocked over, or the horizontal beams taking a roll backwards on the forks. To make these tiny adjustments using a tractor takes some practice, even more so when the tractor revs have to be redlined to be able to lift the beams in the first place.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBAbvbzWV3gqa2rifDO7ovcA-HLpA0EOTzyOD7K_qR8qPEVwyECtURiJHYTq2rsmAN9rXaakyseDH4YbZhnzDcblmztYYHxlF-GN_qd2E593ZUdqaYtbjCvSIrKZ6jiZ01DrDFUAJGqYa/s1600/IMG_7591.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBAbvbzWV3gqa2rifDO7ovcA-HLpA0EOTzyOD7K_qR8qPEVwyECtURiJHYTq2rsmAN9rXaakyseDH4YbZhnzDcblmztYYHxlF-GN_qd2E593ZUdqaYtbjCvSIrKZ6jiZ01DrDFUAJGqYa/s640/IMG_7591.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> The last of the oak horizontal beams in place. For the last 20 ft span we needed steel.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sZcIUrWbOWAuoC7v5S1S8Bu05djdxaXEe6ncYj6dZvp8xC8nSj3pPjPO4fNh457fJBL3K9jFoSQ2GeQg2I8DHe65ee7lZkJmO62azkC_JmQHKgutdgFhLmRckbUQmijqkb9O8dYmdDCz/s1600/IMG_7609.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sZcIUrWbOWAuoC7v5S1S8Bu05djdxaXEe6ncYj6dZvp8xC8nSj3pPjPO4fNh457fJBL3K9jFoSQ2GeQg2I8DHe65ee7lZkJmO62azkC_JmQHKgutdgFhLmRckbUQmijqkb9O8dYmdDCz/s640/IMG_7609.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Same technique used to get these into position, with an added safety precaution of a scaffolding cage in case the beams (6" x 12" x 20') deciding to roll off the tractor forks. Yes, the cage earned its keep.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv13nu6U171B4ddCzFZD4KP5-FDeBtyYnvQqYPFw7wy_Xsx_8IhyphenhyphenyAGMWcdgQKzbuuEPDnaT6kq7BzRI-m1zGQqNzBmJz6huspr4avB5BG25R914HPQZkDr_LKU8SY5jIcu3NnMGjaMY6A/s1600/IMG_7626.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv13nu6U171B4ddCzFZD4KP5-FDeBtyYnvQqYPFw7wy_Xsx_8IhyphenhyphenyAGMWcdgQKzbuuEPDnaT6kq7BzRI-m1zGQqNzBmJz6huspr4avB5BG25R914HPQZkDr_LKU8SY5jIcu3NnMGjaMY6A/s640/IMG_7626.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Steel beam set into position, brackets welded and bolted to the verticals.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaY3o_UbtSOzhPHZGbtC4wuRPinmMx7iDmrDmFuWnLO7jlLHH5ZwX4s-tduZO0a16dh1bwHfl1kEq5kTIjyxlTVCm4AkGaJMcJiB_hivIbxKlxcMLbSaFeL7gak2069ojRfVzxeW_0FD_g/s1600/IMG_7627.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaY3o_UbtSOzhPHZGbtC4wuRPinmMx7iDmrDmFuWnLO7jlLHH5ZwX4s-tduZO0a16dh1bwHfl1kEq5kTIjyxlTVCm4AkGaJMcJiB_hivIbxKlxcMLbSaFeL7gak2069ojRfVzxeW_0FD_g/s640/IMG_7627.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Next layer of horizontals connecting the four sections together. These horizontals are 4" x 10" pine at 10' intervals, where the roof trusses will sit. Floor joists (2"x10") run 16" on center between these larger timbers.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYL-W4crW4JUxKq-V6xtqqTRUckhynUxvfs8yFuDwJe0fxLwhBJTUjmDf_0ZCv91Ctn5Tj7yFs8WrVgW2dz4Z7RmvFkbwnq9-g_HCoYRS98bpOV3f9cn7MYgFOeVUuPkD-yDRFRa29uLqx/s1600/IMG_7629.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYL-W4crW4JUxKq-V6xtqqTRUckhynUxvfs8yFuDwJe0fxLwhBJTUjmDf_0ZCv91Ctn5Tj7yFs8WrVgW2dz4Z7RmvFkbwnq9-g_HCoYRS98bpOV3f9cn7MYgFOeVUuPkD-yDRFRa29uLqx/s640/IMG_7629.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> The green pine was almost as heavy as the oak.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PDXQnpE9wyGQgW0_gJGb_l05W-Gjnj0IM_ClzRJJEQLEl30ca-6mgGeETlOmhTSaPIhuG7ecGMNE9TE39dzOPtrEjzj8gsDoWAiMg6alzuqMUTC1bvuiipph2LbomvW0TUyvlOd3C9hT/s1600/IMG_7647.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PDXQnpE9wyGQgW0_gJGb_l05W-Gjnj0IM_ClzRJJEQLEl30ca-6mgGeETlOmhTSaPIhuG7ecGMNE9TE39dzOPtrEjzj8gsDoWAiMg6alzuqMUTC1bvuiipph2LbomvW0TUyvlOd3C9hT/s640/IMG_7647.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> The working height at this point (12') is beyond what the tractor can reach, so much hoisting is being done by hand.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1gFy8PZ1k51Ltv2CvXoISffVce4GaA80r7nSqvbDwYrppNY1lFh9uHKy4ho7-jzyqBYpoUvfHIW4esmKwxSG5eOaQigqMhwqM_41q1dn9H-wyKbOHJ4M4JUozKLIPFw6iKfayqLM9rNt/s1600/IMG_7676.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1gFy8PZ1k51Ltv2CvXoISffVce4GaA80r7nSqvbDwYrppNY1lFh9uHKy4ho7-jzyqBYpoUvfHIW4esmKwxSG5eOaQigqMhwqM_41q1dn9H-wyKbOHJ4M4JUozKLIPFw6iKfayqLM9rNt/s640/IMG_7676.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9Is3PAulOj5aon21dSuddobIvKLI82VO2CtE1ZGYrjDfGY5pO8SWgEFETGwhyphenhyphens-XpGai6dGc_81xB0nV1TX0CDSOl9PUgDRenO_fUYm70lMgjE7ZgaYZ5PunGvTGRKaooop9KgfnhdCZ/s1600/IMG_7685.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9Is3PAulOj5aon21dSuddobIvKLI82VO2CtE1ZGYrjDfGY5pO8SWgEFETGwhyphenhyphens-XpGai6dGc_81xB0nV1TX0CDSOl9PUgDRenO_fUYm70lMgjE7ZgaYZ5PunGvTGRKaooop9KgfnhdCZ/s640/IMG_7685.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> The beautiful spiral stairs, salvaged from a warehouse in Memphis, and sitting by the side of the driveway waiting for a home for two years. Alexe has accused me of building this barn just so I would have a home for these stairs.<br /><br /> Heavy. Like everything else. And the tractor just isn't strong or tall enough. I managed to snap four of the steps off in the process of getting them vertical.<br /><br /> With my rookie welding skills I hunkered down to weld the four cast iron steps back together. The first one popped as it cooled, so I ground it down and tried again. That weld took, as did the next three, and I moved on. Later that evening I did a little research to see why the first weld had popped apart, and found cast iron is usually a very difficult thing to weld, requiring pre-heating and a slow cool down period. Luckily I was working at the heat of the day, in temps over 100, in full sun. Apparently the perfect environment.<br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVY0LVVfMhrr9ZIkFO8fM7Lq1XEeFOTLQOb504fnRMqK5NktXeCtQzzKO9yATIaX2T4c8EKuXhTj3K8GLMUQIDJAkeLR9lFqLKy9dZn_gURB7f5Xol2e6UYFeayyYvbQUrjLIN2AmBG411/s1600/IMG_7686.JPG" style="clear: right; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: start;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVY0LVVfMhrr9ZIkFO8fM7Lq1XEeFOTLQOb504fnRMqK5NktXeCtQzzKO9yATIaX2T4c8EKuXhTj3K8GLMUQIDJAkeLR9lFqLKy9dZn_gURB7f5Xol2e6UYFeayyYvbQUrjLIN2AmBG411/s640/IMG_7686.JPG" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <br /> I love them.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQ3zyin3jecCsTM4OJI6e2qs0pWxH5eqwp6TwOzYDaw885-hQ2pHqhDorG2XiN8T1gqqB30TjAECSC3RHmoipj_FA9NwiSxeVZ2ppmONXF8dBdaH8Ll-HGqtxBYdg5OVgypN7YzIYz84g/s1600/IMG_7704.JPG" style="text-align: start;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQ3zyin3jecCsTM4OJI6e2qs0pWxH5eqwp6TwOzYDaw885-hQ2pHqhDorG2XiN8T1gqqB30TjAECSC3RHmoipj_FA9NwiSxeVZ2ppmONXF8dBdaH8Ll-HGqtxBYdg5OVgypN7YzIYz84g/s640/IMG_7704.JPG" /></a></div>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEl6EEuYj6NjzGY1J3b5mfWLd49WXCWkUAvhMoc3vflgud592nWRA0BzlMpVpGNarG6fojLYz3svm4BVOTtQAY2-RFElzNwhmriD9AN1wJq3Jyh9ktskE-W-VYHJT4F9MaGhqgj_7krA6P/s1600/IMG_7713.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEl6EEuYj6NjzGY1J3b5mfWLd49WXCWkUAvhMoc3vflgud592nWRA0BzlMpVpGNarG6fojLYz3svm4BVOTtQAY2-RFElzNwhmriD9AN1wJq3Jyh9ktskE-W-VYHJT4F9MaGhqgj_7krA6P/s640/IMG_7713.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> My favorites all together!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXL3FlNRgEgYQgh-1yRgOnSajg9usmt0zgOz5u1jv3Qrm7CQHa4WaU1umxa8uV-2SEjugwy-emrKwpao5TRmdfyhvp02v5dHQUHIbSncc2slmVmMtI_2w9PMzaId_IbAC5VnZpuI-4ns2I/s1600/IMG_7717.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXL3FlNRgEgYQgh-1yRgOnSajg9usmt0zgOz5u1jv3Qrm7CQHa4WaU1umxa8uV-2SEjugwy-emrKwpao5TRmdfyhvp02v5dHQUHIbSncc2slmVmMtI_2w9PMzaId_IbAC5VnZpuI-4ns2I/s640/IMG_7717.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Officially on to the second floor. Except if you notice on the left edge of the barn, there is a slight dip in the horizontal line. One of the horizontal oak timbers was cut a little narrow at one end, about half an inch. I thought it would be absorbed by the rest of the rough-sawn lumber, but I could still see it at this point, which meant I would always be able to see it. A couple hydraulic jacks, shims, and we were good to go.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOiCgtQUJZiD74OCfij0luFBej86DRnTq4cnOD91jS5iZCElSzlYd0Pj3RbqINOsrXTCMnPo_lOK2hW5m-P8a9aWkUIaLBy2DPjuaUjRdWOUBia3GwXK531ARhS1qVxBH9BQN-WrIbe4_/s1600/IMG_7718.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOiCgtQUJZiD74OCfij0luFBej86DRnTq4cnOD91jS5iZCElSzlYd0Pj3RbqINOsrXTCMnPo_lOK2hW5m-P8a9aWkUIaLBy2DPjuaUjRdWOUBia3GwXK531ARhS1qVxBH9BQN-WrIbe4_/s640/IMG_7718.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> 1" thick pine decking. Screwed down with ceramic screws. There is not a single nail in this barn. Based on past experience with wood and Mississippi humidity, I was not going to have my barn slowly working itself apart through the seasonal swelling and shrinking.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVfAonG8g9_BO_adL2tYTl3oP786OrzU-T9dw-UmybEws_NKPo7oAYgojOKdktUPAe2Pwe3DYZOwn82g5Zb5lQLxhX4qQCk2OQuSrkpt5N_gTtN5BkyiQuK6WWAaXYSHdVTy-wF6uUoCO/s1600/IMG_7761.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVfAonG8g9_BO_adL2tYTl3oP786OrzU-T9dw-UmybEws_NKPo7oAYgojOKdktUPAe2Pwe3DYZOwn82g5Zb5lQLxhX4qQCk2OQuSrkpt5N_gTtN5BkyiQuK6WWAaXYSHdVTy-wF6uUoCO/s640/IMG_7761.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8B4Ib-DZuk6KZFtAvhHTblXfR2d8MMEU7pg_ctK-autWS2sNpMemqblzvNOu8zWg9H0aHmyNvX-l1Ma6QJBYksm6UiPAz1gC16pHfZsGctAnpRMgV2PAsG3RI1emMXtJhZkE1A1X2UVes/s1600/IMG_7767.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8B4Ib-DZuk6KZFtAvhHTblXfR2d8MMEU7pg_ctK-autWS2sNpMemqblzvNOu8zWg9H0aHmyNvX-l1Ma6QJBYksm6UiPAz1gC16pHfZsGctAnpRMgV2PAsG3RI1emMXtJhZkE1A1X2UVes/s640/IMG_7767.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Deck complete, on to the roof. These trusses were built in 4 pieces, which I could set on the deck and assemble by hand. At this point I couldn't think of any means to lean these into vertical by myself. They are not structurally strong at their joints until they are perfectly vertical, and they are...heavy.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7a8TCBxRmtdFgZVctkADz7vpl1c6AEURDKeWnxXiNAbGR0PWWKjrp5SYDN-S2ddL26x1-mZutHOf4XHzDDaMGgFuPiaIv1aHd0wDHunIHpl58uJAV0TGEs_TQN-s0iql3kUxTpeeiQwOG/s1600/IMG_7768.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7a8TCBxRmtdFgZVctkADz7vpl1c6AEURDKeWnxXiNAbGR0PWWKjrp5SYDN-S2ddL26x1-mZutHOf4XHzDDaMGgFuPiaIv1aHd0wDHunIHpl58uJAV0TGEs_TQN-s0iql3kUxTpeeiQwOG/s640/IMG_7768.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Mudpies.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMqm6asPM1xJiC-nD2Yp32A1_ijbM7fmSuFbCvDrcGOLMe6Sci3UeKlDcuh7leNU1GIHAjo2EyrtxvOzx0V7F2QsIHM096BXdm9_E7skEVWqDn1rMQpu0UE30m25o7q0dMXPqZwQhcxip/s1600/IMG_7794.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMqm6asPM1xJiC-nD2Yp32A1_ijbM7fmSuFbCvDrcGOLMe6Sci3UeKlDcuh7leNU1GIHAjo2EyrtxvOzx0V7F2QsIHM096BXdm9_E7skEVWqDn1rMQpu0UE30m25o7q0dMXPqZwQhcxip/s640/IMG_7794.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> With Alexe and two friends, we managed to get the first truss into position without flipping it off the end of the barn. 27 ft at the peak.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6eaBiHkZc4rW9OLRwk1p3CSPD7pUW7grQ2a1MKKZ3MwqGbBQOpZSs-A8u63IolKyUP-eCz10Fl0NV1JY-oe2uHY6frXwZ8wdqyB8cQ1TAE0zASxrmajchd2Zv3wJ99iIIZTgy4r8E3dca/s1600/IMG_7796.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6eaBiHkZc4rW9OLRwk1p3CSPD7pUW7grQ2a1MKKZ3MwqGbBQOpZSs-A8u63IolKyUP-eCz10Fl0NV1JY-oe2uHY6frXwZ8wdqyB8cQ1TAE0zASxrmajchd2Zv3wJ99iIIZTgy4r8E3dca/s640/IMG_7796.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> The second truss quickly followed, and with purlins installed and a couple steel diagonals, they locked in position.<br /><br /> Purlins are 2"x6" pine. When ordering the roof trusses I made the mistake of asking for brackets to hold a 2" purlin, and didn't specify I meant a true 2". So they arrived with brackets set up for dimensional lumber, 1.5", and I found myself notching every purlin end to fit.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zpNqwzQn0ejs0-sF_rrU-_aXyrcNzRhx5EGyfaywxHvAiOC6LHAlHAk2TMb3NKa7y7bKEaWf_Xl1UzKVSmmSTLK6O239ZVbVhleYWa5KBPxXFyhJBCS2iEz8NDNieLINEDmJORNzcxrM/s1600/IMG_7811.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zpNqwzQn0ejs0-sF_rrU-_aXyrcNzRhx5EGyfaywxHvAiOC6LHAlHAk2TMb3NKa7y7bKEaWf_Xl1UzKVSmmSTLK6O239ZVbVhleYWa5KBPxXFyhJBCS2iEz8NDNieLINEDmJORNzcxrM/s640/IMG_7811.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> I would assemble a truss, notch all my purlins, make sure there were cold beverages on hand, and call the crew to come assist for 3 minutes of heaving and 20 minutes of holding in place while I installed enough purlins to fix the truss in place.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XPH5ibPoyhsa3fS_o16ke1iUwLSsu-rL1r6_1JF98BXvHym_OmSBYFqta5ojOp5jmiZEtILDjnF6HzsYYkooPASk4wLYMRz0nOlfmflDW4n5sB0Vc0ZFQyBNEsV_ZjuBHTI7drUX7Qbn/s1600/IMG_7813.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XPH5ibPoyhsa3fS_o16ke1iUwLSsu-rL1r6_1JF98BXvHym_OmSBYFqta5ojOp5jmiZEtILDjnF6HzsYYkooPASk4wLYMRz0nOlfmflDW4n5sB0Vc0ZFQyBNEsV_ZjuBHTI7drUX7Qbn/s640/IMG_7813.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Rinse and repeat.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEfbB__X3Tu3uuQd88gYIvRUgfl1e0BspwCxAk8KYvygSye2uvhhyphenhyphenZbu63HC2LDcmGHqBq1D9e0k3zs78TfCxm_b_dgAKqAQGzCyR92IErjFk_trHcyir0JnwpOVjiNVD8j-Ll868rla6/s1600/IMG_7839.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEfbB__X3Tu3uuQd88gYIvRUgfl1e0BspwCxAk8KYvygSye2uvhhyphenhyphenZbu63HC2LDcmGHqBq1D9e0k3zs78TfCxm_b_dgAKqAQGzCyR92IErjFk_trHcyir0JnwpOVjiNVD8j-Ll868rla6/s640/IMG_7839.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bFEjye5mI_VIYDpflobw_FGUX54HDxtzpOOlEH5x_QXepX39dVYqIett-9pHtiPP9D4VNXKE4c6YMTygcDZdMpIsH1YA-qeK1G2zZVk8X-w8F4twCtbmNk9JNDUs5YJURHhEnGzsxgqK/s1600/IMG_7840.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bFEjye5mI_VIYDpflobw_FGUX54HDxtzpOOlEH5x_QXepX39dVYqIett-9pHtiPP9D4VNXKE4c6YMTygcDZdMpIsH1YA-qeK1G2zZVk8X-w8F4twCtbmNk9JNDUs5YJURHhEnGzsxgqK/s640/IMG_7840.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGRIUAaovWjzF5DJOJSy_-YD77qu-iNlsq6492Xz_EbiXAB4K4O5TPR8AackXDNdNlf68xOAza4Zq2djIfs2abOQIj9ZiAwIrP4a-CZ6Uupa5ntF81cE-m-9uJgwcGdfzjHDzoKOK9oOOR/s1600/IMG_7858.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGRIUAaovWjzF5DJOJSy_-YD77qu-iNlsq6492Xz_EbiXAB4K4O5TPR8AackXDNdNlf68xOAza4Zq2djIfs2abOQIj9ZiAwIrP4a-CZ6Uupa5ntF81cE-m-9uJgwcGdfzjHDzoKOK9oOOR/s640/IMG_7858.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOzcnaLwlz143qso3YsgJDWRCgk1jSAv237VDR6m9VdkJ6F07Bl1uFAqTBAmNORCtbpBKAO0HxBhnzI7Antg3451CX3hNtkeibx3wEkmkQJVASPfoSgeg8DdSPYuKAn2DB6Fw_wPWDJsu/s1600/IMG_7862.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOzcnaLwlz143qso3YsgJDWRCgk1jSAv237VDR6m9VdkJ6F07Bl1uFAqTBAmNORCtbpBKAO0HxBhnzI7Antg3451CX3hNtkeibx3wEkmkQJVASPfoSgeg8DdSPYuKAn2DB6Fw_wPWDJsu/s640/IMG_7862.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Then the roof! Galvalume, screwed on, with a custom bent piece for the pitch break. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfl0xK8TT1JzHQ5vmiQdX4X2HJQgYu7fImooUXD1_uRQduIDbiLVIBvxKMmd9nU2xA3B4ZY9tOFwlnBCP8tMl18QpJmYVMfixpfVHgETkH5xNTXPsLUBiBJs9Dw7sOY1apt1nIk7gX9Mv-/s1600/IMG_7867.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfl0xK8TT1JzHQ5vmiQdX4X2HJQgYu7fImooUXD1_uRQduIDbiLVIBvxKMmd9nU2xA3B4ZY9tOFwlnBCP8tMl18QpJmYVMfixpfVHgETkH5xNTXPsLUBiBJs9Dw7sOY1apt1nIk7gX9Mv-/s640/IMG_7867.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> I was a little nervous about doing this on my own, so I invested in some climbing safety gear before climbing to the tippy-top.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5n9e0Ddui4fng9EXDc5DbS0BtRcdG2x7VOLyzmIxqB_68XjZD1fpvuKM_aN9O0iPhipJdkVUk2VGD3dVBqq8gpkhtuphlnqFid1c-gyBl2FaU1DwHpwnCt9roYyatzog73h-x13XtPbz/s1600/IMG_7871.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5n9e0Ddui4fng9EXDc5DbS0BtRcdG2x7VOLyzmIxqB_68XjZD1fpvuKM_aN9O0iPhipJdkVUk2VGD3dVBqq8gpkhtuphlnqFid1c-gyBl2FaU1DwHpwnCt9roYyatzog73h-x13XtPbz/s640/IMG_7871.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Slow and steady. Particular patience when the wind picked up...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MH8hyN_w8YNsQo7XfvIAbgfHbhMPjj6BDaSDjrbZXz-qwNvPl3X4mmY61Am2nR7lJtA4l7uc6Q8Knvgk4YKOr71Klst0GJlJKXUoilhMADDgNYybbjcgOUqU6qeghlr5zu94jh_XSNdS/s1600/IMG_7877.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MH8hyN_w8YNsQo7XfvIAbgfHbhMPjj6BDaSDjrbZXz-qwNvPl3X4mmY61Am2nR7lJtA4l7uc6Q8Knvgk4YKOr71Klst0GJlJKXUoilhMADDgNYybbjcgOUqU6qeghlr5zu94jh_XSNdS/s640/IMG_7877.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> At this point we went north for a family wedding and other visits. Leaving deck exposed for 2 weeks was not my favorite.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKloLrbf8dUdkuheaYIgyX_weSM_rJA1LX6MhjtdEAWNj_zP9FjJgvSYVvJbuh6UKZ1wEyGP1fKJIDzpafGsqEGe1sPZK4MXA6TwpVEM_ZlgJTWMLnZeBMbj19PXAUtqh72C95cB1lp74j/s1600/IMG_7879.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKloLrbf8dUdkuheaYIgyX_weSM_rJA1LX6MhjtdEAWNj_zP9FjJgvSYVvJbuh6UKZ1wEyGP1fKJIDzpafGsqEGe1sPZK4MXA6TwpVEM_ZlgJTWMLnZeBMbj19PXAUtqh72C95cB1lp74j/s640/IMG_7879.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> So as soon as we got back the rest of the roof went on lickety-split.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBxfOk1faLxwSrfAayMuw9aVr3dbd00A33vBR10b3gfzS-YFCagvQWgPJyFF_1vRdXY4tAk237GKkw3_jJ7cRcnvxGTJ6ach4m7uu2U3o87umxyeTt6AY0E4z2eK2eOBBgVuvHE9f1Z5O/s1600/IMG_8402.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBxfOk1faLxwSrfAayMuw9aVr3dbd00A33vBR10b3gfzS-YFCagvQWgPJyFF_1vRdXY4tAk237GKkw3_jJ7cRcnvxGTJ6ach4m7uu2U3o87umxyeTt6AY0E4z2eK2eOBBgVuvHE9f1Z5O/s640/IMG_8402.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Skylights, because.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcr7zp58JvfnY_deIS_4nET36cFYOAx6x58R21clFZJJv3ERy59iEOJbCU8sfQ4XZHQtua_FlBGgFT3jh18yOxL8BqEVJlAUSuCtGdkRGmKtz3dC-Ro57QZSjTtYC2hywtXEO6Wz3Zo7a/s1600/IMG_8409.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcr7zp58JvfnY_deIS_4nET36cFYOAx6x58R21clFZJJv3ERy59iEOJbCU8sfQ4XZHQtua_FlBGgFT3jh18yOxL8BqEVJlAUSuCtGdkRGmKtz3dC-Ro57QZSjTtYC2hywtXEO6Wz3Zo7a/s640/IMG_8409.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Impatient to move in.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NTEFB7Vctq6Ws_jhmTtjAwmO4SpEFEhGUfPFQFQN_8veb0NM5N5BCjvnPIBi2-PLzN5Aas7ik4xtxhuV-VdXyyVFvvguTIfbyuBwwR6d8bG4e79JX7EzTC5RjPgpq4m8dlbPYAqbhDWc/s1600/IMG_8421.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NTEFB7Vctq6Ws_jhmTtjAwmO4SpEFEhGUfPFQFQN_8veb0NM5N5BCjvnPIBi2-PLzN5Aas7ik4xtxhuV-VdXyyVFvvguTIfbyuBwwR6d8bG4e79JX7EzTC5RjPgpq4m8dlbPYAqbhDWc/s640/IMG_8421.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> The two weeks up north let me look at all the cupolas on the New England hay barns, and I came back and added my own. Made from cypress.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qnH0gLBLDyhd-jjFFXBRD0Nt6BAOs5XFfzsmgG6E3esOMcFwWJyWfi1SY6YGeJQ76oNSkf_sUAVCN_hFP7Da7wOpIw6T-9Puz__8Rv-qbmlN08DeyHR-lVkON5DaefcjV3kKd4CQztO6/s1600/IMG_8424.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qnH0gLBLDyhd-jjFFXBRD0Nt6BAOs5XFfzsmgG6E3esOMcFwWJyWfi1SY6YGeJQ76oNSkf_sUAVCN_hFP7Da7wOpIw6T-9Puz__8Rv-qbmlN08DeyHR-lVkON5DaefcjV3kKd4CQztO6/s640/IMG_8424.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKlkCwcn0o_lmHruR3iaDyoMwkbOY3exEwK11VKLdbIIpjZfawixShIh9_dLlW_cI0-J7WGUx3DeJpSWtB8MwfQHSr0VUBhOHCq8847w1agmBZc7y_Aben6hk5mDCHt7JFnsecah92-kw/s1600/IMG_8426.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKlkCwcn0o_lmHruR3iaDyoMwkbOY3exEwK11VKLdbIIpjZfawixShIh9_dLlW_cI0-J7WGUx3DeJpSWtB8MwfQHSr0VUBhOHCq8847w1agmBZc7y_Aben6hk5mDCHt7JFnsecah92-kw/s640/IMG_8426.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> A little premature, but the hay was in, and the loft was mostly in the dry.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVJliTf0ZjeNI2V0H0XQQV_cpsk7f4xVwDrp-0adbQ2fNadaFlPMJ1cFjE4JBaun5SPMVtJyS_agpsKrbbq4Qlmutmt_LejT10I1ZzQU0CWBCAUA_0yVYBiIE32wEhq76dY9pgvfWcFyF/s1600/IMG_8497.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVJliTf0ZjeNI2V0H0XQQV_cpsk7f4xVwDrp-0adbQ2fNadaFlPMJ1cFjE4JBaun5SPMVtJyS_agpsKrbbq4Qlmutmt_LejT10I1ZzQU0CWBCAUA_0yVYBiIE32wEhq76dY9pgvfWcFyF/s640/IMG_8497.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> My girl. In our very own hay loft.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Q9j92ajt4kPjyrsovFP9gtCA6BsMkOll_IdyDPNmyeqMs3Um-yfFbT8ChgPlofkiR-2ng1APcC-FmbPqFfvoZNmT5iCh3UFRgNFD0MLbkZtFEJdPfxw3XP6rYA1OKVCXtyujRIm6LuEP/s1600/IMG_8499.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Q9j92ajt4kPjyrsovFP9gtCA6BsMkOll_IdyDPNmyeqMs3Um-yfFbT8ChgPlofkiR-2ng1APcC-FmbPqFfvoZNmT5iCh3UFRgNFD0MLbkZtFEJdPfxw3XP6rYA1OKVCXtyujRIm6LuEP/s640/IMG_8499.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Who may have asked if the barn needed to be this big if this was how much hay would be stored in the "hay loft".<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYR1pvbE8uuGhDuzJI5zGsm33yhs4iBheVuZqOU417u4t1ywt42Qi4aPwPf6F1RsKAY45gxGJ3oQSW6kqlQMTYoz5kuEQGIZqFtCakORZk4cMiKYLb1FBh0hhfQYFjHIUQGErRJpbH_swI/s1600/IMG_8501.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYR1pvbE8uuGhDuzJI5zGsm33yhs4iBheVuZqOU417u4t1ywt42Qi4aPwPf6F1RsKAY45gxGJ3oQSW6kqlQMTYoz5kuEQGIZqFtCakORZk4cMiKYLb1FBh0hhfQYFjHIUQGErRJpbH_swI/s640/IMG_8501.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Backfilling the hill-facing wall with gravel over a drain pipe and rubberized moisture membrane. None of this really worked to keep the interior wall dry. Gutters and landscaping are improving on this now.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KR3Wv1VCaDY9MpK4YP2M8_DvdClbNdP1qvrszNsYmjhFw77pZbQepZ61A4PAF0npHoTCTooPhqkI1Om0P0q_nQZy8bO1mvE8p-Y8PEDgvCKumSQnBM5GFIuHLybJQZNNtqeHGmoGAIp9/s1600/IMG_8505.JPG" style="text-align: start;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KR3Wv1VCaDY9MpK4YP2M8_DvdClbNdP1qvrszNsYmjhFw77pZbQepZ61A4PAF0npHoTCTooPhqkI1Om0P0q_nQZy8bO1mvE8p-Y8PEDgvCKumSQnBM5GFIuHLybJQZNNtqeHGmoGAIp9/s640/IMG_8505.JPG" /></a></div>
<br /> Siding! 1" thick cedar, cut in Philadelphia, Mississippi.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnZxDVk0qlocgFFC5LeIa1tBSJGxcD-79ztXGTcxVrr06cYXInJWgrNPROay6YpHfOsdxfy4d6xJm3qrjb6Ogp4kF1J4FWS1mfN2wqAQZ9cgDJ4-srgVtbvKs68SIBu_GZrcI0nThSQVE/s1600/IMG_8588.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnZxDVk0qlocgFFC5LeIa1tBSJGxcD-79ztXGTcxVrr06cYXInJWgrNPROay6YpHfOsdxfy4d6xJm3qrjb6Ogp4kF1J4FWS1mfN2wqAQZ9cgDJ4-srgVtbvKs68SIBu_GZrcI0nThSQVE/s640/IMG_8588.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Slow and steady, screwed into place. Note the gutters. Alexe was not pleased to see gutters on the barn. Apparently she has wanted these on the house in the past and I have scoffed.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BISyxnKZsEYsrBPuqp_hxpwJ3B4oyD6EuDbWgxiCRhuAYEwYsfBOgbUWXwgYwxB2-C9dl2sHZIyZaG3m0luDIAqWAuFH5dOtqCSf0e9kdFJE1B1AODW26IShJ6yaozpwDHAS4SjVK10u/s1600/IMG_8621.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BISyxnKZsEYsrBPuqp_hxpwJ3B4oyD6EuDbWgxiCRhuAYEwYsfBOgbUWXwgYwxB2-C9dl2sHZIyZaG3m0luDIAqWAuFH5dOtqCSf0e9kdFJE1B1AODW26IShJ6yaozpwDHAS4SjVK10u/s640/IMG_8621.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Siding, and the frame for the end walls upstairs.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZJIBa3dZLPw7bl8erMt6twk2Oh3F6fqVXBYGvRzjNOHo12uZIRIsB2MDOahgqcuvIYQrSRuhzFQTiSRwpnP49PYXUYq81FYRVpnVTwCZMgx_jg44HjFO2CLt6d5_mDxWEapPXmkyKcu8/s1600/IMG_8623.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZJIBa3dZLPw7bl8erMt6twk2Oh3F6fqVXBYGvRzjNOHo12uZIRIsB2MDOahgqcuvIYQrSRuhzFQTiSRwpnP49PYXUYq81FYRVpnVTwCZMgx_jg44HjFO2CLt6d5_mDxWEapPXmkyKcu8/s640/IMG_8623.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> The cedar is beautiful, but was very hard to find Mississippi cedar, and it was going to be a question if what I had bought would be enough. (I bought every stick that was available.) A few decisions were made to conserve on siding, like the number and size of the windows. All the glass came from storefronts on Main Street that I have updated with 1" thick insulated glass.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Vq2NI6yZOH8Z3ovI4XmzWkgW8X2QzTmyaGPPqypjYHLxk5Z0nQlp-MStLVSZKlM1wiWETAulYSPwAr7tyHW1ldkAsZdiOLhH6HtxcgD00DvCOicqLFeIKoziwLORALcuWYzCfakpkMOR/s1600/IMG_8626.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Vq2NI6yZOH8Z3ovI4XmzWkgW8X2QzTmyaGPPqypjYHLxk5Z0nQlp-MStLVSZKlM1wiWETAulYSPwAr7tyHW1ldkAsZdiOLhH6HtxcgD00DvCOicqLFeIKoziwLORALcuWYzCfakpkMOR/s640/IMG_8626.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVn90ZXW5-sFCbr0wfM0ujQCq2D5CR0Kf3G3zyfD6DKcTP8KOu5rVhtcyZjiYU46Og9euB45idG7e195dD9oiKTrYamsuLfhX1iR63zUAL6mcMaJG_834l7cvaYPl2dMeJOzl96S4BSX2/s1600/IMG_8629.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVn90ZXW5-sFCbr0wfM0ujQCq2D5CR0Kf3G3zyfD6DKcTP8KOu5rVhtcyZjiYU46Og9euB45idG7e195dD9oiKTrYamsuLfhX1iR63zUAL6mcMaJG_834l7cvaYPl2dMeJOzl96S4BSX2/s640/IMG_8629.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Another impatient animal wanting to move in.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8RiDbh5LdjuPkG8ruECCFWNHBlg-XDq7xx1fq9T0TanFNOUBzWGA2UG8NIBhctZ6c5d5r8g5dO421BKmIGv9fagp7sVxSEi4JuIpwOUVdNHt4Rek2VoPFxsQ1Yb5Pz067_F4Gf51wQeh/s1600/IMG_8717.JPG" style="text-align: start;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8RiDbh5LdjuPkG8ruECCFWNHBlg-XDq7xx1fq9T0TanFNOUBzWGA2UG8NIBhctZ6c5d5r8g5dO421BKmIGv9fagp7sVxSEi4JuIpwOUVdNHt4Rek2VoPFxsQ1Yb5Pz067_F4Gf51wQeh/s640/IMG_8717.JPG" /></a></div>
<br /> A picture of me and Caspian! Working alone is not conducive to having pictures that include you.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcU_uFfj_SVRVp0TPXoFevt5sfRZUYrSNQp45EDkQaCBwdoGNcgiht5Szu04J2O5qcwpqXOegw7KLwpWsxsCi1xK5ZgjWKwGucPH0Jft9TM4rfGHXmOA3tFkoMUzZzh4MLeWuqwjLUKh3/s1600/IMG_8722.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcU_uFfj_SVRVp0TPXoFevt5sfRZUYrSNQp45EDkQaCBwdoGNcgiht5Szu04J2O5qcwpqXOegw7KLwpWsxsCi1xK5ZgjWKwGucPH0Jft9TM4rfGHXmOA3tFkoMUzZzh4MLeWuqwjLUKh3/s640/IMG_8722.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyt131nbIMKLcO0o2vPAj0f6w-QT-PhTjH0Y39ddp66ZLUJjZBn92XxmRrjVTvm97QGr5vNsdu-wLhsztA9oNYLCgsvnpJpXyvw-3xz7KvNyNZaKJcX88VRUKlJFnsN_aRi_GC1YSSSlUX/s1600/IMG_8728.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyt131nbIMKLcO0o2vPAj0f6w-QT-PhTjH0Y39ddp66ZLUJjZBn92XxmRrjVTvm97QGr5vNsdu-wLhsztA9oNYLCgsvnpJpXyvw-3xz7KvNyNZaKJcX88VRUKlJFnsN_aRi_GC1YSSSlUX/s640/IMG_8728.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Halloween.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfw_C0_Xg4OLSd5J-mZY5DOGYOVhBCkDW-M25-Hb2wJe54iDy2lU03stdWfgjXWshuSLMLOgP7rjWIAgAl7VTyXOa5kjBhiuemDvseFo2PnoI_HmGgE8E0K3QIEe-vhTMq82AwQ6s-WlTR/s1600/IMG_8763.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfw_C0_Xg4OLSd5J-mZY5DOGYOVhBCkDW-M25-Hb2wJe54iDy2lU03stdWfgjXWshuSLMLOgP7rjWIAgAl7VTyXOa5kjBhiuemDvseFo2PnoI_HmGgE8E0K3QIEe-vhTMq82AwQ6s-WlTR/s640/IMG_8763.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> A little premature for glamour shots, but she's so pretty!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq12W-nbSZbuxwn7zMqwRlRbo350ikjYPdWSJ09DSqFd17B8afnMCD9didGu8PzV_haDl7mkUvivIZVK9dfvGr8wpV-7SA52KaxrkDFSwFxrtw5doCmY3o10hSnhnz0_7Vk33jcFQY_w2v/s1600/IMG_8772.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq12W-nbSZbuxwn7zMqwRlRbo350ikjYPdWSJ09DSqFd17B8afnMCD9didGu8PzV_haDl7mkUvivIZVK9dfvGr8wpV-7SA52KaxrkDFSwFxrtw5doCmY3o10hSnhnz0_7Vk33jcFQY_w2v/s640/IMG_8772.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPW3uvuiEvAvmSk-sqFeW20eeya1Ra_QNQOnnEoqPu-FYIzKTCo7GDVdJJ2z7TpK4hFsiUUBts4pvr7Lj7iqd-bT7tUe4kop9izHeyyTmDZ9mKBrUBQL3Ie5rBSiOWo0YFoX-AmlgZhaGf/s1600/IMG_8825.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPW3uvuiEvAvmSk-sqFeW20eeya1Ra_QNQOnnEoqPu-FYIzKTCo7GDVdJJ2z7TpK4hFsiUUBts4pvr7Lj7iqd-bT7tUe4kop9izHeyyTmDZ9mKBrUBQL3Ie5rBSiOWo0YFoX-AmlgZhaGf/s640/IMG_8825.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwsBJeKKD3VV8bKM9yK3pY9W5_jEXD0GuzNkqqvnjVoJmZShlr_cf2x8b25CiUKN0ltTe8vznfmrn2pNBf0uE8ggvGMHUc7KHvpClyE1jWZwvwscZW0q5LdlU-1laGf_Ct8N_4yAmT17E/s1600/IMG_8828.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwsBJeKKD3VV8bKM9yK3pY9W5_jEXD0GuzNkqqvnjVoJmZShlr_cf2x8b25CiUKN0ltTe8vznfmrn2pNBf0uE8ggvGMHUc7KHvpClyE1jWZwvwscZW0q5LdlU-1laGf_Ct8N_4yAmT17E/s640/IMG_8828.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> I put lots of doors in. Large front and rear on the ground floor, and a pair that open in each direction from upstairs. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RcyWot9KYE1Ptriggfna7IsQ-tIOPM7B2hHMQUNdL2tvkkV4RrOmIO8yQE6Nj_1Gip773D_0tT9-eoKazwJGS3dQPQWxYlh9Nyr4SvyKgRDHKrduHWQjDBVZbU9AW4v3hiZhlXSuX_z5/s1600/IMG_8903.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RcyWot9KYE1Ptriggfna7IsQ-tIOPM7B2hHMQUNdL2tvkkV4RrOmIO8yQE6Nj_1Gip773D_0tT9-eoKazwJGS3dQPQWxYlh9Nyr4SvyKgRDHKrduHWQjDBVZbU9AW4v3hiZhlXSuX_z5/s640/IMG_8903.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Along with high windows to provide light in the stalls, the back two stalls have shuttered windows that were inspired by the barn at the Tunbridge Fair in Vermont, so the animals can stick their heads out and get some fresh air.<br /><br /> Light fixtures from the same factory in Memphis that the spiral stairs came from. Wired with LED lights, and powered by a battery bank that one day will connect to a solar array.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIACsOJ5NjJWlP3TXfuwu9J2d350oKU0EhJACGy1ECWlPEb7Mz2wnsU6NAvqCUQYYJ9bWPQMLye7k0vsYbdPAvZNcJ7dnby5ZpGWDVVWqJqgryB37RGlSAhLeWq_mnA36qVdtaVIAkO_hW/s1600/IMG_8904.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIACsOJ5NjJWlP3TXfuwu9J2d350oKU0EhJACGy1ECWlPEb7Mz2wnsU6NAvqCUQYYJ9bWPQMLye7k0vsYbdPAvZNcJ7dnby5ZpGWDVVWqJqgryB37RGlSAhLeWq_mnA36qVdtaVIAkO_hW/s640/IMG_8904.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> All my favorite things going into the barn. This cast iron and porcelain water fountain, and a daughter who insisted she get the first drink.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pBJU8xHUJuYEwIVV643atMRAHzSe80SKwFhLgGoFxyqCyXkdtm3rWOThG-joKiOZj5spFp776h1iWFNiPNBniCY0PmezL9Aa8y0JL0-jek_l8CZWd0TEoJq-Cp0rE4IW4MmVLMOUdtcE/s1600/IMG_8919.JPG" style="text-align: start;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pBJU8xHUJuYEwIVV643atMRAHzSe80SKwFhLgGoFxyqCyXkdtm3rWOThG-joKiOZj5spFp776h1iWFNiPNBniCY0PmezL9Aa8y0JL0-jek_l8CZWd0TEoJq-Cp0rE4IW4MmVLMOUdtcE/s640/IMG_8919.JPG" /></a></div>
<br /> Starting on the shed. My bulldozer man has been mia, so the little tractor was stretched again to move a large amounts of dirt to bring this hillside up to level with the barn.<br /><br /> Those large doors on the front, (matching set on the back,) slide open. After pricing the hardware for doors like this, I fabricated a rail out of angle red iron and made the rolling brackets for the doors.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsjvBEJvquuUgrbHqsprlJLU2cdjbhVxi4FogG32jwoaxgWFSr9Y7pKIMsYeyZs3KCkwSOF0ij-s3C5_25nFU4WIKJnmU1h5kGgH3ZFUi23kFcZk_YqWJ7a4pS-6ETqSqw58-9-Mce7Y2/s1600/IMG_8924.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsjvBEJvquuUgrbHqsprlJLU2cdjbhVxi4FogG32jwoaxgWFSr9Y7pKIMsYeyZs3KCkwSOF0ij-s3C5_25nFU4WIKJnmU1h5kGgH3ZFUi23kFcZk_YqWJ7a4pS-6ETqSqw58-9-Mce7Y2/s640/IMG_8924.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> The verticals for the shed are the only pressure treated and/or dimension lumber in the barn. Each is bolted to a large slab foundation stone.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBxzRagjorMfRGUAwbmSLJAL76COTA8ErGp_7qNwMmX7RRM-RBLfNuI0kEamoz36nUfAOBn4LXS9I9XDw7iAlRAafDdoHkMLQko2MkRObBSBthuIbRwJsYpIH2r6887WkFVy3LphUiJ7s/s1600/IMG_8926.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBxzRagjorMfRGUAwbmSLJAL76COTA8ErGp_7qNwMmX7RRM-RBLfNuI0kEamoz36nUfAOBn4LXS9I9XDw7iAlRAafDdoHkMLQko2MkRObBSBthuIbRwJsYpIH2r6887WkFVy3LphUiJ7s/s640/IMG_8926.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZ9SUz3Wq7se16zO4iXszRJEW-gAsL4T6sYURnNT9XDslV4Jgtf8ll-xablFbB38tzplXdKF21JdUSpZRI8OvJgIl-D8HvWHM4YmpYTMVSvpzXbYQWUO3-eUSDyR32P7UkTKwkTJuyqTM/s1600/IMG_9041.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZ9SUz3Wq7se16zO4iXszRJEW-gAsL4T6sYURnNT9XDslV4Jgtf8ll-xablFbB38tzplXdKF21JdUSpZRI8OvJgIl-D8HvWHM4YmpYTMVSvpzXbYQWUO3-eUSDyR32P7UkTKwkTJuyqTM/s640/IMG_9041.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Everything on this barn is overbuilt. 16" on center for a shed roof might have been overkill, but I wanted to be able to walk on it without worrying, and toss bales of hay to slide off the edge without denting/bowing in the coming years.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxL2urKl-U5ydUgK7c9KL9SNGI_ZHrELSEv1HE2OGzWnX0oOufJsLp0hawPmXrXYMq3kg2yZbuhsKQqO75qbREByDidg7EbfOi1Hs3KIFyTVwmubOBaKiL_Xez1pCPQcb75MPIJRKi48Qf/s1600/IMG_9042.JPG" style="text-align: start;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxL2urKl-U5ydUgK7c9KL9SNGI_ZHrELSEv1HE2OGzWnX0oOufJsLp0hawPmXrXYMq3kg2yZbuhsKQqO75qbREByDidg7EbfOi1Hs3KIFyTVwmubOBaKiL_Xez1pCPQcb75MPIJRKi48Qf/s640/IMG_9042.JPG" /></a></div>
<br /> Exit leading to the shed roof, for easy hay delivery, and access to the future solar array. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmDowNomvGcsoLXH4aWUv5UCPS1P_-LEfyxCY1BQPAEYu-U3_xqJPTFTxGvirxjr26mtJoTKILw5SN1FMuTKquKghCuu1y65a0w-c_K4709FcZKCQ8DFrGdMMi_rHgUoNWpy89zQ25QDQ/s1600/IMG_9045.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmDowNomvGcsoLXH4aWUv5UCPS1P_-LEfyxCY1BQPAEYu-U3_xqJPTFTxGvirxjr26mtJoTKILw5SN1FMuTKquKghCuu1y65a0w-c_K4709FcZKCQ8DFrGdMMi_rHgUoNWpy89zQ25QDQ/s640/IMG_9045.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9pSF0uVe0_4_cLTUsOCQFm2cPJPuRYqiOW_IRMxAjAr-7I2U60zvgvUtiTWbF0kvuKCcRDEwqC3XhBr5llvPEdkprxu4nA4bxA6-fH73KCxGFiYVRzeuODrqah_u_rFd3sm2U_Z4OyJyD/s1600/IMG_9046.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9pSF0uVe0_4_cLTUsOCQFm2cPJPuRYqiOW_IRMxAjAr-7I2U60zvgvUtiTWbF0kvuKCcRDEwqC3XhBr5llvPEdkprxu4nA4bxA6-fH73KCxGFiYVRzeuODrqah_u_rFd3sm2U_Z4OyJyD/s640/IMG_9046.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Side door into the barn. The rest of the open spaces to be filled in with oak 1" x 12", with dutch doors into the stalls.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkNJbURFnwgoeyx8VD6sdhyphenhyphenWisQVhdwRJU8DkS_Z60GdXKguPbVuqnvQW28UdOKj3-VEj-MwNq4nMCLJ3Lb-6GQygc2rlpLhQhAUeVezfGsb7Jgq2ljHh_5MGs29y2mPaig-yl5PKNZ3i/s1600/IMG_9052.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkNJbURFnwgoeyx8VD6sdhyphenhyphenWisQVhdwRJU8DkS_Z60GdXKguPbVuqnvQW28UdOKj3-VEj-MwNq4nMCLJ3Lb-6GQygc2rlpLhQhAUeVezfGsb7Jgq2ljHh_5MGs29y2mPaig-yl5PKNZ3i/s640/IMG_9052.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzmcTx1M8LTOoI4lRjFA8r8I4YQ5AnDzNmq1GE7wSW-XVhXOgqGtM6AN_Es45o7Dqo5jYKB_YnnH4WahdTw-wAc1CucABGkzw60jcpV-c1TT-oBxwoBdWKmz_fbTMpoxuguhxF1LTbZN2/s1600/IMG_9054.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzmcTx1M8LTOoI4lRjFA8r8I4YQ5AnDzNmq1GE7wSW-XVhXOgqGtM6AN_Es45o7Dqo5jYKB_YnnH4WahdTw-wAc1CucABGkzw60jcpV-c1TT-oBxwoBdWKmz_fbTMpoxuguhxF1LTbZN2/s640/IMG_9054.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Starting on the 6 stalls. Oak, going high for the goats.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzz3PVhfTCj7hovlJWRQd8mzTmrjEgCr7ICjmK3tclT5ITCQWqr1kx4HCrcvl9QHLLuh01nZCGjni8Z4EOuGX7Ahb9ZiW2ooaxEv8kVxnfN5RnBdqbtzQ3pt9z9ueSVcbxzEPwyr0mx0Ib/s1600/IMG_9092.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzz3PVhfTCj7hovlJWRQd8mzTmrjEgCr7ICjmK3tclT5ITCQWqr1kx4HCrcvl9QHLLuh01nZCGjni8Z4EOuGX7Ahb9ZiW2ooaxEv8kVxnfN5RnBdqbtzQ3pt9z9ueSVcbxzEPwyr0mx0Ib/s640/IMG_9092.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> So rare to get a shot of Caspian wearing his glasses!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTznesp5LMTsTOKQfExpuH8d3XZAJMkBOOfDdOn_8V6oxLC_MYXIenY8zH-w-JRVm8fsmV4zdjXcsQdWLaWwPc1zAr2rKgtLWd92nz1ITfhh_mn_22vMD2Cw11e3p9NAMAXEHebnOVFVb/s1600/IMG_9108.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTznesp5LMTsTOKQfExpuH8d3XZAJMkBOOfDdOn_8V6oxLC_MYXIenY8zH-w-JRVm8fsmV4zdjXcsQdWLaWwPc1zAr2rKgtLWd92nz1ITfhh_mn_22vMD2Cw11e3p9NAMAXEHebnOVFVb/s640/IMG_9108.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Sarah. Raised from a bottle, she's quite self-assured.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjLgwvg54sg-Dzp6txpr52qs1iCWIYjFTnqky6rSJ7PkAMyrx45q1s175wgPiEcT0f7sgnc2E8Jp0n2D6J5OGHe1sTkOFGhBNGaTi7jAcPaDM8wBEXtc1SMM8Z51PcIDy0ZIXW-8fIUaT/s1600/IMG_9109.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjLgwvg54sg-Dzp6txpr52qs1iCWIYjFTnqky6rSJ7PkAMyrx45q1s175wgPiEcT0f7sgnc2E8Jp0n2D6J5OGHe1sTkOFGhBNGaTi7jAcPaDM8wBEXtc1SMM8Z51PcIDy0ZIXW-8fIUaT/s640/IMG_9109.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Left hand stalls have the piping in the floors to allow for radiant heat in the future. Right hand side stalls exit to the fields, and have automated waterers for the cows.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJ2m5yv33LLG4x1hzGaAsrGu592wK-oP_8lJjeTAKMiy2fzbjtSjxLWMS69vo70oxOZElCoQbQIxiqyEsjPB0EWdJ2-F0ow0gc8L3qEh2fHJUhEAJQtlQgt59wEICk72ZUdqaKp5LjdUm/s1600/IMG_9119.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJ2m5yv33LLG4x1hzGaAsrGu592wK-oP_8lJjeTAKMiy2fzbjtSjxLWMS69vo70oxOZElCoQbQIxiqyEsjPB0EWdJ2-F0ow0gc8L3qEh2fHJUhEAJQtlQgt59wEICk72ZUdqaKp5LjdUm/s640/IMG_9119.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Platform on the left side, with stairs to some down the side. This access point is specifically to be able to unload hay and grain directly into the loft form the back of the truck.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9qtAxjFhAongnHI6r6jTDYfVIgHPIgfJi2r_uJSoPQkfDUSfpWOj9OOu1DRcsfjqCqpo_HlWkj1cK58IsPkA45O4ZkVnL5GGVf7aaZ5VARTtxycR4OLbSBuNkPi7IzgQtxOTI_19lCWL/s1600/IMG_9126.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9qtAxjFhAongnHI6r6jTDYfVIgHPIgfJi2r_uJSoPQkfDUSfpWOj9OOu1DRcsfjqCqpo_HlWkj1cK58IsPkA45O4ZkVnL5GGVf7aaZ5VARTtxycR4OLbSBuNkPi7IzgQtxOTI_19lCWL/s640/IMG_9126.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> New Year's Eve Crappie Drop party.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDgK4DMqFyzC-QuIzJMdAFGEQhJX8MsSjNFIazccEjZa2KD1xGsFg7ahyphenhyphenwTqDF3yGypqnVDgKatZ4kRDExB179fUY6UNjfdrz0vjxQ67xta5hZfBb8RxZQIbLEFWxSjuREBRCZy4Sw0BR/s1600/IMG_9248.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDgK4DMqFyzC-QuIzJMdAFGEQhJX8MsSjNFIazccEjZa2KD1xGsFg7ahyphenhyphenwTqDF3yGypqnVDgKatZ4kRDExB179fUY6UNjfdrz0vjxQ67xta5hZfBb8RxZQIbLEFWxSjuREBRCZy4Sw0BR/s640/IMG_9248.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfOHMvijK09LyOWm6eJMKPaWOEDIHOp0nWZGiJcXpWF2CU7pItrJjJlenhy_bCo5lQOk8d7m2V9GxEhzokTON3Xcb7DjYjsTmi9JSzd0bEeRiox-Iky8qXvP8lqkj1M5Qqg9NKkPTB8zc/s1600/IMG_9258.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfOHMvijK09LyOWm6eJMKPaWOEDIHOp0nWZGiJcXpWF2CU7pItrJjJlenhy_bCo5lQOk8d7m2V9GxEhzokTON3Xcb7DjYjsTmi9JSzd0bEeRiox-Iky8qXvP8lqkj1M5Qqg9NKkPTB8zc/s640/IMG_9258.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Annalese's birthday troop.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUazn65CwsDNbwIDcnLgTBZUjJO2xeTlyNj3XjUbr0k8AjsfxPrsFwAUwROpXtoMmLUyUyFO1HZJOZNuksEDkh5xfPuSG5htG33A2zyenRD3H-3FstLA948GfqmY6IijgpopFoB1XV-pGT/s1600/IMG_9300.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUazn65CwsDNbwIDcnLgTBZUjJO2xeTlyNj3XjUbr0k8AjsfxPrsFwAUwROpXtoMmLUyUyFO1HZJOZNuksEDkh5xfPuSG5htG33A2zyenRD3H-3FstLA948GfqmY6IijgpopFoB1XV-pGT/s640/IMG_9300.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> For the first time, when our various ladies have babies on the coldest, wettest days of the year, as they prefer to do, we can put them in a warm, dry place where they can raise their babies in peace and not compete for their meals! For the first time I feel like I'm doing right by my animals.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdLNLHgPJUV_5T2mC8bGNkxosoKr15C_jQv6hlIoRKf5P29m2WFJ6U1rXgBr4-SgB1TfXOrTxJZYGMdM3JAwqRUOQgfNA6dCTNiflvvt-k8qnbCBnMcG5UBH-v0uaF8BbK8makkbTYTvE/s1600/IMG_9331.JPG" style="text-align: start;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdLNLHgPJUV_5T2mC8bGNkxosoKr15C_jQv6hlIoRKf5P29m2WFJ6U1rXgBr4-SgB1TfXOrTxJZYGMdM3JAwqRUOQgfNA6dCTNiflvvt-k8qnbCBnMcG5UBH-v0uaF8BbK8makkbTYTvE/s640/IMG_9331.JPG" /></a></div>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmslSBWWVSXFrHD5Rr88-ZWX-piloyCGn7cN4Knn3V-ePdnfQ5936rrxYvqwWKj0sbKGB5GuuYMaQmntPF9G7F_4Z98mioGnqiOX5-DPTnX2Iq0KmWIYYzna734ajU-VbiFKa3kkCCAkw/s1600/IMG_9341.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmslSBWWVSXFrHD5Rr88-ZWX-piloyCGn7cN4Knn3V-ePdnfQ5936rrxYvqwWKj0sbKGB5GuuYMaQmntPF9G7F_4Z98mioGnqiOX5-DPTnX2Iq0KmWIYYzna734ajU-VbiFKa3kkCCAkw/s640/IMG_9341.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Tinkering, hanging the final doors, building grain bins and trap doors, and hanging fun things like a climbing rope.<br /><br /> Caspian in his little red shorts on January 8th. Mississippi winters are unpredictable. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHnM7Zc504U-hvVY6xKbtm4DMNg5tMM2OPL2xPunH8Jl7dKaS6qprhfXMmb8j4P7uXrhMuZRnqgOfj7Gfgv3EIOG0lAD_DA85jtS8NLp45Tuv6_yCJ1vgGJNAb2mI01EIzBQ9UrTkHBuE/s1600/IMG_9413.JPG" style="text-align: start;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHnM7Zc504U-hvVY6xKbtm4DMNg5tMM2OPL2xPunH8Jl7dKaS6qprhfXMmb8j4P7uXrhMuZRnqgOfj7Gfgv3EIOG0lAD_DA85jtS8NLp45Tuv6_yCJ1vgGJNAb2mI01EIzBQ9UrTkHBuE/s640/IMG_9413.JPG" /></a></div>
<br /> And a basketball hoop!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNp9E_lNkYoBLY0CeOM0zuTj2fgUWvXi9i_uwj5jYuzAkCQOkT81sH13yUBIDlcrookk_6EnyTx3p-o2eqWiGQ8PeoWI9sJoQyWfseYKyvMwBiItVcuK8B3eIqiIaHoYUvuK5d2zrbur2j/s1600/IMG_9415.JPG" style="text-align: start;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNp9E_lNkYoBLY0CeOM0zuTj2fgUWvXi9i_uwj5jYuzAkCQOkT81sH13yUBIDlcrookk_6EnyTx3p-o2eqWiGQ8PeoWI9sJoQyWfseYKyvMwBiItVcuK8B3eIqiIaHoYUvuK5d2zrbur2j/s640/IMG_9415.JPG" /></a></div>
<br /> Which gets almost daily use. (Rolling grain bin in the background, with a trap door and grain shute for filling from upstairs.) Chain hoist on the left with a trolley mounted to the I beam.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzj9a4KL9WFejFIuj98j0Cb6UoJyenvTgy612xgWEQkLQrtYc0bRBT7M4fiEPVVzurPL1i6zPEhxEZ9keqDCA3QAe4KqKdFsdQp2CliYg-ubKrwGU6MXyoRIBx1fhLFtwR-EJcQWw9WOD5/s1600/IMG_9438.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzj9a4KL9WFejFIuj98j0Cb6UoJyenvTgy612xgWEQkLQrtYc0bRBT7M4fiEPVVzurPL1i6zPEhxEZ9keqDCA3QAe4KqKdFsdQp2CliYg-ubKrwGU6MXyoRIBx1fhLFtwR-EJcQWw9WOD5/s640/IMG_9438.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsX5DnT0ivKNFftyTZY7m-TdvR-8gQtA2CcZ5UkKRi7d2XnghOAnjyHD6dYuOlh-SGNCX2h48ce0eHVZzA6Pr3R7KOJ7f05cwMKfIukhsgn76L3arJqZBTRIpND4NuDJM8Dy4rGvGB3wfU/s1600/IMG_9484.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsX5DnT0ivKNFftyTZY7m-TdvR-8gQtA2CcZ5UkKRi7d2XnghOAnjyHD6dYuOlh-SGNCX2h48ce0eHVZzA6Pr3R7KOJ7f05cwMKfIukhsgn76L3arJqZBTRIpND4NuDJM8Dy4rGvGB3wfU/s640/IMG_9484.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Annaliese hanging out with me, i.e. reading in the sun until she falls asleep.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9nCL5nZ2OvJ0irn7s0H3bpWm4Li51GRmr9hlhyphenhyphenfgVSKS-eBsKPgqTsI1DE4IDkHqe7jsI8tUYqhGADnsvf6AOSLgKPiyc6BtSIxR6IpkORsGxk-KaII-NiXcVq_uuNhv1rwljR0q4ywP/s1600/IMG_9641.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9nCL5nZ2OvJ0irn7s0H3bpWm4Li51GRmr9hlhyphenhyphenfgVSKS-eBsKPgqTsI1DE4IDkHqe7jsI8tUYqhGADnsvf6AOSLgKPiyc6BtSIxR6IpkORsGxk-KaII-NiXcVq_uuNhv1rwljR0q4ywP/s640/IMG_9641.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Kagan&Alexe incarnate.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCH3MlI3zjpYjciY-gLOf1q6gVWZEC58hi7Q5k4yoB4gOZtDbaflXTtbP6NTYrMYK47H7IpUIIBWnReXyc4AUJ3L8EJzQTJ_9M9CelPyTXIQjeq_DCadNJ-l01KEAcavhEm3WKVgAlzrP/s1600/IMG_9670.JPG" style="text-align: start;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCH3MlI3zjpYjciY-gLOf1q6gVWZEC58hi7Q5k4yoB4gOZtDbaflXTtbP6NTYrMYK47H7IpUIIBWnReXyc4AUJ3L8EJzQTJ_9M9CelPyTXIQjeq_DCadNJ-l01KEAcavhEm3WKVgAlzrP/s640/IMG_9670.JPG" /></a></div>
<br /> And the barn is now fully integrated into our lives. Play, farm chores, science experiments, (this is Annaliese dropping eggs in boxes on Sunday...) <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpe_jEtOWFj3KVem_WKzqaemK54nUDw597PyoR28KZj4fDyyev8JDEsH9RpYnmFu183huvKH9ZAeyijz2gkm6dH7z-K-P9Zhs-OAhkhvlXeigiodnUI73cEAGXKqpNZ_QzNCOG0SFyyBy/s1600/IMG_9809.jpg" style="text-align: start;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpe_jEtOWFj3KVem_WKzqaemK54nUDw597PyoR28KZj4fDyyev8JDEsH9RpYnmFu183huvKH9ZAeyijz2gkm6dH7z-K-P9Zhs-OAhkhvlXeigiodnUI73cEAGXKqpNZ_QzNCOG0SFyyBy/s640/IMG_9809.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Check.</span>smartinof4stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03012903196847383612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913771544379258246.post-61645586242217592212017-11-02T17:21:00.002-04:002017-11-03T08:49:01.332-04:002017 Projects #2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sometime in March we attacked the erosion problems on the dam by having it re-groomed by a bulldozer, and promptly covering it with sod. A great investment we should have made last year.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinQc9hjlIdR_D5VxLBLvzdLqFMnld-Yb4He9zt6sFDxVBoQUz9XE8qLhh_DgxHieU9OLammKvyDH2yPuTY6BxIEXLJivBPA3jZMoygnphsBeDb7bs1RGVodMWztpArhyphenhyphenIfApf76M3UKR4/s1600/IMG_0350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinQc9hjlIdR_D5VxLBLvzdLqFMnld-Yb4He9zt6sFDxVBoQUz9XE8qLhh_DgxHieU9OLammKvyDH2yPuTY6BxIEXLJivBPA3jZMoygnphsBeDb7bs1RGVodMWztpArhyphenhyphenIfApf76M3UKR4/s640/IMG_0350.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Unfortunately, the little tractor decided the pallets of sod were too much for the loader to lift, and expressed these feelings by overheating, blowing clouds of smoke, and losing power. (We ended up moving most of this sod from the top of the hill to the dam in the golf cart. Yes, equipment may be pushed to and beyond appropriate limits around here.)</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And to be fair, the overheating may have been / was caused by the coolant leak that resulted when a tree branch cracked the radiator from below while I was pushing brush piles around.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Anyhoo, she barely made it back up the hill to the shop.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Where I reflected on all the things I have had to repair on her, (rear wheel seal, hydraulic system, loader pistons, failing safety switches, thermistor, tires, etc.) and decided to sell this heap and buy a new tractor.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZf-0riZO4kW4m7AgYfBwhVnT0lG-aWDsUZr_myQ-YfR6Y8wnEm49UdPRAnAma9-CPQcNFkyRf1NyTkgIXiQrZssKbtis7FlnCDhSSHwe7R1M98fXzdK_qOaeWSk2fH_SMzGvKi9lGIQH/s1600/IMG_0334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZf-0riZO4kW4m7AgYfBwhVnT0lG-aWDsUZr_myQ-YfR6Y8wnEm49UdPRAnAma9-CPQcNFkyRf1NyTkgIXiQrZssKbtis7FlnCDhSSHwe7R1M98fXzdK_qOaeWSk2fH_SMzGvKi9lGIQH/s640/IMG_0334.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After a visit to the Kubota dealership, I reconsidered that decision. The rings were smoked, which on a normal engine requires pulling the pistons, possibly honing out the block or installing sleeves, and installing new pistons/rings. I'd never done this, but how hard could it be?</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It turned out it was about the same price to buy a full engine rebuild kit as it was to buy just the pistons and rings. At this point I hadn't decided to do more than replace the rings, but being a sucker for a deal, I thought I might as well get all the spare parts the rebuild kit included.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">With the little tractor in the middle of the workshop, I started to tear her down to get at the rings. And at every turn was reminded why I dislike this company and their products. They design them to be as user un-friendly as possible. Perhaps to increase revenue from their maintenance arm, who knows, but it can trigger dark thoughts when you realize that the valve cover cannot be removed without removing the fuel tank. And the fuel tank has been injection molded to allow the rod that all the pedals pivot on to run straight through the middle of it. So all those have to be removed, hydraulics disconnected, so that the pivot rod can be pulled out, the dash can be unbolted and the center console torqued forward so the tank can come out.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJ8XSNByEUhhQxeIhHNAkVv9gozMt4jJOTd1MjkvSPONMhWD2TIkUauPFxU5nE2kCsGyN1c0wuEkOvEmn1Z5NG0cmGzmbKGk6JGwhLACMXLAGY47xWrq0Si3GhQrTPu9kySTFNzy4cT20/s1600/IMG_0399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJ8XSNByEUhhQxeIhHNAkVv9gozMt4jJOTd1MjkvSPONMhWD2TIkUauPFxU5nE2kCsGyN1c0wuEkOvEmn1Z5NG0cmGzmbKGk6JGwhLACMXLAGY47xWrq0Si3GhQrTPu9kySTFNzy4cT20/s640/IMG_0399.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And then one finds that the pistons can't be removed without cracking the entire tractor in half. And if you're tackling this project in a shop that is not equipped for tractor engine removal, you will need to strip that engine all the way down simply to make it "light" enough to heave onto your workbench. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCn6e-WuSUP3BVQwLq71M48ljwCVM7OZS7u7bo4HKE0g7KVjcccpwDA8oZU5qH1Corc3vuaIrQmGtgO0sdhWpieuMDDlKj5GTVTc7sVw5MCmg5Nhan8-vYoTlhkjySVC-eobAzz7tZq-M/s1600/IMG_0757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCn6e-WuSUP3BVQwLq71M48ljwCVM7OZS7u7bo4HKE0g7KVjcccpwDA8oZU5qH1Corc3vuaIrQmGtgO0sdhWpieuMDDlKj5GTVTc7sVw5MCmg5Nhan8-vYoTlhkjySVC-eobAzz7tZq-M/s640/IMG_0757.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Where you will decide that you might as well use all those extra parts that came with the engine rebuild kit, since you have the engine out, and you've never rebuilt an engine before, and learning!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRH__va3DK4tBx6gvwjhyphenhyphenKS4FtqhLOqT0BoIQQB_s2Abz1z24HEI9KwsyrMtFxDZyqwjXraTuoRRfGJA-3t2zlocV9gH9kNzYOX3Fka3o0mWib-0YuMUDcnbdlOvokOo9CxU_FGyb02BzL/s1600/IMG_0864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRH__va3DK4tBx6gvwjhyphenhyphenKS4FtqhLOqT0BoIQQB_s2Abz1z24HEI9KwsyrMtFxDZyqwjXraTuoRRfGJA-3t2zlocV9gH9kNzYOX3Fka3o0mWib-0YuMUDcnbdlOvokOo9CxU_FGyb02BzL/s640/IMG_0864.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For a time you get caught up in the intricacies of a three cylinder diesel engine, and enjoy replacing the bearings and seals and gooping everything back together again.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7EwQDFmE8Czt4gupz0XzcSfPfT8jpeewbQM_DY-l3yQjMzXLZW4qxwbtHcdeYDxZJ1fOqx_Vm7EfRtxTQdVdwVWxzRl5zdFbznR8zQXmdK2aphFZttCtiUg8y_Fuh89pumwKW_EXbnQf/s1600/IMG_0865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7EwQDFmE8Czt4gupz0XzcSfPfT8jpeewbQM_DY-l3yQjMzXLZW4qxwbtHcdeYDxZJ1fOqx_Vm7EfRtxTQdVdwVWxzRl5zdFbznR8zQXmdK2aphFZttCtiUg8y_Fuh89pumwKW_EXbnQf/s640/IMG_0865.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You even decide that if you are going to repair the engine, you might as well fix all the electrical issues you have been bypassing over the years as one safety switch after another fails. And while you're at it you go ahead and solder the radiator, replace all the filters, and remove the remains of the cracked and crumbling plastic body panels. (Plastic body panels...)</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You hoist the rebuilt engine back into position, reassemble the entire tractor because there is no bench testing this puppy, and the refill the many gallons of various fluids.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And then... She turns over. Over and over again. But she doesn't catch.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiz6DL51iGy_yAaOUzY_Ml5V5Ov11FAF1onfIiHA3jOA9IFr5wC1MLqcifnulNDjKe5CLY1ohH1wVRurvfkldvIuSsl2M50g-5D7j55a0xLd0LF7GIuEUpk9-V0ovjGar6cKeujtWPInf/s1600/IMG_2249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiz6DL51iGy_yAaOUzY_Ml5V5Ov11FAF1onfIiHA3jOA9IFr5wC1MLqcifnulNDjKe5CLY1ohH1wVRurvfkldvIuSsl2M50g-5D7j55a0xLd0LF7GIuEUpk9-V0ovjGar6cKeujtWPInf/s640/IMG_2249.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">At which time I took a walk. For a number of months. I tried to sell her on Craigslist, received a bunch of lowball offers, and lost interest again. Every once in a while an evening would find me in the shop tinkering, and getting blue, and leaving for several more weeks.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I put her up for sale again, online where a group of Mississippi farmers hang out. Instead of offers to buy, I received a laundry list of things I should try to get her running. It drove me bats, because of course I had to try everything. I replaced the thermistor, tinkered with the fuel system, nothing...</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Then a friendly gentleman called me from his truck, where he was pulled over looking at the plans for this tractor on his laptop. He's a John Deere tech. He pleasantly explained exactly what was wrong, and said to call him if I had any questions.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">10 hours later... I had disassembled the front end of the engine again, rotated the gear of the fuel pump 3 teeth, and reassembled. The timing of the fuel pump was off by those three teeth, something that takes 42 revolutions of the engine to reveal. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My fault. I refilled the fluids, and turned the key. To nothing. Not even a click.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I walked away. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nOkwPGEtEXOs5NM1jj_-V6P_2Rw-a2EhCaynWyzhT7zz7x_VZ6zIbMhd-OKmDGta_osmv2pYSsBIFAv6Mq0HVgCoIgvjy60yLrywI7w5fgQZ2a4n5ElWhtF-10uFP5vLvu9kcXqXrmV0/s1600/IMG_4705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nOkwPGEtEXOs5NM1jj_-V6P_2Rw-a2EhCaynWyzhT7zz7x_VZ6zIbMhd-OKmDGta_osmv2pYSsBIFAv6Mq0HVgCoIgvjy60yLrywI7w5fgQZ2a4n5ElWhtF-10uFP5vLvu9kcXqXrmV0/s640/IMG_4705.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The next day I brought home a new battery. And she started right up. And purrs like a kitten.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I bought her a new seat, a new hood and console cover, and incidentally a new alternator to go with that new battery. She still needs rear tires, and there's still a gremlin in the electrical system, but she's back to work on the farm.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XFCIaBB0-54cw1nXS82oaYx6MOUd2PDiRvdi4SnqLT3KMLMjBs8Z4eAoCVwUz8fjEOK9UJjj5dUfTNgxDpy6O3k4Wr0-qErmTHipq0pE4rwnEtTaimPuwEOlzr1xMVmizbq0fqQ3yXM0/s1600/IMG_4862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XFCIaBB0-54cw1nXS82oaYx6MOUd2PDiRvdi4SnqLT3KMLMjBs8Z4eAoCVwUz8fjEOK9UJjj5dUfTNgxDpy6O3k4Wr0-qErmTHipq0pE4rwnEtTaimPuwEOlzr1xMVmizbq0fqQ3yXM0/s640/IMG_4862.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />smartinof4stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03012903196847383612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913771544379258246.post-67852940417982055722017-01-26T18:27:00.001-05:002017-01-26T18:27:23.415-05:00Delivering a wedding present.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was preparing to be away from home for 2 weeks, and not looking forward to that much time away from my family. I might have stayed up late with the kids doing a puzzle on my last night home.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIk47uxr9yHewI_xl9HPDWPg7sDHsppLo9WiEB0RHQUd99-m3nTUYFPEVer1vlhcETlbI1XBNx0dK5r4xTKPXt3BZk0OFjaxGqmRx3jEkdQMddDVtdi7j9oA6h18eCXEP0EY6DfsuQeDtH/s1600/IMG_5299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIk47uxr9yHewI_xl9HPDWPg7sDHsppLo9WiEB0RHQUd99-m3nTUYFPEVer1vlhcETlbI1XBNx0dK5r4xTKPXt3BZk0OFjaxGqmRx3jEkdQMddDVtdi7j9oA6h18eCXEP0EY6DfsuQeDtH/s640/IMG_5299.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But bright and early the next morning, with the truck packed with an apartment-in-a-box, I started rolling towards DC.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4lgi9kKzT57I2tcnjDdNAaCK7fuVsDnmPLuiPj0-RuDqixkCC_gx9E01Jha0kmdrn-XIruy1d7oaemwDQOTrc6G8IUwW2pQFHblzQwyhyysvfC-F6JZ3vmOqJJBv_qrtgzVAsk1SjzTd/s1600/IMG_5302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4lgi9kKzT57I2tcnjDdNAaCK7fuVsDnmPLuiPj0-RuDqixkCC_gx9E01Jha0kmdrn-XIruy1d7oaemwDQOTrc6G8IUwW2pQFHblzQwyhyysvfC-F6JZ3vmOqJJBv_qrtgzVAsk1SjzTd/s640/IMG_5302.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Which turned out to be a mistake. My desire to bring as many materials as possible to avoid being delayed during the project with having to source supplies maaaay have resulted in an overloaded truck. So after driving all day, some time after 11 pm on a Saturday night, somewhere in Virginia a little over 100 miles short of my destination, one of the rear wheel bearings disintegrated. If the grinding didn't alert me, the gear oil pouring into the brake drum and turning into bright white smoke did. It was 12 degrees out. I limped her to the nearest exit, slept poorly in the only available motel, and early the next morning suited up and went looking for help. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">None of the shops were open on a Sunday morning, but in the diner I met some lovely folks, got to talking, and a friendly gentleman spent the next two hours driving me around the town and county looking for a mechanic who was willing to help out. We didn't find one, but my latest incarnation of my guardian angel ferried me to the parts store to pick up what I needed to make the repairs myself, and I called AAA to bring me into DC.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Where I arrived, behind my mental schedule, with a bit of a side project to work into the timeline.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEX4MuhBZmH7qc17WcWQAm8TlrKKc8pOeZAamHOBeVRVrhQHmogUfGqehw6_pqkWs-EBKQjDrcNef3GDAblsWitWi4ahRF_OusWPxruj-N1eq3Cgj84mCGkxoBJTYgqE5O3mLfwsI0sOv/s1600/IMG_5307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEX4MuhBZmH7qc17WcWQAm8TlrKKc8pOeZAamHOBeVRVrhQHmogUfGqehw6_pqkWs-EBKQjDrcNef3GDAblsWitWi4ahRF_OusWPxruj-N1eq3Cgj84mCGkxoBJTYgqE5O3mLfwsI0sOv/s640/IMG_5307.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Eliza and Charlie are newlyweds, and new home owners. Having rental income, especially when you;re starting out, is a wonderful thing, so as they launch their life together, I thought it would be nice to give them a leg up. Their new house had an unfinished basement. The theory was, with a well thought out plan, and a sense of urgency, they could have a rentable apartment, and I could be headed back to my family, in under 2 weeks.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well. There was a little scope creep on the project, with lots of prep work for the upstairs required before a basement ceiling could be installed. Think rewiring and a bit of copper plumbing.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNTzUbVYiSQBcu8VPR_G7_IChF0xDmVXgUFs__Qyr4PKTNb00qIgTxmpe-I8CYYve0CYVWxTWxhVNqj-HBZ8V4XkspeFqmgf2DNvlMS1aq7LDZDntSbyUYnLa09si3K2e6hPFbD1vFVLD/s1600/IMG_5321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNTzUbVYiSQBcu8VPR_G7_IChF0xDmVXgUFs__Qyr4PKTNb00qIgTxmpe-I8CYYve0CYVWxTWxhVNqj-HBZ8V4XkspeFqmgf2DNvlMS1aq7LDZDntSbyUYnLa09si3K2e6hPFbD1vFVLD/s640/IMG_5321.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Interior walls were put up for the bathroom, and the closet/pantry/ room where the furnace and hot water heater live.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8iIa-vW35fu-l6IdjE8wjx9SHTydMdkggDd5IxdwUACK1C_ihBmGChqValXrIt5wWFOReBcYPb6owXTj7ZdMDBl1ThhvWKnz-kEImSkAe_lsHlezXJmzhdQyVyG-vOY36m0cJ2Usmnj3L/s1600/IMG_5372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8iIa-vW35fu-l6IdjE8wjx9SHTydMdkggDd5IxdwUACK1C_ihBmGChqValXrIt5wWFOReBcYPb6owXTj7ZdMDBl1ThhvWKnz-kEImSkAe_lsHlezXJmzhdQyVyG-vOY36m0cJ2Usmnj3L/s640/IMG_5372.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The original game plan was to replace the garage door on the right with a permanent wall and turn the space into a bedroom. The wall on the left also ended up needing to be replaced.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-q-JMq-FHg1D-JxBBWDgpzfiGGcxNlN-WDe8wMwJJfq_RrJgmytXKNIv7AwL0swu6jrIecGmFCt7dXErofWpUg5HurIpjUdiJQFBky8hgTbraZwjLPP8iKXucVxiIXoPFg03ke0r-U0C/s1600/IMG_5322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-q-JMq-FHg1D-JxBBWDgpzfiGGcxNlN-WDe8wMwJJfq_RrJgmytXKNIv7AwL0swu6jrIecGmFCt7dXErofWpUg5HurIpjUdiJQFBky8hgTbraZwjLPP8iKXucVxiIXoPFg03ke0r-U0C/s640/IMG_5322.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Too quickly we ran out of materials and needed to run to a lumber yard with the truck. Which had not moved since it came off the town truck. There are no garages in the Gerogetown area for obvious reasons, so unless I wanted to move the truck again to some distant garage and hope for the best, the repair was up to me. Naively I had not packed any mechanical tools. Or a hydraulic shop press to fit pressed on bearings. But with the tools I was able to scrounge from the nooks and crannies of the truck, and with a little creative use of the cold outdoor temperatures and the kitchen stove, after 4 hours the truck was back in one piece, with a new bearing and brakes, and tentatively ready to go back to work.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoe74Sqf1fRIfB3gYXaGEySewjL6ypgNPeet9X0g_qMBDsPoV21WbqW4Lne1EaP2Tf-KVQU5Kew8s4xuXOxzXO5QLZNpFJsbkYrKIKJYy2MxFvpE56nmgQRjmhRdHWVmFUwdtjz4-VE6T/s1600/IMG_5327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoe74Sqf1fRIfB3gYXaGEySewjL6ypgNPeet9X0g_qMBDsPoV21WbqW4Lne1EaP2Tf-KVQU5Kew8s4xuXOxzXO5QLZNpFJsbkYrKIKJYy2MxFvpE56nmgQRjmhRdHWVmFUwdtjz4-VE6T/s640/IMG_5327.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Which was good, because there was lots to do.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGc6jxAz55vCayBrzLtcmmJOOObKV_CUY3w1cQFKn9afHDUa0ttA_HPKBHbG8KZ42QASxnKZAoVVIbRzQKUsrtaBpPbopzWYxmP5Pc_IiCaOI6o_kVG6-pBgdVWBwY3DfkDXhGEkClINC/s1600/IMG_5365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGc6jxAz55vCayBrzLtcmmJOOObKV_CUY3w1cQFKn9afHDUa0ttA_HPKBHbG8KZ42QASxnKZAoVVIbRzQKUsrtaBpPbopzWYxmP5Pc_IiCaOI6o_kVG6-pBgdVWBwY3DfkDXhGEkClINC/s640/IMG_5365.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The walls came down, a concrete footing was poured on the right to prevent water issues in the garage area, and new walls went up. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZl6OVdu4J3BJWTgDwLKd_U3pPoTCWOvohvwN9JHzN2h_zcWHA1VQgdN1Wg8hDt_MC9y6QtfeAFI3d3U2XTOwhZVbEt3QdJJv96Kv8z3eAVC1X3eWIm8yJWa-t-FyNBIQg1JfUGPYkYg3P/s1600/IMG_5333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZl6OVdu4J3BJWTgDwLKd_U3pPoTCWOvohvwN9JHzN2h_zcWHA1VQgdN1Wg8hDt_MC9y6QtfeAFI3d3U2XTOwhZVbEt3QdJJv96Kv8z3eAVC1X3eWIm8yJWa-t-FyNBIQg1JfUGPYkYg3P/s640/IMG_5333.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcpaG55Y7tR2m76q-h6WQLn0QxuYWpbsc2oXBkOoQd0GKbEVnLuVEToSwcZwO_VGvy-eEO2DtNlZ-M8piEWACqn03dFVFYVkD92Wuqg1ypkDo7BtEQDd4YiNbujH3xXw8T3XKZKHUQp4v/s1600/IMG_5343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcpaG55Y7tR2m76q-h6WQLn0QxuYWpbsc2oXBkOoQd0GKbEVnLuVEToSwcZwO_VGvy-eEO2DtNlZ-M8piEWACqn03dFVFYVkD92Wuqg1ypkDo7BtEQDd4YiNbujH3xXw8T3XKZKHUQp4v/s640/IMG_5343.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I added an exterior outlet and water spigot, because.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsv-6meuf6e_hl_0yrUU4_s0erXnhLPvFKKEJcCE1bJTukDrhaj-P8IM55zaNCKpfBYUdflc9m9F3l_ivrf1dhO5XD9ufKieLn_z3wYGFFa-Bx4YuURIGCXhkDy5vzbdA1NeM4OxobsIv/s1600/IMG_5367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsv-6meuf6e_hl_0yrUU4_s0erXnhLPvFKKEJcCE1bJTukDrhaj-P8IM55zaNCKpfBYUdflc9m9F3l_ivrf1dhO5XD9ufKieLn_z3wYGFFa-Bx4YuURIGCXhkDy5vzbdA1NeM4OxobsIv/s640/IMG_5367.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A little more scope creep, the interior wall on the left: turns out there was no interior wall before, just some paneling hanging on the back of the neighbor's wall. That wasn't going to work, so a new one had to go up.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqFDWSkk5DJfGSeGzyKzE_5L_g0D8U1F5kwq0jw7dnuIIwqa1u1kgxFEDJppvU4P-jbvAKw8So3TOeXBHr-GIakwMwpo3UaK9hyphenhyphensPTjb2US-8oshaoomzB-4wFZDpXR72_dNb2pHlrIiE/s1600/IMG_5318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqFDWSkk5DJfGSeGzyKzE_5L_g0D8U1F5kwq0jw7dnuIIwqa1u1kgxFEDJppvU4P-jbvAKw8So3TOeXBHr-GIakwMwpo3UaK9hyphenhyphensPTjb2US-8oshaoomzB-4wFZDpXR72_dNb2pHlrIiE/s640/IMG_5318.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The newlyweds, painting the kitchen ceiling.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRVpSTZRzpJ_lPQ1CIS6eh4R7Um8Pu4axWfSdz94mO72IU5GnNQngX6bN8pH8csc-iLSd6vNWdtVg6RHItg_V5EnBvqunbX7bla-5f6t38s2cHH6yie8vg3GJcIuks09RYJeb8gONHtyO/s1600/IMG_5355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRVpSTZRzpJ_lPQ1CIS6eh4R7Um8Pu4axWfSdz94mO72IU5GnNQngX6bN8pH8csc-iLSd6vNWdtVg6RHItg_V5EnBvqunbX7bla-5f6t38s2cHH6yie8vg3GJcIuks09RYJeb8gONHtyO/s640/IMG_5355.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once the upstairs wiring had all been reworked into the floor joists, the plumbing similarly bumped up where necessary, the recessed lighting installed, and the hvac coolant lines and power run, the ceiling was as flat as it was going to get, and ready for a new surface. I may have bullied Eliza into 1x6 paneling, but I did it for the right reasons. Sheetrock on basement ceilings never looks good for long.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjiPyW4eTO1zMzNbxTaPoRoYfSinZ6tfk278Vc98kCOh_pdCqUctTQC8QLV5A60C6OCouLnYfE93u2MvS4uzcK2Q4OThp4MRiBO6ntumxMKUQc0-ZqxDx8mgIKk7rbCoVLOqQi5S5CkRK/s1600/IMG_5380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjiPyW4eTO1zMzNbxTaPoRoYfSinZ6tfk278Vc98kCOh_pdCqUctTQC8QLV5A60C6OCouLnYfE93u2MvS4uzcK2Q4OThp4MRiBO6ntumxMKUQc0-ZqxDx8mgIKk7rbCoVLOqQi5S5CkRK/s640/IMG_5380.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Charlie stuck with me, doing the dusty, obnoxious work. I don't imagine I was that much fun to work with, being on a tight deadline, working days that started at 12 hours and just got longer as we went along, and generally having tunnel vision. Hopefully the homemade beef jerky I brought made up for the poor working environment.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsZZ66EZQzJI1NjHUAjjSCuXH4dBLwIQxbxPUY5ZsSckUtrSMMfow-afgE20P_4T92VGErNqi_zQHGt1PkFo1r5QyI1VgsEXtxHEnpctou0IFSBxT_L1vTxYg3-nD0RZqgdZGmhwwzEx0/s1600/IMG_5388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsZZ66EZQzJI1NjHUAjjSCuXH4dBLwIQxbxPUY5ZsSckUtrSMMfow-afgE20P_4T92VGErNqi_zQHGt1PkFo1r5QyI1VgsEXtxHEnpctou0IFSBxT_L1vTxYg3-nD0RZqgdZGmhwwzEx0/s640/IMG_5388.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A little more scope creep. With a tenant moving in downstairs, the newlyweds, (at some point I'm not going to be able to say that anymore,) needed a laundry facility upstairs. Water, drainage, and electrical hookups required. And schlepping the old washer around the block and upstairs, since it was too big to come up the stairs.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdaZMBX0kMwFvAnd5u1WbPhov4Lzvp4aeGzE9wvcLVpc2QrkybB_HAKls994sQQE70Apwmd-N5PzqgbvhUs5DQO3vaK3R42sa2PejYWxrVOamZB18Gq584ngybZ8PuVYe5RLZ4bWQwDqF/s1600/IMG_5401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdaZMBX0kMwFvAnd5u1WbPhov4Lzvp4aeGzE9wvcLVpc2QrkybB_HAKls994sQQE70Apwmd-N5PzqgbvhUs5DQO3vaK3R42sa2PejYWxrVOamZB18Gq584ngybZ8PuVYe5RLZ4bWQwDqF/s640/IMG_5401.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">However, by 3 pm on the intended final day, I was packing up my bedroom and getting ready to head home, with a nearly completed apartment, minus all the paint. The kitchen. Counters made from 100+ year old Mississippi oak and heart pine. Shelves made from the same oak. (Light fixtures were delayed in arriving, nothing I could do about it. ahem.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcZQfdDFnfGQ-l2lwOrtJ7UBYw7ZI_ZzF3W-judpYosLCxy-bZdzl108y1FJi1NGx7LnIM8jGwSwpDoOmJ-RBQ-wpqFM7qbIiuAOzn0wBQGZ4sogxjeV1XvO9LmwwxJIWjK2fRBn16Awn/s1600/IMG_5407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcZQfdDFnfGQ-l2lwOrtJ7UBYw7ZI_ZzF3W-judpYosLCxy-bZdzl108y1FJi1NGx7LnIM8jGwSwpDoOmJ-RBQ-wpqFM7qbIiuAOzn0wBQGZ4sogxjeV1XvO9LmwwxJIWjK2fRBn16Awn/s640/IMG_5407.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hallway facing in, bathroom on the left, bedroom on the right.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGjXYk-JJ2m3ni_D2Wtwg0ta1Bcbxtb2i_AnNqt4gsa66tXnBQybRdUgGOg1HRyw72fxV6zzjG_llgcs6W0QRG3tGXuxRhn4D0nZCs5muJdaF21PLTAdFG59mrjty6tkJDaq9lp6lWP5T/s1600/IMG_5408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGjXYk-JJ2m3ni_D2Wtwg0ta1Bcbxtb2i_AnNqt4gsa66tXnBQybRdUgGOg1HRyw72fxV6zzjG_llgcs6W0QRG3tGXuxRhn4D0nZCs5muJdaF21PLTAdFG59mrjty6tkJDaq9lp6lWP5T/s640/IMG_5408.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bathroom.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hNbtg4Ek95JLaLm1g5-kudC_6dJhwy_qdqIxNbWmjLbnbtqWWIu1PLzKhwGbhgaDMI5Howo2AcCErioXNERH9Ex6Aif96ZoWHUgr3JpiQ4TYJ41DO6LinMFWc9hchrYNaO8mjjaPfdDR/s1600/IMG_5409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hNbtg4Ek95JLaLm1g5-kudC_6dJhwy_qdqIxNbWmjLbnbtqWWIu1PLzKhwGbhgaDMI5Howo2AcCErioXNERH9Ex6Aif96ZoWHUgr3JpiQ4TYJ41DO6LinMFWc9hchrYNaO8mjjaPfdDR/s640/IMG_5409.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So many chases on the ceiling in here. And we had to get a little funky with the angle of the tub, and still the wall bumps out around it to make for a code-compliant hallway. Paneling behind the tub to avoid sheetrock deteriorating from shower proximity. The drains for all these new things, kitchen, bathroom, and the upstairs washer/dryer, were a little tricky, but I think we got it to a point where it will all work and be easy to maintain.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3mM1mJMNAVjFhRrntqaAXThZEsM20u2o6uU4cGvtoJf1m9xKL3X6dD-j3nKCAs1HNENJqTX8NT0bdvfMGBgrGmW7tlvWgCj2h9una3qZdUqjhwXcize8e9BPijsbdYvl1r4Edl9VAsyq/s1600/IMG_5410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3mM1mJMNAVjFhRrntqaAXThZEsM20u2o6uU4cGvtoJf1m9xKL3X6dD-j3nKCAs1HNENJqTX8NT0bdvfMGBgrGmW7tlvWgCj2h9una3qZdUqjhwXcize8e9BPijsbdYvl1r4Edl9VAsyq/s640/IMG_5410.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Utility closet / pantry. Rod installed for a canvas curtain to section off the furnace.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Living / dining room. HVAC installed to the left, cabinet around the circuit panel, the radiator pipes could not be moved, but most everything else was tidied up and tucked into the ceiling. Outlets everywhere, because I don't like extension cords.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Charlie and Eliza are painting right now, and I can't wait to see how this looks with a fresh whitewash. I believe they are going to leave the wood ceiling unpainted. Washer/dryer hookup installed in the closet behind Charlie.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bedroom, aka the original garage. New wiring, lights, ceiling, hvac, chases, door, etc.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And 12 days after arriving I hopped in the truck and started rolling south. The first few blocks between their house and the Key Bridge took an hour, but by 5 pm on Thursday the 19th of January I was headed home at a decent clip, not listening to the radio or thinking about what was happening behind me in DC.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I imagine Charlie and Eliza were a bit relieved to have the lunatic gone. No longer having to come down to the basement at 1 in the morning to remind me that there are neighbors on the other side of the walls, or wonder why the upstairs power isn't working right now because I'm unraveling a rat's nest of old wires and sorting them into four new properly loaded circuits.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Throughout my life I have had a guardian angel that has taken many forms, given me many legs up, and pulled me out of many fires. Happy to be able to do a little something for these two.</span>smartinof4stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03012903196847383612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913771544379258246.post-28975709052943534952017-01-26T17:13:00.001-05:002017-01-26T17:13:12.656-05:00Between Christmas and heading to D.C.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The chickens roam all over the place, and often when I walk into my shop I spook a few out, and others take to the rafters. After experiencing a truly horrible smell in there, I asked Alexe to join me for an egg hunt. We found over 50. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Getting close to planting season in the hoop house, I went down to turn the soil over.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2MjafJM0Z8W6pO9awuZ0cp8r36BXOEMQV-6qQqKrF8HgV3OhTSFHdHvJA1P8yGl-qrdvNw4QVC2purSxv1t4B6x5yctdEkM5yL0OOMvI458mmPhw_LgoqN6vqH-iiIYy91XUSeTYKVyc/s1600/IMG_5001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2MjafJM0Z8W6pO9awuZ0cp8r36BXOEMQV-6qQqKrF8HgV3OhTSFHdHvJA1P8yGl-qrdvNw4QVC2purSxv1t4B6x5yctdEkM5yL0OOMvI458mmPhw_LgoqN6vqH-iiIYy91XUSeTYKVyc/s640/IMG_5001.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And disk it out. Only to be reminded by Alexe that the soil would really benefit from some extra nutrition, and would I mind...</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">30 trips back and forth with the tractor, and we had most of the barn yard down in the hoop house.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG59wK01iILP66e1RD6cLPeyxxh39zvhVVb8cCDEn5FQiOJbOZFGqVTKwCrDmoaGJRbgyXReFjOnI0XFSrR3CZbSrp0mXx005Uz4-E3WDqdUf7e2euXzaJ9DNMnQFcsYEsck1jLLBo-aMM/s1600/IMG_5235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG59wK01iILP66e1RD6cLPeyxxh39zvhVVb8cCDEn5FQiOJbOZFGqVTKwCrDmoaGJRbgyXReFjOnI0XFSrR3CZbSrp0mXx005Uz4-E3WDqdUf7e2euXzaJ9DNMnQFcsYEsck1jLLBo-aMM/s640/IMG_5235.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With the barn yard mixed in, and new fencing running down the exterior sides to keep the horned animals from tearing up the plastic walls, Alexe decided it was adequately prepared for her.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgvl3AqkXsz_DxZVpO-rG_BDQdODkjuzpBlpWX3yydBiA-zgaWvj4ziG9ZNNBJYm8VLQs_VfaIMqtLMMCSwsHZHSqP28EPqHASnGptEe5tAJuknDCpZiUgvxpuS5fuZHXvS1KqOEzjKCh/s1600/IMG_5244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgvl3AqkXsz_DxZVpO-rG_BDQdODkjuzpBlpWX3yydBiA-zgaWvj4ziG9ZNNBJYm8VLQs_VfaIMqtLMMCSwsHZHSqP28EPqHASnGptEe5tAJuknDCpZiUgvxpuS5fuZHXvS1KqOEzjKCh/s640/IMG_5244.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We took off to Columbus to visit Claire, (and her parents.) We spent a few days exploring their neighborhood, visiting the library...</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Going out to a lantern festival...</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">These two have been friends since their days together on the Vanderbilt rugby team. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-cfuu0VKs5bUBmpcNjMpArEQbKtbtGp1QEScAYk6Ag-3qezV4vv-OSaZbEIgHliN7QIJ6UsnZf3IPcBRi-5yz_uxl2Ezd3NlfOZXfnEXrHpFqb2KA14j6OkduzbJrSej3eFHArgvWopS/s1600/IMG_7770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-cfuu0VKs5bUBmpcNjMpArEQbKtbtGp1QEScAYk6Ag-3qezV4vv-OSaZbEIgHliN7QIJ6UsnZf3IPcBRi-5yz_uxl2Ezd3NlfOZXfnEXrHpFqb2KA14j6OkduzbJrSej3eFHArgvWopS/s640/IMG_7770.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">These three get along very well. Only the smallest of third-wheel friction, which is a miracle considering the age ranges.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He loves them.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And sometimes, when they run off in a book store, he finds a book to keep him company until they come back.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Claire does an amazing job balancing the affection of our two smitten kiddoes.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We went to the movies, in a theater with recliners. The luxuries afforded to densely populated areas, where the cost is spread around a giant customer base, are fun to visit. The lines... a pleasant reminder of the trade off for those luxuries.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our final evening, we were treated to a magic show / circus, where cameras were strictly forbidden by the performers.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Home again, Caspian returned to a project he had started during the pond-steps project. He loves to cut down trees with my hatchet; this is the largest one he has ever taken on.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We had a father-son date, where I cashed in my Christmas present at Turnages, a $5 gift certificate courtesy of Caspian.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpm5EUz4-UXwfU5ZzsISplOc71W2KwTh3XD0uMSOxRmuNxMw1eq3c4-dYpS5njSkYbhtwqxKyHbzM7m5eOqbNNYuK-TL6PRosTpE9cwMb81ZByyeRETTLAd1EAoQOYGQaEAC1A0BSqkH1l/s1600/IMG_5247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpm5EUz4-UXwfU5ZzsISplOc71W2KwTh3XD0uMSOxRmuNxMw1eq3c4-dYpS5njSkYbhtwqxKyHbzM7m5eOqbNNYuK-TL6PRosTpE9cwMb81ZByyeRETTLAd1EAoQOYGQaEAC1A0BSqkH1l/s640/IMG_5247.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Slightly tricky on his part, giving away a milkshake to me <i>and </i>himself.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When you can't find Caspian, pause and listen. If you hear rhythmic whacking he's out working on his tree; if you don;t he's curled up somewhere devouring a book.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our little girl, on the other hand, is full of vim and vigor, and ready to turn 9.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She had an early birthday party with friends, including bowling and a pizza party.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0qq8HPl0KTZfCEzVWXEVyvJCmdBAZ6cFwvqn2qu-kGSnnVxC3SStdhKvIQ8DnIIYw22HTQskxgCnz7wpxGGa8DwpGwF-uKcpLWpxN2mxK5W7pfzmSQZe4mDRZmP0OHIpMuA7fj_TFq6C/s1600/IMG_5210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0qq8HPl0KTZfCEzVWXEVyvJCmdBAZ6cFwvqn2qu-kGSnnVxC3SStdhKvIQ8DnIIYw22HTQskxgCnz7wpxGGa8DwpGwF-uKcpLWpxN2mxK5W7pfzmSQZe4mDRZmP0OHIpMuA7fj_TFq6C/s640/IMG_5210.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Followed on the real day by a family party at home. She requested sloppy joes for dinner, and her mama raced home from work to make that happen. Alexe takes birthdays very seriously, and insists on making whatever dinner the birthday person requests, as well as whatever cake. Possibly she does this to lead by example, but the result is some pretty great birthdays.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The go to choice for our family, Cora's chocolate buttermilk cake.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And our little girl was suddenly 9. Early the next morning I was rolling towards DC.</span><br />
<br />smartinof4stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03012903196847383612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913771544379258246.post-54541173100274527802017-01-26T16:12:00.000-05:002017-01-26T16:12:18.245-05:00Christmas '16<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Christmas Eve, Alexe is at work until 2:30, the kids and I get cracking on cookies.We've been doing this for years now.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Each year the kids are able to do more, and the day gets more enjoyable. This year we even made the gingerbread dough several days earlier to give it time to cure in the fridge, AND bought a goat cookie cutter. You know, for all our neighbors who have seen more of our goats than any of us would have liked this past year.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They're holding the food coloring, reserved for the sugar cookies, and one of their favorite parts of the process.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqnwXxDNyUyb0bxrE4OHMUFBeZKAJd2X5kCRx0oCdyCuyeaRPf9MrjjofQZvcFwbt0KuKV4Pu_RoB-lPuyTz-2N9-b-ZHnUnbBYmQVKWQpYAxFsJ7hLqCoafAtSTAu2iTlADqabRMv8V6/s1600/IMG_4772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqnwXxDNyUyb0bxrE4OHMUFBeZKAJd2X5kCRx0oCdyCuyeaRPf9MrjjofQZvcFwbt0KuKV4Pu_RoB-lPuyTz-2N9-b-ZHnUnbBYmQVKWQpYAxFsJ7hLqCoafAtSTAu2iTlADqabRMv8V6/s640/IMG_4772.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The kids juggled between cutting out cookies, licking bowls, rolling snickerdoodle dough balls in cinnamon sugar, and decorating the cookie bags.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Someone takes her decorating very seriously.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ekh9NgaCvbiWvPuLs43XbP-Xnce-GPKbh_7W8LuJUCTh7AVJ68iNRaGzntG3a3q3cW2RNfdwDHVo5jFYUrizrxmUe4G-TPjPxOfF_0kWKWU3eADmjvGLPQfKkZBeHBo9wguVX3IX2gW9/s1600/IMG_4783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ekh9NgaCvbiWvPuLs43XbP-Xnce-GPKbh_7W8LuJUCTh7AVJ68iNRaGzntG3a3q3cW2RNfdwDHVo5jFYUrizrxmUe4G-TPjPxOfF_0kWKWU3eADmjvGLPQfKkZBeHBo9wguVX3IX2gW9/s640/IMG_4783.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just in time for Alexe's arrival home, the piles of cookies were cooled, the cookie bags were decorated, and all that was left was to get dressed for church, fill the bags, and head out to deliver them.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We may have overestimated the cookie needs this year. We gave out more than any previous year, and it didn't seem to make a dent in our mountain of cookies. None of us minded.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Getting ready for church. Caspian was so fond of his jackie-bond-esque wedding outfit he opted to wear it again. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapzNYKVScNqJc-Ydgklg-3Z00vXItg4ao972f7hgsJ4he3MOJ_3uH1xmOzSd18MWB5gfyDP9p7soTpc0zX8CK_jo-CTIFFxfwGTyKy-PWjpCkE50wAiGtwFzTyn9rI7caHwcvAmp8eAcP/s1600/IMG_4801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapzNYKVScNqJc-Ydgklg-3Z00vXItg4ao972f7hgsJ4he3MOJ_3uH1xmOzSd18MWB5gfyDP9p7soTpc0zX8CK_jo-CTIFFxfwGTyKy-PWjpCkE50wAiGtwFzTyn9rI7caHwcvAmp8eAcP/s640/IMG_4801.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cookie deliveries. Our list of stops keeps growing, and this year we let the kids do all the door bell ringing. This was our first year stopping at our neighbor the mayor's house. Given how many times he's called me about a herd of goats being on his lawn, it seemed like the right thing to do.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitW5SeJzOJClvABZbN9Dx_0ngnl6PtEExbaFVj2ezTGH4P_0lOqEFjBUNrVr9wAhydD7sLBlbj6YF-9ccfekQMs2SlhZSonvy-ksYMRIkWbxBRqrKccgUtzJGrSun0CqOCbgI001ceOFlV/s1600/IMG_7658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitW5SeJzOJClvABZbN9Dx_0ngnl6PtEExbaFVj2ezTGH4P_0lOqEFjBUNrVr9wAhydD7sLBlbj6YF-9ccfekQMs2SlhZSonvy-ksYMRIkWbxBRqrKccgUtzJGrSun0CqOCbgI001ceOFlV/s640/IMG_7658.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Church, hanging stockings, some singing, and to bed. Where we opened our eyes early the next morning as our cherubs hopped into our bed with their stockings. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QEylcMB5jFr5gT3e7kDINm61i29bNZ2MQsSoz09EoXfpq1z4duJsqSCqVwBT0Y3fkcTOj6heo3fxPh-i7Zk0l-nZK3_RY7urvj_YTYXzt1TVYLh8daccu6NkFZHluDJhdXzKj3VVue1S/s1600/IMG_7668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QEylcMB5jFr5gT3e7kDINm61i29bNZ2MQsSoz09EoXfpq1z4duJsqSCqVwBT0Y3fkcTOj6heo3fxPh-i7Zk0l-nZK3_RY7urvj_YTYXzt1TVYLh8daccu6NkFZHluDJhdXzKj3VVue1S/s640/IMG_7668.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Presents were opened.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFidAlponRF3alndCdrpUGb0zgAJeDNBSJTftcxRboxyydCo_vL5Quo0PVmsqei-p2okK9w8H6j7SR30f-qPvsYtx2hXj8eCGKbVq3hian6EkV-3o-YPdLWuVHxokixpHmH9fN7W3d-3b/s1600/IMG_7679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFidAlponRF3alndCdrpUGb0zgAJeDNBSJTftcxRboxyydCo_vL5Quo0PVmsqei-p2okK9w8H6j7SR30f-qPvsYtx2hXj8eCGKbVq3hian6EkV-3o-YPdLWuVHxokixpHmH9fN7W3d-3b/s640/IMG_7679.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lord of the Rings movies were watched. We do love our traditions.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Trips to the kitchen were made to get more milk and cookies.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieeEg9cWXLxu-JGil5wVNATkatKpTSODlPsT0wUbiEXd2NEYkqNIVHqRUlx6xZTPIuO9m07bMOQ_FLmb_PnwTb5q9xGtXS6V9dHllwhfgYnws9smWKaNTWXxCihsn_LrrEh7gKUFYUAi_7/s1600/IMG_7705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieeEg9cWXLxu-JGil5wVNATkatKpTSODlPsT0wUbiEXd2NEYkqNIVHqRUlx6xZTPIuO9m07bMOQ_FLmb_PnwTb5q9xGtXS6V9dHllwhfgYnws9smWKaNTWXxCihsn_LrrEh7gKUFYUAi_7/s640/IMG_7705.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then we suited up for the family hike. Another annual mainstay.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP18I61itbJ39riFiltMbWWRjaIKzJjUpFFL0sPQqPehtPOdmQOKj2q6Vf77_d_YVVpePEDdcoHWW3S5o0yVtIjhd4c38fUVFPLNWuZpsrJw1bT4lFWHNE8fb8fCe21a242CwicJBLa9N2/s1600/IMG_4960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP18I61itbJ39riFiltMbWWRjaIKzJjUpFFL0sPQqPehtPOdmQOKj2q6Vf77_d_YVVpePEDdcoHWW3S5o0yVtIjhd4c38fUVFPLNWuZpsrJw1bT4lFWHNE8fb8fCe21a242CwicJBLa9N2/s640/IMG_4960.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A hike, with plenty of cookie-related rests on the way. I think Alexe insisted on some fruit at one of these snack stops.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aOOSHgm4xzgf3-40ZCbdVbtv7Xxkwq06dO_7eK9fjZsGY3UNSn5gBBmY6dKDsA64x63jRcHUzf-HxJH9n5x_IaWcuxEuYjbTCHSGZx-dpxErX6vtrWzDbLsmW2Qzn2SS8KsBVRjlfNYh/s1600/IMG_7733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aOOSHgm4xzgf3-40ZCbdVbtv7Xxkwq06dO_7eK9fjZsGY3UNSn5gBBmY6dKDsA64x63jRcHUzf-HxJH9n5x_IaWcuxEuYjbTCHSGZx-dpxErX6vtrWzDbLsmW2Qzn2SS8KsBVRjlfNYh/s640/IMG_7733.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Alexe loves this dog.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Eventually we made it back to the house, where after feeding the animals we settled in for an evening of more of the same. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I love our Christmases.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcV4QElBR-7ogr4cm0CUSoPL-Z8Rb1Qr0h8SX8dBceGGZ7WoUXCDW3NKfDgn6w2jI_2QANmIjZdN1fBUDODoDiPAwJoL7vuFVJzj7G9C6TK46gcXV_oGOTQQyN-3Oa-V7nEWyje0r5okp/s1600/IMG_4989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcV4QElBR-7ogr4cm0CUSoPL-Z8Rb1Qr0h8SX8dBceGGZ7WoUXCDW3NKfDgn6w2jI_2QANmIjZdN1fBUDODoDiPAwJoL7vuFVJzj7G9C6TK46gcXV_oGOTQQyN-3Oa-V7nEWyje0r5okp/s640/IMG_4989.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />smartinof4stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03012903196847383612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913771544379258246.post-62770974770372029192017-01-26T15:40:00.003-05:002017-01-26T15:40:54.716-05:00December '16<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The kids have been taking piano lessons for a little while now, and participated in their first recital before Christmas.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCMxeDHwkWkop7Vh_Bk3D-2UNXA-6nZ50cgX-mqXo_qqPDIqvHKGSm2Zt7AUyMN2cb-HNZWJAckQgfxuCuJ1KU6yT_tz-QOMO3jGltVLfpitCLrvfXVlDb_uBwEpcFG3d8ZQL7IFCtKhZ/s1600/IMG_4428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCMxeDHwkWkop7Vh_Bk3D-2UNXA-6nZ50cgX-mqXo_qqPDIqvHKGSm2Zt7AUyMN2cb-HNZWJAckQgfxuCuJ1KU6yT_tz-QOMO3jGltVLfpitCLrvfXVlDb_uBwEpcFG3d8ZQL7IFCtKhZ/s640/IMG_4428.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Another successful Christmas parade was attended on Main Street with the usual gang.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMiK0TCcL889q0xUrQQ9qIJAsiy0tv-8oPj9-7bKKmXS-rQEhetHeIY0gvq43TR03knyIDol8Mj5TAmnkN8TWDOL2Nf47JAbc6mGAd5G2ulRTgzuEXo09lE05UJJAZkK6S7SZkjRRbgqB/s1600/IMG_4538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMiK0TCcL889q0xUrQQ9qIJAsiy0tv-8oPj9-7bKKmXS-rQEhetHeIY0gvq43TR03knyIDol8Mj5TAmnkN8TWDOL2Nf47JAbc6mGAd5G2ulRTgzuEXo09lE05UJJAZkK6S7SZkjRRbgqB/s640/IMG_4538.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Relaxed hang out time was had at home.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgEs4qpoIEn3JXDNpj2DcwHqjPGGBFqUlA45bx4RfeXRGBU3oB1IdozHDfkqZtV1x8GvK4ktxb1JAmh858ad-YiX-Es1KnZrRcv8QyRLhJgc5baaTE5CEzbr61uPKi_ULe8JXBCpukMAf/s1600/IMG_4544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgEs4qpoIEn3JXDNpj2DcwHqjPGGBFqUlA45bx4RfeXRGBU3oB1IdozHDfkqZtV1x8GvK4ktxb1JAmh858ad-YiX-Es1KnZrRcv8QyRLhJgc5baaTE5CEzbr61uPKi_ULe8JXBCpukMAf/s640/IMG_4544.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After a PTO meeting we wandered the elementary school halls and saw this snowman made by Caspian. That black line is a snake. if you read the fine print next to his shoulder it says, "I am going to be a herpetologist."</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzlnrs_ts7RIJfDl72WcJvbh50j9BQ9swvPd5K6amb1eK2nTTI1WpyrR92cQ0fqRh2PqVtXtQmHO2m-UCwEQzP_G35P6_fIuiGzwIW2KZTGM6B-YR6t519K4gLsL7qLfq8wPC12Z8_tY7/s1600/IMG_4615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzlnrs_ts7RIJfDl72WcJvbh50j9BQ9swvPd5K6amb1eK2nTTI1WpyrR92cQ0fqRh2PqVtXtQmHO2m-UCwEQzP_G35P6_fIuiGzwIW2KZTGM6B-YR6t519K4gLsL7qLfq8wPC12Z8_tY7/s640/IMG_4615.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One morning Annaliese went to work with Alexe, and Caspian and I found a creative use for the pile of pallets left over after the stone was unloaded.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUAgmLvAr-1kkEVLsxgus95FpXfAJlWnPKN_w2jbHNHUXtf4BdypH93P96P4CU5RLaWAYLeV3rHCztVjBbPgRsoK6j2lXf0iQAFhCcwIrVxIHxqkW-BIzSWW37RCe3pN8iVRMJ36ymI1q/s1600/IMG_4624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUAgmLvAr-1kkEVLsxgus95FpXfAJlWnPKN_w2jbHNHUXtf4BdypH93P96P4CU5RLaWAYLeV3rHCztVjBbPgRsoK6j2lXf0iQAFhCcwIrVxIHxqkW-BIzSWW37RCe3pN8iVRMJ36ymI1q/s640/IMG_4624.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2L4yoh1O9kMOryjeQp4GcUVsb1P_EVAolK6SpRbHnhFu-40EtHfRcU___qFpqlZ3Lnp2kP5UwPP9ktqhOnoSL4_-PhTJRhm4GWnSbZPQvg5J1CsuII5VwBCbYWvgE3objHb_Hl-kirEIc/s1600/IMG_4633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2L4yoh1O9kMOryjeQp4GcUVsb1P_EVAolK6SpRbHnhFu-40EtHfRcU___qFpqlZ3Lnp2kP5UwPP9ktqhOnoSL4_-PhTJRhm4GWnSbZPQvg5J1CsuII5VwBCbYWvgE3objHb_Hl-kirEIc/s640/IMG_4633.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqObpp_T3HBdx0Y_v_DmHukbC1XkFhUnhorNQAKBBdcU0lqSnbpmZEqVY36N-e4V9DciZXXsLAGLttheDMnKxelI3m13tj8Y2mHmYxF1GOvrn8uuErcoB814RUCkHgrkZSNwNQCRNnJa_y/s1600/IMG_4635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqObpp_T3HBdx0Y_v_DmHukbC1XkFhUnhorNQAKBBdcU0lqSnbpmZEqVY36N-e4V9DciZXXsLAGLttheDMnKxelI3m13tj8Y2mHmYxF1GOvrn8uuErcoB814RUCkHgrkZSNwNQCRNnJa_y/s640/IMG_4635.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If it's not obvious this is a goat playground.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDA4eoDiChE1aebALTXarPUvWS1YWLxfadI4sSDN75gVZm_xwKNiNECcJ7a1Ac-L0Jd9M0cYbryRXKdAOBSWOnFsDPTPjAmBnnCvKxqs-HX_rZ4DuTkRGMqx5s8n6LhcKZc2IUkvgGhKBj/s1600/IMG_4647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDA4eoDiChE1aebALTXarPUvWS1YWLxfadI4sSDN75gVZm_xwKNiNECcJ7a1Ac-L0Jd9M0cYbryRXKdAOBSWOnFsDPTPjAmBnnCvKxqs-HX_rZ4DuTkRGMqx5s8n6LhcKZc2IUkvgGhKBj/s640/IMG_4647.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The family came with me to walk the fence line and fix shorts.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5fK30t5MncA0Bj0ccqKacHkLuZWdW-CF6Of51IyyGQ71Un5zOwety_Dq-1-01E_8ZnE7Vmd3mGMd0dYVOkqHHn5Irqy3VvGUiR2IUb0CjtKycq1gmL7Tud8N5JvP9t1ltAASLKUnKdQn/s1600/IMG_4641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5fK30t5MncA0Bj0ccqKacHkLuZWdW-CF6Of51IyyGQ71Un5zOwety_Dq-1-01E_8ZnE7Vmd3mGMd0dYVOkqHHn5Irqy3VvGUiR2IUb0CjtKycq1gmL7Tud8N5JvP9t1ltAASLKUnKdQn/s640/IMG_4641.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A chilly morning in December, where a pipe in the chicken house split and made a lovely ice display.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCcMVzbDt91ANC9JG3N4NwWpdUvUZ6FaCq7d1AlbddjEta3-O756SMl3a2T_s7UhRAbVncFpv7eqPg6pxoP_TH3yTMnrl4gv3VKC9H0Qyxq-mDVzkdfx0bhMqBNtZEi3i5iGonoAG8mp9/s1600/IMG_4649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCcMVzbDt91ANC9JG3N4NwWpdUvUZ6FaCq7d1AlbddjEta3-O756SMl3a2T_s7UhRAbVncFpv7eqPg6pxoP_TH3yTMnrl4gv3VKC9H0Qyxq-mDVzkdfx0bhMqBNtZEi3i5iGonoAG8mp9/s640/IMG_4649.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One of my favorite candid shots from Base Camp. I walked in to find a friendly game of Uno starting up during a break.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheu-azAZc-UC8raAi5OligzqIxupRsWoQcjHFvV4Ae3x5BYZyNxsgJ8RbTE85cJoOGdVDGpJr_ZCK8mkHs8DGBrFTW94to5NrgmrDiAM8fcDkvcte2iduA-nXXsNfVhr2RdPKBLV6wty9X/s1600/IMG_4658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheu-azAZc-UC8raAi5OligzqIxupRsWoQcjHFvV4Ae3x5BYZyNxsgJ8RbTE85cJoOGdVDGpJr_ZCK8mkHs8DGBrFTW94to5NrgmrDiAM8fcDkvcte2iduA-nXXsNfVhr2RdPKBLV6wty9X/s640/IMG_4658.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Another recital organized by the kids' piano teacher at the retirement home.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HamRGGMF9wcU4AIO0zwm2xVaMjAFenpzXBn1D6mdQ54TfUd8KKbfbzap2XVEyiUCRrKiK-ssXDTl8hDWQE-PltShYdxrSkzHoBUh-NdE-6YScOxUkNsYxrSGupa8sgHD4rmxOgH60hvj/s1600/IMG_4659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HamRGGMF9wcU4AIO0zwm2xVaMjAFenpzXBn1D6mdQ54TfUd8KKbfbzap2XVEyiUCRrKiK-ssXDTl8hDWQE-PltShYdxrSkzHoBUh-NdE-6YScOxUkNsYxrSGupa8sgHD4rmxOgH60hvj/s640/IMG_4659.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOoJ35eOyuZOqCHoUTm8OScF8CrzekGnjnvQqx1EYlO9JMNllT4rBeLRINsDjffF9hf-Zq-rrEWjKfwNOE5lHtt9TzgWGLOVP_FBhzCg5-B-EO8tB2tzDrf7vQvtMwb0cMw1OeQ_e6OJUi/s1600/IMG_4665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOoJ35eOyuZOqCHoUTm8OScF8CrzekGnjnvQqx1EYlO9JMNllT4rBeLRINsDjffF9hf-Zq-rrEWjKfwNOE5lHtt9TzgWGLOVP_FBhzCg5-B-EO8tB2tzDrf7vQvtMwb0cMw1OeQ_e6OJUi/s640/IMG_4665.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One of Alexe's Christmas presents this year was new eyes. The newest form of lasik has a much higher rate of success, and works on the level of vision impairment Alexe has had her whole life. (That level has always been about the level of a mole.)</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We took her to Memphis,where she went into this little room for two hours.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnORcUfhw3nsvmvJdTO9dmx6B0iSBkqDmfMYDVtc4pU7l9wkr70vdO5N9SJzSebU4J4FKW57Dn6MHtXtnZq-XAfIzAlsPHU3cua87j_XnqwHvA47QBVtymGM64DIAgVnwfraIyZ4rDoKg_/s1600/IMG_4687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnORcUfhw3nsvmvJdTO9dmx6B0iSBkqDmfMYDVtc4pU7l9wkr70vdO5N9SJzSebU4J4FKW57Dn6MHtXtnZq-XAfIzAlsPHU3cua87j_XnqwHvA47QBVtymGM64DIAgVnwfraIyZ4rDoKg_/s640/IMG_4687.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We took that time to pop around the corner and rent a hotel room, then dash to the grocery store and procure snacks, before coming back to pick up our slightly loopy mama-bear. (They gave her a valium to help keep her calm for the 5 minutes the procedure took.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9iDPcPo_H2XuHFBbtqKtXMoO6S7mSm4p34-IEXeZIYQEHBYAXLBB_jgZRYggQThySt4Eb_E7DPSHR8PPu64udHqjyoRK5N5EszVqhY5J9K-NqFMUdIGOGGDa8-Sw7wK9mQT8D0ZrVelq/s1600/IMG_4688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9iDPcPo_H2XuHFBbtqKtXMoO6S7mSm4p34-IEXeZIYQEHBYAXLBB_jgZRYggQThySt4Eb_E7DPSHR8PPu64udHqjyoRK5N5EszVqhY5J9K-NqFMUdIGOGGDa8-Sw7wK9mQT8D0ZrVelq/s640/IMG_4688.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She was instructed to keep her eyes closed until the next day, and return to the surgeon the next morning at 8. To accomplish this they recommend taking a sleeping pill and zonking out. Apparently there's a period of itching that is better to sleep through. The googles are to prevent you from rubbing your eyes and tearing your retinas off.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We described the layout of the room, put snacks and beverages and the remote in arms reach, and left her to her peace and quiet. (This was not our idea, Alexe insisted.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qp_WfTi3-DwnWl0xEJpRnWJm2GmR22lDmqHc5uaeXETo4nV8wgG-YeXChNse10RI2u2BLUMc2EOr3SvPmoJ3uk0KFiQ35eknZnGy57FGOLPoCjFMew3G2m7kvcC3c0W4bSlig1zM0RW0/s1600/IMG_4692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qp_WfTi3-DwnWl0xEJpRnWJm2GmR22lDmqHc5uaeXETo4nV8wgG-YeXChNse10RI2u2BLUMc2EOr3SvPmoJ3uk0KFiQ35eknZnGy57FGOLPoCjFMew3G2m7kvcC3c0W4bSlig1zM0RW0/s640/IMG_4692.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We hopped in the truck and went to the Children's Science Museum, courtesy of a.Natalie and u.William. The timing of that Christmas present, an annual membership literally procured half an hour earlier, could not have been cooler.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfaiORzm2KuPVLuj-o6FMUJ0z99gLBQ6jsHWGWWRZgVEC7GXQN8uLKVpo365-56XQJbT0Oz1EjvKLPkFdmMtcPN0YycBcmlc7RhSA-JejNli90Z5FsOhhZLE4pQ7MybpC0jwA58MlwCvEC/s1600/IMG_4694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfaiORzm2KuPVLuj-o6FMUJ0z99gLBQ6jsHWGWWRZgVEC7GXQN8uLKVpo365-56XQJbT0Oz1EjvKLPkFdmMtcPN0YycBcmlc7RhSA-JejNli90Z5FsOhhZLE4pQ7MybpC0jwA58MlwCvEC/s640/IMG_4694.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We spent a couple hours getting to know the place. We had never been before.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63tPmIWIsQ6ISN4uYUF40sdq7d_yhSoWj6UhUO5GydiUypg9zhcBW5qxf6nqUq_J2DX9y_-juZL_Y9Az3RfVTQSHGyU2OWTSWYN8kURI_j_c-aOQZqLhemLFgl89Esh7d4lwNZwo47u8g/s1600/IMG_4699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63tPmIWIsQ6ISN4uYUF40sdq7d_yhSoWj6UhUO5GydiUypg9zhcBW5qxf6nqUq_J2DX9y_-juZL_Y9Az3RfVTQSHGyU2OWTSWYN8kURI_j_c-aOQZqLhemLFgl89Esh7d4lwNZwo47u8g/s640/IMG_4699.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There may be a video of this young lady making a music video in front of the green screen. I don't post videos here, but if you come to her wedding it might be shown there.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_XY4Y0Az4HOD_XIHoCM1JImac9fbG7ve_9MXXqHe21vsNDgkXgjwSx61fR2Wz9flTwmXVix03bXjbhNA92INvTK7UkQBUsr1Tn2ZuEG7qFA9t6-Y_627Z0tw_u0No_EfM31zjFWLkf4M/s1600/IMG_4702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_XY4Y0Az4HOD_XIHoCM1JImac9fbG7ve_9MXXqHe21vsNDgkXgjwSx61fR2Wz9flTwmXVix03bXjbhNA92INvTK7UkQBUsr1Tn2ZuEG7qFA9t6-Y_627Z0tw_u0No_EfM31zjFWLkf4M/s640/IMG_4702.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Caspian and I shot our way through this entire basketball course. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdCSQ3YuDeWdn0caNtdto7rjTM0DV5rJGzqiYQfv3EN1KNNWy_-Q1bliojJqw7422GD7rgOjo7e9Zx6vpPPmjYTUJs4UqwQi3YkZW4DKtmc4fpOyTjbR0QDBjKqoW7SbotoI5uo1Mq31R/s1600/IMG_4704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdCSQ3YuDeWdn0caNtdto7rjTM0DV5rJGzqiYQfv3EN1KNNWy_-Q1bliojJqw7422GD7rgOjo7e9Zx6vpPPmjYTUJs4UqwQi3YkZW4DKtmc4fpOyTjbR0QDBjKqoW7SbotoI5uo1Mq31R/s640/IMG_4704.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And then we went home, and the next day Alexe came home in her own vehicle with new eyes.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This picture is here to remind me of the swelling in my heart I felt as Annaliese and I were walking the fence line once again checking for shorts. (Ah, goats.) As we came out of the woods she took off, blue coat flying out behind her, racing for the golf cart with the hopes of getting to drive back to the house. I was overcome with the joy of having her there, and the sadness of what it will be like to walk these fence lines by myself after she is grown. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Check out those baby blues!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We decided it was time to collect the many pumpkins Alexe had decorated the farm with in the fall, and feed them to the pigs. The kids love this, mostly for the hatchet-action.</span><br />
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<br />smartinof4stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03012903196847383612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913771544379258246.post-47739129165569379742017-01-26T15:04:00.001-05:002017-01-26T15:04:57.985-05:00Pond steps project...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The pile of surplus stone that was gifted to us was calling out for something to do. Last fall I took a couple of the larger pieces, originally intended as wall cap stones for a hotel, down to the dock to see how they would look as steps.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN1U4NUNZgDnsZSMRYF-nNP2DOz7aU-XZInZZOt_WXwiYG3g6XP1Gyav3E205Fjwvla4gGEyWne5DqVudn3BPtjGcoBw0geG5uKNZQdX4VWJwzN-bB7Pr4qszIqHbQ7BPh5UJmec2G8w2/s1600/IMG_4407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN1U4NUNZgDnsZSMRYF-nNP2DOz7aU-XZInZZOt_WXwiYG3g6XP1Gyav3E205Fjwvla4gGEyWne5DqVudn3BPtjGcoBw0geG5uKNZQdX4VWJwzN-bB7Pr4qszIqHbQ7BPh5UJmec2G8w2/s640/IMG_4407.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They looked nice, but there was no easy way to transport the stones, roughly 5 inches thick, 24 inches across, and close to 4 feet wide, down this slope. If I had to guess at their weight I would say more than 300 lbs each. The tractor could safely make it to the top of the hill, but they required human power from the fence line, and to be hoisted into place after a suitable platform was dug out of the hillside.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Some time in early December Alexe had a day off, so I decided to stay close and find a farm project. I spent all day dragging, (too heavy for the wheelbarrow or garden cart,) digging, and hoisting. Alexe came to visit once, and comment on what a mess I was making with the styrofoam the stones had been shipped with.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYttl87FDdroea7gLKuwbeRtTng0XXftAw6EiSyx-qa8qPYZukWE_G_w9cR5BOpy2D8-yJKMOw6782pZVJgtRPMlAOLQu8yTVHLH1R3Xim63BADUoKGNsee7RH3l7L9qkrHTvXbOZBH_s/s1600/IMG_4410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYttl87FDdroea7gLKuwbeRtTng0XXftAw6EiSyx-qa8qPYZukWE_G_w9cR5BOpy2D8-yJKMOw6782pZVJgtRPMlAOLQu8yTVHLH1R3Xim63BADUoKGNsee7RH3l7L9qkrHTvXbOZBH_s/s640/IMG_4410.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After that day I took a break of several weeks. Yes, we had a lot of these puppies.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Christmas break came along, and I suddenly had chattering little people to keep me company, so we headed back to this corner of the farm.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKaeO2dgx0NOk4LS9h34U7WfoB2Uvt3VQC_xB2o2_DhBvi9rm8sIOKG79lqz4EOkRI9xRwh819-MlWwSJBXT-iHiHSMODkVqZdA5eVuF_BUmZZiDw4cXHMcN9ly19lUThpob81h59E83Pi/s1600/IMG_5117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKaeO2dgx0NOk4LS9h34U7WfoB2Uvt3VQC_xB2o2_DhBvi9rm8sIOKG79lqz4EOkRI9xRwh819-MlWwSJBXT-iHiHSMODkVqZdA5eVuF_BUmZZiDw4cXHMcN9ly19lUThpob81h59E83Pi/s640/IMG_5117.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My helpers were easily distracted. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-oDRJragfCSApbMT7i0UfRVjH_B1HtUTLZYguCGfs6rJhu1n3smZJfzIIPJqU33eR1bn2NghFhejxEEOZ88oJcmwEslLyyQp-q6jdK9eb1SPltZJj-fuaWasdl_iY1VF9WlTAoW7QNns/s1600/IMG_5126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-oDRJragfCSApbMT7i0UfRVjH_B1HtUTLZYguCGfs6rJhu1n3smZJfzIIPJqU33eR1bn2NghFhejxEEOZ88oJcmwEslLyyQp-q6jdK9eb1SPltZJj-fuaWasdl_iY1VF9WlTAoW7QNns/s640/IMG_5126.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But! I persevered, and by the end of the day we had 33 stone steps in place, above the dock that <i>still</i> doesn't have a composite deck on it. Silly folks think that stuff is worth its weight in gold.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJ2Ym9dFMuFbhyphenhyphenGG6QQVO9bGXi4C9wVIHkZAODfIxrHRElgJT9UZ0oLZQNeUtZV_SQielbzM8IHDsXpawLt-fXbimNGysaiiZUWhpdZzJ8NwbeO_gn08sstm_FYNb4ZWkLByD9BmdCRhD/s1600/IMG_5124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJ2Ym9dFMuFbhyphenhyphenGG6QQVO9bGXi4C9wVIHkZAODfIxrHRElgJT9UZ0oLZQNeUtZV_SQielbzM8IHDsXpawLt-fXbimNGysaiiZUWhpdZzJ8NwbeO_gn08sstm_FYNb4ZWkLByD9BmdCRhD/s640/IMG_5124.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I think they're going to settle in nicely. And if not, oh well, this is where they're staying.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVr6aFm0Qc_cflxJyKmEgykorvW8HOsIrXeQYo2DuMnwcTu08CkKQ7UqfUpDRpWwWfT6lbShs8K2KD8IBtJ52_hCn5-eeKvjaW9FwU6xuBmtASpRLQeLYOozq0I3a99qJ9Ic5A-bDtMK_/s1600/IMG_5130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVr6aFm0Qc_cflxJyKmEgykorvW8HOsIrXeQYo2DuMnwcTu08CkKQ7UqfUpDRpWwWfT6lbShs8K2KD8IBtJ52_hCn5-eeKvjaW9FwU6xuBmtASpRLQeLYOozq0I3a99qJ9Ic5A-bDtMK_/s640/IMG_5130.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After some heavy rains in January the pond is starting to fill up. The dam had to be wrapped in plastic after the hay, erosion cloth, and seeding was all ineffective. We'll try sod in the spring.</span><br />
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<br />smartinof4stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03012903196847383612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913771544379258246.post-58603786964843458632016-12-07T20:31:00.004-05:002016-12-07T20:31:55.682-05:00Fall 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Annaliese's godmother came to Mississippi with her beau after traveling from Germany for Eliza and Charlie's wedding. They were incredibly pleasant and easy houseguests, and Caspian took a particular shine to Christoph. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrr3w9P2ARpDhLqiCriLuji4uKIVrH2w6XTCvjFXN7g_qNjnYAEvMRLjsk8dh0gDZQMF3sjv-1oVBgzUGS8Azxm9awfPU8S7jJVCszT59VUAkEI7q8P7fqE9IUt_eXi3IRfZs0KLVSsHjp/s1600/IMG_4042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrr3w9P2ARpDhLqiCriLuji4uKIVrH2w6XTCvjFXN7g_qNjnYAEvMRLjsk8dh0gDZQMF3sjv-1oVBgzUGS8Azxm9awfPU8S7jJVCszT59VUAkEI7q8P7fqE9IUt_eXi3IRfZs0KLVSsHjp/s640/IMG_4042.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Alexe asked me to get her something to wear for halloween. She loved it. Half a dozen times I heard her telling friend, "I finally look the way I feel!"</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One of Caspian's hobbies. Finding necklaces, cutting them up into their component parts, storing them in a big box, and when he's particularly bored, sorting them.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kz7fu8rqly1fWWDGwL_wvuK8FED4gx90yf3brGLtv06ZDvDX7oRq1vP-EXhWqhfDwXoLfsRX7dDsGcib_t2E33hXqT5IwcRHNrshjiEbplrxvcnXtfJmvTKXaHcZmoZ4AjQ1jRhUODOd/s1600/IMG_4053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kz7fu8rqly1fWWDGwL_wvuK8FED4gx90yf3brGLtv06ZDvDX7oRq1vP-EXhWqhfDwXoLfsRX7dDsGcib_t2E33hXqT5IwcRHNrshjiEbplrxvcnXtfJmvTKXaHcZmoZ4AjQ1jRhUODOd/s640/IMG_4053.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This young lady has been at our house for several sleep overs in the past couple months. Miraculously the three of them seem to get along, and on the most recent visit they invited Caspian to bring a sleeping bag in and sleep on the floor of Annaliese's room. For a little brother who isn't allowed to have sleepovers until his next birthday, he loves the inclusion.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My daughter.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWZv-d07WqWb1lVGPRXpn6lrh0rqT0gYtg-q7X5pbapV4WQKyrwbEKCJjysjl_0z0z_6K45O6fSBJF77dZSnzaav5BFyjBqvhBDyJMeQSxbsE8gQlUiobyya0if4QmG56lsu2alM6jg-p/s1600/IMG_4068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWZv-d07WqWb1lVGPRXpn6lrh0rqT0gYtg-q7X5pbapV4WQKyrwbEKCJjysjl_0z0z_6K45O6fSBJF77dZSnzaav5BFyjBqvhBDyJMeQSxbsE8gQlUiobyya0if4QmG56lsu2alM6jg-p/s640/IMG_4068.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Who hd a terrible fall on the playground. A call from the school, "You need to come get your daughter, and probably take her to the doctor, she's pretty hurt...click." I drove rather quickly to the school, worried, and more than a little irritated at the complete lack of details about what had happened and how Annaliese was.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Poor little girl was in the nurse's office, she had slipped on the monkey bars and done a full face plant on the ground. So happy to wrap her up and carry her home with me. Nothing to be done while the swelling was so high, so we tucked her in on the couch. She was in shock, and upset that it was Halloween and her costume was not going to work with her injuries and she might not be able to go trick or treating.<br /></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Alexe was amazing and talked her into going as a zombie. We attended the same halloween party we've been going to for 6 years, and everyone had fun trick-or-treating. Not sure why I have no pictures from the night...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFteAI8jMv1szcAlGPqXDC7xNQgOdrc2Um1O8s4ghDjoP4tiy2zMiDiKe-o6BU44oxvqm3El2YwALi11YmocJXBCLQN1Aigpq7Vj2g4oMWtSJFsNHNSv3kcGFoSxSxsTgBvjKWrFToec4s/s1600/IMG_4071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFteAI8jMv1szcAlGPqXDC7xNQgOdrc2Um1O8s4ghDjoP4tiy2zMiDiKe-o6BU44oxvqm3El2YwALi11YmocJXBCLQN1Aigpq7Vj2g4oMWtSJFsNHNSv3kcGFoSxSxsTgBvjKWrFToec4s/s640/IMG_4071.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In Jackson to speak at a conference, took some time to wander the nearly deserted downtown, and fell in love with this empty building. Lamar Life Insurance building. Built in the early 20s by a firm out of Texas, still straight and true, stone, with statues all over it! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIHdZvBn7cJGzC0nAmzVgV2nw7U3Qi_G82y4tOLzgqJuyfkpFPfXJ_Jd7sW7Kn9rAu9TgllptM7NT92lA59zmUCKT8u2GgiXyh5bJANm4S8TtzrI1kRNaGF-JUgP3R-eaTvMxYTnrKFUs/s1600/IMG_4094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIHdZvBn7cJGzC0nAmzVgV2nw7U3Qi_G82y4tOLzgqJuyfkpFPfXJ_Jd7sW7Kn9rAu9TgllptM7NT92lA59zmUCKT8u2GgiXyh5bJANm4S8TtzrI1kRNaGF-JUgP3R-eaTvMxYTnrKFUs/s640/IMG_4094.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Another visit to the dentist. Cavities in baby teeth. We may need to look into getting some dental insurance.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The black eyes were impressive, and Annaliese did pretty well through her self-conscious healing time. Her friends at school were very supportive and as far as we know didn't tease her, and there was no break in her nose. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Caspian was home sick for a couple days. This and his sister's face injury was the start of a series of unfortunate events. From the death of a student at Base Camp who had worked at the BTC for close to 3 years, to illness and injuries, (we'll cover the lovely Thanksgiving week later,) to the election, the world seemed to have a cloud hanging over it. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was a good time to remember our many blessings, and find reasons to smile despite the current events.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xXHuZPjwiP0yo3rgSiwk57EnkT2s0RZ_iOh1gkk7yReh4zJNJnXPhE7IUJz1GGVzm1f-ysEHNz3LQ8V8kCaUQBtP6NtrVmVF75nFsO43DHfWl_eIOfCy5rcb6Set176cHHyALKD6Aukv/s1600/IMG_4145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xXHuZPjwiP0yo3rgSiwk57EnkT2s0RZ_iOh1gkk7yReh4zJNJnXPhE7IUJz1GGVzm1f-ysEHNz3LQ8V8kCaUQBtP6NtrVmVF75nFsO43DHfWl_eIOfCy5rcb6Set176cHHyALKD6Aukv/s640/IMG_4145.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And maybe buy ourselves a present. Not sure where these are going, possibly in the barn we are planning, but they're on that list of things I have always wanted. Spent a day in Memphis removing these from an old warehouse that was about to be demolished. </span><br />
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<br />smartinof4stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03012903196847383612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913771544379258246.post-49783962439718584592016-12-03T16:53:00.002-05:002016-12-03T16:53:32.274-05:00Fall 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A children's birthday party. There's a healthy population of youth in this town, and these parties occur constantly. Sometimes Alexe lets me off the hook, but not this time.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhyphenhyphenPREp3DYsRYosLbuZSaUM3bDy37bOjqY24WCzT8_XLDJzNm2W-CX5eVuyVzEjoyLutTQVAZIPzbrkMdqpvtBpdpofqlSmIeRkoKxfM62JIcnAZysxnB8pY6FsxQ__X6x-5t7rznmMIv/s1600/IMG_3632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhyphenhyphenPREp3DYsRYosLbuZSaUM3bDy37bOjqY24WCzT8_XLDJzNm2W-CX5eVuyVzEjoyLutTQVAZIPzbrkMdqpvtBpdpofqlSmIeRkoKxfM62JIcnAZysxnB8pY6FsxQ__X6x-5t7rznmMIv/s640/IMG_3632.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The kids showing off their cart-driving skills to their chess coach.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Caspian's current career goal is herpetologist. He has other scientific pursuits for the time being, which his microscope helps with. He also enjoys making potions in the kitchen that he hides around the house where they explode their containers or gently leak horrible smells.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Date night.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At a gallery opening. With the kids. But still a date!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Alexe turns 34! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My spring chicken. Who has been both 15 and 79 since I met her.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Alexe outdid herself in finding the most obnoxious-to-make cake request so far. A 7 layer Russian honey cake.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Another Friday evening at the brewery. The pictures here may make it seem like we spend an inordinate amount of time at the brewery, but it's really just one evening a week.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We tend to go early, which means the kids are bored until their friends trickle in. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Farm boy filling up the wood boxes.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In Greenwood for an overnight, full day of meetings for a board I serve on. Bowed out of the evening activities, to enjoy a quiet walk along the river, and enjoy a great bbq place in the back streets.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">a.Jenny and two of her young ones in town for a visit. They were en-route from Colorado to Virginia for a.Eliza's wedding.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nice to show them around our little world.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was adorable watching Annaliese and Caspian show off their budding piano skills, and be blown away by Celeste's cello. It seems like they're practicing more now...</span><br />
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<br />smartinof4stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03012903196847383612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913771544379258246.post-83188347578382180852016-12-03T15:46:00.002-05:002016-12-03T15:46:54.994-05:00Fall 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Alexe was in the DC area again for some wedding-related activity with Eliza. Our 11th wedding anniversary was just around the corner, and the new shelves for the store weren't going to make themselves. Which meant the children were tasked with amusing themselves around the farm while I puttered in the workshop. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This was my view out of the workshop door.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nothing disrupts the schedule of pancake/waffle breakfast on Sundays. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Still going to the pool. Because the country club redid the pool this year, it will be open all through the winter as the new materials cure. We're going to see who keeps swimming as the weather gets below freezing.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Big kids in the baby pool.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Chilling.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We've been pressuring Caspian to write more. Periodically he decides to journal, but he's such a stickler he will throw out a letter or journal entry and start over. And over. (Here's a game: see how many times you can spot Blokus pieces on this site.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BY0ivX9d9vrjVSaEej-BgaVsf4fku4wESq3zb7PXd6nlIQLJW47tM1c3-AyGz7qfy5_z3R2Dub-qYtLvktun6rhix5Evt9SrGkG2d7BopYDl7jFF5bYzo9ZlVc19IFqIoNJ7QJ7Ew82p/s1600/IMG_3270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BY0ivX9d9vrjVSaEej-BgaVsf4fku4wESq3zb7PXd6nlIQLJW47tM1c3-AyGz7qfy5_z3R2Dub-qYtLvktun6rhix5Evt9SrGkG2d7BopYDl7jFF5bYzo9ZlVc19IFqIoNJ7QJ7Ew82p/s640/IMG_3270.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Shameless selfie. Attending a gala for Innovate Mississippi in Jackson.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5E3xzru9DF2W_r8AAxzUrax3CAWKeQyqsRbMbfsO7Kl_AlCA8peoake0vvfhEd1yxqYXxuc-GND2kqewnlkf6n1ikf8H5GoqQWgByEfIrtCjKf3hUbdGsA8dpOrRGYX80LvzFu_-hplA2/s1600/IMG_3306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5E3xzru9DF2W_r8AAxzUrax3CAWKeQyqsRbMbfsO7Kl_AlCA8peoake0vvfhEd1yxqYXxuc-GND2kqewnlkf6n1ikf8H5GoqQWgByEfIrtCjKf3hUbdGsA8dpOrRGYX80LvzFu_-hplA2/s640/IMG_3306.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mhH-yMqT85fnhP32kq1-Cqqqt-Gmh_7Wqw2wrRYzY5rf-Y9uz4MKkfCt-HY1ytcP4JARoDE6AT4PP9RYkX_U1rCVgI9-7Pgk_pcgbmCJCC_nT5l5GJgrz2tqKsbZdOfjB2-WHsvMO0vW/s1600/IMG_3317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mhH-yMqT85fnhP32kq1-Cqqqt-Gmh_7Wqw2wrRYzY5rf-Y9uz4MKkfCt-HY1ytcP4JARoDE6AT4PP9RYkX_U1rCVgI9-7Pgk_pcgbmCJCC_nT5l5GJgrz2tqKsbZdOfjB2-WHsvMO0vW/s640/IMG_3317.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We held a voter registration drive. Three locations, 8 hours each day. Registering to vote takes maybe 2 minutes, and requires no id. We registered maybe 10 voters. The 6 that I did personally were folks I knew who were re-registering since moving to town. It was eye opening.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfZwBGJV_8kaR7RiPr2jEJBGeBvREY2JI70-qUaOJGrbfLQWpxjmYqmAb_lFHTYCKHasK9stmkXYJexHsveRewyijYYRXGTDuPgxCxD0YJXs7PIx61dDW8zVlihi0mqQOVdj-hT52UoyN/s1600/IMG_3318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfZwBGJV_8kaR7RiPr2jEJBGeBvREY2JI70-qUaOJGrbfLQWpxjmYqmAb_lFHTYCKHasK9stmkXYJexHsveRewyijYYRXGTDuPgxCxD0YJXs7PIx61dDW8zVlihi0mqQOVdj-hT52UoyN/s640/IMG_3318.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Another lovely evening at the pool.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYTB1cROBc7Glt14Fddj2xh1YD4RHV3DnrOrkraaNCg2zw6TysdiXC7e9hN8zvAqcwDu-5mRp0GAUeaZpOPEmuJ7eI61Cb7tO0Ltz7Uzy5FWLGZEJkJBsPeIL6w5-trpBzq01MsjqLcM6/s1600/IMG_3325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYTB1cROBc7Glt14Fddj2xh1YD4RHV3DnrOrkraaNCg2zw6TysdiXC7e9hN8zvAqcwDu-5mRp0GAUeaZpOPEmuJ7eI61Cb7tO0Ltz7Uzy5FWLGZEJkJBsPeIL6w5-trpBzq01MsjqLcM6/s640/IMG_3325.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What bedtime?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Hiqz6DTS7QiYgMorMi7MgHoxx08-Fg4C1aiOOYmmg42AvIEa79_3AOq8IyOnOOL7a8XtwAiVVfkHamB8OEmoYbO19KoooZ5VA6_s7w5HcWGcUh7GXlOxOA27GMqfsRYG6rlHAxx98CkE/s1600/IMG_3332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Hiqz6DTS7QiYgMorMi7MgHoxx08-Fg4C1aiOOYmmg42AvIEa79_3AOq8IyOnOOL7a8XtwAiVVfkHamB8OEmoYbO19KoooZ5VA6_s7w5HcWGcUh7GXlOxOA27GMqfsRYG6rlHAxx98CkE/s640/IMG_3332.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Snack time.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcmU3Eqojs4JVPcjZUrNfUsh4tViTk6I8rME2-jycdWIDfpDWRaGA3Un4uA2ULuaN5qlZrn3DOUUCX6Nlm-zXB2eZ665mbFrkuZbbEIdfjR_w1Y1HVl85LiiLr7autRJZlVN96X9fzTL-/s1600/IMG_3369.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcmU3Eqojs4JVPcjZUrNfUsh4tViTk6I8rME2-jycdWIDfpDWRaGA3Un4uA2ULuaN5qlZrn3DOUUCX6Nlm-zXB2eZ665mbFrkuZbbEIdfjR_w1Y1HVl85LiiLr7autRJZlVN96X9fzTL-/s320/IMG_3369.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Friday nights at the brewery.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdClSwvwnAIepVWHS9f5_mQvirk2_tqRtkYmJK3Jm__b4X3F58DhRS__j5OyAkRk-1D6ifA2yVk1ycMbSF82duDYSKVqZqVcRgyHrVHqHIDs1zwEgBJi2vREs8Rwc9PadBXDA8uq4dZWrG/s1600/IMG_3382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdClSwvwnAIepVWHS9f5_mQvirk2_tqRtkYmJK3Jm__b4X3F58DhRS__j5OyAkRk-1D6ifA2yVk1ycMbSF82duDYSKVqZqVcRgyHrVHqHIDs1zwEgBJi2vREs8Rwc9PadBXDA8uq4dZWrG/s640/IMG_3382.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pziAGr4IYOHRYPbWW18mrw_Myoc_aFHSgaY-yDCWAnltLHIr5aE30X9XwNPnKrPibXRYsdpgg1Vu5gx5DqT_d4c9lJiqpPnk0bbaasXdxMhml5iPRYqaL_LqfW1E4p3bll_vF6E0VU91/s1600/IMG_3383.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pziAGr4IYOHRYPbWW18mrw_Myoc_aFHSgaY-yDCWAnltLHIr5aE30X9XwNPnKrPibXRYsdpgg1Vu5gx5DqT_d4c9lJiqpPnk0bbaasXdxMhml5iPRYqaL_LqfW1E4p3bll_vF6E0VU91/s320/IMG_3383.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What a sight.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98vRqoxDcB9QHPJOfzCWdVzAJpgzqjklyWe-fIyonHrFBL5PVUSVdNbnWCWTxRZrbENzKIZkCQFAtvk37laOsBnx1HuwElLm61A9AKxtzNu55hr01L0M0F52yHXcIgp7ekrd9CQmXdz7A/s1600/IMG_3419.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98vRqoxDcB9QHPJOfzCWdVzAJpgzqjklyWe-fIyonHrFBL5PVUSVdNbnWCWTxRZrbENzKIZkCQFAtvk37laOsBnx1HuwElLm61A9AKxtzNu55hr01L0M0F52yHXcIgp7ekrd9CQmXdz7A/s320/IMG_3419.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They were sitting on my lap in the kitchen when Caspian froze, eyes locked on something through the window. He hopped up, raced outside, and plucked this little guy off a flower. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAG7yZiJeWzDuluzM1DcQPyiyNwH4AyGbxnKPpyPs_I8EsZmAzbwseFBJ1Y7QBcl9YRWWizLbfUbVKWzVYskqR6XJM4Gw54I7mVyInH1AXXvUJWCNopFsDPZarUvU4-4HplGXZq9JjFqs/s1600/IMG_3430.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAG7yZiJeWzDuluzM1DcQPyiyNwH4AyGbxnKPpyPs_I8EsZmAzbwseFBJ1Y7QBcl9YRWWizLbfUbVKWzVYskqR6XJM4Gw54I7mVyInH1AXXvUJWCNopFsDPZarUvU4-4HplGXZq9JjFqs/s320/IMG_3430.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A friend of mine with a construction company had been building a hotel in Oxford. One of the subcontractors made some mistakes on the sourcing of materials, and they ended up with a large surplus of stone. I was offered as much as I wanted, and spent a day ferrying loads of this stuff home.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjce8mb0si8TucTlMgQe-s8hAb26YOaeu45zUesE8I7e-PDieAZ3mvdLak66vVRyodv2WnRuCUXOwx6pBLuXrweDMUi2RzjU7ufMB6inaMR2Z0Z4IFhAZ9AY8BtlvkEW6a3RZofWsq1ga_x/s1600/IMG_3458.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjce8mb0si8TucTlMgQe-s8hAb26YOaeu45zUesE8I7e-PDieAZ3mvdLak66vVRyodv2WnRuCUXOwx6pBLuXrweDMUi2RzjU7ufMB6inaMR2Z0Z4IFhAZ9AY8BtlvkEW6a3RZofWsq1ga_x/s320/IMG_3458.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There's a bunch of it. I have ideas. The first one is laying a broad stone stairway down the hillside to the dock. We'll see what's left after that.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrNzK12l73OjWHdEtuLvHoksEobXP3Kc_dAI2ooqEvYoMOz0ciplhn7tNfDsdv2zVGcKei9_GE6tJ4ERJw9O9TsPatVhi6hzGVyUIEpjnKZQpAQZzXMNQIoOJsJojS29qU14OhSAU98Wx/s1600/IMG_3460.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrNzK12l73OjWHdEtuLvHoksEobXP3Kc_dAI2ooqEvYoMOz0ciplhn7tNfDsdv2zVGcKei9_GE6tJ4ERJw9O9TsPatVhi6hzGVyUIEpjnKZQpAQZzXMNQIoOJsJojS29qU14OhSAU98Wx/s320/IMG_3460.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There are worse ways for a childhood to go by.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCPEju3OnwFctCnCBmCgDEOAbKTCk1PNI0dz9hd19V9795rLMW8BgI1OTjV0EJhBKt9qx1Kq9lcJ4Ze03XCXISIMiRQVpxDRqD41WyYGshlJ6umuV-j8xQPoXwEZ_pCmLgUIicV-ONcZ-9/s1600/IMG_3481.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCPEju3OnwFctCnCBmCgDEOAbKTCk1PNI0dz9hd19V9795rLMW8BgI1OTjV0EJhBKt9qx1Kq9lcJ4Ze03XCXISIMiRQVpxDRqD41WyYGshlJ6umuV-j8xQPoXwEZ_pCmLgUIicV-ONcZ-9/s320/IMG_3481.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />smartinof4stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03012903196847383612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913771544379258246.post-90486357205346041442016-12-03T15:03:00.001-05:002016-12-03T15:03:50.086-05:00Eliza and Charlie get Married!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you are hoping for lovely wedding pictures, this is not the place. Eliza and Charlie had a great wedding photographer, and those pictures are available somewhere. Alexe was focused on maid-of-honor duties, so the kids and I wandered the massive property where the wedding was held, and spent time with extended family who had congregated to celebrate the marriage of a.E and u.C.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The location was lovely, if massive and overwhelming. The scale, from construction to operation to maintenance cost, was something that I couldn't quite wrap my mind around. Just under 500 rooms in the lodge proper. Pools, indoor and out, two golf courses, a shooting club, falconry setup, stables... A favorite spot for celebrities, politicians, and generally the well heeled who enjoy a dining room with walls that disappear over the horizon.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6o4qZGioYqyPDyVhY8qKacW8YR_ojur3kgFXw1iKgHjhvZ5kV_zxGVNtLU2RIjFvyixJnPL3kF6GzXMPqqJh2Mc0_CGrU3K6wIW7dpZFQFMmBb8Xa25mxm27DwSBK47pbjPxSasFSdGB/s1600/IMG_3897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6o4qZGioYqyPDyVhY8qKacW8YR_ojur3kgFXw1iKgHjhvZ5kV_zxGVNtLU2RIjFvyixJnPL3kF6GzXMPqqJh2Mc0_CGrU3K6wIW7dpZFQFMmBb8Xa25mxm27DwSBK47pbjPxSasFSdGB/s640/IMG_3897.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We did our best to enjoy the facilities, and the time with family we too-rarely get to see.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEght1JWfnCYbDbOJ-itj9otYFpi7VTRxTUraf5_uCjLKhfMbpZc2SInj-OvdMWC0lhT9_3ffCJxD4Hdodszk3CFo-cD-7-Ym6L8Gl5oBRU6cnBxp2wPSFwonIBpnZzMg-HZuzs63FjcX1NF/s1600/IMG_3896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEght1JWfnCYbDbOJ-itj9otYFpi7VTRxTUraf5_uCjLKhfMbpZc2SInj-OvdMWC0lhT9_3ffCJxD4Hdodszk3CFo-cD-7-Ym6L8Gl5oBRU6cnBxp2wPSFwonIBpnZzMg-HZuzs63FjcX1NF/s640/IMG_3896.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Caspian and u.Ted went off to the fish pond. They rejected the rods that were provided, cut down a sapling, combined the fishing line from two other rods, and caught crawfish in the creek. And then caught three fish.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmM8k801hdP3RZ5qasUKB60r86eLzZImqVfNt6Yk5vAQtMHbkE_ex0TWzB4p8hCoqcG6CICyxizHO5FTBJ1uCVj2-9TSONkXIo9ckJGR8RmDJ7k48nkApFv_-l3Zzw4Y_ZF9rActZKruWg/s1600/IMG_3910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmM8k801hdP3RZ5qasUKB60r86eLzZImqVfNt6Yk5vAQtMHbkE_ex0TWzB4p8hCoqcG6CICyxizHO5FTBJ1uCVj2-9TSONkXIo9ckJGR8RmDJ7k48nkApFv_-l3Zzw4Y_ZF9rActZKruWg/s640/IMG_3910.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The rehearsal. Eliza and Charlie's wedding party was substantial.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2Y8TXhiDjCa2UHGIstP72aSOpRN2j5GfEoe2Y5sKTNwcZuvFVMb2eEUTeDp834_hSsOhGyat7yNR1JZpvgeGk_MO5daqcalZqhbkx2ViSOfa4lCMfbEgZIzoO1bbYzinlrl69uMd2k4Y/s1600/IMG_3913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2Y8TXhiDjCa2UHGIstP72aSOpRN2j5GfEoe2Y5sKTNwcZuvFVMb2eEUTeDp834_hSsOhGyat7yNR1JZpvgeGk_MO5daqcalZqhbkx2ViSOfa4lCMfbEgZIzoO1bbYzinlrl69uMd2k4Y/s640/IMG_3913.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hanging with the Colorado cousins.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YMCCFNvSMvScDMinu-lZIbWyVxL3PIJ_6I5ngILWlYwihiXAwpLip3h_JMo0rDqGvBQiAKm7e3sh3GOIdHfsG7ekmo-s7CmQR_kbAw91fBNtbqjrk4OUJJQpmhyXuIyxz-0mhFsCOGtA/s1600/IMG_3928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YMCCFNvSMvScDMinu-lZIbWyVxL3PIJ_6I5ngILWlYwihiXAwpLip3h_JMo0rDqGvBQiAKm7e3sh3GOIdHfsG7ekmo-s7CmQR_kbAw91fBNtbqjrk4OUJJQpmhyXuIyxz-0mhFsCOGtA/s640/IMG_3928.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Caspian's chess skills are coming along, and he's always game to show them off. a.Jenny gave him a good run.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyLDLJ4oj6WVVMvo8cF3fz_QmIsslPAvPWuG9zMEd9LZPfrLHEDfHe0PuZpo82RyyQJExe8QiSG03ZwbWHFKfBV8ysWTwZwlUkmu_q6RughKxhqjvvlsnOAuyUmhyphenhyphencK-nsaZ9wnTk82Kh/s1600/IMG_3929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyLDLJ4oj6WVVMvo8cF3fz_QmIsslPAvPWuG9zMEd9LZPfrLHEDfHe0PuZpo82RyyQJExe8QiSG03ZwbWHFKfBV8ysWTwZwlUkmu_q6RughKxhqjvvlsnOAuyUmhyphenhyphencK-nsaZ9wnTk82Kh/s640/IMG_3929.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">u.c.Nick. Too little time with this chap, but we were very happy he was able to make the wedding on his way back around the globe. (Literally coming from Japan or China, through DC, on his way back to Seattle.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5LA3G3Jz5UxPZwnIFNbC8rUMrN2GFsayCmxrR8_MJ1njd08bi-7MQ_Ifvd9RLGgUNLY0ydyhGXOJYpvoEzwdIAQv_iyJWW8NVATQOJERGJZKAZw5ZCY0h7Yr2UZApemoVjsXBQei8f34/s1600/IMG_3941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5LA3G3Jz5UxPZwnIFNbC8rUMrN2GFsayCmxrR8_MJ1njd08bi-7MQ_Ifvd9RLGgUNLY0ydyhGXOJYpvoEzwdIAQv_iyJWW8NVATQOJERGJZKAZw5ZCY0h7Yr2UZApemoVjsXBQei8f34/s640/IMG_3941.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Getting ready for the big event.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrpY_oGf3NQ7gaOBY22ky91iVzGsOYgU2lDdYWA7ExLlAvJz0mYDn153oVaZpmQI6FragSJQrF8ZX3k5zr8sofw0VR6uwu_l7v-Gb-810FAzIC92CgSBn2uXf0GSevzOw-EvACQTydxJ61/s1600/IMG_3942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrpY_oGf3NQ7gaOBY22ky91iVzGsOYgU2lDdYWA7ExLlAvJz0mYDn153oVaZpmQI6FragSJQrF8ZX3k5zr8sofw0VR6uwu_l7v-Gb-810FAzIC92CgSBn2uXf0GSevzOw-EvACQTydxJ61/s640/IMG_3942.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Alexe was with Eliza most of the day doing bride-preparation stuff. Annaliese joined them in the bridal suite in the early afternoon, and we didn't see them again until 4.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgn2Oj0U4KytgtxZz-OjeAhE3V19h-k5qIWrm6wJD0Bz0Nlr0kyf7WGkYEnBkdFHEtED_YAMmnxvREKmtSGcC4g9Q7EcfcuhHEk8g2hAMLlh1e8ET-MhbkquKXS3Ovtf0TBvCr4H8o-12B/s1600/IMG_3946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgn2Oj0U4KytgtxZz-OjeAhE3V19h-k5qIWrm6wJD0Bz0Nlr0kyf7WGkYEnBkdFHEtED_YAMmnxvREKmtSGcC4g9Q7EcfcuhHEk8g2hAMLlh1e8ET-MhbkquKXS3Ovtf0TBvCr4H8o-12B/s640/IMG_3946.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pictures! The photographer impressed with his speed and organization. The wedding photos turned out so well, doubly impressive considering how efficient he was. My family cleans up nicely...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfdKu6ytvnHhS5HlHAnh2PQUWzldK6LAcs3-NsmOOPgKoIAbwwpKXqkUe6x4ADdJnLkncOyNQoDsEusqPkcNVm5UnAlfmNBgb20bjqDjCG_dXdb5HF7TIvyW31_T70yGF0_TjPpIZG-fS/s1600/IMG_3949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfdKu6ytvnHhS5HlHAnh2PQUWzldK6LAcs3-NsmOOPgKoIAbwwpKXqkUe6x4ADdJnLkncOyNQoDsEusqPkcNVm5UnAlfmNBgb20bjqDjCG_dXdb5HF7TIvyW31_T70yGF0_TjPpIZG-fS/s640/IMG_3949.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Annaliese was in a funk, but still found time to micro-manage her brother whenever possible. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ozUDtgFuCBt5lNeuBShIGPOCBb9YN09UeDWi3RRI6Txvbhy37Ru1xwCtLvnXDJ60CK_gyNyqDD5N1CGh8ba30DXFvr22lHO0Lhi2rlKeyhsK6JgovwIg-dYa3xY8ItNWPDXe93T-PdAZ/s1600/IMG_3951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ozUDtgFuCBt5lNeuBShIGPOCBb9YN09UeDWi3RRI6Txvbhy37Ru1xwCtLvnXDJ60CK_gyNyqDD5N1CGh8ba30DXFvr22lHO0Lhi2rlKeyhsK6JgovwIg-dYa3xY8ItNWPDXe93T-PdAZ/s640/IMG_3951.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And then there was a lovely wedding, wherein Eliza was gorgeous, and smiley, and Charlie was composed and dashing, and nobody contested their right to marry, and rings were exchanged, a short ride was taken in a cool car, (the same one that Alexe and I rode in the day of our wedding,) and the party commenced. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There was a short wait while the bride and groom had their pictures taken on the mountainside above the lodge. The kids practiced dancing, and I kept Alexe company while she worried about bustle-ing Eliza's wedding dress. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Q7Q6VGaG6W-X1a_4ZIdkelaeRcGPqWhqteLNVwm4tr9Yz6Aa6pPBv9MGL7IqsLYJpbBL-FSmpf1xhsAzzoZXoSnXXTW0BVmDooQO_00dhwyRq-3rBcI2tBbOA_oLoL9AGDLImQQyiTik/s1600/IMG_3965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Q7Q6VGaG6W-X1a_4ZIdkelaeRcGPqWhqteLNVwm4tr9Yz6Aa6pPBv9MGL7IqsLYJpbBL-FSmpf1xhsAzzoZXoSnXXTW0BVmDooQO_00dhwyRq-3rBcI2tBbOA_oLoL9AGDLImQQyiTik/s640/IMG_3965.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We didn't see much of the kids all night. Annaliese was upset about the wreath in her hair, Caspian was not looking forward to his bowtie and suspenders, but after they were suited up they both decided they looked great and ran off to dance/party the night away. They even sat at a kids table for dinner. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwUiSnssbWbggGn8fP7e2Q5CYpsApQSuCJA7prsaOZq6nPtfDqrVM7C4ODte9ZgBpyfTng2WqgHgW4i-hJNV_l7v-TFqVjUGWjtMPYy5QLw5J2sagkWC-SbKps5P5uyUJXehBPjfgVCt0/s1600/IMG_3971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwUiSnssbWbggGn8fP7e2Q5CYpsApQSuCJA7prsaOZq6nPtfDqrVM7C4ODte9ZgBpyfTng2WqgHgW4i-hJNV_l7v-TFqVjUGWjtMPYy5QLw5J2sagkWC-SbKps5P5uyUJXehBPjfgVCt0/s640/IMG_3971.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We tucked the kids into bed very late, and went back to the great hall to sit in front of a fire and share a bottle of champagne. Not every day Alexe's only sister gets married, and all the family comes together with so much potential for fireworks and yet nothing untoward happening. Alexe's a little single-minded, and this was probably the first time she relaxed all weekend. The evening of dancing with a steady supply of old-fashioneds, followed by a bottle of champagne, may have helped her unwind.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We made it to bed around 2. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The next day we spent most of the morning saying goodbye to family as they packed and slowly trickled out. When most of our goodbyes were over and the new couple made an appearance, we packed a picnic and hiked up the mountain. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5ZZoqR7Wg8EXiI12CvC_8FK5uKlmtWsvUXnCZmepmvmOCUnh_PSa5vL9o5yj39PBEWk18pGbLRRbd1Yyw3lLNLsHfzRrkfdA02DA03PGKb8Mn2QPK2eYqwuvQnugJ10-kIYnq37j5Rzo/s1600/IMG_3978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5ZZoqR7Wg8EXiI12CvC_8FK5uKlmtWsvUXnCZmepmvmOCUnh_PSa5vL9o5yj39PBEWk18pGbLRRbd1Yyw3lLNLsHfzRrkfdA02DA03PGKb8Mn2QPK2eYqwuvQnugJ10-kIYnq37j5Rzo/s640/IMG_3978.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nice to see my girl again.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbV7mvGB5ZfVQWdv5gFY7qubnhRf4hEePMj5Qrd7h65DUlCRtbKRZBcJa0zHqbwd4XfnarAm0RBl-qHye4o2GmlwFYfx267X0hLnrZoP1BYCPL6dJBSxrfvqO0WcrFqmx8A15kmHY_T6KK/s1600/IMG_3991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbV7mvGB5ZfVQWdv5gFY7qubnhRf4hEePMj5Qrd7h65DUlCRtbKRZBcJa0zHqbwd4XfnarAm0RBl-qHye4o2GmlwFYfx267X0hLnrZoP1BYCPL6dJBSxrfvqO0WcrFqmx8A15kmHY_T6KK/s640/IMG_3991.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That evening the kids had dinner in one of the restaurants by themselves, and went to the in-house theater to watch a movie. We checked on them periodically, and found time to have a grown-up dinner in the tiny neighboring town.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5f4ZaKwK5VXlDuw3TMEIWZ0475HYjLp2RkJPNAwtidv4V4LgNa2-KzGzRmgOnMNP-nHF0M1r2rIiZ-lhyphenhyphen-VYnYviYqqq6cMA26B_1jGFNlU0UzqLJ4H5vVhHuu97CkFm0vqNveDjSKUmx/s1600/IMG_4020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5f4ZaKwK5VXlDuw3TMEIWZ0475HYjLp2RkJPNAwtidv4V4LgNa2-KzGzRmgOnMNP-nHF0M1r2rIiZ-lhyphenhyphen-VYnYviYqqq6cMA26B_1jGFNlU0UzqLJ4H5vVhHuu97CkFm0vqNveDjSKUmx/s640/IMG_4020.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We were in the car and driving home at 5:30 the next morning. We stopped for breakfast, back in our comfort zone.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwF_yWDkC1JN0SiBMFPsI3SmSLCPpqYB6SrLplvO6mKst4MFFJv7hzNFm21A5McN3hMkYI8lnEzBM0r3Q_6sU0iAtF4gUlRKclKLoQV1Nh1ePknPKLD4ubI2nhFkPg_y9KcwE8yL37mTF/s1600/IMG_4028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwF_yWDkC1JN0SiBMFPsI3SmSLCPpqYB6SrLplvO6mKst4MFFJv7hzNFm21A5McN3hMkYI8lnEzBM0r3Q_6sU0iAtF4gUlRKclKLoQV1Nh1ePknPKLD4ubI2nhFkPg_y9KcwE8yL37mTF/s640/IMG_4028.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />smartinof4stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03012903196847383612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913771544379258246.post-22028997246999863232016-11-30T20:35:00.001-05:002016-11-30T20:35:15.347-05:00Alexe's School Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Alexe gets ideas. Usually she doesn't want to do them, and often she finds other people to execute for her. But when she can't, those ideas plague her, and she has to make them happen.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The idea of a school garden, where the local youth can see things grow and learn about where food comes from, is a great idea. If you had a crew of volunteers and maybe a little grant money, it would be wonderful.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Alexe didn't have those things. But she started anyway. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">First with the one-man grounds crew at the elementary school tilling up a chunk of grassy flatness. (He also takes care of the high school by himself.) Followed by raking of the poor soil into little hills for pumpkin plants.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvQcDwBPzZ3h44ourwae5G295J1Wh66YgoYD_LDTpjOZ59VmVzLcFBC5JwS-w-Q5wSFBUYR0hjCNG8DVac7g-hxgHCB6gKsZcXGQsZTb5PkObmwdAlEDybvjtYo1aE4LsFQ64sCUB7nn2/s1600/IMG_2555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvQcDwBPzZ3h44ourwae5G295J1Wh66YgoYD_LDTpjOZ59VmVzLcFBC5JwS-w-Q5wSFBUYR0hjCNG8DVac7g-hxgHCB6gKsZcXGQsZTb5PkObmwdAlEDybvjtYo1aE4LsFQ64sCUB7nn2/s640/IMG_2555.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She started before the school year to try to have pumpkins growing by the time the students arrived. In terrible soil, with no time, and a year when the sky decided to hoard any moisture for four months. And yet she persevered.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZS1LlOqzvTn06N0paYL3wMsgYId5WVQRpMZ1IbOw498FtsbQ5rr2VEFTc9Je6RaSjYSmiUBL7MatEnCQZpFei-g1463SSuMBI4HIIF6ovaTIUZbbKi1MKclthkuhJ11unj3f8a2wskkW/s1600/IMG_2605-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZS1LlOqzvTn06N0paYL3wMsgYId5WVQRpMZ1IbOw498FtsbQ5rr2VEFTc9Je6RaSjYSmiUBL7MatEnCQZpFei-g1463SSuMBI4HIIF6ovaTIUZbbKi1MKclthkuhJ11unj3f8a2wskkW/s640/IMG_2605-001.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There were lots of pests. Lots of time spent raking a berm around the perimeter, lots of hoses to run from the side of the school up the hill to the garden. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMQAtMd1sbU5hkIa81LF5nkV7bPv3UAtFv-BaLRIiUSHtwBYuXqXcvi8uG0FWvJ-v53jFgcbhIS_u8qxcMmmZAdwSLmCMcOtIBcwLXtUhB4iaBwfu2PmC9MUIkMyzRdbT6u6igUu2LW7v/s1600/IMG_3144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMQAtMd1sbU5hkIa81LF5nkV7bPv3UAtFv-BaLRIiUSHtwBYuXqXcvi8uG0FWvJ-v53jFgcbhIS_u8qxcMmmZAdwSLmCMcOtIBcwLXtUhB4iaBwfu2PmC9MUIkMyzRdbT6u6igUu2LW7v/s640/IMG_3144.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The students arrived and Alexe's garden turned into a wonderland for 80 students over three hours on Thursday mornings. 4 classes, 2 at a time. The teachers bring them out, and Alexe suddenly is responsible for educating and keeping the attention of those kids, ranging from k to 6th graders. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All while keeping them from destroying the plants that she is trying to grow for them.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After the pumpkins came expensive truckloads of soil, donated mulch, electric fences, seedlings, bulbs, seeds, and who knows what else she has quietly purchased.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBPgVfNDt7hNhQZNDYes2af04RYIp7gs2dl3a33aXF2-2rUSxpoZvoiTBEJW60PFRGrHEWMtGPJJBN_9TgOihsXAQmbcAFNZyJfWmdSlJy20eo4FZmtx6IFdFo_bZ1i6Cf1PXxa6cjnrd-/s1600/IMG_3663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBPgVfNDt7hNhQZNDYes2af04RYIp7gs2dl3a33aXF2-2rUSxpoZvoiTBEJW60PFRGrHEWMtGPJJBN_9TgOihsXAQmbcAFNZyJfWmdSlJy20eo4FZmtx6IFdFo_bZ1i6Cf1PXxa6cjnrd-/s640/IMG_3663.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But even though she isn't particularly fond of large scale gardening, working outside, and was incredibly nervous about managing large numbers of children, she knew it was the right thing to do. What started out as something she had to force herself to do, something she would get anxious about for hours each Wednesday night in anticipation, is now something she loves. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioa5h0_y0N13c-sFp9y8kbFauzV3grgcG7HLITUl6qyWbpbouCkMWwcxdsgGnDDFMPeCuKhlLjA7mQvpt4fQbDLN53NRJrr7AUc-vn5ZRkBiSZrZVo-4mnHqfI0hS54XaBBTl0bDT9yxl2/s1600/IMG_4111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioa5h0_y0N13c-sFp9y8kbFauzV3grgcG7HLITUl6qyWbpbouCkMWwcxdsgGnDDFMPeCuKhlLjA7mQvpt4fQbDLN53NRJrr7AUc-vn5ZRkBiSZrZVo-4mnHqfI0hS54XaBBTl0bDT9yxl2/s640/IMG_4111.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She's great. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And wherever she goes now, young people are running up and giving her hugs and call her the garden lady or the vegetable lady.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And in between the games of red light green light, and tasting tiny slivers of herbs and veggies, they are learning about seeds, and pollination, and nutrition.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvBB5iQBF5501PewoZCDji-ZSRBuljliVFLW4nHTvF47v3YJ-dfnnwPAGTKeyhOp9zSK4fHLcjCDeQccjF8Jstryq57dBD1hqIACghMQSN_IRCnMD6qZXXaqwWscC-hL5QDWWCxTaaVdL/s1600/IMG_4115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvBB5iQBF5501PewoZCDji-ZSRBuljliVFLW4nHTvF47v3YJ-dfnnwPAGTKeyhOp9zSK4fHLcjCDeQccjF8Jstryq57dBD1hqIACghMQSN_IRCnMD6qZXXaqwWscC-hL5QDWWCxTaaVdL/s640/IMG_4115.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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smartinof4stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03012903196847383612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913771544379258246.post-54866179097198568982016-11-30T20:18:00.003-05:002016-11-30T20:18:54.834-05:00Barn to Desk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Making Alexe new store shelves put me in the mood to build myself a desk. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This had been stewing for a while, and the piles of old barn oak were calling.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Other than a few more blades for the planer, everything needed for the desk was already there.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The design is simple, feels light, and yet the wood is extremely heavy. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWks576ECs3Wi_skN4IpjYRXeKC_6kf8gN9ZuQwzkfv91J7uW5mUEHoevLk9TvrqE8G-u5P369lTj320I6-RN7KMa3_OG7o_RQk56B_GuZvat5NXKrHFPNLOEheYxCFL2qWufqdXw9Cu_/s1600/IMG_3390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWks576ECs3Wi_skN4IpjYRXeKC_6kf8gN9ZuQwzkfv91J7uW5mUEHoevLk9TvrqE8G-u5P369lTj320I6-RN7KMa3_OG7o_RQk56B_GuZvat5NXKrHFPNLOEheYxCFL2qWufqdXw9Cu_/s640/IMG_3390.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There are no fasteners of any kind, and the base and desk-top fit together and are held in place by gravity/weight.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPi8OnXLPd2URLvj66CVJnHjHANOHKrqCEfAijDEQF_5iQqmRy9TpAbQfMeOsCcsJ881mGCHY5X8uu6h88EBHiZHap4ccWGMlGn_pGwsdRx8m1jsbPEoWm0FTUlrb3FZzMD7ZNdZFNHCcG/s1600/IMG_3392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPi8OnXLPd2URLvj66CVJnHjHANOHKrqCEfAijDEQF_5iQqmRy9TpAbQfMeOsCcsJ881mGCHY5X8uu6h88EBHiZHap4ccWGMlGn_pGwsdRx8m1jsbPEoWm0FTUlrb3FZzMD7ZNdZFNHCcG/s640/IMG_3392.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlRW86IwGEqj-2j25x-M4UtQ7St8J-gFpgA2fPF3RXAbep-NN2RWG6Sl-_W2KEPaqRaHGPAPr6JZayX_iGF8n3Q7R_g-KOzT467Zit_M9ntRbjkdosoh_xLaTi9BlBpIUiqSkpDez-VLV/s1600/IMG_3397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlRW86IwGEqj-2j25x-M4UtQ7St8J-gFpgA2fPF3RXAbep-NN2RWG6Sl-_W2KEPaqRaHGPAPr6JZayX_iGF8n3Q7R_g-KOzT467Zit_M9ntRbjkdosoh_xLaTi9BlBpIUiqSkpDez-VLV/s640/IMG_3397.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxr-rXKCXZYqR36Or6YayZOFd8ofiCiU6VjmmlFVYCAr_oxwxJXb72LPxwc3Wpyq-qMEWROi5u1Fxr9kU31qmeNYqBcSiAvU4tgFVAPUiIL_HodVYOJKK-ERyHkvwF78rgNdNg1z5CceB/s1600/IMG_3398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxr-rXKCXZYqR36Or6YayZOFd8ofiCiU6VjmmlFVYCAr_oxwxJXb72LPxwc3Wpyq-qMEWROi5u1Fxr9kU31qmeNYqBcSiAvU4tgFVAPUiIL_HodVYOJKK-ERyHkvwF78rgNdNg1z5CceB/s640/IMG_3398.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfx74TojNXlJlYPrMreNiiC82jLomBNXcwiCcK0i9xi12jklvL6vGAg-XjZ5I6e0023x9M8RNjnI7Ekx3jOzSNw3tZ7urf2R_dpm6jBDdr8zlFXm9aJ3ws6vpGokvNz-KFmXPIQRgC1Jx/s1600/IMG_3461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfx74TojNXlJlYPrMreNiiC82jLomBNXcwiCcK0i9xi12jklvL6vGAg-XjZ5I6e0023x9M8RNjnI7Ekx3jOzSNw3tZ7urf2R_dpm6jBDdr8zlFXm9aJ3ws6vpGokvNz-KFmXPIQRgC1Jx/s640/IMG_3461.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Because my office floors are not especially level, I added adjustable feet, which ended up raising the level of the desk by 1.5 inches. I thought I could sneak by, but it's amazing how a little extra height can make you feel like a kid at the grown-up table, as opposed to a captain of industry ready to take over the world. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I hoofed the lower section home for adjustments. I'm tickled with the final product.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_Ju8eZGY3M04k0AsASzvEAa2c-D7H9IHAxG6mmT5yVyTp0_2JM9r5glOm-osRBX-j5XVy_ipqHQxvpvPXB8SykN95WoCHbB12mcVnp_mosFSnLD04pGB6s84T9zGD47o-ZfStuWV_2OM/s1600/IMG_3490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_Ju8eZGY3M04k0AsASzvEAa2c-D7H9IHAxG6mmT5yVyTp0_2JM9r5glOm-osRBX-j5XVy_ipqHQxvpvPXB8SykN95WoCHbB12mcVnp_mosFSnLD04pGB6s84T9zGD47o-ZfStuWV_2OM/s640/IMG_3490.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />smartinof4stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03012903196847383612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913771544379258246.post-36983455407604095722016-11-30T20:06:00.002-05:002016-11-30T20:06:37.479-05:00Soccer 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Soccer season is a social event, with a little organized sporting somewhere in the mix. Two evenings a week, and if the kids' teams play at different times, it's 2.5 hours of hanging out with other parents, encouraging the kids to be as energetic on the field as they are for their chase-games during breaks.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Annaliese got more and more competitive over the course of the season. After the first game, where she was largely disinterested, she was suddenly the fast girl who was always in the fray, often first to the ball, and never shy about stripping other players of the ball. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkpvhYB2U6VGXCY4abQYBDCglr_dJCUivIpNdUt1VcJXKwO0qMRWaNTmfqip3ScDbwqJly6BykwIvSUn-yFdUEdZ3O_ru5KluhQ9VIGwIBZsgI3h4y9TfpQ_lAsmhHSw6nbG3akU0Egut/s1600/IMG_2853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkpvhYB2U6VGXCY4abQYBDCglr_dJCUivIpNdUt1VcJXKwO0qMRWaNTmfqip3ScDbwqJly6BykwIvSUn-yFdUEdZ3O_ru5KluhQ9VIGwIBZsgI3h4y9TfpQ_lAsmhHSw6nbG3akU0Egut/s640/IMG_2853.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Caspian is hyper-competitive, and probably should have been bumped up to the older team. It wasn't a question of if he scored in each game, it was how many times, and if he was a good sportsman about it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAg2jmUWdV1vGHPnhiox-oajbx7vuUKyeRMYf3n3X0GAUQMMp8A66-RFhB-huXBj4F-WunZKU49DWad6GHSeJxYPy6gJM6A9UJwGUEzJSl1LGUR_2uCkYO4_oliSZtvdo8fqp61GMx8zg/s1600/IMG_2934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAg2jmUWdV1vGHPnhiox-oajbx7vuUKyeRMYf3n3X0GAUQMMp8A66-RFhB-huXBj4F-WunZKU49DWad6GHSeJxYPy6gJM6A9UJwGUEzJSl1LGUR_2uCkYO4_oliSZtvdo8fqp61GMx8zg/s640/IMG_2934.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We either spent all night at the soccer fields, cheering the kids on together, or we could get home before 8 when the kids had games at the same time, but Alexe and I would have to each take a game to cheer on. Sometimes we would switch at half time.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Which means I have lots of pictures of Caspian playing so that I could share them with Alexe, who was missing this game while she watched Annaliese. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFAYMJJ1ZVAPpt0PnyAuCu4_S1SciIEBW8hyphenhyphensuH9tuIg6xwF2wgQW60n56Op68PHGrcYmv0u04M4CZ2eaaxrNnCMCKac4cjU5fzMt7I-LvYmUaQdJr_RHrrpiKzRvTxQI_P90nNF3PHpx/s1600/IMG_3160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFAYMJJ1ZVAPpt0PnyAuCu4_S1SciIEBW8hyphenhyphensuH9tuIg6xwF2wgQW60n56Op68PHGrcYmv0u04M4CZ2eaaxrNnCMCKac4cjU5fzMt7I-LvYmUaQdJr_RHrrpiKzRvTxQI_P90nNF3PHpx/s640/IMG_3160.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Caspian wore those blue shorts for every game.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0uGbwn7W0qub5at9973oSfxZM4r-odiOsmpjcLMo4_hLO7u1LnACQl7q-8lT1Bw-KQ7PtO6pNwcNuFc28c72zA1brMxBpv2UWGS1wmPl7pC-nADD8Ehs-zXrWGuwik98FmCMI1hkOvru/s1600/IMG_3171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0uGbwn7W0qub5at9973oSfxZM4r-odiOsmpjcLMo4_hLO7u1LnACQl7q-8lT1Bw-KQ7PtO6pNwcNuFc28c72zA1brMxBpv2UWGS1wmPl7pC-nADD8Ehs-zXrWGuwik98FmCMI1hkOvru/s640/IMG_3171.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0bzywLnGxlbLwUdVlR6J0vAYbbFZOU-tMZMEWrH_yYvjA0PZXyRqIfZPvYgTOc17i3Sa2TdXB-lQeZRTXSvflg5sqL-5_vkuBZ77Pw74AawW0cbdY2Z74LXlBRM8YcZhZTLCtXIuI7yL/s1600/IMG_3182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0bzywLnGxlbLwUdVlR6J0vAYbbFZOU-tMZMEWrH_yYvjA0PZXyRqIfZPvYgTOc17i3Sa2TdXB-lQeZRTXSvflg5sqL-5_vkuBZ77Pw74AawW0cbdY2Z74LXlBRM8YcZhZTLCtXIuI7yL/s640/IMG_3182.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMZ9spfy3KoziuMj9btHtQZh9sdc6OI_LSZEw02H_FcZkRLHlhzlEK6ukXRIiq1Eg9p738-sCa3I0Xi1RgSEow8cxrXvAivSDjVqbVf8Y-ng0zdPWZx_k-m6HpSy-A7gTmL46Cg9PAg4x/s1600/IMG_3186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMZ9spfy3KoziuMj9btHtQZh9sdc6OI_LSZEw02H_FcZkRLHlhzlEK6ukXRIiq1Eg9p738-sCa3I0Xi1RgSEow8cxrXvAivSDjVqbVf8Y-ng0zdPWZx_k-m6HpSy-A7gTmL46Cg9PAg4x/s640/IMG_3186.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2Wzg0y-sH_mUiJovDS5exDvjoe5SYk5Vptyi02tZsFprvnJI3q0o1KlcCYZOYIlN5zlcY9H7ShnY5z7vDhUfbVJkrAvMzGHyIwLgr8Pw-SHcWdlOVuJcgWyEmp-TMgdVEUxIotNBnLca/s1600/IMG_3276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2Wzg0y-sH_mUiJovDS5exDvjoe5SYk5Vptyi02tZsFprvnJI3q0o1KlcCYZOYIlN5zlcY9H7ShnY5z7vDhUfbVJkrAvMzGHyIwLgr8Pw-SHcWdlOVuJcgWyEmp-TMgdVEUxIotNBnLca/s640/IMG_3276.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The soccer seasons traditionally start when it's hot, and by the end of the season everyone is wearing sweaters. Not so this year, with the never-ending hot and dry weather.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHuaxoQ3N1-vppwOEeqyuO9FFb_S-Ct5CTLZmsgTc9okJNxjb0o-ntsTjcz-I_biPXYsNF1GKmP_AAkn2ptcDcKToXLlcp0KH6LaEzhUQOcvWQGTdftI5k4MTljaPEJiUeSJh6CJxYZqv/s1600/IMG_3292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHuaxoQ3N1-vppwOEeqyuO9FFb_S-Ct5CTLZmsgTc9okJNxjb0o-ntsTjcz-I_biPXYsNF1GKmP_AAkn2ptcDcKToXLlcp0KH6LaEzhUQOcvWQGTdftI5k4MTljaPEJiUeSJh6CJxYZqv/s640/IMG_3292.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sporty ladies. Alexe may be one of those people who really gets into the games. She and Annaliese go home and practice hip-checking.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwbc3IFgtDJIC0GpF4omWkaXg37MdUbkKakiltOBudYHL1AFlRqOn40w0H8bIZDDmJ-5pk9o4w6cAltBb3ndXwlK8S4sv2in17rhXyk5w_l5nH2w5aITgY3kG2UpQtE6vveQNkFCAf_dY/s1600/IMG_3353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwbc3IFgtDJIC0GpF4omWkaXg37MdUbkKakiltOBudYHL1AFlRqOn40w0H8bIZDDmJ-5pk9o4w6cAltBb3ndXwlK8S4sv2in17rhXyk5w_l5nH2w5aITgY3kG2UpQtE6vveQNkFCAf_dY/s640/IMG_3353.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOVHwtgBJy_-QSkOO8qhNbfdkZYhz3IwstctfJuc_xUdQE9Jh83gNvUexWG-gw60z5wq0tKTiQ5ArDSBgUKJoD8ymPQq9m3QeGRT4ZJbZ5cq71TlB0IsItBd8PqpkeG8i5DnqaL7vcPPl/s1600/IMG_3468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOVHwtgBJy_-QSkOO8qhNbfdkZYhz3IwstctfJuc_xUdQE9Jh83gNvUexWG-gw60z5wq0tKTiQ5ArDSBgUKJoD8ymPQq9m3QeGRT4ZJbZ5cq71TlB0IsItBd8PqpkeG8i5DnqaL7vcPPl/s640/IMG_3468.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJIMfle0y6VB1GqWf19uK9IDFoevQiuZAWi0aeaOqw5eL9LfnjoWNunB51Q6k2Il8Fx9Gd7qr6iTu1YMffmqlWLDNBtYgCh2fhZPQvruwsUwuSGzzl0o_pABCYfNDaLFyRIxzWxTrCaey/s1600/IMG_3590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJIMfle0y6VB1GqWf19uK9IDFoevQiuZAWi0aeaOqw5eL9LfnjoWNunB51Q6k2Il8Fx9Gd7qr6iTu1YMffmqlWLDNBtYgCh2fhZPQvruwsUwuSGzzl0o_pABCYfNDaLFyRIxzWxTrCaey/s640/IMG_3590.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Annaliese's last game of the season, wherein she scored a goal.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxza63J1DHdpgo4AhzOm7aALV-uNAm_lcYZiZQ6a6qADwTNJomAP3W6-vSSaLHswlTm-9Yp3YtN4xAX06iVoEBXxTvnYqD_y2arCAyAqv_UkjZLRHavFSYNJU9AlTmDHovNFS3VSsL8J_/s1600/IMG_3511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxza63J1DHdpgo4AhzOm7aALV-uNAm_lcYZiZQ6a6qADwTNJomAP3W6-vSSaLHswlTm-9Yp3YtN4xAX06iVoEBXxTvnYqD_y2arCAyAqv_UkjZLRHavFSYNJU9AlTmDHovNFS3VSsL8J_/s640/IMG_3511.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And then the season was over, we went out for pizza to celebrate, and two of our weekday evenings were suddenly available for family-hang-out time again.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Alexe is reading a pile of thank you letters from the elementary school children she teaches at her school garden. More on that later.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidycmVenDGylDdGgghNam21CEZ6PnocqT3-PmJhRkttjKHZoc-a1mOJX3Z3tbTfvZ5WmnaU0UUyHBrxKfK_RRPR22PyGJZ73upxUm_tG7kC9sm12Gy0t-FVRo2UgI2e_GhJ889vWhadquW/s1600/IMG_3616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidycmVenDGylDdGgghNam21CEZ6PnocqT3-PmJhRkttjKHZoc-a1mOJX3Z3tbTfvZ5WmnaU0UUyHBrxKfK_RRPR22PyGJZ73upxUm_tG7kC9sm12Gy0t-FVRo2UgI2e_GhJ889vWhadquW/s640/IMG_3616.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />smartinof4stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03012903196847383612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913771544379258246.post-1146474211093365812016-11-30T19:49:00.002-05:002016-11-30T19:49:36.439-05:00School comes early...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And then the summer was over, and it was back to the bus stop bright and early.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwmY2IFgpK5_LuNLcu_RDUx6GYeYX6SM8BHCLK3tB6Yx2HBCnaEtqv7DvSVUtCyMvK1RbESQg7eb0T15Ys9ZlW_2dV_gaBq8Jdpuwj3h7jKSwN78c3uLNzWHlgz08QEpYc5ygxiSNIia4Z/s1600/IMG_2747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwmY2IFgpK5_LuNLcu_RDUx6GYeYX6SM8BHCLK3tB6Yx2HBCnaEtqv7DvSVUtCyMvK1RbESQg7eb0T15Ys9ZlW_2dV_gaBq8Jdpuwj3h7jKSwN78c3uLNzWHlgz08QEpYc5ygxiSNIia4Z/s640/IMG_2747.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And yet, even with 7 hours each day with us all spread out doing our separate things, we still seem to find plenty of time to hang out. This picture is from a series of selfies I found on my phone.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo35NxLDQhXs9d_C_8wq0IVJehLQqUqoSk_ov5w2yutRCB6vw1CSLkVPSg-ufbo5sF74Uw9YvrsNZFUU1QBqiEBC4iPiWj8G4vEV8z9c4L3HxVMF71quQm_Y-ef22CGn93vuPiISn56lJv/s1600/IMG_2762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo35NxLDQhXs9d_C_8wq0IVJehLQqUqoSk_ov5w2yutRCB6vw1CSLkVPSg-ufbo5sF74Uw9YvrsNZFUU1QBqiEBC4iPiWj8G4vEV8z9c4L3HxVMF71quQm_Y-ef22CGn93vuPiISn56lJv/s640/IMG_2762.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our pond project may have caused this drought; it hasn't rained since we built the dam.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_3mxTiI2Mqjlz0L9eKt9hdwsC09WsIesz9jkkBLHFFiCsPndl4wnfcf8rENykPTmwU-W_TARxxhv-6f20kd_VY1eK_Dk7_ywfmL4hrVwRZb1GNq4RVYz8JIN6IQYnvmrvagjMjdjitDD/s1600/IMG_2779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_3mxTiI2Mqjlz0L9eKt9hdwsC09WsIesz9jkkBLHFFiCsPndl4wnfcf8rENykPTmwU-W_TARxxhv-6f20kd_VY1eK_Dk7_ywfmL4hrVwRZb1GNq4RVYz8JIN6IQYnvmrvagjMjdjitDD/s640/IMG_2779.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We are lucky to have many lizards on the farm. They are loved by this boy. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRVZsBaZfzrsqS78LFcQD5uSAekydJoJVtreAbLJFZFFY0BCz4gfkx2904v7dq-9PSM1-yoB9m8A9_iUpHTd6riLMx0ABhvVUoy7Yw7yfkjmiTNJnFKhRgFqSeLGLjBt8myKXyjCZBzHL/s1600/IMG_2805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRVZsBaZfzrsqS78LFcQD5uSAekydJoJVtreAbLJFZFFY0BCz4gfkx2904v7dq-9PSM1-yoB9m8A9_iUpHTd6riLMx0ABhvVUoy7Yw7yfkjmiTNJnFKhRgFqSeLGLjBt8myKXyjCZBzHL/s640/IMG_2805.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If he's inside, he's probably eating. (Annaliese hiding behind her brother.)</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Still finding time in the evenings to pop over to the pool. (Annaliese hiding under her feet.)</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Piano! The kids have been taking lessons for several months now. Their progress was impeded by having nothing to practice on. We found this one way out in the country for $80.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One of the last Farmer's Markets of the season. This whole year, what with the very wet spring and completely dry summer, was very thin at the market. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I imagine we were headed to church.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Taken very late at night, a Caspian sleep-avoidance project.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ms. Dixie and Ms. Jaime got married! </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A lovely ceremony at the old school house in Pine Valley. The first gay marriage in Water Valley. A gathering of support and love for a lovely couple, with all the biases and negative energy that often surrounds freedom of love and expression sunk under the community's deep affection for these two people. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A little swimming. A little Blokus. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Labor Day. A trip north was not int he cards this year, but we had to find a lake to swim in on Labor Day. Lake Pickwick. </span><br />
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<br />smartinof4stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03012903196847383612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913771544379258246.post-2606729879754194022016-11-30T19:34:00.003-05:002016-11-30T19:34:29.515-05:00End of Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Driving home one evening, our neighbor had just parked this in front of his house. Single owner, purchased new in '81, and look at that color. I stopped to inquire, and Alexe and the kiddos saw me as they were driving by and pulled in. There wasn't really any question; its so cute! And though neither of us have ever played a game of golf in our lives, we have all sorts of uses for a garden/farm cart.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Saturday morning, Alexe's at work, Caspian was off on his birthday date with Ms. Dixie and Ms. Jamie, so Annaliese and I made donuts.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A strange component of the coding academy, periodic field trips. This was en route to Jackson, MS for a tech conference. Driving a van full of 18/19 year olds was not something I saw in my future. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKh9jXPltYF8-ocC5kdQYUO7OlwoqCb6dYRDCl-K7k_1nHhV3r4RzBJBzTi9oQZKhOWm46OqusIr7AZN7lUXitEMDfug70cFPuaSH6fnJH0Nb_aNQhqBUviifHvjeMk2NNtE_TinFgSPVZ/s1600/IMG_2587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKh9jXPltYF8-ocC5kdQYUO7OlwoqCb6dYRDCl-K7k_1nHhV3r4RzBJBzTi9oQZKhOWm46OqusIr7AZN7lUXitEMDfug70cFPuaSH6fnJH0Nb_aNQhqBUviifHvjeMk2NNtE_TinFgSPVZ/s640/IMG_2587.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Friday nights at the brewery are pretty standard now. The kids form a pack and race all over the place.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEUVHa3qgcxdZ4O5YXySnV4KcpOtWOC7B3KzHgXD3UIoxVDO91Y5PsBnx_v8N3R4zddsSsuei5mEom2K4mfIiZiNxPgkF3U50Xs-KYJmY6mslzC_buSoWouGK6ruZvp6UhesWBiC8jk1F/s1600/IMG_2619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEUVHa3qgcxdZ4O5YXySnV4KcpOtWOC7B3KzHgXD3UIoxVDO91Y5PsBnx_v8N3R4zddsSsuei5mEom2K4mfIiZiNxPgkF3U50Xs-KYJmY6mslzC_buSoWouGK6ruZvp6UhesWBiC8jk1F/s640/IMG_2619.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Most other evenings look like this:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3HXGQXGKZamYN_PdSuYTHu7WlKcOVs1yxJwcDYU624HJaZskkmnTJi9511EPJKg-3nXhrBzRek1RNfxJOpIQsTaxQTg-OwJEBruaLZdrbJWBBkXDmcr7swID7-f9vwkg7XWp6G6pZqp4/s1600/IMG_2620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3HXGQXGKZamYN_PdSuYTHu7WlKcOVs1yxJwcDYU624HJaZskkmnTJi9511EPJKg-3nXhrBzRek1RNfxJOpIQsTaxQTg-OwJEBruaLZdrbJWBBkXDmcr7swID7-f9vwkg7XWp6G6pZqp4/s640/IMG_2620.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Took the kids to an Amish auction in Pontotoc. It was a long day, with a crowd that was paying for decorations as opposed to functional tools, so the prices were all high.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJK7NDWs_aG9kNP6NDogrSgcEqIDSyTzV7AAXOlPBZHcE0hzqWiImqkpZRc48E71cbfOIDdHZBG8tq-6ABJZiY22N2L82MmSqfgCDFKmMcfXI-cP2UhnLuopT8WmNnYqsPaMAVG0d5A032/s1600/IMG_2621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJK7NDWs_aG9kNP6NDogrSgcEqIDSyTzV7AAXOlPBZHcE0hzqWiImqkpZRc48E71cbfOIDdHZBG8tq-6ABJZiY22N2L82MmSqfgCDFKmMcfXI-cP2UhnLuopT8WmNnYqsPaMAVG0d5A032/s640/IMG_2621.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Caspian found a goat in the barn, Annaliese found puppies in the stall next to the goat. They spent a lot of time in those stalls.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhow-jCh42w_ESl7_Vq_Bj1VjKZ_RyerpcOAJ93hd-7EDc56mmvVctswHWT2N1tGsuJFfh1c6M5crNWSm54_HXo4vo0JMlHRlZcQLACW4ryDrRatId9HAXetmiw0TLofqL3JsNQzlvmbev_/s1600/IMG_2624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhow-jCh42w_ESl7_Vq_Bj1VjKZ_RyerpcOAJ93hd-7EDc56mmvVctswHWT2N1tGsuJFfh1c6M5crNWSm54_HXo4vo0JMlHRlZcQLACW4ryDrRatId9HAXetmiw0TLofqL3JsNQzlvmbev_/s640/IMG_2624.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In between coming to find me and asking for a little more money for the concession stand.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCznA9h01ViKSxJcCHvHxh5maj-llL_QsFw6_JP-lw7mrHWp1DW1VzRgI64EeMtb6kPkRULvYwHur43O5txDTVEBAB9N1HE72HMsZEzFvajX8h7iOdXmPB4XaRC9WK8yrJXCwZrnsA80G/s1600/IMG_2636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCznA9h01ViKSxJcCHvHxh5maj-llL_QsFw6_JP-lw7mrHWp1DW1VzRgI64EeMtb6kPkRULvYwHur43O5txDTVEBAB9N1HE72HMsZEzFvajX8h7iOdXmPB4XaRC9WK8yrJXCwZrnsA80G/s640/IMG_2636.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The traps on the left, and the cardboard boxes, are full of new chickens for Alexe. The two chairs are for our upstairs porch. The young Amish children were both shy and territorial. It was an odd dynamic between the Amish and non children, with several conflicts I felt inclined to interfere in.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDY175gZkcMTU1O5_yNdSc3lTBAnVEoLDaCmyEcHNRxKDidfvtvaG7ocqqLTaqgPwMNA7cXIyuhi4o8tNMMNkyK14nOQvaGVu7Ty-ShsxBRp-LzvtbUieZFu04oxJREB5hFaFeO1mYPbh3/s1600/IMG_2641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDY175gZkcMTU1O5_yNdSc3lTBAnVEoLDaCmyEcHNRxKDidfvtvaG7ocqqLTaqgPwMNA7cXIyuhi4o8tNMMNkyK14nOQvaGVu7Ty-ShsxBRp-LzvtbUieZFu04oxJREB5hFaFeO1mYPbh3/s640/IMG_2641.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We may have impulse-bought the little goat. Mr. Goat-er-ton.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblz8b82lWNad41PA59AVaoaIDIOlz8VE3R-tVWwC7MqEVHOzED2Fo73WfoiD-eJBllCwQMTT9P4-WVUxjTaRzuPsKshunfX7eDdnRtrkU5Z6K0pic_VHCFZj9Dqh-mI9A8dJkqHkAsvIl/s1600/IMG_2643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblz8b82lWNad41PA59AVaoaIDIOlz8VE3R-tVWwC7MqEVHOzED2Fo73WfoiD-eJBllCwQMTT9P4-WVUxjTaRzuPsKshunfX7eDdnRtrkU5Z6K0pic_VHCFZj9Dqh-mI9A8dJkqHkAsvIl/s640/IMG_2643.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The kids will do anything for a short turn driving the golf cart. They're slowly earning the privilege of driving farther afield. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Alexe's shirt is full of eggs. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7T1b3uHK4ihqUHjnvOaZz-AIpIkPetwQV-PQykvkBtQ6y7ebT9ZOX-ZjEz6qmDlHxMpgYIo8PsUulInmD4y9XOnMp2sIyPPXYX9KXStOvJxfcJr-wDRVxTXFra_lKU30xbYKpESHn-hP/s1600/IMG_2649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7T1b3uHK4ihqUHjnvOaZz-AIpIkPetwQV-PQykvkBtQ6y7ebT9ZOX-ZjEz6qmDlHxMpgYIo8PsUulInmD4y9XOnMp2sIyPPXYX9KXStOvJxfcJr-wDRVxTXFra_lKU30xbYKpESHn-hP/s640/IMG_2649.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Summer-friend from New Jersey.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZn5xR-0tG_7bq0lqhBmOSawtixFtJzbh8vYLQet0KYpEj8iCeqOMt0wiVjhVZ2drvaXcBL-A8NMgs1yKEcWRHPqKMaGz6CVRRneVj9_IxKIP5-1VC1gq4Mc9gJbEilaXWeVya_JobCAw/s1600/IMG_2662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZn5xR-0tG_7bq0lqhBmOSawtixFtJzbh8vYLQet0KYpEj8iCeqOMt0wiVjhVZ2drvaXcBL-A8NMgs1yKEcWRHPqKMaGz6CVRRneVj9_IxKIP5-1VC1gq4Mc9gJbEilaXWeVya_JobCAw/s640/IMG_2662.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2hY1rdzDp7av3XH7uQBM0eNDSpzIVrXhCmGVhi4PFe9C1ceOjmbxhN9wRERG3B4jTXomuQPBI_m6wCZii8bewL8tYlCEbTo19mh1JitxbccX5nZkHFlp3FdHcDZ_FFf1bttdeWlVv-Ts/s1600/IMG_2665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2hY1rdzDp7av3XH7uQBM0eNDSpzIVrXhCmGVhi4PFe9C1ceOjmbxhN9wRERG3B4jTXomuQPBI_m6wCZii8bewL8tYlCEbTo19mh1JitxbccX5nZkHFlp3FdHcDZ_FFf1bttdeWlVv-Ts/s640/IMG_2665.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLRGBCd7e3chTfhLLRfkfiZy6sGTrwYFKUUw688ZMXlnNvPJqNvvPyrc99kPKYgBPiDbrvEbwAFkKDgqAKLRP5khZJm6pu5ACRr92Ej_LY1uZNhjckhBq-e_5_4t-bLUlawJchbYBOWdU/s1600/IMG_2667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLRGBCd7e3chTfhLLRfkfiZy6sGTrwYFKUUw688ZMXlnNvPJqNvvPyrc99kPKYgBPiDbrvEbwAFkKDgqAKLRP5khZJm6pu5ACRr92Ej_LY1uZNhjckhBq-e_5_4t-bLUlawJchbYBOWdU/s640/IMG_2667.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hanging out.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8UL-xtn82t1rOFcnDNm0jl9jDbNVmAdhjxBtAW8NAEkPJnDPSF89pHd4TQVFxg2bL1fHkEKTwyrT_7uLo8VGU7I40V9NOBjmQ-1NWXfGV8Pg5S0NMlSHgn28lZZ4DD7ZxEBbYvognlIQ/s1600/IMG_2670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8UL-xtn82t1rOFcnDNm0jl9jDbNVmAdhjxBtAW8NAEkPJnDPSF89pHd4TQVFxg2bL1fHkEKTwyrT_7uLo8VGU7I40V9NOBjmQ-1NWXfGV8Pg5S0NMlSHgn28lZZ4DD7ZxEBbYvognlIQ/s640/IMG_2670.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pool visits snuck in whenever we have time...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDycJBFhcWgUWsoIl7XHFTxfdLx311DbE-T08hFzlJCmDfxG3pHO27NtYR96SjhNyWOfJ9ouAJ6Te629JVfOdfsOOFGOnIOvAnMIeJRlDiL1G1jxGZZ0k46L_PL1NqRv3x_9-Ys037MVeN/s1600/IMG_2680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDycJBFhcWgUWsoIl7XHFTxfdLx311DbE-T08hFzlJCmDfxG3pHO27NtYR96SjhNyWOfJ9ouAJ6Te629JVfOdfsOOFGOnIOvAnMIeJRlDiL1G1jxGZZ0k46L_PL1NqRv3x_9-Ys037MVeN/s640/IMG_2680.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We popped in to this market to look around. Minutes later Annaliese had put these shoes on and parked herself in this leopard print chair. We had a chat about taste...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBnKVyHu6q5_Q_nNMYaxm7K967RpNHYzdhrLTxdm060sv8jMwx0RZasa6mOtbU_XMYrlQ7yg8mvbCDPC0qx4gY65Y_yzvIDUOw8NzUSpMmG4uYj_dho-_wuszC-W43o0l6BkqP_fSpbB3/s1600/IMG_2681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBnKVyHu6q5_Q_nNMYaxm7K967RpNHYzdhrLTxdm060sv8jMwx0RZasa6mOtbU_XMYrlQ7yg8mvbCDPC0qx4gY65Y_yzvIDUOw8NzUSpMmG4uYj_dho-_wuszC-W43o0l6BkqP_fSpbB3/s640/IMG_2681.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One of Caspian's things: Juicing lemons. He loves to do it, with no real goal in mind beyond the process.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsy1Q0KBZxhTMN0s1NV2HvNMF4Ae2Qej0y9iT1Eab2osjZ-Ss87tXD4C7PjMFJP_PySB5mw4VYDF7h3bawSQp5U68zBhrlitY5pdzQ6NXpaa8S1Mpnfx2HerDRwmY2-HjCGPZ8UwT_oBDR/s1600/IMG_2683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsy1Q0KBZxhTMN0s1NV2HvNMF4Ae2Qej0y9iT1Eab2osjZ-Ss87tXD4C7PjMFJP_PySB5mw4VYDF7h3bawSQp5U68zBhrlitY5pdzQ6NXpaa8S1Mpnfx2HerDRwmY2-HjCGPZ8UwT_oBDR/s640/IMG_2683.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Meet the teacher night before school starts.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizoL5dFDvwjQikliOLySZucSbzWnYol7uyTLnHzmx_HgruOl-yWHx7mwjLcNtivyoXjJZW8LnpjPzH8n2WfvsjL4vUYb5ZChS-9bro3hKVr90CstnIG-CFHRtX-lwR73U3s8l31_-t5XqL/s1600/IMG_2689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizoL5dFDvwjQikliOLySZucSbzWnYol7uyTLnHzmx_HgruOl-yWHx7mwjLcNtivyoXjJZW8LnpjPzH8n2WfvsjL4vUYb5ZChS-9bro3hKVr90CstnIG-CFHRtX-lwR73U3s8l31_-t5XqL/s640/IMG_2689.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prepping for school, the bleached out summer shag needed a trim.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Caspian is particularly concerned with his hair lately. He has yet to be happy with a haircut until his mama comes home and makes a big deal out of how handsome he is...</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Watermelon Carnival. Caspian brought all his savings to this thing, and managed to spend it all in record time. He went on every ride, and treated his sister to a few as well.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It used to be a question of whether they would make it to the top and ring the bell. Now it's a matter of speed.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Blackwater Trio, playing at the brewery the night of the Carnival. Alexe heads home early on carnival nights, as she is up early and working a BTC shift that is swamped with tourists. That leaves me and the kids in town alone after dark. We feel like party animals.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Second day of the carnival, unlike the previous night when an early rain shower cooled things off, Saturday was back to furnace temps. We did our best to find things to do in the shade. A visit to the Casey Jone museum, a walk through the car show, many visits to the BTC to say hi to a busy Alexe, and eventually retreating to the pool.</span></div>
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<br />smartinof4stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03012903196847383612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913771544379258246.post-22432521705391740622016-09-18T17:21:00.003-04:002016-09-18T17:21:56.247-04:00What do you get a girl who has everything?<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just ask, she'll come up with something. This time it was new shelves for the BTC.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And she's so much fun to spoil, and there was an excuse, (wedding anniversary,) and there hadn't been anything fun to build in a while...</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Last week I went out to the stacks of oak wood that we turned the barn into earlier this year. (There are pictures of that process somewhere here.)</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A few jigs for the table saw to make angled legs, many planer blades, endless sand paper, and we were off and running.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAiC7bAEWuvAJxUYYNVerApbgXHyVDhXGoH7xmbYp7nTSZ1zKCM7z8I9NJGFCQAdfxkZirrKFdBicmRiRNIbji4d9wXH12UdNIYzlZLYJB6hSsWSkoUlgpLmkXNZ2LhvvUDCztSc6mLTl/s1600/IMG_3133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAiC7bAEWuvAJxUYYNVerApbgXHyVDhXGoH7xmbYp7nTSZ1zKCM7z8I9NJGFCQAdfxkZirrKFdBicmRiRNIbji4d9wXH12UdNIYzlZLYJB6hSsWSkoUlgpLmkXNZ2LhvvUDCztSc6mLTl/s640/IMG_3133.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Old rough sawn oak boards, left in the Mississippi sun to bake for 70+ years, take a bit of time and effort to persuade into shape.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With the lowers laid out, it was on to the uppers.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Many uppers. Keeping in mind an office nook Alexe wanted tucked away behind one section, and the ability to relocate and reassemble the whole thing when the time came.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Many coats of urethane. These will be abused, and hopefully cleaned, often. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tin backing to strengthen and square the sections with permanent uppers. (Also helps keep things from falling off the back of the shelves.) The two floating sections, have removable shelves and rely on the brick walls of the BTC to function as backstops.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bump outs for display and to create product nooks.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Installing on Sunday, our 11th anniversary. Old store shelves removed.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">New installed. Four trips between workshop and the store to move them. They're thick, old oak, i.e. heavy.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZ38CrlNY1dgF2YxjIlwWdzbwxQSXRLQTxQ_jtlKtfoNIJh4-QTWV9ALgSqU5G_o83bGwKLHCCwEGDIHxQoJwoKMe_-fl8bODqiFWhgHWogrdrF0VpCcoX1Lcyrl9a2gmwyaVbLvbrfXg/s1600/IMG_3339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZ38CrlNY1dgF2YxjIlwWdzbwxQSXRLQTxQ_jtlKtfoNIJh4-QTWV9ALgSqU5G_o83bGwKLHCCwEGDIHxQoJwoKMe_-fl8bODqiFWhgHWogrdrF0VpCcoX1Lcyrl9a2gmwyaVbLvbrfXg/s640/IMG_3339.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm sure Alexe will reorganize these dozens of times in the next week to see what she likes best.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJs_rAb0200mO1fdWfzGKRAqNEuu5wPfsjsVKjT2RfrdaiZmMBbZ5koRF0ZEfaRi0BvsbmE8cm2YYoTGIryIgMoov7-rC6N9ZsEqeYXJ2axf1AzS8wnxKM5z09l_iMt5K2TZP9AUAXLoXG/s1600/IMG_3341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJs_rAb0200mO1fdWfzGKRAqNEuu5wPfsjsVKjT2RfrdaiZmMBbZ5koRF0ZEfaRi0BvsbmE8cm2YYoTGIryIgMoov7-rC6N9ZsEqeYXJ2axf1AzS8wnxKM5z09l_iMt5K2TZP9AUAXLoXG/s640/IMG_3341.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With all the changes and the expectations she hasn't quite made it to the smile that is my payoff, but I know it's coming.</span><br />
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<br />smartinof4stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03012903196847383612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913771544379258246.post-88456690730335293082016-09-18T16:26:00.001-04:002016-09-18T16:26:21.962-04:00Eleven Years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once upon a time I met a girl. We liked each other, but we were young and it took a couple years to figure out what that strong gravitational force meant.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhryUU8DGftJN22Hlck6ssAcmAFaZQzmdAScCTzueUiWd4yYxmCsdGHjd5BL_WpVmkNH0TpN1n4xB3dx31DP_7qSEP8r7Y44u8Vs1Asnlv-Ixu3qIxAn9reJQtb5y3vgI4VIpRThtnw60sT/s1600/rotated+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhryUU8DGftJN22Hlck6ssAcmAFaZQzmdAScCTzueUiWd4yYxmCsdGHjd5BL_WpVmkNH0TpN1n4xB3dx31DP_7qSEP8r7Y44u8Vs1Asnlv-Ixu3qIxAn9reJQtb5y3vgI4VIpRThtnw60sT/s640/rotated+1.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We got engaged.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Y-5AaPl-hzLEprRhkIfd9F8LHp9Uxh_QnZg1xdLg18J8KlGpTSJaBcF1Ezy3sBkdPt1e3AHw3mxW4Xi9Mc4aI7JEybPWoInvlfkUOf3CHj_e_3kQ0WwY_6Ek7D9uo1xRJjX59V50nSO4/s1600/rotated+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Y-5AaPl-hzLEprRhkIfd9F8LHp9Uxh_QnZg1xdLg18J8KlGpTSJaBcF1Ezy3sBkdPt1e3AHw3mxW4Xi9Mc4aI7JEybPWoInvlfkUOf3CHj_e_3kQ0WwY_6Ek7D9uo1xRJjX59V50nSO4/s640/rotated+2.JPG" width="632" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then married. We were still young, 22 and 24. But we knew, and the step was not taken lightly. (Look at those serious little kid faces.)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6nnKX08OSunELz-aaJ37cVfKJdWpZrudzXPMOvwY93-pJZesa-1oS7nM_fM6FUfs4PKUoxnNDkCmeyV00wof5i92shyphenhyphen4uKUAnCJAyhFNwU9kl_bwKUd_HRrgJTrOFMMgCAr_UgOEX9o-/s1600/alter3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6nnKX08OSunELz-aaJ37cVfKJdWpZrudzXPMOvwY93-pJZesa-1oS7nM_fM6FUfs4PKUoxnNDkCmeyV00wof5i92shyphenhyphen4uKUAnCJAyhFNwU9kl_bwKUd_HRrgJTrOFMMgCAr_UgOEX9o-/s640/alter3.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We started our own method of adventuring together. This is one of our first projects. (We had bought the land together before we were engaged.) You can't quite see it in this picture, but we're holding up one finger each, celebrating our first anniversary.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqopXIdoX0aTKytfR_tZ8SUXK01-t_gCOHw1wjhCVoj0UmN0gQdhTAdesXQIMjxlftGeyDsSbhLVwpkoIrPfJXKX_N-if65NEbgXrKn7nn1kmtzgK5_JDv7bSdPc21ZF2U6mzC0_Tm4tIv/s1600/Cabin+Final+089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqopXIdoX0aTKytfR_tZ8SUXK01-t_gCOHw1wjhCVoj0UmN0gQdhTAdesXQIMjxlftGeyDsSbhLVwpkoIrPfJXKX_N-if65NEbgXrKn7nn1kmtzgK5_JDv7bSdPc21ZF2U6mzC0_Tm4tIv/s640/Cabin+Final+089.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The next year, we were celebrating our second anniversary in Mississippi.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_F4UfeVnQQItVEJIIyFosred6ry6Yrb1fvLQ6kOjRLFeSsEmVHdtpDhrGxQ4O00kgClTbtKNQmBblfPsUKTQ0NRPNfAO32XLmxH1c6IieYybxxyFWT3A24TNVsep1cIlqdTJeb7lCx1fW/s1600/P1030122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_F4UfeVnQQItVEJIIyFosred6ry6Yrb1fvLQ6kOjRLFeSsEmVHdtpDhrGxQ4O00kgClTbtKNQmBblfPsUKTQ0NRPNfAO32XLmxH1c6IieYybxxyFWT3A24TNVsep1cIlqdTJeb7lCx1fW/s640/P1030122.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Fast forward a bit. Children, travel, jobs and home and life and a level of happy that we didn't expect, or know enough to hope for.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I don't see that much difference between these slightly older kids, and the ones that first laid eyes on each other all those years ago.</span></div>
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<br />smartinof4stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03012903196847383612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913771544379258246.post-61059949371853109852016-08-26T17:12:00.002-04:002016-08-26T17:12:14.773-04:00Cousin Hazel! (and his parents.) Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Cousin Hazel and his parents made the long trek down to Virginia from Vermont to spend a couple days with us at the lake-less Mountain Lake Lodge. This was the first opportunity for Alexe, Annaliese, and Caspian to meet their first nephew/first cousin.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MNY01VuNyUIVYOnebbgM-ZhHAF8UDN_L8pal99d0JJAD2b_Z3a-tXmbtZX4YBY8hUmbjn8AAuw83-_bzFQA5DO5bFURYPSPKsLbCaTSA1R7gGWC9TAbnxSIXW2jlRYYUeiHip7C-UeTX/s1600/IMG_2210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MNY01VuNyUIVYOnebbgM-ZhHAF8UDN_L8pal99d0JJAD2b_Z3a-tXmbtZX4YBY8hUmbjn8AAuw83-_bzFQA5DO5bFURYPSPKsLbCaTSA1R7gGWC9TAbnxSIXW2jlRYYUeiHip7C-UeTX/s640/IMG_2210.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Such a happy kid. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxHQaBs1jZ87U-xq02GhTwqGleAPBoYCGhWbFJPGf2SFHe9xActpOO_QoM8nA3MGNxZLhZeurdxrZybEE820acS7_r6ztnyTZ7QnPvPefWb9TyhUfXi2VYq_WmyZoi0BI3cQ_mfjQZmFQ/s1600/IMG_2225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxHQaBs1jZ87U-xq02GhTwqGleAPBoYCGhWbFJPGf2SFHe9xActpOO_QoM8nA3MGNxZLhZeurdxrZybEE820acS7_r6ztnyTZ7QnPvPefWb9TyhUfXi2VYq_WmyZoi0BI3cQ_mfjQZmFQ/s640/IMG_2225.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">His parents were exhausted after their long drive, (we arrived at the lodge the day before and had a leisurely morning and hike before they arrived.)</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The boys.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WTSu1RI4GaEmR6UAXMtvj1Gw0V41Qf-dgSPdPesjNmKAUwcgZf7lZRkeANnfLqNqIlCI345ToZAKHNHg_ZmvSRcCNsatufmtSoptnf59KTSc72n-ALgFvqZ3rmicrnYPs3TMORTvWEcr/s1600/IMG_2255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WTSu1RI4GaEmR6UAXMtvj1Gw0V41Qf-dgSPdPesjNmKAUwcgZf7lZRkeANnfLqNqIlCI345ToZAKHNHg_ZmvSRcCNsatufmtSoptnf59KTSc72n-ALgFvqZ3rmicrnYPs3TMORTvWEcr/s640/IMG_2255.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Annaliese and Caspian took caring for Hazel very seriously.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgeaqB6v217BdSgm4VZEQ3oya8B2c_e5YBNMWJxo5b93HM_2oFVk0Du-gXssxj5ZoK3AZDIxUudCIyhSwHlt7EQD78dhjM2O6woBZfKhQyOdngpp9FmfJo9ul9AK0wVL63GVm74rk6ctoF/s1600/IMG_2257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgeaqB6v217BdSgm4VZEQ3oya8B2c_e5YBNMWJxo5b93HM_2oFVk0Du-gXssxj5ZoK3AZDIxUudCIyhSwHlt7EQD78dhjM2O6woBZfKhQyOdngpp9FmfJo9ul9AK0wVL63GVm74rk6ctoF/s640/IMG_2257.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As did a.Alexe. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The bocce ball court.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkUtUhNONbQTJPDXVG1vElpSeNyo_yCeN9eGIcceO_T3Z527TmJBc6UxqZJwNGuXvOYpy7-qAkQBi90ZsU_c0THcKBDgLs6JQwTpwrW7dGmgtB0BitejGrCIutwMfOoPG5XB_4Dnf1KCH/s1600/IMG_2271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkUtUhNONbQTJPDXVG1vElpSeNyo_yCeN9eGIcceO_T3Z527TmJBc6UxqZJwNGuXvOYpy7-qAkQBi90ZsU_c0THcKBDgLs6JQwTpwrW7dGmgtB0BitejGrCIutwMfOoPG5XB_4Dnf1KCH/s640/IMG_2271.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The lodge, and the fire pit where s'mores could be had/made each evening.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdpzUqLJko5qmogErM44Gk3m88vhOefGfnKaTONP29tAb_E_c1LbbsQSAgXAU8nJUMvkqKn3vtdssQeT5SkCvIupYdt0HHJmhkjzCurXJGT4ETr2aEeODblO4KEhZFeQBxQJ6307b0ytE/s1600/IMG_2283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdpzUqLJko5qmogErM44Gk3m88vhOefGfnKaTONP29tAb_E_c1LbbsQSAgXAU8nJUMvkqKn3vtdssQeT5SkCvIupYdt0HHJmhkjzCurXJGT4ETr2aEeODblO4KEhZFeQBxQJ6307b0ytE/s640/IMG_2283.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Snacking on the cabin porch.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73j5Jtqfg7SCwaIKyE-AsfZrjISF930HtE3DG5iFyHg6AWY59qmfpzyVr4i-OJqDv6TIc1DsmjxqOiaNvWy-fJv_ACR1AnzZ4lmybV2pGxhtcKd57aZwrR-p_mMkZPHs2tDGT1OIj2SZe/s1600/IMG_2288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73j5Jtqfg7SCwaIKyE-AsfZrjISF930HtE3DG5iFyHg6AWY59qmfpzyVr4i-OJqDv6TIc1DsmjxqOiaNvWy-fJv_ACR1AnzZ4lmybV2pGxhtcKd57aZwrR-p_mMkZPHs2tDGT1OIj2SZe/s640/IMG_2288.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Evening stroll through the dry lake bed. Had the lake been present we could have been enjoying a lovely paddle/row/sail at this point, but due to some drain holes that developed in this mountain-top lake, the water flows out as fast as it flows in.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The pictures on the website, and all over the lodge, are lovely. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yUIx3tZwzC6v0X6sjt5WUJjldzi1T1QID6RZ8sR7yKr9kcKRw5wyQrUZEonv5oEbY43eubLJDj5TtuuQw7foIpCz4VP8kHddh-SenZdoWOEoctNwpwMCkPz2v5XBouQcikn3_9q8vQo7/s1600/IMG_2296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yUIx3tZwzC6v0X6sjt5WUJjldzi1T1QID6RZ8sR7yKr9kcKRw5wyQrUZEonv5oEbY43eubLJDj5TtuuQw7foIpCz4VP8kHddh-SenZdoWOEoctNwpwMCkPz2v5XBouQcikn3_9q8vQo7/s640/IMG_2296.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The company mostly made up for the missing water.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZClUVSDLk4CmAS0j99vvbczrbn6rNGQKNXKLS9dqr3cEs8uzfIi_XmzhbzSIS8mxg15Z9wz4RIL2jl_Hc0Yl8uPw8dQgVqN0g8FmW5jq2oHCp7CdDLBVIoPwuUiSfDvLSrgRQJyZEkdh2/s1600/IMG_2322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZClUVSDLk4CmAS0j99vvbczrbn6rNGQKNXKLS9dqr3cEs8uzfIi_XmzhbzSIS8mxg15Z9wz4RIL2jl_Hc0Yl8uPw8dQgVqN0g8FmW5jq2oHCp7CdDLBVIoPwuUiSfDvLSrgRQJyZEkdh2/s640/IMG_2322.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hazel slept in our room to give his parents a respite, and our kids were all about playing with their cousin at the crack of dawn.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYBMk3tt6Gs14gdPBoBe9ZmunZPv_WtIeK4EtvVSbx40YAAhlR56enzwzP3B8nfDSM4UuctwEk-DgYLI3jKYE14DSotJhzNBXCeuvzrHbcc5sexWu30YZqC8Ofv9gHV3YBFel3Ru07-Vy/s1600/IMG_2339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYBMk3tt6Gs14gdPBoBe9ZmunZPv_WtIeK4EtvVSbx40YAAhlR56enzwzP3B8nfDSM4UuctwEk-DgYLI3jKYE14DSotJhzNBXCeuvzrHbcc5sexWu30YZqC8Ofv9gHV3YBFel3Ru07-Vy/s640/IMG_2339.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">No lake, but many lovely hikes up the surrounding mountains.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLAyo76XUbXQ5ZyYC6ugIa7NtRYNko4OTchXzurNmKrP90VR4ke2eNx-DvbXl7g-G5LPtIc9vL7eSVmaEql9R_T9D-SFMAKpfuBBZbHcNVOVUZZQgKG-HDTl1s2CuCN0XtuQSO45y1Hvf/s1600/IMG_2341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLAyo76XUbXQ5ZyYC6ugIa7NtRYNko4OTchXzurNmKrP90VR4ke2eNx-DvbXl7g-G5LPtIc9vL7eSVmaEql9R_T9D-SFMAKpfuBBZbHcNVOVUZZQgKG-HDTl1s2CuCN0XtuQSO45y1Hvf/s640/IMG_2341.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">With nice views. The next generation right there.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdkAtRJqrTp0lO8EDlZzktKUrh4z8L3JFeulZnV8wGC5lZuNAuSJdvi79b5tf40A7a54ovm9qX0GUjTpqBff7EwPgH-WGQz89h-3EVY_WHI962dDfblUjN9wZmhiFvmVWgwSPCNCnGEJI/s1600/IMG_2352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdkAtRJqrTp0lO8EDlZzktKUrh4z8L3JFeulZnV8wGC5lZuNAuSJdvi79b5tf40A7a54ovm9qX0GUjTpqBff7EwPgH-WGQz89h-3EVY_WHI962dDfblUjN9wZmhiFvmVWgwSPCNCnGEJI/s640/IMG_2352.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Such a cute young family. A classic look of confused happiness overlaid on exhaustion, with the oblivious cause of all this merrily looking around.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxloh02MRJdzRKZ4FHKP7pnXpAQalg0-dp04vUz2aorU5FcoYXHv9WoMLQV8Y3t3rpuQbPmsbohf7M_C_emT-HLc0Qp7bKX9FOXxluRy99dCy3zlt-0y5OF9WpBbqEeN_cUGtIU25KWVV/s1600/IMG_2358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxloh02MRJdzRKZ4FHKP7pnXpAQalg0-dp04vUz2aorU5FcoYXHv9WoMLQV8Y3t3rpuQbPmsbohf7M_C_emT-HLc0Qp7bKX9FOXxluRy99dCy3zlt-0y5OF9WpBbqEeN_cUGtIU25KWVV/s640/IMG_2358.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Snack break.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGMUnJfu3YF4qUYvh8vUTA0n_B2u0avjbx_DVclFjP2BOye4ApxEWSnVGbJBD2bv5LL2cQFT3SJua3mA1Tm3Htja1Di4CY6lymCg_XPegQZ7uWpOfIzdAoOBKLsgTSOiAdlvp0RY_9nC1/s1600/IMG_2360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGMUnJfu3YF4qUYvh8vUTA0n_B2u0avjbx_DVclFjP2BOye4ApxEWSnVGbJBD2bv5LL2cQFT3SJua3mA1Tm3Htja1Di4CY6lymCg_XPegQZ7uWpOfIzdAoOBKLsgTSOiAdlvp0RY_9nC1/s640/IMG_2360.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Emergency trail-side diaper change. It takes a village.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIDJM2cICStqM_NWuKKcKZq6NMEsRnS3QjC58XGDcyh5zOD9WlLjKiMwX6rNVVX_kC-vg-tUztVsMVek0SzwZgXCev9C96HVe4HrqKx-SF0NM5Hgs2MqivyEQkSBMQqXxEsw2k2Q1ZVU8/s1600/IMG_2393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIDJM2cICStqM_NWuKKcKZq6NMEsRnS3QjC58XGDcyh5zOD9WlLjKiMwX6rNVVX_kC-vg-tUztVsMVek0SzwZgXCev9C96HVe4HrqKx-SF0NM5Hgs2MqivyEQkSBMQqXxEsw2k2Q1ZVU8/s640/IMG_2393.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">More cool forrest-based concrete water tanks.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbiQ70giXqI2jyDN7d21wMHlE5owIIhSe3__8KNs55XapJSNtMrsO7FZn5-85O7QvwnaY0NQRhk5plROAoHyF5P0lefEtaQpHpDbkq22zLc38DIxRjExBubyODEhirBVL3Dk0lPgBeiCo/s1600/IMG_2394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbiQ70giXqI2jyDN7d21wMHlE5owIIhSe3__8KNs55XapJSNtMrsO7FZn5-85O7QvwnaY0NQRhk5plROAoHyF5P0lefEtaQpHpDbkq22zLc38DIxRjExBubyODEhirBVL3Dk0lPgBeiCo/s640/IMG_2394.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<br />smartinof4stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03012903196847383612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913771544379258246.post-84402500132201185582016-08-26T17:12:00.001-04:002016-08-26T17:12:07.855-04:00Cousin Hazel! (and his parents.) Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was a nice place to meet up. Plenty of activities around, and places to explore. The kids made bird houses at a day camp, found some kids their age and rotated from the pool to the hot tub to the game room to the s'mores pit to the outdoor movie screenings each night. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Alexe and Annaliese headed out to find the ropes course while others were napping. An hour later I was called to come pick them up, about 100 ft short of their goal. Classic Alexe.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDztCzkiQU6Ms0G9a1pQMJWAMP_wDbfQwiOpOnZYdPRCzUmcwBdzUF4wwY97dmcBCnnMp7zWZ6MDsOUYAqGehFeFn-PzSeheke9fin-Z6TyEf8YdUPrf0KScjeWRTw8V_wKpVQKWs6Zen/s1600/IMG_2410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDztCzkiQU6Ms0G9a1pQMJWAMP_wDbfQwiOpOnZYdPRCzUmcwBdzUF4wwY97dmcBCnnMp7zWZ6MDsOUYAqGehFeFn-PzSeheke9fin-Z6TyEf8YdUPrf0KScjeWRTw8V_wKpVQKWs6Zen/s640/IMG_2410.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A bit of tennis. With maple margaritas. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKYjt3lhvtxXN-uDeY5GHiG0Du2BsiGOrQ-aoVvpZcAuNtFDECkwVQr35cXwja5N_W40cqywEi3mQg-F8HTu4N00jt6ETy2s3abtAThVwdPDZWWI1BvxBnbaA90qvKwT2CnOBa_ckS086/s1600/IMG_2417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKYjt3lhvtxXN-uDeY5GHiG0Du2BsiGOrQ-aoVvpZcAuNtFDECkwVQr35cXwja5N_W40cqywEi3mQg-F8HTu4N00jt6ETy2s3abtAThVwdPDZWWI1BvxBnbaA90qvKwT2CnOBa_ckS086/s640/IMG_2417.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Fun to see the pasty-white Vermonters getting some sun.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdy0xj-pz2T82apKkja_GineusiKvHCPHeTO-EtlDGw-3QFkcrnfAHczQRDho8fHEvgbe5rEqoixVXc2S9cYx5zgaUEL3HQLWs5sR5ZuQLpW4tYYPaTJhN9mPor5dTLHTJxwKfS8t1wszB/s1600/IMG_2425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdy0xj-pz2T82apKkja_GineusiKvHCPHeTO-EtlDGw-3QFkcrnfAHczQRDho8fHEvgbe5rEqoixVXc2S9cYx5zgaUEL3HQLWs5sR5ZuQLpW4tYYPaTJhN9mPor5dTLHTJxwKfS8t1wszB/s640/IMG_2425.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hazel's mobile playpen.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnS2ZZjbfIPR7P8ZdHa_mZl1MwjXxARXcSkiFDoOLUsd-4ZPGuo1G7VYGfN6kVZhh4S8XYMJ3Fa7aPV2fdOWZAronwhb8d-E24AePr6-8LBuy3oAeRgJnpUAiEzXAB4RaCA6yGnsZg7m1h/s1600/IMG_2435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnS2ZZjbfIPR7P8ZdHa_mZl1MwjXxARXcSkiFDoOLUsd-4ZPGuo1G7VYGfN6kVZhh4S8XYMJ3Fa7aPV2fdOWZAronwhb8d-E24AePr6-8LBuy3oAeRgJnpUAiEzXAB4RaCA6yGnsZg7m1h/s640/IMG_2435.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Gearing up for a late morning hike up to a waterfall.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAQb6m7xFZRIkQDUMHnKws5a6DvzqTUhwydgDwuaR7E9_ichTrOEOXNrlUJIRLz3I9kIPHodnrHrSyqZm-dI4oCXpBBtBVfwGbBt31wezRxAVdD0idYCkjwaTlqpXgvdlI3H565t0acDZ/s1600/IMG_2445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAQb6m7xFZRIkQDUMHnKws5a6DvzqTUhwydgDwuaR7E9_ichTrOEOXNrlUJIRLz3I9kIPHodnrHrSyqZm-dI4oCXpBBtBVfwGbBt31wezRxAVdD0idYCkjwaTlqpXgvdlI3H565t0acDZ/s640/IMG_2445.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">About to set out.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg866b9sCzwCS8E9VvFXv9qS20K9rzpbvnHAHzNUFys3rbWPuGSNmwv_FI7FJ8qukjTbaYYUKaPEUPNp0t-iAUpbB3a93nbLYVMNwN41Kc3WsWt7-BzFm5XKAPr26PEpYzy0aBLLFfxraGr/s1600/IMG_2446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg866b9sCzwCS8E9VvFXv9qS20K9rzpbvnHAHzNUFys3rbWPuGSNmwv_FI7FJ8qukjTbaYYUKaPEUPNp0t-iAUpbB3a93nbLYVMNwN41Kc3WsWt7-BzFm5XKAPr26PEpYzy0aBLLFfxraGr/s640/IMG_2446.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A lovely hike, up a valley next to a brook, with impressive trail infrastructure the whole way.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGV4pSiAXmMFEj_kORpBGhxsV58d0Or3xpnvR1kixb4b6bStOYpgudi1y1JrMJdrfAny_iEuNp2Pj-bliUxMdvrSvjcCVSRdzy9aaCMnBYhoG1bwQXcZvy2XnMIMtfpOQ3Fkdh_Ig4YU5/s1600/IMG_2454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGV4pSiAXmMFEj_kORpBGhxsV58d0Or3xpnvR1kixb4b6bStOYpgudi1y1JrMJdrfAny_iEuNp2Pj-bliUxMdvrSvjcCVSRdzy9aaCMnBYhoG1bwQXcZvy2XnMIMtfpOQ3Fkdh_Ig4YU5/s640/IMG_2454.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Snack-break, or for this young man, a quick fishing break.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixd-WKOyRMnAIjogDszse6uhObuYJ0rC7iQ4CkpSMCR3yCgtdjqC_TVwDbACLnPI4Ez6SwUPAkEkgp1CBhZZbJwPRCOWQ3B1unac4TFQFNW0Pie4zIMgM9Kgnzs52vynDnLOUfpXgstQ9X/s1600/IMG_2455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixd-WKOyRMnAIjogDszse6uhObuYJ0rC7iQ4CkpSMCR3yCgtdjqC_TVwDbACLnPI4Ez6SwUPAkEkgp1CBhZZbJwPRCOWQ3B1unac4TFQFNW0Pie4zIMgM9Kgnzs52vynDnLOUfpXgstQ9X/s640/IMG_2455.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The crew. And a nifty stone sidewalk.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMThYp8uEvLuFAtOYyxCH1AI0-8FFO3i4zakFJ9FxBtdpn2hThInfGu99RTaF1nqLjj4_2kc1lPqUplxDKWtGd8B0iQN_gYf6l2ggm8ZtqvrIJePddx-0aTQrpmme_R53zExL_o8sLhxHk/s1600/IMG_2462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMThYp8uEvLuFAtOYyxCH1AI0-8FFO3i4zakFJ9FxBtdpn2hThInfGu99RTaF1nqLjj4_2kc1lPqUplxDKWtGd8B0iQN_gYf6l2ggm8ZtqvrIJePddx-0aTQrpmme_R53zExL_o8sLhxHk/s640/IMG_2462.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carrying her boy's fishing equipment.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVJLZVtcCce-RW5OqLsOf4a5F1xDT2xvipS7KvnDd1LzYcFj5hIbTksgJqcjz0NsL6mKKLUgkKSnoqqbVEIoSMIup0tV3NrwWCdCDyOcJGwmPZPGsoE5eyxjFqimHEoLjLZ0qMqMJmXkb/s1600/IMG_2473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVJLZVtcCce-RW5OqLsOf4a5F1xDT2xvipS7KvnDd1LzYcFj5hIbTksgJqcjz0NsL6mKKLUgkKSnoqqbVEIoSMIup0tV3NrwWCdCDyOcJGwmPZPGsoE5eyxjFqimHEoLjLZ0qMqMJmXkb/s640/IMG_2473.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My Nephew!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWmShttczVDUo_kSOvmgWjHqWhf46Kr7PBhlwyxFBDOWOX5IGe65YaPQc1Huz7pjCsuNhJIb5Bb5stAqX5Lf1yWgSGd_ovaRBlE3wCdbB3Fx70ddZPSX6peIut9jOqBhWBnesBWcCUDxh/s1600/IMG_2487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWmShttczVDUo_kSOvmgWjHqWhf46Kr7PBhlwyxFBDOWOX5IGe65YaPQc1Huz7pjCsuNhJIb5Bb5stAqX5Lf1yWgSGd_ovaRBlE3wCdbB3Fx70ddZPSX6peIut9jOqBhWBnesBWcCUDxh/s640/IMG_2487.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">An easy group to vacation with.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh14Z57MNmVuvHuxlChco3vZSxZTm4zLmXxNfanLZVxyeyBVVxNZST6ThEECNeUZPfKuo7sXVXszmhSqCTufUHLSOPMAJQpQtZ2AcE9R6Y1ouRJBEpIuS8KS2PLWos_QyGqhj0keuk_mVW/s1600/IMG_2496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh14Z57MNmVuvHuxlChco3vZSxZTm4zLmXxNfanLZVxyeyBVVxNZST6ThEECNeUZPfKuo7sXVXszmhSqCTufUHLSOPMAJQpQtZ2AcE9R6Y1ouRJBEpIuS8KS2PLWos_QyGqhj0keuk_mVW/s640/IMG_2496.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We lingered to watch some local specimens get into the freezing cold water. Two poor souls drowned here the previous two weeks, a young man from Virginia Tech, and a father who dove in to rescue his young son, and never resurfaced after pushing his boy to the edge. Sobering beauty.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspLrJn8QlU8mydlhdkkYrzPIRHTKfHfFdkScH9sSahWp1Nx3qqBoOmPLu4PLTWF6GF1bmfQlRXGkQA-jrCq0vLjYqCDC8oe2Z0LdqXdh4_NGRCCvYGD9tlxTan8qUQqmC9qkuQ9KCqCFN/s1600/IMG_2502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspLrJn8QlU8mydlhdkkYrzPIRHTKfHfFdkScH9sSahWp1Nx3qqBoOmPLu4PLTWF6GF1bmfQlRXGkQA-jrCq0vLjYqCDC8oe2Z0LdqXdh4_NGRCCvYGD9tlxTan8qUQqmC9qkuQ9KCqCFN/s640/IMG_2502.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My favorite girl.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBE9ZdPLT5bsyKecH-q7BzimlwRtxORqcKz98evzwZvKip6abC_MQGsDP_ZB69zl_s18mPzo1lVIJYvTs3Bl76Q9TUzaLaQ6k7ZuCxqlLdLXMdEvoDf4RHfqnCIeWKEUonLqVE-1qFUB5/s1600/IMG_2504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBE9ZdPLT5bsyKecH-q7BzimlwRtxORqcKz98evzwZvKip6abC_MQGsDP_ZB69zl_s18mPzo1lVIJYvTs3Bl76Q9TUzaLaQ6k7ZuCxqlLdLXMdEvoDf4RHfqnCIeWKEUonLqVE-1qFUB5/s640/IMG_2504.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Annaliese entertaining her cousin on the walk back down.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPykNRk_P4NdrVmtA2SvOeXgLOMJH-Puo7anveM58wxGbEfOFxnaPY0CuVsNPuOP6C-NWGErVJRiSCXsusGogsDNv8RMQ3QkHXHxMxt9-wXiDk3xQr89OR5HC819duZqWuxLs8MVP6fdi/s1600/IMG_2509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPykNRk_P4NdrVmtA2SvOeXgLOMJH-Puo7anveM58wxGbEfOFxnaPY0CuVsNPuOP6C-NWGErVJRiSCXsusGogsDNv8RMQ3QkHXHxMxt9-wXiDk3xQr89OR5HC819duZqWuxLs8MVP6fdi/s640/IMG_2509.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">a.Natalie with our sons.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRKNcpgQ3iF7TSAguesG5xsxDLlZ9__WH0Ewy0Z_vTqDK4vwFWUIZohMMNjmk_0nlWbbW3oLPryxCCJdZkXsYwUbIA2XcW6bb4riaLzIljYr62jHNF_WygJu4hc7DUdSGSfUFHvW-QwLD/s1600/IMG_2515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRKNcpgQ3iF7TSAguesG5xsxDLlZ9__WH0Ewy0Z_vTqDK4vwFWUIZohMMNjmk_0nlWbbW3oLPryxCCJdZkXsYwUbIA2XcW6bb4riaLzIljYr62jHNF_WygJu4hc7DUdSGSfUFHvW-QwLD/s640/IMG_2515.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The next morning we packed into the vehicles and headed in opposite directions, with promises to figure out next year's halfway point gathering, and to never again assume a lake is still present just because it's there in the pictures.</span>smartinof4stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03012903196847383612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913771544379258246.post-31416319189814539092016-08-22T17:46:00.002-04:002016-08-22T17:46:18.235-04:00Retrieving our Babies from Virginia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After a week of a quiet house, we raced back to Virginia to pick up our munchkins. Nonni kindly met us at Mountain Lake Lodge in Virginia, and we did our best not to squeeze Annaliese and Caspian until they popped.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The next morning we took a long hike to the top of one of the mountains above the lodge with a happy Caspian, and an exceptionally grumpy Annaliese. Since she was a baby this little girl has had a hard time transitioning; she is amazing in social settings, and a champion at being away from home, (as long as she can call us whenever she needs to, which on this trip was every couple hours.) After being brave and independent for so long it takes her some time to switch gears.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I forgot how much fun all those phone calls were. "Hey Daddy..." </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHb0CPSfKHBUqaFPPVRtEpTjtvHXf8sleWY7bnsyCRX0BVrK2oKwfQZmVhnt4tv92hKqh7rWAMrIfbX1vt6-yk6KxgdQY8HPpFT5DCJzT2ev20Y2EANsGVK3xCebm42kGaFtpOsIqcInJ9/s1600/IMG_2147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHb0CPSfKHBUqaFPPVRtEpTjtvHXf8sleWY7bnsyCRX0BVrK2oKwfQZmVhnt4tv92hKqh7rWAMrIfbX1vt6-yk6KxgdQY8HPpFT5DCJzT2ev20Y2EANsGVK3xCebm42kGaFtpOsIqcInJ9/s640/IMG_2147.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A gorgeous setting. The lodge was nifty. The "Lake" part of the mountain lake lodge was missing. Drainage problems. It was a surprise to us, what with the website covered in lovely pictures of a clean lake below a huge stone lodge, and I'm sure I'll touch on it again.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ziiTGbKgsgsi_9p8LjYjtSaET5blcAvtQz8Qiys-79hrdJKlU0Z9WLc-RPOq-67ZCdcWw3A7tYR_dl3kdlmwQMu23yG0bey4ZA93URJt09kXl-cbmMJ5cdHbLozEMtifgYTh1JFc0yyj/s1600/IMG_2154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ziiTGbKgsgsi_9p8LjYjtSaET5blcAvtQz8Qiys-79hrdJKlU0Z9WLc-RPOq-67ZCdcWw3A7tYR_dl3kdlmwQMu23yG0bey4ZA93URJt09kXl-cbmMJ5cdHbLozEMtifgYTh1JFc0yyj/s640/IMG_2154.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So happy to have us all together again.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_f-2W4emTqkjZomXsSffUA0c1VvE5dy638bFjclayJxTcE9xG545YpYt-2QJJi793WkOnfU5IYcOCv5unkqxxDEB4LnDRJyob9gEmVh8zKer_5x12_8sf1M4hF4diyPS0icjyu8ekQca/s1600/IMG_2162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_f-2W4emTqkjZomXsSffUA0c1VvE5dy638bFjclayJxTcE9xG545YpYt-2QJJi793WkOnfU5IYcOCv5unkqxxDEB4LnDRJyob9gEmVh8zKer_5x12_8sf1M4hF4diyPS0icjyu8ekQca/s640/IMG_2162.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Exploring neat things and places. How has nobody rebuilt this awesome stone shell? It sits 20 ft back from the amazing view above.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FIlh9C8PBVgjXvJwVqP2DNJDKWTVQaXIE_LV5clhB3GPcyqrWcnUyYb0TN9GjZHF8tYbLgNvkW8RDs3K-ynTOVT7sDjDBS14BhecdUKHZhuh3D3nUUdKnJKbxOINZwXS3DHS4a3sn8lH/s1600/IMG_2166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FIlh9C8PBVgjXvJwVqP2DNJDKWTVQaXIE_LV5clhB3GPcyqrWcnUyYb0TN9GjZHF8tYbLgNvkW8RDs3K-ynTOVT7sDjDBS14BhecdUKHZhuh3D3nUUdKnJKbxOINZwXS3DHS4a3sn8lH/s640/IMG_2166.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We reaaaallly missed our kiddos. And Annaliese's grump was lasting longer than we could wait.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VCy79aMqb_aaDFcHP39e_YboqCLEQATzHi8i3IxMJyscgz3Wh6RoXYKcF31yY6QksWKGX2-z4NXux7UC3_-gQgRSsCzmzQEsrrTCQEqvQj2npFEbjt0m-zFyfaoZbGhXVyXocnPpnHW0/s1600/IMG_2174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VCy79aMqb_aaDFcHP39e_YboqCLEQATzHi8i3IxMJyscgz3Wh6RoXYKcF31yY6QksWKGX2-z4NXux7UC3_-gQgRSsCzmzQEsrrTCQEqvQj2npFEbjt0m-zFyfaoZbGhXVyXocnPpnHW0/s640/IMG_2174.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The walk back to the lodge was along a lovely forest path, with lots of ferns, and periodic pine trees to take shelter under when the rain picked up.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAXKp3wBgiYRRWpmaZYu3HAka8G1tMNAQAzQ7r4cpD-JF5JDd8_1QyNZ4pF4I72y0NJ85yEW25ygjOzUgiZiAFVE8GdKFeUP6crpfhHBds2GwU_hcoPt8cE2rAhrddtx-6sqzf45Q9vmz/s1600/IMG_2191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAXKp3wBgiYRRWpmaZYu3HAka8G1tMNAQAzQ7r4cpD-JF5JDd8_1QyNZ4pF4I72y0NJ85yEW25ygjOzUgiZiAFVE8GdKFeUP6crpfhHBds2GwU_hcoPt8cE2rAhrddtx-6sqzf45Q9vmz/s640/IMG_2191.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It may look like a ufo, but it's really a giant water tank near the top of a mountain. There were other smaller ones dotting the forrest nearby.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmurq8nUt3hF4lhnnxVm7qbwNcamO1adbNoEzfIun_nx0-nj3XljGwvtQu2YVIlbAr8vht8r7aQWAyIyopkMxWjmjOXU4gcX4cXDiOTQbIuepjPx9YDITqlRu87FMwyTMlJCdbf6EGc6j/s1600/IMG_2199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmurq8nUt3hF4lhnnxVm7qbwNcamO1adbNoEzfIun_nx0-nj3XljGwvtQu2YVIlbAr8vht8r7aQWAyIyopkMxWjmjOXU4gcX4cXDiOTQbIuepjPx9YDITqlRu87FMwyTMlJCdbf6EGc6j/s640/IMG_2199.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Even though the lodge didn't have a lake, it was surrounded by lovely walking trails, held outdoor movies each night, had a little swimming pool, tennis courts, game room, gym, bocce ball court, giant chess board, a big lodge with a restaurant and bar, and did its best to excuse the absence of the lake.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We had a great time. Missing are the two days we spent here with Cousin Hazel and his parents. Those will get here soon.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Following a lovely weekend, we packed up our little family and rocketed home. A mere 12 hours in the car, exploring roadside attractions on the way.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And home. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Everyone was happy to see the kids.</span><br />
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<br />smartinof4stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03012903196847383612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913771544379258246.post-74679945973040653222016-08-22T17:00:00.000-04:002016-08-22T17:00:22.161-04:00Letting our children go...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Annaliese and Caspian make our hearts swell every day. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Letting them go visit their a.Eliza and Nonni was not an easy decision. But our two precious miracles also whine and fight and say, "I'm bored" enough to counter all those internal struggles of ours.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On the joy-of-our-lives side of the ledger, this newfound ability to execute a chore list. I handed them each a packing list, and this is what I found when I came to inspect.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We hit the road headed to a half-way meet-up with Eliza and Nonni in Knoxville. A little main street with a diner caught our attention in Alabama for breakfast.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A roadside fruit and veg stand caught Alexe's eye. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And other than a 2 hour delay for traffic in Chattanooga, we made it to Knoxville in time for dinner, which we enjoyed in the busy walking downtown area. Quite the gathering of folks, complete with a religious sect that told Nonni she was going to hell for wearing pants.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A little after dinner stroll.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Molested the local monuments and grounds...</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Retired to the hotel for a late night swim...</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Went out early for another swim, and then we kissed our babies and sent them East to Virginia, while Alexe and I headed West for a child-free time together like we haven;t had in 8+ years.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We stopped in Nashville, and went to Provence, a favor spot of ours from the days when Alexe was at Vanderbilt and I was flying in from DC as often as I could afford. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmz4QSmOzI07-23y4qKB86HzP3hyphenhyphen4Ksz55nRjY2zc9K3bSDQ9oPB5uYc1S3zDpzvZ6TYxT5lzC27bUwuiZRhRB464HBuxp4pUEROmaqPA6_VnnCBKdNdqxb-gEI9BLlc4pX6YD2Q0_kKn/s1600/IMG_2055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmz4QSmOzI07-23y4qKB86HzP3hyphenhyphen4Ksz55nRjY2zc9K3bSDQ9oPB5uYc1S3zDpzvZ6TYxT5lzC27bUwuiZRhRB464HBuxp4pUEROmaqPA6_VnnCBKdNdqxb-gEI9BLlc4pX6YD2Q0_kKn/s640/IMG_2055.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our time home alone is a blur. We puttered around the place, caught up on things, found we still like each other, not unlike how we spend life with the kids.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Flower planters, aka livestock water troughs, were filled with mulch and brought to the elementary school.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzgDc8oecNOYg6YmWKI65JgGejaUchtEGDgK0GYISdToQbeNtKBpKSMQHVwNGcY2D9GmycWpuFi9UB8Hru-YH0fDllM7i7-QkxN987WgCiMHMbp73h1FmPjXcrCPqFPMydyj-ubAjJEmk/s1600/IMG_2075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzgDc8oecNOYg6YmWKI65JgGejaUchtEGDgK0GYISdToQbeNtKBpKSMQHVwNGcY2D9GmycWpuFi9UB8Hru-YH0fDllM7i7-QkxN987WgCiMHMbp73h1FmPjXcrCPqFPMydyj-ubAjJEmk/s640/IMG_2075.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Alexe didn't wear the right shoes and had a run in with fire ants. This happens every time Alexe gardens.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The menagerie.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9Bn6cg2k9LOq5diO9eIhyphenhyphenw2EorDpdR7aQ_vip1zdnXGF9CH_hTWU-x_UOPTJUEgGKbe7i15DBB4VkbSSkX9eiibS1hyphenhyphenq2DRNCxDU3KwtWb420-9EhWNdLKpGyiFRC2WprZOwJyYn-R23/s1600/IMG_2103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9Bn6cg2k9LOq5diO9eIhyphenhyphenw2EorDpdR7aQ_vip1zdnXGF9CH_hTWU-x_UOPTJUEgGKbe7i15DBB4VkbSSkX9eiibS1hyphenhyphenq2DRNCxDU3KwtWb420-9EhWNdLKpGyiFRC2WprZOwJyYn-R23/s640/IMG_2103.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Another project Alexe has taken on is a garden at the elementary school, where she will be teaching a gardening class to groups of students on Thursday mornings.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All in all not much has changed. We're only about 4.5 hours away from Nashville, Alexe is still making gardens wherever we go, and I'm still following her around and offering assistance with varying levels of enthusiasm.</span><br />
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<br />smartinof4stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03012903196847383612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913771544379258246.post-65069425493226808922016-08-22T16:37:00.002-04:002016-08-22T16:37:37.461-04:00Hoop House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our new hoop house. Or unheated green house. Or high tunnel.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">NRCS has a grant program for these puppies. In some sense it's a little odd to have federal dollars spent on these types of farm infrastructure programs, but from the national interest/social stability/education/food independence position, it makes a lot of sense.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Putting aside our feelings about the farm bill, we threw our name in the hat and were selected this year to receive a grant for one 30x72 hoop house.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Step 1, level a spot in the back field. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Step 2, square the building and set the corner posts.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The grant includes enough funds to help pay to have these structures assembled. With the exception of the ponds and leveling this spot, I have done every single thing on our house and property, and I like it that way. Makes it feel more like our playground and less like something we pay to play on.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Step 2, which was my first sign that this might not be the best project for one person, was pounding in the 32 metal posts that the hoops attach to. Each pounded 2 ft into rock hard ground, with a sledge hammer. Also, the kit arrived in July, during a drought, with record heat. Possibly I could have waited to assembled it.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Assembling hoops on the ground. Alexe contributed an hour of her time to help me hoist the hops into position.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSV4svEMve-JRhFTrqKzwhBU8QfmScojD6bBK7aMt-6UCeOF1VGTfVXHMEDD5Py7leBAviuBJOun4C8HJwT4foCHR2zQpb_NeXatDAd3MWz0Nm3Fr3IH-1ma2nw_eEV6Aw-kjYRWliKId/s1600/IMG_1780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSV4svEMve-JRhFTrqKzwhBU8QfmScojD6bBK7aMt-6UCeOF1VGTfVXHMEDD5Py7leBAviuBJOun4C8HJwT4foCHR2zQpb_NeXatDAd3MWz0Nm3Fr3IH-1ma2nw_eEV6Aw-kjYRWliKId/s640/IMG_1780.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Followed by interminable steps of running 5 lengths of pipe down the sides and top and clamping them all together, installing the end supports and door header, (which had to be ordered: no-one stocks pressure treated 20 ft long 4x6s.) </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">End wall plastic, end doors, aluminum clip covers, roll-up side pieces, etc.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47MDSeMtD64RrybLiRMWXZMjFcUwKyKBWRT7_II44SU3aZ-SNhyNoKVIuNGjKQdrnObyxPh4Z7fg0jG-IFdFTkWuxh45xJ36EYBjAc2M5U1YM-gkIDSLpwEQxsBkw_H_-w1AqlliJQWFy/s1600/IMG_2119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47MDSeMtD64RrybLiRMWXZMjFcUwKyKBWRT7_II44SU3aZ-SNhyNoKVIuNGjKQdrnObyxPh4Z7fg0jG-IFdFTkWuxh45xJ36EYBjAc2M5U1YM-gkIDSLpwEQxsBkw_H_-w1AqlliJQWFy/s640/IMG_2119.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxu_Xj2B3SU-ZRNsCUJ7UKTCGrdfMy2EiLK7KWi4oKucVgBfV7-BMPCzqoeiooqHSglX2UnvIR-GhLKd7o4LCM9Llp_TxZohJW5FKVWFn9DEKwNUNFOFR4L3z_o7bsxNltaQpJpTobhPK/s1600/IMG_2120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxu_Xj2B3SU-ZRNsCUJ7UKTCGrdfMy2EiLK7KWi4oKucVgBfV7-BMPCzqoeiooqHSglX2UnvIR-GhLKd7o4LCM9Llp_TxZohJW5FKVWFn9DEKwNUNFOFR4L3z_o7bsxNltaQpJpTobhPK/s640/IMG_2120.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But now Alexe has a giant micro-climate to extend her growing season straight through the winter. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Add a water line from the irrigation pond...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4snoSVcMTmFUxJG2yYQruHLbZ0jettYWbCccmi_AU9q2LDefe8k09v2hMtYERwTZZrzwRd-Uf4O9P0T0F67Hkl6TacqnVjr8iwwqnMiCLwUtAFkXXpQmZCG1v8NkUNX59Gp3egB-zvJtj/s1600/IMG_2615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4snoSVcMTmFUxJG2yYQruHLbZ0jettYWbCccmi_AU9q2LDefe8k09v2hMtYERwTZZrzwRd-Uf4O9P0T0F67Hkl6TacqnVjr8iwwqnMiCLwUtAFkXXpQmZCG1v8NkUNX59Gp3egB-zvJtj/s640/IMG_2615.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As soon as we get some rain, this place will have a decent supply of chlorine free rain water, with a 15 ft head and a pipe starting at 4" and dropping to 2" in 150 ft. Some of that water will run through the barn yard before it hits the irrigation pond. Alexe's spinach should do alright.</span><br />
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smartinof4stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03012903196847383612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913771544379258246.post-11654211541946300872016-08-22T16:03:00.000-04:002016-08-22T16:03:18.035-04:00Sitting on the dock of the pond...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So we have a pond now, or the potential for a pond if it ever rains. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And before the water level rises too far, I thought we should get our dock squared away. Turns out there was no reason to rush, but at the time I was optimistic.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Two 24 foot long pressure treated timbers, 10" x 6". I had to have these puppies made at the pressure treating plant in Grenada, and they were heavier than expect when I went to pick them up. The drive home was more than a little nerve racking. One particular set of railroad tracks I crossed convinced me they were going to crush me and the truck cab.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJQStONxLAwqi8AVPAnBHb01YJLYSpunuI1eN7pqICtqJ3EbQCQALap7pVM6qbHMaKGV_5FqUL-fZqcE4l_F7vJPZM_rPUpliTksGxmwXibGmk6QPkKP9BtujCeYwu5g-1_FTgmBA9kks/s1600/IMG_2096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJQStONxLAwqi8AVPAnBHb01YJLYSpunuI1eN7pqICtqJ3EbQCQALap7pVM6qbHMaKGV_5FqUL-fZqcE4l_F7vJPZM_rPUpliTksGxmwXibGmk6QPkKP9BtujCeYwu5g-1_FTgmBA9kks/s640/IMG_2096.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That didn't happen, and they made it home and were successfully shoved off the truck.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is where they were heading. Thick wall PVC pipe, 6" diameter, buried 4 ft down, and filled with reinforced concrete. I don't plan on redoing this dock for a while.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXD11n_nPOPrti0e-3AqVajc7BkHWB6oCoiFI_2qbawtZZWyqFiaufaNgfVbgip3U3sYpnZpXHC_FWPTSFucLWUy5gU3OJ6F03tsHGblN42MHQKiySKm9agtvS3gjeooX57NFRgljVPzB-/s1600/IMG_2102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXD11n_nPOPrti0e-3AqVajc7BkHWB6oCoiFI_2qbawtZZWyqFiaufaNgfVbgip3U3sYpnZpXHC_FWPTSFucLWUy5gU3OJ6F03tsHGblN42MHQKiySKm9agtvS3gjeooX57NFRgljVPzB-/s640/IMG_2102.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The timbers were beyond my ability to lift even one end. However, getting one end into the bucket of the tractor, chaining it in place, and strategically backing down the hill, I was able to set them in place one at a time.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A little framing with ceramic coated screws, and we have the foundations of a deck.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWr45UqNAytvu1KiTTc7PPp1IAQgkLpK25Y9xielwAvZorWNK66EtGsFxXN8IClnpue_2O6Gy6JiI0SvZmMj7C8ashgslIRSs_1yMO86j7b8p3ccqOdTAOhZmsIy2560UCOerrDk97SDZ/s1600/IMG_2109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWr45UqNAytvu1KiTTc7PPp1IAQgkLpK25Y9xielwAvZorWNK66EtGsFxXN8IClnpue_2O6Gy6JiI0SvZmMj7C8ashgslIRSs_1yMO86j7b8p3ccqOdTAOhZmsIy2560UCOerrDk97SDZ/s640/IMG_2109.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's 1/2" narrower at the land end, but all things considered I'm pleased. Now I'm waiting for a sale on composite deck boards. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Alexe came to visit.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's been almost 2 months since the frame of the dock was completed. The spring is doing it's best, but with no rain the water level is rising sooooo slowly. Plenty of time left to wait for a sale on decking.</span></div>
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<br />smartinof4stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03012903196847383612noreply@blogger.com0