El Gato

 

This handsome feline is awaiting his sentence.

I love cats and we have two of our own....but lately we've had a problem.

This:

 

Not only is he and another male spraying our windows, but every night they start a rumble with our cats.
Several evenings, as it was growing dusk, I saw he and his buddy slink out of the ravine and come stealthily prowling up into our yard.
My daughter laughed that they were like gang members, looking for trouble.

I thought of this scene from West Side Story:






Several of our neighbors have complained about them as well.

So we took matters into our own hands.  We're not about to let the neighborhood go down from their trouble.  
What is that quote by Ghandi?  "Evil reigns when good people do nothing" or something along that line.
: )


We caught him with a simple can of tuna.  He was extremely annoyed this morning that he fell for our trap. 

At first, we made sure he was, in fact, a he.  Because if he was a she, she was really pretty and we wanted to tame her.  
My girls sat out on the deck this morning in their PJ's, feeling sorry for him/her.  I checked- he's a he.  

So- now he awaits his fate.   We're giving him some time to think about his dastardly deeds.
It will be simple and painless....a quiet trip further out into the country....near a few farmhouses.   We'll let him out to start over, begin a new life.
It's our own version of the Witness Relocation Program.  

Next, we'll be waiting for his friend.

Tumultuous Spring Break

This past week has been interesting.
We relaxed, enjoying our Spring Break.  We took the kids out to eat, did some work on the house and even vegged out in front of the tv. 

Pretty typical stuff.  Nothing major. 

But, also during the week:

Our good friends' teen daughter was in a major 4-wheeler accident.  She's lucky to be alive and has lost a kidney as well as her spleen.    Their family's Spring Break plans were severely deterred and we all felt great worry for her.   Many prayers have been said on her behalf.

Two days after the accident, our local area had a wildfire.   I've seen many on television, but have to say this is the closest one has ever come to me and mine. 

We could see and smell the smoke and even saw an occasional ash.    We waited and watched all afternoon to see if they got it under control before nightfall.
We were told if it spread further, we would have to be evacuated.  
Luckily, the wind died down and it was over 60% contained by bedtime.  
Still, I slept with the phone on my nightstand.

Wildfires in March?  This does not bode well for the drier summer ahead. Yikes!

Tomorrow begins our new school week-back to business around here.
We end this rather tumultuous break feeling rather grateful our home is intact, our children are healthy and safe and ready to return to a schedule.

Thoughts

It's spring fever.  That is what the name of it is.  And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!  ~Mark Twain

 

I love this quote!  It describes so well my feelings in spring.

I've often noticed that around the world at this time of year, there seems to be a lot of unrest.  I feel as if I'm holding my breath for good weather to arrive- because when it does, the world settles down somewhat.   At least for a spell.

 

My heart has been with the people of Japan, with family and friends who are going through major difficulties.  It's hard to blog about the good when so much sadness and worry are draping over us.  

Last night I realized that if no one seeks out the good, the cheerful, the virtuous and lovely things, we are doomed.  We must lift one another whenever possible.  

 

Little children are the greatest teachers in this.  Their hearts are pure, they look for each new day's possibilities and laugh when something is humorous.  They sing for no reason at all, give hugs freely and their eyes shine when they tell you their stories.  They embody all that is spring and summer.

 

 

Good weather is coming. 

But until then, let's focus on the good in the world while also helping those in need.

And remember this:

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.   ~John 14:27

 

 

Waiting for Spring

When my world looks like this:

And I'm longing for this:

Here's what cheers me up:

 The beautiful and unexpected flowers the Man of the House brought me,

 The hilarious and strange 9 year old in her self-dressed 'uniform', taking food orders and being silly,

 The teenager setting aside his moodiness and thoroughly enjoying time with his baby niece,

 And that baby- growing by the day and entertaining us all simply by smiling.

I can't wait for Spring....but in the meantime there's so very much to be thankful for!

Homeschooling Snapshot

Math on a sunny deck.
With a friend.

Commitment

 

For children, love is a feeling; for adults, it is a decision.

Children wait to learn if their love is true by seeing how long it lasts; 

 

Adults make their love true by never wavering from their commitment."   ~Orson Scott Card