Meeting Our Meat
I am behind on my posts…I have a few stories I’d like to share, but I can’t find the time to write them out! We’ve had a few sick bodies in our house this week, both people and animals, and a few days that have been really rough. So, until I can catch up on everything, here are a few pictures to tide you over:
We stopped by our meat farm to see how the turkeys are doing. They are free-range, and we were allowed to walk right into their pasture.
They are very curious when people come to see them.
One of these turkeys will end up being our dinner.
It’s kind of sad to think about it, especially when you get to meet them like this, but they are raised for food. It does help to be able to see the high-quality, low-stress life they live.
Here is a male heritage turkey.
We wil probably get a female, since they finish smaller.
We also had to pick up some eggs while we were there:
Some Pig
There’s something about animals that is very centering. They help us realize our capabilities and keep us focused on what’s really important in life. We’ve had our little guinea pig, Brownie, since JJ was a few months old. The very first time he pulled himself up to standing was so he could get a better look at her after she came home.
Having small animals has been very therapeutic for our kids, and has helped teach them how to be gentle (JJ especially!).
As you can see, she’s very tolerant of many “fun games”, such as wearing a doughnut necklace…
…flying with a cape on…
(Wonderpets, Wonderpets, we’re on our way…)
…sitting with the dogs…
But, in general, she has been an excellent pet for us; teaching the kids about giving consistent and loving care and helping to soothe them by always being up for a cuddle.
A New Adventure
Riding off to kindergarten:
On the way, we pass a huge Oak tree that the kids love, and JJ wanted to have his picture taken by it. Wanted! He rarely likes to get his picture taken, and never voluntarily. He even took off his bike helmet for this.
I tried to get the whole tree in the picture!
Fortunes
I took the kids out to lunch the other day, and here were the fortunes we each got in our cookies:
JJ: “A bold and dashing adventure is in your future.”
Me: “You will inherit a large sum of money from a surprising source.”
Elia: “Three times a week you will treat yourself to dessert.”
So fitting for each of us! Nice.
Musings of Elia
Elia: Mom? If Carmen Sandiego was a real person, and her birthday was July 31st, where do you think she would be right now?
Me: I–I don’t…[understand the question?]…I don’t know. [Long pause as I continue to try to comprehend.] Where do you think she’d be?
Elia: Probably in the United States…like probably in Carolina.
Me: OK
Parenting From Scratch 