Questions for those who read this...

Question: what do you think are your best and worst personality 'quirks'? I'm not sure what people think mine are, though perhaps that I am quiet - and the worst being that I am too reserved. Though it is not a sin to be too reserved (thank goodness), people get the impression that you are proud, when you just aren't the type to jump up and down when everyone else does. A friend reminded me that it is important to come to terms with the fact that not everyone is going to like the fact that I am reserved, and that is okay. What words of wisdom do you all have - perhaps some scripture that applies? 'Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.'

I was in the garden on Thursday, weeding, when dad yelled at me to get into the house - too late, the first wave of wind was upon me before I knew it. The storm threw half of the tomato plants sideways, but only one stem snapped. Other than a bit of damage to the raspberries, a massive leak where dad is re-doing our roofline, no harm was done. Our power stayed on (yay for electricity when it comes to milking time :D), but neighbors lost theirs. That storm was about the closest Oregon will ever come to a hurricane - pretty pathetic. The lightning was fun!

Next week I begin studying to be a certified community herbalist. It should take about a year and a half. My music theory, keyboard skills, and private lessons are done for the year, and a whole new world has been opened up for me - I realize how much more I can continue to learn, especially when it comes to composition, improvisation, and building up my sight singing, transposition, harmonic reading and analysis skills. This summer I'm learning 'Sarabande' and 'Gardens in the Rain' by Debussy, and 'Rhapsody in B minor' by Brahms. Next year I'd like to learn pieces by Grieg and Rachmaninoff. Do any of you know of piano pieces that might be a good challenge for me?

The cows, munching on fresh orchard grass... during the storm they never stopped grazing. Stomachs on four legs.

Dealing with hot temperatures, flies, and weeds is taking up a lot of my time. I absolutely love getting down and getting dirty, and every day I thank God for this farm.

My dad is building an addition on our house - which means I get my own room someday!

Here is Chuck, growing big and tasty...

Here is Mattie, posing regally for her photo shoot... (it might seem odd that you can see the outline of her ribs, but for those of you who are new to dairy cattle, it's normal. Beef cows store their weight in their shoulders and rumps - dairy cows store it in their belly)