Although I am not a Methodist, I am active in my local church, which happens to be Methodist. I have no photos of the Memorial Day ceremony held at the cemetery, nor the luncheon served by the church ladies (which group includes me!). I was in charge of keeping the drink table (coffee, lemonade, water) supplied. Michael pitched in with set up and made the coleslaw for this picnic-style meal. We are both exhausted (Michael is gently snoring as I write), but it was a lovely way to spend the day. Met nice people. Gave away Michael’s rhubarb scone recipe. (Yes, he made those too.). This, interestingly, is part of our farm project. We support our community and spread the gospel of duck eggs (church is a great outlet for gifting eggs), and in turn receive the gift of community support.

We traveled to see our children and grands on Saturday, as our house is currently under construction. We spoke of the horrors of war and then of gardens. It is the time to remember death and destruction, past and present, and to rejoice in peace as well.

It is a wonder to live close enough to visit, yet get home in time to care for the livestock. Important to keep the young birds in enough water so they don’t get constipated, but don’t have water cans in which they can drown. We lost 2 chicks to drowning before we modified the trays holding the water cans. Keeping straw dry is also important.

Flowers are everywhere. Lilacs and wild grapes in our yard. Choke cherries set on the fence line trees. Alfalfa, swamp lilies, winter cress, wild geraniums (and Zeke), yellow violets, pink trillium, Japanese honeysuckle, wild blue phlox, and hoary puccoon: all conspire to create an intoxicating scent that makes the simple act of breathing a wonder and a joy.

Our gardens slowly get planted. The corn will get in the ground tomorrow while the potatoes need weeding yesterday. Now it is time for me to join Michael and snore a bit.