Sorry, folks; I’m having to shut the blog down. I tried, but I’m so overwhelmed that I just can’t do it anymore. My life is as delicious as ever, but the line between possible and impossible is becoming quite distinct. Maybe someday, when things calm down, I can regroup and try again. But for now …

Okay, welcome to The NEW Blog. Many thanks to my friend Gabe whose wizardry brung this to pass … and to WordPress so that I can bring the blog to the next level. One of these days I’ll figure out how to make it so that you can receive posts by email, and do all …

We’re currently in the process of upgrading the blog, but will be fully functional in short order. Thanks for your patience and please come back soon!
Thanks

Date night
One of my highest priorities has been to spend time with my kids, regardless of how busy I am. So at our house Tuesday nights are designated Date Night with Dad, and each daughter gets a turn with Dad to do anything she would like to do that evening. (By the time Jacob is …

When you live in the woods, your driveway is gravel, and your front lawn is all green stubs in dust, your leather shoes need shinin’. We try to do it twice a year whether they need it or not. On a Sunday afternoon after church, Dad breaks out the rags, the shoe polish, and the …

The other night I tried to light the kerosene lamp we have on the shelf above our wood stove. It wouldn’t light. I checked the wick: trimmed. Okay. I checked the kerosene: gone! Well, who knew. Kerosene evaporates. The last time I used the lamp was last winter. So the lesson is, use the lamp …

I don’t know what’s happened, but it seems to me that suddenly canning is popular with a whole bunch of people. Or maybe it’s just that I’m trying to find extra canning jars in the middle of canning season. Whatever the cause, I’m looking for extra canning jars and not finding them. The thrift stores …

My second-favorite thing about winter is getting firewood in the dark. (About a dozen things contend for the coveted spot of Favorite Thing About Winter, and they alternate depending on the day.) In the wintertime when I get home I always come in, drop off my Spiderman lunch box, grab the firewood tote, and head …

Adam and Jen posted a note Sunday at church: Help! Come pick beans and I’ll give you half of what you pick! So on Monday evening, we went.
Their garden must be half an acre in size. String beans, corn, tomatoes, and I don’t know what all. The beans apparently came on too late for them …

Full disclosure: I did not shoot this picture. I saw this goat, on this mountain; but since I forgot to bring in my pictures of the goat or anything else from our latest adventure, I’m using the shot taken by my friend Rich on top of Scotchman Peak last Saturday.
I like how these goats always …