Home Again! The past 10 days we have been visiting family in California. The excuse for the visit was a wedding. We now know that from here on out we will have to be careful when we plan vacations. Luckily this year odd weather has pushed the harvest dates back but still after 10 days even our backyard garden looks a little neglected. On the plus side upon return I had plenty of vegetables to harvest for dinner. We had carefully cleaned out our frig before we left and really had nothing for dinner–until I walked to the garden. I harvested an eggplant and cucumber. So we had eggplant parmesan with some spaghetti and sauce from the pantry and sliced cucumber.

Our chicken coop also needed some attention. It had rained the previous day so the layers of manure and straw were wet and easy to shovel. If I waited a couple days it would turn to cement. For 10 days I had been visiting with family, eating and sight seeing with very little exercise so I actually enjoyed shoveling out the poo. The kids both grabbed their shovels and ran to help. Two said, “I want to help because that is what farmers do.” it made me very appreciative of a simple life, tending children, gardens and animals.

Proeun and his friend Van (from the 3rd grade) were talking about how some times they would love to just be kids again with no cares or pressing demands, but me I love where I am at. I love the raising children and providing for them, growing food for our family and preparing it and learning how to care for animals. Many people depend on me, even as I depend on Proeun, and that gives my life meaning. I wouldn’t change it for anything.