Io Moth

After nearly a year of anticipation one of our cocoons has been vacated! We now have a female Io moth. At dark, she will let loose her pheromones and perhaps we will have 4 males outside in the morning. They can detect the females from far away.

We have 2 other cocoons still. We nearly gave up hope for all of them.

Summer Solstice Anniversary

It was 8 years ago today that Justin and I were married.

We met in Phoenix 10 years ago. We have a long and crazy journey to this point. Here is a short, G-rated version.
On our first date we went to the Grand Canyon.
I discovered early on about Justin's knack for running out of gas. We ran out before we were out of the city and then about 4 more times while we were there.

Blue. He now lives with Justin's Mom.


Shortly after, we left for the Everglades and Phish/New Year's Eve.

We splurged our money on an El Paso "luxury hotel". It is a long drive from South Florida to Phoenix. El Paso is a great place to vacation!

Justin asked me to marry him a few months after we met. I said yes even though i wasn't planning on getting married until at least age 45.

Baby Stella. She is still going strong.

We spent as much time possible, outside of Phoenix a few hours north, at the Verde River hot springs. It is a magical place. After driving for 2 1/2 hours on a winding, desert, mountain, dirt road, you arrive in a valley that is lush and green. Waterfalls abound and a 1 mile hike up river takes you to an abandoned hotel foundation with a natural hot spring. It is on the mountain side and if this place wasn't crawling with unclothed people, i would love to take our kids back there some day.





2 big dogs in a third floor city apartment wasn't enough so we got Luna, a Red/Arctic Wolf Mix. She lives on my parent's farm.

After living in Phoenix for a year, we put our stuff in storage and took off. We did the last part of Phish tour and traveled from Phoenix to Vegas, back again to San Diego and up to Vancouver.






When we got back to Phoenix, we packed up during a monsoon and headed into the mountains into a snowstorm. Here is Stella and Luna when we broke down in Albuquerque.
We have been in STL since.


A few years later we went back to the Verde Hot springs for our honeymoon. These are the only pictures i took. We had a hard time leading up to the wedding, including our bus breaking down. We rode out to AZ in a friend's Mom's minivan. Romantic.


God has been good to us. Without his Grace we would have been imprisoned by now and most certainly divorced. His Blessings are so much more beautiful than i ever imagine.

Circus Flora

I only had a chance to take one picture before the batteries died. I strongly dislike things with batteries.
We are one of 3 cities in USA to have our very own circus. It is a delight to see!

Don't Mess With This

Cops!

Avery likes to carry odd items around.
Today it was Tammy Doll and Revolver.

Iowa Weekend

Apple Tree
...ancient and delicious, i love to see my kids climbing on it now.
Our Old Barn
...each time i come home, more is missing.
Gravel Road
...one of my favorite views at twilight.

Froggy Friend
...this poor guy had to suffer through a lot. I think Tullaia wanted to dress him up.
Oskaloosa Brick Steps
...made by my Dad
Fence Post
...Jasper says "you really like that fence post Mama".
Old Tree
...This tree used to be huge and housed a tree house made by Dad. A new one is in the works.
The kids went fishing and caught several large fish. I was impressed by their patience. Then they were schooled about cleaning them before they ingested them. Unfortunately i only have a picture of the laziest and most troublesome fisherman of all.

Apple Tree Grin
Papa's Boy

Workday For Jasper

After months of excitement, Jasper had a chance to discover for himself what Papa does all day long.

St. Francois

This state park is only an hour from us and is stunningly beautiful. It was used as a hideout in the Civil War. The kids did well on a moderately difficult and strenuous hike called Mooner's Hollow named for the past activity of moonshiners here.
Halfway through the hike is a waterfall. Here they are perched on the edge.


First time in is COLD!

Crouched in a Cave
Can you tell he has to potty? We are almost to the end here and we barely heard any whining.

Papa WorkDay

Tullaia spent the day with Papa at work a few weeks back. She wore her work pants.

My Mother's Day

Sky Coffee

Salamander Discovery

My Constant Companion

Threshold

Hissing Turtle

I went with a dear friend to Mary the Font Solitude in High Ridge this weekend.
http://www.marythefont.org/
It isn't too far away but is fairly secluded on 120 acres of woods.
Some birds seen,
Summer Tanager, Eastern Towhee, Downy Woodpecker, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Swainson's Thrush,Barred Owl.
"But resign yourself calmly to the will of God, to bear whatever comes upon you for the glory of Jesus Christ; for summer follows winter; after the night, day returns; and after the storm, there comes a great calm."

May 9,2009

And what i enjoy the
most today
is the new green
of spring leaves.
The birds and their songs
take the place
of car, bus, ambulance, train,
helicopter, zoo-goers,
peacocks and lawn-mowers.
The rare absence of these
makes the solitude
so
much
sweeter.