1-20-10

JEN FEEDS DAISY THE GOAT













AARON GIVING VINNY THE GOAT HAY






JEN DIGGING TO CHINA
AARON MANNING THE SAW MILL












This morning we ate the most delicious blueberry corn muffins that Jen baked last night. This round of corn muffins were more moist and fluffy. We devoured them with tea, half a grapefruit, apples and/or bananas. We then headed down to feed the animals their breakfast.

Aaron has taken to speaking to the animals as if they were lazy humans. He keeps asking them why they aren't helping with the chores. He keeps bugging them to help carry the heavy stuff. They are not too responsive. Aaron also asks them silly questions. He asked Keta the sheep, "Did Little Bo Peep lose you?" He asked Sunshine the dog how come he never rubs Aaron's belly. We have to amuse ourselves to keep going through the day. Barnyard activities this morning included feeding the animals, and scooping frozen manure with our hands and putting the ice chunks into compost piles. Yesterday Aaron accidently dropped his new water bottle in a pile of manure. Yum. Which reminds us, Biff Tannen really got screwed bad by that manure - over and over - so we guess we shouldn't complain too much.

The work day started out with Jen and Mallory digging a hole for a solar panel post, and Aaron working with Paul and Bill at the saw mill. But soon Aaron and Mallory switched when Paul wanted to teach Mallory how to use the saw mill since she'll have to help once we leave. This suited everyone fine, but Bill probably didn't care too much either way. Jen dug 99% of the four foot hole, and Aaron came over to help finish and get paid the compliment of a job well done. Two wheel barrels of gravel were dumped into the dirt hole and now it's raining and the hole is probably filled with water, and presumably soggy.

After three days of not showering and playing in manure, taking a luke warm shower was a highlight of the day. Another highlight of the day was when Aaron stuck his hands into the 1500 degree wood stove. This felt as good as scratching the poison ivy which has recently coated his hands. He's trying so very hard not to scratch, and the intense heat felt pretty wonderful. Too bad he could only tolerate 5 seconds of it.

Dinner was tofu, carrots, broccoli, garlic, and onions in a peanut/soy sauce over noodles. Sort of like Pad Thai but without the eggs or loads of oil. Taste sensation.