Field Trip Preparations: Thailand and P.S.

It has been a busy week here at the Stewyurt as we prepare for our biggest field trip of the homeschool year.  As you saw in other posts, these preparations have been both physical and academic.

In addition to a short, but sweet visit from the Walker/Thomas family (see Ruby-Doobie-Doo below)

and our regular routine of the week (we seemed to have found some ease in it lately), my personal focus has been making the animal enclosures as safe as possible while we are away and getting ready for rain.

To these ends, the Stewyurt now boasts an expanded awning over the deck and an expanded and secured backyard for Rosie (to the left of deck in picture). 

Special thanks to Eli who really stepped-up and fully partnered with me in the labor-intensive task of putting up the dog fencing.  For those of you interested in construction and/or geometry, the awning provided some serious problem-solving as I was forced to fit a square roof onto a round wall.  In addition to the expected angular challenges, nautilus-like spiraling and some leveling issues ensued.  I won't bore you all with it, but if any of you want to hear more, let me know.

In addition, we have more fencing for goat security and a new, automatic outdoor light for the garage.

I realize these changes may not be of particular inspiration (or even interest) to our readers, but I can't escape that this, in all its banality, is the news of the day.  I feel obligated to remain true to our blogging mission and report it.

In other events of the week, did anyone else get to enjoy game 6 of the World Series?  Wow.

After a Halloween in San Rafael, we will be on our way.  I'm not sure we will be able to blog much (or at all) while we are away, but we will have lots to share when we return.

We wish you all a November crisp on the outside and warm on the inside. 

Joey

Post script

I can't close without recognizing the most significant event since I last wrote here.  I couldn't find a way to fit it into the week's "routine" described above, though in its devastation it does instill in me a further gratitude for regular-ol' life.

Yesterday, our neighbor's nine-year-old son came over to tell us that the doctors have given his dad only weeks to live.  His words: "he is going Home."  What a brave boy to be able to speak that way of his father's predicted passing: a passing too soon for one too young with too much love and work still to give.

Life is short and unpredictable.  Joy is fleeting; contentment can be elusive.  While this is a special time for our family--an adventure--we forget so often that all of our time is special.   May we remember.  And when we face pain and the unpredictable, may we find strength and support.   We wish, pray, hope, and trust our neighbor and his family have these.