Into every life a little rain must fall

Even here in Northwest Montana…far removed from the horror of Boston and Texas, the week was disconcerting at best. I do think that there are a few silver linings – small in comparison to the loss – and not comforting to those who suffered the ultimate loss, but I was a bit heartened to read that lessons learned in Afghanistan saved lives in Boston. I dearly hope that we hear of other positives and that we get some understanding – particularly for those whose lives were changed in an instant.

Here at my home we had a little rain…a sprinkle compared to the downpour of tragedy elsewhere.

Mr. Bob had a visit to the vet for an ear thing which turned out to be an ear infection and a broken blood vessel (hematoma) that caused his poor ear to look like one of the Star Wars critter ears (Yoda).

We went to the vet on Thursday and all was lanced, flushed and medicated and we continue at home with some ointment twice a day.

It really did rain.

It is supposed to snow tonight!

Bear continues well, but the Thursday trip to the vet and gray, rainy weather gave us all the sleepies.

Despite all, Bob looks to be feeling better and although the news and ramifications of this week’s events are still to come – we are concentrating on good things: ears and legs on the mend, love in our house, love for our neighbors, friends, family – and prayers for all who lost so much.

Easter Morning

As the sun came up.

Waffles (Buckwheat-coconut!), pineapple and sausage for Easter breakfast.

An Easter Robin…first Robin I’ve seen this Spring!

A little rib roast getting ready for the oven. Dinner will be prime rib, fresh horseradish, baked sweet potato, white beans and braised greens.

It is a beautiful morning. Happy Easter!

Sunday

Sunday…lazy and quiet. As I like it.

Me and the boys.

Puttering in the kitchen.

Shredded potatoes, “drained” in a ricer…

Shredded potatoes browned in olive oil and clarified butter in a cast iron skillet with the last of the corned beef.

Making mayonnaise.

2 minutes tops.

Mayonnaise.

Napping.

And napping.

Supper together.

Sunday.

Spring has sprung!

Happy First Day of Spring!

It is colder than last week, BUT there are thunderstorms in the forecast. Thunderstorms are Spring-ish.

The sun came out briefly on an otherwise gray day.

The ground is bare of snow, making the walking easy. The Bear-boy continues to progress, Bob is good and I am happy to see Spring even though we had an extremely mild Winter.

Some fields around the valley are beginning to show a little green.

There are new calves to be seen napping near their Mamas.

The light has changed to that angle which shows ALL of the dust…Spring has sprung!

The advantages of working from home: a clean refrigerator

It is 7:45 p.m. as I write this.

I started my work day about 7:45 a.m. There is a meeting which requires a prototype and I’m on deadline today and tomorrow.

But, midmorning, I needed to reboot my computer. I didn’t notice the little “Update” icon. I have my computer set to accept Operating System and mission critical work software (all Microsoft) updates automatically. Typically these happen at night as I don’t usually reboot during the day.

After taking Bear out for a short break during the reboot, I returned to see this:

I knew it was going to be awhile.

So, I cleaned the refrigerator.

And I made peanut butter.

Before cleaning the blender, I made a green smoothie so that all the peanut butter residue went in the smoothie: peanut butter, pineapple, kale, flax seeds and flax seed oil, vanilla protein powder and a Meyer lemon!

Sound unappetizing ???

Well, it was good and I called it lunch.

The update…it was still going.

I checked on Bob who was enjoying the sauna-like air from the dryer vent.

Bear snoozed in the sunroom.

The update finally finished.

An unexpected delay in the middle of a day with a deadline, but the sun was shining and the day went smoothly from there, even if it went long.

And I have a clean refrigerator.

And fresh peanut butter!