We woke up this morning early and went straight out to water the garden. A fox had left us the present of a dead chicken, so that had to be taken care of too. The pony was moved over to pasture, water and food for the animals, and then back inside to feed and water the human animals. The rest of the day included throwing the frisbee, doing laundry, more planting in the garden, eating our first radishes, croquet at the neighbors, bike riding, book reading, play dough sculpting, scripture reading, and praying. 

We are beyond blessed to have so many freedoms and a life that allows us time for play. How grateful I am to live in this country. How grateful I am for every step in history and every incredible life that has formed this great country in which we live. Happy Memorial Day!

What I Love About Spring

by Douglas Florian

Trees are growing

Streams are flowing

Cool spring showers

Blooming flowers

Caterpillars creep

Peepers peep

Playing Sports

Wearing shorts

April Fools'

Swimming pools

Going places

Relay races

Days are longer

Sun is stronger

Every morning songbirds sing--

I love nearly everything!

Song for a Fifth Child

By Ruth Hulburt Hamilton

Mother, oh mother, come shake out your cloth!

Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,

Hang out the washing and butter the bread,

Sew on a button and make up a bed.

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?

She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking!

Oh, I've grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue

(Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby, loo)!

Dishes are waiting and bills are past due

(Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).

The shopping's not done and there's nothing for stew

And out in the yard there's a hullabaloo 

But I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo.

Look! Aren't her eyes the most wonderful hue?

(Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby, loo.)

Oh, cleaning and scrubbing will wait til tomorrow,

But children grow up, as I've learned to my sorrow.

So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust, go to sleep.

I'm rocking my baby. Babies don't keep.

If I can stop one heart from breaking

by Emily Dickinson

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

Check

by James Stephens

The Night was creeping on the ground!

She crept, and did not make a sound

Until she reached the tree:And then

She covered it, and stole again

Along the grass beside the wall!

--I heard the rustling of her shawl

As she threw blackness everywhere

Along the sky, the ground, the air,

And in the room where I was hid!

But, no matter what she did

To everything that was without, 

She could not put my candle out!

So I stared at the Night! And she

Stated back solemnly at me!

The Cow

by Robert Louis Stevenson

The friendly cow all red and white,

I love with all my heart:

She gives me cream with all her might,

To eat with Apple-tart.

She wanders lowing here and there,

And yet she cannot stray,

All in the pleasant open air, 

The pleasant light of day;

And blown by all the winds that pass

And wet with all the showers,

She walks among the meadow grass

And eats the meadow flowers.

The Rainy Day

The Rainy Day by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The day is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
The vine still clings to the mouldering wall,
But at every gust the dead leaves fall,
And the day is dark and dreary.

My life is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
My thoughts still cling to the mouldering past,
But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast,
And the days are dark and dreary.

Be still, sad heart, and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.