A Sweet Cry

You ever had one? I'm talking about a good solid boo-hoo. And because you boo-hooed so much, you revisit it again, so you can boo-hoo all over again.

Like watching Old Yeller. You KNOW you are going to sob. But you watch it again anyway, because it stirs you. It makes you feel your heart.

Take two minutes out of your day and listen to this. You'll boo-hoo. And then you'll feel your heart. Especially if you haven't felt it in awhile. And then you'll find yourself clicking the play button again. And you'll boo-hoo again. And the whole thing feels Good all over.

----> The Sky Angel Cowboy

Because God is Good. And children are Delicious.
And when you put the two together, a sweet cry usually follows.

In A Nutshell

Computer is in the shop.
So hating being without a computer.
Interior decorator has been put on hold.
Knee deep in painting walls (actually enjoying it).
Neck deep in moving boxes.
Baby chickens come today or tomorrow.
Baby Hope is doing lovely inutero.
ALL HORSES are GONE. (that is a blog post in an of itself)

The Hunter and The Hunted

There are cat people, and there are dog people. The Knucker Hatches are dog people. With one exception...Domino our barn cat. He's cool, calm and collected. He handles Faith's less than gentle touch, without a flinch. His personality is thick and endearing. Domino is no ordinary domesticated house cat or barn cat for that matter. He's more like a free range lion; a refined hunter who has displayed his prowess as master of his dominion in the few weeks we've had to watch his smooth moves.


I've heard of kitties catching a mouse or bird and bringing it back to their owners as a trophy. But Domino spends his time tracking down big game. The children and I have witnessed him catching a snake and a chipmunk. A chipmunk!!! I heard the poor guy screeching all the way as Domino ran off with his breakfast in his mouth. And yet, as the children and I watched him trot off, you couldn't help but admire his skill.

We're not in Kansas anymore.

Instink Quote

Scene: The family is outside enjoying a gorgeous blue sky day. Hatch sits in front of the family with his nose to the wind sniffing studiously the 1001 smells dogs can smell in the air.

Grace observes: "Hatch is smelling his instink."

(pause)

Grace asks: "Mom? What's an instink?"

Mom proceeds to correct her child on the pronunciation of instinct, explains that it cannot be smelled, and defines to the best of her abilities the pull of instinct. Mom thinks instink has a lot of potential though, and would like to hear your definition of "Instink"...

The Grey Goose

How many days did you think would pass before we noticed that the grey goose was missing?

You took the grey goose under the cover of darkness. You know who you are...Grey Goose Gidnapper. Say you did win a bet that some of us can not remember making a year ago. A fair man might have mentioned that he was putting said grey goose in said car for a migratory trip up north. But you were afraid. Afraid that the grey goose might not want to go. Might prefer to only remain north of the pantry shelving. Crisp. Clean. Untouched. Waiting patiently for just the right celebratory occasion in which to be fully appreciated.

But you've had to stuff the grey goose in a dark place, haven't you. Because he stares at you with those beady eyes when the house is empty. He watches you. Questions you. Face it. You can't handle the goose.

Summer is coming. And in three months, his previous owners will rescue you from your grey goose guilt. Until then, you have 90 days with the giant goose. A harsh sentence for certain. His owners may or may not have a smaller replacement goose of more appropriate proportions when they return for the goose.

My advice to you is to make sure you lay low and don't ruffle any feathers. Oh...and watch your back. Geese bite.

What Is In Your Front Yard?

While you are waiting for the revelation of family secrets to arrive, I thought I'd provide some amusing entertainment that had our house in a big to-do last Friday. It all started with an afternoon phone call:

"Hi! It's Jennie's mom. I just had to call you and tell you about this bird that was in your yard. I drove by your house on the way to the store and it was standing by the pond. And then, twenty minutes later, as I was returning, it was still in your yard! You've got to check and see if it is still there. You won't believe it."

Upon that intriguing news, Faith and I removed ourselves from a laundry folding marathon and headed to the dining room window that faced the pond. For two quick seconds I saw him, looking very smug as he stood over the small pond. And then he saw me, and decided it would be wise to fly to safety on a neighbor's roof.


Unbelievable. It really took my breath away. We had an enormous four foot tall Blue Heron grabbing fast food from our tiny pond. In a span of two seconds, it all made sense. The missing fish, one here, one there over the last two years that would completely vanish. The flag stones lining the pond that I would find in complete disarray. It wasn't the work of a mischievous cat, or even a hawk...it was most likely a heron. How in the wide world he found our 4ft x 2ft pond, escapes me.

But the size of our three gigantically fat 9 inch long goldfish in our pond, did not escape him. They didn't stand a chance. The heron had more than a satisfying meal, devouring the two largest fish. In fact, I have witnesses! Our neighbors, upon seeing me inspect the damage, came over to tell their big fish story of how they saw the heron catch an orange fish, and how they tried to scare him away from the pond.

And so we have one fish left. The poor girl. All by her lonesome, and too scared to come out from underneath the one protective rock she can hide under. In the spring, we'll head back to Walmart, to cheer her up with some more company. Hopefully, by then, the heron will be more interested in bigger waters. But bigger fish?? I have a feeling we were his trip to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse for the year.

This picture was taken three years ago...with the lone survivor sporting the white and orange markings (only now she's 5 inches more plump and tasty).

Still Out To Lunch But...

Here's a little didy from my inbox to hold you over...

Ed was in trouble.
He forgot his wedding anniversary.
His wife was really ticked.
She told him "Tomorrow morning, I expect to find a
gift in the driveway that goes from 0 to 200 in 6 seconds
AND IT BETTER BE THERE".

The next morning Ed got up early and left for work.
When his wife woke up, she looked out the window and sure enough
there was a small box gift-wrapped in the middle of the driveway.

Confused, the wife put on her robe and ran out to the driveway,
brought the box back in the house.

She opened it and found a brand new bathroom scale.

Funeral services for Ed have been scheduled for Friday next.

The Knucker Hatch Fruit Smoothie

I thought I'd shake it up a bit on the blog and offer up a secret family recipe that is perfect for any time of the day during the hot summer. Ken and I have been trying to perfect smoothies for awhile, and about six months ago we pulled a smoothie concoction together that has stuck ever since. I drink this stuff for breakfast, or offer it with dinner sometimes. It's down right good and good for you!

The Knucker Hatch Smoothie

2 Red Label Yoplait Yogurts (any combo of two flavors...you can't go wrong)
1 Cup of Juice (orange juice,or Punch flavored Juicy Juice)
1 Cup of Milk (whole or 2%)
3 Cups of FROZEN fruit (Strawberries, Peaches, Pineapples, Melon, Berries)
2 Tablespoons of Sugar (optional)

Set blender to "Grate" for about 30 seconds and then to "Smoothie" until at desired consistency.

Serves 4 parched family members.

This recipe is so easy, and gives you a giant boost of vitamins (especially Vitamin C). It has been a staple for me while nursing Faith.

Two Minute Break

I can't believe I haven't blogged in almost a week! We are in transition mode this week.

Ken's back from Nationals. YIPPEE! The children's homeschooling ended this week. YIPEE! Which means major playroom clean up for next term (BOO), and planning for a lighter summer school term (LOVE PLANNING). In the back of my mind I am beginning to plan and prepare for our brave (or crazy) back to back vacations in the Outer Banks with Ken's family and then Orlando with my family. And the pool has opened up...so that means the kids interrupting Faith's nursing to sleep three times just to see if she's asleep yet so they can head to the pool. Plus, I'm in major, FlyLady mode, trying to tackle the zones in the house and maintain the zones. All the while, I keep looking at my once beautiful gardens that are now weed infested or overgrown, hoping I'll soon be able to dig in.

Maggie is thankfully doing better, although still hobbling along at times. Her new medications seem to have perked her up a bit, and I haven't seen any more shaking episodes. And now, I hear my little one waking up for her first night time feeding...I'm off again...so it has been this week!!!

Putting In My 5 Cents Worth

Yesterday toodling along in the car, I heard a report on the AM radio news that blew my mind. Something along the lines of:

"Due to the recent surge in the price of metals, the value of a single United States Nickel is now worth more than it's face value...the U.S. Federal Reserve is still minting Nickels even though it costs them 7% above and beyond the salable value, plus the cost to make them. Imagine a company that produced a product and sold it for $100. What if the cost of all the components that went into the product cost them $107, above and beyond the cost of manufacture?"

What in the world is this country doing losing money minting money??? Is that not totally ridiculous?

If you want to get the low down on the nickel that costs more to make than it is worth, visit this article.

Band of Brothers...ENCORE!!!

New addiction. And I need to make this clear for those confused out there. We don't have TV or cable by choice, but we still get our weekly dose of Netflix movies. We've exhausted what is available on Netflix for the 24 and Lost series, so we thought we'd look for another, and started the HBO war series "Band of Brothers". Wow! I can't say enough about this series and how well done it is. Love it! Love it! Private Ryan has nothing on this series.

The Comedic Diaries of Dog vs. Cat

This is such a HOOT! I had to post it to the blog. (The authorship is unknown.)

As seen in a Dog's diary:

7 am Oh boy! A walk! My favorite!
8 am Oh boy! Dog food! My favorite!
9 am Oh boy! The kids! My favorite!
12 pm Oh boy! The yard! My favorite!
2 pm Oh boy! A car ride! My favorite!
3 pm Oh boy! The kids! My favorite!
4 pm Oh boy! Playing ball! My favorite!
6 pm Oh boy! Welcome home Mom! My favorite!
7 pm Oh boy! Welcome home Dad! My favorite!
8 pm Oh boy! Dog food! My favorite!
9 pm Oh boy! Tummy rubs on the couch! My favorite!
11 pm Oh boy! Sleeping in my people's bed! My favorite!


As seen in a Cat's diary:

Day 183 of my captivity...

My captors continued to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction that I get from clawing their furniture.

Tomorrow I will eat another houseplant.

Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded. Must try this at the top of the stairs.

In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair. I must remember to try this on their bed.

Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body in an attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear in their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I was. Hmmm, that did not work according to plan ...

There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell the food. More important, I overheard that my confinement was due to my powers of inducing "allergies." I must learn what this is and how I may use it to my advantage.

I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit.

The bird, on the other hand, has got to be an informant and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the metal room, his safety is assured. But I have patience. I can wait. It is only a matter of time.

How Smart Is Your Right Foot?

I received this in my inbox today, and just had to share. The older kids in the household are sure to appreciate this as much as the adults:

This is so funny that it will boggle your mind. And you will keep
trying it at least 50 more times to see if you can outsmart your foot.

1. While sitting at your desk, lift your right foot off the floor and
make clockwise circles with it.

2. Now, while doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your
right hand. Your foot will change direction!!!

I told you so... And there is nothing you can do about it.