The kids are alright

Finally got the whole group together. We drove out to Dad's place and had lunch with him. For some reason he wanted to eat poke. For the un-initiated, poke is a kind of weed that you eat like turnip greens or kale. They have a milder flavor than collards. Hopefully they aren't poisonous or anything like that. It was a pleasant enough outing--always enjoy spending time with the young-uns. Having adult children is an interesting experience. We have a good relationship. At least I think so. Having a conversation with my dad and with my kids at the same time is--interesting. So what else is going on...I'm reading "The Eden Express" by Mark Vonnegut. It's a book I've been wanting to read for a couple of decades now. Finally got around to it. I'm trying to read more now...before my brain completely turns to mush.

May 21

Today is supposed to be the day the faithful will be caught up to meet the returning Lord in the sky. The rapture. In spite of the photo, I am sad to report that I was not taken up. Drat! Left behind! Looks like I'll be spending a few more years right here on earth with the rest of the heathens. That's okay. I didn't want to leave my friends just yet!!! Actually, I do not ascribe to the "rapture" stuff. My humble opinion: a misinterpretation of scripture. We'll all just have to keep on keeping on and doing the best we can.

It's like music

Actually it sounds exactly like a space ship in a 50s sci-fi movie. The cicadas have emerged and they are singing their little heads off. What we have here are the 13 Year variety, also known as Brood XIX (nineteen) or Magicicada. They are absolutely docile but really noisy. In fact in the afternoons around here they are downright deafening. So much for the quiet country life. The summer that Malcolm was born in DC the 17 Year cicadas came out. They were bigger than this group and had a different song. Interesting creatures. If you want to hear them for yourself, go to the link. Mike recorded them:

The Goose Family

The eggs hatched. Well, at least 2 of them. I saw the little gooselets in the nest but couldn't get a good picture. I didn't want to upset momma. Daddy was standing guard nearby...I'm glad he was there for the delivery. They are very devoted parents.

In Memory of Kitty Girl

Our sweet old cat passed away. She stopped eating and drinking over the weekend, so I figured she was winding down. We got her from Second Chance adoptions about 12 years ago. She was an adult cat at that time, at least a couple years old, so we're thinking she was about 15 or 16 years old. A decent age for an indoor-outdoor cat. She was super smart, a great mouser, very well behaved, and so loyal. Me, Mike and Mal were with her when she took her last breath. We called Bertie to let her know and she came right over. We put Kitty Girl in a paper bag because she loved to sleep in grocery bags and buried her under her favorite tree. Mike delivered the appropriate eulogy. The kids were more emotional than I thought they would be, then I remembered they had practically grown up with Kitty Girl. She was a special cat. We'll miss her.