Pirate Training

There's a high art to pirate training, 'tis true; and dismayingly, many of the rites and ritualisms thereof seem to have sunken away into the big drink of time's most lonely past. Long-since-slipp'd be the days of the scurvy knave straddling the yardarm, belting a hearty canticle to his belov'd aqueous acreages. I do own thems indeed to his possession for all such seas as have seen the galleon's keel do, aside from our most benevolent Creator, lie secondarily in possession, by merit of sheer enthusiasm mind you, of the sea-farer and his ilk.

My dispiritedness has aris'n in the times now afoot; these are the times dolefully, nay, lugubriously absent the passionate belt of a solitary "Arrrrr!" uttered in sincerity, for as today's clock ticks, pirates are found solely the meat of ridicule and playmaking. Ne'er is seen the effective use of an hook-hand to pry foodstuffs and the like from their containment, nor does a gold'n capp'd peg-leg bid adieu to the swindl'ing scallyway, unwillingly picking his way 'cross a wooden plank to make Davy Jones' acquaintance.

It is in these doldrums that I cast over my right shoulder this burden, rigid it may be in days of most adverse ways, of rearing my offspring in the meritorious occupations of the high-kings of the seas.

Let begin the pirate training!

What to do with surplus squash

Squash baby! (With little girls, anything can become a baby.) Annie said, "He's naked!" So I put a little ribbon on him. Then she made her own, complete with skirt, ears, arms, and a bottom, as she pointed out to me.



Later she made the above installation from personal inspiration in her spare time.

Camping

Annie was sick for almost a week. She lost some weight but now she's better!!! So we went camping at Big Bend in West Virginia. William came with us and the Weeklys and Burkes joined us. I wish I could scan some of William's pictures because they are so much better, (On real slide film....remember film?) but the scanner isn't working and my husband isn't here at the moment.

Setting up the tent.

Tubing down the river.

See winter, Brina?
Natasha likes a comfy seat.

Annie and I stayed close to the shore. Good thing my husband had several swim shorts because I forgot my swim suit!

A New Baby

Joel's best friend, John Michael and his wife Rachel welcomed little Michael Adon into the world today at 8:05 on 8/05. He was 7 lbs. 5 oz. but with a big brow, big nose and huge feet! (As his parents pointed out to us... ) Praise God for new life.