Song

Pleasure is a freedom-song, But it is not freedom.
It is the blossoming of your desires,
But it is not their fruit.
It is a depth calling unto a height, But it is not the deep nor the high. It is the caged taking wing,
But it is not space encompassed.
Ay, in very truth, pleasure is a freedomsong.
And I fain would have you sing it with fullness of heart; yet I would not have you lose your hearts in the singing.

- Kahlil Gibran, "On Pleasure," from The Prophet

In the Pot

It's much too hot to use the oven, or even the stovetop, these days. Crock Pot to the rescue. Although Herself is exhausted from Summer Stuff, she still can find the energy to attempt a few new recipes. They look so satisfying when they are first arranged. And Beloved Husband and Offspring the Second and Offspring the Third have consumed enough of them that they probably are relatively tasty (or at least solidly edible).  

Cooking. It restores the tired soul. 

This one is a pork-based recipe. Pretty lemons.

And this one is poultry, with sliced baby portobellos and thyme. Lovely.

Nests

It may be midsummer in the desert, but the small dogs still enjoy their cocoons.

Songs That Break Your Heart

I listen to a lot more country music these days.  There's something about the simplicity of the songs and the stories of the lyrics that I am finding to be Just Right.

This morning, while I was prepping dinner to go into the crock pot for the day, the country station played Tim McGraw's I'm Already Home. Thank goodness for the onion I was chopping at the time. It was a built-in explanation, should anyone see me.

If you're reading this halfway around the world
I won't be there to see the birth of our little girl
I hope she looks like you
I hope she fights like me
And stands up for the innocent and the weak
I'm layin down my gun and hanging up my boots
Tell dad I don't regret that I followed in his shoes

So lay me down
In that open field out on the edge of town
And know my soul
Is where my mama always prayed that it would go
And if you're reading this
I'm already home

I think about those who find comfort in this song, and those whom they have lost. So many sacrifices. Heartrending.

Godspeed, our fallen soldiers, and thank you.

Roots and Wings

There are two lasting bequests we can give our children. One is roots. The other is wings. ~ Hodding Carter, Jr.

Offspring the First is having a tremendous adventure right now, seeing new things and exploring new places as part of a three-week school program. I couldn't possibly be more delighted for her. I'll provide some pictures in due course; she's sending them on occasion, which is very kind of her considering she's probably quite busy thoroughly enjoying All The Things.

Mudita, child. I hope your adventure is spectacular, and that you can relive all the marvelous moments when you tell us all about it on your return.

Plenty of 'Room

They really do sprout overnight. This is a mere 24 hours' worth of growth. Impressive. 

Things Of Which I Approve

Took Offspring the Third for a physical this week.  Bless the child, he has grown ginormous, and is now 6 feet 1.5 inches tall. Astonishing to think that once upon a time, Herself carried him everywhere in a baby sling or a toddler backpack. For years.

In the doctor's waiting room was the sign depicted below.  In case it is too wee to be read, it says:

In 1952 there were over 21,000 Americans that needed this device 24 hrs/7 days a week just to stay alive. If you don't know why this child was encased in this metal monster, you can thank vaccines for that. This clinic does not support non-vaccination without a legitimate medical reason.  The USA is starting to have deaths from diseases we have not seen in 30-40 years due to unreasonable non-vaccination of children. Who wants to return to this??

There are few things about which my opinion is thoroughly fixed and -- short of dramatic new scientific evidence -- unchangeable. The benefits of vaccination is one such thing. DO IT, PEOPLES. 

Thank you, clinic, for protecting both my Offspring and the offspring of others through supporting vaccination. 

The Iron Lung. A magnificent invention.