The World's Game

Apropos Windshield View

Ordinary Miracle

Five heifer calves have been born here so far today. I witnessed the first delivery from my bedroom window this morning, as the sun rose beyond Mount Baker. A short time later, I went out to offer support to Hans as he labored, literally, alongside this cow. Her calf was breech and we weren't certain we'd be able to deliver it on our own.

Eventually he got a hold of the two rear legs...

...and was able to pull out the heifer.

My heart swelled to see mother and daughter meet for the first time.

None of us look our best upon leaving the womb; a few hours make all the difference.

"It seems so exceptional, that things just work out after all. It's just another ordinary miracle today."

Stoneyridge Farm

The sun made an appearance on Friday and we seized the opportunity to head to Stoneyridge Farm. A former dairy, they now offer the traditional pumpkin patch, hay rides, corn maze, array of small animals, apples ~ and, later in the year, Christmas trees. (In other words, they realized pumpkins and trees are less demanding than cows!) Even for born-and-bred farm boys like mine, the outing is a pleasure, especially as we typically enjoy it with good friends. The three extra kiddos here inhabit the tree house (shown in a post below).

My girlfriend and I took several group photos, trying to get everyone looking "normal" at the same time. Upon achieving our mission, we realized Kai was missing from the photos. He was wandering about on his own, undetected, as the youngest of five is wont to do. We sat him with the others and his smile immediately turned to his little girl friend. She's on my "A" list for future daughters-in-law, so I consider pictures like this potential fodder for engagement parties. ;-D

Manna

We receive rustic bread each week from Karl the librarian. In exchange, he draws a gallon of organic milk from our tank. I love circumventing currency.

The Tree House

After spending all day Saturday on a wet, windy soccer pitch, we looked forward to dinner with some of our favorite people. Not only do we love them, we love their abode. Here it is in all its glory, in the midst of a lovely wood. A beautiful, inviting, self-developed tree house, home to their family of five. (Yes, they have all the amenities!)

Settling for Less

Sadly, this is as good as it gets as far as fall foliage is concerned this year. We've had unseasonably cool, wet weather for about....oh, lemme think...a year now. Our usual glorious autumn has been replaced by inch upon inch of rain. I'd hoped to share the beauty of Mt. Baker in September and early October, but the trails are already covered in snow.