Emily - 8 Weeks to Go!

What a thrill to be with Emily at her baby shower!

Summer Reading -- apparently on hold

Moose doesn't like being left home.  Tonight Jay and I went to Ravinia, a long evening out.  It was not worth it!

Slowly but Surely -- A Garden Update

YOU CAN SURE SEE WHERE I WEEDED TODAY!

The rains brought 3 million new mosquitoes to the farm this week with each and every one of them showing up in the garden this morning as I began my 2nd big weeding day. Working a garden 90 miles from home isn't an ideal situation, but, thankfully, my garden is enormously forgiving. Despite the very slow start, more seedlings have emerged and the early starters have continued to take off in our very sandy soil that fortunately drains quickly with heavy rains. Lettuce, beets, fennel, beans, and squash are all giving the season a good go despite the constant rains and temperature fluctuations. When I see how much work goes into weeding, I no longer complain about organic vegetable prices. It's uncomfortable work with mosquitoes and muggy air. Each time I work in the garden, though, I am reminded of what a great metaphor gardening is for living my life purposefully. I always walk away from the garden inspired to take charge of something in my own life that needs a little more attention and care.

POOR EARLY RADISH HARVEST -- BOO!

 While the garden takes a lot of work, I'm delighted by the septic field growing beautifully despite a half a tree landing on top of it last week.

PRETTIEST SEPTIC FIELD AROUND!

The Happy Scientist

In his lab on campus

Andrew and I were lucky enough today to visit John in his lab where he is researching for NASA this summer. He was nothing but confident and cool as he gave us a tour of his facilities. I was especially glad to meet his research director, Dr. Waters, one of John's favorite professors as well as his landlord. He has been a significant mentor for John during his college years. 

John is lucky to work in a basement lab this summer where it is comfortably cool, although a bit dark, void of windows. Perhaps it's easier on summer days not to see the trees blowing in the wind and the beckoning sun shine. The basement space didn't bother John one bit. It's so obvious he is excited about the work he is doing. What joy to see that!

I was most surprised by the tight quarters in which John spends his full days so enthusiastically. He must really love science and his project!  Moving around his lab space reminded me of the snug U505 tour with so much important equipment packed into such a small space. It's a good thing he and his professor work so well together and enjoy one another's company.  

John's research mission this summer is to determine the best solid waste reduction candidates for long range space missions (aka, how to make poop break down in space.) Since bringing more food is not an option for very long range space travel to places like Mars, astronauts will will need a way to turn their waste into food or soil quickly so they don't perish. John is genetically modifying the candidates they are selecting for waste reduction as well as working on a membrane fluidity analysis. He really is a happy scientist. 

River Rising

The heavy constant rain of the past few weeks has raised the river greatly. Driving to North Judson yesterday we saw many fields flooded with farmers crops sitting soggy surrounded by water. One field we frequently pass looked like a big lake. It is heartbreaking to see the time and money of planting wasted. 

Typical nearby field after the rains

Looking out my bedroom window from my bed made it feel like I was floating on a houseboat. The house is this close to the river because it is the only place we had clearance to build. I think this is the highest we have seen the river since we bought the farm in 2008. It has already started going down quite a lot, so I can't imagine how high it was when it crested. 

VIEW FROM MY BEDROOM WINDOW

 

Lobsterfest

One thing I love about Jay is that he loves a good party!  He finds fun things to do & makes fun things happen. I benefit greatly! 

It's not often we get fresh lobster in La Grange. In fact, it's only once a year at Lobsterfest! Jay never misses it!

ON THE NEWS AGAIN...

Michael on the air speaking about his work with coconut cheese production

The videos I took of Michael's 2nd television interview sadly are upside down and very poor sound quality which is unfortunate as he spoke so eloquently as he explained the challenges and processes his team is working through supporting the coconut cheese industry. Now he knows why I always repeated my dad's own words: "Slowly, clearly, and distinctly." You'd never know that this young man started a speech preschool the day he turned 3 and was in an intensive special program for 2 years followed by 5 more years of speech therapy. Young moms, take heart. Stay the course and it works out!

I learned most of what I now know about his work from this interview, so I wish you could hear it!  So far Michael's team has worked with 67 small producers of coconut cheese, which is a product more like fudge than cheese. I've heard that often the production is done at home with old family recipes. The key areas Michael and his team are currently addressing are:  packaging, machinery, labeling, exporting, and increasing the scale of operation. I'll let Michael explain more about his work and the industry in one of his own blog posts.

Just for the fun of it, watch the (silent) quick clip below to see what he was like in action.  

And, She's Off!

Grace bravely stepped into her first job away from home for 9 weeks. Good thing she's an Eleanor Roosevelt fan! Facing the fear, and doing the things that scare her, are already things she has courageously done. Grace completed her lifeguard training this spring so she can hopefully teach fishing as well as drama. She also plans to help the new choral program soar to greater heights. I have no doubt she can do that! I'm certain that Red Pine makes a great setting for work and offers a fun, friendly team with which to work. 

(Click to turn on the sound as the video plays below.)

No doubt the transition from camper (it's all about me having fun) to counselor may be uncomfortable, but Grace is ready and able. I know campers will love RPC all the more because she is there. One of the things Grace loved about camp was showing up and having her bed already made up. This year she'll be making all the beds before the campers arrive! That transition to counselor (it's not all about me having fun) will happen pretty quickly!

GRACE'S DRAMA HALL

The Annual Homework Bonfire

Andrew hosted his 2nd 'burn our school stuff' bonfire tonight after joining in Michael's for so many years. The kids have been very enthusiastic (unfortunately!)

Michael, I promise I hid your shirts in the basement. I'll do it again!

Most of these guys have been friends for the past 8 years. Based on all the laughing tonight, they've had some really great times. Now to help them find a great way to use their fantastic energy this summer! We've missed John and Michael's friends hanging around the firepit at night. Looks like we have a new crew ready to move in.

Elementary School -- that's a wrap!

Andrew won the Presidential academic excellence award, a cool pin! His junior high performance was terrific. We never had to tell him to do his homework or remind him to complete tasks. He was a self starter and a hard worker the whole time. He amazed us with the smooth, easy way he cruised through the ordinarily choppy waters of junior high. We're just so happy for him! I asked him what his top 5 moments of junior high were for him. Here's what he said.

1. English class every day with Mr. Janis
2. Stage crew
3. Lunch detention
4. English class 8th grade
5. 8th grade dance

We celebrated after the ceremony with decadent desserts at the Cheesecake Factory, one of the only places open for a post ceremony outing.  Can you see the pin on Andrew's shirt above?  We're so proud of him!  He was excited about his King of Hearts tie. No stripes or plaid for our Stewart boys!