Sweet Summertime

I have a feeling this is going to be a good summer.

I am back from Redding, and my heart feels alive, fresh, and new. I feel ready to conquer the world for Jesus, and at the same time sit with Him and do nothing all day long. He has called every believer to live in the glory that he paid the price for! There is so much that I wish I could explain more, but I will wait until another time when I can go more in depth.

The river is finally warm enough to swim in, and JJ and Easton go down to the swimming hole multiple times a day. The river may be muddy, but there is nothing like the Luckiamute on a hot day. The cows are fat from eating too much green grass, and the garden is flourishing. Dad finally got rid of all the goats, so I don't have to worry about guests being terrorized by the filthy little creatures anymore. The old house stays cool in the day, if you make sure to draw the curtains and not leave any doors open. The railroad tracks stretch on for miles, and the dogs still howl at the passing midnight train.  Angel is the newest addition to our clan of canines, and I suspect she has something to do with the steady decline of the feline population. 

Mom's car is acting up again. Something is wrong with the ignition switch, and I often receive unexpected calls asking for assistance starting the darn thing. I don't know what Reams' have against owning normal, nice cars, but something about us repels that. The following is a poem written by my Aunt Bev about this problem:

How about Them Reams Cars, ain't they unique?

Mufflers burned out and their radiators leak.

Water in their oil pans, two flat tires,

Busted taillights and shortened wires.

Cracks in their windshields, holes in their floors,

Rips in their fenders, dings in their doors.

Got no elegance, got no class,

Stove-in springs and busted glass. 

Lookit Them Reams Cars, ain't they hideous?

Nothin' like a Reams Car, rot is insidious.

Petrified french fries, coffee spills,

Mushy brakes to give you chills.

Front seat ripped and back seats gone,

But plenty of dog fur for sittin' on.

Want to get a Reams Car? Here's how to do it:

Be a Reams, drive a car. Ain't nothin' to it.

Mom's friend from high school, Janine, is coming to visit today with her genius boyfriend. Last time they were here, he fixed Dad's motorcycle, and there were never any complaints about him after that. I don't like visitors that I don't invite. They bother me. They come to the farm and think that it is cute, they get this idea in their heads that they want to move here and set up a little farm operation with cows and chickens and 40 acres. I laugh a little on the inside when I imagine them milking a cow at 5:30am, or shoveling compacted goat poop with the short pitchfork. Does wonders for the lower back.

Nothing much else to report. I tried to run yesterday and almost died from heat stroke. I finally broke down and bought a cowboy hat, right after having a vehement discussion about stewarding money. I am applying to the Linfield School of Nursing to start in the winter. The blackberries are ripe and ready to make pies with. Oh, and an old friend is getting married in August! Life is good here in Parker. Quiet. Steady. Good for the soul.

Here's to the best summer yet!

Love B