June Flies By

Well, Walter's barn is done for this year. There will probably have to be another round in the fall and maybe next spring. Kris has put in the garden, cleared land for a new garden and done all the chores around the farm since early May. I had the better job crawling around under Walter's barn in old manure and propping what what was left of it up and pouring footings and then replacing the rotted posts and sills.
The garden is spectacular and despite sore shoulders and elbows, the occasional limp, and a little stoop from back pain, Kris doesn't seem too much the worse for wear.
I have a long list of things to catch up on. None will take a lot of time, but thinking about them is a bit overwhelming. I should make a list and prioritize them, but that might really make me feel behind. Better to accomplish a few and feel good about something before I try to look to close at what's left.
Sometimes, we figure out what we are going to do that day by what body parts are aching the least. The theory there is some progress is better than none and the ailing parts can be rested sufficiently while the working parts carry the load. Most of the pains come and go capriciously and for no apparent reason. Your back could kill you for part of the day and then be fine later. Strange for those of us who look for cause and effect.
After 60, you seem beset by aches and pains and you talk about them a lot. You know this makes you worse than boring but you can't seem to help yourself.
The July 2nd parade is coming up fast. On Jellison Ridge road this is the largest event of the year. Christy's daycare marches the 50 yards from her drive way to Virgil's driveway. The parade route is lined with parents and neighbors, Gary Sargent and his wife come out on the lawn and sit in lawn chairs, and Gary's cows come to the fence and watch in fastenation. The kids all have hats and wave little flags and last year Christy had someone drive ahead and play a CD with marching music in their convertible. Some of the parents push strollers festooned with balloons and decorations making mini floats and siblings and cousins and friends all bring children for this event making this a surprisingly large parade. Well, this year we are riding the horses to lead the parade! Kris and I will dress with white cowboy hats and shirts, a red bandana and blue jeans. The horses will sport red, white and blue ribbons in their manes and tail, and we have small buntings with stars and stripes that usually hang on tables to drape over the horses butts. Since the kids are small, the parade takes longer than you might expect and after the parade, everyone sits in the shade of Virgils huge old oak and eat picnic fare and watermelon while the kids do sack races and games designed to make sure everyone wins some candy. It is a big deal on a usually sleepy road. Everyone on the road is related and theirfore don't usually get along that well, but for this event bygones are forgotten and a festive atmosphere prevails. We had a great time last year. I was the crowd that waved and cheered as the daycare parade went by. I'm not sure who the crowd will be this year since I'm in the parade but I'm sure Christy will come up with something. The cows are too quiet to add the excitement needed. Gary has sheep with lamb's this year and perhaps they will add a little crowd noise.
Kris and I have been practicing riding the parade route with the girls and turn circles every so often. The little legs take a surprizingly long time to walk that distance and the horses can only walk so slow. We figure turning circles will give the horses something to do to keep them from fidgeting and getting antsy. Anyway, we are trying to make this a memorable July 2nd parade.