This is the big one that almost got away. We took the youth group fishing over the weekend. I think this bass is the largest fish I've ever caught.

Here's the big sisters Haylie and Sarah with their respective little brother and sister Brandon and Rachel (little brother's boy clothes were in the wash). Aren't they look-a-like's?

Though I'd just write a little about what we've been up to.
Tuesday we sang and played at a community jam session in the hometown of the famous Jessica Lynch. Everyone sat in a circle and played together, taking turns passing the mike around. Josiah was too busy talking to his friend to sit the whole time, so one lady rounded him up every time it was his turn. She didn't want to miss his singing. She said we livened the place up.

I've been reading some good parenting books. I guess it's not entirely too late to learn more about parenting. Josiah's only 13, even though he's taller than me now.
You should check out Hold on to Your Kids--Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers, and How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk. I also read a historical fiction Weedflower about a Japanese girl who was forced to live on an Indian Reservation after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, written by the daughter of a man who actually lived through the experience.

I've been practicing the violin. But Josiah keeps packing it away for some reason.

Ye Old Hotel

We visited a hotel restoration project in progress on Mother's Day. It was very impressive. I wish I had taken a picture of the front--it is about 100 ft. long. When you stand in the upstairs hallway, you can see clear to the other end. The rooms are being remodeled to resemble Bible stories. It will have an indoor climbing wall and trampoline--to accommodate the owners' rambunctious children. It will serve as a ministry to troubled teens.
Kylie checks out the cool van.
Luke and Kylie check out the snake's cage.

Here's Elisha with his pet snake.

The Leggett Family appeared at a benefit concert in the park pavilion Saturday. Granddaughter Kylie played various accompanying instruments.

Lilacs

My lilacs are glorious this year. They just sort of leap off the page at you.

Here's another project in the works.

A baby afghan of Lion Brand Homespun.

At the rate I'm going, the baby will need a wedding gift instead.

Sock Progress

My cousin Jan sent me some wonderful "Sock It To Me" yarn last summer. I started these "Socks 101" socks.

Here's the progress on the first sock. I'm a little slow because of having to support the family while Virgil's in school.

I should have more time when school's out to finish these.

I'm trying to get progress bars to show on my blog.

Check out Jan's blog at www.theworkofherhands.blogspot.com

Plowing

Have pictures--will post!
Here, Virgil plows the garden with a tractor borrowed from the neighbor. The garden's about the size of a football field. Hopefully, we can get it all planted. Then, hopefully, we can keep the deer from eating everything.

Mowing

Josiah decided to mow the fields today.
Doesn't it just remind you of Green Acres?