Into the Wild

I just finished re-reading one of my favorite books (if you read this for long enough you may notice that every book i finish becomes my favorite). Into the Wild is a wonderful look at life. I would say it is far superior to Wild at Heart and addresses many of the same ideas.
I had to finish the book tonight because tomorrow is October 1. It would have been Lynne's 60th birthday. I remember telling her and Lindsey about this book when I read it the first time. Lynne read it right away and then read it to her high school English classes.
I really miss Lynne and the house on Echo. I miss her cough and her smell. I miss coming in the door to a one armed hug because the other hand was holding a cigarette. I miss the constant pouring and making of coffee. I miss being told "you have to have gravy on it!" I miss little bowls of seasonal candy (especially gummy hearts at Valentines Day). I miss her smile when her nose wrinkled up and her eyes squinted. I miss driving her car to the airport to get Jason for the Holidays. I miss the whole family being together and the "hell" Jered and Jason would give Lindsey (they still do that and it is still hard to not join in). I miss apple pies, chocolate cookies, gravy, stuffing, broccoli and chicken. I miss 8 chefs in a kitchen built for 1 and loving every minute of it. I miss being told to "Go look at the garden" when first arriving and the hope for a quick return when leaving.
As the arrival of baby Ellis gets closer and closer, it seems impossible that Lynne never had the chance to be Grandma Lynne. It definitely would have suited her.

Amazing

As I unloaded wood from the truck today I thought how strange it is that these things that grow in the ground, give us shade, drop acorns in my truck and leaves on the lawn can be turned into furniture. My wood order was delivered from Charlotte. The wood is beautiful. Pics can be found an the baby ellis blog. Here is a picture of the "shop" and the maple that will become my woodworking bench. Only 186 working nights left!



PS: a 20 bdft hunk of 12/4 maple is very heavy and impossible to rip by yourself.

There's a giraffe in my driveway

I came home from school yesterday and tried to park in the driveway, but someone had beat me there. I could believe but there was a stinkin' giraffe right where I usually park. You will be sad to know that it wasn't a REAL giraffe. It was one of facsimile giraffes that Lindsey has collected. We have been looking for a new home for this guy because his old home is being turned into a nursery for baby Ellis. I will be laughing about the giraffe in my driveway for weeks to come!