Writing

I've been writing everyday, but via email instead of here. I think I will start taking excerpts to put up here.

Of course, my life isn't really all that interesting...but I suppose if I get desperate for something to write about? I can make stuff up.

Packages

We were talking about sending packages and what could be included. I am tempted to send the largest package of Swedish Fish that I can find...BECAUSE I know the heat would melt all the little fish into one solid glob.

Imagine trying to chew on that!

Chickens, Traffic and Detours

There is a ton of traffic on our little road this morning--tractor trailers, cars, and trucks going by in both directions. When Gerry was out walking the dogs, someone yelled out that there was a huge accident and the highway was closed.

I had woken up at 4:13 because the air conditioner shut off suddenly and heard sirens. We were worried there might have been a fatality.

Nope...instead, the headline on WMUR read "Tractor-Trailer Overturns, Spilling Frozen Chicken - Milford Road Shut Down After Crash"

The rest of the article says that Route 13 will be shut down for a couple more hours. Around 4:15, a quarter mile south of Route 101, a tractor trailer loaded with frozen chickens tipped over, spilling chicken all over the highway.

Fortunately, the driver was not injured in the accident.

----

The dogs are mourning the lost opportunity!

Leaving

I know you are leaving, but it hasn't hit me yet. I keep telling myself that the sooner you go, the sooner you will be back. And with all the training over the last half a year, you have been coming and going often.

But I have the feeling it is going to suddenly hit me--hard. Most likely it will be when I realize I haven't talked to you in awhile. Then it will hit me that it is going to be a long time before I hear your voice again when I answer the phone.

(And your phone calls are legendary...remember the time we talked as you drove the whole way from one job in Rhode Island to the next one in Maine? That still makes me laugh.)

Stay safe, little brother, stay safe.

Rain

It is raining today--pouring, really. And it is one of the reasons I love my new metal roof! It makes the nicest noise when it rains and reminds me of the house I grew up in. That house had a metal roof over the porch area, right outside my bedroom window.

And as long as this roof doesn't leak this winter, it will be perfect!

Gardening

I decided that since you weren't going to be here, I had to pick up the gardening mantle for you. So I bought some tomato plants. Next I will plant some cucumbers, zucchini, and summer squash. I know that isn't a real garden, but let's see if I can manage to keep these few things alive.

It is looking doubtful. The first day I had the plants, the dogs knocked one off the porch. I figure it either toughened it up or shell-shocked the sucker. And I have to say, if I can't keep zucchini alive? I need to turn in my gardening card and slink off in shame.

Letters To My Brother

Since you are going to be gone for a year and on the other side of the world, I figured this might be the easiest way to communicate. Let's see if it works and if I have anything interesting to say!