Another Little Westerly Wind

Ceece wanted to snap some senior piks in our picturesque creek, so Bean and Bugg brought their new cousin, Westerly, to visit with me whilst Mama was doing her thing.  This was his second visit. The first time we just passed him around and smooched him all afternoon.  

This visit he was very interested in checking out his surroundings.

It was the sweetest thing to watch Bean and Bugg show him their ol' stomping grounds.  They wanted him to see all their "places."   

I tried to impress this on my heart and mind. 

When the heat is off for awhile, you think of things you don't think of when you are just getting through.  Work and garden and chickens and bees and dog and bunnies and gramerlings and playdates and ever thinking about Aunt Lois kept me treading water in the present.

Though it's grievious, I do know she's in a far better place than ever we could have provided and I've moved Playdates to every other week for winter plus, I'm in the midst of a rather glorious fall break.  That gives me time to swim out in the question of tomorrows.

I'm realizing that this old place is way too big of one for me and one Handy Man.   We use four rooms. Otherwise, we don't even enter the other ones unless the gramerlings are here.  It just  doesn't seem the best use of such an old farm house.

But lands, the thought of leaving it is breath grabbing.  I'm not in any frame to give up Playdates, chickens or bees. Anyway, it is probably time to have this conversation and start some long range planning.

All that to say that whilst putting Westerly in the the dolphin swing, those memories of sliding that little Bean into the seat for the first time came roaring in like a flood.  Wow, nine years.  It is possible that we won't be in this location when Bean and Bugg have their own littles ones. But, if I can do anything about it, there will always be a dolphin swing, if it hangs from the kitchen doorway.

We started with a long walk along the creek, like I've done with every new little one.  Bean and Bugg pointed out the creek, walnuts, flowers, paths and Bugg found a perfect leaf to match his outfit. You can see he was very impressed.

After the walk, it was time for the swing, with everyone taking a turn gently pushing his tinyness. I believe, like his cousins before him, Westerly would have been happy to stay there.

There was more to share.  He needed to play in the tree fort, see the bees and before heading home, a visit to the chicken coop.

Missy Bugg gathered eggs for him to see.

 And Bean introduced him to our favorite chicken, Snow White, the old and faithful hen.

I was so hoping when he came to play next summer that he would have two new playmates, but alas, another family was chosen for those little twins.  Hard that.  Leaning on the everlasting arms.