Two years later

I am sitting at Mom's kitchen island, Seth to my right with a Magic Hat, Bradley and Erica at the sink finishing the dishes, Cameron in a chair to my left in front of the fire, Mom asleep on the cushioned corner bench, and the radio station playing a mix of Simon and Garfunkel favorites.

Mom broke her hip on Monday, a week and three days ago. She was discharged on Wednesday at 11:30 once the nurses were done with their rounds and paperwork.

Several of us are running not on empty, but on low, running on reserve. Cam, Queet, Seth, me. Mom's body is running on reserve - it will be several weeks before her mind and body recover from this trauma-induced weakness.

So, about Halloween costumes. I, (even then running on reserve), had a low grade fever and wore overalls, the same black rubber boots and a light blue denim shirt. I was Daisy Duke in the winter. Seth was... Seth. Mom was a through-hiker. Erica and Bradley brought back the terrific 20's costumes they'd created for Carly's sister's birthday party in the Spring.

Last year, Seth was a chef and I went as his adoring Sous Chef, complete with neck ring tatoo of I [heart] Seth, which I gave myself using the mirror and a sharpie. Erica was an ice cube and Bradley had a papier mache really scary mask.

The year before that, Erica was a rubix cube and Bradley had a REAL hollowed pumpkin over his head, resting on his shoulders.

Cam and Erica are making loud noises to get a board game started and Seth is poking my keyboard.

Brinker is uncomfortable in damp and cold weather. I've started aspirin. We have 19 chickens - 6 of them Bantams who run free in the yard. Nessie and Quacli have spats but mostly avoid each other.

Micah was just born to the Browns and Zeke is fitting very well into his role of big brother.

This semester my classes are Curriculum and Schooling and then Human Development, taught by our local favorite newspaper columnist.

till later,

Jessica