March 2024

The internet is a constructed environment-- a false reality. These pictures are solid proof of those truths. One would think that all we did in March was lounge around and sleep! 

I remember constantly being on the computer-- finishing the invitation design and beginning the program; making long charts of what must be done and when it must be done; pricing bulk chicken and ingredients; ordering paper products, lollipop oils, ribbons, flowergirl sweaters, chocolate-covered coffee beans...it seemed like everything under the sun was arriving in a steady stream at our door. I'm surprised I didn't make Amazon crash.

Judging by the snapshots I have of Millie, she stood in the library practicing violin and looking beautiful, but I know she must have done more than that.  Millie and Susannah went to Poiema, and Millie probably made delicious sourdough and started packing up her room, among other things (like vaccinating the puppies because I was too wimpy to use a needle and making egg rolls), though I have no photographic reminders of her movements in March. 

While I had my nose glued to a glowing screen, Susannah, Piper, and Zeke were busy cleaning up after puppies in the basement several times a day.  It was far too cold still for the puppies to be outside, so John enclosed part of the basement with plywood and lined the floor with a tarp so they could run around and make their prodigious messes. And prodigious they were. I feel a little guilty now for removing myself from the equation entirely, but at the time, I had no emotional fortitude. They saved me from a nervous breakdown, receiving only the profit left after dog food and vaccines and paper towels and cleaning supplies were accounted for. They deserved a lot more than that, believe me. 

As for the rest of the children, maybe they did just lounge around and sleep all month. And I must have nursed Mallory a lot for her to gain that belly chub.