I would like to tell you that we've been overseas on a month long African safari...with only an all-terrain wagon, an extra large diaper bag, and a green lunch bag to our names...

But, I'm not sure you would believe that. 

Or, I could say that we started a traveling petting zoo, visiting schools all across the south.  It features a freakish donkey.

Just close your eyes while feeding him so that when he bites your finger off, you don't have the image of it in your mind for the rest of your life.

But that's just ridiculous.  

So, here it is.  The truth.

We started a commercial Koi business. 

We desired only the most beautiful, authentic color patterns, so we traveled through every small village in Japan, seeking out nishikigoi.  

No?

Okay, sorry.  I lied.

It was a commercial chicken business.

Specializing in love and tenderness shown to each chicken from birth...

To adulthood.

No?

A commercial cattle ranch?

Even the cows are starting not to believe me.  

A professional Asian lady-beetle interior decorating business?

Really?  This is getting old, mom.

Just tell them.

OK.

We've been here.  (no yolk)

At home.

Gardening...

Organizing our toy horses.

Torturing our new baby chicks.

Forging through our (hopefully) last snowy morning.

Sometimes staring off into nothingness...

Having a few dreary days... 

But, mostly sunny ones...

Watching the fires from our porch...

And visiting the sad monkeys at the zoo.

Funny how time flies by.

When you're having fun.

Glad to see you all again.  

-t