Usually, when there is a lull in my posting, it means one of two things: a) I'm busier than heck and having a hard time finding time to stop and upload pictures and post or b) I don't have access to my internet connection and can't post even though I wanna! 

Well, the past few weeks, it's been a combination! My beloved went out of town last Sunday and didn't get back in town until Wednesday night, so I took that opportunity to avoid housework and my usual daily rigamarole and go to our Farm. Just me and the kids.  Kyle was a little concerned that my doing this wouldn't be relaxing at all. That it would just be "single mom with 3 kids displaced to a new location." 

Actually, it was fantastic! We did take our school. The cool thing about homeschooling is that you are not tied down. We are like the following poem/riddle about a turtle:  

No matter where I travel,

No matter where I roam,

No matter where I find myself...

I always am at home.

...sniffed the snail in its shell - this fact is true of me as well! 

Our homeschool is like a shell - always with us, allowing us the freedom of mobility. And that is just one of the benefits I've experienced about homeschooling! As a side note, that poem up there is something we read in a poetry book called "The Llama with no Pajama". It's a collection of poems, and we read from it daily as part of our curriculum. My children adore that book. They adore poetry, in general, and usually ask me to repeat certain poems over and over. Before I know it, they have them memorized and give fantastic dramatic recitations to me. That poem is one they memorized and they do the snail voice in a cute, tiny little squeaky "snail" voice. 

Back to my point. With cool, crisp weather all last week, the kids and I did our school, relaxed and I was able to work on so many of my projects - knitting, sketching for paintings, reading...

Upon my return, the housework had been waiting. Laundry, cleaning, to do lists...I've also been trying to give some thought to next year's homeschool stuff. What level reading should I do for Brooklyn (who reads on a 3rd grade level), what math curriculum, what should I get for August? Dorien? (kidding about D)

What else has been going on? Well, some serious things. I know as a blogger, I do treat this like an online journal in many ways. I'm very transparent, talking to you as a good friend. Sharing my life with you as much as I can. And in case you wonder, I don't try to gloss over the low points and pretend my life has no bumps. But sometimes, I have to be comfortable with the bumps before I share them with anyone. And some bumps are more bumpy and rattling than others.  The biggest such thing in my life these past few months has been my father's diagnosis with prostate cancer. 

I have said nothing about it on this blog because I didn't want to publicize something so personal or make it seem any more real than it is.  Does that make sense? It is real, this I know. But speaking of it out loud, or writing it, makes it truly real. And I haven't been ready to do that. It was hard enough talking about it with my best friends. My Dad is one of those iconic figures in my life whom I'd prefer not think of as being mortal. I know he is. We all are. But the sum of this man's impact on my life, the importance he holds in my heart, the value of his counsel and wisdom, his hugs, his presence, his understanding, his guidance...is so great as to be incalculable. And therefore, something so horrible as the word CANCER even uttered in the same sentence with my DAD, is unthinkable. Unspeakable.

And yet, it must be spoken. It was spoken. So I had to process that. And pray like Elijah bringing back the rains. And last Tuesday, my dad had surgery to remove his prostate (a decision made after much thought, prayer, deliberation and counsel) and I am pleased to say that today he found out that the cancer was fully contained within the prostate with really good margins. It was worse than they were able to identify just through biopsy, so it was really good that he did go ahead and have it removed. But it's out and he's on the mend. He's tired and moving slow, which is to be expected when your body is manipulated to such a degree. But I share this with you as a praise! And a request that you pray for continued health and healing for my Dad.

So, now you have it. 

In other news, Kyle and I have embarked on our trial plant-based diet lifestyle. If you want to call it something, I wouldn't really say vegetarian, although we're not eating meat. We do eat eggs a little. Very little dairy, but we're not vegan either. I'd go with "nutritarian".  I'm reading books by Dr. Joel Fuhrman: Super Immunity...Cholesterol Protection for Life...and some others about the benefits of plant-based nutrition. We're focusing on getting the most nutrients per calorie that we can.  Lots and lots of fruits and veggies. My kids eat kale salads. And don't complain! 

This is not a diet for us. We're not trying to really lose weight, although we have both noticed some slimming up. Probably from eating less white sugar and NO processed foods. It's more about treating our bodies as the temples of God they are - putting in the best materials for a healthy body to thrive and live! We are stewards of these bodies - meaning we should treat them with utmost care and attention and respect. It's a lifestyle. And as of today, we're 23 days in and feeling really good. Lighter, cleaner, more energetic, not to mention REGULAR...(I told you I hold nothing back)... 

I'll keep you posted. Meanwhile, I'm back and hoping to be better at sharing more Tales from Goshen.