SIGH...
I'm so not good at this.
I'm feeling torn...I need to be doing research, writing to folks, locating resources, etc. I have hundreds of hours of this type of work to do. Doesn't help that I've misplaced my reading glasses (over the counter type). I also need to be putting food in the ground (seed) and building fences (not sure with what but I need to at least try)! This requires sunrise to sunset work out of doors. AGHHHH... Also need to harvest and dry herbs.
These are a few morels we collected last year. The green background is simply a bench we put the plate on.
I'm trying to make room for the clothing closet which is currently in the cubby hole the kids built for us to sleep in (which we also share with my bio-son for the summer) and all the students have arrived and cooking from scratch can take hours...SIGH. I need to interject here...I am thinking I should pack up all clothing of Rick's and mine, leaving out only 2 pairs of pants and 2 shorts each plus 4 tee shirts. This will free up space. The pants I wear are coated in dirt by the end of the day...I used to think I had to put on a fresh pair each day but I think I'll just wear them dirty.
The students also need access to the books and study aids but I have them all boxed up because we need standing/sitting room...imagine 50 or more young people in a 12" x 14' area. Ha HA! We do it! Help me out here...put some positive thoughts and prayers into a 24' x 32' 4"-6" slab of concrete (or its wood equivalent). This will ease a great deal of pressure by providing two extra bedrooms (shared) and room for books, study area, games, computer center (for some the only access they have), clothes closet, socialization/recreation, workshops, and so much more.
The kids immediately dived into projects (Yippee!). Oh and finally, "D-on" decided to go to college. One problem, 35.00 application fee. Rick will call and beg a waiver for him but we can't guarantee it. It's worked for some of the students but not for others....Ask me why he can't pay this...I challenge you but be prepared to unleash my passion! We are talking rural America. Gas prices...remote rural...farms shutting down...no jobs, no education, no resources...and more...just ask me but be prepared to unleash a Tiger.
If there is a way...I find it, make it, do it, beg it, pray it, meditate it, build it...whatever it takes.
Here is a photo taken in last year's garden. I'm suffing my face with cherry tomatoes. Excuse the mess that I am but I am not a neat or tidy gardener. Garden is also chemical free...no pesticides no store bought fertilizers, just hard work.
I need food...not me personally...I need food to feed the kids...just to get by until I can expand the garden and grow a sufficient amount. Agghh...I feel so guilty when they are hungry. It is one of my commitments based on years of experiences and sad stories of hungry kids. .Not one of these kids can afford to lose weight. They look terrible...well from a "mother's" perspective...they are muscular but not an ounce of fat anywhere. I guess this is healthy but I also know a few of them have been on a starvation diet for several months (not by choice). I know what they've been eating. I could also use more recipes. I cannot buy special ingredients or seasonings so recipes should be very basic. We eat very little if any meat. I do grow herbs. Any healthy recipes would help. The recipes need to fit within a budget of 50.00 to 100.00 per week (my money) in which to provide breakfast, lunch, dinner and any snack material for my own family and all the young people. Recipes for popsicles would also be awesome (not too much sugar since there is no dental care out here).
I wanted to put a photo of dinner time around here but my protective instinct kicked in...instead here is a general photo. This is the wall in the front room. It was a huge white wall. The kids asked if they could paint it so I showed them so old paint, asked them to make sure it was family friendly, and told them "go for it". This was the result. Since that time they've just about painted the entire house. They mix their own colors and have even experimented with clay, sand, and other outdoor materials. Oh, Papa is pure Italian.
Papa and I were cooking the other day. I happened to glance at the calendar and noticed it was the 17th. I turned to him and said, "Happy Anniversary a day late. I love you". He was stunned. It's our 21st.
I need to get busy. I hope all have a wonderful day today filled with goodness and joy.
In Kindness Always-
-K
...was getting ready to post this and son yelled out he has a 4.0! Yippee! He is a university student...putting himself through school...no loans and no help from us.
