Endings and Beginnings

It is with much regret and a heavy heart that I report that Katie-hole is no longer with us. Upon our return from the Tetons, we found a bird that was a third bigger than the others with a substantial comb and big long tail feathers just starting to curl over. The rumors turned out to be true; Katie-hole was indeed a rooster. He departed us on Friday, after we received a positive response from an ad posted on Craigslist. As I watched him being carried off in a cardboard box, I couldn't help but think, "The lucky little devil". Turns out his new home is a large piece of land outside of Medford with 15 young and lovely chickens, and not another rooster in sight. Between the harem and his alpha-male status, Katie-hole has truly gone to a better place.

As I briefly mentioned before, I have managed to successfully work my way through 6 months of massage school and am now a proud graduate of Ashland Institute of Massage. From here, the next step is a practical exam administered by the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists up in Salem (I have yet to receive my date), pass said exam, and then apply for a license to practice. After that, who knows? I suppose I'll use my new-found skills to find employment, but I'll take it as it comes.

In the meantime the calender has once again propelled us into the season of summer, and the weather has decided to follow suit. There are new and exciting things appearing every week at the farmers market, and we've been busy scoping out swimming holes for when it really gets hot around here, not just the measly 80 degrees we've been experiencing. It's a good thing we're getting used to this now because on Thursday we're flying off to wild and wonderful West Virginia for Carl's family reunion. Sadly, Bubba won't be in attendance; he gets to go to doggie summer camp with Grandma Maggie and Grandpa Fritz up in the San Juan Islands. His life is so hard. Happy 4th of July, ya'll!