And Time the Ruined Bridge Has Swept

David and I are having a hard time agreeing on a tv show to watch.

I prefer to watch shows that are hilarious and make me chuckle.

David watches BORING things, such as, but not limited to, cattle sales.

While he was getting a snack, I snapped this quick video so you could feel my pain.

It was like a showcase of manly bulls.  Many of them.  With moving music to go along with it.  And the songs would change, along with the bull.  And a catalog so one could follow along.

And don’t mind the mirror propped up over there.  I got in a “mood” this weekend and I decided I hated everything about my house and am starting to paint again.  Because I am 39.

I got rid of my fall-ish decor and am planning on going straight to Christmas.

I took the three pumpkins off the front porch and I threw them to our pig.

I told the pig to please enjoy the pumpkin spice mud.

Pig seemed pleased.

***

Having Hadley at the same school as the boys means I no longer have to leave my house so early to get them to school.

Reader.  I had not even thought of this until last night.

I sent the children off to school.  And I prepped dinner.

Like, totally prepped it.  I had my hands all in the ground beef, formerly known as Waylon.  I was molding and sculpting MEATLOAF.  I did laundry.  I cleaned the kitchen.

I

Cleaned

The

Bathrooms

!

I was winning at life.  But I couldn’t stop thinking about the squishy Waylon meat, and remembering the handsome fellow enjoying his days on the farm.  So my family ate the delish meatloaf and I had oatmeal.

Here is the best way to make oatmeal:

Put oats in a bowl and add water.

Add fruit.  My favorite is fresh strawberries, but, alas, I have none.  I do have frozen cherries.  So I added those.

Then I microwave.

Then add milk.  I am now a fan of almond milk, for reasons unbeknownst to me.  I can only assume it is because I am nearing 40.

Then I warm it up again and it is a bowl of Cherry Almond Oatmeal deliciousness that one might enjoy while their family is eating meatloaf made from a family friend.

So, yum.

***

Since Hadley had to work, I had to pick the boys up from school.  I am still driving the Subaru.  My car is still at the mechanic from Sept 11th.  At this point, I can only assume the mechanic loves my sweet Infiniti and has taken it on a road trip across America.

HD is driving me nuts, but what else is new?  He is driving me nuts for two main reasons.

1.  He is not following the directions from physical therapy on his hand.  And do you know they handcrafted a splint for him and it was billed out at $400?  FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS.  He is supposed to be massaging the scar tissue and doing very minor exercises.  It has been made clear to me as of late that he has not been heeding the kind therapist’s instructions.  I lost track of him for a few days because of the hunting trip.  So, now he is all “woe unto me” and “my hand will never be the same” and I am like, “massage your dang scar tissue.”  Because he is 13.  And if a guy can set a fence post, surely he can be responsible enough to massage his own scar tissue three times a day for 30 seconds.  Yes?

2.  Also, he has to memorize a poem.  The poem is called “Concord Hymn” by Ralph Waldo Emerson.  He was supposed to work on it while he was hunting.  But, alas.  He did not.  So, on the way home from town today, I put on my most serious Mom Pants and basically flipped out on him and he was massaging the dang scar tissue and trying to recite a poem.

HD:  Mom, should I move it in a circular motion?  Or back and forth?  Or what is best?

Me:  Just keep massaging it.

HD:  It feels weird.

Me:  Too bad.  Memorize the poem.

HD:  I cannot!  It won’t stick!  It won’t stick!

Me:  Well, its gonna have to stick.

HD had already memorized about half of it.

Me:  Well, that’s good!  What’s the next line?

HD:  “And time the ruined bridge has swept.”

Me:  Ok.  Let’s work on that.

So, we worked on that for the duration of the trip.

LD knows that line.

I know that line.

And HD can say it in isolation, but he cannot say it with the rest of the poem, because, and he made this quite clear,

“It won’t stick.”

So, I have taken away all screens and told him he can not watch anything or have any joy in life until he is 75% done with the poem, as it is due for recitation on Wednesday.

Reader.  Please say the word “recitation” out loud.

Now, marvel at how fancy you sound.

But here is the BEST part.  I am sitting here blogging right now.  With headphones in.

Maybe the people think I am working?  I can’t be certain.

But I told David that since he took the boy hunting, he is in charge of making the poem stick.

I told you I was winning at life.

***

Today in class, I was struggling with technology.  Which is impressive for an online teacher.  I was working with a small group of kids, so they all were unmuted.

Me:  Oh, I think I can do this-oh-no-wait!  Shoot!  Hang on!  Oh, let me move your little Zoom faces here.  Oh.  That didn’t work.  Hang on, kids!

And then I defaulted into my usual odd-teacher mood.

Me:  Kids.  Hang on!  I can do this!  I know I can.  I believe in me!

Kids:  Chuckle, giggle, chuckle.

And then I broke out into song.

Me:  I believe I can fly!  I believe I can touch the sky!

I had a few moms giggling in the background.

Totally forgot adults can hear me.

I am so cool.

***

David and I need a show to watch together.  We have access to Prime and Netflix.

I cannot handle this anymore:

Please advise.