Kelsey: Less is More

Hey World,

Sunrise on Wednesday July 20, 2016 - Central IL

I never really know how to start these posts; so I'll just dive on in and hope you'll forgive my plain speech. In reading the posts by Grant and Chris you'll notice a vastly different vocabulary used. Here's the reason: I write like I talk, simple... plain-spoken midwestern English. Grant and Chris write in a much more elaborate, descriptive way as English to them is NOT a simple language, it's their second language and as such they have delved into the nuances of vocabulary and use expressive words much more than those of us who say things in the least number of spoken words necessary. I think it's almost like a written version of ASL. When you're signing with ASL you don't simply move your fingers and hands. It becomes a dance of your whole body, your face contorts to extreme expression and your hands and fingers simply form more of a punctuation than anything. I could sign sad, but if my face doesn't also read sad... it seems meaningless. Anyway, just a difference I've noticed. I love their posts though, Grant's photos make me LONNNNG to get out to CA... as if I wasn't already chomping at the bit! Chris' thirst for learning and how he has jumped into Braille as a third language truly impresses me.

As for me... whew. A much more... boring... segment of life! Haha! I don't know if that's accurate but yeah. Here's what's been going on:

I've sold almost all of my furniture. I"m keeping a few key pieces, My hammock, table and chairs (for my family dinners), two bar stools (I use one for sitting at my bar height counter for meals and one acts as a night stand next to my hammock. And buried in my room of requirement is a love seat that doesn't really belong to me, and my recliner which I keep for when my adorable tiny grandma comes to hang out with me.

I have also finished most of my house's packing party but I still need to do one for the garage, but that's going to wait for cooler weather, this 98 degrees with 90 percent humidity is just a load of... well. yeah. Along with that heat my garden has grown like a jungle and the tomatoes are just starting to turn red. The beans have produced more than I can hope to eat so I've been canning them as I pick them. (That tiny grandmother of mine taught me that!)

Some more exciting news is that I officially have decided I'll be adding a new member to my family (of the furry three-legged variety.) Once he's weened from his mother in a few weeks little Jasper will be joining Nellie and I on our road to Paragon. Now Jasper was born a bit unique but don't you dare tell him he's only got three legs and can only see out of one eye; he doesn't know any different and he think's he's perfect. For that fact, so do I! My heart melted when I first saw his photo pop up on my facebook feed and I immediately messaged the breeder. She told me that she was so excited that I messaged her because she'd felt like I'd be the perfect fit. But I was apprehensive because Nellie is my baby. Nellie generally doesn't get along well with other dogs. Soooo I told the breeder only if Nellie and the Pup got along well would I take him. So this afternoon I took Nellie with me to meet the Pup. Not only did her tail not stop wagging, she licked him all over and when he stumbled and cried out she ran over and nudged him until he was happy again. My heart is at peace knowing that this was the right decision.

Jasper in all his sweet fluffy glory!

So tonight I rest with a smile knowing that while not everything is right with the world, tonight my world is right. Buenas noches mis amigos!