My husband leaves for work at 5:20 a.m. He does hard, physical labor all day in the oil field, then gets home between 9:00 and 9:30 p.m. He eats supper and tries to get to bed by 10:30 so he can start all over again the next morning at 4:50. He does this Monday through Friday and every other weekend. He just celebrated his 55th birthday. This man is a Prince of Hard Workers.

But I've titled him King, right? Here's what puts him on the throne. After a day of relentless toil, this is a common sight:

He and Book, opening the Word for a late-night study.

I love you, Gary.

About two weeks ago, a steady buzz met my ears when I stepped out back. I smiled, knowing it was that time of year. Some of my younger children, not understanding, suggested we spray the source--bees all over our apple tree!

"Oh, no," I said. "If we kill these workers just to stop their noise, we'll have no apples this fall."

Little eyes widened, and another educational opportunity arose.

There's more than one lesson to be learned here, don't ya think?

Typically, I check my email four or five times a week, but this week I have been an email fiend, checking it four or five times a day. Some curious, caring person might wonder why. Why the change in my usual, laid-back style? For what am I waiting so impatiently?

Before I answer, let me explain that last Friday, we put our oldest daughter on an airplane for Connecticut, where she will spend much or all of the summer with my/her cousins, who have just moved back to the States after about ten years in Japan. My first cousin's husband, a native of Japan, cannot join her in the U.S. until sometime in August, and my cousin was loathe to play single parent to their two year old alone. It seems a perfect fit for Dragon, who has been diligently studying Japanese for the past year and, as the oldest of nine, knows perfectly well how to clean house and entertain small children (along with a myriad of other useful skills).

But it meant that she wasn't at her graduation ceremony Sunday evening, although we videoed Gary's speech so she can watch it later. And it means she's not here to critique the layout of her senior page for our homeschool yearbook.

Mainly, though, it means one less child around our table, two fewer hands to help with the workload, and considerably fewer hugs, smiles, and conversations.

Thus, I wait obsessively for an email from the child who normally only checks her email once or twice a month. *sigh*

Update: Dragon emailed yesterday and let me know that my inundation of her mailbox was cramping her wingspan. I just wanted to be certain that she felt comfortable and was making herself useful. Given her response, I'd say she's doing just fine--so now I will be, too.

Some of you are doing wonderfully with the Moms of Many Exercise Challenge. Good on you!

Today was the first time I got a really excellent workout in and it seemed easy thanks to the conversation from fellow homeschool moms as we walked briskly around the track 14 times. That's 3 1/2 miles--hurray!

Yesterday, Gary and I walked down our road and back, so about one mile there. Mainly, it was just good to get a chance to visit with him uninterrupted.

Update on BookFreak: Thanks to those of you who prayed. Her results came back negative for everything they tested. Essentially, they don't know what it is, but they can say what it isn't. And it isn't (apparently) serious. So...that's good.

Our backyard apricot tree continues its annual silliness. A few warm days, and it feels it must stretch out its blossoms to greet the Spring. Note the moisture on its buds and petals. That is from last night's rain...and this morning's brief snowfall.

Yes, though it's difficult to really tell, this next picture was taken during a  ten-minute snow shower.

Notice the hovel house behind our apricot tree. Someone really lives there. This is the same neighborhood that hosts lighted tennis courts. We are a diverse group.