It is not unusual for me to burst into song as I walk or bike along a quiet gravel road. Quiet except for the birds singing their little hearts out all around, and me belting out "Heaven! I'm in HEAVEN!", that is. I'm just back from a lovely ride this morning; haven't been out for a couple days, and it's going to be a hot day, and I'll be busy later anyway.

My little Everett has fallen short of his end of the bargain -- the daily email -- in the past few days. I mean to get on his case about it, but haven't gotten around to it myself. Been busy. Aside from working on a time-limited special project requiring research, Grandma's been in the hospital for a few days -- the doc thinks she has angina, but -- well, more tests are being done -- and my Aunt Reta was out for an afternoon going through old photographs with me while Uncle Carl busied himself on the internet, catching up with his mail. That doesn't sound like enough to keep a gal busy, really, but it has. I also went to Kelvington for that routine test women have to have -- you know, the pap -- and that took another hour or two out of a busy afternoon. These things add up I guess.

Yesterday I spent an enjoyable morning with a whole crew of women who volunteered to chop fruit and vegetables and slice meat at the hall in preparation for another Johnson wedding, which takes place later today. We will eat really well, that's for sure.

One more week and I'll be seeing my kids again. It hardly seems like a month could be almost past, but apparently that's the case. Wow. And ewww, another long road trip -- up to northern Alberta this time, for a family reunion on Dad's side -- I just wish I did not have to go anywhere these days at all, though of course this will be an opportunity to see Dad and Joan again and that's always good.

I'll leave you with the week's correspondence:

Sunday

Hello Mom.

I would like to remind you that YOU are shorty! The reason I havn't wrote you is because we went to the Feil Family reunion. Gotta go. Supper's ready.

Everett

Monday

Hiya Stinker,

I know you are taller than me. I keep forgetting! It might take me a year to really believe it.
I figured you guys must have gone to the reunion; it took me a while though, because I was thinking it was next weekend.
So, how was it?
Did your tent hold up all right? Maybe you and I should try out our new tent, after you get home. Like when Emil is at Camp Easter Seal or something. I think it has three rooms, or two.

Scott woke me up early to go with him to the pasture to move cattle, so I can bring the pickup back and he can carry on to Kelvington area with Benny to do some shingling.

Grandma hasn't been feeling good over the weekend; was vomiting and tired. Reta is taking her to the hospital this morning for some blood tests. Grandma was feeling better yesterday, but I didn't see her, just talked on the phone.

What are your plans for the week?

xoxo
Was-Tall-Now-Small

p.s. I had an email from Dennis Lakusta. You can see his photographs (I see nature spirits in them) by clicking around from here.

xoxo
Mom

Hi Mom.

The reunion was fun. Poppa and I put up the tent. It said 4 people could fit in it. It must have meant 4 midgets. Only Poppa and Emil could fit in the tent, I had to sleep in the car. I had a not too surprisingly good sleep. Uncle Russ is planning to take me and Emil to lunch and then a movie tomorrow. I think we're going to watch Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.

Everett

Tuesday
Hi Shtoonkyboy
mwa mwa mwa

Sorry, but this made me laugh out loud! Too bad your dad didn't buy a bigger car, too... then you might have been more comfortable at least. Anyway, next year you guys will have to take our tent, obviously. Presuming it's what it's supposed to be. We've never set it up yet either, so we don't know for sure.

Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest sounds good. Nothing that exciting going on around here today. I'm going to Kelvington for a doctor's appointment, then will see if Cara and Kade are home, and will stop in at Tanya's for a visit if she's not working. Lynn and Ryley are here all this week, but I haven't seen them yet except for Ryley out in the yard playing with Rebecca yesterday evening.

Have you found a haircut you like, yet? It's only a week and a half till I see you again, and if your locks are still shaggy ... well, I am not a very good hairdresser, but that's what you'll be in for ... donchajuslubme?

xoxo
Kisses to Emil too
Mom

Hi Mom.

I think you misunderstood. Poppa folded down the seats in the car and I made a bed in it. Believe it or not, I got one of the best sleeps I ever had. It's 2:22 already and Uncle Russ hasn't phoned us yet so we're not sure if he's coming or not. I havn't found a hair cut yet and I don't really want to either but I guess I better soon 'cause I don't want you touching it at all. I went to the dentist and my teeth are good. It seems my wisdom teeth are coming. It's the same everey year. They always say, "Oh Everett, you have beautiful teeth!" all the way through. My dentist said it when she was looking at them and then another dentist came by, glanced at me and said, "Wow, beautiful teeth!" Did your dentists ever like you that much?

Everett

Wednesday

Oh well, that's good news then. We won't bother building another room when you grow out of your top bunk. You can sleep in the van.

Wisdom teeth already? Isn't that young for wisdom teeth? I don't think I got mine till I was in my late twenties. I never did have any on the bottom.

I had cavities as a kid and got fillings. You do have nice teeth. But I like you more than the dentists do, because I know that you -- and not just your teeth -- are beautiful all the way through.

I have been working at the computer all day, except for a short bike ride and a visit from Rebecca. Oh, and swatting flies. For the life of me I can't figure out how they get in here. People always say they come in when the door opens but the door hasn't opened very many times today and I have killed more than a half-dozen of the critters already.

What is Emil doing?
Did you guys ever get to your lunch and movie yesterday?

Lynn was sitting on the deck when I got home from Kelvington, and Scott got a lot of work done on it. Who knows, we might have a screened-in sunporch by the time you guys get home [fingers crossed]. I even pounded a few nails myself.

Love,
Mom