Off to Campaign

Jen and I are leaving tomorrow for our GenJ Student Action Team. I am still working and haven't had time to pack yet; We ladies have to pack more than just our toothbrushes, unlike some men. And we are having a guest for dinner. Life is hectic.
Yesterday Jeremy broke the tip of his finger and I missed it! I hate missing out on my family's life. Well, it's 20 degrees F here and I have to go get the car to start so I can get to work. I promise I will post as soon as I get home, on the 8th.

Holy Sonnets

XIV.
Batter my heart, three-person'd God ; for you
As yet but knock ; breathe, shine, and seek to mend ;
That I may rise and stand, o'erthrow me, and bend
Your force, to break, blow, burn, and make me new.
I, like an usurp'd town, to another due,
Labor to admit you, but O, to no end.
Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,
But is captived, and proves weak or untrue.
Yet dearly I love you, and would be loved fain,
But am betrothed unto your enemy ;
Divorce me, untie, or break that knot again,
Take me to you, imprison me, for I,
Except you enthrall me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.

-John Donne, 1572-1631

Just one more picture- at the end of the day, there was still this much tree left. Poor Dad! 

Isn't he cute! 

The boys working hard. 

Andrew on the patio with what was the top of the tree. 

Strange weather

Last night when Dad and us kids got home really late from the Peter Hammond talk, which was very educational and inspiring, by the way. The weather has been very strange these past few days and driving home in the dark was no picnic. We had to pass through very strong rain and the wind was terrible. When we finally did arrive home, we were very startled to find that our garage door was completely blocked by a very large fallen tree that had only hours before stood on one side of our yard. The strong, tornado-like winds had apparently blown it over. This fallen tree did some damage to our garage, just barely missed the purple car-which actually wouldn’t have been that great a loss anyway- and just touched the tip of our patio without hurting it. What a miracle that so little damage was done! Our clothesline, however, was demolished, and the state of our lawnmowers remains to be seen as they are still buried underneath the branches. Dad is going to have to get out the chainsaw today and cut at least some of the branches so he can take his car to work tomorrow. What excitement!