Wagon Wheels And Weathervanes

Oh where, oh where have I been?

Not even I can answer that question.

But I can tell you that I am wrapping up my college career (for now), my boys are wrapping up their current year of school, t-ball and football have begun, and my computer has the bubonic plague.

According to a trusty medical encyclopedia, the bubonic plague can be categorized as such:

A severe and potential deadly bacterial infection where symptoms appear suddenly (2-5 days after exposure).  Symptoms include chills, fever, seizures, and a general feeling of being ill.

Yep, it's an exact match.  That's precisely what my computer has.  And though it received treatment, I think it may have been too late.  She's still having frequent seizures, and her brain is less than half of what it used to be.

I feel good knowing I did all I could to prevent this from happening.  Apparently, not even technological vaccinations could have kept this nasty virus away.  This little beast got me through school, and I'll be sad to see her go.  Hang in there, old girl.  Only 12 weeks left, then you shall rest in peace.

On a brighter note, I stood at my kitchen window, transfixed on this little fellow for 25 minutes this morning. 

Only a woodpecker can instantly make me feel like I'm 6 again.

I remember traipsing through the tulips on hot summer days, listening to the woodpeckers in my grandma's never ending yard.  Most of my cousins were boys, and had officially banned me from their fort in the bushes, their club in the tree house, and their treasure trove in the sandbox.

(And they question why I always tattled.  Shame on them.)

With not much to do and not many to play with, I wandered and listened.  The sound of the woodpeckers was one of the most treasured harmonies I had ever heard.

What seems like racket to some, is a melody to others.

(Despite my efforts, my debilitated computer will not let me upload pictures to my blog.  I'm sad that you won't get to see the amazing pics of my new woodpecker friend.  Really, what's a blog without pictures?  This could get ugly.)