Downtown Horizontina

Samantha's "little lamb"
Flowers from Samantha--when she bought them, she told Andrew, "I like to buy Mommy flowers, just so I can see the look on her face!"

Yellow plums
I love how our garage opens up in the back...
At the park downtown Horizontina
Shoes drying after being washed of the red earth

The first sign in Horizontina...everyone has to stop and take a look
Theodore's latest "do"

Makaela has turned her bike into a "horse" -- notice the jump rope turned into "reigns"

Orchids growing out of a tree trunk--this is a popular way to plant orchids
Three flowering trees in a row...pink, red, yellow
Papaya tree...
Love the laundry line

It's been a week of contrasts for all of us...the weather, events, etc....and yet, we're all doing great and taking it all in stride. The girls are such troopers. They deal really well with any prejudices they may face as foreigners. They are beautifully confident in who they are.

We've all been in and out of homesickness--for familiar friends, family, libraries, biking trails, Barnes & Nobles, The Indian Restaurant, malls, museums, our house! :) Two weeks ago, we showed up to our horse riding lesson (our most favorite part of the week) with the girls decked out in their riding boots, jeans, and special shirt from the ranch only to find our teacher had left town. The odd thing is we had just seem him two days prior at the grocery store in which he was very friendly. I recall saying to him "we'll see you Thursday" while he smiled agreeably. But, that was to never be. It seems the culture down here really hates to disappoint, so instead of saying, "hey, I'm moving!" He just left. The girls were crushed. They couldn't believe they couldn't ride anymore, nor could they believe their beloved teacher left. Lots of tears. Lots of holding. They've sustained many losses here; many special friends have moved, etc... But, today is a new day, and we can look back and chuckle at all of the cultural differences. Some days those differences are fun, and other days, well, you just want to pack up your bags and go home! :)

A favorite poem for those of you heading into fall:

Quick Silver

You can’t hold magic in your hands
Or touch a memory
Or lock a sunset in a room
Where it will always be.
But when you see October start,
If you are one like me,
You want the shining afternoons
To last for all eternity.
You want the sumac’s splash of fire
And soft winds to ever blow;
And though the splendor
breaks your heart,
You cannot let it go.
You want each glorious day preserved;
You long to hold them fast;
Your soul oftentimes yearns to keep
Those things that cannot last.

Mildred Keiser