Killer

It was the last day of school. Big Sprout came home, free for the summer, and ran to her room to pack. Yes, my friends, Big Sprout abandoned hearth and home the minute her academic responsibilities were over for the year. She took off with Uncle Wolfie for a weekend of "pest control". For 3 days, she woke before the sun in order to head out to the fields and kill prairie dogs under the hot South Dakota sun.

And she loved every minute of it.

She left the deer alone, though.

And had her first horse ride that didn't include $5 and an employee walking a calm little pony in circles.

It wasn't all roses and "red mist", though. They managed to get the truck stuck out in the field. I guess it took them hours to work it out.

I think this was the first time Big Sprout has come home from an activity and actually told stories about her adventures! She is usually quiet, saying she had a good time, or not so good time, and leaves it at that. For once she came home, sat down next to me, and gave me a play-by-play of her whole weekend! I think that was the best part of the whole trip.

~....and that's all I have to say about that....~

Two Ducks, Two Geese, a Coot, and Pride

This is Big Sprout's geese she got with one shot during the early season for goose a couple weeks ago. This weekend, the official opener, she left with Uncle Wolfie on Friday and came home today with supper. Two geese, two ducks, and a coot were here take for the weekend spent out in the duck boat. I don't have the pic for this weekend yet, cuz I have to get them from Mr. Barefoot's cell to the 'puter.

She is proud. I am proud. My baby is growing up, and learning to do something well that I was never able to do at all. 'Course, I am not too pleased about the duck-foot souvenirs she has kept. Yuck. You can tell from Big Sprout's smile how happy she is. How proud she is to do this, how much she loves the time with her Uncle Wolfie.

She called me yesterday from the duck boat to tell me about her catch so far. She was giddy. Then, she got silent, and I could hear geese honking in the background. "I gotta go, Mom!" she whispered "Their comin' back!" Then the line went dead.

My girl has her priorities.

Duck is on the menu tonight, with cream of mushroom soup and rice. Lots of garlic, too, from the smell. Sounds like a perfect meal, to me.