Dusk descends, a day ends at the farm

At the end of a long day of gardening, cooking, mowing, meal prep, baking, playing with the punks, running errands, tending chickens, and the rest of the daily rounds we love on the farm, we are rewarded with God's paintbrush...

Lights gradually go out around the farmhouse as kids are tucked in - the soft echo of Brent singing to the boys as part of their "snuggles" drifts down the stairs, mingles with the quiet sounds of Carrie's final kitchen clean-up and next day's breakfast prep. The dogs find their favorite spots on the couches. The hum of the areator in the turtle tank is the only sound coming from the school room. Even the washing machine in the laundry room is finally silent.

It's been a good day for the farm family.

"Goodnight, John-boy..."

What the....oh. Four cats. The stillness of the house is like catnip. 16 paws sound like horses thundering up and down stairs, around and around the hall and living room and kitchen, another loop through the office and school room out to slide down the hall again, skidding around corners, up the curtains, tag-you're-it behind the couches (the dogs don't even look up), tackle Happy dog's tail (NOW he looks up), drag shoes around by the laces, hide under the couch throws...they sleep during the day, doncha know.