This spring, we were surprised to find new residents at our pond: a beaver family decided to build a lodge on our dam! It has been exciting to see the industrious papa and mama (only every now and then) as they settled in.
We have marvelled at the architectural genius of Mr. Beaver, whom we've named "Chip." He started on his family lodge when the water level was high from the Spring rains, and only as the water level dropped were we able to see the entrance to his home. Normally under water, the entrance is heavily fortified with a large beam over the top and anchored by smaller timbers on each side, like an entrance to a mine shaft. We've watched him drag branches and trunks across the water with indefatiguable determination, and wondered what would happen as summer temperatures and sparse rains would expose more of his home to the elements and predators, as the water would inevitably recede.
Yesterday, as Tom and I were out walking by the pond, we suddenly noticed how the beavers have modified their home to accommodate the changing season. The pile of sticks and branches now extends down the side of the dam and out into the water, providing them with a new passage into their home without ever having to leave the pond! Master builders, they have met the challenge of the Texas heat by adding on, changing their floor plan and thinking ahead. Their little family never has to walk on land - they can swim in and out in cool safety. Amazing!
This month, I'm going to take a cue from my cute beaver family and make some home-life modifications of my own. We are facing some "seasonal challenges" ourselves, in the form of an out-of-state project that we are doing. Tom and I (and Grayson) will be part of the renovation/design team for Andrew Womack Ministries (a somewhat new ministry to us) in Colorado Springs. We are providing the backdrops, wall finishes, and art work for their new TV studio, and will be installing it all at the end of July. Until then, we are doing as much as we can here in Texas in our own art and print studio....meaning that it is "all hands on deck" to get the work done. It's a lot of work to chew our way through.
All of this is to say that I will be taking a break from posting my daily Small Things for the month of July, and probably into the first week of August. I WILL, however, post occasional updates here as I can, so you can see what I'm up to during my Small Thing break.
You KNOW I love, love, love my blog and meeting up with you sweet Company Girls every day, so I truly hate to step away for even a short time, let alone several weeks! But, like my beaver family, I feel like I've got to make a few changes when necessary to beat the heat and meet the needs of this busy season. I'm passionate about maintaining "sanctuary" for my family during this time, and that means I need to be willing to make a few personal sacrifices to make that happen. I know you all understand and support the idea that a gal's gotta do what a gal's gotta do, right?? I appreciate each of you so much and already can't wait to get back to "normal!"
Please note that I will still be available through comments here, as well as via email. You can also find me on Twitter, and that might be an easy way to keep up with me over the next few weeks!
How about you? Are you making some modifications to your home life and schedule too? Remember, it's a GOOD thing to be flexible and give yourself margin to meet a new season.
What simple changes can you make so that you can be the kind of woman/mom/individual you want to be?
PS Enjoy this incredible video that shows how beavers make their lodges! Hopefully ours never gets this big!!
