Childhood is not just a time to play. It's also a time to learn to be a grownup. We took Miriam with us when I got my muzzleloader deer. She was calm and respectful as we thanked the deer's spirit for giving us its life. She observed as we gutted. She and her sister both know that meat doesn't grow in plastic wrapped packages from the grocery store. Of course, we do buy a lot of meat at the store, but it doesn't grow that way.

It's not just hunting and fishing. They help with the chores and they help me pick out the fruits and vegetables at the grocery store. Miriam can almost prepare an entire meal by herself. I'm proud to say her otsukemono is indistinguishable from mine. I do supervise closely at the stove, particularly with the wok, but Miriam will soon be able to do everything I can do. Her little sister also watches and learns.

Our principal recreation is to go out in the woods and look for animals or identify the plants, or just walk and enjoy being out there. The girls never watch TV. My husband and I will sometimes watch a video from Netflix, but the girls never watch TV, not even so-called children's shows.

Miriam is getting to be quite a good shot. She is really looking forward to being allowed to hunt. Okay, I'll stop boasting about my kids now and let someone else take over.



May The Sheep Be With You