Family Mellmann

It isn't often that we get to see a rainbow out the front door. 

 So this happened today. Before This was her 8th grade school picture.  She "smiled" with her mouth shut because she didn't like her teeth. This was her right before we left for the orthodontist.   After I can't remember ever seeing such a big genuine smile on her face...and it only cost us $7,000!

It has been a busy couple of months since July when I was seeding herbs, planting flowers, and propagating bushes from cuttings of my own and friends' shrubbery.  We have gone from a leisurely schedule of gardening, house chores, and navigating Covid-19 protocols at the grocery store to long days, late nights, and a new level of chaos management. Patrick and Katherine are back in school.  Most of Patrick's classes are being done remotely except where FAA regulations require in-person instruction.  Having completed his private pilot's license in July, he is now on to "instrument rating".  This will allow him to fly using instruments, which are useful in poor weather when you can't see far in front from where you are and/or can't see the ground.  Up to this point he has been flying VFR - Visual Flight Rules - which means that he has to be able to SEE where he's going (there are some specifics in terms of how high the clouds have to be and how clear the a