"And Songs Be Heard, Instead of Sighs...!"

Indignities committed upon my person to-day:

--Slice-age openage of thumb with multiflora.
--Slice-age openage of other thumb with multiflora.
--Whackage directly in eye with multiflora.
--Droppage on head by dead limb from Mishighi tree.
--Slippage on creek bank into mud.
--Divers injuries to the arms by aunt's new puppy.

Wonderful things occurring to-day:

--Spottage of eleven wood turtles, which are in critical condition around here due to poachage. Ten of the turtles were in the creek, and one was on the bank laying eggs. Wood turtles are also a MAJOR indicator of creek, stream, and river health, so the Mahantango apparently rocks in the habitat area.
--Finishage of a very decent book about hidden societies in Greenland.
--Rediscoverage of several lost implements.
--Did not kill self despite indignities listed above.

Conversation extract:

Maria: You should be a sheep farmer, Soujin. You could raise sheep and be a writer, and write about your experiences.
Soujin: That would be nice!
Maria: It would be perfect.
Soujin: But I would have to do it in Iceland.
Maria: No!
Mama: No, no, It's dark eight months of the year in Iceland! You'd be depressed all the time, and you'd probably kill yourself.
Maria: Besides, we wouldn't be there to smack you in the eye with multifloras!
Soujin: That is true. And such a life would not be worth living.
Maria: You'll just have to stay here with us.