Last round, Houston Palmer grappled with choosing which of the family's three cats he would take with him to college. (He ended up choosing Caramel, who has since moved with him to his new home.) Meanwhile, the family celebrated Love Day and Buzz painted a mural for the city arts center.
Buzz: (sigh) Well, I think that's the last of it...
The last of what?
Madison: Dad...why are we doing this?
Why are we doing what? What's going on?
Madison: Moving!
Wait...what?
Buzz: Trust me, Mads...you're going to love it...
Buzz: It's out in the country...
Buzz: It's so warm, and cozy...
Buzz: It's like...something out of a fairytale.
Um...ok...well...I guess we're off, then...
Susana: Well, that's the last box.
Buzz: Great! See? I told you it'd look fine once we were all moved in.
Susana: Actually, our furniture looks ridiculous in here. Everything we bought was for a penthouse in the city.
Buzz: Oh, come on Susana...just give it a chance. Can't you just see it? You and I growing old together in this place?
Ahh, I see...that explains a lot.
Buzz: Besides, it's so much quieter out here...I know you're going to get way more writing done.
Susana: About what? There's absolutely nothing out here besides grass and dirt!
Buzz: Oh, that reminds me! I've got to go pick up the new seeds I ordered.
Ok...so...I'm just going to come out and ask...what is this all about? You were the one who wanted to live in the city, remember?
Buzz: Yeah, I know, but...I don't know. Living in the city was just so...isolated. We were all the way up in that penthouse and...I don't know, it just felt like we were cut off from everything. But when I planted that garden on the roof it just felt...right. I figured I should lean into that.
Do you really think you can keep up with all this, though? This is way more than a little rooftop garden.
Buzz: Sure, how hard can it be? They're just plants...
Looks like you'll have more than plants to worry about...
Oh, good...a cow. At least we'll have milk...
And it looks like we may have a few...uninvited animal guests as well.
Buzz: Hey! You! Go away! How do I get rid of these things?
Try yelling "Swiper, no swiping." Always worked for me.
Buzz: Yes! I did it!
You...finished a painting.
Buzz: Not just any painting! Look! This is the best I've ever done!
I'm pretty sure I've seen you paint that exact same one about 5 times now, but ok...
Buzz: Breakfast is almost ready!
I thought Susana usually handled the cooking...
Buzz: She does...but I wanted to make something with all the eggs I've been collecting. Nothing like fresh eggs to start the day off right...
Well, I must say you seem to have taken to cottage life well...
Well, for the most part.
Buzz: Man, all this farm stuff is a lot of work.
Maybe you should have looked into that before moving out here.
Dory: So, this is it, huh...
Madison: I know. It's awful.
Dory: No, I think it's...cute.
Madison: Cute? Dory, it's like living in a horror movie right before the deranged killer shows up.
Dory: Come on, let's just go set up our project...
So, you two are still in the same school?
Madison: Yeah.
Well, that's good-at least you didn't have to change schools when you moved.
Madison: Yeah, well...I still wish we were back in our old apartment.
Susana: You and me both, Mads. But your father seems very happy out here.
Let's just hope he can still milk a cow in old age.
Madison: But Mom, why can't you just...talk to Dad? You know he's going to lose interest in all this farm stuff eventually anyway.
Susana: I know. But you know how your father is. There's no getting through to him. We'll just have to wait this out.
Madison: So, what are you going to do today?
Susana: I thought I'd take a walk down to the little marketplace. I just have to get out of this house...
Susana: Well, hi there little guy...you're kind of cute.
Ok, I guess that's one point for the new house. Cute bunnies.
Susana: Wish I could say as much for all the animals...
Arlene: Oh, hello there...are you lost?
Madison: Oh, no, I'm...well, maybe a little. We just moved out here and I haven't found my way around yet.
Arlene: That's ok. I've lived here my whole life and have barely found my way around. My name's Arlene.
Madison: I'm Madison.
Arlene: I know this may seem odd, but can you help me out with an errand since you're here?
Arlene: I've been meaning to gather some mushrooms but at my age, bending over isn't as easy as it used to be. Do you mind?
Madison: Sure, I guess. But I've got to be getting home now. My dad's birthday is tonight and...
Oops. Too late.
Wow, Susana was right...your furniture does look ridiculous in this house.
Buzz: Hey there, little buddy!
Just be sure to keep the foxes away...
Although it looks like Peanut has taken on that job. (I almost forgot about the cats...)
Madison: Hey, I've got those mushrooms for you...
Arlene: Oh, thank you dear. Here...take this as a reward.
Madison: A...tiny sweater?
Arlene: Yes, isn't it darling? I knit them for all the animals around the woods. This one is sized just right for a chicken...
Madison: Oh...great....um...thanks.
I'm gathering that you're not thrilled about dressing up your chickens...
Madison: No, not really...oh...
What?
Madison: It's my college letter...
Well, open it!
Nice job, Madison...
Madison: Oh...um...hi...
Tyson: Hi...my name's Tyson. I just moved in across the...well, it's not really a street here, is it?
Madison: (laughs) No, not really. We just moved here too. Is your dad also having a mid-life crisis?
Tyson: No. It was my grandfather's farm. My family inherited it, and since it was bigger than our old house they decided to just move.
Madison: Oh...
Tyson: Um...I know this is a little weird, but...since it's Love Day and all...um...I...Iwantedtogiveyouthis.
Madison: It's beautiful...thank you. Um, do you want to come over for my birthday tomorrow?
Yeah...funny how that works out.
Susana: Ugh...not now, chicken...I swear, every time I take two steps outside...
I think it might be trying to warn you about something...
Uh-oh...Swiper, no...
...swiping...
Well, better a non-hatchable egg than a chicken, I guess...
Buzz: Whoa! Now would you check that out?
That...sure is a big head of lettuce...
Buzz: Hello, there...tell me. What can you give me for this lettuce?
Produce Lady: Well, I could pay you something for it...but if you ask me you should think about entering this in the Finchwick Fair...
Oh, goody. What good timing...
What, exactly, is there to write down about this contest? It's big. They're all big.
Let's hope this doesn't take too long. We've got a birthday to get to.
Too bad, Buzz...maybe next time.
Madison: Tyson! I was starting to get worried you wouldn't come!
Tyson: What? No way. I wouldn't miss it. But I do have some good news...I got in!
Madison: What? That's great! That means we can go to college together!
Well, if that's the case then we should get these birthdays on the road. Happy birthday, dear Tyson...
Happy birthday, dear Madison...
Well, it's lucky that she rolled cat lover. And with that done, it's time for Madison and Tyson to pack up for college and for me to be on my way. I'll see everybody next round!
A Message From the Mysterious Voice: And Cottage Living arrives! So, remember last round when I said that I was toying with moving the family once Buzz passed away? Yeah, I decided to get a jump on that now. I wasn't really doing much with Buzz's City Native aspiration, and obviously I wanted to give Hanford-on-Bagley a shot. So I figured it was time for a mid-life crisis. I had a pretty good time for the first week, even though I didn't really have time to fully dig into the whole wildlife friendship thing. (And don't worry. The egg the fox stole was non-hatching. No baby chicks were harmed.)
