Morning in camp

We snuck away for a little camping trip last night.

Its morning and …well let me just paint you the picture…

...The grass and the wind shush rhythmically… swaying back and forth…loudly then softly…and waves off lake add unpredictable harmony as the sun’s light bleeds across the early morning sky.

Our baby dog, Teddy adds his own cacophonous contribution-not caring about who still sleeps in near-by tents…not even attempting to enjoy the symphony that Nature has prepared for me this morning.

His song is a cry-a baby’s cry…he is not necessary crying for what he wants, like any defiant toddler; he is crying for what he does not want…He does not what me to hold him…He does not want me to leave him…He does not want to be on his chain…but he does not what to stay in the safety of our campsite…He does not want his clean water and his nutritious puppy food…He DOES want to lick up ground, eat what definitely of questionable organic origin, and he wants to chew on rocks.

Do you remember spotting your own precious toddler sitting on the floor, chewing-chewing, and you know it is not food…? You ran to him…attempted to gently pry his little wet mouth open to do the mommy finger sweep and hopefully retrieve the speck or bug or clod of sand…?

Well Teddy’s adorable little jaw is working on something and it is not his food…”Gabe”…”What is your dog chewing on?” (This dog is Gabe’s-he does the dirty work)

…Boy eyes dog and it takes dog a moment to comprehend…then there is movement!! Boy grabs dog…dog refuses to cooperate…Boy gently tries to open dog’s little mouth…Dog whimpers and squirms…Boy gets frustrated…Boy’s mom watches from her throne…Boy’s sister shouts orders at the boy…Boy shouts out inappropriate ideas of what sister can do…Boy’s father stops boy…Boy’s mom gets up…gives evil eye to sister of frustrated boy with inappropriate language…removes uncooperative chomping dog from frustrated yet relieved boy's grip and proceeds to remove imaginary morsel from very wet little doggie mouth…

This camping trip appears to be shaping up just fine.

Country Fair Venture

Early yesterday morning, we headed to this wonderful little country fair.

"M" and I have been taking the kids there every year to see the animals.

I love to take pictures, the kids love to eat...

and "M" likes to stare at the antique tractors for hours… and hours… and hours…until we drag him out of the gate.

All things considered, we had a nice day.

This is my first blog entry!!

2-months ago I had no idea what a blog was; last night I jumped right in.

My reason for starting this blog… I have been mothering two challenging, yet wonderful children, now teens, Claire and Gabriel for fifteen and twelve years respectively. I have been in school for what feels like at least that long. I have been married to the love of my life (we will call him “M” as he prefers anonymity). I am able to work part time for a non-profit company in a very satisfying position, and...life… just… happens… I am hoping to get back in touch with a part of myself I left behind - let fall asleep. I hope to wake up that creative part of myself, the part who sees life in color and takes the time to savor each moment as the gift it is. I am hoping to keep in touch with old friends whom I don’t get to see as much as I would like anymore as their lives are as full as mine own. I hope to meet others who feel that life is just moving too fast. I hope to slow down, to start living simply and to simply, start living.