Walk

The other day I was knee deep in used tissue. Cordelia was sick. Elise was running a fever too. My body hurt from being snuggled on the couch, holding my two girls. It was good, but my body was aching to be used for more than carrying humans and their laundry.


Sumo on a bridge

When Eric returned from work he was eager to snuggle with sick girls; harder thane being with your sick children is being away from your sick children.

I took the opportunity to get out of the house with the dogs. I bundled up as it was a chilly evening. I leashed the hounds and we rolled out.

I walked quickly, I felt the cold air hit my lungs. I chose hills and let my body work. It was wonderful. I listened to the sound of leaves underfoot. I could smell the wood burning stoves in the neighborhood. Just what I needed!


Can you figure out what is wrong with this picture?

How it Went

How it went.

1:32pm Cordelia wakes from her nap--- earlier than usual. I tryto get her back to sleep (this time is more precious than gold to me, the only time I have to entirely focus on my own thang). She smiles and laughs and hugs. How could I resist?

1:33pm Faced with some unexpected time with the little lady we run through some counting, the alphabet, a few songs. Thrilling for both of us.

1:36pm Hmmm. What to do now? I could go about chores with the little lady helping (she loves to sweep), but I feel like we need to do something special. Cordelia looks up at me with expectation...I felt like I had been challenged.

1:38 Inspiration hits. This girl doesn't know how to paint. So I break out the watercolors, the real watercolors and some heavy duty water color paper. I prep the paints, spray the paper with water (helps the paint spread) and we were ready to go.

She took the two handed approach.

Eric is convinced that she in ambidextrous


Three completed masterpieces. She said, "I made it mama!"

2:28 Cordelia becomes aware that there is paint all over her hands and begins to panic. To nip the building freak-out in the bud I decide that it is sprinkler time.

We spent the rest of the afternoon in the backyard.

4:45 Eric returns from work, bringing me a bouquet of lilies. Later I asked him if he got lilies because they were our wedding flowers. He grins and says,"....um, YES, that is exactly why I chose them..."

5:20 I start dinner, vegan cabbage burgers they are way better than they sound. Why does the word cabbage just sound gross?

6:29 The whole family (minus to cranky cats) heads out for an after dinner walk. The sun is bright orange and kind of muted due to nearby raging fires. We wander through the neighborhood, enjoying the slightly strange atmosphere. Stopping at a park to play. Eric delights us all with hand walking, flips and cartwheels.

7:42 We find ourselves hot from our walk, lazing about the living room. I make berry and almond milk smoothies to cool us down. Just blueberries, strawberries, a small spoon of sugar, almond milk, blend.

8:10 Cordelia says, "Wanna listen to music and dance." Dance off ensues.

8:21 Cordelia is still awake (what kind of parents are we?). We turn off the lights and break out some glow sticks. Fun ensues. Look I wrote you (yes you specifically) a couple of messages and drew you a picture with a glow stick and a slow shutter speed on the camera.

That is how it went. How did it go for you?

Letting Go in Increments and **Bonus

Last night, after dinner, we took a family hike alongside Garden Creek. The sun was gentle under the green canopy, only a few lines of soft yellow light made it through the matrix of heavy leaves to the ground. There were wildflowers everywhere. Humming birds were zipping above us. A soft breeze kept the perfumed air moving over our skin in a gentle current, it was really an extraordinary evening.

I held my daughter's tiny hand in my own as we walked along. I felt each of her tiny digits flexing and wiggling in excitement when she would spot something interesting. Her purple fabric shoes were covered in dust from her staggering toddler gait along the rocky trail. Her golden curls bouncing with each step. She would pull my hand saying,"Cooome on Mom," as she looked up with those imploring blue eyes, rimmed with her daddy's dark lashes. Sometimes she would become inexplicably timid and she would turn to me quickly. I would pick her up and she would bury her head in my shoulder, tucking her arms under mine. Oh the feeling of being a mother.

We stopped alongside the creek so she could throw rocks in (a favorite activity of any self-respecting child). We threw in things that floated and things that sunk. Then, she just decided that she wanted to walk straight into the creek. I held her back for a moment, just a moment. The water was only a couple of inches deep and after a spilt second decision I let her go to explore just out of my reach.

I don't know, maybe I am just one of those overly sentimental types (maybe or definitely?), but I couldn't help but think of how many times I am going to have to let her go, just a little bit more each time. How important it is that I never hold her back or push her too hard (no pressure right?) as she faces her future.

She played and splashed, talking to us as she did her own thing. I watched with joy as she discovered the water, the life under the water and had her own beautiful experience with nature. While a part of me aches that I have to let her go I am so grateful that it is happening in increments. I am just so thankful to watch this girl become whoever it is that she is going to be.

***Also, may I direct your attention to a new photo blog...Eric's. Please check out We Dug Trenches (wedugtrenches.tumblr.com). He is posting a photo a day. If you like today's photos (he took them all) or just good photography in general, then check it out. I love that it is just one photo, but it really suggests a larger narrative. Please check it out!!!

A Break

Winter took a break this weekend. The snow slunk into the shadows or quietly melted into the ground. The sun put in a little extra effort to warm the air and the winds took the hint and mercifully abated for a few days.

Here in Wyoming winter can last half the year. We know that any breaks like this must be taken full advantage of. So, we packed up our crew and headed down to the river for a little exploration. We blinked our eyes in the bright sunlight, like a bear emerging from hibernation.

We weren't the only people who had the same idea. There were joggers, families, bikers, and two middle aged men with mini-monster trucks riding them on the rocks (they were completely silent as we passed and then returned to a rather boisterous conversation) all down by the river.

There were spots where the river was frozen and other areas where the water carried chunks of loose ice downstream. The ducks and geese were adorably hanging out in little web-footed troops.

We were just out for an hour or so, but it was completely refreshing. This morning there is a fresh dusting of snow on the ground and it is once again cold and wintry outside, but I feel completely ready to take on another round of winter after our little break.

How was your weekend?

A Little Stroll

Yesterday morning started much the same as most days. The whole family was in our bed as Cordelia climbed between Eric and I, blowing raspberries, trying some new sounds, and generally being happy about everything. Eric and I, still half awake, couldn't help but feel so thankful to be awakened so early by such a joyful spirit.

Eventually we got going. I made breakfast, we split a breakfast burrito. Curtains were opened, animals greeted, Eric had coffee and watched tennis. I cleaned up and got myself and then Cordelia ready to head out.

We got going a bit earlier than usual in order to take a quick two mile walk with my parents and a bunch of other folks for a local non-profit. The weather was beautiful, Cordelia quickly snuggled in for a sleep in the Maya Wrap. I did a little chatting, a little walking and had a lovely morning.

1/2 way done with a grueling two mile leisurely stroll.


Done.

Cordelia woke up just as I was finishing the last few minutes of the walk.

Later we went out to lunch with my parents, had some yummy Chinese food and then Eric and I drove around talking for a bit, looking at how green and lush the town has become. First the tulips were blooming, then it was the pink flowering trees, then the irises and the lilacs and the poppies. Ahhh I love it.

Yesterday

The past few days we spent house sitting for my parents who were on a little journey to Montana. I was only a bit jealous. OK that is a fib, I was really envious, particularly when they called to tell me exactly how beautiful it was in Montana. Thankfully it is currently beautiful and green here in Wyoming and I didn't have time to dwell on missing Montana.

Sam had stayed behind because he is taking summer courses in order to graduate early. I think he is trying to outdo Ben and I and that's OK, he has already promised to support me when he becomes a millionaire. Anyway, when his classes let out yesterday afternoon he joined Miss Bumblebee and I for a walk in the park.

We walked for a while, talking about our most current obsessions. He is about to get his license and has been obsessively pondering car choices. He actually has saved up for the purchase of a car. When I was his age all of my money went to thrift store shopping and garage sale-ing.


We finally sat down in the grass on top of a hill and just talked as we looked out. It was really nice. We both obliged each other by listening as we discussed our personal obsessions. Mine is the baby in case that was unclear. Yes, it's true-in spite of my best efforts I can't help but think about this little girl nonstop. It certainly doesn't help that this little one seems to be in a state of constant motion, she doesn't let me forget about her for even a moment. I swear she is practicing cartwheels or maybe she is trying to learn this dance (I'm sorry, but that video NEVER gets old).

When we sat down Miss Bumblebee first ran circles around us, barking joyfully. Apparently bringing ourselves down to her level was a thrill worthy of celebration. Soon enough she settled into my lap and just watched enjoyed and the view. Dogs are good that way, they can just enjoy quite simply..although she too may have been pondering her own obsessions (eating cat food, staring intensely, whining, licking her foot).

Wihtout Words: Little Bits of Saturday's Walk

Saturday and Fort Night

Yesterday , after our relaxing morning, we decided to head out on our morning walk with Miss Bumblebee. She was in a fantastic mood and was doing these bucking bronco kicks. So, Eric decided to capitalize on her mood. He began tossing a stick around for her, as you can see in the photo below. Eric has taken over the bulk of the stick tossing duties since the day I accidentally poked her in the eye with a stick.
Bumblebee doesn't really play fetch. Instead she chases the stick runs in circles with it, tosses it in the air and then settles down to chomp on it as you can see below. The sitting and chomping can be a bit of a problem, considering that she has all the time in the world to lay in the grass and do nothing. Sometimes we indulge her, but yesterday she was distracted by two yappie miniature collies.

After the collie encounter we finished up our lovely walk and then headed home.


We had some lunch and went to a few libraries around Denver. We found out that Emiliana Torrini had released a new album and listened to it as we ran a few errands. When we got home I decided that it was high time to get a little painting done.


I completed this giant canvas that I have been working on for quite some time! The photo below is of me signing the finished piece. Woo hoo. I will let you know when it is up on the web site.


Finally, we decided it was fort time. We had planned on making a fort Thursday night, but then switched to Saturday night.

We drew up some fort rules, made some fort snacks and settled in to watch several episodes of Lost.
I love days that go so well that my cheeks hurt from all the smiling!

Trip to Wyoming

We went to Wyoming to visit the family this weekend. Friday after work we headed up, passing some buffalo along the way. Now, please don't think that buffalo are freely roaming the countryside, these are on a ranch. We also passed two camels.


We arrived in Wyoming and Bumblebee couldn't decide if she wanted to play in the backyard or inside with the family. So there was a lot of in and out the back door.



Saturday we went bowling. Eric is a serious bowler, but I am terrible. My highest score was 50 (ouch).

Sunday afternoon we went out for coffee with Sam.

We had a glorious time chatting and talking nonsense. After coffee we went home where all of the guys decided to be manly and watch football.

Mom and I decided to take a break from the testosterone. She wanted to show me this beautiful bird trail she had found on the outskirts of town.

I must admit that there were not many birds on the bird trail, but the fall walk was just beautiful.

We followed the trail and saw many fresh tracks. Mom was kind enough to point out that there had recently been a mountain lion spotting in the area. Fortunately the tracks were mostly from deer.

After the walk our afternoon adventure got a little weird. We spotted a man pretending to have some type of ankle injury. He was moaning and laying in the grass. Two people in full hiking gear (not necessary in the area) were standing nearby and seemed only mildly interested in the moaning man. Mom and I decided that they were doing some sort of training. Still, it was weird.

Next we decided to take a drive up the mountain and check out the fall foliage. On our way up the mountain we passed some deer (not particularly interesting for this part of the country) and then we spotted a large group of 30-50 adult turkeys.

We made it up and over the mountain. It was beautiful, of course.

We headed back down the mountain and spotted a man trying to feed a wild deer with a bag of chips. He smiled at us as we drove by, it was weird.

We made it back to the house and the football game had ended. I took another lovely walk with my father. Then, as a family, we went to see a really bad movie. We all had fun watching the weird movie.

Now, it is Monday morning and Eric, Bumblebee and I are headed back down south. We had a great time visiting with family. We will see them in less than a month when they come down for Thanksgiving.

Rainy Saturday

Yesterday was a beautiful cool, foggy and rainy day. You probably already know that this is one of my favorite types of day. I felt very creative and developed a couple of projects that I will be cooking up over the next few days.


Eric and I took Bumblebee on a walk in the park. She spent most of the walk with her nose to the ground; sniffing up the rich scents that seem to take on new life in the moist air.


The fountain on our walk was beautiful and misty.


We spent about 45 minutes wandering around and talking about a variety of projects and changes that we are facing in the coming weeks and months.


Also, I wanted to note an important milestone in my husband's life. Eric found his first gray hair yesterday. Unfortunately he pulled it out, but we all know it was there contrasting wonderfully against his black hair. I congratulated him and asked if he felt more distinguished. He does. Congratulations Eric!