Beware the Swing

I love adventure days with my husband! We took one recently that included two states, three green houses and three different Amish groceries.

And Orscheln Farm and Home.

Because there is always some doodad or thingamajig that the tractor or the animals or the farmer needs. Always.

I don’t mind these Orscheln stops; at least they have nice bathrooms.

And I’ve found a few favorite things to look at while my husband is checking off his list. I take a quick walk through the clothing, then I checkout the book section, and this time of year, I take time to try out all the lawn furniture.

This trip was no exception.

I worked my way around the store to the patio section and systematically tried out every chair – in every color combination.

That’s when I saw it.

The hanging swing on display.

It looked really fun.

I wondered if it was comfortable?

I wondered how easy it was to sit in and get back out?

I walked over to it. I touched it.

Then I looked around to see if anyone was looking.

And I sat down in the swing.

Whoosh!

The next thing I knew I was on the floor in a heap of canvas, wood, and metal.

My husband heard the crash and came running. Somehow he knew it was me?! He helped me quickly extricate myself from the mess and put the swing back together.

And he never laughed.

At least until we had quickly exited the store and sat in the car. Then we both lost it.

Honestly – we still laugh when we think about it.

Beware the display swings people.

They were meant to be a display. (Even if there is no sign anywhere that says Display Only!)

And girls – marry the guy who will keep a straight face while pulling you out of a mess of canvas and metal in the middle of a store and then laugh with you later.

That man is a keeper.

Small Victories

Can we talk about the weather this winter? I’ve been trying to find an appropriate adjective to describe it, but I’m torn between unrelenting and horrid.

It’s been frigid, snowy, icy, rainy, foggy, windy, and muddy.

Sometimes all on the same day.

It’s been tough. Frozen bales. Snow drifts. Tractors that won’t start. Cows that walk over drifted fences. Ice. There were several days the only vehicle we could get out of the driveway was the 4 wheel drive truck – and that was iffy.

No church for three weeks in a row.

We had to cancel the Valentine’s Banquet, which is my favorite church event all year.

But the saddest part of all was that none of the kids could come for my birthday, and the weather was so bad Jan couldn’t even take me out.

It looked for a little bit like winter had us beat.

But we’re tougher than that. We got creative with our schedules and found a Saturday to get together with the kids.

Then February fought back with a massive blizzard due to arrive that day.

But we were undaunted. We watched the weather forecast with the intensity of a mama who was sick of winter and wanted to see her babies. It looked as if the rain would turn to snow about 6:00 in the evening, giving us a small window of opportunity, when the ice from the night before had melted but before the snow started.

And we took it!

It might have been one of the crazier things we have ever done, but we drove an hour and half in dense fog and drizzle to Laura and Steven’s.

We didn’t have a lot of time to do much, but we were together. I saw their faces. I hugged their necks.

And we left at exactly 4:15, which was enough time to get home before the snow started.

We hit heavy rain less than 10 minutes into the drive.

It turned to sleet.

And then snow flurries for the last 45 minutes.

But we made it!

Over three hours on the road to spend a little over 4 hours with our kids. It was so worth it.

So there, Winter! After weeks of giving in to the weather, we finally beat it!

It was a small victory, but oh so sweet!

It might be dangerously cold outside again today and there might be more snow in the forecast this week, but that little victory has given me confidence.

Winter won’t win.

Soggy Christmas Moments

Once again my extended family gathered at my parents to celebrate a very early, but now our traditional, Christmas over Labor day weekend.

But our annual “fun in the sun/last hurrah of summer/Christmas celebration” took a very wet turn this year.

The rains we’ve been needing for weeks finally came. And came, and came, and came!

Those that would normally tent were chased inside every night by heavy rain and strong winds. They found whatever floor space they could to throw down their sleeping bags.

The favorite topic of conversation at the breakfast table was “where did you sleep?”

The brave few who found that they could hang their hammocks up in Papa’s Jim outbuildings answered with “above the table saw and just left of the riding mower!”

It was dry long enough for our annual cookout in the grove of trees and for our traditional sock hop that followed. This year’s dance included glow sticks which added a bit of color to the lightning display far to the south.

But we carefully picked everything up and put lawn chairs under cover before the next round hit in the middle of the night.

The crazy amount of rain did little to dampen our enthusiasm! Instead it provided extra entertainment and excitement! Watching the lightning in the distance, gator rides to the river to see how much it was flooding, and eating lunch in the funeral tent in a downpour all made unique and priceless memories!

Amazingly enough, it was the unpredictability of the weekend that provided the most adventure. When the rains stopped for a short while we all ran outside to enjoy the sunshine and when they started again, we’d gather on the porch to chat or find an empty table to play games.

Honestly, if I could have picked the perfect weather for the weekend – rain would not be included. But I’m thankful that Someone much wiser than I knew it would be the perfect addition to a one-of-a-kind family get-together!

And now we all know that soggy moments can sometimes make the very best memories!

A Pause in the Blur of Activity

July rushed by in a blur of activity.

Just like always.

It seems there is a lot of living to be done between June 30th and August 1st!

But in the middle of the busy there were moments to capture, to cherish, to remember.

Like our annual family camping trip to Dolliver.

It was a time anticipated for weeks; circled on the calendar like a oasis in the busyness of summer.

Four generations gathered together. Remembering old memories. Making new ones.

Easily falling into traditions that were years in the making.

Slipping into the Dolliver schedule like a long lost friend.

Long hikes.

Naps under shade trees.

Water fights.

Creek wading.

Sparkler silliness.

A sock hop.

Playing games till all hours of the night.

Bonfires.

Talking, sharing, laughing.

Being with the precious people we call family.

It’s a tradition that defines our summers.

A weekend to pause and refresh and remember.

A blessing.

Deep Woods and Grand Adventures!

It was just what we needed.

A few days with the kids on the North Shore in Minnesota.

Epic adventures through the deep woods.

On and off the trail.

Smelling the pine woods.

Climbing rocks.

Bonfires every night.

S’mores.

Picnics.

Waterfalls.

Swinging bridges.

Rock cliffs.

Warm days.

Cool nights.

Lake Superior in all it’s beauty and power.

And quiet.

Hammocks.

Loons.

A cabin in the woods.

Games.

Snacks.

Late nights.

Photo shoots.

Silliness.

Laughter.

The whole family together.

Perfect.

The Great Eclipse Adventure of 2017

Since my only experience with a solar eclipse was a partial one in 6th grade when I couldn’t get my cardboard eclipse viewer to work and never actually saw anything, I will admit that I wasn’t very excited about the this week’s big eclipse.

But when my sister asked if we would like to adventure with them to see it, I said, “Sure – why not!” I wasn’t expected to actually see anything, but a road trip with her is always fun!

We had a vague plan in place. Meet at my house. Bring food. Drive south to a spot in totality. Perfect.

But Eclipse Day dawned overcast and rainy. We consulted long and hard over several maps and weather forecasts before deciding to head toward Fall City, Nebraska which was in the epicenter of totality.

(Which is a word I have never used in my life until now – but one I used frequently that day – and have already used twice in this post!)

It remained overcast and we drove in and out of rain during our two hour drive. But the kids played “Sunshine on My Shoulders” and every other song from their playlists with “sun” in them to keep our spirits up.

We may have gotten lost temporarily – but we eventually found the party at Fall City just in time for the eclipse to begin.

And for the clouds to settle in.

When it stated to sprinkle, my brother-in-law pointed to a patch of blue sky in the distance and said, “Let’s find it! We won’t see anything here!”

So we jumped in the van with our free eclipse glasses (thank you Fall City Chamber of Commerce!) and started our afternoon of eclipse chasing.

We would drive around for several minutes until someone spotted the sun, then we would pile out of the van on the side of the road and check out the progress with our free glasses.

When the clouds moved in, we would move on. Piling back in the van and heading off in another direction to repeat the procedure.

We were in the middle of a random gravel road somewhere west of Fall City when the eclipse reached totality.

It was amazing. Absolutely amazing.

Beyond anything I could have imagined.

Standing there in darkness and seeing the sun rise all around us.

Our kids were dancing around the gravel in the sheer joy of the moment. Okay – I might have danced a little, too!

A few minutes later it was over and the moon started to move on.

And with it the clouds, leaving us a beautifully sunny afternoon to watch the moon slowly pass by.

Which we did. In awe and amazement.

We were finally able to try out all the viewing methods that hadn’t work well with the cloud cover.

Like the pinhole.

And it worked!

One of the kids observed that after seeing a total eclipse of the sun – anything else we did the rest of the day would be anti-climatic.

It was.

We made a quick stop at Indian Caves State Park and then snacked our way back home – getting stuck in the hundreds of cars all trying to get across the Missouri River.

And of course we got ice cream.

Because no adventure is complete without ice cream!

And this is one adventure that we will never forget.

Once in a lifetime.

Absolutely amazing.

Flying By…

Is it just me or did June fly by?!

Wasn’t Memorial Day just yesterday? And now we’re planning July 4th activities!

I can’t believe we’ve already celebrated Anna’s birthday with presents and family and cheesecake!

“Cheesecake Gobble gobble Cheesecake, Gobble Gobble cheesecake. Cheesecake!”

And Father’s Day.

Which began with a boomerang on the roof, progressed to a kite in the farm pond and ended with bottle rockets and Roman candles.

I’ve spent hours digging out the garden and was surprised to see plants! Real vegetables growing despite the unconventional planting and absolute neglect!

It’s a miracle!

Nate’s band had their first big concert! They did a great job and drew a really nice crowd!

Look at him playing the electric guitar!

And just imagine the great story it will be if they ever get famous and can say their first big concert was on the stage behind Frosty Trete Ice Cream in Bedford, Iowa!

My parents came for the concert and stayed for a visit. We played games, went shopping and had a great auction adventure!

Two of my sisters came for a day! We filled it with talk and laughter and games and shopping.

And eating out. Of course.

I shivered in sweatshirts, sweated in tank tops and huddled in the basement waiting for the storm to pass.

I’ve hung loads of wet laundry in the sunshine and taken them in smelling of fresh air and blue sky.

And was awestruck by the site of billions of fireflies – like twinkle lights bedazzling the sky as far as the eye can see – shining so bright it was hard to see where the stars ended and the fireflies began.

I’ve heard the bobwhite quail, read books, and visited multiple greenhouses.

I’ve laughed at antics of adolescent chickens.

And repeatedly stepped over the baby kitties who have decided to live on the back step.

So much life was lived in the last month!

I guess that’s where June went – in big events, special moments, quiet joys, and the wonder that is found in every day life – if we look for it.

My Visit to the Farm

My two year old great nephew came to visit this week with his parents and baby brother. Here’s a look at his visit from his eyes…

My Visit to the Farm

By Dawson

I liked to go to Aunt Melinda’s farm.

I got to pet the baby kitties and touch a chicken.

I got to feed them, too! They really like muskmelon seeds and watermelon rinds!

Did you know that chickens run around in circles?

And they laid an egg in the coop.

Uncle Jan has many, many cows. And they really do say moo!

They are big. But I am brave when daddy carries me.

Uncle Jan has real tractors that I could sit on and pretend to plant corn and peas and spaghetti!

I like to sit on the mower, too.

And the 4 wheeler.

We took a walk to the big pond and saw lots of cows.

Bullfrogs made a funny sound and some jumped in the water and made big splashes!

I threw lots of rocks in the water. They made big splashes, too!

I liked to swing on the swing and chase the soccer ball all over the yard and slide down the slide.

i really liked playing with Aunt Melinda’s toys!

Especially the barn and the tractor and the Fisher Price toys.

We played and played until we heard another Amish buggy drive by on the road.

Then I would remember all the fun things outside and we put my shoes on and went back out to do it all over again!

My little brother had lots of fun, too!

We had so much fun at Uncle Jan and Aunt Melinda’s that I cried and cried when we had to go home.

I can’t wait to come back!

Angel Girl’s Big Adventure

Angel Girl had a pretty epic adventure over Spring Break.

She saved her money and bought a plane ticket to Hawaii.

Yep, Hawaii. Land of sunshine, pineapples, palm trees and miles of breathtaking ocean views.

And…. her good friend Grace who is studying there.

The two girls wasted no time!

They toured the Dole Plantation.

Hiked up Diamond Head.

Spent time at Pearl Harbor.

Drank tons of coffee.

Good coffee.

Ate fancy foods in fun places.

And sent us drool-worthy pictures.

They spent hours at the beach.

Swimming.

Watching the surf.

Sitting in the sun.

Relaxing.

And taking artsy pictures with perfectly manicured nails.

Spending every second soaking up the sunshine and time together before they had to say goodbye.

Then she boarded the flight home – sun soaked and tired with sand and salt still in her hair.

Already planning the next trip.

Aloha.

Girl Trip

It was the perfect Saturday for an adventure!

The sun was shining, the weather was warm, and the skies were blue as we headed to Omaha to rendezvous with the girls.

Three generations of girls –

14980805_10207400981720300_6413745664116412665_n Grandma, aunts, sisters, cousins.

Family.

We explored secret gardens and hidden attic rooms.

Shared wild rides filled with laughter and silliness.

14907125_10154197793628315_6029653704083883656_n Ate real Irish food at the Brazen Head which inspired a medley of Irish Rover songs from our childhood.

“There were green alligators and long necked geese,

Humpty back camels and chimpanzees,

The cats, the rats, the elephants but sure as you’re born,

The loveliest of all was the unicorn…”

We visited antique stores and thrift stores.

Enjoyed apple cider and hot coffee.

Ate chocolate and pumpkin cookies.

And ice cream.

14938170_10154197792498315_7950483781047084838_n

I think there’s an rule about the necessity of ice cream on an epic adventure.

We hiked, climbed trees, explored, got stuck on cliffs and accidentally photobombed several families at the park trying to get pictures for Christmas cards.

And we talked and shared and remembered.

Three generations of ladies.

One amazing day.