Hallelujah!

Today is the first day of school for my children. After a summer of traveling, chauffeuring, swimming, soccer and camping I have gloried in the silence and simplicity of this long awaited day. I have found myself looking over my shoulder more than once sneaking quick and somewhat frantic glances at the clock wondering "how much time do I have left?" it was after such a moment that a sweet and simple thought entered my head...they'll be at school again tomorrow!

Week of camp

I spent four days in the woods with my family, camping. I dedicate this week of posts to the sharing of that experience and to your enjoyment!

Let me begin my telling you that I have learned something about my husband this week, he is a camping dictator. The natural world has order and so naturally, my husband must too. When we fish, it is his way. Camp set up is his way and of course, camp take down is his way. I have to admit that he is an experienced outdoorsman. So, much to my consternation, he's usually right. But let it be known that by our final day in the great outdoors, the dictator faced a cou. Were it not for his acceptance of the terms laid down by his subjects, he would have been removed from power and banished from the country. What's the saying? "absolute power corrupts absolutely?"

Ah summer, we have had a great vacation and I am now counting the days until the kids are back in school. I have moved from active participation to active anticipation/procrastination. I am waiting. You see, it is not that the months off have been unkind it is simply that I am ready to move on. I have fallen prey to the lure of your lazy song and feel no inclination to act...on anything. And so, for the survival of my sanity I must insist that we make this transition as soon as is possible lest I begin to harden into the mold of inactivity and pursue the laziness of summer days full time.
By the way, let fall know I expect big things!

Prop

There is a beautiful Elm tree in our city that made the news yesterday. There is speculation that this tree, planted in the early 1900's, is the only one of it's kind in the country, perhaps the world. What makes this tree so special? It grows horizontally! Now, while you are wondering how that works let me explain why I find this tree an inspiration.
Because the branches of this Elm grow out, you can imagine the tree is very wide. It is accepted that if this tree were growing in the wild the weight of the extra long branches would have long ago shattered the trunk of the tree. As a response to the work of gravity, gardeners have propped each branch with a specially designed platform that allows the branch to rest it's weight, relieving the trunk of the tree. Some branches have several platforms due to their enormous length. What I love about this picture is simple. This beautiful tree is just another way of our world telling us- sometimes we all need a little support!


ksl.com - Utah County working to protect one-of-a-kind tree

Cleansing

Checkout lines are my nemesis! No, I'm not kidding. There is a law written in the cosmos that is enforced every time I get into the line at the grocery store. Some may say it is karma except that I have always had excellent check out manners. I am usually very patient regarding coupons, crying babies and food stamps. I do not know what has me on the cosmos crap list in this area but I must get myself off and so begins "operation checkout!" I am in the market (ha ha) for some sort of ritual that will set me right with the universe so I turn to you dear readers, I need suggestions for offerings to the grocery gods. I give my word that I WILL actually perform said offering (keep it simple folks, no bloodshed or illegal activity. This is supposed to be silly.) and will report the effectiveness of said rite. The ball is in your court, end my shopping nightmares!