Pretending is Fun

What do you do when you are finished with homework, you've practiced piano, devoured your snack, and your little sister comes down bright eyed and bushy tailed after her afternoon snooze?

Build a house, bake some tasty cookies, invite some old friends and a furry one over to enjoy the fruits of your baking labor, of course!

It is always highly recommended that you stop and thank the architect, builder, and baker for the delish cookies.

No party is complete without taking out your favorite issue of Boy's Life and Highlights magazines and then read them aloud!

The Rustle Awakens

The rustle of wind

plays on the fine tufts of wheat.

Swirling and dancing as if on feet.

Canyons so deep

just make me want to move.

Hiking and exploring gets me into a groove.

A Favorite View

Silence surrounds me

like a treasured blanket.

Birds, sheep, and horses fill my

ears with conversation like food at at banquet.





The Forever Sentinel



The old windmill turns

as if a sentinel on watch.

I never tire of inhalling the age of  the old red barn

full of rope, saddles, tackle, buckets, and cloth.



Taking LD for a Ride

Laughter nudges the leaves

as wild turkey rest.

We ride upon tractors,

four wheelers, combines, and sheep;

those experiences build our own comfey nest.





Dinner on the Farm

Traditions and baking

passed down through generations.

A kitchen table that has enjoyed and expanded

with all the musings of a family full of conversations.

Western Nebraska
Sunset

Sunsets on the Nebraska prairie

fill my mind.

 Loving the divine nature of God's

signed handiwork defined.

The memories flow

forth like fine wine.

Time with my family on that special farm

in the middle of a prairie,

surrounded by nature,

devoid of the hustle of city life;

always makes me shine.

Note:  I have been tuning into a blog, Mama Kat's, that gives blog writing prompts.  At a specified time, you can choose to "post" your blog that is in response to her writing prompts. 

I don't write my blog for an increase of numbers, but I do write it for those who I treasure. That may be why my list of devoted readers is so small.  Regardless, often, I am inspired by her prompts, but fail to write on them.  This week, I didn't want the inspiration to fade.  So I acted upon the promt: write a poem on something you are looking forward to."  Well.  I'm going to be on this rock for quite a little while longer.  However, I'm coming home.  I must.  I miss you all so much.  The Navy has given us a "home" but my heart is full of moments that were created by others.



Enjoying the Farm 2009

To my dear Aunt Mary, you are the grandmother God did not allow me to have.  She would be so proud of how you took me under your wing and showed me all the treasures that exist away from cities.  I always long for my time on the farm.  I always have.  Now, my children are just as eager as I once was to enjoy the life of the farm, the wonder of the people who have kept it going as Uncle Howard would have wanted, and the sounds of the farm that always call for us to come "home".   I hope to see you this summer.  I will pray that we can once again enjoy the sheep, the tractors, the "help" that we provide (or sometimes make more work after we've assisted), the cooking, the chickens, the muttun' bustin', and the homemade NOODLES!  Yes, I'm looking forward to a farm visit with the kids.  Our tank is almost empty here.  It is time to be rejuvinated.

A Cup of Coffee and a Cat

Look closely at the photo of our dear cat, Kendo. 

Why?  Because I'm pretty certain this is what happens to a person when they

get their cup of coffee taken away to early.

See how his eyes have that glassy glazed over why did you wake me? 

Check out his whiskers...those babies are tense and stretched trying to figure out what in the

world is around it. 

Those teeth..well...let's just say I don't have the honor of knowing what those would exactly feel like sinking into his kibble. 

But, I have a pretty good idea without needing to test my theory. 

And of course, the biggest visible sight in this photo...the gapping hole of a mouth and an outstretched tounge, caught in mid-yawn. 

That cat nap just can't come soon enough, but with a drooling big lug of a puppy coming by

every two seconds,

who has the time to sleep?

 Lordy days, please don't let me look like this as I begin my quest to break free of my coffee habit and attempt a change in my diet.

Seriously, I'm a busy lady.  I'm getting mighty good at juggling a lot on my plate.

I think the endless pot of coffee might have had something to do with my "inspiration".

Wait...I think I feel my eyes wanting to close...

but the laundry still needs to get done before HH walks through the door

so when he's excited to see us after a long day at the office, I can be rest assured I had a busy day, too.

 

On second thought, I think I'll go get that cup of Joe before I catch myself yawning.  I'll get back on the wagon of drinking only two cups, tomorrow.

Step Back in Time

I'm going to try my hardest to wrap my head around something. 

My son is growing up. 

 Island life has done one thing for my brain...it's wrecked my way of placing my memories.  Thus, I always feel like yesterday was the day we arrived here.  Today he went for his 1st day of 1st day at his "new" school.  Tomorrow he'll go to his first pack meeting with Pack 388.

Newsflash to my anal retentive mind. 

Yesterday was 2 3/4 years of being stationed on this island.

Today HS went to his "old" school and is writing cursive for his 3rd grade teacher. 

Tomorrow he'll need to complete another elective for his Bear silver arrow points, for a pack that we have been members of for almost three years.

 Zoinks!  Our Pack's Annual Blue & Gold Banquet really hit home to me.  OK...so we were suppose to "Step Back in Time" to Cub Scouting's history.  However, I don't ever hit the nail with being up to the same par as others so I will allow myself to enjoy...stepping back in time...my way.  An honestly, I need to do so in order to remember why it is that I am doing what I am with my HH, my HS, and a Pack that has seen so much growth.

     Our Pack was a very small pack when we joined.  HS was in one of only one den of Tigers...6 strong.  The pack was comprised of maybe at it's very most 15 scouts...on a good day to count.  He was addicted instantly.  He loved the camaraderie and he loved the challenge.  It didn't hurt that they gave him little beads and shiny things to put on his belt.  HH and I were clueless in Seattle as far as Scouting was concerned.  The Pack was very small, the leaders few and most pulling three "volunteer" jobs just to keep the Pack running.

Those who joined, instantly saw the hidden gem in this pack.

Those we saw the gem, were hooked.

HS's Wolf year was simply a-MAZ-ing.  We all got so involved that by mid Wolf year, HS was watching me den lead a group of 12 scouts and HH moved up to Cubmaster with a Pack of about 32.  We watched as he dove into his Wolf book and became friends with those in his den.  He was no longer the "new" Scout and enjoyed getting to know all the other Scouts, both old and new.  By the end of his Wolf year, we were all energized to make the Pack as outstanding as we could.  This time, the Pack had many eager leaders step up to provide assistance with that quest.  No longer was the Pack led by a small group of "heroic" leaders with big hearts.  They now had a true committee and leadership team with big hearts.

Now as a Bear, HS is still addicted to the world of Scouting, his den is one of two Bear den both teetering at about 7 scouts with both having not only a den leader, but a den assistant.  The pack is a whopping 50 Scouts strong with ample leadership.  We've participated in fantastic fundraisers so that we do have extra funds for "fun" things and tokens of appreciation.  Many countless activities earn this Pack the 2010 Quality Unit Award and the National Summertime Award, both for the 1st times in a long time for this pack.  We are eager to keep shooting for the stars, with the hopes that more parents will "catch" the bug of scouting.

At the beginning of the summer as a Bear, we tell HS that I will be stepping out of the role as den leader.  He doesn't assume I'm leaving the leadership team, instead, he asks what role I'm going to do now... He watches as we tackle the world of the "Pack" as Cubmaster and Pack Committee Chair. We stay extremely involved in his den, but now must cheer on all the other dens and take both the good and the bad of dealing with parents. He maintains his pride in us and I'm thrilled that he finds the heart to do so.  His actions speak volumes to a heavy heart.

Yep.  I've stepped back in time.  I so desire for HS to look back on his childhood and remember.  Remember that even when his Dad and I were frustrated, feeling like we weren't ever leading this pack in the right direction, and contemplating stepping aside and letting someone else try their hand, we wanted only the best we could give to him and to his other fellow scouts.  That's why I can't recall the exact times of his Cub Scouting journey.  I live it with him.  Every day.  With pride.