Another Jaunt

It was time for another jaunt.

Time to swing on grapevines and perch on trees.

We headed to a local state park.  We wanted to finish hiking a trail we'd started months ago.  That hike had been interrupted when we ran into hunters.  We politely rerouted, per the unwritten hunter/hiker code of conduct.

This trail didn't have much of a climb to it (thank goodness).  It did have several tiny stream crossings, which we thoroughly adored.  

At one such stream crossing, we encountered this little garter snake, wriggling out from under a rock and slithering away.  It seemed a bit early to me for snakes, but he moved with such grace, that we stood transfixed, observing his quick getaway.

Look closely here.  Those are ALL briars.  

We walked through ALL of them, for SEVERAL minutes, because ~ onward!!!!!!!

Next time I'll take a machete to groom the trail a bit.  

We came across this small man-made pond and were delighted with it.  Surprisingly, it's not on the state park map, so we felt like we'd made a grand discovery!

Jake loved swimming in it because he loves swimming period.  

Then, Blossom2 made an exhilarating discovery ~ frog eggs!

We promptly harvested a few to take home to observe.

This gelatin-like mass in the water above is hundreds of thousands more frog eggs.  We didn't feel bad about the few we harvested for our scientific research.

We exited the woods and cautiously walked on the railroad tracks for a little while.

It reminded me of my own idyllic childhood, 

since we walked the railroad tracks at times.  

We stopped for a bit of quiet at the lakeside. 

 I just kept breathing deep, invigorating breaths of the silvery azure air.  

Dominique

PS - Walking and hiking are just a few of the things we've been filling our days with during the pandemic.

Check out your State Parks!

Sometimes we aren't aware of all that is available around us. 

In our state, many of the state parks offer spring and fall Homeschool Days. 

They are hands-on days that cover such topics as vermiculture (that's worms, people!), migration of birds of prey, fishing, Native American weapons and amphibian identification, just to name a few.

 

Getting your hands dirty in your education has long been one of my mom's favorite ways to expose her kids to new topics and situations. 



Now I'm doing the same with our children. 

I loved the Birds of Prey presentation, as the Blossoms and I were able to identify the hawk that's been patrolling our place for quite some time.  (We thought he was a Sharp-Shinned Hawk.  We were wrong; he was a Broad-Winged Hawk, like the one above.  Unfortunately, when our dogs were in this evening, the Broad-Winged Hawk struck, snagging one of our Bantam chickens.  Then, there was Blossom sadness.)

And, while we were observing the demonstration, we even saw him "hawk" up a hairball.  How many people can say they saw that? 

Another interesting observation is that birds of prey are placed in their cages tail-first, a move that would be bad news points deductions when handling poultry in 4-H events.  Poultry has to be placed head-first for the safety of their wings.  Birds of prey are MOST concerned about watching the handler since the birds are not domesticated.  Although that poses a risk to their wings, it's most important to keep them calm and feeling unthreatened.  So, our 4-H experiences and birds of prey experiences made for an interesting discussion.

 

Plus, Homeschool Days are perfect for that much-needed socialization that everyone thinks we're severely lacking.  (If you're missing the sarcasm as you read, I'll just let you know now how much I think socialization is NOT an issue for homeschoolers.  Most homeschoolers learn to adapt to many social situations and age group interactions quickly and adeptly, proving the point that it's best not to pigeon hole kids to one specific age group... but that's just my opinion.) 

She is socialized and evidently, she is fierce.  That's Blossom3 throwing an atlatl (Native American arrow throwing weapon). 

And, you never know, you might have a dinosaur sighting in your amazing state park! 

It's always great to get your kiddos outside as well.

Studies are now showing that kids who get outside and get moving, can focus better than kids who can't!  It's worthwhile to get out and breathe deep.  I enjoyed the beauty, the old friends and the new information, as did the girlies.  I can't wait to see what else the local state parks have up their sleeves!

Geology Rocks

I've shared with you before that more people (especially homeschoolers) really ought to utilize the educational opportunities at their local state parks. 

We went over a valley or two and attended a 5 hour "Geology Rocks" session.  This turned out to be our best education state park experience yet.  (Previous picture is the group learning about sedimentary rock.  The bottom layer of sedimentary rock is very warm and totally feeling the pressure... the same as the kids as they piled on layer after layer of kids.)

 

Blossom4 and her little pal agree that there ain't nothin' better than a cozy fire.

 

I got to fellowship all day with my friend, her little one and my little Blossom4.  The Environmental Center was full of fun educational books, heavy duty dinosaurs, all sorts of stuffed native animals and even aquariums for fun gazing.

 

Blossom3 was so pleased that her and her little pal got to participate and identify the rocks in the rock collections, even though they aren't 9 yrs old.  (I like it when people are flexible to include siblings.)

 

Then, when Blossom4 grew tired and restless in captivity, we ventured out to the playground.  The sun was shining and we basked in its rays and its warmth.

The day was a terrific change of pace, packed with knowledge and excellent hands-on activities to "make it stick."

Even Rory and Jake love field trips!  The Rugged Mountain Man came along so that he could do some hiking on the Mid State Trail with the "fellas" (as we call the dogs.)

Plus, Daddy even got to keep an eye on the girlies' Run Your Own Profitable Mine activity.  (Blossom1 tied for first as having the most profitable mine on the second go-round.  She was pretty pleased.)  The activity was quite in depth, complete with a patrolling MSHA officer watching for safety, health and environmental violations. 

I loved getting to chat with Daddy on the ride over.  I thoroughly enjoyed having meaningful mama-friend conversations in the Environmental Center, while putting the same puzzle together (at least) 5 times. 

Never forget that true fellowship can happen just about anywhere - in a vehicle, on a playground, over a puzzle, wherever.  More and more, I embrace the opportunities that come my way.  I appreciate the encouragement that I'm given and the encouragement I can offer.  It's fellowship, even during a Geology Rocks session.  As I used to say in my early (EARLY) twenties ~ "I'm down with that."

Dominique

Winter, lately

The Blossoms are awfully thrilled right now.  Many folks would say that "Old Man Winter" came to visit us on Tuesday and today.  I never like to personalize nature like that.  It seems like a subtle way to ignore the Creator.  It has never sat well with me.  Thus, our version - "We got snow.  And yes, God sent it."  The Blossoms were so desperate to do some cross country skiing, that they ventured out when the snow barely covered the grass.  I'm sure the experts would be appalled, but I'm not one to fight a childish passion.  I try to go with it, whenever I can.  Today, we had slightly over an inch of snow, so Mommy even ventured out.  I only made a complete fool of myself once, and considering that we live in the country, I don't think that counts.  Fresh air is undervalued, friends.  It's just so good to get out there.  Granted, this mama is pretty hard-core in the bundle-up department, so the outdoors are "snow" much more fun, when you're actually warm.  (As my raised-on-a-farm-on-the-frozen-tundra-of-Wisconsin Daddy says, "There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing choices.")  Yes, I require a certain number of layers that include full body long johns.  Don't knock them, til you've tried them.  I bet you'll find that winter doesn't stink so bad when you're toasty.  Anyway, I'm looking forward to more snow (I heard you shriek... but what's the good of winter, if you can't enjoy the perks of winter?!) and I can't wait to break out the ice skates.  There's a small pond, aptly named, "Frog Pond," over at our local state park that is superb for skating.  We just need some more consistent cold weather to get out there.  Ye-ah!!!  Anyway, in between the outside choring and skiing, we've been enjoying some coloring in the evenings.  Mama likes doodling for the girlies, as well as for her Etsy shop.  I finished, "So many kids, so much joy," which totally makes me smile every time I look at it. 

It's been so cute, as Blossom3 now likes to "make coloring pages" for me, which I am honored to color with her. 

For a 5 year old, I'm pretty pleased with her skills.  She even attempts the special lettering, which seems pretty observant, if you ask me.  We put on some instrumental music, turn on Mama's new flameless candles (huge fan... except the girlies figured out where I hid the remote and love to "try them out."  Off.  On.  Off.  On.  Gah.) and color and chat.  There's the joy of children, just being together with them.  Happy wintertime, friends!

Dominique

O Weary Mama

I glanced over at the verse of the day. 

 

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NASB

 

It reverberated through me. 

 

Strength is what I need for this particularly demanding week, a week chock full of meetings, 4-H details, sermon prep, vehicle trouble and research, decisions and everyday parenting. 

 

Then, I was confronted with this.

 

"You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 2:1 NASB

 

Strength and courage. 

 

Strength for the days I am weary. 

 

Strength and courage to fight the battles I don't want to fight. 

 

Strength and courage to avoid the easy path this week. 

 

There is just some whining I'd rather simply ignore.  There are just some attitudes in my children that it is easier and quicker to just look away and think about something else. 

 

But God's strength and courage are for me!

 

O weary mama, stand in His strength and courage.

I reminded myself that God is my strength and my portion;

He's the nourishment and sustenance I need today. (from Psalm 73:26, Isaiah 12:2)

 

My God is never weary or tired! 

 

I stop.  I wait on Him. 

 

I soak in His strength,

gaining what I need to lift up my weary head and be useful to the Master today. 

(from Isaiah 40:28-31, 2 Timothy 2:21)

 

Wait and take His strength and courage for your weary self today,

Dominique

PS - All photos from a recent jaunt to a local state park.

Fifteen Years

Today, fifteen years ago, I married the Rugged Mountain Man.

I have never regretted that decision.

Many marriages posts are so gushy, that they seem to get all up in your face.  The older I get, the more I shy away from that.  I can get gushy on my man, but no need to blab it to everyone, right?  Likely, the Rugged Mountain Man's preference for privacy has rubbed off on me over the years.  Hopefully I've also become more sensitive to whether or not something classifies as boasting.  Boasting benefits no one.

The Lord led us together.  There's no other explanation for a Wisconsin born girl who lived in Texas for seven years to eventually cross paths with a man who was born and schooled in Pennsylvania. 

Together we marvel at His beautiful orchestration of our lives.

The Lord shaped the Rugged Mountain Man's character into the rugged, dogged and faithful person I admire today.  Surely the prayers of his grandmothers and mother and the presence of his father were instrumental in this.  

I don't mention "rugged" only in reference to his physicality.  The Rugged Mountain Man's faith is strong, tough and capable of enduring hardship.  

I marvel at his Godliness, his patience and his wisdom.  

I reflect on his love and I whisper in wonder, "What hath God wrought?!"

Look at this man God has made.

Surely this is the fruit of years of God's own mighty handiwork.

And I'm humbly grateful.

Dominique

Pictures from our vacation at the cabin and another local state park.  Believe it or not, the above photo was not staged or arranged in any way.