Some of the Things I See

Last year at this time Chancho was considering a career change that would take us to another state. I fancied we'd go to Texas and even had fun looking on-line at houses. Several months later we decided that the career change wasn't the way to go but we still felt ready for a change. So, we put our house up for sale and I started looking for places to move. With this pastime I began to grow more and more discontent with my current surroundings. Later we decided not to move. And now I am very glad. I believe that unless you CAN do something about a situation or PLAN to do something about a situation, then you shouldn't complain about it. And I'm trying to stick to that motto.

One cool thing about starting this blog is that I realize I am always looking for good things--good memories that I want to keep. And as I have looked for the good, my eyes have been more opened to the awesome blessings that surround me, and as my eyes are opened, I see more good, and that makes me feel more blessed. Its a pretty awesome circle.

Nancy recently moved from her home in Washington to another state and did a good job documenting a lot of her good memories of that place. One post in particular inspired me. It helped me to think about the things that I would miss if we didn't live here. I don't want to have to move from here before I realize what beauty surrounds me (I'm not saying that is what Nancy did but just that I have been here for 6 years and am maybe not as grateful for all of the positives as I should be).

So, anyway, like Nancy, I decided to take my camera with me out for my morning run (or more often it has been a nice walk, or when the kids are with me a varying amount of very slow walking and then sprinting to catch them). We often go to the gym but any time the weather is nice, I would so much rather be outside. And for the past several weeks you couldn't ask for more perfect weather!

Due east of our home are some federally protected wetlands. A river runs in a northern direction and has a paved path along it for several miles. As I took my camera, I didn't think about the things that I don't like about the trail (when you can hear the train racing past on the other side of the river, the barbed wire fences as you pass the trailer park, the stink and the sounds of the highway overhead as you cross underneath). Rather, I focused on the beauty and was amazed that everything had become even more gorgeous than I remembered. So, come along with me and enjoy the things that I get to see each morning!

First, heading straight out the door, this is what you'll see. Just walk to the end of this little block (the big pine at the end) and turn right.

You will then see this cool sign that Mike Argyle made. He does all kind of cool ironworks.
Follow the dirt path for about a block and cross a little stream where kids like to go catch tadpoles .Then you will arrive at the paved path which runs north and south.
Go South and soon you will be seeing beautiful sights like this:

And this:After about 1.5 miles you will be past the wetlands and will see a nice little grassy area:And if you're very lucky, you may just see my cute dancing Nancy #2!You will mostly see Russian Olive and Cottonwood trees, but you'll also see a cool tree like this and you'll think, "I wish Mom was here. She would tell me exactly what kind of tree this is. Choke Cherry? Who knows. Only Mom."You'll see lots of cute moms out with their strollers on the trail and letting their little ones play by the river.You'll see beautiful flowers and weeds that you don't want growing on your lawn (unless you are Heather D) but love to see out here:You will stop several times to pick up these and toss them into the dirt so that they don't get crushed or dry out before they make it across the pavement. And when Deedle asks what you are doing you will say, in a very profound voice, "Deedle, I may not be able to save all of these snails but for that one...I made all of the difference." And you'll chuckle a little to yourself.And if you fool around with the manual mode on your cheap camera for long enough, you may finally take a really cool photo that you like of these berries (and again you'll wish Mom was around so that she could either remind you again why you should not eat those poisonous berries OR will tell you that if you are ever lost in the wilderness to look for these exact berries to keep you alive. I can't remember which she would say.):And on the mornings that the littles don't have preschool, you will see this:And you'll also see this as you make your mandatory stop at the spot the kids have to throw rocks. You won't mind because you know that the next day you can work out harder while they are in school and you'll also know that before too long they won't think it is cool at all to go with you and throw rocks in the river. Oh, and you will also wonder how it is that your daughter throws like this:Yet your son throws like this: I hope you've enjoyed this little adventure. See how lucky I am to live where I live?