The Girl and her Dog

A peak at this view made me happy yesterday. She was the main influence behind us getting a pup. She's made all of us happy to have the addition to our family.

Tenting it in Perry County

I would be over-stating it, if I said that we went 'camping'. It was more like we went to visit a good friend, and slept in tents instead of on beds. So,... I guess... we went tenting.



With the kind of meals we had, and the facilities we were offered, we were barely 'roughing' it. The kids got to sleep alone in their own tent, however. With the dog, even. And nobody got up before dawn when we heard the roar of thunder and sprinkle of rain. It was a success.

By that time, a gourmet breakfast was awaiting.



Thanks, again, Michael, for your generous hospitality. We loved every minute of our little get away at what is now becoming more and more like a home away from home.



Thank you, too, for this most exciting bonfire ever made in human history! And the show that you had the lighting bugs put on just after that was something else, too.

California visit

It had been almost two years since we left our old hometown behind. We drove away not knowing if and when we would return. The several previous attempts to leave for good, only put us right back where we started (Right on the same street, even. Twice). California has that power, obviously.



But this visit was truly what it was. A visit. A visit to our favorite spots. A visit with our friends. It was a visit that felt like being back 'home', completely and utterly comfortable. We knew where everything was. We knew what we wanted to see. We even knew what the weather would bring. We were visiting 'home', and yet, we had no desire to stay.





It was better that way.

So we enjoyed it all, for what it was. The beaches were lovely; the sand was warm; the ocean air was refreshing. We loved seeing friends whose children had grown just as ours had. And yet it was as if no time had passed.



That's the way we like it.







We enjoyed the city, too, and all that came with it. The sights and sounds; the colors and vibes. It was the same old California we had known and loved. It was fresh and delicious and inviting.



We even crossed the famous bridge and went over to the rugged Marin headlands to find some peace and solitude and even more beauty.



We caught up with friends and family, most of whom had known us before we became parents, and some who had known the children before they could crawl.



We loved the connections we have with these amazing souls!



And then, the day came when we had to leave. Sure it was bittersweet to say goodbye to the coast, to the views, to the people we love. Surprisingly, we were all ready. We had drunken it all up. We had relived the past and enjoyed the present. We loved every minute of our California visit.



It was time to come home.



Home where our dog Katie lives; where the clucking hens roam; where the fuzzy bunny sprawls. We returned tired, but happy. We returned to our family life where the neighbors welcomed us back and the summer break is knocking on the door.



Katie and I are back on our walks. The walks that bring me a lot of peace and solitude here. The walks that remind me that there is beauty everywhere.







We look forward to our next visit to the coast. Yes, we do. But for now, we are happy to be home.