Yesterday was pure delight for me.
I slept in . . . the first day in (what seems like ) ages. Awoke to hungry kitties . . . so I indulged them in some of the fancy (read: expensive) food that they like . . but rarely keep in the house. Made a large cup of coffee and went out on the porch in my PJ's. It was warm . . . the warm wrapped around me like a soft blanket as I sat on my outdoor chair. The kitties wound themselves around my legs and jumped onto the table holding my coffee. Curious noses hovered over the cup . . . but unfortunately nothing much interesting was to be found there. (for them anyway!) Based on the weather . . . a small idea formed . . . and I let it mull for a moment before I picked up the phone. Jenny answered and agreed . . . what a fabulous idea! So we set off to make it happen. I lazed around a bit more (I won't be rushed!) and hopped in the shower. I put on a nice sundress, and didn't do my hair. I rolled the windows down in the car, and let the breeze have it's way with the fine, wet straw on my head. Pulling into the store parking lot . . . I formed a mental list in my mind: eggs, light mayo, wheat bread, cold cuts, pickles (yum!), salad fixins, raisins and . . . green tea yes! My wandering mind managed to fit a few more things in, and I was on my way.
I arrived at the BF's house to be greeted by excited girls. . . . "Mommy said we're going on a picnic!" . . . . this time . . I had hungry kiddies on my hands. We quickly put together a fancy, healthy feast . . . packed up . . and set out. We trolled the Metroparks . . . trying to find the perfect picnic area. We found it in a huge field. We peeked around the bend, and the field opened up infront of us . . bathed in sunlight.
perfect.
The sun was warm . . . the breeze was soft. We laid out the blanket and feasted. K & H had races across the field . . . . turning to specs as they ran . . . then turning . . . racing back to full size and collapsing on the blanket. K picked clovers, and I made a makeshift daisy-chain that she used as a bracelet. After lounging in the sun kissed air, we decided to take a walk towards the creek. The breeze blew harder . . . my sundress trying to be Marilyn. The girls giggled, saying my legs were pasty white. I tickled them. We made it to the creek, and found another surprise. An old fjord . . . where tractors and old cars used to cross (when the tide was low) before they built the bridge. The tide was up over the tire tracks . .. so we kicked off our shoes and splashed in the water. It was mildly warm and flowing quick. It licked my ankles and caressed my toes and I swore I'd never leave. We crossed back and forth . . . stone jumping, splashing. We stopped by the side, where there was a small waterfall . . . and we stuck our hands and feet into spill. The water was crystal clear, and I wished I could just jump in . . and that it would be deep . .. rather than just a few inches. We sent leaves over the 'falls' . . . and the girls squealed with delight "look mine's winning!". Memories of playing Pooh Sticks as a child flowed around my head like the creek past my ankles.
I've always been drawn to water. I learned to swim at the age of 10 months. I've never been sea sick (even after a full week on a ship) . . . and I would live on the water if I could afford it. So any time I can find a slightly remote place where I can play in the water is a place that I will return to time and time again.
We went home happy, full and sun-weary.
I think we all slept well that night.
(taken in a completely different area in 2004. But many of Ohio's Park areas look just like this. Our creek excursion was similar.)
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