One of my Favorite Days Ever

Summer 2001 and I was living in Bozeman. I was renting a room in Travis, Drew and Chauncey's house. It wasn't like I was living with my boyfriend (now husband) because he was rarely home. He spent the summer working construction 70 miles away. This particular week, he was home. He was helping a friend do stamped concrete work. It was a 95+ degree day and he returned home very ready to hit the river and cool down.

I wouldn't have known, by his personality, that he'd been sweating and working hard in the blazing sun. He was singing and dancing around the house ...grabbing his swim trucks and running downstairs to make sure I was on-board for his outing. Alabama's "I'm in a hurry," started playing and I will love that song forever because it gave a soundtrack to Travis' great energy.

We jumped in his Jeep and drove 30 miles West to the headwaters of the Missouri. I'd never been there before. I had so much fun swimming ...more like gliding on the river's currents as the Jefferson and Madison joined forces. We ran up the Madison and floated along ...then back to the Jefferson and floated along!! I had so missed swimming; Travis introduced me to new currents and relief from a hot day.

We splashed over to a sandbar ...rather, a rockbar right where the rivers came together (so I guess that would be the Missouri!) We sat as currents, and small rocks were swept across our laps from both directions. We picked-up rock after rock, checking them out and tossing them on. Travis began singing, "Leavin' on a Jet Plane," in his deepest voice ...imitating "Bear" from Armageddon!!

I will never forget Travis picking up two good sized rocks and saying, in all fun, "Hey Mom!! Will you put these in your pocket!" It's like I saw my future and I was so completely amused!! He dove into the currents and quickly joined with the full-on Missouri River ...and so did I.

Our kids have asked me, on several occasions, to put large rocks in my purse or pockets ...to bring home. It makes me wonder if Travis remembered doing that as a kid, or if our children just think a lot like him!! I loved that day ...it has a soundtrack and everything!!

The Inspired Yield Inspiration!

I swam and I swam and I swam until my head cleared and my arms loosened and cut through the water properly. The sunshine came through the window and poured down to the bottom of the pool. I loved watching my hands catch the light and glow ...reminding me of swimming in Lake Geneva as a kid. By the time I left the Y, my SELF felt restored ...but it faded again when I reached home. It's back after mowing the lawn, reading a friend's blog and my sister's stories of New York. The inspired yield inspiration and I'm so blessed to have many people to look to when I need a bit extra in my day.

splashing feet

I swam laps when I was pregnant with both Gavin and Jessie G. It was strange how the thought of a white toy box always popped into my thoughts as I swam ...during both pregnancies. Today, I swam laps while Gavin ran beside me. Jessie was in swimming lessons and Gavin was humoring me with his imitation of the strokes I was doing. His growing, little feet marked the end of one lap ...as he sat on the edge spashing. It is amazing when visions are realized. I didn't have a white toy box in that moment ...I had the pure treasure that it represented beside me.

Summer

I just checked the 10 day forecast and it's all sunshine and 70-80 degrees!! Summer may have actually come to stay (for a couple of months!!) Everyone has been writing about playing in the sunshine, on Facebook. I can imagine God smiling, seeing us all savoring the moments of non-gloom after so much gray rain. That is a good thing about weather and health ...when it is restored it is so nice!!

The grass in our yard was 2 feet high when we returned from three weeks in Minnesota. It took several passes, with the lawnmower and weed wacker, to get it groomed and playable again! Another good thing about chaos ...when order is restored ...ahh it's delightful!! Of-course, chaos here and there is refreshing too!!

Our basement also took a hit while we were gone = water on the floors caused me to take inventory of what was in storage. I had to pull out old, old drawings and paintings that were soaked. They are scattered throughout our bedroom, drying ...and reminding me that continuous attention to certain skills DOES make a difference!!

Now the gardens are all weeded and ready for new plants and seeds! I have a white canvas ready for first impressions. And, we have a list of things to improve on the house while the weather is with us!!

Responding

I'm painting, watching Season I of "Prison Break", drinking wine and having some popcorn tonight! I asked Travis for his opinion on my newest rose painting and he said to make it looser. The wine is helping with that!! Loose is my favorite style so I'm happy to go with Trav's advise!

It's foggy, again, outside and the lights are about to go down. Jessie was starving earlier. I grilled hamburgers, made smoothies and was asking if she wanted her burger on a bun ...only to find she was sound asleep on the recliner. There was no waking her!

Travis and Gavin bought lilies and roses for my Mother's Day gift! They are so beautiful. Every time I walk by them, I admire them! I decided to stand and figure out what it was exactly that I was admiring.

In the past, I've been so impressed by roses because of (partially) their long, thorny stems (unless they are my roses in the backyard ...then the stem isn't so long but the support system is there and the scent even more amazing!) supporting an intricate family of ruffled petals. The stem holds it's every effort at it's fingertips. The colors ahhh! and the meeting of the stem and petals, like a star -anchoring, cupping silk folds *I Love Admiring flowers ...especially roses ...especially sweet peas when they are nearby ...and peonies ...petunias and cosmos!! I LOVE flowers.

On our way home from Sandpoint, I told Gavin that Sunday was Mother's Day. He lit up and said, "Can I get you a present?!!" I said, "I'd love that!!" He said, "Maybe FLOWERS!" Like he knew what my favorite surprise would be but it was still a secret! Travis said, "He's got you figured out!!"

This particular bouquet of flowers, sitting beside me, is mostly peach and white; lilies and roses with a couple brighter roses of red and pink to set it off!! I was analyzing it, a moment ago ...trying to figure out why it was affecting me so strongly (and it's not just under the persuasion of wine!) It's the basic hue (peach) set off by the light and then the red!! --with pink to pull it all together! I decided to take in what I was responding to ...rather than just responding and it makes everything more alive!! If I took a moment to figure out what I'm responding to with more of the interactions in my life ...every moment would be more alive. This is what the roses have been hinting at all along.

Drinking wine and talking about roses (and craving chocolate!!) At least I've been mixing it all up with an action, suspense television show on Netflix! Time to respond to this painting with a brush of loose strokes!!

Green

I'm just out of an evening bath with flower-smelling hair and pajamas to make all feel in its place. Travis is working but has the next three days off. Gavin and Jessie are watching "The Gummie Bears" before heading to bed.

It rained today. The kids, and I, walked to the park and were enjoying swinging and sliding when sprinkles started to fall. Gavin told me to put my camera away so it wouldn't be ruined in the rain. Funny the things he observes at such an age (4!) Travis drove up to give us a ride home and we ended up going grocery shopping together. Well, it turns out that "3 Bears" grocery store now has a large sporting goods section! I did the grocery shopping while Travis picked out lures!

I've been finishing paintings for the May 6th artwalk in uptown Butte. I added hanging wire to all of the completed work and stacked them together against a wall. I hadn't noticed that green is the dominate color lately! It is what's on my mind however: green grass, trees, spring growth!! My abstract self-portrait is done now! I open my eyes to it every morning and it makes me smile (not much green in it!) I love that I have painting, photography and writing to express myself. I'm a bit obsessive with the photography but the painting brings a nice balance to my life. I dab color, when I take a moment, and soon ...there is a canvas filled with something of my life.

Have I mentioned that I'm in love with this life? I'm thankful every moment for this connection to such a time, such a place ...such people and so many more to know. I feel, sometimes, like I'm glowing inside ...with incredible love. Travis has been teasing me because I've mentioned how it feels like we're (kids and I) always on vacation!! We've struck this rhythm together where each of us does our thing but we have lots of fun time as a family as well. Travis has to work crazy hours but in-between, we have a lot of fun!

Last week felt like the kick-off to summer. Jessie G and I went to a branding at the Patrick Ranch on Saturday. Sunday, a bunch of us drove to the Ringing Rocks and climbed around and then had a bonfire at golden hour (I overdid the photo taking a bit ...felt like I missed being PRESENT for a good part of that gathering because I was snapping photos.) It was like a big prayer being up on the mountain at sunset. Monday, the four of us floated down the Madison River ...catching no fish but enjoying water, wildlife and "family time." Every time one of the kids (or me!) would tangle our fishing line, loose a lure, have paddle to the riverbank for a pee break, we would say, "Family Time!!" reminding ourselves that the main objective wasn't the fish!

Green ...back in the swing of frequent outdoor life.

Brand New

I'm signed-up for the May and July Art Walks in Butte. The Artwalk gets me to complete work: paint edges, hang wires and finish final details that I otherwise wouldn't rush to get done. I'm working on a 22 x 28" rose oil for my cousin's wedding in June. It's flowing nicely now ...feeling good.

Gavin and Jessie spent the night with their grandparents last night. Jessie came home with her hair trimmed (Grandma is multi-talented!) and both kids were in fresh clothes. My sister says she can tell when the kids have been in Pipestone because I talk about them like they're brand new to me! It is so nice to recharge and miss them at the same time. Especially with hair cuts = I get to see them in new light.

Gavin got new Spiderman pajamas from my parents. They are for summer so the top is sleeveless and the bottoms are shorts. He put the set on and started running around like a boxer/martial arts combo. I'd mentioned that the shirt showed off his big muscles and he was way into that!! I think he needs an organized sport soon!!

Jessie is becoming more stubborn and beautiful. I don't think that's a common pair but it's interesting! She's more work but she's also like a beautiful flower that I just want to take in. She loves being outside, taking her shoes off and admiring the birds! She's independent but she also loves to share. Gavin has such a different personality, from mine, that I watch him to learn. He welcomes people naturally. I watch Jessie thinking I must have been a lot like her as a girl. She likes her independence but also wants to share everything that brightens her day.