Holding the World in a Paper Cup

Chuck has my camera. Putting it with his things, with batteries fully charged, seemed like the right thing to do...since he will be in Alaska and all. But it sure did hurt to let it go. In the meantime, the photos I post will be from my cell phone camera and a girl has very limited artistic freedom with a cell phone camera. I am trying real hard not to sound spoiled here...but that is hard to do also.

Jelly Bean and I went down by the river yesterday. In an effort to foster her independence and to keep my tennis shoes dry, I let her walk the banks while I watched from the pier.

Being the only child, the poor thing depends on me for everything including being her playmate during every step of the way. And let's face it, I am not always the best playmate a 4 year old girl could ask for. This is why I believe it is time for some "You're On Your Own Kid" training sessions. I set the scene for her adventurous big girl activity of "By Herself Bank Walking", by encouraging her to get down from the pier and onto the bank herself; which resulted in her boo hoo-ing in fear of the slope she found herself on. I rescued her...very reluctantly. She then set off to gather every piece of trash the river brought in. She was always in sight. (She's that little blue dot behind those branches.) Her treasures now have a semi-permanent spot on the pier. Your welcome Mom and Craig!

While she carried her new broken bucket full of treasures (A.K.A. garbage) she tripped into the water and was wet from the waist down. When she fell she also lost her most treasured, rusted, aerosol can to the river and grieved deeply for her loss. She considered going in after it since she was already wet, but thankfully she ran that one by me before she went for it.

Kids have a way a reminding you that no matter how big they talk, they still have a small brain. A small child brain and not being able to swim, doesn't mix well with a river bank that drops off quickly into deep, dark water. I think these little, "You're On Your Own Kid" training sessions are good for both of us, but I appreciate the subtle approach God takes to remind me not to rush her into independence before she's ready.

In other news...I climbed a tree yesterday. Yeah. It was a Magnolia, so excellent for climbing. You know what happened when I got up there real good? My neighbor yelled, "Is that you in that tree Hayley?" To which I replied, "Yep, me and Jelly Bean." Suddenly on the spot like that, in such a vulnerable position, I realized Jelly Bean couldn't be seen, so I had to drag her name into it. You know what he yelled across the yard next? He said, "Aren't you a little old to be climbing trees??" Of course, that is exactly why I was climbing that tree...to prove to myself I wouldn't have one bit of trouble doing it. I was also hoping Jelly Bean may be encouraged to be a little bolder. You know, if your old buzzard of a mother can do it you certainly can too!

If you are interested in Chuck's quest through the Rocky Mountains...
He called from his satellite phone tonight to report that he is at Toad River. I found this very interesting because I am reading a book titled "Lunch at Toad River". It is about a family of 10 (8 of which were children) who traveled to Alaska via school bus over 5000 miles in the 1960's. I haven't gotten to the part that reveals why they felt compelled to name the book "Lunch at Toad River" so now I am very anxious to get to it. A few nights ago, I found it fascinating to discover that as Chuck was traveling through Dawson Creek and surrounding areas, so were the characters in my book!

Chuck and I only spoke for a moment, but I gathered it has been a rough day of driving in slippery conditions but he is ok. He settled in at a "road side hotel" with no phones. Apparently, there is no cell phone signal there either. He called from his truck as he was watched a herd of moose pass. Yeah, a herd of moose. Pretty awesome sight, I'll bet.