Week of Nothing

Summer has been really full.  I planned it that way and thought I had just the right amount of free weekends and not straying too far from home to balance it all out, but the calendar was jam-packed.  I'm not typically one of those super moms that sign their kid up for every kind of lesson, but I have to say that I channeled that mom a little bit this summer.  Oh, heck.  I wanted to pack in as many fun and different experiences as I could for Grady and our family and really soak up the summer days.

Sunday came and we all made breakfast together and slowly started the day.  This week would be different and less scheduled.  We would see what the days would hold for us.

I've tried to encourage Grady to draw something every day this summer and not have this mom-imposed assignment viewed as a punishment.  He's been into it.  Mostly drawing birds and a few Pokemon characters.  I absolutely love his creative journal and will treasure it for many years to come.

I won a private tasting, tour & lunch for four at Korbel Champagne Cellars.  I gathered up the ladies from the PTA Dream Team Board of 2009-2011 and off we went.   It felt so decadent to be spending an entire morning & afternoon touring gardens, sipping bubbly and catching up without any children to interrupt us!

Look at how happy our son is.  He tie-dyed this shirt at camp and is still sporting the redwood cross gifted to him by his counselors.  He told me he's going to wear it for the rest of his life.  Oh, my.

The Bodega Big Event is one of the sweetest events and boasts the shortest parade in California.  We spotted three Tipi Hedren impersonators at this year's event, with the youngest being my favorite.

Grady asked to watch Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds and we let him.  His love of avian creatures is fierce, but the movie freaked him out just a little bit.  He was inspired to draw Peach Faced Love Birds and asked that I not pester him about the movie because he just wanted to forget about it.

Pastures Preschool (Grady's alma mater) asked him to be in the parade with them.  He modified it up by asking the School Director if he could ride his bike alongside the wee little ones.  He was so proud and thought he was oh so cool.

We hit up the Pastures Preschool Art Sale and scored three beautiful notebooks with artwork on the cover by the little under five year old artists.

Not having a lot of plans this week has been great for catching up on our reading and movie watching.  Our summer read has been Wildwood by Colin Meloy and we are enchanted by it's storyline and premise of a murder of crows abducting a one year old little boy and the sister who treks into the Impassable Wilderness just outside of Portland proper to help find him.  It's adventurous, imaginative and has a lot of really big words.  We have to read it with a small pocket dictionary, so that we can quickly look up the words and move on.

We also watched Westside Story and are set to watch The Chronicles of Narnia:: The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe later today.  I've wanted G to read The Chronicles of Narnia series and even scored a set of the books at a rummage sale.  He won't even open the books.  He's totally judging them by the cover.  I've never read them, but thought it was a boyhood rite of passage.  I thought the movie might pull him in.  Usually, it's the other way around.  I ask him to please read the books first and then we can rent the movie.  I'm open to change and hope he enjoys the magical movie journey.

The hillsides are dry and crunchy this time of year and the naked ladies have just burst onto the scene.  They are always a surprise and the stalks reach skyward so quietly and then burst open with this punch of pink blooms.  This signals the end of summer.

The guys went golfing up at Sea Ranch this week and Steve let G drive the golf cart for 18 holes, as well as hit on the green.  This was their first father-son outing on a large course and I glimpsed the future of golf for these two.  I love thinking that they will continue to share this sport as time goes by.

G also slipped in a 90 minute soccer practice after golfing 18 holes.  Ah, youth.  So much energy.

So, birds have been a very big part of summer learning.  The well-worn Sibley's Guide is always at the ready and the boy brings me feathers almost daily that he collects as little presents.  I love this sweet, small, thoughtful gesture.

We spotted a barn owl a few nights ago and G has been on a nest hunt in earnest.  He spent hours yesterday inspecting the trees and decided a night walk with dad would be in order.  They had five sightings and the majestic owls swooped down over their heads and had them in awe of this silent, elusive and mysterious creature(s).  They came home energized and mildly freaked out by the night sounds of some other four-footed animals screeching in the dark of night.  I'm sure this is a childhood memory that will be burned on Grady's brain and that brings a big smile to my face.

The experience surely punctuated this lovely, quiet, restful week.

Bounty & CYO Camp

I just love when friends and neighbors leave little gifts from the season on my doorstep.  This week it was a jar full of dahlias, zucchini (large & small), delicate lettuces, basil, watermelon and a little note.  It's the bountiful summer season and my herbs are prospering here at home and it inspires me in the kitchen.  After being gone for a week and in a kitchen that wasn't my own, I was looking forward to creating my shopping list, planning menus and cooking for the guys in earnest this week.

Our refrigerator was empty and all we could muster up was a small batch of frozen pancakes that Steve had made weeks ago.  The itch to cook was big and I was went shopping, filled the fridge and made a big coffee cake to share with friends and enjoy over the next string of mornings.

At my office garden plot, I plucked my first tomato of the season from one of my plants.  It was warm and satisfying, sprinkled with a bit of salt.  I came home that same evening to pluck most of the peaches  from our tree.  Last year it didn't produce fruit and Steve pruned it back pretty well the year prior.  They were juicy and sweet.  They had to be shared and eaten fast.

The summer drawing journal has been a nice way to end each day with the boy.  He's still totally into birds and his Sibley's bird book is becoming quite worn.  He informed me on this particular night that "Mom, you are going to be so amazed with this drawing!  Don't look until I'm done." And I was.

Our neighbor Beula left Grady an envelope with a newspaper article about a legally blind Olympian who medaled in archery, as well as these three pretty feathers.  I love that she did this.

I've been reading like a fiend these last few weeks and my August book club was Gabriel Garcia Marquez's Love in the Time of Cholera.  It was epic and haunting and made for a nice discussion.

The super exciting news this week was that my favorite librarian, Terry, got a new bookmobile and we were among her first visitors.  I just loved how every person walking into the bookmobile was so positive and excited about the new rig.  It has seating and 20% more books/media for us to check out.  Twice a month she visits Tomales and it's one of my most favorite few hours.  The camaraderie with the other avid readers and sharing of local stories, book reviews and recommendations.

This week was CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) Day Camp in Occidental.  This was a first for us and I had stayed away due to the religious base I feared would be thrust upon our son.  Our dear friend (who is an Atheist) runs the camp and assured me it was stereotypical camp activities, with a basis in environmental education and only a sprinkling of religious teachings.  We signed him up and looked forward to it all summer.

The week started off with archery, ga-ga mud ball, canoeing and daily swimming.  He played board games with new friends, learned the fine art of friendship bracelet making and enjoyed camouflage day while playing predator & prey (which I'm 100% sure they would never allow in public school!).

While our son was enjoying day camp from 8 - 5 pm every day, we took the time to catch up on work projects, plan the rest of our August fun and sneak away for a picnic with Scott & Jill at Hog Island Oyster Company.  

Thursday night was the optional sleepover night at camp.  Grady wanted to do it, but was really nervous and brought himself to tears the night before the big day.  He thought he might miss me too much and didn't want to cry in front of the other campers.

We gave him a good pep talk and knew deep down he would love the experience, but gave him the option to call if he really felt uncomfortable.

Turns out he loved it.  They ate fireside, cooked copious amounts of s'mores, performed a skit in the outdoor chapel, watched a movie outside, spied on the teenage campers and slept underneath the full moon & a magnificent blanket of stars.

He didn't want to leave when we picked him up Friday afternoon and hid from us upon our arrival.  The counselors gushed about what a great, kind, funny & smart kid he is.  Words that a parent will never tire of hearing.

This week our house was really quiet and come mid-week I almost didn't know what to do with myself.    I missed him, but knew he was having the time of his life.  Instead of counting the minutes until he was home, I made coffee dates, finished a novel, made lists, cooked, finalized a few work projects, thrifted, got my hair and nails done and then I started counting the minutes on Friday afternoon.

We welcomed him home and settled in to watch the 1979 movie classic Breaking Away.  How very fitting.

Living in the country

We had our rotting garden beds removed, as well as the carpet & weeds that surrounded them (yes, carpet!).  It's this beautiful blank slate now and we have visions of a longer chicken run and a few new sound garden beds for next year's crops.

These little potatoes were harvested just before the big 'ole tractor arrived.  They are volunteers from our composting bin.  I spread the compost earlier in the year and covered with straw.  What a lovely surprise.

The views from our living room and front deck are amazing.  It's what sold us on the house.  They valley spread out below us is such a tranquil scene and I'll never tire of it.  Sissy helped me sew up the new summer bunting and Steve picked up a deck heater, so that we could enjoy the chilly summer nights alfresco.

There has been a tremendous amount of bird activity around our property this summer.  Baby birds being born, a swallow's nest taking up residence above G's art studio door and several dead birds found around the property.  We didn't bury this one, but left him for our neighborhood cats to find.  Circle of life, baby, circle of life.

This is the view of our little houses on the hill (see them up there?  to the right of the eucalyptus grove?) from Middle Road.  I've been enjoying a bit of walking/running routine lately, at the suggestion of my doctor.  It seems that when you are a woman of my age, one must eat better and exercise.  Who ever heard of such a thing?  This is the best way to start a morning.

Grady is studying watercolors with local artist, Jean Warren.  His love of animals and nature are all represented in this (unfinished) painting.

The llamas.  They are such a funny little site to see in the morning. Sometimes they walk by my bedroom window and startle me.  I'll forget they're there and then...Hello!  This beautiful, brown-eyed creature surely has a name and I just can't remember it.

Grady has been all about using tools this summer.  He's assisted his dad on many little projects and was eager to prune the overgrown honey bush underneath his bedroom window.  He selected this bush years ago from the nursery and it reminded him of something from a Dr. Seuss novel.  I agree.

I harvested about two dozen garlic bulbs this year.  I planted them late and some were a bit on the small side, but it made me proud nonetheless.

Biking on country roads has been all the rage with this young man.  He takes off and I run after him.  He's learning the rules of the road, gaining confidence and some mad endurance.  He's had a few falls and an injury or two, but he jumps back on and is ready for more.  He just shared with me that he wants to be a professional cyclist when he grows up.

With the demise of our flock earlier this spring, we have to buy our eggs from local farmers.  I just love this sign and my new egg vendor.

The clouds over Valley Ford earlier this summer went on for miles.  Little, puffy, cumulus, cotton ball-like clouds.  They danced across the vast blue sky for days and punctuated an already perfect summer landscape.

Bodega Baycation :: Golf, tennis & swim camp

We hit the ground running for our week away in Bodega Bay.  A mere seven miles from home, but we treated it like a real vacation.  The Mahleys generously give us their home each year during the last week of July and we pack up the car and move on in.

The week was pretty grey, warm & insulated.  Typical July weather on the coast.  Lessons took up a good part of every day from about 9 - 2 pm and we lingered poolside most days after the end of Grady's swim lesson.  I finished two books in a matter of days and we napped, watched a few movies and  even took in an art show.  Grady also squeezed in some bike riding with Steve & a soccer practice.  Good God - we were busy, but we balanced it all quite nicely and decided not to be too social with friends and treat this like a real family vacation.  It was just what we needed.

Golf camp ended with a few holes on the actual course with a foursome of boys ready to put into practice all they had learned.  The etiquette of the game was loosely engaged and they helped each other keep track of their strokes and reminded one another what club should be used and when.  I think the real highlight for the little golfers was the chance to hang off the golf cart, as we shuttled them from hole to hole.  What service!

Tennis was Grady's favorite part of the week.  He loves the game and wants to start playing more often.  He even missed the end-of-the-week swim party just so that he could take his full tennis lesson.  He did grumble a bit about being the only kid with a used racket, but got over it quickly and seemed pleased by the tennis racket holder his dad let him borrow.  This kid loves accessories.

The yearly Bodega Bay Elementary School PTA-sponsored swim lessons were a big hit with my guy.  And while he perfected the backstroke, he still has a bit of work to do on his freestyle.  He swam every day and lingered with friends in the pool for an hour or so each day.

It was nice to see Grady's improved skills at the end of the week, as well as witness the stronger bonds of friendship formed with a few of the boys.  

As we rolled out of town late Friday afternoon and made the short trek home, I felt a wonderful sense of calm come over me.  Our week away from home was a nice pause to our normal daily routine(s) and we enjoyed much needed family time.  Grady thanked his dad for spending time with us and I think we all slowed down and enjoyed each other.

Same time next year?  You betcha.

Summer is...

:: Handmade margaritas

:: Warm, freshly picked strawberries that melt in your mouth

:: The time to learn new chores & responsibilities

:: Abundant artichokes served warm & cold

:: Our first meager harvest from our little blueberry bush

::  Haying (and allergy) season in Valley Ford

:: Bowls of cherries

:: Roadside gardening of the most fragrant sweet peas

:: Just plucked basil for the oh-so summery caprese salad

:: A good reason to celebrate dear friends

:: The time to work on home projects

:: Inflatable pool wrestling season

:: All about picking, eating, preserving & enjoying all the fresh fruit you can

:: Making time for simple art

:: Crunchy hillsides & billowy clouds

:: After dinner hikes behind our house with our family

:: A lovely reminder to slow down & bask in the sunshiny glow.

Lessons & Adventures

Soccer has started up and our son is totally into it.  Last year was his first time on a league team and he was fast, but mostly confused by the game.  This year he clearly understands what the game is about and is going for the ball and sporting his trademark long hair and running as fast as he can down the field.  It's a nice sight to see.

This summer has been pretty packed full of activities for the boy.  I usually don't over schedule our son, but I knew he would need to be busy or he would just sit in his room and read or play Legos.  All. Summer. Long.  So, I signed him up for summer academy, golf & tennis camps, swim lessons and a week long CYO camp in Occidental.

I also called a local birding legend, Don Toms, and asked if he could take Grady out for a few birding adventures in and around Bodega Bay.  They had two such outings last week and spotted terns, pelicans & 10 barn owls in one siting on Short Tail Gulch trail.  I love our community so very much and feel lucky to have this network of adults who really care about my kid and take the time to help broaden his view of this world.

The newly reopened Sebastopol library has been a godsend this summer.  It is new and improved with a wonderful children's literature and media section.  Last summer it was all about the books on tape, but this summer has been all about Lemony Snicket, the Geronimo Stilton series and the Percy Jackson series.  I'm also reading him the most gorgeous and magical book called Wildwood and I just love it when he begs me to keep reading just one more page?

Stephanie called yesterday and wanted to take the kids on a bike ride to Tomales.  The gang suited up and went out for a 2-1/2 hour ride that clocked them 14.5 miles all together.  I am so very proud of my little man and his godsisters.  They are such strong and amazing children.  And that Stephanie?  Well, you just can't say no to her infectious spirit and can-do attitude.  I'm so lucky she's in our lives.