Lesson 432: Afloat

Good evening to you, Readers.

The weekend is here.

This selfie is taken with my little blue camera

up through the water of Spring Creek in Marienville, PA.

The water was crystal clear and very warm.

The creeks are abnormally low,

but they made for some great exploring earlier this week.

It was easy to spot the creepy crawlies--

not many around in the warm, low water.

Eloise was happy.

A couple of days at camp was just enough to keep Eloise afloat

during such a busy summer.

We decided to venture beyond the swimming hole this time,

and try to navigate the Clarion River near Cooks Forest.

We stopped at the canoe rental place

right next to this fabulous house

and rented ourselves a two hour trip on these tubes.

I chose the blue one with the closed seat and the back rest.

It was perfect.

The rest chose the orange open tubes, and they were fun, too.

I fell in love with the tube rental cabin.

These hats nailed to the ceiling beams

were all left behind or found in the river.

Better yet,

the tree near the river's bark is made of single,

long-lost shoes.

Sam spotted this sign--

and later had an anxiety attack because the teens along for the ride

may have mentioned that the sign was a real warning,

not a fake,

and that alligators preferred the taste of blue eyed blonds.

After teen-scolding,

and offering more reassurance to Sam,

we set off on our journey.

Because the river was so low and slow,

the two hour journey took us way over three hours.

Luckily we heeded the advice of a baseball mom,

and brought along water and snacks.

I highly recommend the activity for anyone,

especially families with kids and teens.

A short, rare, mountain rain shower brought in these neat foggy patches.

Dewey mornings are great for capturing spider webs.

Everyone needs a little time to unplug and connect to nature.

It's healthy for the soul.

The wilderness is good for the soul,

but not so hot for a grad student with no internet service.

Have to cut this blog short tonight in order to stay afloat with my grad class.

Homework tonight.

Lots of it.

Update:

Sam's baseball little league season has officially ended.

The boys suffered a tough loss last Saturday.

The coach's wife's car windshield took quite a hit, too.

The boys can walk away with heads held high.

They had a great season,

played hard,

and learned so much.

Sports teach lessons just as well as those taught in the classroom.

Sam no sooner put his bat bag on the rack,

and pulled out these.

Football season is coming soon!

I'm looking forward to football,

but even more so to next weekend!

I'm headed to Rio next Friday.

Join me!

Look for me by the Lamp Post.

I'll be waving my flag.

ELOISE

Lesson 431: Sunshine in Your Pockets

Here you go, Boys!  Great season!

Put a little sunshine in your pockets and enjoy the rest of the summer.

Love, Sam's Mom


If the video doesn't post, I'll make another one.

Lesson 430: Friday Night Update

Happy Friday, Readers!

It's hot!

I'm sweating while I'm writing this blog,

and drinking coffee, which makes no sense.

Eloise is worn out from a long busy week.

Even though I am a teacher and don't work in the summertime,

I fill my days.

This week, 

Sam's All Star Team is participating in the Farm Tournament

out in North East's grape country.

It sure is pretty in my hubby's hometown.

I stop many times along the way out to snap photographs.

North East,

which is actually in northwestern Pennsylvania,

is such a great place.

It runs from the I-90 ridge,

through the vineyards,

and straight down to the lake shore.

Sam's tournament is going well.

The boys are playing great together.

The Dads seem pretty happy.

I learned through this shot that Sam can roll his tongue.

I cannot.

Can you?

Grandma and Grandpa made it out to see a game.

You can spot my dad anywhere...

I found this happening going on at 6 Mile Cellars this morning.

6 Mile is the winery across the street from the Lamp Post.

I'm always watching out for it,

so I've deemed myself Guardian of the Grape.

The event was called Bike the County--or something like that.

Kathy Dahlkemper, the Erie County Executive

rode with about 50 people from the Erie County Courthouse,

through Harborcreek and North East.

I was hoping to get the camera guy to aim the other way,

so he could help sell my car.

The first deal fell through with the interested party,

so she's up for sale again.

She looks like a zucchini,

but purrs like a kitten.

It was my favorite van I ever had and will miss it terribly.

The camera guys even stood in my yard to get more footage.

I was standing on the Lamp Post front porch waving my arms,

screaming,
"This is home!"

They didn't seem too interested.

Then I realized that is the slogan for the competing TV station.

Whoops.

Mother Eloise has determined that Budget Saver

Banana Twin Pops, 

must have some addictive quality about them.

I've never known Natalie to love any food more.

They are at Walmart for $1.95.

If you pick up a package,

read the back.

I like Happy Places,

so I will be a regular consumer.

Word is spreading about my favorite books.

I'm helping a special someone sort out her house the Japanese way.

If you want some serious help getting your home organized once and for all,

purchase these books.  

They are short and easy to read.

The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up is the first book.

I read it last July and organized my home last August.

It has stayed neat and organized for an entire year.

Marie Kondo's second book came out this spring--Spark Joy.

I recommend getting both--

an under $20 investment that will help you a great deal,

whether you are single or raising a family.

Update:

Eloise did complete the Presque Isle loop for the fifth straight year in a row.

I'm not going for speed records--

I'm going for consecutive years running.

I found some friends in the morning,

and we looped the beautiful park together on Sunday morning.

We were a fleet of feet.

This year I decided to spare my poor, arthritic feet and skipped the run training plans.

I've been consistent with my workouts,

Team Adrenaline when I can make it,

and Challenge Erie 7 Home workouts 6 mornings a week.

I also receive regular chiropractic care to keep my body aligned,

(very important)

eat well,

and try to rest.

My longest "training run" since April was 5.5 miles.

No long runs!

I did just fine,

my feet felt great,

and only my quads were more sore than usual.

If you attempt something big like a marathon, half marathon, or obstacle course race,

it helps to enjoy the location.

I'm a hometown girl and don't like to travel.

I don't like hotels or eating in restaurants.

Events close to home are always my first choice.

The peninsula is such a gorgeous place.

It's filled with friendly faces to cheer you on,

and gorgeous places to admire along the way.

I was very surprised to find my mom waiting for me at the finish line.

Like Mother, like Daughter.

Now as I said before,

setting speed records is not on my check list of Things To Do In Life.

I prefer to plod along at my own consistent pace.

I complete the loop usually in 2 hours and 30 minutes.

I'm good to go along with if you are a beginner,

because I like to carry all of the stuff 

and take photos to document your accomplishment.

My goal is to make people like this lady feel good about themselves.

But even Eloise has a competitive streak.

Every year I get beat by at least one Race Walker

in the 70 + category.

I chased this lady around the whole loop.

I'd pass her,

then she'd pass me.

By mile 10 even my sunny personality starts to cloud up.

I cannot let that bitch beat me!

So by mile 11, I cranked it up.

Not this year, Lady!

You just move on over!

Eloise is coming through!

As you can see from the race photos that my mother took,

I had a good lead on her as the finish line was near.

Then I looked up to see a large group of my friends

and my mom cheering me on to the finish!

Well, Glory Be!

Eloise has some fans!

I princess waved to my adoring crowd,

and decided it was a perfect moment to capture with Little Blue.

And there she goes!

Smoked once again by a Race Walker.

The girls behind my shoulder in this photo said,

"We've never seen anyone stop to take a photo right BEFORE

they crossed the finish line.

"I got caught up in the moment!" I yelled to them.

"Life's a journey, not a time clock!"

Well---

except for this lady.

Tick tock!

I'm coming for you next year, Lady.

I taped your picture to my bathroom mirror for motivation.

Savor the weekend, Readers.

Don't let your life go by in a blur,

or in the dust of a Race Walker.

ELOISE