Creek In The Woods

Blogging Friends.... Hi. This Blog post was supposed to be "published" on Monday. But. Life has been so busy this week!! Church on Sunday. As usual!! I had two needles injected--one which was the flu shot--on Monday. I like needles!! I know, I know. I am weird!! We drove to our local zoo on Tuesday!! That is always fun!! Then, yesterday, I visited with my Grampa, as some people went shopping. All the while trying--aimlessly!!--to write and finish this Blog post!! Oy. I spent two insane consecutive late nights working on this!! By the time yesterday rolled around, I was exhausted, emotional, overwhelmed, and physically achy. Not good. I recall telling my Mom that I was attempting to evade a mood swing at the moment. But, truth be told? How can you evade something that is already under way? My mood swing did not last long, fortunately!! I am happy once more, laughing, smiling, singing songs out of tune.... Life is good!!

Here's my second installment about our mini-vacation!!

Water. I find such peace and serenity just staring at nature's "pools"!! Whether it be a foaming ocean tide. Or. A rushing river. Or. A silent creek. I could stare at water for hours on end!! Years ago, I was 18. I had been struggling to figure myself out, while also beginning a pity party. This dangerous pastime of mine which would expand for over one decade. Way too long. We were attending some church campout. Diverse physical activities had been prepared. People all around me were happily participating in them. But, I am an oddball outsider!! I refused to play any games!! Besides, I was lost, newly graduated, and composing poetry within my head!! So, I wandered aimlessly toward this body of water. I just stood there, alone, and utterly mesmerized. I watched it flow. I listened to the water's movement. And, suddenly, my mind was at peace!! Temporarily. Fast-forward to present time. I am now 28, and enjoying my best year in a long, long, long time!! I'm writing.... For this Blog which is internationally known!! I am accepting myself.... And that "terrible privilege" of mine called premature short-term memory loss!! I own a Beautifully Unique mutt named Rose. I am "doing right" and working hard against those dreaded "character defects" of mine. My pity party is over.... For the most part!! And, I can still stare at nature's water for hours and hours on end!! I still find it peacefully serene!! The cabin where we stayed in overlooked this creek. It was a cute body of water!! There were several trees across this creek. Two of which, if memory serves me right, that had small triangular-shaped openings. It looked as though troll dolls with their brightly-hued hair should reside there!! I, of course, never saw any!! Sadly. I did, however--with my baby blue crock-like shoes on--step foot into the creek's icy-cold water!! It felt so refreshing!! Rose, her red leash still attached to my right arm, joined me!! Reluctantly, at first. I had to do a bit of encouraging!! "Come on, girl!! The water feels great!!" I coaxed. Okay. So I told a little white lie to my canine!! Possibly deliberately. Who knows? But, I did not scream as icy-cold water seeped through my croc-like shoes' holes!! Nope!! Nor did I shiver, even!! As usual, Rose and I were not on the same page. Why would we be? For she wanted to lap up the creek's crisp clear water, like some docile-looking deer!! So. Sans a single paw touching its small slimy rocks, her pink tongue dipped into the water!! "No!! Don't drink it!!" I said. I gently pulled her mouth away. "Walk in it. Come on!!" Rose's four paw pads finally did touch the creek's water. But, so did her tongue!! I wonder how it tasted? The following day, we walked down there one last time before leaving. I stepped foot into its icy cold waters. Again. I encouraged my little girl to follow suit. Again. She refused. Literally. Rose looked up at my face as if to complain: You're crazy, Mama!! Why are we doing this again? Well. I am somewhat crazy!! And Rose is no water dog!! That's okay....