Stepping Away from the Edge

Virtual Visit

Because I just can't be finished with my glorious weekend, I invite you to come with me. . .

Join me . . .for a virtual walk in the woods. . . on a most pleasant afternoon in autumn. . . in Michigan.

And what happens at the end of the trail?  Well, you'll have to enjoy this virtually, too, I'm afraid!

Bottoms up!

 

First Time Ever

I was trying to calculate, the other day, just how long we've had our cottage up north.

We bought the lot when Erin was just beginning kindergarten.

And a year later, we started building the place.

We were actually able to spend the night inside (although it wasn't yet "finished") the summer after Erin finished second grade.

So, that would be. . . about 15 seasons now. . . that we've had the cottage.

And, in all that time, I've never once spent a lovely fall weekend up there!

Oh, I've spent some crappy fall weekends up there!  Weekends full of rain.  Weekends with already-bare trees.

But, mostly, I was driving a kid to hockey games all over the state on weekends in the fall.  (And winter.  And spring.  For that matter.)

So, imagine my delight, when we hit this weekend up at the cottage.

Perfect weather.  Perfect color.

For the first time ever!

On Trend . . . Without Even Trying

Moss gardens are very lovely; peaceful; revitalizing.  They're also very trendy right now . . . in the world of gardening.  I've always wanted one -- but I don't really have the right conditions in my home garden.  It's tricky to establish a moss garden (it takes a blender: can you say "moss milkshake?") -- and they're tough to maintain once they're established.

Imagine my delight, then, when I got one without even trying . . . at my cottage up north!

Our little cottage is nestled in the woods.

Plenty of shade.

Plenty of moisture.

And, apparently, the correct soil pH.

Because I have a wonderful moss garden.

With absolutely no effort at all!  Perfectly on trend . . . and low-maintenance, to boot.

(The fact that it has reached the roof, though. . .

now THAT's a problem. . .)

 

Dog Days

It's that time of summer. . .

Days are hot.  Nights are cool.  Kids are gone. 

Dog Days.

Enjoy 'em while you can.

Because. . . they won't last forever!

So fish. . .

and swim. . .

and dive right in!

Before summer's gone for good!

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Speaking of diving right in. . . Have you seen the new GIANT marshmallows?

Perfect for toasting.

And s'mores.

Just ask my mom!

Mmmmmmm!

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Hey!  Check out my kid!  He's an Orientation Assistant at Hope College this semester, which means -- he helped the new freshman class move in to their dorms (among other things).  He made the front page of the Holland Sentinel for his efforts!  Go, Bri!

View from the Lake

This past weekend, the weather was perfect at the lake.  Blue skies.  Sunny.  Not too hot, though.  Altogether pleasant.  And perfect for some kayaking!

I like to take the kayak out and experience the lake up close.

Along the edges of the lake, there are lots of reeds, lily pads

and other interesting flora

and fauna (including bullfrogs and turtles)!

I especially like to check out the plants that grow in

and under

the water.

Sometimes I just like to float around in the middle of the lake, where the water is very deep, watching the tree swallows and kingfishers; maybe a heron or two.  And, of course, these guys.

On Monday morning, the two loons that live on our lake popped right up about 20 feet from the side of my kayak.  I love to watch them.  They're just . . . gorgeous.  And, on Monday, I was also treated to a bald eagle -- flying low right over our lake (and me, in my kayak) with a fish in his talons.  It was breathtaking!  (No photo.  Too stunning.)

Without a doubt, my kayak offers the best view of the lake!

 

Turtle Wisdom

There are turtles in our lake up north.  I love watching them.

They find sunny spots and soak up the warmth.  They paddle about in the water with their heads just barely sticking out.  And they always know just when to duck under water -- to escape and rejuvenate.

Our lake turtles inspired me to buy this little sun-catcher several years ago.

It hangs in the window over my sink in the kitchen of our cottage.  Reminding me to . . .

Sometimes, it's just good to take a cue from the turtles.  Soak up some sun. . .

Paddle about in the water. . .

Escape and rejuvenate. . .

Turtle wisdom!

Getting Off the Crazy Train

I've been riding the Crazy Train for a little while now.

I climbed aboard right after returning from my trip to Paris and Amsterdam.  And I've been barreling along - full steam ahead - ever since.

Now that Erin is graduated and moved. . . now that Brian is home and settling into his summer routine. . . now that Tom is back from his travels. . . now that I've quit my job . . .

I'm ready to STOP the Crazy Train.  I'm ready to get off.

So I'm headed Up North for a few days.  I'm taking a few books, my iPod, my knitting, and some wine.  And Tom.  And Jenny.

See you when I get back.  I won't be gone long.  Just long enough to . . . watch the Crazy Train leave the station.  Without me.

 

 

For the Birds

This week, Ten on Tuesday has us talking about our Ten Favorite Birds.  Now, I love birds. 

(Portion of an original painting, hanging in my front entryway.)

I decorate with them.

I make them.

(Ravelry link here.)

I attract them to my garden.

I feed them.

(Chickadee on one of my feeders.)

I provide water for them.

(Robin splish-splashing in my birdbath.)

I watch them soar.

(An eagle circling above our lake up north.)

I watch them swim.

(A loon on our lake up north.)

For crying out loud, I even have one in my house.

(Brian's parrot, Puck, for whom I have become caregiver.)

So, it's easy for me to come up with a list of my Ten Favorite Birds!

1 -- Chickadee

2 -- Cardinal

3 -- Tufted Titmouse

4 -- Cedar Waxwing

5 -- Woodpeckers of all types (although I have a hard time loving the damage they inflict to my cedar-sided house and my cedar-sided cottage; c'mon guys -- there are lots of trees!)

6 -- Goldfinch

7 -- Scarlet Tanager (so elusive. . . and so thrilling when you spot one!)

8 -- Eagle

9 -- Loon

10 -- (And, this one is for you, Puck!) Quaker Parrot

In my house; at my cottage; in my garden. . . it's all for the birds!

No Limits

Definitely a soundtrack day. . . (And, yeah.  I know it's only a cover.  But it's a Metallica cover.  And Ozzy, himself, is in the crowd.  Looking pleased with it all.)

At Hope College, every fall (since 1898), the freshmen and sophomore classes compete in a tug-of-war across the Black River in Holland.  I used to hear about this and think . . . how charming!  What a nice way to build team spirit and class camaraderie.  Oh.  My naivete! 

 

The Pull, as it is called, is no charming event!  It is a grueling challenge - physical and mental - that is steeped in tradition.  Over the 113 years of The Pull (it is the longest-running collegiate event in the country), the art and science of "pulling" have been refined . . . to create quite a spectacle!

 

Here is this year's freshman team ("Even Years" -- based on the year of their graduation - 2014) in action last Saturday!  And my son?  Well, he's the first head of dark hair you can see up from the bottom!

Each Pull Team is made up of 18 "pullers" and 18 "moralers."  The pullers . . . pull. . . down in the pits . . . in a highly choreographed effort.  Their coach is up front (the guy standing in my photo), making strategy decisions and calling the moves.  The moralers . . . act as the "eyes" for the pullers -- because they can't see the coach or any of their fellow pullers . . . and basically, keep the pullers going.

 

Here's Brian, looking for direction from his moraler, Christy.

And how long does this go on?  Well. . . until one team takes the rope of the other team . . . or three hours.  Whichever comes first! 

What's going on on this side of the river. . . is also going on on the other side of the river.

 

The event is steeped in tradition.  The "even years" wear red shirts and painted blue jeans and bandanas.  The girls braid their hair.  They have black paint under their eyes.  (The "odd years" wear maroon shirts and white pants!  They shave their heads and paint their faces; some have severe mohawks.  I didn't see them. . . because I was on the "even year" side of the river. . . but I have seen photos.)  Neither side wears gloves! 

Fan support is strong!  ("Even years" vs. "odd years" ---- going back for classes upon classes upon classes!)

 

 

The Pull Teams practice for three weeks before the event.  Intense, grueling training for an intense grueling event!  The bond they form as a team, though, is even more intense.  Brian says he's never experienced anything like this bond before! 

And the moralers?  Brian says they couldn't begin to do it without them!  The moralers do much more than "cheer" the pullers on (which was my original notion).  They are the connection between each of the pullers; they keep spirits up in the darkest moments; they encourage; they tend; they watch.  It's also incredibly intense -- and they train alongside the pullers for the event.

I am iron man. . .

 

Has he lost his mind . . . can he see or is he blind?

 

Can he walk at all. . . or if he moves will he fall?

 

In the end. . .

 

this year's Pull went the full three hours (which means there was no obvious winner -- neither side got the rope of the other team) and had to go to the judge's measurements.  The Odd Years won. . . by just a matter of feet.  (The sophomore class has a huge experience advantage and typically wins in less than three hours.)

Brian survived.  In fact, I would say he thrived.  He learned a lot about himself through The Pull -- like how to dig deep within himself; how to REALLY work as a team; how to find stores of energy and mental willpower that he never dreamed he even had!

 

And as for a Mom's view?  Well.  I'm really happy he did it.  I am SO proud of him.  I was a wreck, though.  It's hard to watch your child go through something like this!  Here's a photo of me that my dad took during the event. . . 

 

keeping my eye on my kid!  Especially because. . . the Pull is dangerous!  Broken ribs are common; pullers pass out on the ropes; it is not for the weak-at-heart!  I appreciated the presence of this guy . . .

 

who monitored the participants throughout the event.  (There have been Pulls in the past that have been "called" because of the health of the participants.)

Anyway, this Mom also got a little teary-eyed from time to time during the event.  Like when I saw how Brian had decorated himself with "super Vs" --- a mom/son tradition since his kindergarten soccer days!

 

(And a chemical structure . . . because he is, after all, a chemist!)

 

(That's another Super-V there, too!)

And I teared up when I watched Christy, his moraler, so focused and committed to my kid.  She was AWESOME!

 

Wow!  What a day!  Bud, you ARE an Iron Man!  And I couldn't be prouder!  No Limits!

Pass the Pigs

When you think of . . . Party Games. . . what comes to mind for you? 

Now, I know we're talking about a broad category of "games" here. . . but work with me.  Party Games.  There are those old-fashioned party games -- Charades, Twenty-questions, Truth-or-Dare, Categories.  And there are modern-versions of those same old games -- Pictionary, Cranium, Catch Phrase, Trivial Pursuit.  There are entirely new party games -- Apples to Apples, Mario Party, Super Smash Brothers, Guitar Hero/Rock Band.  There are "action" party games -- Spin-the-Bottle, Strip Poker, Beer Pong.  And there are children's party games -- Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Donkey, Musical Chairs, Duck-Duck-Goose.

I sort of feel like I have a pretty good handle on . . . Party Games.  Until one summer, several years ago, when I was shopping with my kids in the five-and-dime in downtown Baldwin, Michigan (the nearest town to our cottage) . . . and we found this. . .

Pass the Pigs.  Sorry. . . make that DELUXE Pass the Pigs.  That CLASSIC Party Game.  (And MORE.)  I couldn't resist.  $7.99.  For an introduction to an all-new party game I had, previously, totally missed out on.

When we opened the box back at the cottage, we found . . .

Two sets of "pig dice" and dice shaker cups. . .

 

Scoring sheets. . .

 

Goofy rules and scoring scenarios. . .

 

and chips in case you want to bet (which must be for the "and MORE" part of the game).

 

The pigs are pretty dang adorable!  They're dice-sized, and one side of each pig has a single dot.

 

To play, you roll the pigs (like dice), and score (or lose points) based on how they roll.  This is the point where we almost lost control in hysterical laughter. . . because the pigs do "tricks" when they roll.  And the more difficult the "tricks". . . the more points you score!

For example, if a pig lands on his feet, it's called a "Trotter" and is worth 5 points; while a pig on his back is called a "Razorback" -- also worth 5 points.

 

Trickier maneuvers include the "Snouter" (balancing on the snout/legs; in the left in this photo), which is worth 10 points, and the "Jowler" (balancing on the ear/legs; in the right on this photo), which is worth a whopping 15 points.

 

Things get really exciting when roll a DOUBLE "trick" with your pigs!  This "Double Razorback," for example, is worth 20 points.

 

The rare "Double Snouter" is worth 40 points --- and the nearly-impossible "Double Jowler" is worth 60.  As you can imagine, the fun and hilarity never ends.  (Did I mention that drinking only enhances this game?)

You get to keep rolling your pigs. . . until you either stop -- where you get to keep all your points earned on that roll; or you roll a "Pig Out" (one dot facing up; one dot facing down) -- where you lose all your points earned on that roll.  (Kind of like . . . Who Wants to Be a Millionaire . . . when you can walk away with your earnings --- or risk losing it all!)  Here's a "Pig Out."

 

The worst roll of all is when the pigs touch -- in any way.  That's called an "Oinker" . . . and you lose ALL of your points.  (You can imagine the fun teen-age children and immature adults have with the pigs. . . and "Oinkers."  Really.  You don't want photos.)

 

And there you have it.  Pass the Pigs.  That CLASSIC Party Game!  So, tell me. . . have you ever played Pass the Pigs?  Have you ever even HEARD of it?  And, more importantly, are you going to introduce it at your next party?