from one biome to the next

Today I am a hiker, but all nature did was remind me of the path I took to get to this place.

About five years ago I was out in the desert hiking with my brother and pulling my mother along. As we approached the oasis, my tuckered out, exhausted mother turns to me and says, "I'm going to take the Serra Nevada hiking class." I about died inside, but on the outside encouraged my mother along. If you know my mother you know she always is cooking up the craziest ideas, but what is even crazier is she always ALWAYS succeeds. I get my tenacious spirit from her. And yes, I am lucky to have this powerhouse as my permanent example of how to live life. In case you were wondering, we did make it out of the desert, but the joke of her joining this club was not going to end anytime soon. 

the hike circa 2007

Here I am now, staring down these enormous trees as I frolic in the wilderness thinking of how much life has changed since that memory. My mom not only joined the class, she met the most AMAZING man and they have been my favorite couple for the last four years. ..Oh, and she has turned into quite the wilderness woman hiking mountains like Mt. Whitney, kayaking in the San Diego Bay, and sailing around Canada...

I too started dating (and married) my want-to-be wilderness man. He just loves being outdoors and is too excited to play. (Insert puppy comment here). But, I think I finally met his hyperactive nature adventurous counterpart- his sister. As we hiked they climbed, slashed sticks, and made quite a ruckus, and I was happy to enjoy every minute of it. 

the hike circa today

painting this black thumb green

Today I am a gardener, well that might be too much of a stretch. Today I am not a plant killer. 

It is "The Day of the Teacher." And I was just reminded of how amazing the school I work at truly is. This week I was blessed with morning treats, a catered lunch, an afternoon off from teaching, and then gifts! I cannot believe this whole celebration. Really I think it should be day of blessings, but now I am off topic. 

I was given two flower arrangements this week. Andrew also has been working on not killing left over science experiment flowers that somehow escaped the water vs. soda testing in first grade. Now all three of these sit on our window sill as the sun sets and casts its last beautiful rays. And all I could think of was "Phew! One more day I did not kill these plants with my burnt black forever non-green thumb that has been killing plants since 1986."

two squeeky wheels

Today I decided to be a photographer. It all started when my husband noticed our neighbors walk a bike to the curb and then walk away as if nothing just happened. My husband, being a curious puppy, was thoroughly infatuated with this bike. He wanted to know why they would leave a bike like that out by the street. Did it belong to anyone? Was there a "free" sign on it? The questions went on and on. Me, being the straight shot, went outside, struck up conversation with our neighbors, and then walked my new bike home. 

When do I mention that the last bike I owned was pink with streamers and was given to me for finishing the second grade? Needless to say I have been wanting a new bike for a very long time.

After getting our weekend teaching stuff finished (as quickly as possible MY new bike was waiting!), I convinced my husband it was time to test out the bike. We traveled down the back roads (or the main road in this too small town), stopped everywhere for pictures, and finally ran out of day light and had to travel back home. 

I love pretending to be a photographer, but now I get to pretend to be a bike rider