A Swingset in the Yard -- Really?

Daily, it seems, I learn new requirements about being a grandparent.



The Swing Set--Mowing Obstacle



First it was the return of a crib and kiddie toys in the house. A nursery, so to speak.

Now we cruise yard sales looking for older kid toys--after all, E was six yesterday. I really wanted the gift we got for him (I may secretly go back and buy another one for myself even though technically, I already have one).

This past weekend though--it was the coup de gras, a swing set returned to the yard!

Aside from the comedy that was going to pick it up, disassembling it, and reassembling it on a cold day--I cannot believe I have another obstacle to mow around in the yard.

Granted--it is use and it was inexpensive--but now it is mine.

I am sure the grandsons will love it--for a while, but given the volume of mosquitoes in the yard, I'm not sure whether the use will justify the annoyance of having to mow around it.

Of course, it still requires to be power washed and stained and sealed, because it is well loved.

But the kids will have someplace to play when they are not in the pool. 

When is that, exactly?

On the Way Home from Great Wolf Lodge

The car ride seemed to go on forever--even for a seasoned traveler like myself.

On the Ride Home from Great Wolf Lodge

I confess--I snuck a few winks as I grew tired of checking out the license plates of the cars in front of me.

There was one point when everyone realized that swimming in the morning at the lodge, shopping at Williamsburg Pottery, and then spending untold hours at an Outlet Mall had taken its toll on the littlest member of the party--Jax had nodded off and his earphones, for the movie he was watching, had slipped down over his eyes.

Well, it had all taken its toll on me as well.

I almost felt like Gilligan's Island--a three-hour drive became a seven-hour ordeal.  We left the Lodge at noon and did not arrive home until after 7:30 pm.

The kids were troopers!

Me? Not so much.

I don't need any more practice with long car trips. I have taken enough that I feel like I don't need the practice any longer.

Although--since we did not take I-95, the most obvious interstate, but rather cruised US 301, the route was pretty with the colors of springtime and pleasant due to the relative lack of traffic. I was fun to spy the forgotten buildings of the era before I-95 dotting the landscape and repurposed into other uses.

The drive was overall enjoyable--just long!  But a fitting ending for an all too short weekend.

Monday Musings - Tuesday April 12, 2011

1. Yeah it is Tuesday--but I was still thinking about it.

2. A weekend away from the grind with the grandsons at a water park--is that the definition of relaxing?

3. Budget crisis averted--for the moment, but the inability of our Congress to lead and work together is going to continue to create problems is all areas for which they are responsible.

4. We returned home after the overnight, and Riordan, the cat, is missing. Some would like to take the blame for this unfortunate situation, but unfortunate things just happen sometimes--and the cat had been attempting to become an escape artist for some time.

5. Traveling, we took a scenic and historic route to Williamsburg, VA passing some interesting spots such as where John Wilkes Booth dies, and where Presidents Washington and Madison were born. This area is so full of history, it seems you stumble over something historic every time we go out.

6. Here's something interesting from history--the Civil War began 150 years ago today.  And it is still being fought in some places!

7. The trees have begun to take on that light green color and are changing over from the reds of the new buds. The blooming trees look like white puff balls in the fields. Springtime is truly upon us.

8. Weather changes make this time of year interesting. We slept with the windows open last night for the first time this year.

9. And did you notice the Orioles? Over one week into the season and still in sole possession of first place in the American League East!

From the Lodge of the Great Wolf

I have been spending the past day at Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg with the grandsons.

Admittedly, it is an experience for the kids--bit there is one adult attraction: the Tornado which is really cool.

And indoor water park. What a concept. Except the temperature today is supposed to be in the 80's.

Perhaps I should be outside.

-- Bob Doan, Williamsburg, VA

Sunday and Weather

Longing for the 80's promised for tomorrow, I am sitting here looking at the ever greener trees outside the window.

I went to the O's doubleheader last light and witnessed two very different games with the O's winning the first game 5-0 but getting shot down during the second 13-1.

Pitching was the difference.

But it was cool in the low 50's for the game. We got a bit cold sitting there.

And so we are looking forward seeing that bright orb in the sky at some point today if the heavy clouds that have been oppressing us begin to clear as promised.

It could happen.

The grass is at least green and will need its first mowing by the weekend.

That at least is something to look forward to.

Sent from my iPhone

Felled Trees and the Smell of Earthworms

I know--it is kinda weird, but what else do you call that smell after the Spring rains fall on the now very green grass--which I probably should think about mowing.

It is the "smell" of the earth after the rain--the sweet smell that caresses the land and reminds me of earthworms.

As we were digging in the gardens last week, I was pleased to see that we have a lot of worms grinding up the inorganic matter into fertile nutrients for our plants.

The other day I finally had three dead, but very tall trees felled. They will, by the end of the year, be cut, split, and stacked for firewood. They were just a bit too tall for me to want to deal with--and I wanted them to fall in a certain way so I paid to have them dropped--the guy who did the job for me put them right where I wanted them.

They are wet now, though, after the soaking rains of the past days.

But it is a couple year's worth of wood lying on the ground ready for processing with my chain saw.  And I will get to rent a splitter again, too.



I am beginning to see a lot of new green leaves out my window and the weeping cherry is about to burst forth in bloom as well.  It is the time of year, here, when the flowering trees are putting on a show which rivals the autumn leaves.