More Happy Places ie the Lauren edition

 Happy Places with my little Lauren? Boy, this one is hard because I'm not trying to write a book.

The first one that comes to mind is "Beach". Lauren wasn't even six weeks old when her toes touched the waters in the Gulf of Mexico. Instead of crying when the waves touched her feet, she laughed and put her arms in the water. I believe she was three when she found her first sand dollar. Later, there was Cumberland Island, Amelia Island, Key West,  Vero Beach, Bowman's beach and the Lighthouse beach on Sanibel Island. I never asked if she had a favorite. She seemed to love them all as I did. We collected shells, watched gators and dolphins, played with starfish, walked with wild horses, swam with manatee. Admired the sun going down and coming up and we laughed. Rain didn't stop us or the laughter.

Her "spaceship". She really didn't travel out of space, but in our RV-the bed above the driver's seat. She came out to eat her lunchables and just handled everything in stride. Just like when the airlines lost our luggage and we were bound for a wedding. Everything handled in stride.

Falling Water Falls-it's a beautiful place. We've jumped a couple of times now, but I'm still afraid of heights and she still makes fun of me and lets me jump when I'm ready. It constantly reminds me-there's nothing to be afraid of if you've got the right person by your side. 

"The field" the one behind the house where we let the horses run or slowly walk and take it all in. The mountains. The smell of fresh hay. The sound of eagles. The smell of leather and the feel of a good breeze. I don't know how many times we've ridden across the field but I'm glad that it's too many times to count. The conversations we've had. The problems that Abigail, Kate, Sassy, Miss Priss, and Blaze have helped us solve. 

"The River"-Our annual float trip from Hasty to Carver. Laughing at you in the gar hole. Playing in the holes of water. Watching Ash swim so gracefully. Crossing the river on horseback even with snow at the river's edge. 

My kitchen-watching Lauren master chocolate gravy. Making poppy seed chicken. Numerous oreo balls. Coffee and more coffee. Making jam.

And I can't forget the "porch". It's where we've enjoyed coffee, tea, and other adult beverages. We've watched the sun go down and storms come. We've watched the dogs jump a five foot fence(not mine obviously). Listened to eagles and whipporwills . 

You see what I mean about a book? I could go on but I think I'll go out and maybe make some more happy places.

Water Fall#2 Carwash Falls

 Twelve new waterfalls in one year? We'll see but here's the second one for me. Carwash Falls down a long, long dirt road.

Happy Places the Pepper Paul Edition

As I said before, I have a lot of happy places, but these are my happy places with Paul.

First one that comes to mind is the little house on Arch Street in Little Rock. It was the very first house I owned and where all the kids came after leaving the hospital. It's where Paul disappeared and I found him in the refrigerator eating peaches. It's where he took apart an outlet and told me that it bites.  It's where Beth and Paul had miniature John Deere tractors with carts and they would follow their dad around the yard when he mowed. 

Then there was the Scout Reservation outside of Damascus(my favorite speed trap). Paul and I went there for several years usually the third week of June. I watched him turn over a canoe on purpose and right it by himself. I watched him throw an ax with precision beyond his years.  I watched him wake up at dawn to practice swimming and build endurance so that later he could swim a mile. I swam it too just to make sure he was safe and then I had to sit in the pool until feeling returned to my legs so I could walk. I watched wonderful sunsets and amazing sunrises while watching my little boy turn into a caring young man.  It's where I crossed a bridge made of rope to prove I could.

The ballroom. Dancing with my son at cotillion. Him looking so spiffy in his suit and so patient with me and my two left feet. Watching my girls dance so elegantly in dresses with their done in something other than a pony tail. Watching Paul dance with girls and seeing them smile at him. 

Fenton Cave-it's in the mountains near me. It's unbelievably beautiful and going through the cave, you would have thought my son was the parent and not me. He was so worried about me. If I knew what would be expected of me to finish the trip through the cave, I would not have gone, but I'm glad I did. We had to brave frigid water, jump across a divide to continue the trail, fit through a needle's eye, and belly crawl the length of a foot ball field. Good times. 

My home in Jasper. That's right. Lots of happy times with my city kid. There's the dinners were he's arrived just a little bit late-and I've called to see where he's at-oh you know that place with the cows. Watching him take everything in stride. The numerous dogs that sneek into bed at night. The sounds of the country. It might be owls, whipporwills, or coyotes. He just takes it all in and makes everyone laugh.  Here's hoping Jasper can give him something else to laugh about on his 31st birthday.

Happy Places the Beefy Edition

A couple of days ago, Beth called me to share one of her "happy places"- a place she could visit that brought her happiness and it got me to thinking...

I have a lot of happy places.  

But this is about happy places with Beth and this goes back 32 years. There was a strawberry field-she was in a baby carrier and as I picked strawberries so did she. I don't even think she was walking yet.  My berries  went in a bucket and hers went in her mouth. The farmer kept telling me he was gonna weigh my kid before and after she left the field. I can't go back to that particular field, but every time I smell ripe strawberries I have to smile. I'm reminded of this every time she raids my pantry for strawberry jam.

Then there was the city of New Orleans. The sweet smell of fried pastries. The sound of jazz. The mystery of fortune tellers. My daughter explaining to the general population that it was ok to drop money in the open instrument cases for the musicians. I felt honored to work there after a hurricane. The people are amazing and very patient with little people. 

Can I just say "softball field"? The memories and locations could go on for quite a while. There's the wonderful feeling your rear gets when it goes numb, the heat and humidity, and the thrill of watching a very determined girl do what no one thought was possible. So thin and gangly, putting a ball into the outfield and loping the bases like it was no big deal. 

St. Edward's church-where all my children were baptized, made their first communion, and prayed. Watching Beth pray, made me proud. Yes, I know I was supposed to have my eyes closed, but there was an incident of bubble wrap in the pews for which my children were responsible. Watching them as altar servers-all three together-brought tears to my eyes. Such a proud mama moment. My eyes were too teary to focus so I'll always be grateful to my mom for capturing this on film. 

Cumberland Island. A beautiful place by the sea. The smell of salt in the air. The wild horses strolling on the beach.  The sea turtle nests. Watching my daughter enjoy the beauty of it all and knowing she loved the feel of the sun as much as I do. 

Hot Springs. Watching my kids jump in the water. Hearing their laughter. Watching Bowser the Bassett on the inner tube with his big ole years flapping in the wind. That crazy dog loving every minute of it. The feel of a winning horse. The smell of the racetrack. Later, watching Beth walk down the isle. Feeling so blessed to be among her bridesmaids. And on one of the most important days of her life, she has one of my favorite songs played for me. Never has "Ave Maria" sounded so good. I still get chill bumps on my arms remembering Danni's voice. That night watching Beavis and Lauren tear up the dance floor. Laughing with my favorite Aunt and sisters well into the night. 

And the best part about my happy places with Beth? They're not over.

Fuzzy Butt

 

For Mother's Day this year, I told the kids I wanted a memory and I may have mentioned that I want to see twelve new waterfalls this year. They indulged me and we headed off to Fuzzy Butt Falls. The waterfall was beautiful and the hike was just a little over a mile. They also got to see Falling Water Falls and Six Finger Falls.  After everyone was pretty well spent, they got to experience Hill Billy Slim's  in the big town of Witts Springs. A wonderful day spent making wonderful memories.