My family and I just returned from a camping vacation spending six nights at the Indian Boundary Campground in Tellico Plains, TN. Days were filled with swimming, biking, and going to the camp store while nights were filled with fishing, roasting marshmallows, and sharing time with family and friends. We saw more snakes during this camping trip than I have ever seen in the past. We even saw a rattle snake basking in the sun while on our way to Citico Creek. The snake slowly crept across the road while a slew of kids gasped at the sight of it making its way to the safety of the other side. I thought they would tip over the truck as they all leaned as far as they could out one side of the bed to catch a glimpse of the rattle snake.

Much excitement followed: David jumped from a 20 foot cliff into freezing water just to encourage his grandson to complete the same task. Austin was convinced and jumped immediately following David. Two young boys who reside in Tellico killed a huge bullfrog by hitting it with a stick. My kids were astonished to see the frogs legs immediately stiffen, and measured using their hands as a visual representation of what appeared to be a two foot span when describing how the frogs’ legs jolted behind him when he was killed. Austin said he wished he was raised like that. Isabell drank two cups of Sassafras tea and became a very good scout at finding more leaves in which to make the tea. Cole disappeared for two hours and was nowhere to be found, but turned up just as law enforcement was about to be called. He was a mile away fishing with Mitchell, a friend he met in the campground. He felt completely at ease leaving with his friend to go fishing from the dam. Needless to say… he got a good “talking to” when he returned to the camper. Grace and Josie returned one evening just as the sun was starting to set and told me that they had joined a gang. When I questioned their comment they corrected what they had said by noting that it was more like a club instead of a gang. They called it, The Trail Mix Club.  They added the fact that the club didn’t have guns or anything like that. Boy was I relieved. Jillian was a true camper! She arrived on Tuesday wearing a pair of shorts, a shirt, and flip flops. She also had a bathing suit and a beach towel. She returned home four days later wearing the same shorts, her flip flops, and one of Austin’s shirts which she had changed in to the previous day. I was a bit jealous when my sister picked her up from my house upon our arrival home. While I had a mountain of towels and clothes to wash, Jillian skipped to her car holding a bag containing one shirt and her bathing suit. Our camping trip was great and the stories will keep us laughing for generations to come. One story that astonishes me the most is the fact that we spent seven days in a black bear preserve and never spotted a single bear, then we returned home to hear that one had been struck by a patrol car practically in our backyard on Hwy. 27. Crazy! On two separate occasions, Grace has been completely convinced when telling us that she saw a man in all black standing at a distance looking at her and her friends as they played in our woods. She ran home both times in a panic describing what she had seen. David and I searched the woods each time seeing no evidence of any man dressed in black. I wonder know if she and her friends had a close encounter with a black bear. I never knew they were so close and will now be more cautious when hiking through my own wooded backyard.

It has been hard this summer to keep a tally of all of the visitors that have graced my presence. Even after the first day, Mandy asked if I had forgotten to mention several visitors. So for the purposes of the blog, I will no longer keep a tally of visitors but will write stories about my personal experiences. I hope you continue to read and enjoy my posts as they are available. Thank you to my readers.

Saturday, June 1, 2013

So many of the same people return and even though things seem to be unchanged, there are many things that change and happen upon each return visit from the frequent visitors. Austin and Grace spent much of the day riding their gas powered riding toys in between spotty rain. They have all but destroyed any hopes of a green lawn that would adorn our turf on the lower piece of acreage in our yard. Mud is now the prominent ornamental attraction in this part of our yard. Among mud; bare spots under the swing set, sand thrown about the yard, and a brightly colored patio point to significant signs of a multitude of visitors that are here on a daily basis. I often times complain and grumble out loud about picking up popsicle sticks, paper, drink boxes, and toys from the yard, but wonder too if I will miss the days when there are no children around. Pizza boxes continue to litter the top of the rail beside the kitchen and wet towels hanging from the sides add their own decorative quality. It can get pretty hectic, but all in all, everyone seems to be happy.

Melissa, Jeff, Austin, Cole, and Lucas visited today. Ate fried bologna and tomato sandwiches for lunch and stayed for dinner later in the evening. Harlee and Faith spent the night with Grace. A friend of David’s returned a drill and stayed for a while talking about work.  Larry picked up Mandy as they went out on a date. Dave returned with Isabell around 7:30 as David and I were the designated babysitters for the evening. We finally turned in around 10:00. Isabell could hardly sleep from laughing at the way in which her Papaw sounded as he snored.  Grace, Faith, and Harlee begged to sleep in the camper. I finally gave in and agreed to their request, but they came back inside around 1:00 AM as the rain began to get heavy and they were desperate for a good nights’ sleep.

10 visitors today, 65 in all

Friday, May 31, 2013

A full week of summer vacation and already over 50 visitors. The night ended with a Mock Swim Meet at the Red Bank Pool. It was a long night, beginning at 5:00 and ending after 9:00. Mattie A. came home with Grace from the pool. Melissa, Austin, Cole, Dakota, and Maddie B. were visitors during the day. Harlee, our next door neighbor, is a frequent visitor on days that she is home. Our neighbor, Charlie, visited for a few minutes today as well. He didn’t bring us our mail today, but he did talk about his granddaughter being sick. Sometimes you got to take what you get. Anyway…

7 visitors today, 55 in all

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Almost a full week of summer vacation and the visitors continue to come…and stay. What began as a quick visit by Penni Jo and her daughter to complete the finishing touches of the swim team roster ended after the consumption of two pizza’s an order of Italian Cheesy bread, and after 4 ½ hours. After getting the necessary papers sorted and then sorted again, Penni Jo asked if it would be okay with me if she stayed to finish the paperwork needed for the team to register through the Chattanooga Area Swim League. My reply was, “Sure.” Her daughter, Tabitha swam while her mother and I completed paperwork.

Melissa, Dakota, Cole, and Austin were here as well, so there was plenty of entertainment for all.

Billy arrived around noon and retrieved a nail gun from the garage.

Maddie was brought to our house later in the evening by her mother, Christy while Grace was at swim practice. Mom and I were completing a six week training course of basic obedience with Jenny. She received her certificate of completion. Mom finally gave Jenny a little wiggle room from her collar and leash after trusting that Jenny would follow her commands. Mom should have a received a certificate as well, she did a great job.

9 visitors today, 48 in all

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

A multitude of visitors today. The day started out quiet but soon the rumble of Steve’s lawnmower took over the morning’s silence. He and a helper arrived while the dew was still evaporating from the grass. It was a nice cool morning to complete the chores needed to maintain the lawn.

During a quick trip to the bank early this morning, Melissa arrived with Austin, Cole, and Dakota. They came inside while I was talking to the branch manager after they had sat in the hot car for about ten minutes. Needless to say…the bank manager sped things up after Melissa, I, and four kids including Grace were waiting in her office. It soon became a bit crowded. Afterwards we spent a day at the Warner Park Swimming Pool. I picked Josie upon my return from the bank. Upon arrival to the pool, the swimming test was first on the agenda. 2-25 meter lengths of the pool and we were sure to obtain a spot in the deep end of the pool. We all passed the test and were able to play on the obstacles as much as we could stand. First to the “Wibit” obstacle course and then on to the slide. I always thought I would be a good candidate for Wipe Out, but after completing those two obstacles, I have put any and all thoughts related to completing an obstacle course aside…except for the Warrior Dash.

After four hours of fun and returning home with mild sunburns, we all spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing and taking it moderately easy. Dinner consisted of pork tenderloin, stewed potatoes, and peas. I hadn’t planned on so many people being here to eat dinner, but we managed to have plenty. Kim picked Josie up around 8:30 after finishing the day off with a quick dip in the pool.

Little David dropped off some clothes for Dakota as he would be spending the night along with Austin and Cole.

9 visitors today, 39 in all

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

I wasn’t sure why my daughter and grandchildren were so willing to make the sacrifices they did today just to go the veterinarian with me and our dog. Austin wanted to spend the night just so he could wake up early enough to be at the vet’s office by 8:00 with Buddy, our Boston Terrier. Cole spent the night as well, and all kids were up by 7:00 AM ready to go to the vet. It was just as loud and confusing as the first day of school. They argued about holding Buddy in the car, walking him in, and holding him in the office. I couldn’t understand their need to go to the vet when they could have slept in or sat on the couch watching television while eating a bowl of cereal. To me, the latter would be much more appealing. I thought for a while about their desire to go…was it because they wanted to provide support to our four-legged family member who would be visiting the doctor, was it because they were curious about the procedures that needed to be done, or was it because they wanted the vet to see his loving family? Before I overanalyzed it too much I decided to ask them why they wanted to go. 

These were their replies:

Grace said, “For the cuteness and the entertainment in the car”

Cole said, “Because there are other dogs there”

Austin said, “I just want to see the shot”

Isabell said, “Because Austin and Cole are going”

Their responses were so simple. They knew why they wanted to go, and all for a different reason. And then Austin asked me why I wanted to go. I replied, “Because someone has to drive.”  I guess we all do things everyday just because specific duties are required of us, not necessarily for any particular reason. The next time I find myself questioning a specific situation I will try to be less analytical and accept things as they are, even it means taking four kids to the vet at 8:00 AM with my one dog.

Austin and Cole spent the night so they were the first visitors of the day. Melissa came over around noon. Harlee arrived around 1:00 and stayed for just a little while. Jeff brought 3 buckets of gravel over this evening to help fill a small ditch. He left with a plate of pork chops, mashed potatoes, pinto beans, and cornbread…a trade for the gravel.

5 visitors today, 30 in all.