For people focused on the weather yet tired of the mass media sensationalism…
That is to say, if you desire a frequent, thoughtful, and scientific approach to weather*, Cliff Mass fits the bill.
*Trained in philosophy, professionally employed as an analyst, and as an everyday cyclist (outside a lot) I consider myself one of these.
Usually I like to write little memorable bits about things that happen as I go – that way I don’t forget them.
This time, I have to condense all two weeks of my staycation into one post…maybe. Perhaps this will be my first multi-part post: stay tuned.
We started with our annual Dash Point camping trip.
TheWeeOne actually decided to sleep in the hammock the first night – and except for that whole ‘getting cold’ thing at 2AM – it worked out swimmingly.
Of course – as you can see – the hammock provided hours of entertainment and screeching. I tried to endure it – but ultimately it was just too concerning: the possibility of a sprained neck and the possibility of a burst eardrum.
We hiked both days. This year, the amphibians were mere tadpoles and the water levels were REALLY high. The huckleberries were in season though – and we even picked enough to make a good pie in the end.
Of course – there was a traditional fire – but this time we had HUGE marshmallows. Amazingly, their girth allows for better cooking. I am not clear on what makes them better but I got some amazing browning – that then allowed for removal of the outer layer and then another browning would do the inner layer again. I even managed a triple after I really perfected my technique – and pumped up TheMermaids blood sugar levels (see Hammock Screeching).
Ultimately, the beach was what we (read as they) were after. We went both days of the weekend and despite extremely high tides and cooler weather, we managed a nice sandcastle and even buried the girls to their necks in sand.
And of course – we finished it off with our traditional bench family photo.
As you can see by the title, I have decided that this will be Part I of perhaps three parts.
It is really amazing how even though I was home for all of the two weeks, I didn’t have any significant time to actually blog any of this.
That’s good actually. 🙂
Today – after a busy week of swimming lessons, camping, museums, zoos, and some housework with few breaks I felt like taking it easy and working on computer maintenance. TheMommy wanted to read and relax.
These are not usually short things – especially when I really haven’t done much of it for ohhhhh, about two years. What was I talkin’ bout? – Oh yeah.
So, when the girls got up and noiselessly started watching their latest Netflix infatuation I didn’t complain (like usual). Then TheMommy and I listened to Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me, did some dishes, and…TheMermaids pushed on valiantly.
There isn’t much blow-by-blow to miss here but suffice it to say…it’s now 20:22 and they watched something like 11 hours of TV – with very little interruption (except for when Netflix wanted to go outside and play once).
Un-be-liev-able.
At one point TheMommy even opened the window
Look! It’s sunny outside! Go outside and play?!
Ahhhh? [shading their eyes] It’s too bright!
What are they becoming…moles?
Then, at about 18:30 I approached them, in the dark, deep basement TV room and said
Well? was it worth it?
Worth what?
Worth “it”?! You’ve sat on your butts all day long and watched ‘Charlie’ the whole time – just think of all you’ve missed?
LaGrande just squirmed a little bit but TheWeeOne, with the surety of a seasoned philosopher said blithely
What did we miss?
Oooooh, she’s good that one.
*coming soon – activities actually DONE on my staycation. Lots of pictures.
There isn’t time to beat around the bush – I still have to catch up on the sleep which was missed in the previous two days.
This all started Saturday night when TheWeeOne figured out we were going to a baseball game the next day. She was so excited she wore her excitement on her sleeve pillow – and her hand.
The next day we trekked to TheLink. Worried about parking and desirous of a full day we arrived at the ballpark with ninety minutes to spare and promptly TheMermaids’ youngest cousin earned his first major league baseball through a handful of diligence and a pro-active Papa.
We toured the scene,
tasted the fare, ensured TheMermaids inhaled some fluffy sugar, and watched the Mariners play.
Amazingly, TheMermaids were rapt for the duration.
How rapt were they?
They were so rapt TheWeeOne managed an entire feature length movie on my phone and after the last out, while cheering with us quite loudly, LaGrande asked
Is it over?!
Yep! (Whoooooo!!)
Did we win?!!
Yep!! (wait…wha?)
Yayyyyyyy!!!!!
We trudged back to the train
and caught a second wind for a wild rumpus in The Tent Majal.
The next day, stiff neck notwithstanding, we visited with Maggie whilst Gramma Nana and Grampa Troy prepared to take their leave.
Annnnnd back to the house of cousins for a day stocked with hot dogs and cole-slaw, trivia and Mark Twain, The Music Man and bocce, and lots of hula-hoops.
A few fireworks oooohed from the front step meant only one thing; the day couldn’t last forever.
blief 