Musings from a dreamer, who fell in love with the Pacific Northwest 18 years ago and in 2011 made it her home. I'm raising a Pinkalicious 7-year-old and a 11-year-old with a big heart - and epilepsy. Ditching perfection, celebrating life, finding joy in the journey and reminding myself daily to Let.It.Be.



Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Family reunions, camping and other painful summer activities

Summer is at an end, and the last couple of weeks of its hot, sweaty, humidity-drenched life was marked by two events that were at once painful and wonderful. My husband's Italian family celebrated 100 years of life in America in the small, former coal-mining town of Bevier, population 50?! on a good day and about 500 during its annual homecoming.

The accompanying photos provides a good idea of the kind of entertainment found at said event, excluding the carnival, which is at best painful to describe. But with a good sense of humor, the parade is quite enjoyable!
The other event I'm supposed to enjoy by virtue of being a Midwesterner is camping. Why on Earth would otherwise sane people give up their home and bed to sleep on the ground or in a camper to be eaten by all manner of flying bugs? Camping is great, I tell friends who ask. Except for when it's time to eat, sleep, shower or poop. But alas, the time spent sitting around the campfire drinking and swapping stories with friends is, well, swell.

Of course, I survived both with minimal complaining -- until now! Somehow, I have trouble finding a sympathetic audience. My fellow citizens love it here, and as I've said I've found a lot of things to love as well. (Just not camping or carnivals.) But let's not take ourselves too seriously -- poking a little fun keeps life in perspective. It helps us remember why we're here and why we do anything worth doing -- love.

The loves of my life. Aidan and Ava, who has a bit of a princess complex as expressed by her dramatic, Sleeping Beautyesque kisses.

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