This is usually a sad time of year. Putting everything away at Rusty Tractor Springs is like taking down the Christmas tree. But this time, there are great things to look forward to -- and not another unknown country. I get to return to Australia and plan where we will go when Roger has time off.
But first, I get to make a "slight" detour to Calgary by going to Vancouver. Any chance to see Brad, Anette and Magnus (o.k., we all accept Magnus is a mighty big draw) is something to look forward to.
Before heading off, I took a few parting shots.
For the second year, I've volunteered as a tutor at the Sandpoint Library. They have a fabulous outreach program led by Elise Tuma and I've probably learned as much as the students.
This year, I had this adorable little girl, Lilly, who is entering Grade 1 and needed some reading help. It was fun -- it was challenging --- and I'm convinced teachers are saints! Elise and I brainstormed and found by tapping into Lilly's strong math skills, it actually helped her reading.
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| Elise, Lilly and me! |
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| Lilly made great strides over the summer, and her mom has asked me to help her next year. Something to look forward to! |
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| I also helped at the Library's booth at the Bonner County Fair -- the theme, as you can tell was Dr. Seuss! |
The last weekend guests at RTS were Whitney Walsh and Patricia Eyolfson. Whitney is the daughter of dear friends, and I have known her since she was a toddler. Whitney and Patricia spent Christmas day with us, and Brad and Anette in Bangkok while they were on time off from their teaching jobs in Australia where they were for a year. The girls have a fabulous sense of adventure...of fun...and confidence that few their age possess. I loved having them and hope they'll come back again.
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| L to R: Whitney and Patricia hanging out on the hammocks |
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| The boats were already put away for the year, but they were happy to use the tube as a floating sun bed |
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| Joy. |
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| The wasp invasion drove us inside for our last dinner |
Before they took off, I had to take them to Priest River's iconic breakfast spot -- AJs.
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| Love the Logger size option just below the Egg Beaters or Egg Whites! |
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| The river on a misty morning |
We've packed in as many visits with Magnus this summer, because other than Skype visits, it will be a few months before we get to hold this precious bundle of joy.
While Brad was at work, I spent a wonderful day with Anette and Magnus.
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| We have contests to see who can laugh the loudest. He's gaining on me. |
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| Magnus loves standing in his jolly jumper and is getting a little bounce in his step! |
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| I dare you not to smile back at this picture!!!! |
So, with John Denver's song, "Leaving on a jet plane...don't know when I'll be back again....." playing a loop in my head, I head off to Australia, but more importantly, to Roger. He'll be heading to camp for the start of the project shortly after I arrive, but it's a far cry from him leaving me behind in Madagascar 6-1/2 years ago. I remember thinking "this expat thing is not going to work out like we thought it would --- I want to get out of here!"
I was right. Pretty well nothing has gone according to how we thought it would. But everything has worked out. I'm glad I didn't bail.
"You can't stop the waves, but you can learn how to surf."
Jon Kabat-Zinn
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