Sunday, July 5, 2009

Fourth of July, 2009.


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket



Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket





Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket





Summer is like an endangered species around these parts. I anxiously scan the crops planted in the fields as we travel from here to the lake. The height of the plants in the field indicates the number of weeks of summer still left. When the corn tassels out, the countdown till school starts will begin. I'm relieved to see the plants are just inches tall; I breathe easier.

We crunch our way over the gravel roads and through the woods, to Grandmother's house we go. I begin to relax with each passing mile. I'm finding my mind to be quieter in the summer, although my days are boisterous and noisy. As we drive under the balcony of overhanging branches, the boys prepare to race for the lake and the boat, longing for the pull of a big fish on their line.

I go for a walk with my camera, capturing nature in all her green and fleeting glory. Heading back to the cabin we are treated to an oh-so-satisfying 4th of July dinner of roasted hot dogs, grilled hamburgers, and toasted marshmallows. I'm drawn to the swing on the porch and the stillness of the glass-like surface of the water on the lake, disturbed every now and then by a passing loon.

While we take turns trying to break the spell and diminish the allure cast by the roaring fire on our boys, the sun starts to slide down the horizon. Its a now herculean effort to break the g-force pull of the porch swing on my fully relaxed body. With a promise of a return sometime soon we head off back to Detroit Lakes to catch their fireworks show. We're dazzled momentarily with a brief show. I realize its the perfect metaphor for my thoughts about all things summer. I'm living in technicolor right now, as fleeting as it may be.

18 comments:

  1. That was the most beautiful imagery in words... I almost relaxed immediately just reading with the picture in my mind.

    But your actual pictures were pretty darn great, too :) I'm just wondering why you didn't give Colton a graham cracker and a Hershey bar to eat that marshmallow with... might have been easier than a fork :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I wonder how many tonne of fireworks is used across America on the 4th of July? I'm sure it's a lot.
    More than the firework to me a day of celebrating your country is being thankful for the lifestyle you have and spending it with family. I think you days encapsulates this well.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sounds like you had a good 4th. Paul's family was here. We went out on the lake and watched the fireworks - it is amazing the display some private parties through - better than the Cities...amazing. Christopher roasted his first marshmallow this weekend also -- he actually preferred eating them out of the bag...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great pictures! Look like you had a great time. Ahhh the joys of summer.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm glad you had a good 4th! We loved the pictures :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Gitz, he would have loved a s'more to be sure... but we only gave Grandpa and Grandma an hour of notice before we showed up on their porch. Next time :)

    Do you know you helped me out that day? Nolan started to complain about something... I simply asked him how he thought Sara must feel staying inside that day and missing every part of the day... it stopped him cold in his tracks! It was a pretty powerful moment... completely inspired by you :)

    Liss, you said what I should have included! I'm glad if that came through because it is exactly what I felt and meant at the time.

    Kristi, your 4th sounds really nice too! Christopher and Colton will have one more thing in common now... their love of marshmallows right out of the bag!

    Bonnie, it was really nice and I am definitely a summer girl!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Julie, we were thinking of all of you... poor Matt gets to listen to the chaos and commotion from our gatherings every time! We all sure missed you and can't wait to get to spend a holiday together!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh Vicky - WHAT A SETTING AND WHAT A BACKVIEW OF THE HOUSE!! May I please have your grandma and grandpa? I don't have any and, for all intents and purposes, my kids don't either. We want to sit on the porch and listen to loons and watch the water and visit. We are easy to please and low maintenance. I can cook up a storm, too! Of course, you do have to listen to me RAVE every now and then....hmmmmm....probably not a fair trade.

    You wrote such a WONDERFUL story!! I felt like I was right there with you and the photos were terrific. This was SUCH a lovely post.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Robin, you're so astute :) I am super excited to one day share with you what lies outside of the house on the lake too... there are many more fun surprises to that area... stay tuned for more to come :) Hugs to you!

    Robynn, so good to have you showing up here again... I missed you :) I should have clarified, Grandpa and Grandma are my in-laws, the Grandparents of the boys... our own grandparents have all passed away now too :) You and yours would be welcome anytime!! Ravings and all :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Happy Independence Day! (a little late)

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a beautifully written post...and the photo's are specatacular!

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is an awesome post! The pics are great!

    ReplyDelete
  13. What an awesome post!!!!!

    I love that fire pit...so cool!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Your words made me wish I was there, Vicky. Wonderfully written post. :)
    Beautiful, beautiful photos. Sounds like you had a great Fourth!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Vicky...Isn't walking through the wonders of nature with your camera a wonderful experience. Your photos are beautiful...and I'm so happy that you had such a lovely Fourth of July. It is past the 4th now, but may I wish you a happy remainder of the week. I'm sorry that I haven't been able to get here before. I've missed being here...and I hope to be back to regular blogging and posting very soon. In the meantime, I wanted to stop by and read your blogs and let you know that I'm thinking of you.
    Smiles,
    Jackie

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sara :) I hope you had a great 4th of July as well!

    Libby, thank you! I'm glad you liked them and its nice to see you here!

    Missy, thanks :)

    Stephanie, thank you... and the fire pit is awesome!

    Jill, how nice to have you back! Thanks for your kind words :) We did have a great 4th :)

    Jackie, how nice of you to drop in while you are on vacation :) No worries about your absence! Just enjoy your time away :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love the scenery. Really, I need to move by water and trees.

    Have a great day.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sheryl,

    I love it too and think I would enjoy living there at least part of the year! Hope you had a great day being the sneaky friend!

    ReplyDelete

I welcome what you have to say. Thanks for taking the time to grace me with your thoughts and words!

When you get lucky

When you get lucky

Popular Posts

Minnesota.com

Minnesota.com - MN Weather, Map, Businesses and Blogs
Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape