Monday, March 26, 2007

Messing About On The River



As soon as breakfast was inside the munchkins we were off on the adventure of the day. Today it was kayakking. The sky was blue, the sun was warm, the aged bones braced themselves for the workout to come, and the owner of one of the younger sets of bones fretted ..... Bear talked non-stop all the way to the river. Details had to be ironed out in his head as to how it would all go down. He tried issuing edicts about who would go in the red kayak, and who would go in the blue, assuming those were the colours we'd get, but even more importantly, who would go in mommy's kayak! Rowdy Roo won that round. Sometimes it just pays to be the youngest...

Once on the river Bear relaxed. He sat up front taking everything in, especially the design details of mechanical devices some people use to lift their boats clear of the water. Roo meanwhile, floated with his mommy, keeping a weather eye out for lonely ducks and such.

Several friendly people, seeing the style the boys were travelling in, called out to them from the banks of the river, congratulating them on getting the grown-ups to do the donkey work!

So Bear and I made a pact. Or rather, I suggested it and he sort of grudgingly agreed. And it was this: that in another ten years we'd go out on the river again, and he would bundle my bones, wrapped in a comfy blanket, into the front seat of the kayak, slather "sunscream" on whatever parts remained exposed, make sure I had a good grip on the winebottle, and that the chocolates were within easy reach, then he'd paddle us off out into the gulf for a few lazy hours, because of course, by then, he'd be a tall, strong, muscular teenager.........do you think I should get it in writing?


.....this fellow here was out on the river too, enjoying the sun and the fishing.

13 comments:

Diana said...

I'd forgotten about that "mental rehearsal" that young ones use when they are feeling a little anxious. It sounds as if he had a great time. Perhaps you SHOULD get it in writing, especially the part about the wine and the chocolates!

riseoutofme said...

What a life you have! Sun, wine, chocolates, messing about on the river, biddable children ....even
more biddable grand-children ...... WHERE have I gone wrong?????

meggie said...

What a lovely picture you painted- & showed! What a spectacular bird!
Lovely pic of boy & Mum.
Sounds like bliss. I think a written promise is best, too!

heartinsanfrancisco said...

I would definitely get it in writing before he replaces you with a teenaged strumpet sporting perky window dressing.

Molly said...

I forgot that you are in Florida. A day on the river seems like another grand and glorious day with the grandchildren. I can almost hear Bear issuing edicts about the kayaks. Such things are important when you are young.

Kelly said...

What fun!

Ali Honey said...

That's a lovely time you have all been having! Quite a "Wind in the Willows" outing!
Just love the pink beak and legs.

Zanna said...

You never know till it happens just how magical is that feeling of being a grandmother. So glad you're having so much fun.

Kelly said...

I did some search for people that talk about books in their blogs and there was some master list and your blog was on it.

nutmeg said...

I just read that Liz arrived home safe and sound. Might be some time for that "real women..." post about now ;-)

Stomper Girl said...

YES GET IT IN WRITING!!! Heartsinsanfranccisco has it right!

That sounds like a gorgeous day, and thankyou so much for sharing the pictures. My eldest boy is also a worrier. Bless their little hearts. My father used to joke I should have been named Prudence when I was little too.

Lone Grey Squirrel said...

Get it Writing. Get it in Writing. Get it in Writing. Signed in blood if possible.

Haha. Sounds like some great generational bonding. Wonderful.

Kelli said...

I love the photos! If you don't mind me asking, what kind of camera do you have?
The colors are so sharp!