Catskill

Although we didn't go where we had originally intended to go, our short family vacation had it's moments. I think we all agreed that our hike up Kaaterskill falls was pretty spectacular. The falls is right off the road and there's a half mile hike to the first bowl. It's really something to see and while the trail is well maintained, it's still a bit of a climb. Once j could see the top of the falls, he insisted we go all the way up. Both J and I were a little skeptical at first but J would go ahead and scout out the best way up and report back to us. There is no trail  to the top of the falls so you're really on your own. A lot of grabbing onto roots and rock edges to help pull you up. 

 This is the view above the bowl. There's a rim along the inside edge. j really wanted to go behind the falls.

 So we did! Now, I have a bit of a fear of heights so this was not easy. Also, a fear of water. One of the greatest things about having a child is that you experience their fearlessness and remember feeling that way when you were small, before, anxiety, or incidents made you feel differently. Originally I was going to wait while they walked out on the ledge but the more I stood there the more I realized that I was missing the best part. J has always been good about making me do things I'm afraid to do. Sometimes by ignoring my fear or sheer insistence that I work through it. Sometimes, he's walked away and let me come to it on my own.

 Here I am behind the falls. Not as scary as I thought. That usually seems to be the case. The anticipation, the worry is always WAY worse then the thing.

 We hiked all the way up. I don't have good pics of this because you have to lie on your stomach and lean over.

 We were really high up! Taller than the trees, which j was excited about.

 Our motel room, which j was equally excited about( "they have a SHOWER in the bathroom!")

 And plastic covered everything!

scenes of summer

 I've decided that little j (who is really not so little anymore!) is something of a bug whisperer.

Sunday in August

We were trying to get to the Museum on the campus of SUNY New Paltz. there was all kinds of construction in the way because the school is closed for summer. It made for a good adventure.

lazy days

Summer has always been a hard time for me to get creative. But, I'm realizing that the more I make, the more I can't live without making. It seems if I go too long without creating something I get very cranky. (Have I said that before? I think I have. I think I need to say it A LOT until it really sticks!) July has been a little rough for me because little j has been around  and big J has had to work so I've been doing a lot of the child care/ entertaining, which leaves little time for me to have some creative space. The other thing though, is that I need to get use to the idea that I can ask for time and then take that time when it's given. That takes some getting use to for me. 

These are from summer activities with j. 

An impromptu Andy Goldworthy

 Our favorite hangout this summer

Summer again

How did it happen so quickly again! Here's some pics from the last few months as summer has rolled in.

A quillow made for a friend. It's a quilt that folds up into a pillow. I was a bit resistant at first because it didn't seem like something I was interested in doing but once I started I really enjoyed making it.

 J doesn't like to have his picture taken anymore but agreed if he could have a brownie. done!

 When I was little, my family went on a vacation to Rockport MA for a week during the summer. It was a magical place for me and my sister, in part, simply because we were on vacation and we didn't do a lot of that. My mom had taken us to the local library where we got to choose an embroidery pattern for our jean jackets. This was mine. I remember making it and the pride I felt when it was done. Pretty cool that J likes it!

J is around for most of the summer so it may be hard for me to make stuff. My hands are itchy, not literally. I just need to be making things and it feels bad not to be creative. This week j is in camp so i have a little time for me.I'll check in at the end of the week. Thanks for sticking with me.....

phew!

That was an insanely fun weekend! Here's a sample of some of the stuff I was showing. more to come!