At the zoo it is easy to make kids think in new ways and discover alternate or funny meanings in the simplest settings. Yes, there is the serious side of learning about nature, animals, climates, and so on but there are times to teach, kid around, and just have fun as well.
Adventures with Pa – The List
THE LIST
So now that I’ve committed to jotting down Adventures With Pa I had to ask myself…
“Self, where do we start?”
And of course since I was speaking to myself, I didn’t have a ready answer. So I decided to just start with what activities, places, and “stuff” I have been blessed to participate and observe with my grandkids.
Adventures With Pa
Yes, my grandkids have deemed “Pa” as a suitable title for me and I have embraced it fully! It is simple, sounds like a crow cawing, rolls off the tongue and is easy to remember (for kids and me!).
What I will note on these pages are trip and activity “snapshots” where the places we’ve been, sights we’ve seen and adventures we’ve taken are captured in short nuggets of humor and whimsy.
So get ready…get set…here we go!
A Bit of Refocusing
So here it comes…change. Change can be scary. Change can be exhilarating. Change happens no matter what we do or not do. So here’s to change …at least on this website.
Shoes On A Rail has been on a writing hiatus. Yes, thoughts and stories have occurred but for one reason or another they have not seen the light of internet day. A discussion with friends (Thank you David & Robyn!) helped me discern that this site can be a place for general thoughts (and some posturing) and it can serve as a way to note observations made during “Adventures With Pa.” These can be simply places we’ve visited and what found interesting or distracting, or “Ah Ha!” moments made by my kids, grandkids or me.
So it’s a bit of a change from the original intent of this site. A re-focusing and zooming in of purpose and vision.
I am looking forward to “seeing” things new and getting clarity, and sharing them with anyone who happens across this site.
There are exciting times ahead! See you soon!
Lost… but …Found
Dedicated to all of us, for we all suffer the pain of loss and our internal stories of regret.
First birthday. A time of joy and cakeA time of presents more for the adults than the children who are entranced by boxes, crinkly paper, balloons, ribbons and sounds A time to remember and celebrate From the first smiles to out loud giggles From rolling and crawling to the first faltering steps to running at breakneck speeds But then time slips by...
And the past becomes a shadow Hugs that are but memories Snuggles that are missed Laughter and wonder that have faded Photographs, videos, doodles, drawings, writings and cards are our time capsules Snippets of moments some beautiful, some enchanting, some upsetting Providing ways to observe the changes and take note of who this person is becoming Messages from tiny scratchings on various media to live video and artwork drawn with care giving us a clue into the heart, mind and soul of others And a memory, song, place, smell, and story can catapult us back... to where we can experience and re-live how we felt the joys we felt the smiles we shared the hearts that were joined in an unending symphony of gratitude Here's to dreams -- fulfilled and unfulfilled to joy and wonder -- experienced and shared And as we remember our grief amid the whirlwind of loss
may friends surround us keep us hear and listen to us So that they too may know who once walked this world who once discovered a smile in the simplest of things who once shared a secret or message shining light into even the darkest crags And with that... help ease the loss Quell the regrets And focus on the blessings and lessons imparted by their presence in our life
A “Mother’s Day” Manifesto
Although it can be applied to anyone who has experienced a personal loss, this article helps those who have lost a child express themselves and aids others in understanding their loss. Whether mother, father, son, daughter, family or friend, grief strikes us where we are most vulnerable.
Please read with care…and understanding. Give a hug to those who are close and to those who have lost…
Mother’s Day Manifesto For Grieving Mothers by Dr. Joanne Cacciatore
Exit Signs
Do you have a route you frequently drive or walk? An example would be the commute to work. You acknowledge where you are going, jump into your car, shut the doors, buckle the seat belt, turn on the car, put it into drive or reverse depending on how you parked the day before, then start on your journey. You know your destination or at least may have a clue on how to get there with the assistance of a GPS, a memorized route or written down instructions. You proceed down the highways and side streets based on the location of your destination, and before you know it you are either at your destination or snarled in traffic waiting to move forward to your final goal.
Empty Playgrounds
Have you ever passed an empty playground? I have. Ones that are empty due to the time of day, time of year, or just empty due to the passage of time, the departure of families and distractions of modern life.
Photographs
This blog was originally intended to reflect on the moments of life and to be more mindful of each interaction, each memory-making scene from the short span of time we are given on this world.
And yet.
Shoes On A Rail with a Twist
In railing against the ebb and flow of modern crazy-busy schedule
s, sometimes it is time to put our feet up (for those who are able) to sit and ponder. The immediate visual, as this is written, is to look down at our shoes, sneakers, flip-flops, boot et al and imagine them perched nicely upon a rail…deck, fence, porch, or guard rails made of wood, plastic or metal.