Armadillo Ding Dong

Many of Herself's local friends have scattered in this past week, not only to different Texas cities but also to Points Beyond. Some are attending Junior Olympics; others are conducting field trips with students; still more are traveling to establish new homes or to visit old familiar places. We wish them success, sanity, satisfaction and safety, and ask them to please drive and ride carefully, so that we may hear the tales of their adventures upon their return.

Vacation, Round 1

This weekend, the Family and I made our first excursion of the summer with the camper-trailer.



The RV park was one mile from Timberon, New Mexico, AKA The Cell Signal Abyss, as it was so remote that it is doubtful even the wild could make a call. Nevertheless, it was near some very interesting locations:

The trip was deemed a "fail-cation" by the Offspring, due to a myriad of minor mishaps and various petty irritations. Furthermore, the much-anticipated hiking was minimal because of thunder, enormous raindrops, and a virulent thorde of deer flies. Despite everything, the Family members retained mostly cheerful demeanors, and there was humor and consuming of treats.

For your enjoyment, the highlights of the trip are herein presented in a baker’s dozen of haiku, punctuated by occasional photographs.

1 -

Inauspicious start
Forgot to check the linens
Only one towel

2 -

Studying the map
Lincoln National Forest
Hiking trail – where’s that?

3 -

Risqué bug attacks
Flies right down Herself’s cleavage
Help! Save the ta-tas!

4 -

Rangers’ station fun
Taxidermy and crayons
Prevent forest fires!

5 -

Roasting marshmallows
Flaming sugar-laden treats
Blackened but tasty

6 -

Odd sign in Cloudcroft
“Dave’s Café – Try My Willy”
No thanks, I just ate.

7 -

Look out for squirrel
Running across the road – ACK!
Whump, bump. Buzzard food.

8 -

Bloated deer carcass,
Flies a’plenty buzzing ‘round,
Waves of deathly stench.

9 -

Beloved Husband
And Offspring the first have found
Underwhelming stream

10 -

Very reclusive
Second Offspring emerges
To hike in the woods

11 -

Youngest of Offspring
With picturesque waterfall
Alas, no fishing.

12 -

Wild elk call at night
Distant and haunting echoes
Thank goodness, no bears.

13 -

Torrential downpour
Disappointingly hike-less
Let’s just go home now.

Bon Voyage

Astonishing how much preparation is needed for one small excursion. Remarkably, there has been very little shouting or crankiness... so far. At the rate we're currently progressing, we may never actually leave the front yard. If we do, I'll provide details upon our return.

Linear Waterfowl

I'm helping to get the ducks in a row so that the family can take a short trip this weekend. This will be my first excursion outside of El Paso, and I am eagerly anticipating a change of scenery.

Quoth the Raven

I've been corrupted by modern television, because the one phrase that pops to mind here is: "Eat my shorts."

Crocodilians

Sometimes, we are blessed with an epigrammatic expression that splendidly encapsulates a sentiment. Today's adage applies to parenting of Offspring the third.

Offspring the third is a bright, tender-hearted and extremely sensitive child who is prone to frustration, anger and anxiety. Even when he was just a wee person, it was sometimes possible to see the weight of the world on his tiny shoulders. His school teachers have consistently referred to him as an "out-of-the-box thinker," and there have been many moments when he has required out-of-the-box solutions to his difficulties.

Whether the tincture of time, the teachings of tae kwon do, or some mysterious inner development has aided him, Offspring the third has made immense progress of late. He has learned to look for shades of gray instead of viewing the world as black or white. He is able to accept correction without disintegrating. He recognizes when he is on the verge of meltdown and can enlist assistance. Most beautifully, he has made friends.

Now that her mission of raising Offspring the third is no longer obscured by quotidian struggles, Herself can truly relish his quirks, and enjoy his unique perspective. She is relieved and newly optimistic. Though she knows that the future will likely contain occasional challenges, when they arise, she will recall:

When you're up to your eyeballs in alligators, it's hard to remember your first objective was to drain the swamp.

Nuts

Delicious and nutritious!