Sunday, July 19, 2009

Another Day Spent Off Galavantin'!!!

I woke up this morning to another gorgeous day. I meant to work, I did! I PLANNED to stay in, but right after a quick morning walk.....so,
I took Danny and Angus and it ended up being a 4 hour trek! We took the little nets and a small bucket....went to our favorite trails in nearby woods...and just followed our noses! For hours! The bank of this little creek is way over my head in some places....
Here is Angus when we get there...he's a 7 month old Doberman lab mix, I got him at 6 weeks old... I wanted a dog that would be able to go on long runs, that would be built muscular and lean and tall...short hair...I like long tails and floppy ears...no chopping off either, please...also big, tall, loyal and protective, but that would also be woods smart....and so far he's every bit of that and more! There will never be another Luke...but so far I love running with him. He's conscientious of my whereabouts at all times and eager to please.



These woods are a place we have to get to once a day...and the canopy here is amazing, and there are some good climbing trees and fallen logs too...








Angus over my head up on the bank...



The whole creek runs clear and we hunted darters, pretty little long fish with lizard like faces that scoot along on the bottom on their fins! We caught some crawfish too.


Bare Feet feel good on the sandy bottom...

All the fish gather in pools at the base of miniature waterfalls...


A favorite point of entry of mine...and a great private spot I visit often. I love the sound of running water.
Some more barbed wire I can come back for later...it makes a great hanger for the moon lanterns...
And BLACKBERRIES! More than we could eat! We made lunch out of a blackberry patch!

Off in another area on down the trails there are permanent big puddles with lots of pretty water plants that I harvest for my fish tank...and tadploes by the dozen! Danny loved catching them and lots of frog eggs, too. I think the critter-to-water molecule ratio on the way back was much higher for the critters...That bucket was almost solid critter and plant!
My theory is, you only get to be 3 once...kids should be OUTDOORS!!! And so should I!!!

I want MY kids to be very familiar with and comfortable in the natural, real world.



Now, I really do have to get back to work! I promise my next post will show some Halloween art! I just can't be held reponsible for what I might do on a day this gorgeous!

7 comments:

The Captain said...

Wow it's gorgeous there, I wish I had some beautiful woods near my house to go explore. It's all swampy and thickets down here in Florida where we live.

yoborobo said...

Brandi - we had incredible weather here, too (in MD). It's almost impossible to get work done inside. I love it that your kids are outdoors so much, mine were, too, when they were little (teens are like vampires - they come out at night - haha!). Still, spending that time with them when they were little built a lifelong love of nature. :)

Brandi McKenna said...

Hi Captain! If I were in Florida I'd be bushwackin through the thickets..or at the OCEAN!! Like you already are!
Pam...It was a gorgeous day, huh? Glad to hear you like the outdoors, too...I'm in awe of you because you have FOUR!!!

Ann said...

Good morning-loved your last two blogs-incredible photos-beautiful visas-your dad's paintings are quite enchanting-reminded my husband and me of a couple of artists in New England, particularly Maine, whose work we admire-does he show anywhere or sell his works?-weather is finally good here in New England-just take my work outside-Angie

Shes Off Her Rocker said...

Hi Angie!
Thank you so much! My dad has just kept his art to himself so far, he just does it for the joy of it. I believe he would be open to selling his work, though. So glad you have enjoyed my posts...a few posts back there are more photos of his paintings and his girlfriend's, they paint together, a link to her blog is at the bottom of mine, its called Daily Painting, she sells from her blog.

Patty Benedict said...

What a wonderful day with Danny!!!
Thank you for sharing the beautiful photos!!
Bugs & hisses
Patty

Shes Off Her Rocker said...

Oh thanks for stopping by Pat! I think of you when I see sunflowers, now!
Happy Creating!