New Addition

I want to introduce you to Lolly.

Lolly is a new member of the family. It was love at first sight when I stepped into the Greentree bike shop on Old South Pearl Street and saw the baby sister to Lolly. I loved the colors and the "cruiser" style. The shop owner told me that the adult version was to be delivered the next day, so I went back today and picked her up. I named her Lolly as in "Lollygag" because that is what cruiser bikes do. She is also named after Lollypop because of her sweet coloring. I have to admit, I had a hidden fear for the past few years, and this fear kept me from buying a bike. I had this fear that I had forgotten how to ride. But, as the saying goes, "It's just like riding a bicycle," and indeed I hopped on this afternoon and, after a slightly wobbly start, Lolly and I cruised the neighborhood for about 30 minutes. I plan to get to the park early tomorrow morning so I can practice riding Lolly before the park bicycle "rush hour" begins. No, Lolly and I won't be mountain biking. We struggle up hills because of her lack of different speeds and my lack of leg muscle. We probably won't be able to keep up with our bike riding afficiando friends as fast as we would like. But we are perfect together on a summer day, a ride to a local pub for a beer, a run to the grocery store, going to Mom and Dad's for dinner, and cruising around small mountain towns enjoying the views. She fits perfect in the truck bed and is light enough for me to lift her in and out. Yes, Lolly and I plan to have a very wonderful summer together. We hope you can join us!

Looking forward

I am in total spring fever mode. It is really hard to sit and do homework when I want to be outside, at the park, on a hike, working in the yard...you get the picture.

One thing I am really looking forward to this summer is a trip to stay in a cabin at the YMCA camp in Estes Park with my family. The four of us haven't been on a trip together in a long time, and I anticipate it being a very relaxing time. Chester and Stanley are even coming, too! We will bring games, lots of food, books, and plan on some time to connect amidst our busyness.

Here are some pictures from the past when Mom and I went two years ago...

I can smell the pine trees already! Come on June!

You, Me and Mon Petit

***I have a dream to write a children's book inspired by my friend's dog, Mon Petit, AKA Monty. Here is my rough draft. She had to put him down the other day and my heart is broken as if she had to watch a human family member die. I have my vision of how this book would go, but in Aimee's honor here it is as a blog post.***

Mon Petit was known to everyone as Monty.
Monty had a lot of things he loved. He loved his beaver, his frisbee, his hedgey...all in all, Monty loved his "littles"...little toys that he would mouth but rarely destroy.
Monty also loved his friends. He had people friends...Melanie, Karen and TJ, Patrice, Stephanie, Pam, Mary, Barbara, and Emily.
He also had his non-people friends...Figg, Kodi, Ozzie, All the park dogs, Chester and Stanley.
Monty loved his walks. He lived in a nice, neighbor friendly community by a park. He and his mom would spend lots of time at the park. Mom often brought along people to take these walks, thus, it was sometimes you, me, and Mon Petit.

Monty taught all his friends about how to enjoy "the good life."
He loved BIG
He played HARD
He ate WELL
He STOPPED TO SMELL THE ROSES (and to pee on trees and the grass...)
He SLEPT SOUNDLY (except during thunderstorms and fireworks, but mama was always there for comfort)
Monty had a BIG LIFE.
If he could, he would walk on two legs. In fact, he would often sing, "Happy Birthday" when prompted, and dance when mama got the dance bug.

Monty is no longer with us, and this has made his mama, his toys, and his friends very sad.
But, Monty taught all his friends many life lessons:
HOW TO LOVE
HOW TO BE HAPPY
HOW TO LIVE IN THE MOMENT
HOW TO PLAY, EVEN IN TOUGH TIMES
HOW TO FIND BLISS
HOW TO HAVE FREEDOM
HOW TO BE A FRIEND AND COMPANION
HOW TO TRUST, EVEN DURING THE MOST VULNERABLE TIMES
Monty touched so many lives. Thank you for letting it be...you, me and Mon Petit. XOXOXOXO Mel