Cook Forest

(On the hiking trail. April 2008. © Robin)

A funny thing to do is, if you’re out hiking and your friend gets bitten by a poisonous snake, tell him you’re going to go for help, then go about ten feet and pretend that *you* got bit by a snake. Then start an argument with him about who’s going to go get help. A lot of guys will start crying. That’s why it makes you feel good when you tell them it was just a joke.

~ Jack Handy

On our way home from our last trip east, M and I stopped to do some hiking in Cook Forest State Park near Clarion, Pennsylvania. The little fellow pictured above was hanging out on the trail, catching some warmth from the rays of the sun. I do believe he startled M, who in turned startled the snake.

The park is one of 27 parks within the area known as the Pennsylvania Wilds. It’s a gorgeous region covering 12 counties in north central Pennsylvania, with over 1.5 million acres of state forest and game lands.

Cook Forest was once known as the Black Forest. Within Cook Forest you’ll find stands of old growth forest, the most notable being the Forest Cathedral where towering hemlocks and white pines reach for the sky and give you that feeling of being small in the grand scheme of things. Some of the trees are almost 200 feet tall, and are 250 to 300 years old.

The Clarion River runs along the east side of the park. M and I are looking forward to going back sometime this summer to do a little canoeing, and perhaps a bit more hiking. Cook Forest has 27 marked trails. However, I did notice that the trails we explored were not always well blazed. To add to the confusion there are two maps of the area, which we picked up at the park ranger’s office, with conflicting information. Bring a compass or a good sense of direction.

(Cook Forest State Park. April 2008. © Robin)

Although the trails are mostly obvious there are spots where downed trees have covered the trail and you’ll have to go around them. Usually this is not a problem in terms of finding the trail again, but some of the areas have a large amount of debris and sometimes finding the trail again isn’t as easy as you might think. Areas that are signed, such as above, are no problem, but there are areas that have been more recently affected by strong winds and tornadoes. In those areas the debris piles can be huge.

Thank you

(Hottentot Fig (Carpobrotus edulis). Ocean Beach, CA. April 2008. © Robin)

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.

~ Cicero

I owe a few thanks to a few folks out there and this seemed a good day to do it. A Thankful Tuesday, if you will.

I’m not very good at this sort of thing so bear with me. I think the reason I lose all my words when it comes to expressing gratitude is that I’m still learning to accept compliments for the gifts that they are. Whatever the reason, pardon me as I stumble through this.

First, and I should have done this sooner, a thank you to Amuirin at Stop & Wander for nominating me for one of the Blogger’s Choice Awards. I was surprised speechless, although I’ve since recovered and should have done a little more than a “Thanks, Am” on the sidebar. So here it is: Thank you so much, Amuirin. I’m flattered and honored, and really appreciate all the kind words in the nomination.

Another thank you goes out to Paul at Cafe Philos for giving me with his Sun Mountain Award. I feel flattered and honored and all of that good stuff. And as with Amuirin’s nomination, I really appreciate your kind words.

In both cases, I know I’m in good company in terms of the nominees and award winners. So, thank you, thank you, and thank you.

And Paul, I think I’ll put in a hot tub and a few shower stalls, just in case some of your visitors really do feel as though they need a shower when they get here.

Life

(Torrey Pines, CA.  April 2008.  © Robin)

All life is an experiment.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Mother’s Day

(Peanut Butter. May 2008. © Robin)

Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.

~ Elizabeth Stone

This year my youngest son got engaged. This week he celebrated a birthday and graduated from college.

Today he’s moving out.

That makes this a kind of bittersweet Mother’s Day for me. I see more than a touch of Empty Nest Syndrome in my immediate future (until it kicks in that my husband and I will now have the house to ourselves and we can do whatever we want whenever we want).

I found a Mother’s Day gift on my computer this morning. A lovely gift of my very own website, put together by my youngest son. The front page has a beautiful message (”I LOVE YOU MOM!!!”) and the “About Me” section cracked me up (”I am the best sandwich maker ever.”). Since it’s not ready for advertising just yet, you’ll have to wait to see it. Right now I want to enjoy it as it is. I think I may leave “I am the best sandwich maker ever” in the “About Me” section. I do make a pretty fab sandwich.

It kills you to see them grow up. But I guess it would kill you quicker if they didn’t.

~ Barbara Kingsolver

Peanut Butter, pictured above, used to be my youngest son’s constant companion. Over the years I’ve replaced an eye and sewn a few stitches on Peanut Butter. Peanut Butter was allowed to go into surgery with M the Younger when he had surgery at age 5. Peanut Butter is a well-traveled bear and a loyal friend.

I’m pretty sure M the Younger will take Peanut Butter with him, even if the poor bear ends up in a box somewhere, as he eventually makes his way west to Colorado.

I’m going to miss them both, but I also wish them all the best this world has to offer. It’s time for them to go off on their own adventures now.

You can find a little Mother’s Day music here.

Izzy

(Izzy on the waterbed. May 2008. © Robin)

In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this.

~ Terry Pratchett

Since it’s the weekend, I thought I’d do a little cat blogging. Besides, Izzy deserved a fair turn. She’s had a maniacal look on her face in every photo I’ve posted of her.  At least she looks a little less crazy in this one (even if she does appear to be contemplating taking a bite out of her own tail).

The kittens will be one year old on May 29th. I suppose that means they will no longer be kittens. I wouldn’t mention that to Izzy or Bella, though, as they’re still doing things the experts claim they should have outgrown by now. They’re wonderfully playful, providing us with hours of entertainment.

Somehow cats manage to do that, and still maintain their dignity.

Scenic views

(View from Mt. Soledad.* April 2008. © Robin)

You must learn to be still in the midst of activity and to be vibrantly alive in repose.

~ Indira Gandhi

*I’m going to have to depend on the TorreyPinesGoddess to tell us what we’re looking at in some of these photos. I didn’t take notes and it’s been over a month since I stood on Mt. Soledad and took photos. My memory ain’t what it used to be (which might not be saying much as I’m not sure my memory was ever all that great).

Leap

(Torrey Pines State Reserve,  CA. April 2008. © Robin)

There is a microscopically thin line between being brilliantly creative and acting like the most gigantic idiot on earth. So what the hell, leap.

~ Cynthia Heimel

Enjoying the present

(Virginia bluebells. Longwood Gardens. April 2008. © Robin)

The older one gets the more one feels that the present must be enjoyed: it is a precious gift, comparable to a state of grace.

~ Madame Curie, 1928

The next step

(Cabrillo National Monument Park, CA. April 2008. © Robin)

Each step upward makes me feel stronger and fit for the next step.

~ Mohandas K. Gandhi

The only spring

(Longwood Gardens. April 2008. © Robin)

Every spring is the only spring, a perpetual astonishment.

~ Ellis Peters