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Sunday, August 2, 2015

In Harmony with Nature...



...or, what to do if you're easily bored while camping.

Just wanted to check in with you on our/my "camping" progress. We've had a couple of weekend trips; one to the river,(Southern Missouri trout fishing river) the other to a lake (NW Arkansas in the mountains). Both were good, relaxing, and I really enjoyed my time with Hubbs. We grilled steaks and pork chops and had smores (which I thought he'd complain about, but actually he was a trooper. And even though we forgot the long fork, we improvised with small kitchen forks, and it ended up being one of the more memorable moments of the trip)

(we didn't actually go to Lake of the Ozarks, but I love these vintage fold out postcards, 
so I thought I'd share that bit of vintage lake goodness)




We've had tons of rain earlier in the summer, so water was way over it's banks and actually flooding the lakeside and riverside hookups. We donned our "lake shoes" and walked the water's edge at sunset, which on the lake, is really beautiful. Standing on the dock we could see house lights and boats lights coming on all around the lakeside. And gee, it was even a little romantic. I would have loved to do some swimming or canoeing these trips; something more than wading knee deep, but that's for next year. We need to know what we're doing and then can come prepared for some water fun.

One thing I've realized, actually I knew it all along, but didn't want to burst Hubbs' camping bubble, was that I just get a teensy bit bored. I don't like saying the "B" word 'cause it makes me sound spoiled and unappreciative. But I just like to have planned activities, and sitting in a lawn chair for more than 30 minutes (no matter how wonderful the setting) makes me antsy. I won't go into more detail, but let's just say that Hubbs and I have have had a lengthy (as Oprah used to say) "come to Jesus meeting" and it's squarely landed on me that I need to find ways to amuse myself. I need to let him rest, nap, sit, relax, etc, without me twiddling my thumbs and/or sighing loudly.

I have my IPad with Kindle and that keeps me busy for awhile. I've thought about cross-stitch, and I may start that up again, but since we're outdoors, I feel like I need to be doing something "outdoor related". We did take a hike on a hilly trail in the woods to see some Indian Cliffs, but hiking with a heart condition can prove to be exhausting. He didn't like my idea of "piggyback".

The last place we camped, there were birds chattering non-stop. They had up Martin houses, so birds of all kinds were in attendance. I had fun watching a few varieties fly down when campers were away, enjoying left over snacks and crumbs. Since I love birdies so much I thought I might try to do some amateur bird watching and identification. Hubbs bought me some binoculars, and I need to see about a telephoto lens, but I've decided that I need some "nature inspired" things to give me something to do and out of his hair.





We found these laminated pamphlets at one of the State Park Stores. 



They had a wildflower garden filled with Zinnias 
which attracted a pack of gorgeous butterflies. 
Honestly, I think I could have watched them for hours.



Look closely, below.




I grabbed this Peterson Guide in another spot.






I have a few vintage Bird books that I love to decorate with.This one is from 1956. Even though they're old, they still have great information and quaint illustrations.







I've always admired simple watercolor illustrations, so I think I'll get a new paint set and sketch pad and do some playing. Maybe collect a few wildflowers and use a press to dry them. That may be on my list for our longer trip this Fall. This has been a little rambly of a post. Some of you have asked how the camping is going, and if I'm enjoying it. So yes, it's been great to have some quality time with my guy. But then, I could also really enjoy an afternoon outing to Nordstroms.

joining in on these parties:

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings
Share Your Style at Common Ground

xoxo,


21 comments:

  1. In my book,you get lots of kudos for doing the camping thing, and I'm betting the hubby is very appreciative.

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    1. Yep, I'm trying, he knows it's not my preferred sport! ha ha

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  2. Oh, Debra, you and I think alike! I also have a hard time making myself stop to smell the roses, so to speak. I've been known to take my knitting along during the few fishing trips we've made, and I've always got stacks of old magazines in the car along with post-its to mark pages of interest. I think you've got some great ideas to keep you busy, but you might want to buy a new camera lens to capture the vistas you see along the road, because there really are so many pretty views that are hard to capture without the right lens! We've got a few road trips coming up, and you can be sure I'll be thinking of you when the B moments come along. hehe You're making us girls proud, Debra!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I need to be mindful of relaxing. it's super hard for me to actually do without thinking I need to be accomplishing something. I know, it's a big problem. Hubbs has hopes for this venture to actually help with this. I'm hoping!!

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  3. Debra,
    I'm with "you", dear friend. . .sitting more than 30 minutes is n o t "my thing"!!!
    I love the condos at Bennett Spring!!!
    "Mr. Ed" leaves to go Trout Fishing and spend my time reading and working on my paper crafts.
    You mentioned all the things I would have suggested for keeping busy. . .
    and, like you. . .I plan one day of shopping excursions!!!
    The vintage photo of nature photography gave me a "chuckle" this morning!!!
    Here's to "Happy Camping" and Annual Trout Fishing!!!
    Cheers!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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    1. thanks Pat, those condos sound wonderful, I really LOVE Bennett!

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  4. I love camping and always have, but I get antsy too. I have to DO something! We took a short weekend trip down to Eminence and went canoeing last weekend, and it was blissful!

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    1. sounds like so much fun, I bet you all had a blast!!

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  5. I'm sooooooo proud of you!! I also get antsy, even when watching TV, have to have something to do with my hands instead of stuffing my face!!! Bird watching is a wonderful sport, get yourself a notebook so you can jot down what you see and when. You can do all that even sitting in your own back yard. While sitting I also do stitching, read magazines, and make lists....... Butterfly watching is a lot of fun too.......looks like you've got some good books and pamphlets to get you started!!

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    1. what is it about being outdoors, I could eat all day! everything tastes so much better!

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  6. Sounds like you did have a relaxing time anyway!! LOL

    Judy

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    1. I did, Judy, it was lot's of fun, and very picturesque!

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  7. Another idea is nature journalling. It could be anything from a diary/scrapbook to drawings, photographs, identifying what you see, ect.

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    1. that sounds wonderful Jenny, I already journal, so a nature journal would be a perfect way to remember our getaways!

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  8. I love this post, Debra...and the ending made me laugh! I have to think of things I want to do, too...and I've learned to appreciate a good nap.

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  9. Great ideas, Debra. I'm like you. Sitting a chair, napping, lounging - not for me. I need to be doing something, at least with my hands. Stitching is a good alternative, but I like your idea of sketching and painting. Have fun and create a nature journal. Add bits and pieces of real things in with your own art. Can't wait to see your journal! '-)

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  10. Sounds wonderful! I really love the vintage books...I have some and now I need to dig them out! Whenever my husband and I travel I look up the history of the area to read to him and it often gives me ideas of places to go, things to do and starts conversations that go all over the place!

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  11. Your like me and can't sit well...but for whatever reason when I'm camping I feel content sitting. I will bring my knitting and get many projects done even while we're driving. I love to watch the birds...about ten years ago hubs bought me a bird book and every year I journal the birds I've seen. Yesterday I seen a beautiful American Goldfinch and it had been while. We'll be taking out our vintage shasta for the first time this weekend....can't wait!

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  12. When we went camping, I always had my art supplies (watercolors, journal, and pens, glue to paste stuff in)) and also a few good mystery paper back books. I think bird watching would be so much fun, and maybe sketching them. You don't have to be an artist or good at drawing, just have fun.

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  13. Oh you made me smile while I read this! you hit the nail on the head as to what I don't love about camping. My husband is a true outdoors man! He loves to hike, camp, fish etc. Me? Not so much. I usually end up being the maid and cook when we camp because it keeps me busy. If you had some friends to join up with, you would probably love it! We have friends that camp so we're thinking about doing that with them some time (each in our own camper). then you have someone to talk to and laugh with while sitting around the campfire as a group.

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  14. Camping can be lots of fun, depending on what you like to do when you can't get on your computer, yeah. I can sit for hours if I have good book to read that keeps me interested or some good decorating zines to leaf thru. Writing letters is good way to while away some time. I love to float on the water and relax. I have lots of bad joints so floating on water is heaven to me. Can do that for quite awhile but hubs gets bored. He just sits there on chair haranguing me he's bored. sigh. camping in tent is ok but whole lots more comfy in a travel trailer. If no shower handy can at least heat up water and wash myself good til I can get to shower. Don't like being stinky and sweaty, nasty. Our trailer doesn't have bathroom so we take a porta potty and put in small closet. better than nothing in middle of night. Enjoy your week

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